Spinal Decompression

Prior to marijuana experiencing prohibition in 1937, it was a significant part of the US pharmaceutical market. It was commonly prescribed in the early 1900's, because at that time it wasn't on a controlled substance list.

After the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, marijuana was not technically illegal but heavily taxed. Within 4 years, the US pharmaceutical market grew tired or paying the hefty taxes, so cannabis was removed from the market altogether. In the 1970's, it officially became a Schedule 1 narcotic, and illegal to prescribe.

Sixteen states have legalized marijuana medicinally, and for various conditions. California, for instance, has the most lax rules with what medicinal marijuana can be recommended and ID cards received. Forty six percent of CA voters actually said yes recently to outright legalization. Medical marijuana has been legal in CA since 1996.

In a recent survey of close to 2000 patients at multiple CA marijuana evaluation clinics, there was an interesting array of conditions patients maintained. Thirty one percent had chronic pain in the back, spine, or neck, with sixteen percent having a sleep disorder. Anxiety and depression amounted to thirteen percent. Eighty percent of these patients reported trying traditional medications (typically opioids) prior to marijuana.

The fact they were trying regular prescription medications could argue against faking, but even people faking can often bilk the system to get narcotic prescriptions. The patients were asked if they had used marijuana recreationally prior to receiving patient cards, with 40% saying yes. Interestingly, studies have shown that approximately 30% of narcotic patients divert their prescriptions (selling or trading them), with the percentage spanning all socioeconomic classes.

Most states now require evaluation of a patient's medical records and an in-person physical exam for the debilitating qualifying condition. For instance, if a patient has Crohn's disease in a state that has legalized cannabis for Crohn's, there should be some medical records for it. If not, a workup should commence for it to make sure the disease is present prior to approving for medical marijuana.

So it is not exactly clear how many medical marijuana patients are faking. Based on the CA survey, we do not have a clear number. Considering the sheer number of patients in the US who doctor shop for narcotics and become illegitimate patients, if it's any way equivalent the number may be over 20%. This is speculation.

One thing is certain though. Despite the illegitimate patients receiving ID cards, it is also apparent that medical marijuana represents a valid treatment than some of the more conventional existing treatments for numerous conditions. There are less side effects and often an ability to decrease the more harsh side effects of traditional medications by decreasing dosages.

Inflammatory conditions and diseases are most commonly treated with steroid injections. Doctors inject the steroid, usually cortisone or kenalog, into one or two locations of the inflamed area so the medication goes straight to the problem.

Like any other kind of medication, injections with steroids can have possible side effects.

繚 Pain

繚 Infection

繚 Bruising/bleeding

繚 Flushing in the face

繚 Allergic reactions

繚 Depigmentation of the skin

Some people will find that the actual injection itself is a little painful. If there is any post injection pain it will usually last up to 48 hours. An occurrence of infection after a steroid injection is quite rare, but experienced and qualified doctors will do everything they can to reduce the risk of infection. Facial flushing only occurs in about 5% of patients that undergo injections with steroids.

An allergic reaction to a steroid injection is very serious and can sometimes be life threatening. Skin depigmentation normally occurs if the steroid is injected into soft tissue rather than the joint, however, if the joint is closer to the surface then there is a possibility of depigmentation of the skin.

When inflammation is the primary cause of pain, steroid injections may abolish the problem to its entirety. In such conditions like arthritis, the injection doesn't usually provide a cure. The majority of injections with steroid are used to relieve pain temporarily, not permanently. Kenalog injections are often used to diminish allergies such as hay fever, as well as inflamed areas.

As with any other treatment, it is important to let the doctor know if the pain increases after the injection. Never overuse the steroid injected joint once it feels better because the inflammatory process may remain active. Side effects will vary among each individual. The more common side effects of these injections are:

繚 An increase in appetite and weight

繚 Higher blood sugar level

繚 Nausea

繚 Weakness in the muscles

繚 Thinning of the bones, better known as Osteoporosis

繚 Mood changes, anxiety, memory loss, and other psychiatric reactions

繚 Water retention

繚 Menstrual disturbances

Most of the side effects are rare when the steroid is injected around the joint. The primary side effects after this type of procedure are the basic increase of pain and swelling along with dizziness. Knee osteoarthritis and tennis elbow are very common conditions that involve steroid injections. Because inflammation is one of the first reactions to a bodily injury, injections with steroid have become more popular than before. It is a quick and easy temporary relief from the pain that hinders daily activities among many people.

