Open MRI - Advantages Over Traditional MRIs

One of the main advantages of open MRI over traditional MRIs lies in its sleek and compact design which has made it more spacious and least confining. This new diagnostic device is extremely beneficial to patients who may be large in size and those who are claustrophobic. Not only does it provide a more relaxed environment for patients but also makes it easy and convenient for them to undergo the scan.

Notable Features of Open MRI

Though both types of MRI function along the same lines, the open MRI device is more powerful than its predecessor. Its enhanced imaging technology renders hi-definition pictures in 3-D cross section that can help a physician determine the medical condition afflicting the patient. Today, they are used extensively by health centers, hospitals and even clinics for identifying:

• Facial/neck abnormalities
• Infection
• Disorders of the brain
• Abnormalities of eye
• Cardiac conditions
• Disorders in blood flow and blood vessels
• Spinal diseases
• Early detection of tumor
• Abdominal diseases
• Knee and shoulder injuries
• Musculoskeletal disorders

They generate lesser degree of noise in the form of knocking or thumping and patients generally don't require earplugs. In most cases patients don't need to be administered a contrast agent; this is especially true in the case of a liver scan. Children who may have anxiety in undergoing the scan can have their parent or guardian beside them.

High Accuracy and Early Detection

The advantages of open MRI over traditional MRIs are unsurpassed, especially when it comes to the patient's safety and comfort. The parameters of the sophisticated device can be changed for detailed view of the region which requires scanning. Physicians recommend open MRI owing to its high accuracy which helps in early detection of serious conditions such as cancer and tumors.

Are Spinal Decompression Treatments Effective in Reducing Back Pain?

You may have not heard of Spinal Decompression Therapy. This FDA approved rehabilitation method for spinal disc pain works by gently stretching and decompressing the spine. The decompression is done by a machine that mechanically stretches the spine slowly and gently. This action takes pressure off the compressed spinal discs.

Over a series of visits to the medical office, cycles of decompression and partial relaxation are used to enhance the diffusion of water, oxygen, and nutrient-rich fluids to the inside of the discs from the outside. The therapy accomplishes this by manipulating the spine in various directions, which can reduce the size of bulging or herniated discs. This then allows any torn and degenerated disc fibers to begin the healing process.

Use has been made of traditional "static" traction spinal therapy has been used for a long time. Static traction means that the pressure applied at a steady amount, then released. Though some patients have reported reduced pain with this therapy, the problem is that muscular spasms can occur as a side effect of the treatments. This newer therapy differs from the older one primarily in the way that pressure is applied in intermittent amounts, rather than static.

The possibility of muscle spasms is significantly reduced in the new therapy Because it is intermittent, and causes nutrients to be injected into the spinal discs. This new therapy can cause a suction that pulls water and nutrients into the disc, thereby reducing pain and increase healing. If you have a herniated disc the intermittent decompression can draw these fluids back into the disc, thereby reversing the cause of the pain to a certain extent.

The cost of the new therapy will vary between individual patients. Although the costs of individual sessions vary between $35 and $100, the main determinant of overall cost is the number of sessions a person needs. An average is around 20 to 50 sessions, but some people need many more, some less. While many have reported quick results, some others have required 20 or more sessions before experiencing any pain reduction. Also there is a significant minority that did not feel any reduction in pain from the therapy.

The FDA has authorized the use of spinal decompression machines, but currently there is very little clinical evidence that this new therapy works. The few studies that have been done reported little to no advantage. In fact, a number of therapy providers have been sued in court for making claims of improvement that they could not substantiate.

Because there is little research available there are not many insurance companies that would be willing to pay for this type of therapy. Regardless of these circumstances, the use of the new decompression machines is starting to gain in popularity, with many installed in local chiropractic offices. In addition, many financially well off people are even buying their own machine, even though they cost several thousand dollars, just so they can have a therapy session at their convenience.

Spinal decompression therapy's great attraction is the non-surgical out-patient nature of the procedure. Even though little hard evidence for success exists, there have been many reports of significant reductions in pain after having the therapy. In fact, Patients reporting at least some improvement exceed 80% in some clinics. Due to the completely subjective nature of these reports, each person will have to make up their own mind about getting spinal decompression therapy.

Recovery From Lumbar Fusion Surgery - Information

Surgical dressing will be done over any incision after returning from surgery. The dressing is removed a number of days after surgery. The patient can have sutures underneath the skin which are dissolved while healing happens. There are some instances that staples are used as sutures which are visible.

They are normally detached 2-3 weeks after surgical operation by a nurse or surgeon.Before surgery, it is necessary to talk to the surgeon and anesthesiologist regarding the management of pain. Pain relief includes medication by oral means and through IV.

Therapy through IV

The intravenous line in the arm gives fluids and nourishment. Fluids will be stopped once the patient resumes drinking and eating. Intravenous line is also needed in blood transfusions. Antibiotics are given through IV after surgery to get rid of infection for a number of days.

Regarding diet, the patient is allowed to take in little sips of water in the first twenty four to thirty six hours or until the stomach is prepared to take in food. If he or she can tolerate eating, he/she is allowed to take regular food. Other patients are not permitted to drink or eat within 24 to 48 hours after surgery.

