Meeting El Paso’s Gender-Affirming Care Needs For LGBT+
Introduction
It can be challenging to find the proper treatment for general aches and pains in the body due to various environmental factors. These factors, such as home life, physical activity, and work conditions, can lead to overlapping symptoms that negatively impact a person’s mental and emotional well-being. If left untreated and depending on the severity, these symptoms can develop into chronic conditions. However, individuals can find personalized solutions to reduce pain and discomfort by taking charge of their health and wellness. This article will explore gender-affirming care, a treatment that can benefit the LGBT+ community, and non-surgical options like spinal decompression and chiropractic care. We work with certified medical providers who use our patients’ valuable information to provide treatments like gender-affirming care for individuals with general body pain. We encourage patients to ask essential questions and seek education from our associated medical providers about their condition. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., provides this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
What Is Gender-Affirming Care?
When seeking treatment, people often research and find the care that best suits their needs. One treatment that has been shown to impact many individuals positively is gender-affirming care. Research studies revealed that this process could address gender affirmation through various means, including clothing, hair, voice and pronouns, name changes, medical and surgical care, and social transition. People may use gender-affirming care uniquely to receive the treatment they deserve. Research also suggests that gender-affirming care should be multidisciplinary, involving diagnostic assessments, psychotherapy/counseling, and therapies. Many individuals in the LGBT+ community seek gender-affirming care to improve their mental and physical well-being, which can be life-saving.
How Does Gender-Affirming Care Help The LGBT+?
Gender-affirming care is an important aspect of supporting the LGBT+ community. It involves acknowledging and accepting a person’s gender identity and making necessary changes to help them express it. Creating a safe and positive environment for gender-affirming care can significantly improve the experience, health outcomes, and life quality of many individuals in the LGBT+ community, particularly those who identify as transgender. It’s important to understand the meaning of “gender” and “affirming” to provide effective care. Gender refers to how society perceives a person’s sex as either male/man or female/woman, while affirming involves accepting and validating a person’s identity. Research studies have revealed that gender-affirming care positively impacts the LGBT+ community, making it a crucial component of healthcare for this population.
In the LGBT+ community, the “T” stands for transgender individuals with a gender identity that does not match their assigned sex at birth. This can include:
- Transgender woman: Male-to-female, assigned male at birth, lives female/affirmed woman, transfeminine spectrum
- Transgender man: Female-to-male, assigned female at birth, live male/affirmed man, transmasculine spectrum
- Transexual: individuals in the transgender community who has transitioned to the opposite sex, often including sexual reassignment surgery
Many transgender people seek gender-affirming care to improve their overall health and well-being by making changes to align their bodies and mind. Unfortunately, there are barriers associated with accessing gender-affirming care.
Barriers Associated With Gender-Affirming Care
Accessing gender-affirming care can be a barrier for many in the LGBT+ community, leading to poor mental health, decreased social support, and discrimination. Research studies revealed that these burdens can contribute to developing body dysmorphia and associated symptoms. Research has shown that individuals with body dysmorphia may develop comorbid disorders during general examinations, including gender dysmorphia, which can lead to distress for the patient. However, creating a safe and respectful environment for the LGBT+ community is possible by providing personalized gender-affirming care. The Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Team is committed to building a positive space for individuals who identify as transgender and alleviating pain-like symptoms through personalized treatment plans.
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Beneficial Treatments Utilize In Gender-Affirming Care
There is hope for individuals seeking gender-affirming care, as many beneficial treatments are available. Non-surgical options such as spinal decompression and chiropractic care can ease musculoskeletal issues and educate patients on environmental factors that affect their well-being. Hormone, physical, and mental therapy are important for personalized care plans, making them affordable and ensuring safety. Individuals in the LGBT+ community face unique health challenges, and having a safe and positive space can make their health and wellness journey more manageable.
References
Bhatt, N., Cannella, J., & Gentile, J. P. (2022). Gender-affirming Care for Transgender Patients. Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience, 19(4-6), 23–32. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9341318/
Carroll, R., & Bisshop, F. (2022). What you need to know about gender?affirming healthcare. Emergency Medicine Australasia, 34(3). https://doi.org/10.1111/1742-6723.13990
Grant, J. E., Lust, K., & Chamberlain, S. R. (2019). Body dysmorphic disorder and its relationship to sexuality, impulsivity, and addiction. Psychiatry Research, 273, 260–265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2019.01.036
Hashemi, L., Weinreb, J., Weimer, A. K., & Weiss, R. L. (2018). Transgender Care in the Primary Care Setting: A Review of Guidelines and Literature. Federal Practitioner, 35(7), 30–37. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6368014/
Kaplan, E., & Bard, P. (2023). The Ultimate Spinal Decompression. JETLAUNCH.
Tordoff, D. M., Wanta, J. W., Collin, A., Stepney, C., Inwards-Breland, D. J., & Ahrens, K. (2022). Mental Health Outcomes in Transgender and Nonbinary Youths Receiving Gender-Affirming Care. JAMA Network Open, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.0978
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