Saturday, August 17, 2013

Non-Surgical Decompression Options For Spinal Stenosis and Pinched Nerves


What is spinal decompression therapy and how can it help you?

Perhaps before we discuss spinal decompression therapy we should take a brief moment to talk about who might benefit from this treatment and why. As the name implies spinal decompression therapy is a treatment for spinal problems that are associated with pressure or compression. There are a number of different spinal ailments that are the result of compression of the nerves exiting the spine. The most common are slipped discs, spinal stenosis, sciatica and pinched nerves.

While the exact mechanisms of these various conditions are different they all ultimately involve pressure on or compression of the spinal nerve roots. There are surgical techniques of spinal decompression, but this article will focus on non-surgical methods available to decompress the spine. Many times these non-surgical techniques can reduce or eliminate the need for surgery. Several studies suggest that the techniques that we are about to be discuss may reduce the need for back surgery from 47 to 60 percent. So in theory more widespread use of non-surgical spinal decompression strategies could effectively eliminate the need for about one in every two spine surgery procedures. That is really great news for folks suffering from pinched spinal nerves regardless of the cause of the compression.

So how does it all work? The basic concept is really quite simple. A nerve exiting the spine gets compressed by a bad disc, spinal stenosis of spondylosis, a fancy name for spinal arthritis. Pressure on the nerve causes it to become inflamed and chemical changes occur in the nerve which makes it hyper-excitable. The result is pain, lots of it and also numbness and even weakness in the muscle of the lower back, hip and leg. Depending on the nature of the nerve compression and the amount of chemical changes that occur in each patient's compressed nerve, the signs and symptoms will vary from patient-to-patient. The important thing to remember is that the first job is to decompress the nerve. Then the inflammation and chemical changes need to be addressed for the body to heal properly.

Step one: Take the pressure off the spinal nerve to stop ongoing nerve damage. There are a number of ways to take the pressure off a pinched nerve. The general term for this is called spinal decompression; in truth we should really call it spinal nerve decompression therapy. Because it is more accurate to say we decompress the spinal nerve than to state we decompress the spine. So how do we decompress the spinal nerves? The answer is straight forward. Apply traction. Spinal traction has been used to treat back pain from nerve compression for thousands of years.

The most important question is how to most efficiently apply traction to the spine to effectively decompress the spinal nerves? There are a number of ways.

You probably can remember seeing pictures of patients strung up in harnesses with pulleys and weights. This old style of traction has been dismissed as ineffective, probably because it was inefficient in truly separating the vertebrae and causing decompression of the spinal nerve roots.

Then there are some home-based methods of spinal decompression. The two most popular ones are inversion machines that turn you upside down and cause gravity to distract the spine rather than compress it and the large exercise balls that can be used to elongate the spine through exercise. Both have pros and cons and for our discussion these should be relegated to follow-up home use after a course of true medical spinal decompression therapy.

That leaves two competing professional technologies to provide spinal decompression therapy in a medical setting. One therapy is called Spinal Decompression Therapy. It consists of a traction-like table and uses computerized sensors to monitor muscle contraction. This is important because when you start to administer traction to the spine a reflex occurs in the back muscles that resists the decompressive force. This is called the muscle stretch reflex. So this monitoring of the muscle stretch reflex is important to provide effective force to decompress the spine and pinched nerves. The Spinal Decompression Equipment times the traction with the relaxation of the muscles. Without considering this reflex muscle contraction the force used to decompress the spine will only be placing traction on the spinal muscles and not truly decompressing the pinched nerve.

In fact some scientists believe that old school traction failed to produce excellent results because they could not overcome the reflex muscle contraction hat occurs when you stretch the spinal muscles. If this was the case then traditional traction devices were limited to stretching back muscles and did very little to decompress the spine nerves. Modern Spinal Decompression equipment seems to have overcome this obstacle to true spinal nerve decompression.

An alternative to Spinal Decompression Treatment Tables is a technique called Flexion-Distraction Therapy. Flexion Distraction Therapy is unique because it is one of the only forms of decompression that treats the patient while he/she is face down. This is important for a couple of reasons.

We just talked about the muscle stretch reflex in the spinal muscles that makes them contract and resist decompression of the spine. There are many more reflexes associated with muscles. Another important reflex is called the agonist-antagonist reflex. Simply put, this is a reflex that causes the back muscle to relax when the stomach muscles are shortened. This reflex may be one of the reasons why Flexion Distraction Therapy can have profound effects on pinched spinal nerves.

While the patient is face down on the table, the Flexion Distraction Table flexes slightly. This has the effect of shortening the stomach muscles and causing a reflex relaxation of the back muscles. By slightly flexing the spine before applying the traction, the Flexion Distraction Therapy abolishes or greatly reduces the muscle stretch reflex in the back muscles. So once the spine is slightly flexed, resistance to traction of the back muscles is minimized and the spinal nerves can be effectively decompressed. Another advantage of Flexion Distraction Therapy is that the flexion movement of the table mechanically opens up the canal where most spinal nerve compression occurs.

So the properties of Flexion Distraction Therapy that make is ideal for spinal decompression is that by the nature of the procedure, back muscle relaxation and resistance to distraction are eliminated and the area of maximum nerve compression is mechanically enlarged all of which adds to effectiveness of spinal nerve root decompression.

Both Spinal Decompression technology and Flexion Distraction Technology for the non-surgical decompression of spinal nerve roots can be highly effective in reducing the pain and other symptoms associated with spinal nerve root compression. They are usually administered with additional therapies which are designed to reduce nerve inflammation and restore proper nerve chemistry. Either are worth looking into before considering surgery to decompress pinched spinal nerves.

Research supports the effectiveness of both of these competing techniques for the non-surgical decompression of spinal nerve roots.

Sitting Can Reduce Hip Mobility and Cause Back Pain


Over the course of their lives, nearly eighty percent of Americans will experience some sort of back pain. Many of them will experience pain so debilitating that they actually miss work because of it. These are extraordinarily high numbers of people with discomfort in this region of the body. While many causes of back pain can be prevented, it is only by understanding two of the most important reasons leading to soreness and injury that people can take preventative action and reduce their chances of experiencing pain. These two causes are sitting for long periods of time and lack of hip flexibility.

However, people should also realize that these two causes of back pain also work together to increase injury and soreness. Sitting for hours and hours every day in front of a computer or at a workstation leads to a cramming of the spinal discs, as well as a reduction of mobility in the hips. The hips are designed to be extremely mobile with a large range of motion, But sitting down causes the lower back to take over when movements are required. In essence, the hips tend to "turn off" and the low back takes up the slack when sitting. And when the person gets up, this habitual use of muscles continues unless corrected.

Sitting down puts increased pressure on the vertebrae of the back, especially compared to standing up. When standing, the loads placed on the spine are reduced because the abdominal muscles are more activated and the hips and leg muscles are also working to support the body. But when sitting in a chair, all of the weight of the upper body comes to rest on the pelvis directly, with no transfer of the force through the hips to the legs and feet. This results in higher loads being placed on the joints of the lower back where the lumbar (lower) spine meets the pelvis. Over time, the tissues supporting this area of the body tend to weaken and break down.

While many people feel that standing for long periods of time causes soreness and discomfort, this is usually the feeling of sore muscles. The back extensors, hips, and legs may get sore from spending too much time standing up, but usually the pressures on the tissues such as the ligaments and the spinal discs are reduced. But when sitting down for too long, the muscles may be saved from working to support the spine, but the loads are then directed to the ligaments, discs, bones, and other connective tissues. Muscles soreness can be recovered from much more quickly than damage to the discs.

Sitting also places the hips in a position where they are not allowed to expand, move, or activate muscles to support the body. This can lead to reduced flexibility and range of motion in the hips. When this happens, additional stress is placed on the low back, as the body seeks necessary mobility from the tower back that is missing in the hips. The lumbar spine, however, is not meant to have a large range of motion -- it is built to be very stable and supportive of the joints directly above and below it. When the body is lacking in mobility at the hips, back injuries occur.

Thus, sitting down for long periods of time and reduced mobility in the hip joints can lead to back injuries. The longer one sits in a chair and the less flexibility in the hips, the greater the chance of lower back pain and the worse that soreness can be. People who are seriously concerned about the health of their back must learn to reduce or mitigate the compressive forces on their spines and use their bodies as they were designed -- to keep the loads off of the discs and ligaments of the lumbar spine and utilize the natural mobility of the hips for movement and activity.

How the Nerves and Brain Communicate to Create or Ignore Pain Messages


The pain alert system in the body is one of the most useful aspects of the nervous system, at least from a survival and danger-avoidance standpoint. But when the system becomes overly sensitized, either due to tissue damage or long-term inflammation, it can cause all sorts of problems for people, the main one being chronic pain lasting months or years. But much of the pain that is felt years after an injury may be due to the nervous system and brain not communicating effectively with each other anymore.

There are pain sensors spread throughout the body; they are located near the skin, in muscles, and on bones. When these nerves receive enough of an input, they open up and allow a flood of positively-charged ions in, which sends a pain message to the spinal cord and brain. The pain receptors can be activated through a number of different mechanisms, from a hammer hitting someone's thumb, to a dangerous chemical being dropped on a hand or leg, to hot coffee being spilled. All of these can result in pain due to mechanical, chemical, or temperature changes that affect the nerves.

However, the pain messages must reach a critical level in order to send a real pain message to the brain. Lightly touching a hammer to your thumb will not usually send you screaming and sucking it to reduce the pain (unless the nerves are already highly sensitized). The pain receptors may open and allow some positive ions in, but they are not judged to be enough to create pain. The brain, along with the spinal cord, evaluates the messages received from the pain receptors and decides whether or not there is a danger. If danger is perceived, then pain is the result, but if the inputs are not sufficient to cause pain, the brain does not send the message to protect the body part.