Epidural steroid injections for pain management are one of the most common and most effective procedures performed to alleviate pain. They are utilized for relief of sciatica due to a disc herniation causing a pinched nerve, they're useful for spinal stenosis, and can be great in the neck as well to alleviate symptoms of radiculopathy.

How are epidural steroid injections different today than they were 20 years ago? One thing that has not changed is their effectiveness. Multiple studies have confirmed that epidural steroid injections for sciatica and radiculopathy maintain at least a 75% average effectiveness rate for pain relief. It may be one injection that does the trick so to speak, or maybe a full series of 3 injections. But the results from epidural started injections are sometimes as high in studies as 90%, which is similar to that seen with lumbar surgery for a disc herniation (without the risks).

Here are 3 ways the procedures for pain management have changed.

1. The standard of care with epidural steroid injections has changed with regards to how they are performed. The use of a real-time x-ray machine known as fluoroscopy has altered the way the epidural injections are performed. A landmark study over a decade ago showed that without the usage of fluoroscopy, injections into the epidural space missed approximately 30 to 40% of the time. If the patient is willing to undergo the procedure and except the small but real risks associated with it, they should be sure of getting the most accurate injection possible. Fluoroscopy allows the most accurate injection possible, so it has become pretty much the standard of care for doing them.

2. Transforaminal epidural steroid injections have become much more popular. Over the last 10 to 15 years, transforaminal injections for relieving pain have increased in popularity due to the fact that the steroid is placed closer to the area of the nerve root impingement. The theory is that with the steroid bathing the area of the pinched nerve and relieving inflammation, the amount of pain relief achieved with a transforaminal injection can be better. Therefore, the procedures popularity has increased exponentially over the older version, which is known as an intralaminar injection.

3. The newest epidural steroid injections have been using steroid material that has less particulate matter than previously. There have been some complications noted with the steroid substances that have heavy amounts of large particulate matter. Therefore a lot of pain doctors are switching to steroid medications that have less amounts present. It's a little bit of a catch 22. You need to particulate matter to have the medication stay around for a while to achieve its anti-inflammatory effect. But you don't want too much or too large of a particulate matter that can cause potential complications. So epidural steroid injections are headed towards a happy medium with just enough particulate matter to keep the medication there for optimal effect with the least amount of complications.

Neurological MRI is helpful in detecting any kind of neurological disorder. These scans offer detailed images of the required body part from different angles and in different dimensions. Neurological MRI is a radiation free, painless and non-invasive procedure that can be carried out with minimum hassles to patients.

MRI Scanners with Superior Features

The AIRIS II MRI scanners are a new development in this specialty. With its patient-friendly design, these scanners greatly reduce the discomforts experienced by children, claustrophobic, physically disabled and obese people who have to undergo MRI. An AIRIS II MRI scanner is open on all sides and allows the patients to be examined in a completely relaxed and comfortable position. Almost all these scanners have an operating field with 0.3T strength and produce quality scanning images in better resolution and contrast.

Techniques Applied for Neuroimaging

Physicians depend mostly on MRI scans for getting precise scanning results that will help them decide on the most effective treatment. The magnetic and radio waves used in this system produce clear and detailed scanned images. When the patient is placed under the MRI machine, the protons of the particular area to be scanned will become capable of receiving and transmitting electromagnetic energy. The signals transmitted depend on the properties of each proton, including its mobility and homogeneity in the magnetic field. The computer processes these transmitted signals into two and three dimensional pictures.

Breakthrough Diagnostic Procedure for Various Neurological Disorders

MRI equipment for neurological purposes is recommended for the examination of major neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, brain tumors, aneurysms, strokes and eye diseases. Most of the providers offer neurological MRI scanning facility in a patient-friendly and comfortable environment.

Bowen Therapy can be a highly effective treatment for back pain and sciatica. Although it is a form of bodywork, bowen affects the body differently. There is no kneading of the muscle tissue, or manipulation of the bones in any way.

The bowen 'moves' are gentle, short and quick generating neurological impulses that inform the body to enter a deep state of relaxation. This triggers the muscles, tendons and ligaments to relax, releasing any pinched nerves such as the sciatic nerve. Bowen is a holistic treatment, treating the whole body at once so it can help with other types of pain as well such as neck pain, shoulder pain, migraines, carpal tunnel, fibromyalgia, plantar fasciitis, etc.

Bowen therapy is so gentle it can be utilized on anyone including pregnant women, babies, children and the frail and elderly. A safe alternative for athletes as well as no drugs are required.

