Spinal Decompression

Deciding on a lumbar spinal stenosis treatment depends upon the case that's diagnosed to be the cause of the thinning of the spinal canal. For instance, both in degenerative disc disease and herniated disc, compression of the spinal cord and its nerve roots results from the protrusion of the components of the disc center ("nucleus pulposus"). Also, the compression of the nerve evolves as a result of abnormal curvatures of spine a.k.a spondylosis, or unstable spine (spondylolisthesis). In case the nerve being compacted by the spinal stenosis is the sciatic nerve, sciatica occurs.

Natural Back Pain Relief Exercises. Still, there exists several dispute around the efficiency of non-surgical treatment for spinal stenosis for the simple reason that these techniques will not correct the condition within the spine. Yoga, exercises and other natural back pain relief could only briefly relieve symptoms.

Spinal Decompression Therapy. Another type of treatment of spinal stenosis is spinal decompression therapy. Spinal decompression machines such as the VAX-D and the DRX9000 have been found to be able to correct compressed spinal canals brought on by degenerated or herniated discs.

However if the reason for the stenosis is bony spurs due to osteoarthritis, this procedure is actually contraindicated. Furthermore, in patients with accompanying osteoporosis, spinal decompression will not only aggravate the stenosis, it could even bring about fractures in vertebral bones.

Surgery. What is considered the best option among numerous spinal stenosis treatments is surgery. One of the most often conducted surgical procedure is laminectomy, which involves taking out the lamina or roof of the afflicted vertebral bone to be able to relieve the pressure upon the spinal cord.

As one invasive procedure, laminectomy isn't without its complications. Instability of the spine is most likely the primary complication of laminectomy. Because of this, the procedure is performed together with spinal fusion. Failed Back Syndrome (FBS) is another complication, in which there is a persistence of pain despite repeated back surgeries. Some of the factors that contribute to the development of this condition are: residual or recurrent disc herniation; persistent post-op pressure on a spinal nerve; cigarette smoking; scar tissue; altered joint mobility or joint hypermobility with lack of stability; historical past of systemic disorders (diabetes, autoimmune diseases, peripheral vascular disease); deconditioning of the spinal muscular; anxiety; and depression.

Cases like these, sufferers may require additional treatments, such as minor nerve blocks, TENS, NSAIDs, antidepressants, and epidural steroid injections.

Minimally-invasive Procedure. Recently, a spinal stenosis laser treatment that is minimally-invasive, like laminotomy, has been proven to work as a form of spinal stenosis treatment with only a small risk for the complications that accompany major surgery.

One of the biggest causes of low back pain is sacroiliac joint disease, also known as the SI joint. The SI joint is located at the bottom of the low back region and there's one on each side. It is at the point where the pelvis connects to the sacrum. It gives you double the possibility of developing arthritis pain in the low back, great right!

The sectoral joint is a weight bearing joint and there are many ligaments and muscles groups that attach for support. These joints have cartilage just like any other and are potentially prone to arthritis and inflammation.

If the patient has a flareup of arthritis or inflammation with a lot of pain in this region, they typically will complain when excessive twisting motions are performed along with lengthy sessions of sitting.

For a patient who has symptoms of SI joint arthritis or inflammation, initial treatment should consist of Tylenol medication along with anti-inflammatories over-the-counter. They should be taken according to the manufacturer's recommended dosing. Chiropractic treatment and or physical therapy may be extremely beneficial in subsiding the pain.

A tens unit can also provide excellent relief. This is a device that puts foam pads over the skin and can provide a little electrical current that replaces pain with a tingling sensation. It can also help the brain to release endorphins which are the body's natural pain relievers.

Acupuncture has been around for a long time but it is becoming more mainstream as high-level research showing that works well for arthritis conditions such as SI joint pain.

Chiropractic manipulation may help place the SI joint back into alignment. There's not a huge amount of motion associated with this joint but it can become out of alignment.

Steroid injections into the sacroiliac joint may be necessary with a pain management doctor. These should be performed under fluoroscopic guidance which is a real time form of x-ray. The joint is irregular and may be difficult to get into, but a well-placed steroid injection can provide pain relief for months.

Additional types of injections include nonsteroidal homeopathic anti-inflammatory medication which can be injected into the joint as well and potentially be very effective.