Deep breathing exercises after surgery:

- Put your hands over your stomach. Do the nose breathing. You will observe that the stomach rises and the chest enlarges. Control your breath within two seconds. Exhale through the mouth and you will observe that your abdomen goes down. Always cough next to deep inhalation exercises. This aids in clearing the lungs.
- Take plenty of deep inhalation.
- In your subsequent breath, inhale through the nose and control your breath within two seconds.
- Afterward try to cough 2 or 3 times in succession
- You can do plenty of "double coughs" to clear the lungs. You will learn from the nurse how to operate incentive spirometer, an apparatus that will help you breathe deeply. The device can be used 10 times per hour while the patient is awake.

It is important to maintain good circulation of the legs post spinal surgery. Walking and leg exercises can help in circulation. The patient can also put on chronological compression boots which mechanically inflate as well as deflate, which help in pumping the blood in the legs back to the heart.

Positioning activities after lumbar fusion surgery

The patient is on bed after surgery. The nurse helps him/her to "log roll" sideways as the need arises to avoid stiffness and help good circulation. Logrolling is the activity that turns the shoulders and hips at similar times without moving the back. He/she can have one pillow under the knees to reduce stress at the back. The patient must not lie down on his/her stomach because this will create strains that are not needed at the back.

Activity out of bed

It is nice to have small walks in the lobby of the hospital. If sitting, select a solid, hardback chair. Refrain from sitting longer than twenty minutes within a time. It is good to stroll around or lying down to relax. Do not bow or lift Bend the knees and maintain the back straight in straightening up and stooping.

The exercise activity will differ depending on the type of surgery. Some exercises are the following: ankle pumps, quadriceps setting exercises and gluteal setting exercises.

Recovery from lumbar fusion surgery or any form of surgical operation is attainable as long as you follow the prescribed instruction of the surgeon and other health providers.

Spinal Decompression - Tales of a Rock and Roll Roadie

Tyler, a good friend of mine, has taken a new lease on life. And I'm really glad he has. For several years he was a wreck. He had the ideal job, a roadie for a famous rock and roll band. And then it happened. While helping to lift a massive speaker column into place, he injured his back and had to be taken from the job to the emergency room on a stretcher.

The injury was just the beginning of a long nightmare. Tyler suffered from a herniated disc. This is a condition where the gel-like substance contained in the discs of our spines bulges out of one of the discs, putting pressure on surrounding muscle and nerve tissue. The condition often comes about as a result of trauma or continued strain to the back.

It took a while for the doctors to come to this diagnosis. Before figuring it out they had Tyler on heavy pain medication and physical therapy three times a week. Nothing seemed to help. It wasn't until the third MRI was taken, more than a year after the accident, that they noticed the herniated disc. During this time Tyler almost became addicted to pain medicine. He'd also have to go and receive painful injections called epidurals, usually with limited relief. The doctors suggested surgery but Tyler wanted to avoid that if it was at all possible.

Finally Tyler took matters into his own hands. He signed up for group therapy. The focus of the group was pain control. This is where things began to look up for him. He learned of a treatment called spinal decompression. In many back injuries like his, one vertebrae presses down on another. This is often what causes the herniation of the disc or 'rupture' as it's sometimes called. Spinal decompression is a relatively uncomplicated, non-surgical procedure that simply separates the discs and takes the pressure away from the traumatized vertebrae. And more often than not, once the pressure is released, the pain stops.

Here's how it works. A patient is placed on a comfortable padded platform called a decompression table. He's secured with padded, yet firm blocks and straps so his body is stable. Once he's securely in place, the table begins to move beneath his body, gently moving the vertebrae apart. This is done slowly in a gradual way over the course of the treatment. If at any time during the treatment there is a problem the patient or an attendant can immediately stop the decompression with an easily accessible safety switch. Most people receiving such treatment for the first time are amazed at the relief they experience.

The treatment is effective for a number of neck and back ailments such as sciatica, arm and leg numbness and tingling, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, generalized back and neck pain and of course, herniated discs.

Tyler told me that he's gotten his life back. He no longer needs physical therapy or massive doses of pain medication every day. Of course, he's decided his days as a roadie are over too. That's okay, I'm just happy he's not suffering.

Leg Weakness After Microdiscectomy

For people with sciatica, conservative treatments like physical therapy, chiropractic care and non-surgical decompression are usually sufficient. Minimally-invasive microdiscectomy is a common surgical procedure performed on those whose pain has not been relieved by conservative means, or for those who present severe symptoms such as incontinence that require immediate intervention.

A common cause of sciatica is a disc herniation in the lumbar spine. As the exterior ring of the disc weakens, the fluid in the disc's center begins to leak out and irritate nerves exiting the spine. The sciatic nerve roots exit the spine from vertebrae L4 to S3. Nerve irritation causes sharp, radiating pain from the lower back to the legs, muscle weakness and numbness.

Microdiscectomy entails the removal of the small piece of disc material responsible for impinging the nerve. Many who have had the surgery find that, though pain levels improve, strength does not return to the muscles of the affected leg.

Success rates for microdiscectomy and other spine surgeries are reported to be around 95% by surgeons. However, these rates often reflect that the surgeon was successful in removing a disc piece, or that bones actually fused in a spinal fusion procedure. The actual relief of patients is not always included in the definition of a procedure's success.

A study of 91 patients with disc herniation and leg paresis (slight paralysis/weakness) who underwent microdiscectomy showed that success rates, in terms of strength recovery, were far from 95%. Only 75% of patients in the study had regained strength in the affected leg a year after surgery. While this represents a majority, a full quarter of participants did not regain strength; this is a notable percentage. See a summary of the study at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22193841.