Bowen can be utilized as a complement or alternative to chiropractic, physiotherapy, massage, acupuncture, spinal decompression, osteopathy, active release technique, trigger point therapy, and massage therapy."

Research:

Amy Norman presented a Bowen study in 1998 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Physical Education, Exercise and Sport Science.

Practitioners rated the following results in their clients:

85% effectiveness in back pain with an average of 4.3 sessions
88% effectiveness in neck pain with 4.5 sessions
83% effectiveness in stress, tension with 4 treatments
83% effectiveness in their "other" category after 5.8 treatments

After receiving their treatments, clients reported the following results:

85% effectiveness with back pain
80% effectiveness for stress and tension
80% effectiveness with Fibromyalgia
95% effectiveness with TMJ
80% effectiveness with hip pain
75.6% for "other" conditions

Chronic back pain can be debilitating. A safe, gentle therapy such as bowen therapy may help alleviate the pain, allowing one to return to enjoying the activities and pleasures of everyday life.

Bowen therapy originated in Australia with the creator, Tom Bowen, Tom had an innate sense of how the body learns to heal itself, provided it was given the correct stimulus. That stimulus was the gentle procedures now known collectively as bowen therapy or the bowen technique.

Tom treated thousands of people with incredible results at his clinic in Australia. He especially enjoyed treating athletes and children and operated a special children's clinic. Tom Bowen's gift of bowen therapy is now practiced worldwide.

A disc bulge is not to be confused with a herniated disc. That said, a disc bulge can cause severe pain - it all depends whether the bulge impinges or irritates a nerve. If so, pain results. If you have back pain of any kind - visit your doctor. If it's determined you have a disc bulge, bulging disc treatment may include some or all of the following.

1. Rest

Rest takes off the pressure that activity places on your back. Often it's pressure that causes the disc to bulge. But, too much rest can weaken important muscles; therefore, at some point pain treatment may require additional treatment pursuits.

2. Exercise

Two common types of exercises include walking and yoga (as long as your doctor agrees). If you're looking to do yoga, look for teachers who have some training with yoga for back pain. With respect to walking, don't overdo it.

3. Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a type of therapy that has grown in popularity in recent years for treating all kinds of back discomfort and other injuries. Look for a physiotherapist who has training and experience treating your back pain condition.

4. Heat / Cold Therapy for Bulging Disc Treatment

Applying heat and then cold and so on to the painful area can help ease your pain. The cold reduces inflammation, and the heat loosens up soft tissue.

5. Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

This is a short-term fix, but can offer pain relief. Over the counter anti-inflammatory medication is Ibuprofen. Your doctor may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as well for a stronger medication.

6. Surgery

Generally a last resort. The pain is usually extremely debilitating. Surgery always has risks attached to it. It`s rare to do surgery for bulging disc treatment.

You feel like you have tried everything under the sun to get rid of that back or neck pain. You aren't able to do the "normal" things you always could do, like cut the grass, exercise, play with your children, work in the garden, or just take a simple walk. Some days you say to yourself, "I would do anything to get rid of this pain!"

You feel like you have no choice and you may have to find a way to live with this pain for the rest of your life. You don't want to have surgery because you know after going through all of that there is no guarantee it will be any better. Well, you aren't alone. Millions of people around the world suffer with debilitating back and neck pain.

The good news is, spinal decompression therapy is a safe and pain-free procedure for lower back and neck pain. Spinal decompression is one of the most exciting medical treatments developed in many years, and has shown good statistical results for long term pain relief. It is also FDA approved.

Spinal decompression is a non-invasive, non-surgical technology that is able to provide real relief to millions of people who suffer with back and neck pain. This therapy is a form of traction that cycles through phases of distraction and relaxation, while also maintaining proper positioning. Spinal decompression is a term that describes the relief of pressure on one or many pinched nerves (neural impingement) of the spinal column. It gently relieves pressure that builds up on the discs that can indirectly cause spinal nerve pain that radiates into the arms or legs.

The patient is placed onto an instrument, they are belted in, and it separates their lower body from their upper body. During this procedure, the nutrient rich blood fills the disc space which fosters the healing response, causing the disc material to get sucked back into the joint space and the outer layer is made stronger by stimulating the cartilage to regenerate which in turn helps to prevent re-injury. It also allows for strengthening of the outer cartilage bands that hold the disc material in place, as well as aiding muscles and ligaments that can become weak and stretched during the bulging process.