Patients may receive a radiofrequency ablation around the sacroiliac joint. This can destroy the tiny little nerve endings that are bringing pain to the joint and this can provide pain relief for a few months to upwards of 2 years.

There are significant options available for pain relief for the pain of the SI joint. Thankfully there are substantial options available.

For back or sciatic nerve pain sufferers, exercise plays a vital and critical role in building a strong midsection or core and lower back muscles so they can lend support to the spinal column, ligaments, vertebrae, discs and nerves. This added support will take a lot of pressure off these areas and reduce pain.

But is exercise really that important? The answer is an emphatic YES! Exercise is that important because it allows bone and muscle of the spine to grow and strengthen. And bone and muscle will only grow and strengthen if the right kinds of forces are applied to them.

Stronger bones and more active muscles will lend greater support for your spine and reduce back pain. A good analogy is a roof supported by pillars. If the pillars supporting the roof are weak and brittle, the roof will begin to collapse. You need strong pillars of support for your spine. You need strong bones and very active muscles. I say "active" muscles because, for most people, muscles in the lower back, gluteus, and pelvic region are seldom used. This is not their fault. They are seldom used because they are not doing the right kinds of exercises to stimulate these muscles.

Stretching alone is not really effective for relieving back or sciatic nerve pain in the long-term. People say to me, "I stretch all the time and yet I still have back pain. Please help." I'm not surprised. Stretching might help with immediate or temporary relief from back pain but it alone is not a long-term solution for back pain. Why? This is mainly because muscles that are stretched will get tight again without growing or getting stronger. And as far as I know, stretching does not directly increase bone density or strength.

Stretching should be combined with exercise for greatest effect on the body. Warm muscles full of oxygen will stretch much easier than cold muscles without a full supply of oxygen. This is common knowledge for most people but it is extremely important to keep in mind while trying to get rid of back or sciatic nerve pain. For instance, in between a set of squats (I will talk more about squats later) I will always stretch my quads. I will stretch my calves. I will even stretch my back. I will grab a bar above me at the gym and just hang there for several seconds to really stretch my back. This is similar to decompression therapy where you allow your spine and muscles to really stretch out.

Bottom Line: Performing the right kinds of exercises and stretching in between sets stimulates an essential core group of muscles (i.e., quads, hamstrings, adductors, sartorius, piriformis, glutes, abs, back muscles, etc) for maximum gains; conditions the muscles or trains them to become more relaxed and less constricted when you are not exercising; and increases bone density and strength. If you can achieve this bottom line, you are well on your way to a much healthier back that will last a lifetime.

Squats are a great way to strengthen your entire midsection and lower back as well as help you achieve this "bottom line." I find squats to be one of the most challenging exercises. If you can get through an intense workout of squats you can get through any exercise at the gym. At first I was a little hesitant to mention them because you may be turned off by the thought of doing squats. You have to be a little crazy to do them. I have actually dragged myself out of bed on several occasions at 4:30 in the morning to go to the gym and do squats. While most peopleare snoring away, I've got anywhere from 225-345 pounds on my back. And then I still have a long day of work in front of me. It may sound like I'm a glutton for punishment but it helped me build a strong foundation and support system for my lower back.

Now I'm not saying you need to go to the gym at 5 in the morning like me and try to squat a car. Many of you may not feel comfortable doing squats especially if you are suffering from a herniated disk or sciatic nerve pain right now. That is fine. In fact, you shouldn't do squats with added weight right now if you are trying to heal a herniated disk or you suffer with sciatica or sciatic nerve pain. It's just too dangerous; but after your disk(s) heals or your sciatica subsides, you should definitely add them in to your exercise routine to strengthen and maintain all the areas of your spine.

You don't have to do squats at the gym either. You can do them right at home. Just cross your arms, squat down and go right back up. If your back is healthy right now, I would suggest even grabbing a can of food from your pantry, a dumbbell, or a heavy book to use as a weight while doing squat exercises. This will add resistance. Be sure to hold the weight, whatever it is, very close to the middle part of your chest. Just squat down slowly until your thighs are parallel with the floor and rise back up. You must keep your back arched and your weight on your heels or the balls of your feet. Do this as many times as you feel comfortable. Take a break and do them again. Be sure to concentrate on your balance and try to keep your midsection flexed throughout the exercise. If you've never done squats before, have a family member or friend make sure you are doing them correctly.

