Causes of Chronic Low Back Pain?

Low back pain is a very common and sometimes debilitating condition that affects up to 80 % of the population. Most patients that develop the acute onset of low back pain will able to return to normal activities of daily living and become a functional member of society within 6 weeks of onset. Yet, a small percentage of the population can go on to suffer with chronic disabling lumbar pain.

Despite many scientific advances in medicine over the decades, improvement in the quality of healthcare and the proliferation of various new pharmaceuticals, controlling chronic low back pain can be difficult but not impossible. Surgical solutions for treating low back pain is difficult and often met with mixed results and should be the very last option.

Causes of Chronic Low Back Pain

The causes of chronic lumbar pain are many and can include one or a few of the problems listed below in combination, and the causes are not limited to this list:

•Degenerative Arthritis: This is the most common cause in adults, and is consistent with the normal wear and tear process to the lumbar spine.
•Other types of arthropathies: There are a number of conditions which fall under this section such as Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Diffuse Idiopathic skeletal Hyperostosis(DISH), Lupus, Ankylosing Spondylosis or other HLA-B27 conditions.
•Fibromyalgia: Disease of disuse and muscle deconditioning.
•Stress: This could be either emotional or social stressors which can lead to lumbar pain via muscle spasm.
•Fractures: This can be as a result of any significant trauma such as a motor vehicle accident.
•Muscle Strains: The most common cause as a result of work-related injuries lifting injuries or other types of other trauma.
•Herniated Disc: Disruption of the disc that separates two vertebra that results in nerve root compression.
•Spinal Stenosis: Compression of the spinal nerves secondary to naturally progressive age related arthritis.
•Infection: Bacterial or fungal infection of the spine.
•Cancer
•Intra-abdominal or pelvic organ pathology: Kidney, pancreas, and aorta problems as well as others can mimic symptoms consistent with traditional lower back pain.

It is because the majority of lower back pain in our society is caused by muscle strain or arthritis, and the frequency is so common, that a delay or missed diagnosis of underlying rare conditions, such as but not limited to fractures, cancer, infection, renal stones, and aortic aneurysms, can occur.

What are the Predisposing Factors for Chronic Lower Back Pain?

There are a number of predisposing factors that can increase a patient's chances of having back issues. Problems such as smoking, alcoholism, obesity, low physical activity, psychosocial issues, sedentary jobs, prior failed back surgery, secondary gain, and deconditioning can all increase a patient's chances of developing or maintaining chronic lower back pain.

As it relates to treatment for lower back pain, it is fortunate that the vast majority of patients will have complete resolution of their pain within six to eight weeks of acute onset. The prevalence of lower back issues in our society persisting longer than two weeks is approximately 14%, with a point prevalence of approximately 7% (Deyo, R. A. 1990).

Treatment

The active treatment of lower back pain has two main focuses, the first of which should always be non-operative care. This should include physical therapy, chiropractic, anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, limited use of narcotics, various injections (both diagnostic and therapeutic), weight loss, smoking cessation, muscle reconditioning, and the tincture of time.

As it relates specifically to aerobic exercise, fitness creates an overall protective effect on the spine by increasing muscle strength, endurance, and increasing endorphin levels. This can lead to avoiding conditions such as fibromyalgia, which is a disease of disuse.

The other generalized treatment algorithm may include surgery. It is known that surgical intervention for predominant low back pain typically does not result in excellent long-term results.

•Surgical fusion has been met with mixed results for the treatment of predominant low back pain and decompression has a very limited role.

•Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR) is showing some significant promise in the treatment of low back pain as well as artificial nucleus. Research is still ongoing as it relates to artificial nucleus replacement, yet artificial disk replacement is available and is no longer experimental as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has completed the initial research and approved ADR for human use since 2003. In Europe, artificial disk replacement has been an approved (CE mark) treatment for over 20 years.

Any patient that is considering treatment for chronic, disabling, low back pain should seek the advice of their primary care physician first and address many of the risk factors that have been outlined above.

Surgical intervention for chronic low back pain is not common, but evaluation by a spinal surgery specialist would be an important step to take if you, as a patient, have remained symptomatic, despite the conservative course, for longer than 6 to 8 weeks.

Treatment For Herniated Disc In Lower Back - 5 Natural Home Remedies To Stop Pain and Swelling

Some of the most poignant voices are heard from people who suffer a herniated disc and treatment for herniated disc in lower back is very convoluted.

What Is A Herniated Disc?

Our spine is cushioned by tiny, mushy discs. The main job of these spongy discs is to absorb the shocks endured by our body. Herniated disc is a condition when our discs get damaged or ruptured. It mostly affects our lower back and sometimes the pain can be felt near the neck (cervical spine).

People who are entangled in jobs and sports which require heavy lifting, pushing, twisting are very likely to suffer from this disorder. And with surgeries offering very poor curative results, people are bound to embrace natural remedies.

The Best Natural Treatments:

1) Rest is regarded to be the most effective treatment for herniated disc in lower back. But sometimes, over resting may backfire as it can weaken the surrounding muscles. Therefore, light activities with some rest can bring great relief.

2) Ice or heat treatment can bring great comfort to the patient. Depending on what you are more comfortable with, either of them can be applied to the affected area. They help to numb the nerves, reduces swelling and soothes out the pain. Always remember not to keep both of the either packs on for too long. Apply it for ten minutes followed by a five minutes rest.

3)Back posture is known to be a very important factor for herniated disc since improper posture may exaggerate our condition. Find a relaxing position for rest and sleeping with small pillows can do wonders. Try to use a medium-firm bed with small pillow under your head and knees. Alternatively, sleeping flat on the floor can also bring relief but try not to sleep in one spot for too long.

4)Regular massaging with safflower seed oil, Ignatia and Naja oil with some menthol can bring relief to those who are suffering from herniated disc, as they have their own medicinal values.

- Menthol - Helps in increasing the blood flow and circulation at the affected area which speeds healing.

- Ignatia- Helps to calm the affected nerves which increases the blood flow and gives more mobility to our muscles.

- Naja - Works within the nerves to heal and mitigate pain.

5) Apart from all these home remedies in treatment for herniated disc in lower back,we must note down a few important tips like:

- Staying at a healthy weight reduces a lot of load on our lower back.

- Always protect your back when you lift any item.

- Try to get mild but regular exercise.

- Avoid smoking.

Is There A Quick Yet Affordable Home Remedy?

The bottom line on herniated disc comes down to getting an appropriate treatment which grinds well without heavy expense and without any side effects. The natural remedies mentioned are very effective but they act slowly. But to our relief, studies conducted by a Health Institute has proven that a cream made from a combined mix of natural herbs like Belladonna, Naja, Lachesis Mutus, Ignatia, etc. has the ability to stop pain and swelling in a short period of time. Even better, it does not come with any side effects. It is a breakthrough which is by far one of the best treatment for herniated disc in lower back.

The Benefits of Using Decompression Therapy for Back Pain

There are millions of people suffering from low back pain due to herniated and bulging discs who do not know where to go for treatment. Most of them simply take prescribed medicines to relieve the pain. However, medicines can only provide temporary relief. Surgery is another option but it is expensive and sometimes it does not guarantee success. For these reasons, pain sufferers choose to get relief through alternative treatment.

Decompression therapy is an FDA approved non-surgical, drug-free treatment that uses computer-controlled traction to reduce pressure in the spinal discs by gently stretching the spine. It is intended for patients suffering from back pain due to herniated disc. It can also work for patients who did not get relief from conventional treatments, and patients suffering from other conditions such as neck pain, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, radiculopathy, spinal arthritis, spinal stenosis, and facet syndrome.

A person with a bulging or herniated disc may feel back pain. The disc can be returned to normal with the help of decompression therapy. As the patient is lying comfortably on the decompression table, the computer-controlled traction device is programmed to apply gentle stretching force to the vertebra. This activity helps the disc to absorb the nutrients needed to heal the disc, thereby eliminating pain and discomfort. The therapy is painless and patients find it relaxing and they feel sense of relief, and some even tend to fall asleep while the procedure is taking place.

Decompression therapy can be an excellent treatment option to avoid back surgery. Back surgery, aside from being expensive, often has poor results for pain relief and has many risks and complications. That is why it is always better to avoid surgery if possible.

Although a traction-based treatment, decompression therapy is still different from a regular traction. Spinal decompression separates the affected spinal segments only so it can allow the nutrients to get to the damaged discs. Regular traction on the other hand only stretches the muscles.

Decompression therapy can be an effective treatment for a great majority of back pain sufferers, due to a very obvious result - it works. It has been treating a wide range of problems, improving function and optimizing patient health. So many people had long and distressing stories with chronic pain have enjoyed complete cure or drastic pain reduction after receiving the treatment.

Decompression therapy starts with a consultation with a chiropractor who can evaluate the patient with a history and detailed musculoskeletal examination. This treatment is safe and may be beneficial for back pain whether it is acute or chronic. Lasting pain relief can be achieved with a series of sessions.

Do Chiropractors Really Work?

Lisa said, "All I did was bend over to pick my baby girl up from the floor. Immediately I felt a spike of lower back pain. It was so bad that I couldn't even stand up straight. I just wanted to cry!"

I too have been suffering from lower back pain for quite some time now. It is because of this lower back pain that I started to learn about my options. I live in Owings Mills, Maryland so I have plenty of options when it comes to Chiropractors in my area. A quick Google search for 'Baltimore chiropractic', 'Owings Mills chiropractic', or 'Pikesville chiropractor' reveals lots of chiropractic clinics in the area.

Baltimore Maryland Chiropractors and chiropractors all over the world hear stories just like Lisa's and mine. Sudden back pain brings lots of people every day into Chiropractic clinics across the world.

Why is it that trained weight lifters are able to pick up hundreds of pounds and not experience any lower back pain, yet without any previous signs of problems, someone like Lisa has a sudden onset of pain from just bending over?

