Dr. Alex Jimenez, El Paso's Chiropractor
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An Overview Of Vertebral Pain Syndrome

Introduction

The human body has muscles surrounding and protecting the spine to prevent pain and disability. The spine is divided into three sections in the body: cervical, thoracic, and lumbar, which form an S-shape curve to promote stability and good posture. The spine has several discs, facet joints, and spinal nerves that work with the surrounding muscles, making the body mobile. However, various factors can pressure the spine, compressing the spinal discs and invoking referred pain to the surrounding muscles and tissues in different locations, leading to overlapping risk profiles if left untreated. This article focuses on the lumbar spine, explaining what vertebral pain syndrome is and how non-surgical treatments such as spinal decompression can restore mobility to the lumbar spine. We utilize and incorporate valuable information about our patients to certified medical providers using non-surgical therapies like spinal decompression to alleviate vertebral pain syndrome associated with the lumbar spine. We encourage while referring patients to associated medical providers based on their findings while supporting that education is a remarkable tool to ask our providers the essential questions at the patient’s request. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., comprises this information as an educational service. Disclaimer

 

An Overview Of the Lumbar Spine

 

We will concentrate on the lumbar spine, one of the three spine sections. The lumbar spine or low back begins at the T12 (the last thoracic vertebra) and ends at the S1 (the sacrum). It comprises five vertebrae with a common structure supporting the low back. These vertebrae are as follows:

  • The body
  • Pedicles
  • Laminae
  • Transverse processes
  • Spinous process
  • Superior/inferior articular processes

The lumbar spine has bigger and stronger bones that provide stability to the upper and lower parts of the body. Research studies reveal that the lumbar spine performs three essential functions that enable the body to function properly:

  1. It supports the upper body.
  2. It absorbs axial forces that move from the head to the trunk. This allows the muscles in the trunk to move without causing pain.
  3. The lumbar spine forms a canal that safeguards the spinal cord and nerves.

 

The Structures Of the Lumbar Spine

The spine comprises several structures, including the vertebrae, spinal cord, spinal nerves, facet joints, and intervertebral discs. Each structure plays a unique role in keeping our bodies functioning properly. The vertebrae protect the spinal cord and nerves from injury, while the facet joints guide the motion of the vertebrae and help maintain stability. The spinal cord and nerves work with the central nervous system to send signals from the brain to the body for coordinating reflex actions. Intervertebral discs act as shock absorbers, allowing the spine to be flexible. Muscles, tissues, and ligaments protect the entire lumbar spine structure from pain. However, traumatic injuries or unwanted pressures can cause misalignment and low back pain. Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal complaint, and several factors can contribute to its development, often confused with vertebral pain syndrome associated with the lumbar spine, as research studies reveal.

 


Move Better, Live Better- Video

Do you have stiffness in your lower back or experience constant aches in certain regions? These may be signs of low back pain related to vertebral pain syndrome. Research shows that pathologic degeneration in the lumbar spine can cause low back pain, affecting all components. Several mechanical, traumatic, nutritional, and genetic factors contribute to spinal degeneration. However, non-surgical treatments can help reduce muscle pain and alleviate unwanted pressure on spinal discs. Chiropractic care and spinal decompression are two treatments that enhance mobility and function in the spine, relieving pain. The video above talks more about these treatments.


What Is Vertebral Pain Syndrome?

 

Experiencing pressure on the lumbar spine can result in various issues that can worsen low back pain. One of these issues is called vertebral pain syndrome. In “The Ultimate Spinal Decompression,” Dr. Eric Kaplan, D.C., FIAMA, and Dr. Perry Bard, D.C., explain that this syndrome occurs when environmental factors start affecting the lumbar spine. It can be caused by visceral pain in the lower back that disrupts neuron signals in the lumbar spine. This can irritate spinal nerves, leading to referred pain in the lower body. The book also mentions that vertebral pain syndrome can happen when the vertebrae end plates on spinal discs wear thin, causing pressure to move with the disc. This can inflame the spine, causing chronic low back pain.

 

How Spinal Decompression Alleviate Vertebral Pain Syndrome

How can non-surgical spinal decompression treatments help alleviate vertebral pain syndrome in the lumbar spine? Research studies revealed that spinal decompression could reduce pressure on the spinal disc and gently stretch the spine, restoring disc height. This treatment can relieve many people from low back pain and its associated symptoms. Moreover, it can rehydrate spinal discs by promoting the flow of blood and nutrients, which aids in the healing process to reduce the effects of vertebral pain syndrome.

 

Conclusion

Taking care of your spine is crucial as everyday factors can put pressure on it, causing damage to the spinal discs. This can lead to vertebral pain syndrome, which can cause lumbar back pain and referred pain linked to visceral problems. Luckily, spinal decompression therapy can ease the effects of this syndrome by gently stretching the spine and restoring hydration to the discs. Incorporating spinal decompression into your routine allows you to enjoy a pain-free life without worrying about lower back pain.

 

References

Alexander, C. E., & Varacallo, M. (2020). Lumbosacral Radiculopathy. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430837/

 

Kang, J.-I., Jeong, D.-K., & Choi, H. (2016). Effect of spinal decompression on the lumbar muscle activity and disk height in patients with herniated intervertebral disk. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 28(11), 3125–3130. doi.org/10.1589/jpts.28.3125

 

Kaplan, E. & Bard, P. (2023). The Ultimate Spinal Decompression. JETLAUNCH.

 

Manfrè, L., & Van Goethem, J. (2020). Low Back Pain (J. Hodler, R. A. Kubik-Huch, & G. K. von Schulthess, Eds.). PubMed; Springer. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554336/

 

Sassack, B., & Carrier, J. D. (2020). Anatomy, Back, Lumbar Spine. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557616/

Disclaimer

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Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "An Overview Of Vertebral Pain Syndrome" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

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Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, acupuncture, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

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Blessings

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*

Presently Matriculated: ICHS: MSN* FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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