WARNING: If you are suffering from a back injury of any kind, please be sure to consult your doctor or fitness specialist first before doing squats or any weight-bearing exercise.

If you take full advantage of squats, you will build a stronger midsection, gluteus muscles, lower back, and quadriceps. And besides burning a lot of calories you will achieve the bottom line that we talked about earlier.

Bottom Line: Performing the right kinds of exercises and stretching in between sets stimulates an essential core group of muscles (i.e., quads, hamstrings, adductors, sartorius, piriformis, glutes, abs, back muscles, etc) for maximum gains; conditions the muscles or trains them to become more relaxed and less constricted when you are not exercising; and increases bone density and strength. If you can achieve this bottom line, you are well on your way to a healthier back without sciatic nerve pain that will last a lifetime.

Oh and be sure to use common sense if you are lifting weights. It took me several weeks before I really reaped the benefits from an exercise like squats. Always start out with lighter weights and always wear back support. I have never lifted heavy weights without a back brace for support. If you are lifting real heavy weights at the gym, make sure you have someone there just in case. The point is not to injure your back but to strengthen it.

In medical terminology, many terms are used such as bulging disc, pinched nerve, slipped disc or ruptured disc to describe herniated disc condition. Spine damage caused by disease, injury or normal wear and tear can lead to rupture of disc. This condition is the result of inflammation of the disc material caused by aging and compression on the nerve system.

It can occur anywhere in the spine. Back pain is the most common symptom of a herniated disc. The treatment option for this condition is chosen, depending on the nature of the patient's pain and presenting symptoms. In most cases, the doctors opt to treat this in a non-surgical way.

At present, non-surgical herniated disc treatment is widely practiced since it offers positive results for patients with this condition. This non-invasive mode of treatment is intended to bring you back to your day-to-day activities by getting rid of the pain and other symptoms that have developed from the bulging disc. Use non-surgical treatment to lift the pressure on the nerve roots. This treatment plan is not applicable for patients of all age groups. A combination of different non-surgical treatment options is available, and this procedure works best and provides long term relief. Try non-surgical herniated disc treatment plan, which includes:

o A short period of bed rest as part of the treatment plan, followed by a gradual increase in activity
o Physical therapy and exercise program recommended by physical therapists/health professionals to promote circulation, strengthen and relax the muscles
o Medication to control inflammation and pain

Patients with herniated disc disease are relieved from their painful condition after undergoing non-surgical treatment program for 6 or 7 weeks. Non surgical treatment is economical and provides instant relief from disc problems. As per the nature of the case, the treatment frequency varies. So it is generally suggested by professionals to restore normal movement and function.

In my clinic patients who receive spinal decompression treatment for herniated discs are first treated with ultrasound to heat up the connective tissue allowing the tissue to elongate easier. Ultrasound treatment prior to spinal decompression makes the treatment more effective.

Patients with herniated disc of the lower back (lumbar spine) are treated either face up or face down on a table. A harness is placed around the chest and another harness is placed around the lower back at the beltline just above the big wings bones of the pelvis. The table will then be adjusted for comfort and to enhance treatment effectiveness. Then a cable from a computerized traction head is connected to the lower harness and the lower half of the table is released to allow it to slide creating the decompression effect. The traction head is set with a treatment time ranging from 10-15 minutes. The pull pattern is typically set for 45 seconds of pull and then relaxes to 20 pounds of pressure for 25 seconds. Lumbar disc patient are typically started at 30% of their body weight and proceed up to 90 pounds of traction if necessary. The least amount of traction that gives the best relief is the best choice to treat and more traction pressure is not always better.

Herniated disc treatment of the cervical spine starts with the patient lying face up with their head in a sliding carriage that has two cushions placed below the base of the skull. The patients head is strapped to the carriage and the traction cable is then connected to sliding carriage. Traction can be started with a pull tension of 15 pound but never to exceed 40 pounds of pressure. The pull pattern most often in the neck is 45 seconds of holding traction and relaxes to a resting traction 5 pounds of pressure for 25 seconds. Again treatment time is 10-15 minutes.