If the lower back muscles have weakened or the spine is out of alignment, something as simple as picking up you baby, reaching for laundry, or bending down to feed the cat can cause a lower back injury.

Chiropractic clinics don't just work with sports injuries, and victims of auto accidents. People from all walks of life who suffer with back pain from everyday common events are flocking to Chiropractic centers for Spinal Adjustments and relief from back pain. Many techniques are used including Spinal decompression to stabilize the spine and reduce nerve pressure from joint degeneration and disc injuries.

The medical term for the most common and widespread cause of mechanical lower back pain is subluxation. I spoke with an Owings Mills Chiropractor who defined subluxation as "a condition where adjacent spinal bones are out of alignment with each other." Nerve fibers run between each of the vertebrae. A subluxation can cause a pinched nerve producing pain and reduced function of our bodies.

What causes subluxation to occur? In one word, the answer is stress. This could be emotional stress, physical stress, or chemical stress. Sometimes the stress is physical as in an injury or trauma. Often however, the stress is a result of everyday bending, lifting or stooping. Poor posture, poor support when sitting at work, and other daily activities can cause subluxation. Even emotional stress and tension and cause the muscles to pull on the vertebra.

Your local Baltimore Maryland Chiropractic Center can teach you more about the causes of lower back pain and how to avoid them in the future.

So anyways, back to my own back pain. What I learned from talking to local family chiropractors is that I should have what is called a chiropractic adjustment. This is also known as a spinal adjustment. This is exactly what it sounds like. The chiropractor uses various techniques, depending on the patient, to adjust the spine. Typically it is a gentle force or thrusting movement that moves the spine or joint within its normal range of motion. This will increase the range of motion and help to ease the pain.

I will soon be contacting my local Baltimore Maryland Chiropractor to set up an appointment. I will be sure to write a follow-up article telling you how it goes. From what I am learning a Chiropractor is just what I need to get rid of this annoying lower back pain.

Spinal Decompression, A Non Invasive Treatment for Spinal Disc Problems

Spinal decompression is a technique employed by trained chiropractors to relive spinal pressure. Normal human movement requires the spine to have full range of motion. Each disc must work independently enough to allow the human to move in multiple directions. However, the discs must also work together to protect the spine from injury. On occasion, the discs will come out of alignment. On others, the nerves going out of the spine to various parts of the body may catch in between the discs. This can cause both pain and numbness to some degree.

Those that suffer from severe back pain may find spinal decompression an effective treatment for a variety of conditions. Sciatica, slipped disc, or bulging disc can cause problems in anyone's back. Pregnancy related problems can also come forward in the form of back pain. Seemingly, unrelated issues may have their root causes in spinal issues. These include neck pain, hip pain, leg pain, shoulder pain, and headache. When the spine is not working right, the rest of the body will suffer right along with it. Standing or sitting for long periods can cause back discs to come out of alignment. So can injuries that come from a variety of sources.

Spinal decompression uses gradual stretching to pull the discs slightly apart. There is no need for massive movement. Gradual, almost microscopic movements in the spine allow the compressed tissues to come back into proper place. Discs coming back into alignment will reduce or eliminate unnecessary pressure on nerves. The therapy requires a few visits over four to six weeks typically. Many people realize a great deal of change over this short period. Surveys of patients show a remarkable improvement with pain in all parts of the body after going through the treatment.

This type of therapy may not be for everyone. The chiropractor will examine you to make sure the damage in your back is not too severe. While the decompression works on many, a few may require more intervention. However, once you get past the initial screening, the chiropractor can set up your treatment plan. The programme will include multiple weekly sessions over a few weeks time. The doctor may apply heat or cold during the sessions to keep the muscles relaxed during the process. If you are experiencing ongoing back issues, visit a wellness centre near you soon to get your treatment plan in place today.

Is It OK For Pain Management Doctors To Fire Patients Using Medical Marijuana?

When a patient sees a pain management doctor, the patient may receive narcotic medications. Especially if the person has a chronic pain issue and there is no surgical answer, opiates may be part of the plan for a long time.

There are significant potential side effects with opiate medications. This may include constipation, depression, sedation, euphoria, dizziness, fatigue, anxiousness, clammy skin, confusion, respiratory depression, and a slew of others.

One of the biggest issues seen is tolerance and/or addiction with opiates. Tolerance is when the patient's chronic pain condition doesn't change, but the same amount of pain medication doesn't quite provide adequate pain relief any longer.

One of the newer options in 16 states plus the District of Columbia is medicinal marijuana. Treatment with marijuana may offer substantial relief that may decrease the need for high doses of opiates or in some cases provide relief where opiates do not work well.

For instance, opiate medications are not a great choice for peripheral neuropathies. They just don't modulate the pain well, whereas, medical marijuana works very well for these issues.

Medical marijuana does not preclude the need for interventional pain management. With a disc herniation or a focal problem where a pain management injection would help, medical marijuana is not the answer.

When patients are on chronic pain medications with a pain doctor, typically a pain contract is signed. The "contract" usually states that while a patient is under his or her care, the patient will not use illicit drugs.

Unfortunately, marijuana is still federally illegal despite the fact it is now legal in 16 states. And most pain doctors perform drug screening on their patients. So if a patient is under a contract, gets tested, and turns up positive for THC (the active component of marijuana), is it appropriate for the pain doctor to terminate the patient?

It's a simple answer as to whether or not the pain doctor has the right to terminate the patient, but not a simple answer as to whether it's appropriate. If the pain agreement states that the doctor has the right to terminate a patient if the drug test turns up positive for narcotics not being prescribed, then that is difficult to refute. If the patient is given the opportunity to rectify their termination by ceasing the marijuana use and re-testing in a few weeks, once again that is the doctor's prerogative.

Ethically, the situation is not so simple. Patients deserve effective pain management, and there is a big push in American not to undertreat. Medical marijuana has shown effectiveness in a number of chronic pain conditions and numerous other conditions such as severe nausea/vomiting and cancer.

Having marijuana continue to be federally illegal and placed into the illicit category puts pain doctors in a very difficult situation. If they test patients for THC and then don't terminate patients who test positive, is it showing bias with regard to other illicit substances?

Some pain doctors do not view marijuana as an illicit substance due to its medicinal value, therefore, they do not test for it with screening. If a patient discloses the use of marijuana to the doctor, the issue becomes the same.

The point here is there really is no clear cut right and wrong answer for the pain doctor to follow. Guidelines need to be individualized. Hopefully once federal views on marijuana change then these ethical issues will become moot.

Treatment For Bulging Discs - 5 Ground-Breaking Methods Available From Home to Treat Bulging Discs!

In this article, we will discuss about various treatments for bulging discs. A bulging disc; also known as a herniated disc, a raised disc, or a slipped disc, creates pressure on the nerves due to a compressed disc squeezing out between the vertebrae.

Most raised disc heal within four to six weeks if you apply proper care. If you know about treatments for bulging discs which you can apply from home, then the probability of achieving this will be even higher.

Well, this article will look at treatments for bulging discs (5 of such treatments actually) which can be performed from the comfort of your own home without drawing attention to your condition.

Tip: Read the conclusion to discover a way to make this condition a thing of the past in your life forever...

[Number One] - Low Impact Exercise Routines...
One what to get your slipped disc back into place is by ensuring that you make it a point of duty to daily perform low impact exercise routines.

These low impact exercise routines include, but are not limited to, the following; aerobics, swimming, cycling or walking, or stretching exercises, or strengthening exercises.

[Number Two] - Non-Steroidal Drugs...
While these drugs are effective ways to treat your herniated disc, they are not recommended to be taken for a protracted period of time due to the fact that they can be addictive and habit-forming.

These over the counter, non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) include; Tylenol, Ibuprofen and Advil, to mention a few. Never self medicate, consult your doctor for proper prescription.

[Number Three] - Heating Pad...
A great way to reduce the raised disc back into place is through the use of a heating pad. What happens when you use this method is that your muscles become warmed by the heating pad and this invariably relieves the stiffness in your back so that mobility is maintained.

[Number Four] - Reduce Swelling...
You may also make use of an ice pack to reduce swelling after any activity. Make use of the ice pack for about 20 minutes per session and perform several sessions daily (a minimum of four sessions daily at the least). Make sure you do not apply the ice directly onto your skin so as not to damage your skin tissue.

To reduce the swelling, pressure and pain in your back, you may also want to limit your activity and also use over the counter medication to reduce the inflamed muscles.

[Number Five] - Use Support...
Using something for support is not a sign of weakness. You can make use of a brace or pillows while sleeping. Use chairs that are ergonomically designed so that your spine is supported. Avoid movements that will strain your injury like; lifting weights, or bending.

Conclusion...

The five methods above are fantastic treatments for bulging discs and will ensure that your herniated disk reduces and eventually returns back into its proper position but the "not so good news" is this...

...the methods above cannot guarantee that your slipped disc won't reoccur at a later date. Read on to discover a method that will guarantee a proven effective, total, and permanent cure from your pain which will guarantee that it will not occur again forever...

FACT: Most conventional treatments for bulging discs only work as a temporary band aid solution; they all fail to work in the long run!

How To Become Taller Naturally - And Without Surgery Or Treatments

When I talk to people about how to become taller naturally, they oftentimes have their doubts. Most people cannot believe that there are natural ways to increase their height. You might be surprised to hear when I tell you that your height changes every day - sometimes even by a significant amount. In the morning, we are usually taller than in the evening. The difference is so big that you can easily measure it. In other words, sleeping makes you taller every night. Isn't sleeping the most natural thing you can do? Sleeping is just one part of the equation. Whereas the equation is actually nothing else but your lifestyle and your habits. They can either be beneficial or detrimental to your height. There are so many natural ways to change your habits and lifestyle from detrimental to beneficial, that I really see no reason to believe otherwise. Let me tell you more about it.