Spinal decompression has been proven effective in relieving the following problems: pain associated with bulging and herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), posterior facet syndrome, whiplash syndrome, and even relapse or failed back surgery, arthritis and other spinal conditions.

This therapy not only significantly reduces back pain in many patients, but also enables the majority of patients to return to more active lifestyles. Spinal decompression has great potential in treating a large number of people who might not otherwise be able to regain their health or ability to enjoy pain-free living without the restrictions and risks associated with back surgery.

Cervical radiculopathy typically causes patients to have arm pain that is consistent with the particular nerve root that is being compressed. The most common cause is from a cervical disc herniation, which is called a "slipped disc" in layman's terms. This pain may go into the shoulder area, down into the arm, or may extend all the way into the hand and fingers. The pain is typically burning and extremely irritating to patients. This article refers to treatment options for this diagnosis, not for other issues like tumors or fractures.

What treatment options are available? Here are ten, starting with the most radical.

1) Surgery. Neck surgery for a herniated disc causing radiculopathy is indicated if a patient is having motor weakness. It is unclear if motor weakness is watched for over 3 to 6 months if it will improve even after a successful decompression. If a patient undergoes unsuccessful nonoperative treatment for over six weeks and is still miserable, surgery is indicated as a quality of life decision.

2) Interventional pain management. Often times the disc herniation will go away by itself, by disintegration. One of the methods to avoid surgery in the meantime is an epidural steroid injection. It can bathe the nerve root in a soothing anti-inflammatory material and reduce pain, thereby making life tolerable while the piece of disc pushing on the nerve root slowly disappears.

3) Physical Therapy. PT can help a lot in patient suffering with radiculopathy. The patient may need an epidural injection first along with pain medication, but physical therapy can improve range of motion and decrease pain.

4) Spinal Decompression Therapy. This is a nonoperative intermittent traction treatment that is FDA cleared. It works extremely well for lumbar pathology and in addition has shown success in treating cervical radiculopathy. Typically the treatment entails 20 sessions.

5) Chiropractic Treatment. Cervical manipulation has been shown to be effective for neck problems and radiculopathy. The risks of cervical manipulation appear to be very low, with fatalities occurring less than one in a million times.

6) Narcotic Pain Medications. In acute situations, these can be extremely helpful. The pain from radiculopathy can be disabling, and these medications may allow the patient to be much more functional.

7) Non-narcotic pain medications. These include NSAIDS, acetaminophen, and neuromodulators like gabapentin. They can help just as much as narcotics for radiculopathy and should be first line treatment.

8) Muscle Relaxers. When patients have radiculopathy, muscle spasms are common. Helping settle those down may allow the overall pain scale for patients to drop.

9) Acupuncture. Acupuncture has been shown to be effective for a lot of neurologic and musculoskeletal issues, and radiculopathy is no exception.

10) Massage. This may help substantially with muscle spasms and relaxation.

Degenerative disc disease and the neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica often associated with it is often misunderstood and even misdiagnosed. We will attempt to shed some light on one of the most misunderstood of all bad back conditions, offering a possible bad back strategy to help individuals struggling with the consequences of this "disease." The spinal column consists of seven cervical vertebrae, twelve thoracic vertebrae, five, sometimes six lumbar vertebrae, five, usually fused vertebrae forming the sacrum, and four very small bones making up the coccyx or vestigial tailbone. The spinal column is made up of a total of thirty-three vertebrae. Together, the vertebrae function to provide stability to the torso, and body as a whole, protecting the spinal cord from exposure and damage. Between each vertebral body is an intervertebral disc or IVD, and each IVD is made up of a fibrous bundle of tissue, fibrocartilage, which serves as a cushion of sorts, absorbing shock to the spine. The outer portion of the IVD is called annulus fibrosis and its surrounds a fluid filled center with the consistency of jelly, a mucoprotein gel, called the nucleus pulposis. The nucleus pulposis acts as a sort of shock absorber, keeping two adjacent vertebral bodies separate, while absorbing much of the impact to the spine. I have often used the example of a jelly doughnut to describe an intervertebral disc.

Over time, and as people age, the fluid filled center of the IVD, the nucleus pulposis, begins to dry up, it dehydrates. As the IVD dehydrates, the spine loses some of its shock absorbing ability. Additionally, and coincidentally with the dehydration of the IVD, the annulus fibrosis grows weaker and may begin to tear. This condition is called degenerative disc disease and, while some individuals with this condition remain asymptomatic or pain free, others will experience varying degrees of neck pain, back pain and/or sciatica depending on the level of the possible breakdown or pathology. In fact, as the annulus fibrosis begins to weaken and tear, the nucleus pulposis may bulge or extrude anteriorly or foreword, posteriorly or backward, or even laterally, pout to the side, possibly causing a nerve root impingement and, depending on the level, resulting in neck pain, back pain and/or sciatica.