Microdiscectomy is often successful at relieving pain, but it can't reverse nerve damage that was already done before the procedure. If the sciatic nerve incurred damage that interfered with its ability to send motor and sensory impulses down the leg, this will not spontaneously recover after surgery. This means that, if you have severe muscle weakness to begin with, microdiscectomy may not be a better option than conservative treatments to relieve nerve impingement. Decompression, traction and exercise therapies should be pursued rigorously before considering surgery.

Nerve Regeneration

Nerve damage is often permanent; there is no standard treatment for regenerating the sciatic nerve once damage has occurred. Experimental treatments like stem cell therapy and growth factor therapy are promising options, but access to them is limited. Your best bet for these treatments is to search for trial studies to participate in or to travel out of the country for treatment.

Omega-3 fatty acid consumption, whether from foods or supplements, may encourage nerve repair soon after injury. See http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120111103856.htm for more on this.

Electrical stimulation of nerves may also help them repair and regrow. This method has been tested on severed sciatic nerves in rats and was shown to promote regeneration. Inquire with local physical therapists, chiropractors and other health professionals about the availability of functional electrical stimulation in your area.

Microdiscectomy treatment is not likely to relieve severe leg weakness, since this is often caused by nerve damage. While it is important to resolve the cause of sciatic nerve impingement, a surgical procedure may not be the best option due to cost, recovery time and risks. While severe nerve damage is often permanent, there are new methods of nerve regeneration being explored.

Mystery of The Herniated Disc With No Pain

Many people who have herniated discs have no symptoms and therefore aren't even aware of the problem. When they do feel pain, it's because the ruptured disc is pressing on the neighboring nerves or the spinal cord. Where the pain is felt in the body depends on which nerve the disc may be pressing on. For example, many people with herniated discs feel no pain at all in their back, and yet they have excruciating pain shooting down their leg. In this case, the bulging or herniated disc is pressing on the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is one of the largest nerves in the body and runs down the leg, and this is where the pain will manifest. The point however is that just because you might not feel pain in your back, it does not mean you do not have a bulging disc.

If it's presumed you have a back injury, MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) and CT scans (Computed Tomography) are the best ways to get a proper diagnosis. X-rays do not usually help determine if a disc is herniated or not. Generally speaking, if you have no or little pain and yet you've been diagnosed with a herniated disc, chances are the disc is not pressing on any nerves.

This should not be a signal to not take action however. Even if no pain is present, it is advised that you consult with your doctor or physiotherapist and start core function and postural alignment treatments immediately to avoid your disc bulging any further.

5 Extremely Easy Ways to Grow Taller

I am making use of this article to share with you the ways to grow taller. Are you also shocked like rest of the people? Many look at me with wide eyes and mouth open when I talk about ways to grow taller. Do you feel that I am playing pranks on your emotions? Relax and listen to me, there are several ways that actually have proven effective in increasing height.

I will share with you the best five ways to grow taller, which has been practiced by many and obtained results:

o Stretching exercises- Even though after a certain age bones stop their growth, it is possible to appear taller if you do stretching daily at home. They help in strengthening the bones and functioning of the muscles. Remember you will get results immediately as there are levels of development according to which growth takes place. First level includes toning of the back muscles. Spinal decompression and straightening is the second stage of progress. Finally in the third stage there is progressive spinal disc regeneration and thickening. They can increase your height maximum up to 3 inches.

o Supplements- If there are no vital ingredients in your diet your growth will not be proper. Make sure that your meals are rich in calcium, proteins, amino acids and vitamins. Calcium promotes strengthening and proper functioning of the muscles and bones. Proteins and amino acids are the building blocks of life which stimulates the growth hormone.

o Human Growth Hormone- This is one of the most expensive ways to grow taller. Growth is based on the production of growth hormones. Synthetic hormones are invented to promote growth in people having short stature. Years before doctors had invented this treatment mode by extracting this hormone from the brain tissues of the cadavers. I personally do not advise in adopting this method of increasing height.

o Lengthening of the limbs- This is a surgical intervention which is done by placing internal or external rods inside the limbs and elongating it gradually. You have to take utmost care to avoid infections after doing this technique. People who are too bothered about their appearance go in for such ways to grow taller.

o Dressing according to your body- Many times certain dresses makes you feel taller. Wear a dress that suits your body structure. Dresses containing stripes always make you appear taller than your normal height.

I have only explained you a few ways to grow taller, most of them still remaining. Remember that you can increase your height at any age with a little effort and dedication.

Spinal Decompression For a Herniated Disc

A herniated disc is a common diagnosis when patients experience back pain, leg pain, or weakness in the lower limbs. It occurs when the vertebral disc that acts as a shock absorber between vertebral bodies goes out of it's normal position as a result of an accident or injury, repetitive stress on the spine, or poor spinal posture.

However, it may occur naturally as well. Due to aging, the body tends to become more susceptible to wear and tear. For example, the vertebral discs become rigid and less elastic which may result in the rupture of the disc.

As the disc ruptures, the gel-like structure of the disc leaks out and a portion of the disc is pushed out of its normal position. This should not be a problem if not for the spinal nerves located near the discs, as the leakage of the gel-like structure may irritate the nerve roots as it exits the spine.