Patient being treated for one area should allow 30 minutes in the clinic and patient with two areas should allow a total of 45 minutes of treatment time.

Remember, spinal decompression is

1) extremely safe,
2) likely effective,
3) cleared by the FDA,
4) non-surgical, and
5) affordable.

Chiropractic adjustments have proven conclusively to help patients with musculoskeletal pain, but there is reason to believe that there are other benefits that are not as immediately evident. The Palmer Chiropractic College infers that the central organ of the body that keeps life going might also improve because of chiropractic adjustments.

Until recently, not much was considered about heart health for those undergoing chiropractic manipulations, but the Palmer Chiropractic College has been investigating the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems to analyze heart rate variations in relation to chiropractic care. What has been evident from the study is that not only has pain been reduced, but the heart rate of those participants dropped.

Chiropractors can expect to be presented with a myocardial infarction once, if not more, in their professional careers. It is not uncommon for a patient to experience pain of an impending heart attack, while believing it to be something else. It can present as persistent shoulder pain for instance, or radiate into the shoulder blade. Although it is not a regular occurrence, patients do have heart attacks while receiving chiropractic manipulations.

Benefits to the Heart

Although much more study should be applied to the topic, there is good reason to believe that chiropractic adjustments may be a preventative against heart attacks. In conjunction with that, regular visits to the chiropractor may lead to lower blood pressure and strengthening of the cardiovascular system. The subsequent reduction in heart rate also should reduce chest pain associated with the heart.

In the modern era of chiropractic care, providers are offering a lot more than adjustments as well in the office such as physical rehabilitation. These exercises are great for the cardiovascular system as well. This may include core stabilization, stretching and strengthening, balance training, acupuncture, and spinal decompression therapy.

Anxiety and Blood Pressure

Those undergoing chiropractic adjustments experience a drop in blood pressure levels immediately following the procedure. Concurrently, the anxiety levels drop too. This fact sustains the idea that chiropractic treatments are beneficial to the cardiovascular system.

Choosing a Chiropractor

Recognition that there are benefits for the heart through chiropractic adjustments does not reduce the necessity for careful selection of a chiropractor and timing for treatments. Anyone with an existing heart problem should let a chiropractor know about it prior to any treatment. A good chiropractor will make sure that any heart patient has a thorough examination before proceeding with adjustments.

Back pain can come in many forms and affect individuals in different ways. Most common sources of back pain include "slipped discs", pinched nerves, and degenerative spine disease. These back pain issues can spread to other parts of the body, stemming from the spine and shooting down the lower back to the leg, or from the neck down to the arm.

Back pain can cause significant loss of quality of life as physical activity is limited and patients are no longer free to do the things they love. Specialty Orthopaedics is Westchester's premier orthopedic group with a subspecialty in spine and scoliosis surgery. Specialty Orthopaedics utilizes innovative surgical techniques such as minimally invasive surgery, arthroscopy, and robotic assisted surgery.

Depending on where nerves are pinched, different pains can occur. A cervical herniated disc can cause pain in the arms as well as weakness or numbness. Lumbar herniated discs cause discomfort and sharp pains in the leg, ankle or foot as well as weakness or numbness. With a lumbar herniated disc, leg pain is usually worse when sitting. Degenerative disc disease is commonly referred to as arthritis of the back, and is a very painful disorder. Read more about degenerative disc disease.

Degenerative disc disease goes by a few names: degenerative disc disorder, degenerative spine disease as well as "arthritis of the back." Simply put, degenerative spine disease is a deterioration of the lower back disks and causes great pain to sufferers. As individuals age, the spine deteriorate and cause vertebral bodies to collapse onto one another, causing compressed or pinched nerves.

Symptoms

Symptoms of degenerative spine disorder include low back pain, neck pain and a great reduction in quality of life. Some problems associated with degenerative disc disease include slipped discs (disc protrusion), herniated discs, pinched nerves, torn disc (disc tear), or collapsed disc. Spine Surgery Specialists of Westchester Treatment options for degenerative disc disease include conservative as well as surgical procedures. Specialty Orthopaedics group will only suggest surgical procedures if indicated. The surgical procedures include decompression, decompression & posterolateral fusion, Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF), Posterior Transforaminal Interbody Fusion, and disc replacement. Read more about degenerative disc disease.