As it relates to growing taller naturally, it is easiest if we divide your lifestyle and habits into three parts: exercise, sleep and nutrition. Each of these parts is a huge subject on its own with a great number of details. The good news is, though, that you don't need to understand them like a scientist in order to apply the techniques and methods. Most likely, if you were just to stick with healthier habits and a healthier lifestyle, you would increase your height even if you had no understanding at all of what you are actually doing. However, we humans don't work like that. We need to believe in something to go through with it and the more we understand something, the easier it is for us to believe in it.

Hence, let me give you one practical example: lengthening your spine. The spine is usually what people focus on first when they want to grow taller because it oftentimes shows progress very quickly. Because of gravity, your spine is compressed during the day. While you are sleeping, your spinal column has time to relax and decompress, thus increasing your height when you wake up the next day. That's also the reason why you are taller in the morning. Exercises in the form of stretches, yoga and swimming can have similar effects. Because of the way that your spinal column is structured, it is very susceptible to the right exercises and posture. The goal is to align your spinal column better, so that it can be lengthened through decompression. Then, nutrition and sleep are very important in order for your bones to be strong and so that your body can regenerate. After that, you need to have a good posture to keep your progress. Exercises make it much easier for you to develop and eventually stick with the right posture.

When Is Spinal Decompression My Right Choice?

Thousands of back pain sufferers continue to seek medical help to ease or eradicate their spinal problems. As our bodies age, the degree of pain and damage to our spinal system can increase for many reasons. In our youth, it would have been ideal to be handed a crystal ball and set of red flags to alert us of the impending damage that our bodies would experience during our life span. We could then begin to plan "preventative maintenance" of our spinal system to avert irreversible spinal problems. Unfortunately, the reasons for our back pain problems are made aware to us in our later years by medical professionals following that dreaded doctor's visit. As many of us have heard often, our backs may have gone through accidents and trauma that resulted in muscle, nerve, bone, and tissue damage to our spine. Other causes may have been physical abuse due to impact sports, incorrect weight training, construction heavy lifting, sitting in the office extended periods, daily poor posture, and a myriad of other non-conforming body movements that ultimately threw the spinal system out of alignment with the rest of our limbs and body.

It is man's experience historically, that back pain becomes more noticeable and serious enough after 25 plus years of age. During this early period and for the next 10 years, pain sufferers either take the high road or low road to recovery (or prevention) if you will. In other words, that person will either exercise while staying active regularly, addressing certain body movements that will slow down the damaging back pain symptoms or, he will choose a sedentary or limited lifestyle that will only worsen the unknown causes of his back pain. Unfortunately, by the age of 35 to 50 years, back pain sufferers begin to flood the offices of orthopedic doctors, chiropractors, physiotherapists, only to be told following an x-ray, MRI and other tests, that their back pain condition and physical being are in the serious stages. At this point, the patient is diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis or herniated discs, resulting in pinched nerves and sciatica. Perhaps his condition is one of scoliosis, a misalignment of the spine, or degenerative disk disease due to arthritis, or spondylolisthesis, a slipping of the lumbar vertebrae in the lower spine.

The question then becomes how to treat the patient's particular spinal problem. Depending on the patient's diagnosis and spinal demise, he will be advised of his options as to the best treatment program by medical professionals. These can range from epidural shots in the lumbar, thoracic, or cervical sections of the spine; prescribed medication such as hydrocodone for pain relief, naproxen for inflammation of spinal parts, or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS); physical therapy to strengthen core and back muscles that support the spinal sections; and last but not least, the dreaded surgery in extreme cases.

So, having presented the medical side of the back pain sufferer's dilemma, there are options outside of the medical arena that are worthy of consideration by the back pain sufferer. These options should be considered carefully in conjunction with the knowledge and understanding that the back pain sufferer has gained during the discovery and diagnosis stages of his condition. It is not implied that this person should attempt to diagnose his own back pain problem nor should he take medications that are not prescribed by his doctor for his particular back pain condition.

Option 1 - He can embark on a program of self-administered natural health supplements and healing aids in lieu of damaging NSAIDS as mentioned earlier.

Option 2 - He can pursue corrective exercises and activities which are assisted or self-administered under the direction and resources of spine medical facilities or professional health organizations such as the Back Pain Institute. One such program focuses on the merits of using "Spinal Decompression" for back pain relief. The degree of treatment using this method can vary from opting for a costly high level specialty staff to provide the service, to what we'll refer to as a lower level self-directed endeavor.

What is Spinal Decompression?

Most everyone will experience compression of the spinal bone and vertebrae system due to gravity, as they get older. This mechanism ultimately results in muscle imbalances that create poor posture and may result in herniated or bulging discs that result in pinched nerves that cause back pain symptoms.

Spinal decompression occurs when your body is placed in an inverted position (hence Inversion Therapy), or any stretching exercise or mechanism, that relieves the pressure on the spinal system. The most common form of achieving self-induced spinal decompression is by using an "inversion table" at home. A lesser scaled-down back stretching program can be accomplished using the Nubax Trio decompression device.

When Should You Consider the Spinal Decompression Option?

To answer this, let's consider two arguments.

First, if you are being seen by an orthopedic or spine specialist, you will almost always be administered a traditional program as related to your particular problem. In basic terms, he will perform diagnostics using x-rays, ultrasounds, or MRI to form his conclusion about your condition; then he will prescribe pain killers, initiate epidural shots in the problem area, or suggest back surgery. However, these doctors will almost never recommend or suggest Spinal Decompression. There are perhaps many pros and cons regarding this approach which suggests that it is either not very lucrative for them, or there are still differences of opinion as to the validity of such a method yielding reliable or safe results.

Secondly, there are medical professionals who actually practice the art of administering Spinal Decompression using "inversion therapy" under controlled conditions (intermittent stretching). Although inversion therapy has been around for a long time, technology has only recently yielded modern inversion equipment and facilities, and there are now specialty medical personnel willing to set up shop for this service. It is recommended that anyone considering an inversion or spinal decompression approach, first consult with your spine doctor to determine if you are a candidate, based on certain body limitations and restrictive conditions that may not be in your best interest. Keep in mind that many health insurance programs may not cover such professional services.

Choosing to pursue a self-administered decompression option can be a personal choice but it may come with risks. A person must realize whether his physical condition is capable of supporting repetitive stretching of his spine and other body parts when using for example a commercially available "Inversion Table" or other available back stretchers such as the Nubax Trio. Many stores such as Wal-Mart and Sporting Outlets sell inversion equipment but the "buyer beware" slogan is always implied. It is recommended that you purchase a quality inversion table such as the Teeter Hangups. Common sense should dictate whether such a purchase meets your needs without harming your body. Another factor to consider is your age. Most persons who are physically fit and well-conditioned in their early years will probably coast through a decompression session without adverse effects. This may not fare so well with older folks who lack the stamina and well-being necessary to meet the challenge.

You are probably one of many back pain sufferers who will be advised, by those who have "been there done that", not to agree on back surgery because spinal decompression may very well relieve your symptoms and eradicate your problem. For those not wanting to seek chiropractic or physical therapy help for their back pain, consider a low-scale low-impact decompression home exercise program using the Nubax Trio stretching device. Most medical back-pain personnel will emphasize the importance of supplementing back stretching with strengthening one's core and back muscles that support the spinal column. Many people have discovered their back pain gone or reduced after following a routine home decompression program along with other stretching and strengthening exercises.

Does Grow Taller 4 Idiots Work? Time To Know The Truth

Do you have this dream of being tall for quite a long time already but is losing hope after reaching the age of thirty? Well, don't be sad for yourself for you still have a chance to add at least two to five inches to your current height today with the help of some height increase programs like Grow Taller 4 Idiots. Of course, you may see this thing as a make believe like any other products out there or if not, you may be questioning yourself whether or not does Grow Taller 4 Idiots work.

The question of whether or not does Grow Taller 4 Idiots work is a common question from people who have just heard about this program's existence. But coming up into an idea like this isn't a blameful thing especially today that scams have almost invaded the majority of the global market. Here, if you want to know the truth, read on this Grow Taller 4 Idiots review now.

The Program Itself

This Grow Taller For Idiot is actually a laymen's guide to height increase. This is an easy to follow program that claims to add two to five inches to your height through the help of its proven-effective height increase exercise and nutrition program.

Its major section is centered to the right nutritional changes that one has to follow in order for you to completely get through on the exercises that you will be told to do so in the next section of this program. This section of the eBook is viewed as a very informative and helpful one for your goal. And its last section tackles about posture defects causing lowered height that you need to correct in the first place.

Does it really work?

Now, on your question of does Grow Taller 4 Idiots work, the answer is very much obvious. Like how the program is presented and written, this guide really works for everybody. However, that is only once you have followed the instructions, techniques, and tips compiled here the correct way. Spinal decompression exercise here once followed and combined with the right diet, gives clear results to people suffering from joint compression and marked spinal.

However, if you dare expecting for miracles in just overnight, the answer for your question of does Grow Taller 4 Idiots work will be a definite no. This program isn't a miracle product in the first place; good results in your height can only be clearly shown after at least six weeks of right diet and exercise taking.

Sciatic Nerve Pain - Specific Chiropractic Treatment Alternatives That Eliminate Lower Back Pain

As a chiropractor here in Plano, Texas, I often have patients who come in for treatment because of lower back pain, and some find that it's the sciatic nerve that's giving them the pain. Sciatica is commonly seen as a pain of the lower back which runs down from the back into the leg. This pain can be sharp, tingling and cause numbness of the lower back and leg. As part of my chiropractic care, I prescribe non-surgical methods to bring relief to my patients.

The sciatic nerve is the longest and widest single nerve in your body. It branches off at the base of the spine and runs down each side of your pelvic area, supplying nerve impulses to your butt, legs and feet. If you've ever experienced sciatica, you know how debilitating this pain can be. I've seen patients, who could barely walk, couldn't bend over, or even stand. There are a lot of things that can trigger problems with your sciatic nerve, poor posture when you sit, slip and fall on your butt, improper swing while playing golf, and the list goes on. For most of my patients, I recommend, certain exercise, lots of rest, and certain pain medication, while they recuperate. Usually you will be back to your normal self within 2-3 weeks. However, if your pain is still severe and continues beyond 2 months, it might be necessary to consider surgery as a last resolve. In this article I will focus on alternative methods to treat this condition and leave the surgery to those more qualified.