The irritation of the nerves, in turn, produces complications that lead to the occurrence of the following symptoms:

• electrical shock pain


• tingling and numbness


• muscle weakness


• bowel and bladder problems resulting from a condition known as Cauda Equina syndrome which arises from a herniated disc

However, it is important to direct the treatment to the main cause of the problem, herniated discs, rather than the symptoms. Traditional treatments for herniated discs include physical therapy, cold and hot compresses, anti-inflammatory medications, epidural steroid injections, and oral steroid medications.

It should also be noted that herniated discs eventually get better over time, so the first line of treatment should always be rest and activity modification. If rest does not improve the condition, there is an alternative therapy called spinal decompression that is available to aid in the healing of a herniated disc.

Spinal decompression proposes a safe, non-invasive, cost-effective, and non-surgical way of treating spinal conditions such as herniated discs. A machine called DRX 9000 is used for the treatment which applies a gentle force on the spine that decompress the injured discs or vertebrae in order to provide immediate and gradual pain relief.

Decompression works by gently stretching the spine, thus, separating the bone and spine to create a negative pressure inside the disc. A vacuum is created from the negative pressure, and the vacuum releases the pressure from the herniated discs, therefore, also releasing pressure from the irritated nerve roots.

As a result, the release of pressure lessens pain and other symptoms caused by the herniated disc. The vacuum helps in the retraction of the gel-like structure that leaked from the disc, and brings the disc back to its original shape and position. Moreover, the vacuum draws oxygen and nutrients into the injured discs and facilitates the healing process.

Spinal decompression is an effective alternative treatment for herniated discs. It has been proved to be long-lasting. A common side effect of the therapy is minor muscle spasms. Muscles tend to react to stress be tensing up in order to prevent injury, this causes muscle spasms. However, the use of the DRX 9000 minimizes the chances of having muscle spasms as the computer-controlled stretching process incorporates rest whenever the computer senses the muscles experiencing too much stress.

Spinal Disc Decompression - What You Need to Know

Back pain is something that you are likely to experience at some point in your life. Because people are constantly using their back for different movements, you are most likely to have injuries to your back. There are a variety of different reasons why people feel pain in their back. You could have had an acute injury or gradual pain over a period of time. Spinal disc decompression is a treatment that some people use to help alleviate some of their back pain.

Decompression has been used for many years to help people release the tension that is put on their spine. This technology was accidentally discovered by NASA over 20 years ago. The people who went into space came back and reported less pain in their back. The scientist concluded that the lack of gravity allowed the spine to readjust itself to a normal and more comfortable position.

This treatment involves a spinal decompression table that doctors use to impute specific information related to the patient. The automated machine will then help to apply different force to different parts of the spine to help relieve the pressure. It slowly works to pull the spine, which can allow some of the disc to work back into a normal position.

If you are interested in getting spinal disc decompression it may be able to help you alleviate some of your back pain. For people who suffer from pinched nerves or bulged discs should use these treatments to help alleviate some of the pressure. A comprehensive search will ensure that you find something that can work for you.

Why Fluoroscopy is Recommended For Interventional Pain Management and Epidural Steroid Injections

Interventional pain management, such as epidural steroid injections, can provide immense pain relief for patients at a pain center. In conjunction with treatments such as physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, pain medications, and spinal decompression therapy, spinal injections can provide an extremely effective weapon in a pain doctor's armamentarium to help patients.

In order to make sure the spinal injection provides the optimal chance of being effective, pain doctors should utilize available equipment to ensure the injection is being administered accurately. One of the main pieces of equipment currently available is fluoroscopy. Fluoroscopic guidance refers to an x-ray machine that is shaped like a large C and allows pain management doctors to see in real time a patient's skeletal anatomy. This anatomy is used for real time guidance to ensure accurate needle placement.

Without using fluoroscopy for epidural steroid injections, studies have shown there is a "miss" rate of 40% for placement of the steroid injection. The effectiveness of an epidural injection may mean the difference between a patient receiving pain relief versus heading off to spinal surgery. So if the steroid injection misses its mark, then a disservice has been done to the patient. A pinched nerve causing sciatica may debilitate a patient causing lost time from work, depression, inability to play with the kids, etc.

Facet injections can help relieve back and neck pain from arthritis in those small joints. They are about the size of a thumbnail, and not easily accessible without the assistance of a fluoroscopic machine for guidance. Considering that one can only receive facet blocks every few months, accuracy once again is very important.

Transforaminal epidural steroid injections in either the cervical spine or lumbar spine require significant accuracy that only fluoroscopy x-ray guidance can provide. Most pain doctors will place the needle under fluoroscopy and then inject dye into the area for placement. This is called an epidurography.

Using a real time x-ray machine, fluoroscopy, is essential for a pain management doctor to ensure accuracy and optimal effectiveness for patients' pain relief.

Back Pain Due to Facet Joint Compression

The facet joints of the spine lock the vertebrae together, holding the spine erect but allowing a complex range of movements:

• Flexion (bending forward)
• Extension (bending backwards)
• Bending from side to side
• Rotation, clockwise or counter-clockwise

If the joints become compressed, the vertebrae no longer move freely and you become stiff and there is decreased flexibility of the spine.

If the cartilage which covers the surface of the facet joints becomes worn, you can no longer move your head or lower body smoothly and without pain. The stiffness gradually worsens and can lead to spinal osteoarthritis. Occasionally, to make up for the weakening joint, the body may begin to produce bone spurs, called osteophytes. These bone spurs worsen the problem, as they may project out from the facet joint, protruding into the spinal canal, pinching nerves.

