Yoga has long been touted as a healing activity that extends beyond its known fitness benefits. It can help alleviate depression, relieve stress, and decrease anxiety as well as tighten and tone the body. A 2016 study by Yoga Alliance and Yoga Journal shows that the more than 20 million people who practice yoga spend more than $10 billion on… Read More
Spondylolisthesis occurs when a vertebra of the spine slips forward over the vertebra below it. Spondylolisthesis can be categorized as: congenital spondylolisthesis, which means the disorder is present at birth; isthmic spondylolisthesis, which occurs when a defect occurs in a supportive vertebral structure of the spine; and degenerative spondylolisthesis, which is more common and is frequently associated with degenerative disc disease,… Read More
Everyone knows that exercise is great for overall wellness, better health, and a healthy body. Many chiropractors will often recommend regular exercise to their patients who need to lose weight, want better mobility, or are seeking relief from depression. Some chiropractors are turning to Pilates to help their patients get stronger, more flexible, and more mobile. What is Pilates? In… Read More
Scoliosis is a medical condition where an individual's spine is diagnosed with an abnormal curve. The natural curvature of the spine is generally "S" shaped when viewed laterally, or from the side, and it should appear straight when viewed from the front or back. In many instances, the abnormal curvature of the spine with scoliosis increases over time, while in… Read More
New Year’s Resolutions made by well-meaning but, unfortunately, less than 10 percent of people who make resolutions feel that they successfully achieve them and only 45 percent last past six months. Self-improvement goals like lose weight, eat healthier, quit smoking, and life improvement rank in the top five more popular resolutions. So, what is that 10 percent doing that makes… Read More
Spinal ArthritisOssification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (OPLL). Less frequent than DISH.Greater clinical importance d/t spinal canal stenosis and cervical myelopathyAsian patients are at higher riskBoth OPLL & DISH may co-exist and increase the risk of FxImaging: x-rad: linear radioopacity consistent with OPLLImaging modality of choice: CT scanning w/o contrastMRI may help to evaluate myelopathyCare: surgical with laminoplasty (above right image)… Read More
Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is a chronic health issue which affects approximately 1 percent of the population in the United States. RA is an autoimmune disorder that causes the inflammation and degeneration of the synovial tissue, specific cells and tissue which form the lining of the joints within the human body. Rheumatoid arthritis may and generally does affect every joint… Read More
Degenerative Arthritis Spinal Arthritis:Spondylosis aka Degenerative disease of the spine represents an evolution of changes affecting most mobile spinal segments beginning with:Intervertebral disc (IVD) dehydration (desiccation) and degeneration aka Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) with an abnormal increase in mechanical stress and degeneration of posterior elements affecting 4-mobile synovial articulations ( true osteoarthritis)2-Facets in the L/S & 2-Facets & 2-Uncovertebral joints… Read More
A teardrop fracture is caused when the anteroinferior aspect of a cervical vertebral body is damaged due to flexion of the spine together with vertical compression. The fracture throughout the body is also associated with deformity of the human body and subluxation or dislocation of the facet joints. A teardrop fracture is generally associated with a spinal cord injury due… Read More
A vertebral fracture is a common health issue which can often cause bone fragments to damage the spinal chord and nerve roots. Broken bones can occur due to trauma or injury from automobile accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, or sports injuries, among other causes. Depending on how severe the vertebral fracture is, individuals may have difficulty performing everyday activities. The purpose of… Read More
Chiropractic care is a respected, effective treatment for a variety of conditions as well as for promoting overall wellness. Every day patients seek it out to manage their pain, find relief from health issues, and recover from injuries. But did you know that pro athletes also utilize chiropractic for injuries, soreness, and to keep them playing at optimal levels? What… Read More
April Hermosillo loves fitness. She enjoys exercising and eating foods that are nutritious. As an athlete since age 14, her neck and lower back pain triggered her to undergo foot cramps. April Hermosillo tries not to let her symptoms ultimately change her life. April expresses just how much pain relief Dr. Alex Jimenez has provided her and how grateful she… Read More
Imaging diagnostics are an essential element in the evaluation of spine trauma. Over the last few decades, the rapid evolution of imaging technology has tremendously changed the assessment and treatment of spinal injuries. Imaging diagnostics utilizing CT and MRI, among others, are helpful in the acute and the chronic settings. Spinal cord and soft-tissue injuries are best evaluated by magnetic… Read More
Hyperextension Injury Hangman's Fx aka traumatic spondylolisthesis of C2 with a fracture of pars interarticularis or pedicles (unstable)MVA is the most common causeMechanism: acute hyperextension of upper C/S similar to judicial hanging (never actually seen and most deaths are due to asphyxiation)Secondary flexion may tear PLL and discAssociated injuries: 30% have other c-spine fx especially Extension teardrop at C2 or… Read More
Imaging Diagnosis Management: Cervical spinal trauma & radiographic variants simulating diseaseCervical spineArthritisNeoplasmsInfectionPost-Surgical cervical spine Cranio-cervical and upper cervical stability is dependent on transverse, superior and inferior bands of the C1-C2 ligament, alar ligaments, along with a few other ligaments Cervical Trauma The C/S is vulnerable to injury. Why?Stability has been sacrificed for greater mobilityCervical vertebrae are small and interrupted by… Read More