Chiropractic Treatments and Alternatives at Home

I immediately recommend heat packs and ice packs. Both can be used independently or combined at various intervals. If you do not have access to over the counter packs, please use ice in a Ziploc bag and heated towels or a heating pad. Both should be applied for 20 to 30 minutes and then repeated every 2-3 hours. This should bring relief until the patient can get in to my office.

Along with heat and ice, I suggest that you use Tylenol, Advil, ibuprofen, or naproxen to help reduce the pain. Another consideration if the pain is very acute is the use epidural steroid injections. These injections are different from the oral steroid medicines because the steroid is given directly to the injured area and should bring immediate relief from the pain, much quicker than meds or oral steroids. This must be administered by a qualified medical specialist, I do not provide this service but can recommend other medical professionals who do.

Alternative Chiropractic Treatment at my Office

Chiropractors sometimes suggest the need for exercise. This might sound counter productive, but very mild exercise along with the other treatments listed above, can help strengthen muscles of the lower back and your stomach muscles. To qualify the type of exercise I recommend, I prescribe simple stretching starting slowly and gradually increasing as you recover and also to prevent future recurrences of sciatica or other back pain.The equipment I've installed at my office is very effective in helping with the pain and if utilized correctly, will contribute to end of sciatic pain.

Other techniques for pain relief are spinal decompression, cold laser therapy, heat and cold applied with gentle massage therapy. I have patients who I see in my office that usually need a combination of the above techniques to resolve their sciatic pain. We use various forms of massage and cold laser to relax patient's muscles, improve blood flow, and most important, the release of endorphins in the body that act as natural pain relievers.

Last but not least, a highly effective technique for treatment that is being used more and more is acupuncture. Most people think of being a human pin cushion and even though the origins of this technique were developed by the Chinese, it is an approved procedure for back pain by the FDA. A qualified and trained acupuncturist can provide relief from back pain by simply using thin needles inserted in the area where you feel discomfort. Acupuncture focuses on the applied principle of harmonizing your body's flow of energy through various pathways in the body. There is no guarantee that this or any other combination of treatments will totally eliminate sciatica from recurring but if you follow the advice of your chiropractor and seek help early, you should prevent this from happening again in the future.

What Are Spinal Decompression Tables

Spinal decompression therapy is gaining popularity because it is said to be an efficient method of treatment for severe back pain associated with DDD or degenerative disc diseases, sciatica, herniated disc and other spine and disc diseases. This therapy involves the use of several spine decompression tables to guarantee the best results. Spine therapy will not be possible without proper equipment to work with it.

Decompression tables are designed solely for spinal therapy. They are cannot be used for any other purposes. While inversion tables are cheap alternative to decompress the spine, they are also use for some stretching and fitness exercises. This is not possible with such tables. They are machines professionally operated or computer - controlled and they should not be used by anybody who doesn't really know what the machine is all about and what they are for. Such a table works to create tractions increasing the spaces between the vertebrae and reducing the pressure in the spine muscles thus allowing total spine decompression and relief.

There are many different types of spine therapy tables. They even come in separate designs for specific purposes. The most popular types are the DOC Flexion decompression table, Vax - D able and the DRX9000. These tables will always come with a very expensive price. Whether you go for a brand new one or used table, expect that their prices will not be 10,000 dollars lower. If you think you cannot afford purchasing one of these tables, then maybe a visit to a clinic for spinal therapy is a good idea. However, it may still be expensive, but you could at least try. Each session will cost you more or less $200 depending on the attending physician or chiropractor and you will need 20 sessions or more depending on the extent of the pain and your condition as well.

Treatment For a Bulging Disc - Learn the Simple Techniques Needed to Treat a Bulging Disc!

Getting treatment for a bulging disc is a must in the lives of those who have been rendered immobile due to this condition. Bulging discs, herniated discs, slipped discs, or raised discs, however the case may be, can be extremely painful and, if they occur in the lumber (or lower back) region, can become debilitating.

The good news is that not every bulging disc problem require that you undergo surgery due to the fact that there are other treatments for a bulging disc which you can employ to solve the problem.

In this article, we will look at "treatment for a bulging disc" as a general topic while exploring four of such treatments which you can use as an alternative for surgery. TIP: At the end (if you read the conclusion), you will discover a way to access information that will make this condition to never reoccur in your life ever again. Read on...

[One] - Bed Rest...
One of the simplest methods of solving your bulging disc dilemma is through bed rest. While this may be simple, do not underrate its efficacy.

It has been proven in many cases that simple bed rest when combined with some pelvic traction (which is simply a method of stretching the spinal column) can cause the disc to return back to its proper location.

[Two] - Physical Therapy...
Physical therapy is another very effective treatment for bulging discs which you can opt for to correct the problem. Ensure that the physical therapist is qualified so as not to risk aggravating your condition.

In today's world there have been quite a lot of enhancements and embellishments in physical therapy techniques. Your physical therapist will most likely use one of these techniques; therapeutic massage, ultrasound, automated or free-weighted pelvic traction, hot packs, etcetera.

[Three] - Williams Technique...
This technique for treating a herniated disc makes use of a bending position or flexion position which encourages disc reduction and nerve decompression.

The reason why this is needed is due to the fact that the spine can become unstable when there is inadequate support from muscles and ligaments which are supposed to act as rear and frontal support structures for it.

[Four] - Steroid Injections...
Epidural steroid injections are yet another way to counteract the pain you are experiencing. To reduce the pain and the inflammation, cortisone will be injected into the spinal canal but outside the spinal sac.

This procedure should be performed by a professional pain manager; usually, this pain management expert will be an anesthesiologist. The whole procedure should take about an hour and is usually an out-patient matter.

Conclusion...

While a bulging disc can cause you a lot of grief, above you have been shown various treatments for bulging discs which you can use to combat and counteract the pain. That is only one part of the good news.

The bad news is that the above methods will not guarantee that this condition will not reoccur at a later date. Therefore, the rest of the good news is this;

There is a proven method which is guaranteed to completely cure your pain permanently ensuring that it never reoccurs again forever. To access this information, read on...

FACT: Most conventional treatments for slipped disc only work as a temporary band aid solution; they all fail to work in the long run!

Back Pain Solutions, Use Medication Or Chiropractic, Plano Chiropractor Offers Alternatives You Need

As a Chiropractor in Plano, TX, I see patients who take over the counter or prescription medication all the time to relieve their back pain. I prescribe certain regimens of care for a majority of patients who have continual pain with their neck and back. The variations of therapy I offer do not include recommending drugs, even though most of my new patients have been taking some form of pain relief before they see me. The family doctor and doctor of chiropractic definitely approach the practice of healing from different perspectives. It's common place for anyone that has continual pain to first seek help from their family doctor because society has taught us that the physician is the first line of defense against sickness, illness, and injury. Sadly most physicians will prescribe some form of drugs for whatever ache or pain you feel before thinking about referencing the expertise of a chiropractor. I don't tell my patients to ignore their doctors advice, but I will tell them that pain killing drugs are a temporary fix that does not get at the root source of the problem.

How do I Determine The Source

When I first meet with a new patient that has back or neck issues, I ask for a detailed health history, along with asking a series of targeted questions which will reveal information about what they feel has caused the source of their problem, verify medication they're taking, past and present lifestyle, forms of recreation, and work background. Once we've discussed all these areas, I'm going to do a full exam, x-rays and possibly an MRI. After reviewing the compiled results I will visit with the patient to share with them where I believe the root cause of their problem exists. Whether it's an impingement of the nerve, a compressed disc, or cervical issue, the findings will guide me to the problem area and I will determine an immediate course of action along with explaining their options. I realize that some patients will continue to use drugs to alleviate their pain but I do suggest that they try alternatives that most have not even considered.

Alternative Gels, Balms and Rubs

Many chiropractors are firm believers in tested and proven topical rubs and ointments for minor back or neck issues. This is an economical solution in conjunction with rest and hot/cold compresses which work better than just taking Tylenol or Advil. You might buy Icy Hot or Myoflex right off the shelf, but I've found that these only provide minimal pain relief. One that you can't buy at your pharmacy or Super Center is BioFreeze. Many chiropractors have found that this alternative to store bought rubs last longer, penetrates deeper into the muscle and joint, and has no side effects. If you're an athlete, weekend warrior, desk jockey, busy parent, or senior, you need to have this supplement handy when you tire of taking your med's. This product is a roll on rub you can apply directly to the muscle or joint. Patients tell me that they've received pain relief up to 6 hours using this product. As I mentioned, this is an option if it is discovered that you have only minimal issues with your back that can be dealt with in a short time. Otherwise you will need to look at more stringent measures that I've listed below.

Chiropractic Alternative Treatments To Consider Instead of Medicine

There are various forms of therapy I use to treat the many spine related issues my patients confront me with daily. For the majority of back problems I see, I find that a combination of spinal decompression, electric muscle stimulation, and cold laser therapy will return the back to a much quicker state of pain free health. These (3) techniques along with gentle stretching exercises, use of stretching bands, and possible nutritional supplements work wonders for my patients. These are just a brief list of the alternative treatments that can be used instead of relying solely on medicine. My training, education, and years of experience has convinced me that there is almost always a chiropractic solution besides taking a pill, which will end most any pain you're feeling or future recurrence that's related to your neck, back, and other joints.