This processing by the brain is one of the most important aspects of pain for people to understand. Elite athletes may be able to run the last 6 miles of a marathon with a stress fracture, while other people have to take the day off of work if they have a mild paper cut. Why is this? In essence, it is due to the sensory messages that the brain receives from the tissues and the messages it sends after receiving those inputs from the nerves. The actual condition of the tissues is one of the aspects the brain evaluates, but it is not the only one. It may be more important to keep running and finish the race than to send a danger message full of pain.

But when the brain believes that a person is in danger, it will send the pain message. At that point, the brain is almost completely in control and other various systems can take over. There is nothing like being hit with an object to test the reflexes to see how fast a person can get out of the way. The inflammatory system may turn on as the body then sends blood and nutrients to the site of the injury to cause swelling in order to protect the tissues. And pain from an acute injury can last as long as the brain determines that there is still a danger.

What Causes Degenerative Disc Disease?


Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is a process that may involve one intervertebral disc or numerous. It's a fairly common condition, at least 30% of people aged 30-50 years old will have some degree of DDD, although a lot will not have any pain at all from it.

It involves loss of hydration to the disc which is normally 80% water and can be from natural causes, post traumatic, genetics, essentially numerous causes, some of which we know and some we don't.

Here are the ones we know:

1) Acute injury to the back - This may occur from a car accident or some other accident that causes the disc to sustain tears in the outer portion of the disc. The outer portion is called the annulus and is the part that has the nerve endings where pain occurs.

2) Wear and Tear - Repetitive injury to the disc, such as occurs with heavy lifting occupations or truck driving, can over time cause disc degeneration and back pain or neck pain depending on where the problem occurs.

3) Post-surgical - Patients who undergo a discectomy for a herniated disc will have less disc after the discectomy than prior. With less spongy material to support body loads, the remaining disc will have a higher propensity for degeneration.

4) Obesity - Higher body mass will place more stress on your discs and potentially enhance the degeneration.

5) Genetics - You may be predisposed to excessive disc wear and tear, so if someone in your family has or had degenerative disc disease, you may also develop back or neck pain related to DDD.

6) Smoking - This habit adversely affects discs and can cause faster degeneration. Smoking decreases the amount of water in your discs, and that water is what helps your discs absorb stresses from movement successfully. With less water content, your intervertebral discs can wear out sooner.

As you can see, there are some causes of DDD that can be controlled, but genetics is not one of them.

How Does Degenerative Spondylolisthesis Create Back Pain and Leg Pain?


Degenerative Spondylolisthesis is an extremely common spinal condition that causes back pain along with hip, buttock, and leg pain. The term "spondy" means spine and "listhesis" means slip. From degenerative arthritis occurring, one vertebral body ends up shifting on the one below it, and this can cause pain from either:

  1. Spinal arthritis

  2. Spinal instability

  3. Pinching nerves from the slip (spinal stenosis)

The spinal canal has a typical cross sectional area that allows nerve roots to get out just fine normally. But if one vertebra slips and thereby shifts its position on top of another level, that cross sectional area decreases. You have a bony area that is shifting, but the surrounding soft tissues are shifted right with it.

This can pull traction on nerve roots that were previously very happy with the amount of space they had to exit from the spinal canal. With the slippage, those nerve roots may get pinched at one of 3 places:

  1. Pinched nerve in the area where they come off of the spinal cord (dura)

  2. The area as they enter the exit hole (foramen) from the spinal canal called the lateral recess

  3. The exiting hole from the spinal canal, called the foramen

Either place of compression can produce symptoms of hip, buttock, and/or leg pain called spinal stenosis. Stenosis in this case refers to constriction of an anatomic circumference. If there instability when a person moves, such that the vertebra shifts when a person stands up and moves and then goes back upon sitting, this can create intermittent symptoms of back pain and/or spinal stenosis.

Unfortunately when spondylolisthesis occurs, it is a mechanical problem. We do not have a special powder or injection material that will fix it. However, degenerative spondylolisthesis is obviously not a fatal condition, and it doesn't cause paralysis.

So it can be treated conservatively with many options including:

  1. Physical Therapy

  2. Pain Management injections

  3. Pain Medication

  4. Chiropractic Treatment

  5. Spinal Decompression Treatment

If these options fail, then surgery can work very well but should be considered as a last resort.

Lasting Pain Management Relief With Manipulation Under Anesthesia


Anyone who has long-term pain syndromes may consider manipulation under anesthesia as an alternative treatment to painkillers and surgery. Basic conditions that may lead to this procedure are acute and chronic neck pain, joint pain, back pain, shortened muscles, muscle spasms, and fibrous adhesions (scar tissue).

Pain caused by the lumbar, thoracic, or cervical spine, frozen shoulder, and any discomfort in the pelvic region or sacroiliac may be treated by manipulation under anesthesia (MUA). The treatment is safe and can serve as a replacement for more intrusive and dangerous medical procedures. There are three primary ways that patients undergo this procedure.

1. During mild sedation
2. Under general anesthesia
3. After injection of the anesthetic into a specific area of the spine

Specialists working in a team environment to assure the safety of the patient may perform this procedure in a medical surgery facility. Manipulation under anesthesia is always a team effort, which generally consists of the anesthesiologist, the chiropractor or doctor responsible for the manipulation, and an assistant. Unlike general chiropractic procedures, manipulation under anesthesia is almost always performed in a hospital or other traditional medical facility such as an outpatient surgery center.

The primary aim of manipulation under anesthesia is to break up scar tissue or fibrous adhesions that center around the spine. The process uses specific kinesthetic maneuvers of postural and articular varieties, passive stretches, and short-lever manipulations of the spine specific to the problem areas.

Although the terminology might be new to many people, manipulation under anesthesia is far from a new procedure. It has been a part of medical treatment for more than sixty years and has its own CPT Code designation.

Who Receives Treatment

Back and neck injuries are the leading reasons for spinal manipulation, but not every situation requires the procedure, and some doctors might be hesitant to perform manipulation based on many factors including the physical condition of the patient. One of the main reason the procedure is done is for frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis

Other care and treatment is often attempted before spinal manipulation, but if those efforts prove ineffective, manipulation is the next step. Scar tissue builds up along with adhesions during prolonged aggravation of spinal joints. Over time, this produces chronic pain in the spine and surrounding muscles.

While chiropractic treatments, epidural injections, and physical therapy often give temporary relief from pain, they do nothing to treat the underlying problem of fibrous adhesions. Back surgery most often does nothing for this either and may make that problem worse. Manipulation under anesthesia can bring results that are more permanent for chronic back and neck pain.

Afraid of an Epidural for Back Pain?


An epidural for back pain relief cannot only be an unpleasant experience it can also provide the patient with some relief from their back pain. I have personally undergone fifteen of these procedures myself so please keep in mind this article is written from my experiences and what works for me may not work for you.

With this in mind, here we go.

I suffered a devastating injury to my lower spine (L4-5) and have since had 8 back surgeries, a spinal infection, 15 epidural for back pain along with many other treatments in my quest for pain relief.

First of all, let me say that an epidural injection can be uncomfortable at times. However, I never experienced any actual pain during or after one of these procedures. To me there is a big difference between being sore or uncomfortable than being in pain.

I have been sedated before undergoing an epidural and I've also been awake and alert for some. I prefer to be sedated but when I wasn't, it really was not too bad. No worse than having a root canal for me and the discomfort is over shortly after the procedure. Unlike the pain and discomfort some feel after having a root canal.

The actual procedure lasts only fifteen minutes to a half an hour. In fact you will probably spend more time in the waiting room than the procedure itself.

The relief I feel (especially for the pain in back of leg) has been instantaneous at times and at other times I did not feel relief for a day or so. The point is, I did get some relief. Again, this is just my experience.

So the question you have to ask yourself a question. Is a little more pain and discomfort worth the chance to finally get some pain relief that lasts? For me the answer was obvious.

The best advice I can offer you is to not fret over the procedure and go in with a positive attitude. A positive attitude is everything in my book. I also find it helps to calm my nerves as well!

In my experience, having an epidural for back pain relief was well worth the little discomfort I felt and I can only hope that if you decide to undergo an epidural that you experience the same positive results as I.

Now if I could only get rid of my stiff back.

Friday, August 16, 2013

Herniated Disc - Recovery


It would not be out of place to guide the people afflicted with herniated discs to some of the efficacious remedies to cure the back pain as incidence of the cases is on the rise now-a-days. Causes are not unknown. Incidents of falling down while boarding and getting off buses and other means of the public transport system, sustaining injuries in road accidents and attacks by miscreants, in sport activities/competitions/ matches such as foot ball, cricket, tennis, badminton, baseball, basketball -- athletics i.e., boxing, wrestling, weight lifting, long jump, high jump, car racing, and also -- on the cultural front, the most strenuous, arduous and toilsome demonstrations in the multifarious forms of art; for example -- stormy dance contests and other gimmicks, acrobatics and juggleries in the name of art and cultural activities/programs in T.V. reality shows -- are, in different degrees, responsible for the ever- growing incidence of the disc rupturing/slipping cases.

What is a herniated disc?

A herniated disc, commonly called a "slipped disc" or a "ruptured disc" or a "broken disc"--is most often a consequence of an accident resulting in a rupture, lifting any thing too heavy or in a wrong way, causing an injury or trauma in the spine. In other words, it involves a disc slipping/rupturing/breaking.