Dr. Zelicof and the Spine Surgery Specialists of Specialty Orthopaedics are fellowship-trained in spine orthopaedic surgery, sports medicine and joint replacement. Visit Westchester Specialty Orthopaedics to get more information on treatment options from some of the Best Doctors of New York.

Sciatica is an irritation of a lumbar nerve root that can result in pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling which can travel from the back all the way through the buttock area through the lower extremity to the feet. It can affect one's ability to concentrate, function, sleep, socialize, and work. At any point in time 1% of the US population is suffering from a herniated disc. That's over 3 million people!

Chiropractic care can play an important role in diagnosing and helping with sciatica pain. Initially the chiropractor will fully evaluate a patient with a complete musculoskeletal workup which includes a detailed history and physical. Posture, skeletal structure, and movement are evaluated including a detailed neurologic exam.

Imaging studies may be necessary including x-rays and an MRI to see which nerve root is being pinched (pinched nerve) and how bad the disc herniation (slipped disc) is. X-rays show the bony elements, whereas MRI's show the soft tissues best and are very good at detailing where a nerve root is being compressed. An EMG may be necessary to evaluate whether or not a nerve root is being pinched to the extent of neurologic damage.

Once the workup is complete, a chiropractic care treatment plan will be put together. A typical regimen for care may include spinal adjustments, physical rehab, PT/rehab, ice/heat, massage therapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, stretches and exercise, and potentially spinal decompression therapy. Spinal decompression treatment is revolutionary, safe, FDA cleared, and has been shown to have great results in alleviating pain from lumbar radiculopathy.

Chiropractic care can be a safe, noninvasive method for relieving sciatica. Studies have shown its effectiveness and its cost is very low compared with surgery.

Spinal decompression is a drug-free and non-surgical solution to disc-related issues of the cervical or lumbar spine. This is an effective option for herniated disc recovery. Several patients have found great relief from pain because of this form of therapy. It utilizes computer-aided technology in applying a non-surgical decompression and gentle pressure to the spine, which stimulates circulation into the joints and spinal discs. Upon completion of the therapy sessions, many patients experience relief from various symptoms that cause dysfunction and pain.

How Spinal Decompression Works

Those who suffer from herniated discs, facet syndrome, and other similar types of spinal problems should consider this procedure. Unlike surgery, this form of therapy does not involve the use of medication. Many patients have noticed an improvement in various body pains after each session.

Once the patient is positioned properly on the table, the chiropractor puts padded straps to fasten the person securely. As the table begins to pull on the spine, it results to an increase in the space between two spinal bones, or disc space. The movement creates a vacuum or pressure in the disc, which helps it to suck the disc inwards and farther from the pinched nerve. While the space may seem small initially, consecutive sessions will create more disc space that will decrease the size of herniated disc.

The pumping action made by the table sucks all nutrients in and pushes these out to promote a nutrient exchange. The increase in the level of nutrients in the disc will help hasten the healing process. Most people who suffer from herniated disc do not get any better without therapy because of insufficient blood supply and nutrients in the discs. However, spinal decompression increases the amount of nutrients to these areas and provides the essential building blocks for healing. In fact, many researchers have discovered an increase of about 1 to 3 mm in the disc space after the entire therapy sessions.

Reasons to Consider Spinal Decompression

This is a form of herniated disc therapy developed by back specialists that include osteopaths, neurologists, physical therapists, chiropractors, and orthopedists. These medical professionals have studied, analyzed, and devised spinal decompression to help individuals who suffer from herniated discs and related conditions.

The procedure has been proven to be effective by numerous patients, and it has been clinically validated by health specialists. It is non-invasive and non-surgical, so there are no complications after each therapy session has been performed. Moreover, spinal decompression prevents debilitating conditions that often result from severe complications associated with surgery. This procedure is completely painless and it does not involve recovery time.

Each therapy session lasts for a maximum of 30 minutes, so it is convenient and efficient. This procedure could help return people to active lives. Patients can perform their daily routines because of the non-invasive feature of spinal decompression. After they have completed the required number of sessions, they will experience a marked improvement in their condition.