The back pain complex caused by degenerative disc disease is generally the result of inflammation, instability, a reduction in the vertebral spacing intervals and/or nerve root impingement. Neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica may also be due to several of the above consequences together as the spine at a given level fails. It has been demonstrated that proteins in the disk space may cause a great deal of inflammation, thus resulting in chronic pain at the level affected. Instability caused by weakening of the IVDs, and possibly of the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments, often results in pain due to micro-motion and the resulting nerve impingement. Furthermore, the pain resulting from instability may be muscular as well. On occasion, the para-vertebral muscles, as well as other core muscles, will spasm as the musculoskeletal system attempts to adapt and adjust to the instability. The degeneration of the discs over time and as we age will bring adjacent vertebral bodies closer together, also resulting in nerve impingement. Degenerative disc disease may result in pain as an aging disc becomes then and the space between vertebral bodies narrows. As spacing decreases the nervous may be compressed does causing inflammation and pain. Depending upon the level of impingement, an individual may experience tingling or numbness in the buttocks, legs, and even the feet and toes. Additionally, the nerve impingement may result in neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica. The amount of actual pain may vary from mild to completely debilitating and disabling. Pain levels may vary with periods of almost no pain and other periods of acute and debilitating pain.

Degenerative disc disease, as noted above, is an often misunderstood and misdiagnosed condition. In spite of the fact that it is one of the most common "bad back" conditions, and one of the leading sources of neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica, it is not a disease. Degenerative disc disease is actually an age-progressive phenomenon and the normal part of aging. There are measures that when taken may offset, and even delay many of the consequences of this phenomenon, but ultimately, as we age, the spine ages with us. In many instances sitting actually worsens the pain while standing, as long as it is not in one spot and for a prolonged period of time, it helps to alleviate the pain.

Ultimately, the most effective course of action is an individualized and supervised program of stretching and exercise to strengthen the para-vertebral muscles, as well as the remained of the core muscle group. It is crucially important that anyone with this "disease" strengthen the muscles that support the spine. Degenerative disc disease is as common as it is because of inactivity, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle. Only by implementing a daily activity and exercise routine can one hope to offset the effects of aging as related to this condition. Through daily exercise to strengthen the muscles supporting the spine, combined with ice for inflammation, and the proper shoes for heel cushioning, so important when you must be on your feet for prolonged periods, one can alleviate and ultimately eliminate neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica associated with degenerative disc disease.

Spinal decompression therapy is composed of several methods. All treatment techniques employ several approaches and various equipment are utilized to decompress the spine, increase the room in between the vertebrae to enable enough blood and oxygen to flow continuously and to decrease the tension and pressure on the spinal column and disc. Spinal decompression is advised for people struggling from extreme lower back discomfort, sciatic nerve pain and various spine and disc ailments which can be degenerative in nature or due to postural abnormalities.

Spine decompression options involve the newest procedures of utilizing spinal decompression units and inversion tables. The question would be: Which one would be the most effective method of treatment? And which can you choose?

Employing a spinal decompression device like the ones located in a medical professional's clinic can be an extremely effective approach to decompressing spinal column simply because the equipment is computerized and can approximate the total amount of traction needed to get the ideal results. The treatment is called as spinal decompression treatment. It's popular just like inversion treatment which makes use of an inversion table.

An inversion device is used in inversion therapy which is an additionally strategy of treating spinal compression through inversion. Inversion, or hanging upside down employing the inversion device gives a particular overall amount of traction to the spine enabling it to decompress. They are both excellent possibilities for the treatment of spinal compression however each one has its own negatives as well.

Spinal decompression therapy and the device used are extremely expensive. You can spend a few hundred bucks for an inversion machine, or you can invest hundreds and thousands of dollars for the computerized decompression therapy in a medical doctor's clinic. The other advantage of using a home inversion machine is the potential to use it day-to-day or several times per day if necessary.

Your decision amongst these two should now depend on your needs and your budget. Reviews on the internet will additionally help you determine which one is more efficient nonetheless statements can be confusing so it will be considerably better to talk to your medical professional and ask him or her which therapy and therapy equipment is best for you.