A person with the back pain, leg pain or weakness of the extremely lower muscles is diagnosed as a "patient suffering from a herniated disc." A herniated disc is caused by a sudden fall or an accident or may occur gradually with repetitive straining of nerves. Most often the people, who experience a herniated disc, already have "spinal stonosis"-a problem that causes narrowing of the spinal cord and spinal nerves. When a herniated disc occurs, the space for the nerves is further diminished, and irritation of the nerve results.

What is a bulging disc?

Although associated with a herniated disc, a bulging disc is something different, exclusively related to the lumber (lower spine of the back), and a totally old age problem.

The "nucleus pulposus" (the jelly-like substance in the middle of the spinal disc) of the "herniated disc" bulges out through the "annulus" (surrounding wall) and presses on the nerve root next to it. This nerve root becomes inflamed and causes serious pain. The problem may also be caused by degenerative disc disease (spondylosis). The disc consists of about 80 per cent of water. When one grows older, the disc starts to dry out and shrink, causing small tears in the "annulus" and inflammation of the nerve root.

In a case of herniated disc, the decompression takes place quite quickly and causes the disc to slip out, whereas in a case of bulging disc, the decompression takes place very slowly and causes the disc to bulge out.

What happens is that the spinal disc -- a soft cushion that sits between each vertebra of the spine -- becomes more rigid with age. In a young individual, the disc is soft and elastic, but like so many other structures in the body, the disc gradually loses its elasticity and is more vulnerable to injury. In fact, even in individuals as young as 30, MRIs show evidence of disc deterioration in about 30 per cent of people.

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is also associated with the herniated disc. Sciatica patients experience a severe pain that shoots from the buttocks and hips, and runs down to the legs and feet. This condition is mostly accompanied by back pain felt in the legs. This is why it is also called the "leg pain." Since it involves the sciatic nerve - the body's biggest nerve - hence it has been given the medical name "sciatica." When this nerve gets irritated or disturbed by some pressure, possibly by a herniated disc, the patient feels a burning pain which is medically termed the "sciatic pain." So, sciatica, essentially, is a by-product of the herniated disc condition.

How does a herniated disc occur?

A person afflicted with a herniated disc, suffers from an unbearable pain and swelling. When the disc (muscular cushion) is displaced from its original position because of an injury or rupture, resulting in an extra growth, the bundle of spinal nerves is pinched from the abnormal growth. The injury to the nerves and the attached muscles produces "prostaglandins" which cause a severe pain in the back, neck, waist, shoulders and sometimes in the arms and legs as well.

When the spinal disc becomes less elastic, it ruptures. When so happens, a portion of the spinal disc pushes outside its normal boundary - this is what's medically termed a "herniated disc." When a herniated disc bulges out from between the vertebrae, the spinal nerves and the spinal cord, it gets pinched. There is normally a little extra space around the spinal cord and spinal nerves, but if enough of the herniated disc is pushed out of place, then these structures may be compressed.

Symptoms of herniated disc

The compression of the spinal cord or the spinal nerves turns them out of order. This means that abnormal signals may be passed from the compressed nerves, or signals may not be passed at all.

Electric shock-like abnormal sensations caused by any pressure on the nerve, and the pain going down to the arms and then to the legs, feeling of the abnormal sensations of tingling, numbness, or pins and needles in the same region as painful electric shock sensations, and weakness of the muscles because of the nerve irritation - are some of the symptoms a herniated disc patient experiences.

Remedies and therapeutic Options

In the treatment of herniated disc cases, there are two types of remedies and therapeutic options; the first being the surgical and the second one the non- surgical.

Surgical option:

It is only allopathic system of medicine that adopts the surgical option as the last resort when the use of all other artificial remedies-- the counter-pain medication and pain-killers such as "ibuprofen" prove ineffective in the treatment of a case of back pain striking either from a herniated disc or a strained/pulled muscle. In more serious cases wherein all the non-surgical remedies and therapeutic techniques fail to give a quick relief, the patients writhing in pain are promptly rushed to an allopath who, with the consent of the patient's relatives, go ahead for the surgery without any delay, if he is a surgeon himself; otherwise he refers the case to a surgeon or any government hospital. This kind of surgery conducted on a herniated disc patient is medically termed "disc fusion" and "discectomy" in which dislocated disc is replaced in its original position, extra growth caused by the dislocation removed and finally the bundle of spinal nerves that was strained due to the abnormal overgrowth normalized.

However, there is a little difference between a disc fusion and a discectomy. Disc fusion - also called "spinal fusion" - involves replacement of an artificial disc in the lumbar spine. It is considered the best treatment particularly for the "degenerative disc disease."

Discectomy - also known as" spondylodesis" or "spondyloryndesis" - is a surgical technique usually used to combine the two or more vertebrae. This procedure is used primarily to alleviate the pain caused by abnormal motion of the vertebrae by immobilizing the vertebrae themselves.
Supplementary bone tissue is used in conjunction with body's natural "osteblastic" processes. Thus the central portion of an intervertebral disc, the nucleus pulposus, which causes the pain by straining the pain by stressing the spinal cord or radiating nerves, is
removed.

Then, the disc material pressing on the spinal nerve or spinal cord is completely removed. The intervertebral foramen -- the bone channel, through which the spinal nerve runs -- is then enlarged with a drill giving the nerve more room to exist the spinal canal.

To open the vertebrae from collapsing and to increase their stability, the open space is often filled with bone graft, taken from the pelvis or cadaveric bone. The slow process of the bone graft joining the vertebrae together is called "fusion." Sometimes, a titanium plate is screwed on the vertebrae to increase stability, especially when there is more than one disc involved.
The surgery requires a short stay of one to three days in the clinic and a gradual recovery takes 4 to 6 weeks.

Non-surgical Options

Non-surgical methods of treatment may be adopted and used from various medical systems of curing diseases such as allopathic, homeopathic,natural/physical, Unani/Ayurvedic, and the last but not the least, Yoga.

Although universally popular, allopathic system of medicine (a method of treating disease with remedies that produces effects different from or opposite to those caused by the disease itself) has never and nowhere found to be as efficacious as other alternative medical systems of treatment, natural/physical remedies (physiotherapy), homeopathy and, of course -- conventional but still more efficacious systems of medicine -- Unani/Ayurvedic and Yoga -- that have been ceaselessly improved upon over the years by means of further study, research, development and new experiments from time to time. Allopathic system gives a quick but temporary relief whereas other systems give a slow but lasting relief.

Allopathic principle of medicine cures the effect of disease leaving its cause untouched. This resurfaces in any other form of the disease in future, while homeopathic system of treatment (a system of medicine that attempts to cure patients with heavily diluted preparations/drugs which cause effects similar to the symptoms produced by the disease...quite opposite to allopathic) gets to the bottom of the problem and eradicates the very cause of disease by its root. If diagnosed with the exact symptoms of the disease and administered an accurate medicine to the patient, the disorder disappears in a trice.

Physiotherapy is another option by which natural elements/agents such as solar energy, the water, the air, electricity, ice, etc., is resorted to, and has also been proved quite effective in the treatment of diseases. As mentioned earlier, despite amazing efficacy and utility of the homeopathic and natural remedies, allopathic system is still in vague all over the world, and there is nothing wrong with resorting to this option. However, the natural methods of curing diseases including homeopathy being a permanent solution to the whole problem, are by all manner of means, more deserve to be discussed and explained in detail in such a way as to attract more and more people, especially those afflicted with a herniated disc.

The natural method of treatment comprises a schedule of specifically prescribed exercises plus therapeutic techniques and a well-programmed bed rest. These remedies will definitely bring a quick relief from the pain and steadily accelerate the pace towards a complete recovery, regardless of the cause for the pain. Following are some suggestions with regard to the use and application of the natural therapeutic techniques to the herniated disc patients on the way leading to a durable relief and successful recovery from the back pain.

Natural Remedies-Non-surgical options

The first and foremost among these remedies are some medically prescribed techniques that follow:

Ice Pack: Ice, in fact, is the best solution, especially to the problem of strained nerves. While watching a competition of boxing, you may have definitely noticed a boxer receiving an injury in his face from the rival. The first thing his coach does is to apply an ice pack to the injured area in his face. Applying a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel to the site of injury also serves the purpose, if ice packs are not available in the nick of time.

Ice Massage: In most of the cases ice massage has been experienced to be quite effective and useful. Take a cube of ice and rub it around the affected area in a circular motion.

Hot packs: Hot/warm packs have been found an effective solution only to the problem of pulls/strains. These should be used only after trying the ice packs.

Body Massage: In using the massage technique, there is no need for any masseur or massage specialist to massage the patient's body. Any of the ordinary persons/relatives can do the job very easily and comfortably. The only requirement is-oil. If you don't have the special massage oil, take a little quantity of olive, mineral, or any ordinary oil that is within your reach. You may mix a little bit of "vanilla extract" to give it a nice scent. Pour a handful of oil on the affected area of the back and rub it gently. A back rub does not require a massage therapist. You can do it yourself without any difficulty. Just do what feels good to you and massage gently.

Bed Rest

For the cases of herniated disc, the first step towards recovery is bed rest. Though it is not possible to lie in bed all the time, the patient is best advised to do so as much as possible.

First Stage: Lay the patient on a strong and firm mattress to ensure that the back is placed as straight as possible. Moreover, the pillows should also be firm to ensure straightness and alignment of the bed. Taking rest in this way will help the body repair any damage done as a result of the disc rupture.