In addition, it is cost-effective, as compared to surgery. Most therapy centers offer a wide selection of payment plans to patients, so they can determine the ideal payment method that will fit their budget.

Spinal Decompression Is An Antidote To Back Pain

Today, there is a new ray of hope for those afflicted with chronic neck and back pain due to sciatica, herniated or bulging discs, and degenerative disc disease. A modern procedure called Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression can help such type of patients to resume a normal life routine . Since back injury with resulting back pain is the leading Workmen's Comp injury and the main reason for disability in people under 45, news of a new treatment is most welcome.

Common causes of pain include injuries sustained from car accident, fall or trauma relative form. With many other sufferers, back or neck pain is the result of long-term repetitive stress due to an occupation, poor spinal posture, aging and slow deterioration of spinal health. Injuries to cervical spine of the neck and the lumbar spine of the lower back are not unusual.

Root Causes of Back Pain

To understand how Spinal Decompression relieves pain, you first must understand what causes the pain. The spinal column is composed of 25 vertebrae and between each are intervertebral discs which act as shock absorbing shields, making possible the spine to bend, twist and turn. Healthy discs refer to tough cartilage pads with thick and flexible features containing an inner jelly-like component. Discs compress when pressure is put upon them and are similar to a sponge; when you squeeze it, the water is forced out of the sponge. When the pressure is removed, the sponge 'sucks the water' back into it.

The procedure starts with the compression and bulging out of the jelly-like material within the disk causing pressure on a spinal nerve which interferes with normal blood circulation. If it ruptures or tears it becomes a herniated disc often known as a 'slipped disc', ruptured disc or 'blown out disc'. Deficient in proper nutrients and oxygen as time passes by, the unhealthy disc flattens, becoming stiff and hard just like a dry sponge, leading to degenerative disc disease.

Disc pressure on the spinal nerve can lead to back or leg pain, possibly numbness and tingling called Sciatica. This excruciating pain which can also affect the thigh to the lower leg and foot can surface unexpectedly. Also known as 'pinched nerve', the pain can turn acute, prolonged and debilitating and often accompanied by muscle weakness. Cervical spine injuries cause much the same symptoms only numbness and tingling occur in the arms and hands. The bottom line is that these disorders can lead to severe, nagging chronic low back or neck pain.

The Theory Behind Spinal Decompression Therapy

Standard treatments consist of physical/chiropractic therapy, epidural injections, (an injection into the epidural space of the spinal cord), treatment with NSAIDs,(non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). If the outcome is not successful, surgery option is resorted to. Statistics show that back surgery is the second most common surgical procedure performed today. Results sometime fail to live up to expectations and some patients even complain of post-surgical difficulties.

Spinal Decompression Therapy is machine aided that makes use of FDA compliant medical technology to undertake the gentle stretching of the spine, gradually reducing the pressure on the affected discs by slowly drawing the vertebrae apart. disc decompression yields a negative pressure causing a vacuum effect, reducing the size of the herniation. Just like the dry sponge will 'suck up' water, the jelly-like substance is drawn back into the disc, decreasing pressure on the nerve root and relieving pain and numbness. The necessary nutrients are supplied into the disc, helping it heal and return to its normal size. The vertebral height expands to allow more space for the disc as compression is relieved.

The treatment procedure requires the patient to wear a strap properly wrapped around the pelvis and chest. As the patient lies on a special table, the treatment starts with the aid of a computerized program. The duration for each treatment is around 20 to 45 minutes and most patients report no discomfort; while many find their symptoms decreasing after only a few sessions. The average length of treatment is 5 days a week for 4 to 6 weeks.

Therapy may also include ultrasound treatments, electric stimulation, hot or cold packs to the affected area plus a specific exercise program. Patients are encouraged to consume ½ gallon of water daily and take in necessary nutritional supplements to fast track the healing process of the injured discs. Insurance plans offer varying coverage.

Certain conditions are contraindications to Non-surgical Spinal Decompression: severe osteoporosis, myelitis, anlylosing spondylitis, fracture, surgical procedures where there are metal implants such as screws or rods, cancer and spinal tumors. For applicable conditions, this treatment is a sigh of relief from chronic and debilitating pain.