If a bone spur projects from the facet joint and presses upon a disc, which is the tough cartilage cushion between each vertebrae, there can be trouble. The spur may cause the disc to bulge out into the spinal canal, pinching nerves, and often causing low back pain or sciatica symptoms. Sufficient pressure from the bone spur may even cause the disc to herniate.

Another cause of back pain can develop when the nerves of the spinal cord leave the vertebral column. First, it is necessary to understand the formation of the vertebrae. Each has a large opening in the center, called the foramen, through which the spinal cord runs. The vertebrae are stacked one on top of another to make up the spinal column. When two vertebrae are locked together by the facet joints, there is a small opening formed on the side of the spinal column. It is not present in a single vertebra and two are required to make a single opening. This is known as an intervertebral foramen and the nerves branching off the spinal cord exit the vertebral column through these holes. If the facet joints become compressed, the intervertebral foramen becomes smaller, reducing the space through which the nerves must exit. This leads to nerve root compression, known as impingement.

The effects of facet joint compression can be wide reaching, leading to:

Referred pain

Organ dysfunction

Tingling and numbness in affected extremities.

Once a diagnosis has been made, there are a variety of treatments to alleviate pain:

• NSAIDS, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprophen or naproxyn are helpful.
• Physical therapy may improve mobility, range of motion, and strength.
• Corticosteroid and local anesthetic may be injected into the joint to relieve inflammation.
• Blocking the dorsal medial nerve branch that innervates the inflamed joint may be effective.
• Fusion of the joint has been discussed but there are no published reports of this type3 of treatment.
• New procedures for the surgical removal of bone spurs have been effective.

Patients need education about every aspect of this problem and should be informed of all treatment options. It is very important that they use good body mechanics to prevent worsening of their symptoms.

How to Cure a Hernia Without Surgery?

Once you have read the statistics that up to 30 per cent of men suffer lifetime pain after groin hernia surgery, it kind of makes you a bit concerned. As my friend Brian put it, 'I decided against the op because two of my friends had it and have been in pain ever since'.

Luckily Brian had a small hernia and was under no pressure from his doctors to get the surgery straight away, though they did assure him it would get worse and need an operation eventually.

Brian decided he would try to prove them wrong. He embarked on a non-surgical hernia treatment program which he had found on the Internet, changed his diet, started an exercise program and began wearing an industrial-strength hernia support garment. How long did his hernia take to heal without surgery? Five years? Two years? In fact it was gone in less than six months.

So why do doctors insist that this isn't possible when it clearly is? There are growing numbers of case reports on the Net, from people whose hernia healed without surgery. It's not even a new concept. Back in the 19th century hernia cures were considered commonplace before the days of surgery.

The Herniabible Program
The program that Brian found on the Net is called the Herniabible system. It's quite simple and is based on eating the right foods, doing the right exercises and keeping the hernia firmly in at all times. However you can't just wear any old truss to keep it in. Some versions, though cheap and cheerful, have rounded pads that press into the gap in your abdomen and keep it open. You don't want that because the edges of the gap need to come together in order to heal. Some trusses/belts also slip around and don't always keep the hernia in very well. You have to use a hernia support that has flat pads and is also guaranteed to keep the hernia in at all times (even when cycling or playing football).

Foods to Eat for a Hernia
The Herniabible diet is all about controlling your hernia pain and swelling by eating more fresh fruit and vegetables and fibre-rich foods, and not overloading your digestive system. It's also important to get enough vitamin C, zinc and other vitamins and minerals that are needed to make collagen - the protein from which skin and muscles are made. (Weak collagen is one of the reasons why hernias can occur in the first place.)

Hernia Exercises
To help heal a hernia without surgery it is definitely beneficial to do the right exercises. These exercises must target the right muscles, i.e. the core muscles such as the transverse abdominal muscles which lie underneath the six-pack. The Pilates system is ideal for this. Most abdominal exercises are designed to develop the six-pack, and will not be of any use to help heal a hernia.

Is that all there is to it? Yes, more or less. You can find other advice on the Net about using herbs like hawthorn, which also helps to control pain and swelling, or Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan, which helps to strengthen collagen, but these won't work on their own. You have to do the other stuff too. There are also some scams out there to beware of. I found a couple of scam sites that looked extremely professional and medical, and promised that their herbs were proven to completely cure any hernia. Don't fall for it!

Epidural Injections Work Well For Treatment of Pinched Nerves

Patients have benefited from epidural injections since they were invented back in the 1950s. They can provide excellent pain relief for conditions such as sciatica or radiculopathy from herniated discs, along with symptoms from spinal stenosis compressing nerves.

Epidural injections work exceptionally well which is why they have remained in steady use over the past 60 years. The success overall of epidural injections has exceeded 75% consistently in research studies. The absolute best results with epidural injections are obtained when the patient has other treatment options as well including chiropractic treatment, spinal decompression therapy, physical therapy, acupuncture and massage. If these treatments are used in combination, success rates may be well over 95% in pain relief and avoiding surgery.

Epidural injections are a pain relieving procedure. They're not intended to fix any problem, but are designed to mask a patient's pain. They can allow individuals to participate better in their physical therapy, play with their kids, get back to work, and reduce the need for narcotic medications for pain control.