Second Stage: Elevating legs has been experienced to have provided higher degree of comfort in the recovery process. Place a small to medium size pillow underneath the patient's knees. It will lessen some of the pressure that may have been put on the back of the patient while being laid down on the bed. Elevating thighs slightly may also be helpful.

Third Stage: Place a pillow or any other soft object between his legs. It will help him remove any pressure that may have been applied to the affected portion of the back. While getting out of bed, the patient is well advised to take special care not to move suddenly, rather push self into a sitting position by using a side of the body instead of the back. However, lying on the stomach is not advisable in this condition.

Fourth Stage: For a patient who is on bed rest to recover from a back complication, it is essential to consume a raw food with a plenty of fluids. Bed rest most often results in the intestinal tract getting slow and it may cause constipation. To avoid this, ingesting uncooked food high in nutrition and drinking fluids as much possible is the best precautionary measure.

Fifth Stage: Applying heat and cold to the aching parts of the body alternatively has also been experienced to have alleviated the pain associated with herniated discs.

These are some of the natural remedies that have been traditionally used for centuries by virtue of their effectiveness in curing herniated discs and they have also proved quite helpful in healing the wounds associated with herniated disc.

Recovery Time:

These remedies combined with the "pain-killers" prescribed by the physicians can and will definitely ease the pain. Recovery takes normally two weeks in non-surgical cases, and an average of three to six weeks in surgical ones, depending on the severity of the injury. By adopting a medically prescribed program of specific exercises and body movements, desirable results can be achieved.

Prevention:

There is a saying; - "prevention is better than cure." Following the old adage, some precautionary measures must be taken to prevent the troubles. Among these are the back exercises and abdominal workouts that may prove helpful in strengthening muscles. Daily exercise, walk, jogging, running and also swimming if possible, are some of the best precautionary measures that may help you keep away from major back problems.

The Basics Of An Epiduroscopy For Radiculopathy


An epiduroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a flexible instrument containing a tiny camera known as an epiduroscope. The procedure is performed to diagnose the cause of pain in the lower spine and legs. The pain is often the result of sciatica. Epiduroscopy was developed in the 1990's and involves and involves a steerable catheter system enhanced by a saline flush system that is attached to a side port on the sheath.

During the procedure, the pain doctor often administers medication to treat the pain. IN preparation for the procedure, the patient is positioned with appropriate padding and the patient is given local anesthesia. The doctor utilizes x-ray fluoroscopy during the procedure to hopefully ensure accurate placement of the camera.

Once the problem area is located on the fluoroscopy, a small incision is made through which a catheter is inserted containing the epiduroscope. The scope is inserted through the sacrococcygeal membrane to allow direct visualization of the epidural space.

The scope contains a fiberoptic camera which enables visualization of damage and scar tissue on the spine which may be causing sciatica. Adhesions can be visualized, nerve roots may be inspected and the specific areas of inflammation hopefully identified. A small needle is placed through the sacral hiatus into the epidural area. Through this a small metal guide wire is positioned. The doctor then removes the small needle which then leaves the guide wire in place. A series of dilators are then passed over the guide wire and once a large enough space is created, the sheath cannula is positioned.

The physician may use instruments inserted through the catheter to break down some of this scar tissue. This is called an adhesiolysis and it can dramatically reduce a patient's pain.

Anesthetic or corticosteroid medication may also be injected to relieve pain from inflammation. Once the procedure is complete, patients may be discharged same day making it an outpatient procedure. Getting back to work should be within a few days.

Complications can occur during an epidurolysis. When a significantly sized camera is placed near a nerve root, the root can be injured. A dural tear may occur if the epiduroscope makes a small hole in the dural membrane. This can cause a post dural puncture spinal headache.

One additional complication that may be seen is a macular hemorrhage. This is bleeding in the internal layers of the eye. If excessive flush is used during the procedure, a rapid rise in cerebral pressure may occur and cause this complication.

Oh My Aching Spine!


Previously we discussed briefly conditions such as rheumatic diseases, cervical spondylotic myelopathy, degenerative disk disease, and stenosis but there are several other conditions which can cause difficulty for your spine.

Ruptured, slipped, or herniated disk, all have the same meaning. They are a condition which occur when one of the pads between your vertebrae is bulging out and putting pressure on a nerve. To explain further, a disk is made up of two layers, one is outer and tough in form but the other is centered and gel like. A disk becomes ruptured when the center pushes the other layer out of its 'proper position'. There is a possibility that a massive herniated disk can cause severe problems. Losing control over your bladder or bowels can be warning sign of this condition and needs to be addressed by your doctor immediately.

Sciatica is a condition which occurs when the sciatic nerve is being compressed. This nerve extends from the lower point of the spinal column in the pelvis and all the way down your leg. When the nerve is compressed it can cause burning lower back pain, pain though the butt cheeks and down one leg below the knee, numbness, and loss control over the leg. The causes of this condition may include: a ruptured disk, tumors or cysts, and degeneration of the sciatic nerve root.

Spondyloysis and spondylolisthesis is described as a stress fracture in the lower spine. Spondylolisthesis is recognized as the poor alignment that causes the vertebrae to slip and put pressure on the nerve root.

Osteoporosis is a condition which weakens the bones and causes them to become brittle. As a result fractures can occur. Scoliosis is defined as a curvature off the spine which can result in stenosis or other accompanying problems.

Spinal tumors and cysts can cause great discomfort. A cyst is described as a closed sac of fluid. Much like a tumor, a cyst can cause pressure on the spine column or nerves and may cause intense pain. It can also cause increased stiffness in other areas of your body. Some cysts can be extremely dangerous because they can expand and destroy the center of the spinal cord.

Trauma, of course, can have a lasting effect on your spine. Injuries caused by an accident may never allow for complete recovery. However, working closely with your doctor can help decrease the severity of its effects.

Main Differences Between Spinal Decompression and Physical Therapy


As you may be aware, both spinal decompression and physical therapy can be used to treat pain that originates in the neck and spine.  That said, it is important to realize that physical therapy is designed to rehabilitate your muscles.  In most cases, if a bone is out of place, or pinching a nerve, this therapy will not move it back into alignment. On the other hand, computer guided spinal traction can easily manipulate the discs in your spine and neck in order to relieve nerve damage.

Typically, when you first have an accident that causes neck or back pain, you will be sent for physical therapy. 

Unfortunately, if a disc is even slightly out of alignment, the added stress from this therapy can make things much worse. Perhaps it should come as no surprise that people often experience a significant increase in pain after going for physical therapy.  Regardless of whether you have a minor injury, or a more severe one, you should do everything possible to make sure that your spinal column is in proper alignment.

If you do not know where to begin with treatment, you should at least ask your doctor to send you for chiropractic treatment. Ideally, you should look to have any bone issues addressed before you try to use therapy to adjust the condition of your muscles. Without a question, if you can gain access to spinal decompression, you should see if you can have this type of therapy first, ahead of all the others.

Is Pinched Nerve Pain Driving You Up the Wall?


For those of us who have suffered from a pinched nerve, we realize exactly how inconvenient and painful it can be. A pinched nerve can occur at almost any part of the body were a nerve is present and may occur as a result of bone or cartilage pressing against the nerve itself.

Although pinched nerve pain is often associated with back problems, it is possible for the pain to occur in many other places in the body as well.

Here are a few of the most common areas where a pinched nerve can occur along with some possible treatment options.

Sciatica

Sciatica is probably one of the best-known cases of a pinched nerve that occurs in the body. It is important to note that sciatica is not a condition in and of itself. It is actually a symptom of another condition in which the sciatic nerve is pinched or compressed. Since the sciatic nerve is quite long -- running through the lumbar area down the back of the thigh and towards the feet -- there is a greater chance that this nerve can experience some form of disruption. The pain associated with sciatica can range from somewhat mild to crippling and often occurs in the lower back, buttocks or hips. It may also cause tingling that can go the whole way down into the feet.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Another type of pinched nerve which is often found in many individuals is known as carpal tunnel syndrome. This is where the median nerve that travels through your wrist is compressed by the carpal bones. This can be found in individuals as a result of a repetitive stress injury, such as that which is found whenever an individual types frequently. This also can be extremely painful and can cause numbness in the hand and fingers.

Pinched Nerve Treatments

There are several different things that can be done in order to help with a pinched nerve. Sometimes simple bed rest can help or just relieving stress in the afflicted area is all that is needed to reduce or stop the pain.

Another common way to treat the pain is through the use of over-the-counter pain medication or perhaps a prescription medication from your doctor. As long as the pain is not too intense, it can easily be controlled in this matter.

There may also be times when physical therapy is prescribed by your doctor in order to help overcome the problem.

Spinal decompression therapy is also becoming a popular form of non-invasive treatment. This type of treatment addresses pinched nerve pain that is often caused by neck and back problems.

Finally, there may be times when surgery is required in order to alleviate some of the pain of a pinched nerve. Typically surgery is done so that the bone or cartilage which is compressing the nerve can be moved out of the way. Most people view surgery as a treatment of last resort and prefer to explore non-surgical options first.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of your personal healthcare provider. Be sure to consult with your doctor to understand your full set of treatment options and their associated risks.

Spinal Decompression Centers


Spinal decompression centers are places where patients with degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, protruded disks, foraminal stenosis, sciatica, spinal stenosis, facet syndrome, lower back pain, and post surgical back pain are treated. Spinal decompression is a non-surgical treatment that is painless and free from side effects. Decompression therapy is safe, effective and often affordable.