I want to stress that most any course of treatment I recommend requires a team approach with myself and the patient working together to achieve a return to better back health. For therapy to be a success, it happens both at my office and at the patients home. To really solve the root cause of pain the patient is feeling requires active participation through self administered exercises and dedication to following the regimen set by your chiropractor. With the correct diagnosis and therapy, patients can heal quickly and return to a normal routine free of the pain they have. I want to stress that chiropractic won't solve every health problem related to the spine, but more and more people are turning to doctors of DC as an alternate source of healing to avoid the continued use of prescription and over the counter drugs.

Most Common Back and Neck Injuries Caused By Car Accidents

Many people question whether medical treatment is necessary after a car accident. Some people do not feel any pain after such an incident, while others may feel minor pain that they attribute to simple muscle strain. However, it is possible to sustain injuries in even a low-impact car accident that are progressive, meaning they worsen with time. This means that no pain or minimal pain does not indicate the lack of a potentially serious injury.

It is important to keep in mind that the extent of damage to your vehicle and the speed you were going are not good indicators of the injuries you could have. Even a minor accident can result in injury to the neck and back. According to Autoinsurance.org, whiplash is the second leading cause of auto insurance claims, and back injuries are the third, the first being fender benders.

Common Neck Injuries

Whiplash is a highly common auto accident injury. It is characterized by injury to the soft tissues of the neck, including muscles, ligaments and tendons and occurs when the neck is forced to move beyond its normal range of motion. Even a slight jolt of the neck can result in whiplash. Emedicinehealth.com reports that accidents occurring at speeds as low as 15 miles per hour can cause whiplash.

Minor whiplash can be treated with anti-inflammatory medication, ice and rest within the first 24 hours, then heat therapy and gradual re-mobilization. Severe cases of whiplash will require physical therapy to slowly and cautiously rebuild neck strength and flexibility.

A more serious injury may occur to the neck during a car accident involving spinal discs. The neck is supported by a segment of the spine called the cervical spine. Spinal discs sit between vertebrae and act as shock absorbers. They are comprised of a soft gel in the center surrounded by a tough exterior ring. The forces sustained during a car accident may be sufficient to damage spinal discs. This can result in a bulging or herniated disc, in which the internal fluids are either pushed to one side of the disc or leak out of a tear in the exterior ring.

Bulging or herniated discs in the neck can result in a condition known as cervical radiculopathy, characterized by the compression of nerves exiting the spinal cord. Cervical radiculopathy causes pain, weakness, tingling and numbness along the nerve pathway, often down into the arms. Nerves from the cervical spine also extend to the face and control the functioning of the senses. If not treated, permanent nerve damage can occur. This condition can take months to manifest. If any abnormalities in the neck, shoulders, arms or senses develop following an accident, it should be taken as a sign that a progressive neck injury was incurred and that medical attention is absolutely necessary. Physical therapy and spinal decompression treatments may be able to heal damaged discs.

Common Back Injuries

The muscles that support the spine are designed to activate prior to their anticipated use; this preemptive activation prepares them to perform work and stabilize the spine. The suddenness of an accident does not allow these muscles to activate before they are thrown into use. This can lead to soft tissue injuries (similar to whiplash in the neck) and spinal disc injuries throughout the back.

Soft tissue injuries may be treatable by a brief period of ice and rest combined with anti-inflammatory medication followed by heat treatment and a gradual return to activity. If pain persists beyond this, physical therapy may be required to restore strength and flexibility to the muscles, ligaments and tendons of the back.

The thoracic spine in the middle of the back and the lumbar spine in the lower back are susceptible to disc damage just like the cervical spine. If a disc in the thoracic or lumbar segments is bulging or herniated, nerve impingement can occur. At the thoracic level, effects may be felt throughout the upper and mid body. This includes organs as well. Lumbar disc damage can affect the sciatic nerves, which run down to the foot on each side. It can also result in abnormal function of the bowels, bladder and sexual organs.

Since all of the body's physical functions can be traced back to nerves in the spinal cord, nearly any abnormality following an accident should be approached as a possible injury stemming from it. No matter how minor the accident may have been, it is important to take it seriously. Monitor yourself closely for any symptoms for months following an accident and, if anything abnormal occurs, don't hesitate to make an appointment with a doctor. Any pain felt immediately after an accident should be treated under medical supervision right away. More serious injuries to the head and brain can occur in a car accident as well. A good rule of thumb is: When in doubt, get checked out.

Taking Out the Pain With Cervical Spine Surgery

Cervical spine surgery will get rid of that pain, that numbness, that tingle which is accompanied by a weakness that even writing is impossible. However, before going further, it is best to know what the surgery is for.

When talking about the spinal column, there is that area just at the nape of the neck where the head is directly attached and where the head can pivot. Those small bones are called the cervical vertebrae. These encase the very root of the spinal column, meaning, anything untoward happens to those bones will not only directly affect the head and neck area, but the entire body. This is the mother source so to speak. So if there is anything that can cause damage to it, if it is severe enough, a cervical spine surgery will have to be performed.

The succeeding vertebrae control the areas in the body lower than the cervical. The thoracic from the trunk down, the lumbar from the waist down and the sacral, from the pelvic down. Whatever may cause damage, be it a herniation or arthritis, if the condition worsens to the point where the patient is immobilized then a cervical spine surgery would be called for.

Usually, when there are symptoms that point to a spinal problem, the obvious treatments would involve pain and inflammation medications, just like those in bulging disc treatment. However, if all fails, the cervical spine surgery can be performed which may entail invasion with a scalpel. Now in the past, the invasion was massive and the treatment was worse than the condition itself, now there are newer techniques which call for lesser invasion with minimal blood loss and less recovery time.

Arthritis, trauma to the spine as well as others can cause damage to the vertebrae and sometimes the damage will press on the bundle of nerves which are the central pathways to the brain and out. There are obvious risks involved in any surgery and the least of which can be loss of voice. Also, infection as well as blood loss can also happen. However, this is true for any type of surgery, be it a minor or a major one.

Taking risks with a cervical spine surgery is actually less of a risk when it comes to eventual paralysis, and weighing the pros and cons can reveal that the pros outweigh the risks and will lead to a cure rather than just a relief from the symptoms.

Oh My Aching Back!

Like humans, our canine friends can suffer back pain. It is especially prevalent in small breeds like Dachshund and Lhasa apso, but bigger breeds like German Shepherds and Great Danes can also suffer. Additionally, dogs that are overweight are more likely to have back problems than their leaner counterparts.

Some back injuries involve nothing more than sore muscles. However, for others, disc injury or degenerative disc disease may be the problem. This can cause extreme pain, lost muscle control, nerve damage and paralysis.

Like man's, a dog's spine is made up of small bones called vertebrae. They run from the base of the skull to the end of the tail. Flexible discs made of cartilage provide a cushion between each vertebra. Above the discs and running through the vertebrae is the spinal cord made up of nerve fibers. A disc can weaken with age or trauma, causing a portion of the disc to be pushed out of place, putting pressure on the spinal column.

A dog that has suffered a disc injury will exhibit symptoms such as: yelping when handled, lethargy, shivering, whimpering, poor appetite, inability to urinate, clumsiness, reluctance to climb steps,
walking "drunk", unable to move, or paralysis of back legs.

To tell the difference between a simple sore muscle and disc injury, check your pet's "placing response." While supporting him with one hand under his belly, flip one of his hind feet so that the top of his paw is touching the ground. He should quickly place the foot right side up when you let go. If he doesn't, he could have nerve problems. Even if he passes the test, if pain lasts more than a day or two, consult your vet. Nerve problems don't always show up right away.

Your vet will perform diagnostic tests to differentiate disc disease from other illnesses that may cause similar symptoms. A neurological assessment could include applying gentle pressure to the spine to localize the pain. He may check to see if only the back legs are affected, or also the front legs and head. A test the toes of the back legs indicates reflex responses and indicators of pain. He may also x-ray your dog's spine, or obtain a myelogram or CT scan.

Treatment will depend on the severity of the clinical findings. Dogs with milder injuries may be treated with cortisone injections, steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and rest. This helps shrink the herniated disc and swollen tissue and at the same time relieves inflammation that has occurred within the spinal cord. Pain medication may also be prescribed.

Surgical treatment may be recommended if the signs are severe and do not respond to other management trials.

Whether medical, surgical or a combination of the two treatments is used, it may be several weeks before your dog recovers fully. Crate care may be recommended for at least four weeks when undergoing treatment. Rest is essential to allow the disc material to "scar over". Early return to activity may worsen your dog's condition. Don't let him run around the yard or go for long walks.

Don't be fooled by what appears to be a fast return to normal behavior. Dogs treated with cortisone injections and steroid treatment, may be relieved of their pain, but the injury is still present and caution must be observed.

Don't allow your dog to jump up or down from objects such as the bed or the groomer's table.

When lifting your pet, never use the front legs. Instead, use both hands, supporting him from underneath the rib cage and the back legs.

When walking your dog, use a chest harness instead of attaching a leash directly to the collar. Any jerking motion or sudden movement of the head can cause pain and reinjury.

Use a glucosamine and chrondoitin supplement to help speed recovery and strengthen damaged cartilage.

Help your pet keep his weight down. Check by lightly running your hands over his ribcage. If you can count each rib, he's at a good weight. If all you feel is padding, it's time to try a sensible weight-loss plan.

90% of all disc problems can be successfully treated with conservative medical management. Don't hesitate to get your dog to the vet if you suspect a back injury.

Questions and Answers on Pain Management Medical Treatment After A Car Accident

I was in an auto accident recently and I am having pain. What should I do?

In the United States each year there are over 6 million car accidents resulting in 3 million injured people. Whiplash and back pain are tops on the list for suffering.

The first thing is if the accident just happened and you are having immense pain, the emergency room is where you should be. They can rule out fractures and immediate serious concerns that need attention. Any significant pain should be checked out, especially when considering that as soon as the adrenaline wears off the pain will intensify.

If however it's been a few days to a few weeks and you have lingering pain, then it is a good idea to seek treatment from a medical provider such as a pain management physician, chiropractor, or potentially to start with, your primary care doctor.