They work well in both the neck, the thoracic spine, and the lumbar spine. They're not meant as a treatment for simply neck pain or back pain itself. They are truly meant for pain that radiates out into the arms and legs from a pinched nerve. When a nerve is pinched from a herniated disc for instance, that in and of itself does not cause pain. What that does is spark up inflammation, which can then cause the radiating pain. It is the heavy anti-inflammatory nature of the steroid medication that is administered which relieves the pain by bathing the nerve roots with the cortisone.

Epidural injections are administered in an outpatient setting. Patients may receive IV sedation, but it is not absolutely necessary. They may just need some local numbing medicine where the needle is being placed into the skin. Currently almost all epidural injections involve steroid medication. In the future, most likely we will end up seeing some nonsteroidal medications and probably some stem cell injection materials as well.

There are 3 different types of epidural injections. These are intra-laminar epidural injections, which were the first type invented and involve placing the steroid medication just under the bone overlying the spinal canal. These work well but about a decade ago a new type of epidural was invented.

This option places the needle much closer to the area of nerve root compression and this is called a transforaminal epidural steroid injection. The foramen is where the nerve root leaves the spine and this injection goes out this area so it is called "transforaminal". This is very common in the lumbar spine but not so common in the cervical spine. Up around the neck there is a potential for very serious competitions so most pain management doctors do not offer this kind of epidural injection there.

The third type of epidural injection is called a caudal epidural. A pain management doctor places the cortisone through the buttock region through an area called the sacral ala. The steroid medication is then injected along with some numbing medicine and it flows from the bottom of the spinal canal up and can reach a few levels for pain relief. This type of injection works better when a patient has multiple nerve roots compressed such as in spinal stenosis.

Overall, the complication rates from epidural steroid injections are very low. The good to excellent results hover between 75 to 90%. This is equivalent to surgical outcomes at the one-year point. A large study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showing that at the one-year point results were equivalent but the patients who had epidurals were able to avoid the risks of surgery.

Prior to undergoing spine surgery, individuals should look to see if epidural injections could help possibly avoid undergoing the knife.

The Herniated Lumbar Disc

What is a herniated or slipped disc? Understanding what it is requires knowledge of the anatomy of a lumbar disc and what changes occur when it herniates. First, the inside of the disc is composed of a jelly-like substance called mucoploysaccharide. Inside the jelly substance is a hard nucleus (nucleus polpusus) that acts like a ball-bearing. On the outside of the disc is a crisscrossed pattern of stretchy bands called annular fibers. The crisscrossing annular bands give the disc strength and flexibility and the nucleus rotates within the confines of the jelly substance in concert with spinal movement. The result is a divinely inspired design and the perfect pivot between two vertebras. The two vertebras with the disc in the middle are the basic components of a spinal joint.

So, the disc works like this: Imagine holding a barbell with heavy weights attached over your head. What happens? The entire disc compresses, loses height and widens like an automobile tire gone flat. Now, put the barbell down. As you bend, extend, twist or flex, so do the stretchy annular fibers on the outside of the disc. At the same time, the nucleus shifts within the jelly substance to the opposite side you are leaning. So, if you laterally bend to the right, the nucleus shifts to the left.

With an understanding of disc anatomy, we'll talk about the bones surrounding the disc. With the two vertebras, there is the image of a disc sandwich: The vertebras are like the bread and the disc is like the meat in the middle. Now it's time to add some important bones to the back (posterior portion) of the spinal joint. For our purposes, the most significant of these bones are the pedicle rings because they form an opening for the spinal cord. Through this opening, the spinal cord travels through the spinal joint. Of course, with a joint of any kind there's movement. So, we can add bony (synovial, lubricating) articulations from one vertebra to another enabling movement in many directions. Most importantly, these articulations form holes (neural foramina) where nerve roots, coming off the spinal cord, exit the joint and control whatever tissues they innervate.

I specifically chose a lumbar disc for this article because it has a greater responsibility for weight bearing than any other area of the human spine because we walk upright, called bipedalism. Also, lumbar discs are also required to be very flexible.

So, what can go wrong? How does a lumbar disc herniate? Imagine this: a herniated disc is like a tire with a bubble protruding from its side. The bubble forms because rubber fibers have worn thin and pressure from air within the inner tube finds the weakest point. This analogy is very similar to a herniated disc. The jelly substance inside of the lumbar disc also has pressure. If for whatever reason some of the external annular fibers tare, a protrusion occurs, like the bubble on the side of the tire. A little bubble is like a disc protrusion and a big bubble is like a disc extrusion: two kinds of slipped or herniated discs. A disc protrusion is a very common condition and can normally be treated conservatively, such as with chiropractic adjustments. A disc extrusion is much less common and may require surgery. The most serious kind of herniated disc is called sequestration, the segmented disc. Simply stated, a portion of the disc becomes completely separated from the main body of the disc. This condition almost always requires surgery. In all these disc conditions, the herniated disc material can pin the sensitive nerve root against the bony wall of the vertebra. This, in turn, inflames the nerve root.

The signs and symptoms of a herniated disc vary with the different kinds. However, there are several common symptoms, such as antalgic posture. It's when a person stands and walks slanted to one side like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. They lean to the side opposite the herniated disc taking pressure off the nerve root. A good sneeze often results in a sharp, breathtaking pain. After sitting awhile and then attempting to stand, the disc victim can be seen pushing up their legs in order to achieve a standing position. While trying to stand still, people with a herniated lumbar disc perform the famous low back dance swaying from side to side, weighting and unweighting from one foot to the other. And there may be other unpleasant signs, like nausea. Of course, pain radiating into one leg, and muscle spasm are very common.