Before making a diagnosis, the physicians at these centers analyze the patients' medical history and perform a thorough physical examination. To decide on the appropriate treatment, several tests including orthopedic and neurological examination are performed on the patient. For making a more accurate diagnosis, imaging tests such as X-rays and MRI scans may also be advised. The doctor then determines the treatment plan and the number of sessions required for the patient to get relief from the symptoms of dysfunction. When the therapy concludes, the therapists may advise cardiovascular protocols, neuromuscular protocols, diet therapy, and exercises to improve the mobility, strength and to avoid further injury.

During the spinal decompression process, a distraction force is applied to the spine to remove pressure from the compressed discs and nerves. The negative pressure formed at some point in decompression therapy will cause the herniated areas to retract back to the normal disc space, and allow oxygen and blood to flow into the affected areas. This would speed up the healing process. It has been seen that this treatment is effective in treating the pain associated with the bulging or degeneration of discs. Patients who underwent this treatment have been able to return to their normal lifestyle.

Spinal decompression centers will have licensed medical practitioners including spinal decompression therapists, chiropractors, physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons, pain management specialists and neurologists. Most health centers make use of the latest technologies and equipment to provide spinal decompression services. Spinal decompression therapy, when performed safely and with clinical expertise, will highly enhance the treatment results and lead to a more rapid recovery.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Conservative Treatments For Retrolisthesis


Retrolisthesis is one type of vertebral misplacement, or subluxation, that can occur in the spine. It is the backward slipping of a vertebra in relation to one above or below it. Retrolisthesis is less common than forward slipping, called spondylolisthesis. It occurs most often in the cervical or lumbar segments of the spine, as these are the most mobile.

A number of mechanical or external forces can cause vertebral misalignment. Conditions like arthritis and degenerative disc disease can cause a vertebra to shift. An injury, such as a hard fall, can sometimes jolt the spine enough to cause misalignment. Years of improper body mechanics can create enough stress on the spine to throw it out of alignment, as can being overweight. Blunt trauma can also cause the shift.

A number of changes occur in the back surrounding retrolisthesis. The joints that connect vertebrae are stressed when they become misaligned. The discs surrounding the shifted bone will be pushed toward the innermost part of the body and caused to bulge, providing inadequate shock absorption to the spine and potentially allowing friction between the bones. The slipping vertebra may begin to compress nerve roots exiting the spine. Soft tissue surrounding the shifting area of the spine - namely, ligaments and muscles - become stretched and injured.

Symptoms of retrolisthesis vary greatly depending on the degree to which the vertebra has shifted and whether or not it is impinging spinal nerves. Decreased range of motion and localized back pain may be felt. Tenderness due to muscle and ligament injury is possible. If nerves are being compressed, then sharp pain, tingling, numbness and weakness may be felt along the nerve pathway.

Treating Restrolisthesis

Many surgeons jump prescribe spinal fusion surgery as a treatment for subluxation. There are a number of safe, conservative treatments that should be tried before surgery is even considered, however. The goal of treating retrolisthesis is to realign the spine, and to do so, a number of things must be accomplished: 1) The joint must be mobilized to move the bone back into alignment; 2) the disc, if degenerating, must be re-hydrated; 3) surrounding soft tissues need to recover their tone in order to provide structural support to the realignment.

Chiropractic care is the best conservative option for restoring alignment to the spine. Chiropractors specialize in joint range of motion and alignment of vertebrae. If disc degeneration has caused your misalignment, or if the misalignment has caused disc degeneration, look for a chiropractor equipped with a decompression machine. Decompression treatments gently pull your vertebrae apart to increase intervertebral space and allow discs to reabsorb lost fluids. These machines have biofeedback technology that assesses how surrounding tissues respond to the pulling force exerted to separate vertebrae. If the pull is too great, your muscles will react by contracting against it, thereby limiting the effectiveness of the treatment for your discs and causing injury to the muscles. Biofeedback technology makes decompression treatments preferable to the simpler inversion table treatment for people with injuries like retrolisthesis.

Repairing your soft tissues will likely take more time than restoring alignment. Once alignment is attained, the stress on tissues will be decreased, but restoring tone to the tissues will be a process. Physical therapy may be needed to target overstretched ligaments and muscles. Simple core exercises, such as the bird dog, may be prescribed to ensure balanced core strength to support the spine.

Your best chance of recovering fully from retrolisthesis comes with education. Make sure you are not being sent out of the doctor's office with nothing but pain medications to mask the symptoms or rushed into the operating room when conservative options are available. Ask for a referral to a well-reputed chiropractor and begin the path to safe, thorough recovery.

Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections


Lumbar transformanial epidural steroid injections are performed to relieve low back and radiating leg pain.

The steroid medication can reduce the swelling and inflammation caused by spinal conditions such as spinal stenosis, radiculopathy, sciatica, and herniated discs. The patient lies face down. A cushion is placed under the stomach area to provide comfort and to flex the back.

This position causes the spine to pull allowing for easier access to the epidural space. The physician uses a fluoroscope to locate the appropriate lumbar vertebra and nerve root and a local anesthetic numbs the skin. All of the tissue down to the surface of the vertebral transverse process is anesthetized. The physician slides a thin bent needle with a slightly curved point through the anesthetized track.

With the aid of a flouroscope, the physician carefully guides the needle into the foraminal space near the nerve root. The physician injects a contrast solution and uses the fluoroscope to see the painful areas and confirm the correct location of the needle tip. A steroid anesthetic mix is injected into the foraminal epidural space bathing the painful nerve root with soothing medication. the needle is removed and a small band aid is used to cover the tiny needle surface wound. In some cases, it may be necessary to repeat the procedure as much as 3 times to provide the full benefit of the medication. However, many patients feel significant relief after only one or two injections.

Additional pain management options my be extremely beneficial in conjunction with epidural injections. These may include physical therapy, chiropractic, spinal decompression, and pain medications.

Healing Back Pain With Anti-Inflammatory Injections


The primary goal of treating chronic back pain with epidural steroids is to decrease the frequency and/or intensity of pain, and improve function overall. This can be done with the use of an epidural steroid injection or ESI for short. Perhaps your physician has already suggested one? In conjunction with other forms of treatment, such as physical therapy, healing back pain and the eradication of symptoms can be hastened with an ESI.

What is an epidural steroid anyway?

It is a very potent anti-inflammatory medication. Usually the medication used is either triamcinolone or methylprednisolone.

How does and epidural steroid injection work anyway?

When a physician injects an extremely potent anti-inflammatory into the epidural space, it can maximize the effect of the medication and potentially reduce the physical size of the nerve root in question. And thereby reduce pain symptoms.

Who should get an epidural steroid injection?

People with a history of lumbar radiculopathy and corresponding sensory changes (e.g. numbness) who have not yet responded well to conservative treatment alone.

It has been my clinical experience as a physical therapist that most people do well with epidural steroid injections. Rarely is there an increase in patient symptoms. Usually, as the client responds, it will happen on the first or second injection. Often, physicians do not administer more than a series of three injections, especially as they have been without benefit.

All though it requires greater skill, an ESI done under fluoroscopy significantly improves correct needle placement. So medication is placed where it counts! At the same time, there is a decreased risk of a "dural puncture" as well since greater accuracy is increased.

Just be warned, not all physician practices are equipped with fluoroscopy capabilities and so he/she may prefer to sort of do it "on the blind."

Mild complications following an ESI do occur and can include headache (usually this disappears in 24 hours), and post procedure back pain near the injection site.

As you are experiencing back pain that is not responding to the usual medication and physical therapy intervention, consider an epidural steroid injection to put you on the right path to healing back pain faster. Especially now that you know the facts.

Good Luck,

Tommy Hoffman, P.T.

Cure Back Pain Now!

You Got Fired From Your Pain Management Doctor - Tips on Finding and Keeping a New Pain Doctor


Getting fired from your pain doctor may or may not be your fault. What I mean by that is it could be you were out of town and had a car accident necessitating an Emergency Room Visit with narcotics involved. It could be that your medications were stolen by a family member, and you are not the kind of person to get the police involved with the necessary police report per your pain management agreement.

Or it may be completely your fault and you "cheated" by getting pain medications from two separate doctors and got caught. Whichever the reason, now you still have chronic pain and no one to help right?

Here's some tips for finding and keeping a new pain doctor.

1) Obtain your complete medical records. You are entitled to them, but it may take a bit of legwork and persistence to obtain them since you are leaving on a bad note. You will need these records to make it easy on your new doctor. You will not exactly be in the driver's seat after being fired.

2) Try and find a pain doctor who works in a comprehensive center. Meaning their surgery center is on-site, and they offer additional services such as chiropractic and PT. The objective is to lower the dosing on your medications so these additional treatments can help.

3) Do not lie to the new doctor when meeting with him or her. You just came off a bad experience, why start immediately on bad footing that is dishonest? With pain management doctors being under a microscope by state medical boards and the DEA, there is minimal patience for someone who lies about their medications.

4) Do not use illicit drugs. I'm not talking about medical marijuana, although that may be a factor in whether or not you would be accepted by a new pain doctor (and also maybe why you got fired in the first place). I'm talking about heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, etc. Understand? Your new pain doctor will be drug testing you as is the norm these days. It would be a waste of your time and the doctor to pop positive for one of these substances on the first visit.

5) If you have insurance, use it. One of the distrust factors in pain patients comes in when they use insurance for one doctor and cash for another. It is a red flag and is one of the top drug seeking behaviors.

6) Be flexible in your pain medication needs. What I mean by this is when you see your new doctor, do not be overly insistent on a specific medication at a specific dose. This can be another red flag for drug seeking behavior. If you are seeing a board certified, fellowship trained pain management doctor, do you really want to question too much the wisdom of that doctor's experience?