Should I seek an attorney to help me after a car accident?

With regards to your own auto insurance company, you may have a great warm and fuzzy relationship. They may insure your auto, life, company, and you may know them personally. Get into an auto accident, however, and you probably will not enjoy the warm fuzzies with the insurance company of the person who hit you. You will be asking them for money, and their bottom line depends on keeping it. They may push you into trying to settle prematurely prior to completion of treatment. Don't fall for this.

Seeking an attorney sooner rather than later ensures your best chance of being treated fairly. The Yellow Pages isn't always the greatest way to find a Personal Injury attorney, and bigger law firms aren't always better. The medical practice providing pain management treatment may be able to recommend a seasoned attorney. They probably have considerable experience knowing which attorneys are helpful, fair, and results oriented for their client, which is you!

Should I use my health insurance for treatment if I was a victim in a car accident?

Typically the answer is yes. Using your health insurance for medical treatment in a personal injury case can mean a larger settlement at the end of the case for you. If you have no medical insurance there are pain management centers that will treat you under a personal injury lien with no out of pocket expenses. It just means all of the medical treatments go under that lien and when settlement time comes less monies for you. If your health insurance has covered a significant portion of the treatment, there will end up being more money in your pocket.

What kind of medical treatments have been shown to help for neck and back pain after a car accident?

Considering that 10% of whiplash pain and low back pain become chronic and cause considerable disability, it is in one's best interest to receive pain treatment as soon as possible. Quicker treatment may mean quicker recovery.

For acute neck and low back pain, chiropractic treatment has been shown in numerous studies to alleviate pain and improve patient function. Patients get back to work quicker, and may avoid the problem of chronic pain.

One of the main issues after a whiplash or low back injury is damage to the small joints of the spine called the facet joints. Chiropractic treatment and physical therapy may help diminish the pain, but facet related pain may persist. Pain doctors can perform facet injections into the painful joints, which may relieve pain for many months.

If necessary, the pain doctor may then perform a technologically advanced outpatient procedure called Radiofrequency Ablation, which heats up the painful joints and can relieve pain for one to two years.

There are very effective treatment options if you have been in a car accident. Seeking medical care sooner rather than later may end up preventing the onset of chronic pain, so don't wait!

Degenerative Disc Disease - Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Can Help

Millions of Americans suffer from severe back and neck pain as a result Degenerative Disc Disease. DDD as it is often referred to in the literature is not really a "disease" in the common sense of the word, but rather a term used to describe a process or condition that develops gradually and worsens over time. Use of this term indicates that the cartilage-like discs between the spinal vertebral joints are the primary cause of the symptoms, and that the degenerative changes are rather advanced. To some degree intervertebral discs lose their flexibility, elasticity, and shock absorbing characteristics as we age as do the other tissues in the body. Abnormal or excessive mechanical stresses or injuries of the past coupled with hereditary, developmental, and metabolic influences can rapidly accelerate this process.

As the involved disc dries out and loses height (a process known as desiccation) it causes the vertebra to become closer together narrowing the channels through which the nerve roots pass. A dry, hard disc can absorb less shock and is thus more easily torn resulting in a greater likelihood of herniation or bulge further compressing or pinching the nerves. As the stress on the joint compounds and osteoarthritis begins to result, bone spurs form and ligaments thicken (hypertrophy) gradually narrowing the nerve channels even further. These factors in various combinations and degrees of severity compromise the space in the nerve channels, a condition known as spinal stenosis (narrowing), and conspire to compress (pinch) the nerves.

Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease

The most common symptom of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is low back pain (lumbalgia). If the cervical spine is affected, the most common symptom is neck pain (cervicalgia). When degenerative disc disease causes compression of the cervical nerve roots there may be shoulder pain, arm pain, and pain in the hand/fingers (neuritis, neuralgia, radiculitis), and may be associated with numbness and tingling (paresthesia). When degenerative disc disease causes compression of the lumbar nerve roots there may be butt pain, hip pain, leg pain, and pain in the foot/toes. This often is accompanied by muscle weakness in either the arm or leg.

Spinal Decompression Treatment

In the past, a patient suffering from disc problems was usually given pain medications or injections, instructed to refrain from physical activities, referred for physical therapy, and when they weren't progressing they were sent for spinal surgery or simply told to learn to live it. Since 2001 when the FDA finally approved non-surgical spinal decompression therapy, there is new hope for those who suffer from degenerative disc disease. Spinal Decompression Therapy is a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment performed on a special, computer controlled table similar in some ways to an ordinary traction table. A single disc level is isolated and by utilizing specific traction and relaxation cycles throughout the treatment, along with proper positioning, negative pressure can actually be created within the disc. It works by gently separating the offending disc 5 to 7 millimeters creating negative pressure (or a vacuum) inside the disc to pull water, oxygen, and nutrients into the disc, thereby re-hydrating a degenerated disc and bringing in the nutrients needed to heal the torn fibers and halt the degenerative process. As the disc is re-hydrated the shock absorbing properties are restored and a normal life can be resumed.

Herniated Cervical Disc - Pain Relief

Pain in the arm, shoulder or neck is often a clear indication of a herniated cervical disc. In specific these symptoms may involve any of the following: dull or severe pain between your neck and shoulder blades; pain that shoots down your arm towards your fingers; and a tingling sensation in the shoulder or arm. Turning the neck certain ways and angles can also induce the pain.

A herniated cervical disc is a result of the breaking open of the outer layer of the disc (annulus), which then allows the inner jelly like substance to protrude resulting in the herniated cervical disc. A herniated cervical disc does not always have instant symptoms- it may take time for the pain to be felt, and often the problem is diagnosed by X-ray when patients have a different problem. When the pain of a herniated cervical disc takes hold, patients will want to see a doctor as soon as possible.

There are various aspects and information your doctor or physician will request to aid diagnosing a herniated cervical disc, these include: a physical examination, neurological examination, medical history review, evaluation of your symptoms and breakdown of previous treatments you may have tried. The doctor will also most likely request an X-ray to see if such conditions as osteoarthritis are a related cause. Further to this the doctor may also ask for a CT or MRI scan to locate the herniated cervical disc and to further isolate the extent of the damage. A Myelogram may also be requested if the case is severe.

If the doctor proves that you have a herniated cervical disc, surgery will not be the first treatment option. Your doctor or physician should immediately recommend cold and heat therapy to combat the inflammation in combination with anti inflammatory medications. Physical therapy would also be advisable, under the strict guidance of a physical therapist. Some physical therapy methods include stretching, gentle massage, neck traction, and ice/heat therapy.

The majority of sufferers of a herniated cervical disc will notice a considerable improvement in their symptoms within 4 to 6 weeks. For this reason, conventional treatments usually work, and surgery is not likely to be appropriate nor required, so the news is generally good.

However, it is wise to be prepared for surgery in the event that your herniated cervical disc is a severe case, wherein there may be some compression placed upon the spinal cord. If surgery is recommended as the best treatment option for your herniated cervical disc, try to understand why it is being recommended and possibly seek a second opinion. Surgery on the spine is serious, and need only be performed if all other treatments for a herniated cervical disc have been exhausted.

Identifying and Preventing Narcotic Abuse in Pain Management

There are definite indications for treating chronic pain at times with chronic narcotics. It's not an ideal situation, but they do have their place for effective pain management. One of the key aspects of preventing opiate abuse is being able to identify those who are either intentionally or unintentionally falling into a higher risk profile for medication abuse. Here are some considerations in identifying those individuals.

First it should be noted that individuals who are on opiate medications regularly cost the health care system about $23,000 annually. This figure increases by $3000 annually if the patient is noncompliant with their medications. That represents a 13% increase in healthcare costs due to a noncompliant patient.

Studies have shown that if a patient is unemployed there is a higher chance of noncompliance with narcotic prescription instructions. Previous drug abuse is another risk factor for noncompliance. At the beginning of care, pain management doctors will often have those being treated sign a pain management agreement laying out the rules to increase the rate of compliance. Most of the time these agreements include that the patient receive pain medications from only one doctor, only fill their prescriptions at one pharmacy, and notify the pain management doctor about any new medications being taken.

This is another method of identifying compliance is to perform urine or saliva samples for drug testing on patients.

One way to potentially prevent narcotic abuse and pain management is through education. Over 20,000 fatal overdoses occur annually due to narcotics, and patients need to know this. Being on significantly high doses of opiate medications can lead to substantial complications along with making that individual a poor candidate for surgery.

Educating individuals on the reasons behind a drug test can make them more comfortable in knowing that it is not simply a method to catch those cheating. There is significant data now to show that even the best pain management doctors are often wrong almost a third of the time on which patients are abusing drugs. A lot of doctors think they know their patients well and are able to delineate between who would abuse narcotics or diverged opiates as opposed to compliant patients. The data shows clearly otherwise.

Once there is sufficient suspicion to assume narcotic abuse in patients, there should be a mechanism in place to get that patient help and prevent the abuse from going down the road towards a fatal overdose. Resources on available substance abuse programs and counseling will be vital to prevent this spiral of abuse.

The bottom line with identifying and preventing narcotic abuse is vigilance. Getting to know patients, having them comply with the pain management agreements, drug testing patients, and checking the pharmacy board website to ensure compliance at the pharmacy are excellent places to start.

Sciatica Relief and Spinal Decompression - What You Need to Know

Sciatica relief and spinal decompression can be found at your local Chiropractic office. When you are looking for non-invasive sciatica relief and spinal decompression therapy, a Chiropractor can help by diagnosing the condition and coming up with an effective treatment plan.

What is sciatica?

Sciatica pain is caused by an injury of the sciatic nerve, which is the largest nerve in the body. Its roots can be found in the lower (lumbar) region of the spinal cord and extends through the buttocks with nerve endings down the legs. When this major nerve gets injured or compressed the pain can be felt in the back of the thighs, causing weakness, tingling or numbness, often on one side of the body.