These are typical symptoms of a disc protrusion, the least serious type. With a disc protrusion, symptoms come on like a cyclone, full of sound and fury. And, surprisingly, weeks later all symptoms can be entirely gone. This is not the case with a disc extrusion or disc sequestration. Symptoms persist and often worsen. Lack of bowel control and/or bladder incontinence accompanied with intractable pain at night are often experienced. But, as I mentioned, these last two are much less common.

Lumbar disc symptoms transcend typical low back pain in intensity. They're nasty and they demand attention. In closing, here are several tips for treatment and relief. First apply ice, never heat to the low back. Ice relieves pain and is anti-inflammatory. Second, a low back support can relieve and immobilize the area. [Hint: it's not for everybody with a disc condition.] Chiropractic adjustments are designed to restore proper spinal joint function and are known to offer a quick recovery. And in some cases, physical therapy can be effective.

What About An Inversion Table?

As a back specialist I'm asked this question almost weekly, or "right regular" as they say in the country parts of North Carolina, and I'll answer the question directly in just a few moments, but first let me point out that the same question could be asked about innumerable other things: What about a vibrating thing for your special chair? What about heat or ice? Or magnets? Or meditation? Or an expensive bed? Maybe a massage would help? Perhaps a hot tub? A cane and eventually a walker may be of some benefit too. There are all sorts of back braces available. The list goes on. Now, don't get me wrong, I understand that life can be stressful. And I like a good soak in the hot tub as much as the next person, and a quality bed may help prevent back problems down the road, but if you're hoping that thing you saw on TV for 3 easy payments of $69.95 is going to fix your back - it probably won't.

First, let me applaud you for still searching for an answer for surely doing nothing won't work. Second, the fact that you are still searching is telling, and what it tells me is that something is wrong with your back. So, will an inversion table help? Yes, it probably will at least for a while in the same way that if your car were overheating on hot days you could simply open the hood every morning before leaving for work and add a half a gallon of water to the radiator. So long as it doesn't get too hot and you don't drive too far you should be able to make it through the day. Sounds crazy though doesn't it? How long would it take you to figure out that something must be wrong with your car? Do you really want to take a chance on being stranded on the side of the road?

What Could Be Wrong With Your Back?

Degenerative Disc Disease is a common cause of what is wrong with backs and necks. As a spinal disc degenerates the side walls first get drier and weaker and consequently begin to bulge taking up space and putting pressure on (or pinching) the spinal nerve root. In the early stages this bulge can come and go somewhat dependent upon what you did or didn't do yesterday explaining why your symptoms come and go. Second, as it gets drier and drier it gradually loses height and the vertebrae get closer together further compromising the space for the nerve and exaggerating the effect of the bulge. At this stage the symptoms tend to be more frequent and more severe. Third, the resulting stress on the joint causes a gradual calcium buildup much in the same way that stress on the skin of your hand results in a gradual buildup of skin. In the case of skin this buildup is called a callous and in the case of bone this buildup is called bone spurs or arthritis. The build up of bone further narrows the space for the nerve roots. At this stage the symptoms can be nearly constant. The effects of degeneration have culminated in a narrowing of the channel for the nerve root which is referred to as spinal stenosis.

Gravity Causes Stress On Your Spine

An inversion table counters the effect of gravity. When you hang upside down the weight of your upper body separates the vertebra temporarily increasing the space between them to possibly relieve enough pressure on the nerve to make it feel better. Temporarily. The trouble is that the disease remains, the disc is still degenerated.

There are many problems with inversion. Depending upon your body weight there may be way too much pressure being applied to the weakened disc fibers which runs the risk of tearing them further or there may not be enough force being applied to the right place at the right angle to actually result in any benefit. There is simply no way to measure the force or change the angle. Further, hanging upside down is at best uncomfortable as the blood rushes to your head. A minute of this seems like a very long time. Those with heart or blood pressure issues and those with certain eye conditions must be specially wary. Depending upon the design of the particular inversion table it is likely that a slant position can be accomplished as opposed to being completely upside down which may make it easier to tolerate for a longer time but again there is no way to adequately determine the pressure being applied to the offending disc. In any event, it is doubtful that even several minutes is long enough to effect any lasting change in the physiology of a damaged disc. Additionally, most designs require at least some degree of athleticism to actually flip your body upside down prohibiting those who are the most desperate for relief from even trying.

Attempts to counter the effects of gravity to relieve back pain and neck pain is not new. Traction in one form or another has been employed for centuries to achieve just that. Unfortunately, traction whether done mechanically or by inversion is too little, too late. Spinal Decompression Therapy, however, is a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment performed on a special, computer controlled table similar in some ways to an ordinary traction table, but singularly different because it targets a single disc level and utilizes specific traction and relaxation cycles (a pumping action) throughout the 20-30 minute treatment. This, along with proper angle or positioning, creates a negative pressure within the disc. It works by gently separating the offending disc 5 to 7 millimeters creating a negative pressure (or a vacuum) inside the disc promoting the retraction of the bulging disc tissue. It actually "sucks in" the bulging disc material. The pumping action also circulates water, oxygen, and nutrients throughout the disc, thereby re-hydrating a degenerated disc and bringing in the nutrients needed to begin the healing process. This will in many cases also restore at least some of the lost disc height.

Laminectomy Surgery - Understand The Facts Before It's Too Late!