7) The last and most important tip is to simply be very very nice and respectful at all times of the doctor and staff. Pain management patients can be very difficult to work with due to the complexities of the individual's condition. Making things complex for the doctor is one thing, that's typically what he or she likes is mental stimulation and helping people. Being downright rude will ruin the trust and relationship from developing. You will get fired again, and that includes being mean and disrespectful of the office staff.

8) Show up for your appointments. Too many missed appointments will cause you to get fired (again). It is disrespectful, especially with no advance warning to the office. Put yourself in their shoes, they are setting aside time to help. Show up for your doctor visits, procedures, and therapy, and get better!

Top 7 Tips To Treat And Prevent Sciatica


It is pain in the butt quite literally. It can also be a pain in the hip, the thigh, the lower leg, or even the foot. In fact, the condition known as sciatica can send pain shooting anywhere in your lower body. What is causing all the commotion is the sciatic nerve, which is not one but a group of nerves bound together in a single sheath. The sciatica nerve runs from your lower back down each leg all the way to the foot. When it is injured, inflamed, or irritated, it can produce pain at any point or every point along its route. The most common cause of sciatica is a herniated disk. Disks separate the vertebrae in your spine. The result is excruciating pain. On rare occasions, sciatica can result from other health problems. Some are serious, such as diabetes, blood clots, and tumors. But others are minor. You can even get sciatic pain from sitting too long in an awkward position. So have your pain checked out before you proceed with self-care. Here are some tips that you can consider to adopt to relieve your pain.

1. Adjust Your Seat

Most people position the car seat too far back when they drive. You put a lot of strain on your back when you have to stretch to reach your pedals. You should be able to press the gas pedal just by flexing your ankle. Your hips should be at about 90-degree angle, and your back should be in neutral, not bent, not perfectly straight, but comfortable.

2. Don't Get Crossed

You tend to cross the same leg all the time. That means you are always sitting on the same buttock, which puts a lot of pressure on the sciatic nerve on that side. Ideally, you should not cross your legs at all. But if you must, at least try to switch sides from time to time.

3. Go For Yoga

Practicing certain yoga exercises can help ease sciatic pain. It is recommended to try out this exercise. Lie on your back with your claves resting on the seat of a chair. Your hips and knees should be bent at about 90-degrees angles. Cross your arms over your chest and place your hands on your shoulders, not on your neck. Inhale, then begin a long, slow exhalation. During the exhalation, tilt your pelvis so that your lower back moves to the floor as you flatten your abdomen. Raise your shoulders 6 to 10 inches off the ground. Lower your right shoulder to touch the floor. Repeat, this time lowering and raising your left shoulder instead. Do this five to six times per side.

4. Take A Seat The Right Way

When you do have to sit, make sure that your posture does not make your sciatica worse. Your knees and hips should be bent at about 90-degree angles. Your weight should be on the ischium tuberosity - the sitting bones - and not on the tailbone.

5. Flex Your Pelvis

Pelvic tilts allow you to gently move the lumbar region of your spine, increasing circulation in the area. It is recommended to follow these instructions. Lie on your back with your feet on the floor and your knees bent. Tilt your pelvis so that your back flattens against the ground, then lift it up. Hold for 5 seconds and relax. Continue tilting and lifting and relaxing five to six times every hour when sciatica flares up.

6. Write Your Own Prescription

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen remain the treatment of choice for sciatica. They can reduce any nerve inflammation caused by the pressure of a herniated disk. These medications won't cure your pain, but they will make it more tolerable.

7. Give Your Legs A Lift

Try to keep pressure off the lumbar region of your spine, from which most sciatica pain radiates. It is recommended lying on your back with your lower legs resting on a chair or a low table such as a coffee table. Your knees and hips should be bent at about 90-degree angles. Do this as needed for relief.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Sharp Pain Around Hip and Buttock That Streaks Down the Leg


How much is a good night worth to you? Every step feels like a knife stabbed in the back of your buttock and leg. The sharp, burning pain continues to streak down your buttock and leg as you cautiously limp around. Numbness and tingling take over as you take refuge on your favourite couch. Sciatica is one of the worst problems that you can have. Sciatica can temporary cripple your entire day when it strikes.

Sciatica refers to an irritation and inflammation of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve gives sensory feeling to the back of your legs. A common cause of sciatic pain is piriformis syndrome. The piriformis muscle is often tight, over-active and full of trigger points as it compensates for a weak gluteal medius muscle and chronic sacroiliac dysfunction. The piriformis muscle can irritate and put extra pressure on the sciatic nerve causing pain around the buttock and down the leg.

Trigger points to the low back and gluteal muscles can also cause similar symptoms of sciatica. Trigger points are pain sensitive spots found in tight, shortened, over-active muscles. When these pain sensitive spots are pressed, not only will you experience intense localized pain, but also pain to other areas. Trigger points in the low back muscles cause referral pain down to the buttock, hip and groin areas. Trigger points in the buttock cause shooting pain down the leg.

Other causes of crippling, sharp leg pain with numbness and tingling are spinal stenosis, severe spinal arthritis, disc bulge (usually at L5/S1), spinal cyst and other space occupying lesions.

Whether you have a true sciatica or not, it is important to find out the exact cause of your leg pain, numbness and tingling. Treatments will be determined by the source of your leg pain, numbness and tingling.

Stretching the shortened, over-active piriformis muscle and strengthening the weak gluteal medius can prevent flare up of sciatica if there is no spinal stenosis, disc bulge, spinal cyst or any space occupying lesions. Chiropractic adjustment to the sacroiliac joint and soft tissue treatments such as Active Release Technique and trigger point therapy to the involve muscles relief sciatic pain and improve soft tissue and joint functions.

If your sciatic pain is from spinal stenosis or a L5/S1 disc bulge, conservative treatments may also be successful. This complicated situation requires the addition of a coordinated, manual distraction. When this procedure is done correctly it can provide much needed pain relief. The breathing coordinated, manual distraction procedure is different from spinal decompression, traction table or inversion table.

There are a few lifestyle changes that you can do to reduce the risk of having sciatic pain. Sitting with a wallet in the back pocket and sitting cross-legged promote sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Try to avoid this.

Maintaining a level of fitness is also important in preventing sciatica. Sedentary lifestyle weakens the gluteal muscles which causes the piriformis muscle to be over-active, tight and shortened. Extended sitting not only increases intervertebral disc pressure, but it also makes the gluteal muscles weak. People with flabby and heavy bottom tend to experience more sciatic pain.

Whether you have true sciatica or not, it is important to know what and where the source of pain is. A thorough and caring health care provider saves you time, money and any unnecessary emotional pain.

Spinal Decompression Surgery Is Gaining Popularity


Spinal decompression surgery is becoming one of the most popular methods of relieving back pain and neurological threatening spinal conditions. Because of the rare side effects associated with the procedure, the minimally invasive procedure is widely desired. There are many reasons why this more revolutionary procedure is winning over millions. Among them include price, lower healing time than traditional open spine surgery, and less visible scarring.

The price of spinal decompression surgery is comparable to the price of its alternate, open spine surgery without the additional risks. Of course there is still a possibility of the rare side effects that exist, but what is that in comparison the relieving the pain that has taken control of your life...And probably saving your life. Because medical conditions of the spine are matters of life and death, most spinal decompression procedures are covered - at least partially - by your insurance. The amount you are required to pay out of pocket for your surgery will vary greatly on your insurance provider and their relationship to your chosen physician.

While there is still recovery time after spinal decompression, many of the elements that made recovery from open spine surgery so long are removed by the nature of the procedure. Spinal decompression uses a state of the art procedure that allows a doctor to perform a great many deal of tasks with minimal space. As technology increases, the abilities to perform more miracles continue to be revealed. With spinal decompression, there are no major incisions or opening of the tissue from which to heal. There is a minor incision that begins to heal very quickly.

There are no stitches to have to wait to either dissolve or reschedule an appointment to have them removed. You may require a light gauze to your incision for a few days. Most often, there is someone in your household can help you. Otherwise, you can often get your wound packing material replaced by the practicing surgeon himself.

Less time required for healing is not the only benefit to be gained from a smaller incision. There is a large concern of vanity among many of our culture, and minimal scarring is important. Gone are the days where a scar down the length of your spine is necessary. There is a barely noticeable incision mark after the body has completely healed. The scarring that is present generally fades into more of a blemish. This is not the case for open spine surgery. There is traumatic scarring involved that force you into the decision to spend more on cosmetic surgery or deal with it for the rest of your life.

Spinal decompression is one of the leading options in finding permanent relief from numerous conditions of the back. The spine is one of our most precious body parts, as it is the central hub to which our functioning limbs connect. The spine is as vital to our motor skills as the functionality of our brain. Spinal decompression surgery is the least invasive form of surgery, and is the top option among patients who demand something better.

Lower Back Pain When Lying Down - Tips


If you experience lower back pain when lying down you are not alone. Pain can strike in different parts of the back and can affect different activities and functions. Lying down when you have this sort of pain can be uncomfortable and painful, as can walking, sitting, and standing. The big problem with getting this type of pain when you lie down is that it makes it impossible to get any rest, which puts you in a catch 22 situation. This is because you need rest in order to help alleviate the condition causing your back pain but the fact that you have this pain means you cannot get any rest.

There are a number of reasons why you may be getting this pain when you are lying down. The root cause of the condition can vary. Remember, the lower region of the back, also known as the lumbar region, is particularly susceptible to problems. Pain in this part of the back can strike at different times, such as when you sit, stand, walk, or lie down. If you experience the discomfort for more than a few days you may need to see your doctor to find out the cause of the problem. However, often the root cause of the condition can be simpler than you think.