The pain of sciatica can worsen after sitting or standing for long periods of time, bending forward or backwards or walking for more than very short distances.

How does spinal decompression provide sciatica relief?

Spinal Decompression Therapy is designed to take the pressure off the sciatica compressed nerve by slowly and gently stretching the spine at a certain angle followed by cycles of partial relaxation. This pattern of distraction and relaxation creates a "vacuum effect" or negative intra-discal pressure.

Along with the use of the spinal decompression machine, your Chiropractor will teach you some exercises that you can do to strengthen the supporting structures of the back and promote increased circulation, which will allow the back to heal more quickly. Gentle stretching exercises also help to warm up and loosen the tight muscles and take pressure of the sciatica nerve.

So, exercise can bring sciatica relief while it also helps strengthen the back, allowing for the body's natural healing to take place.

Tips for sciatica prevention:
Use correct posture when sitting for prolonged periods of time. If your work requires you to be seated, make sure that your chair is the right height and that it provides proper ergonomic support for your back.

• Sleep on a firm mattress. A too soft or sagging mattress does not provide support for your spine, and this can aggravate the sciatica.
• Use correct lifting mechanics. Do not lift items that are too heavy for you, keep your back straight and bend your knees instead of your waist while lifting slowly.
• Carry a backpack using both shoulder straps to evenly distribute the weight of the bag. A heavy bag or purse can cause shoulder, neck and back pain over time.
• Do gentle warm-up and cool-down stretches whenever you exercise. Yoga, Pilates and other exercises that focus on developing core strength will help keep your back in good, limber shape and help you avoid injury when done properly.

Is Your Sciatica Pain a Nightmare? Discover How to Get a Good Night's Rest

Sometimes sciatica and back pain can not only ruin your day, but it can even keep you up at night too. Sometimes the pain can be so bad that you just stay up all night completely unable to sleep at all.

But if you combine these following three components, you'll find that you can finally put an end to the back pain and find a relaxing and peaceful night's sleep.

First you need to use ice. By applying ice to your lower back right before heading to bed for about 15 - 30 minutes, you can help to reduce the inflammation around your sciatic nerve, which is one of the primary causes of sciatica.

If you're a busy person and don't have time to rest on your laurels with an ice pack, that's okay too. You can get an ice compress back brace fairly inexpensively that will hod the ice pack in place for you if you need to run around the house doing chores.

Remember to avoid using heat on your lower back. Although it might feel good in the moment, it will actually aggravate your inflammation, which definitely isn't good in the long run.

Secondly, you need to exercise. You want to do simple stretching exercises that help target the muscles around the lower back and hips. These areas are the most common location where muscle imbalances happen that eventually lead to sciatica.

Stretching exercises will help to loosen up tense muscles that might be clamping down on your sciatic nerve.

When you combine muscle stretching with ice compresses, you will probably be surprised at how fast your pain will go away. Often times within just a few hours.

Thirdly, you need to sleep in the proper position. The best position to give your relief from sciatica pain through the night is on your side.

What you want to do is lie on your side and place a pillow between your knees. This pillow will help keep your legs parallel and ease the pressure on the hips.

Then place at least two pillows underneath your head. You want to make sure that your neck is in a perfect straight line with your back, so adjust the pillows as needed to achieve this.

Finally, place a pillow in front of your stomach to help keep you from rolling over in the night onto your belly. A lot of people toss and turn in their sleep and this is the best way to help you keep this position throughout the night. If you do roll forward a bit, that is okay. In fact that will probably help you take a little more pressure off your hips anyway.

So, if you're having trouble sleeping through the night because of chronic back pain or sciatica, go a head and try out these three tips out. Ice your back shortly before bed to decrease inflammation, then do some stretching exercises to loosen up the muscles, and finally try out the sleeping position I described above. Sweet dreams.

Understanding Pregnancy Related Back Pain and Chiropractic Care

Back pain is common during pregnancy with research showing between 50-80% of pregnant patients reporting low back pain. It is good for expectant women to be informed about some of the options available to alleviate pain as well as what they can do for themselves to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Some women may feel anxious or unsure about seeking chiropractic care during pregnancy especially if they have never experienced chiropractic before - but they need not be. Let's explore some of the frequently asked questions regarding chiropractic care and pain during pregnancy...

Why is there back pain during pregnancy?
There are many mechanical, postural and hormonal changes that take place in a woman's body during pregnancy. Below are just a few examples of typical changes.

Mechanical and postural changes:
- centre of gravity moves back therefore changing the mechanical stresses on joints, muscles and ligaments
- weight gain results in increased overall stress to joints and muscles
- muscles of low back must work more to counterbalance growing belly
- low back curve often becomes accentuated which pinches the joints of the low back and sacroiliac joints closer together resulting in joint irritation
- along with accentuation of the lumbar curve, the sacrum itself tilts forward at its base
- increased breast size can result in mid-back pain as the muscles and joints of the mid-back must compensate
- often there is a change in neck position with loss of the normal curvature of the neck
- women tend to adopt a wider based stance and gait which affects joint position of ankles, knees and hips resulting in joint/muscle/ligament irritation
- pressure may be exerted on nerves due to muscle tension and water retention resulting in tingling or numbing sensations

Hormonal changes:
- hormonal changes in pregnancy also affect biomechanics of the spine and peripheral joints
- a hormone called relaxin is released which softens and elongates ligaments and other connective tissues which leads to greater joint motion and possible joint irritation

As one can see, there are indeed myriad changes that occur. On top of this, minor pre-existing mechanical issues may be exacerbated during pregnancy due to the weight gain and hormonal effects.

How can chiropractic help?
Through a history and physical examination, chiropractic can identify specific problem areas in the spine and surrounding joints. Chiropractic adjustments help to restore proper motion and alignment of joints. In addition, specific corrective exercises are prescribed to help improve posture such that tight muscles are stretched and relatively weaker muscles are strengthened. Beyond this, chiropractic helps by balancing the nervous system which allows the body to heal optimally. Most pregnant women who experience chiropractic care report relief of symptoms and associated improved mood and sleep. Best of all, chiropractic is completely natural and non-invasive. Chiropractors do not prescribe medications which can be of concern especially during pregnancy.

Is chiropractic treatment safe during pregnancy?
Chiropractic care is natural, non-invasive and very safe for both mom and the developing baby. Chiropractors are also trained to identify red flags associated with high risk pregnancy and to refer accordingly.

What else can I do for relief and to ensure a healthy pregnancy?
Maintaining physical fitness through exercise is a great way to promote better health and fewer complications. Regular cardiovascular exercise leads to improved sleep, less pain, less stress, fewer delivery complications and has better birth outcomes for both mother and child. It also reduces the risk for gestational diabetes and pregnancy related hypertension and the associated consequences for both mom and developing baby. A balanced and nutritious diet is also important, ensuring that the fetus has the necessary building blocks for healthy development and mom is healthy too. Other ideas for pain relief include massage and acupuncture.

Following delivery, back pain usually resolves however daily activities such as lifting one's child, bending down to their level, breast feeding and awkward postures associated with raising a child may result in mechanical issues. Thus, some women may choose to continue with chiropractic care during this phase as well to ensure optimal joint mechanics and overall wellness.

Stuber and Smith (2008). Chiropractic for back pain in pregnancy. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics; 31(6):447-454.
Jones, Housman & McAleese (2010). Exercise, nutrition and weight management during pregnancy. American Journal of Health Studies; 25(3):120-126.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lumbar Pain Management Injections

What is an epidural steroid injection?

An epidural injection for pain management is a procedure where a long-lasting steroid is administered into the epidural space. The epidural space is the area around the spinal cord, or to be an atomically exact it's the area around the remnant of the spinal cord where nerve roots come off at every level.

What is the purpose of an epidural injection?

With an epidural steroid injection, the purpose is to decrease swelling and inflammation around nerves roots in the epidural space. These nerve roots are typically being either compressed by a piece of disc herniation, or potentially being compressed from arthritis and bone or soft tissue overgrowth with spinal stenosis. Additionally, there are situations where a nerve root is being inflamed from chemicals produced when a disk has a tear in it from degenerative disc disease.

How long does an epidural injection take?

The actual injection typically takes less than 15 min.

What is being injected with an epidural steroid injection?

When an epidural steroid injection is performed, typically there is some numbing medicine that is included which is either lidocaine or Marcaine. The particular steroid that is included may be either triamcinolone, methylprednisolone, or there are a few others.

Does an epidural start injection hurt?

The epidural injection does involve sticking a needle through the skin around the area of the spinal canal. So there is some amount of discomfort. Fortunately, however, the skin and deeper tissues are numbed up with a medication such as lidocaine prior to inserting the larger needle. Sometimes patients also receive IV sedation, which makes the procedure easy to tolerate.

Will I be under anesthesia for the procedure?

Patients do not require general anesthesia for an epidural steroid injection. Often times patients do not even require IV sedation for the procedure, and it is able to be done simply with local numbing medicine. However, patients may receive IV sedation if they have anxiety or stress or simply desire it.

How is the injection done?

There are numerous methods of patient positioning for epidural steroid injections. Patients may lie flat on his or her stomach, the patient may be sitting up, or on his or her side. A lot of this depends on the clinicians experience. The area for the injection is sterilized and the patient is typically monitored with vital signs during and after the procedure. After the procedure, the patient is typically placed into a wheelchair and placed in the recovery area until ready to go home.

What should I expect after an epidural injection?

Right after the epidural injection, patients may feel that their legs are slightly heavy and may have some numbness from the medication. The pain may be dramatically relieved or lessened, which is due to the local numbing medicine injected. This will probably wear off after a few hours at which time the pain will probably return and you may have a sore back for a day or so then the steroid medication will hopefully start to kick in and the pain relief will result.

What should I do after the epidural procedure?

Patients should arrange for a ride home after the injection. Especially if they've had IV sedation for the injection. Patients are typically advised to take it easy for a day or so after the injection. There should not be any significant activity restrictions as tolerated unless it was a special type of situation.