Laminectomy Surgery, is it the end all be all of back surgeries? As all back pain sufferer know, it's not something that you can ignore or should ignore for long. First off it is not something that will pass and does not just effect a small area of your body, if you have chronic back pain/problems, then your whole body is effected and pretty much makes your ability to do anything physical difficult to nearly impossible without a great deal of pain.

Now there are some instances, where the your back pain, is simply muscles soreness and would require little more than rest. When the pain does not go away or is chronic in nature, it's time to find out if this is a more serious condition that involves your spine and vertebral discs. You should consult a physician to seek guidance on your condition, and if surgery is suggested one type that you want to know about is Laminectomy Surgery.

So what is Laminectomy Surgery? Good question!

A laminectomy is a medical or surgical procedure wherein the doctor who administers it removes a portion of the bony arch, or lamina on the back of your vertebra (think dorsal fin on a shark). This surgical procedure is also know more commonly as an open decompression procedure. When the lamina is removed, this enlarges the spinal canal (where your spinal cord/nerve runs),which in turn relieves the spinal nerves of the tremendous pressure which causes the pain that keeps you from doing pretty much anything.

The surgery itself is fairly straight forward, the doctor will make a small incision (aka cut you) near the affected area, the incision itself can vary anywhere from two to five inches in length. Next portions of the surrounding muscle will be temporarily dissected to get to the vertebral column. Next the surgeon will cut into the lamina, and then have access to the facet joints that surround the spinal nerve. This is where the real work is done, once the facet joints and spinal column is reached, the surgeon then creates "more space" for your spinal nerve, which will relieve the pressure and ultimately help reduce or get rid of the pain. It has been documented that Laminectomy Surgery has a high rate of success, and can effectively rid your back of pain and suffering. As of this writing, approximately 80% of those patients surveyed stated that the procedure either reduced/relieved or even eliminated the pain and have had a tremendous positive effect on their lives.

Now a word of caution, as with any medical procedure, it's important to know that there is always some risk involved. Common problems from this type of surgery are internal bleeding, possible pneumonia during recovery, as well as spinal nerve damage, or instability of the vertebrae which can make matters worse. Now the evidence of this type of negative results is relatively small compared to the successful results, but it is a very important consideration to take into account when deciding if Laminectomy Surgery is what you need.

Also take into consideration the costs which can be very high as this is a very specialized surgery and depending on where you live, and what type of medical insurance you currently have, it's important to understand the financial ramifications of this type of surgery. Also with specialized surgeries, comes scarcity of physicians who can perform these procedures, so it is important that you gather as much information before hand to be well educated to the risks, costs, benefits, and recovery time needed for this or any type of surgery.

DRX9000 Spinal Decompression Machine Review and Costs

If you've been a sufferer of chronic lower back pain for any amount of time chances are you may have heard of the DRX9000 machine already. Perhaps even your chiropractor has already mentioned the non-surgical treatment option of the DRX9000 table.

Due to the complex nature of our backs, it is hard to generalize symptoms to common causes. The lower vertebrae consists of disks and joints, and for different reasons either the discs or joints can become weak or damaged. With these weak or damaged discs or joints, pressure can build up on neighboring nerves in the spinal column, in turn causing the chronic lower back pain.

Spinal decompression aims to relieve this pain by alleviating the pressure on the nerves. Doing this with surgery can be quite a daunting prospect since the spinal cord needs to be exposed and worked on to relieve this pressure. Alternatively, for many patients the DRX9000 machine can achieve the same results without any surgery at all.

The DRX9000 spinal decompression table uses a type of traction therapy. More specifically, a "dis-traction" method that instead of pulling on the whole spinal column at once, it can isolate the problem areas and focus the treatment with a series of oscillating pulling and relaxing movements. This method allows the damaged disc some space to breath as the vertebrae on either side will now be further apart.

Surgery for chronic lower back pain is hardly the most appealing prospect for anyone, so in a lot of cases the non surgical alternative is not a difficult choice.

Many chiropractors would have you believe that the DRX9000 is the answer to any and all back pain, guaranteed to provide you with relief. While it may be true for a number of people, just as with any alternative therapy or even surgery the success rate is nowhere near 100%. It can be difficult to get a treatment program for the DRX9000 paid for by a lot of insurance companies, so a lot of the time patients would have to foot the bill themselves.

A round of treatments can vary in length -- anywhere from two weeks to a few months of regular visits. Most cases involve 30-45 minutes of therapy per session, with daily or bi-daily visits for the first week or two. After the first week the sessions usually drop to 1-3 times a week. The amount of therapy given does heavily depend on the severity of the symptoms and the individual response rate of the patient. Treatments can range in price depending on where you go, but usually they cost from $80-$150 per session, with around 20 sessions usually prescribed as the initial treatment. This adds up to around $1600-$3000 for the treatment, which doesn't sound overly expensive when compared to surgery. However, often it turns out the patient will request or need further treatments, and someone taking treatments from the DRX9000 can easily end up having 3-5 rounds of treatments, making the total costs higher.

Anyone who has suffered, or even knows someone who suffers from chronic lower back pain probably knows all too well that it can be hard to find suitable relief without having surgery, and even having surgery doesn't guarantee the pain will go away. For many the DRX9000 spinal decompression system can be a viable alternative and certainly worth investigating as a chronic lower back pain treatment option.

You should always be sure to consult your physician before considering using the DRX9000 spinal decompression system or any other medical course of action. This article is for general information only and should not be used as a substitute for sound, professional medical advice.