What causes this pain when you lie down?

A number of problems can cause this sort of discomfort when you lie down. There are some conditions that may require medical assistance to address them. However, this problem can be caused by a number of simple things too. By identifying the cause of the pain you can then look at the options available to rectify it. Some of the things that may be causing this discomfort include:

  • An underlying condition: Pain in the back region can be caused by many different things. If your pain persists and you cannot pinpoint the reason for it you should visit your doctor so that tests can be carried out. It is then possible for the doctor to determine the cause of your pain.

  • Your bedding: The time when most people lie down is at night when they go to bed. You may therefore find that it is your bed, or more specifically your mattress, that is causing the problem. A change of mattress could prove to be a huge help.

  • The way in which you sleep: Your sleeping position could also be affecting your comfort levels when lying down. If you sleep in a way that is awkward and causes twisting you could experience discomfort when you are lying down.

Stretching to ease your pain

Anyone that is experiencing this pain in the back when lying down may be able to ease the symptoms through stretching and exercise. This can help to ease stiffness and increase flexibility. It can also improve the strength of the spine and stretch the muscles. For those in pain with their backs this type of self help therapy can prove really helpful and can help to ease lower back pain when lying down.

The Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (MILD) Procedure for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis


The Institute of Medicine came out with some alarming statistics recently. They showed that over one third of the United States deals with chronic pain at a cost of over $500 billion annually. This becomes a major factor in physician office visits and also because of disability and lost time from work.

The most common reason that patients over the age of 65 undergo spinal surgery procedures is due to lumbar spinal stenosis. As we move into an ever increasing cutting-edge modern age of medical technology, forging ahead with minimally invasive surgical techniques will save patients significant risks of surgery and hopefully lead to quicker better outcomes.

For lumbar spinal stenosis one of these emerging technologies is MILD, which is short for minimally invasive lumbar decompression. This procedure is meant to be minimally invasive while at the same time offering a durable option for reducing pain and increasing mobility by bringing back space in the spinal canal while maintaining structural anatomic stability.

The gold standard for lumbar spinal stenosis in surgery is a decompression procedure. This may be a laminectomy, or it may be a laminotomy which involves taking away less bone and therefore contributing less to instability. Over the years there have been numerous attempts to try and introduce minimally invasive options for lumbar decompression.

With this new minimally invasive procedure patients do not need implants put in and there is less postoperative pain, and the recovery time is more rapid. The innovative procedure can be done under local anesthesia with some conscious sedation and general anesthesia is not necessary. The area in the epidural space is visualized utilizing fluoroscopy and instruments are used to take away some of the large soft tissue that has overgrown in the spinal canal.

This procedure is a less invasive option that has a fairly low risk profile. No long-term large studies have been performed to date utilizing the MILD procedure. It remains to be seen if it shows superiority compared to the current gold standard which as mentioned is a simple laminectomy.

With a laminectomy or a laminotomy, patients are often able to go home the same day or the following day. Typically the patients are a bit older so keeping them overnight is often prudent. A lot of patients who undergo a laminectomy end up with back stiffness or pain postoperatively. Research shows this incidence to be at 50%. Potentially the MILD procedure will cause less back pain and stiffness postoperatively. This remains to be seen.

Sick of Being Short? Here Are the Sure Fire Secrets to Gaining 3 Inches Or More in Height Real Fast


You have had your share being teased "shorty". In a generation where every conceivable food and food supplement has been invented to produce taller kids, you, sadly were left behind. Are there really ways to grow taller? There are ways and means that you can try to for you to grow taller fast.

Stretching exercises- are good to extend your muscles and lengthen your muscles. There are a lot of exercises designed to give your muscles a good stretch. There are three targets for stretching exercises. The first is the muscle and tonal development of your back muscles; second is the decompression of the spinal column and third is the thickening of the spine.

These exercises will take time to take effect but they are effective and you can expect a height increase of up to three inches.

Food Supplements - Take supplements that are loaded with the necessary vitamins and minerals to help your gain height. There are plenty of supplements in the market today that contains vitamins essential for growth and bone health like calcium, vitamin D and certain amino acids.

Get plenty of sleep - The average person needs about 7 to 8 hours of sleep to rejuvenate the body. Sleep is the time the different organs in your body do their "work". The human growth hormone is released during deep sleep and how can you possibly achieve deep sleep if you sleep for only 5 to 6 hours and sometimes even less.

Eat the right kind of food - Eat nutritious food like veggies and fruits, lean meat and poultry, milk and fiber. Cut down if not totally eliminate sweet and starchy food as they would only add up to your weight and not to your height. Load on protein like nuts and legumes for the vegetarians out there.

Numbness Or Tingling in Hands and Fingers - Symptoms of Diabetes


Have you been diagnosed with diabetes? If yes! Then your doctor must have advised you to keep a close eye on the condition of your feet. It is because the feet condition is a most obvious signal of setting the diabetic complications. It is a straight-forward parameter of the current treatment plan.

Here we'll explore that why feet are important in diagnosing diabetes.

Diabetes is a disorder that affects the pancreas. The disease causes the beta cells of the pancreas to either malfunction or destroy. The basic responsibility of these cells is to produce a hormone termed "insulin". The insulin is used for the regulation of glucose level in the blood. The lack of insulin in the blood is the basic reason of inability of cells to convert glucose into energy. This condition if left untreated poses serious health related problems.

Sometimes the insulin has to be injected to control this condition. The diabetics have to personally manage the blood sugar levels as the nature betrays to do so. It is thought that high-level of sugar in blood leads to many complications. The body gives different signs and symptoms to tell the person that things are going wrong.

One such complication is numbness and tingling in hands and fingers. The first complication in the feet arises when blood circulation is impeded because of diabetes. It has been researched that high levels of blood sugar affect lining of blood vessels thus making it rough. The rough lining of blood vessels allows the accumulation of fatty deposits and leads to arteriosclerosis. It becomes difficult to push blood in the body and the extremities or the outermost body parts are the one that suffer most.

This is the reason that feet are the body parts which are most liable to pick bruises and cuts and take maximum healing time. With the passage of time poor blood circulation starts to affect small blood vessels and capillaries. These vessels are responsible for providing blood to extremities and nervous system. Eventually the poor circulation of blood starts to affect nervous system. This complication of diabetes is termed diabetes neuropathy.

The diabetic neuropathy that causes numbness and tingling in hands and fingers is termed peripheral neuropathy. The person suffering from peripheral neuropathy loses the sensation in hand and feet. It appears in the form of needles and pins or numbness.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Ocala DRX9000 Facilities Found to Be High in Quality, Low in Quantity


Non-surgical Spinal decompression is often the treatment of choice for herniated and degenerative discs, but finding a facility that provides true decompression, not just traction, can be a challenge in this day of heavy marketing. Anyone doing their due diligence searching for a DRX9000 in Ocala, will find that very few machines in use today actually provide true spinal decompression which the research has shown to be superior to traction. Applying traction and other stretching maneuvers to the spine does not produce the negative pressures inside the disc that are required for proper healing.

Ensuring that you are getting what you are promised is, unfortunately, up to you, the consumer/patient. Just because you see the word "decompression" in an ad or in some literature simply will not mean that you will get the benefit you paid for. It is imperative that you do some basic research on the particular unit in question; find out if it is FDA cleared to provide true non-surgical spinal decompression.

The Spinal Decompression Institute is one of the very few facilities in Ocala which employs the DRX9000 and has a very high success rate in treating low back pain and radiating pain to the legs. A heavy emphasis is put on careful and thorough diagnosis before any treatment is recommended. Not all cases are candidates for this procedure and great care will be given to each individual to ensure that proper recommendations and referrals are made.

If you or anyone you know suffers from chronic lower back pain conditions such as herniated disc, bulging disc, sciatica, or degenerative disc disease, please visit [http://www.spinaldecom.com] or call our office in Ocala at 352-622-8544 to learn more about non-surgical spinal decompression and the DRX9000. Disclaimer: This article is not intended nor should be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult your physician before considering any medical treatment method available.

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression For the Treatment of Herniated Or Bulging Discs


A herniated or bulging disc is a back condition where by the internal gel-like portion of the intervertebral disc has infiltrated through the outer segment of the disc. The gel-like center of an intervertebral disc is held together by layers called the annulus fibrosis. Once the center of the disc has penetrated through the annulus fibrosis, it may cause mechanical pressure on neighboring structures and elicit chemical reactions resulting in back pain. If this problem is left untreated, it may develop into a life-altering back pain condition.

Herniated or bulging discs may be caused by a severe strain or injury, as well as ongoing movement or stress associated with daily lifting. As we get older the continuous wear and tear of the intervertebral disc may also lead to disc herniations. The symptoms of a herniated or bulging disc will vary depending on the location of the problem and your body's response to pain.

Herniated lumbar disc symptoms have always been difficult to differentiate from other spinal disorders, as well as minor back injuries. Intense lumbar or low back pain radiating to the buttocks, legs and feet are a common symptom of those suffering from a herniated or bulging disc, which may also feel worse by simply coughing or laughing. Tingling or numbness in legs or feet is also a symptom for this back pain condition. If the disc herniation is not corrected, a back pain sufferer may experience muscle weakness or even muscle deterioration as time passes by.

A herniated cervical disc may lead to slight or severe neck pain. Neck pain may be classified as slight or intense pain in shoulders, upper arm, chest, forearm, hands and fingers. Neck pain may be intensified by simple movements such as turning or bending over, laughing and coughing.