Can I go back to work the next day?

Typically yes patients will be able to go back to work the next day after the procedure unless it was some sort of a complication.

How long will the medication last for my pain?

Typically the immediate pain relief is from the local numbing medicine and this will unfortunate wear off within a few hours. The steroid medication should start working after about 3 to 5 days and its effects may last for weeks to months.

How many injections are necessary?

It is debatable the number of epidural started injections necessary for relief of pain. If the 1st injection does not give complete relief to a patient's symptoms, most pain doctors will perform a 2nd injection and maybe even a 3rd one after that. If the injection takes care of the pain completely, there really is no reason to add a 2nd injection unless it starts to wear off.

Can I have more than 3 injections with epidural steroids?

Most pain management doctors will only perform a series of 3 injections every 3 to 6 months. This is due to the additive effect of having steroid medications in the body and concern over systemic side effects.

How effective are epidural steroid injections?

There is a lot of literature that has looked at this and the results are all over the board. Patients who have sciatica respond better to the injections than those who simply have low back pain. Most results show that epidural injections for sciatica work well between 65 to 80% of the time.

What are the risks associated with epidural started injections?

The risk profile for in epidural injections is low. However there is a small risk of infection, spinal puncture bleeding, nerve damage, symptom worsening, and pain. There are also some risks of the cortison itself including potential weight gain, potential increased blood sugar, water retention, and suppression of the body's own cortisone production.

Decompression Marketing Answers Plant the Seeds That Generate New Patients and Practices Flourish

Chiropractors ask the same questions no matter where they set up their practice, United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom and beyond, they all want to know; "How can I bring in a steady flow of new patients?" "How can I reach more people, telling them about the services offered in my office?" "How can I do both and stay in my budget and receive the best return on my investment?" And if the doctor adds a special service, like spinal decompression, the questions get a bit more specific; "How can I bring in new decompression patients?" "How to collect the case fees for decompression?" Or here's my favorite, "Why is my decompression table empty?"

It doesn't matter if the practice is strictly manual spinal adjustments only, light physical therapy along with adjustments, a decompression practice or how successful your practice is. A chiropractor might see 600 to 700 patients a week; another might see 60 to 70 patients a week. The questions are the same and the fact of the matter is they all want to see an increase of new patients because even if a chiropractor sees 10 times more than another, he or she knows that a continuous flow of new patients is the nourishment that promotes the growth of the practice. Therefore, how to generate more quality new patients seems to be the most asked question of most chiropractic marketing experts.

In a perfect world a chiropractor who opens a practice would have a marketing expert hidden under the desk so that whenever the doctor had a question, the "all knowing" guru could be consulted. Although that might sound really funny, the truth is we all wish we had someone to turn to at anytime and ask marketing questions. Adding more services and specialized equipment into an existing practice with the intention of generating more income has created a more defined niche in the marketing world but created some stumbling blocks for chiropractors trying to tap into a new type of patient, the decompression patient.

Spinal decompression is not new to the chiropractic world in fact we first began to hear about decompression in the late 90's. Thankfully many chiropractors, who heard about this technology, embraced it in its infancy and brought decompression therapy into their practices. These were not minor investments as the cost range of a decompression table is wide, but still run in the thousands of dollars. Risky yes but I applaud those that took that risk. Along with the new equipment comes a mirage of questions. Training the staff is necessary and then there were the coding and billing aspects. Where does a chiropractor go to find answers to all of the questions that will come with the new acquisition? How does the doctor get this new information out into the community so the table can begin to make money for the practice?

Now more than ever chiropractors need a decompression marketing coach who can answer questions about decompression and supply decompression marketing materials. Recently the shift towards niche marketing has helped many chiropractors with advertising and marketing, creating fertile soil for a growing practice. With the addition of decompression marketing to the mix, a new crop of patients will begin to sprout, your practice will grow and you will begin to reap the rewards of a consistent and reliable marketing system.

Spinal Decompression For Sciatica

Radiculopathy, the protruding of a vertebral disc which puts pressure on the nerve root in the lower back, results in what is known as "Sciatica". Sciatica is the pain felt when the sciatic nerve, a nerve fiber which runs through the lower back and down the lower limb, is irritated.

Sciatica is not a medical condition, it is simply a general term that refers to the symptoms of a lower back problem. Therefore, it is not sciatica that should be highlighted during treatment, but the underlying condition which had caused it.

The main cause of sciatica is the formation of herniated discs in the spine. An injury or even sudden twisting movement can cause the nucleus pulposus, the gelatinous part of the vertebral discs, to form a bulge on the disc as it leaks out of the disc and irritates the nerve root on its way out of the spine. Furthermore, vertebral discs weaken over time due to excessive or repetitive stress and also result in leakage.

Signs of sciatica include: pain on either side of the buttocks or leg, which worsens upon sitting and relieved upon lying down, burning or tingling sensation on the leg, and numbness. Sciatica usually gets better gradually over time. However, there have been cases of severe sciatica resulting in the inability to walk or to stand.

A non-surgical, non-invasive, and safe way to relieve pain from sciatica is by spinal decompression therapy. In this method, a machine, the DRX 9000, applies a gentle pulling force that decompress the injured discs by stretching the spine. Slowly and gently, the machine is able to separate the vertebrae of the spine to release pressure until a vacuum is formed. The vacuum, then, works to move the nucleus pulposus back into the disc thereby mending the bulge. The vacuum also allows oxygen and nutrients to move into the injured disc and start the healing process.

Spinal decompression successfully treats chronic back pain as the application of a continuous pulling force that reduces pressure on the discs results in the reduction of pain and other symptoms. A cycle of stretching and relaxation, on the other hand, reduces the chances of having muscle spasms during or after the treatment.

A Controlled Study of Spinal Decompression and TENS For Treatment of Low Back Pain

Several studies have been completed and reported on the success rates of the treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain using the mechanized Spinal Decompression machine. One study recently appeared in May 2007 in Chiropractic and Osteopathy. It compared success rates from the use of a non-surgical intermittent mechanized traction machine with the use of TENS in relieving low back pain due to a herniated or bulging disc.

First, to understand any study, you need a picture of the disorder and the chronic misery it causes. Back pain due to an injury or accident is the leading Workmen's Comp injury and the main reason for disability in people under 45. The spinal column is made up vertebrae stacked one on top of another. Between each vertebra is a tough, fibrous cushion, called an intervertebral disc, which contains a jelly-like substance. These discs act as cushions absorbing shock and allowing the spine to bend, twist and turn. Healthy discs are thick, flexible and compress when pressure is put upon them, like a sponge.

When there is an injury, the vertebra may shift out of alignment or compress the disc causing the disc to bulge or rupture, out the jelly like substance. This herniated disc or bulging disc causes pressure on the spinal nerves, resulting in pain, numbness, and may progress to decreased function in the affected arm or leg.

It is also known as:

• a pinched nerve


• sciatica


• a blown out disc


• a slipped disc

The protrusion of the disc or its core material not only causes pressure on the spinal nerves, it compresses blood vessels and interferes with circulation to the area. Deprived of nutrients and oxygen, the disc cannot heal, and, over time, flattens, becoming stiff and hard, just like a dry sponge. This condition develops into degenerative disc disease.

Standard treatment has included:

• Physical/chiropractic therapy


• epidural injections (an injection into the epidural space of the spinal cord)


• NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs)


• Hot or cold packs with massage


• Electrical stimulation (TENS)


• Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression


• Acupuncture


• Surgery - as a final resort

A treatment method that is gaining support is Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression, in which some studies show a success rate of 71% to 90%. An FDA approved machine, using a computerized program gently stretches the patient's spine, slowly drawing the vertebrae apart, relieving pressure on the disc, allowing it to heal.

Testing of the machine continues and a recent study compares treatment results of Decompression Therapy with that of the TENS ( Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) unit. TENS is a small unit which can be worn during therapy. This FDA approved treatment for back pain delivers low-volt electrical current to the affected area through electrodes. Its electrodes pierce the skin just deep enough to reach nerve fibers, usually 1 to 2 inches. It activates the body's pain fighting mechanisms and may be used several hours a day.

The Study

The object of the study was to compare the effectiveness of the two treatment methods in relieving pain and improving mobility in patients with a bulging or herniated disc.

Subjects were recruited through newspaper advertisements and had to meet several criteria for inclusion in the testing:

• Disc protrusion or herniation confirmed by MRI (Magnetic Resonate Imaging) or CT scan (Computerized Tomography)


• Low Back Pain for 3 months or more; could be associated with pain radiating to one or both legs.


• Average duration of pain was 7.3 years

The study enrolled 44 patients; the average age was 42 years. The group was initially divided into 2 groups of 22 people each.

• Spinal Decompression treatments consisted of 30 minute sessions, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. This was followed by once a week treatment for 4 additional weeks.


• The TENS Group received treatment with a TENS unit for 30 minutes daily for 20 days. This was followed by a weekly treatment for 4 additional weeks.


• Both groups were able to take anti-inflammatory and non-narcotic pain relievers.

The Results

The outcome was measured by the 10 centimeter Visual Analog Pain Scale (VAS) and a disability scale. The disability scale rated the subject's ability to perform their most affected activity on a 0 to 4 scale, with 4 being "could do an activity without limitation".

Success was defined as a 50% improvement in the VAS, showing the degree of pain relief. Any decrease in disability was given a positive rating. During the study, 4 subjects dropped out, leaving 19 in the Decompression Group and 21 in the TENS Group, a total of 40 participants.

Conclusions:

Spinal Decompression:

• 13 out of 19 people (68.4%) showed improvement.


• The 6 months follow-up showed 7 out of 19 people maintained their level of improvement

TENS Treatment:

• 0 out of 21 subjects showed any improvement...

Additional scientific studies are being planned or are underway now to demonstrate conclusively the treatment effectiveness of Spinal Decompression Therapy.