A relatively new back pain therapy identified as non-surgical spinal decompression, provides relief of back pain associated with herniated, bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, posterior facet syndrome, and sciatica. The theory behind non-surgical spinal decompression is a course of action whereby forces are applied to the spine in a manner that maximizes spinal elongation.

Non-surgical spinal decompression utilizing the DRX9000(TM) involves application of forces logarithmically to elongate the spine without causing the muscles that guard the spine to contract. The technology necessary to apply spinal decompressive forces is very advanced. The DRX9000 True Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression System(TM) utilizes high-speed treatment computers to calculate the logarithmic spinal decompression treatment curve for each patient. Recently published clinical research data demonstrates very promising results for patients suffering with herniated or bulging discs.

Scoliosis Surgery - Is It Worth the Cost?


Sometimes the remedy can be worse than the disease

It is about a ten-hour surgery in which they open you up on your side and on your back. In my particular surgery they would put three rods in my back and hold them together with five screws. In order to help my bone grow they took out one of my ribs and six of my discs, and they also took a bone graft from my lower hip (right on my butt). They took this bone and filled three cages that hold the bone which are in between the vertebra.....

- Culled from Scoliosis Surgery: Corey McConnell's Experience

If it sounds, gruesome, remember this is just the beginning. Corrective spinal surgery for scoliosis can be quite a distressing experience for adolescent patients and their parents. Spinal surgery often involves an extensive amount of tissue and bone trauma that can result in excreting pain that the patient simply has to live with.

Worse, there is no guarantee that despite the steep cost of spinal surgery, the results would be as expected. In many cases, the remedy can be worse than the disease.

Then why do so many scoliosis patients continue to opt for spinal surgery?

That's a million dollar question! I've been baffled by it and discovered that over these years, we have veered so far away from traditional modes of treatment and scalpel-free cures, that we've forgotten that there were "miraculous" recoveries from scoliosis even when doctors didn't wield any scalpel.

This set me on an intensive research and during my last few years of practice and experience with hundreds of scoliosis patients, I've come to discover that THERE ARE, time-tested non-surgical treatment for scoliosis.

Non-surgical Scoliosis Correction offers a combination of these effective, safe and painless non-surgical treatments for various disorders of the spine such as neck problems, low back pain and slipped disc.

Non-surgical Scoliosis Correction techniques draws the best protocols and methods from around the world, such as the Schroth method pioneered in Germany, the Vertetrac system developed in Israel and also vibration therapy, physical therapy and used in U.S.A. for correcting spinal curves (scoliosis), low back pain, sciatica and herniation, with very encouraging results.

The biggest advantage of Non-surgical Scoliosis Correction is that besides being painless, it's more cost-effective (costs a fraction of the cost of spinal surgery) and there are no side effects! The only requirement is that you begin your treatment with the commitment to follow through with the recommended exercise and treatment protocols over a period of time.

Non Surgical Scoliosis treatment basically includes:

Nutrition therapy

We are what we eat. As most people are well aware, good nutrition and a balanced diet are important components of overall health. What may surprise people with back problems is that diet, nutrition and maintaining a healthy weight also play a major role in the back - including preventing many problems and healing from injuries. The bones, muscles and other structures in the spine need good nutrition and vitamins so that they are strong enough to support the body and to perform their other functions. Using these nutritional guidelines, patients can integrate back-friendly vitamins and nutrients into their diets.

Posture & Body Balance Training There is now a huge body of research on outpatient physiotherapy, intensive inpatient rehabilitation, and bracing that's proven the effectiveness of exercise in scoliosis treatment. A paper from researchers in Turkey published in the Saudi Medical Journal on Schroth's three-dimensional exercise therapy --- that I use at my clinic for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis --- found that after six weeks, six months and one year, of therapy, all patients had an increase in muscle strength. What's more, they also reported a significant improvement in their postural defects.

Chiropractic

Children with mild scoliosis treated with chiropractic adjustments have shown a reduction in their spinal curvature, according to the findings of a three-year, $143,000 study funded by the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research.

It is imperative that a scoliosis suffer gets treated from a trained chiropractor with good knowledge in treating scoliosis. Too often and untrained manual therapist will try to "click and "crack" the spine to push it back into place. While this method works for a normal spine a person it wont for a scolioctic spine but may actually increase the Scoliosis.

State of the art medical devices

There are several state-of-the-art medical devices that I use at my clinic, namely:

Vibration therapy

The Russian cosmonauts first investigated vibrating platforms as a way of maintaining bone & muscle mass while in outer space.I first began using vibration therapy as a way of retraining the brain's control over the muscles more effectively. When you stand upon the vibration machine, your postural muscles have to make multiple, rapid adjustments - as many as 50 times per second to adapt to the stimuli and balance accordingly. For this reason, exercises & spinal rehabilitation performed with vibration therapy can be as much as 3 times more effective than if they were done alone!

Meditrac & Vertetrac

This is a huge improvement over the traditional traction devices devised by Dr. L. Stabholz and Dr. A. Grober. These doctors found that applying differential traction to patients with an antalgic lean (Sciatic Scoliosis) helped in restoring normal upright stance and decreasing muscle spasm, often leading to full recovery. Meditrac & Vertetrac are now extensively used in the patient's rehabilitation process and accelerating blood flow to the tissues and intervertebral discs at my clinic.

Shockwave Therapy

Shock Wave Therapy implies the application of high-intensity ultrasonic acoustic radiation for the treatment of certain musculo-skeletal disorders. The machine focuses high energy sound waves on the injury through a protective pad that breaks down scar tissue and calcifications in the area, resulting in structural changes in the tissue, stimulation of bone growth, regeneration of the lost tissue and calcium absorption by the body, all of which are great for a full or partial recovery from scoliosis.

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression

This FDA cleared technology relieves pain by enlarging the space between the discs. The treatment has been found to be remarkably effective in severe cases of herniation, degeneration, arthritis, stenosis and pressure on the nerve root. According to a clinical study performed by the Orthopedic Technological Review in 2004, 86% of all cases experienced spinal pain relief with disc decompression.

When is the best time to treat my Scoliosis?

It is always advisable to correct your scoliosis or any back problem as early as possible before it spirals out of control. With timely intervention, we are able to reduce the curve to an ideal 5 degrees or less, thus defeating the disease rather than taming it.

The only thing to be borne in mind is that while surgery is usually over in a day or two at the hospital followed by subsequent rehabilitation, my program requires a lot more consistent effort, dedication and time. The advantage is that its significantly cheaper and safer than surgery.

Just think about it. Over 650,000 surgical procedures are performed annually for back pain in the United States that cost in excess of $20 billion per annum. "Can this money not be put to some better use," questions Dr. Gunnar Andersson, former chairman of the department of Orthopedics at Rush. Dr Andersson and his team have found that often there is no link between people's health care expenditures and their health outcomes. This means that we often spend money on surgeries that are not required.

Don't be part of that depressing statistic.

Treatments for Back Pain After Spinal Fusion


Failed back syndrome is a term used to define pain experienced after back surgery that is the same or worse as the pain it was meant to treat. Spinal fusion surgery is prescribed and administered en masse to treat a number of spinal problems, including disc degeneration, spinal misalignment and facet joint syndrome. The procedure carries a unique risk: adjacent segment degeneration (ASD), also called transitional syndrome.

Spinal fusion entails the use of bone grafts and often hardware to fuse two or more vertebrae together. The disc in between is removed and the bones are joined to immobilize the segment, reducing pain caused by nerve impingement, friction and/or joint instability.

When a spinal disc is removed, it changes the mechanics of the spine. The now-immobilized segment limits the range of motion of the spine and surrounding discs must take on extra pressures and stresses, since their fellow shock absorber has been removed. Transitional syndrome or ASD are terms that describes the accelerated degeneration of discs above or below the site of spinal fusion.

For people experiencing post-operative back pain caused by ASD, the recommended treatment may be shocking: another fusion surgery. The more levels of the spine that are fused, the more likely yet another operation will be needed as the stress on adjacent discs increases with every disc lost. Anyone has a right to be wary of spinal fusion surgery, especially those who have already experienced complications from it. Fortunately, there may be alternative treatments for pain after spinal fusion.

Spinal Decompression Therapy

Most fusion procedures utilize hardware to reinforce the fusion site, but some do not. If you had a fusion without hardware, you may benefit from spinal decompression treatments. Chiropractors sometimes purchase decompression machines for their offices. To receive the treatment, you lay on a table while a specially-designed belt gently pulls the vertebrae of your spine apart. These machines contain biofeedback mechanisms that monitor your body's response to the force exerted to eliminate the risk of causing harm. The pulling action increases disc space and allows degenerating discs to rehydrate. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-yJgcbg9Xk for a video that shows one type of decompression machine.

It is wise to couple these treatments with physical therapy to build muscle surrounding the fusion site. Strong muscles help the spinal discs support the spine, thereby reducing the stress experienced by the discs.

Artificial Disc Replacement

If conservative treatments don't work to remedy ASD, fusion may not be the only surgical procedure available to you. Instead of removing another disc from the spine, it may be possible to replace it with an artificial disc. It is necessary to first be certain that the pain is not being caused by a joint problem or failed fusion.

While disc replacement has not been studied for long-term effectiveness since it only became available in the U.S. in 2000, studies up to now are promising. The rationale behind this procedure rests on maintaining spinal mobility and shock absorption capacity while eliminating the disc that caused pain. A small study, found at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16506474, indicates that artificial disc replacement may be a safe and effective treatment for transitional syndrome.

If you have back pain due to a fusion surgery that was meant to correct it, make sure you are aware of all possible treatments. Surgeons are quick to prescribe fusion; doing your own research will ensure that you are not misinformed about your options.