Spinal Decompression

DDD can affect any part of the spine, although common sites are the lumbar (lower back) and cervical (neck) spine; thoracic DDD is very uncommon. Back or Neck pain is usually manageable with various conservative treatments options like surgical and non-surgical.

NON SURGICAL TREATMENT:

For acute or sudden neck pain, doctors prescribe pain relief medications such as acetaminophen, anti-inflammatory agents, and muscle relaxants. Temporary bed rest or a brace may also be suggested. Usually patients are encouraged to get up and gradually increase their activities of daily living.

Physical therapy is often prescribed, and usually includes stretching exercises to improve flexibility and extension exercises to help maintain the spine's natural curve. A hot/cold therapy and gentle massage can also be beneficial for neck pain. After acute symptoms subside (usually within two to three weeks), patients are encouraged to begin a daily exercise regimen. This may include low impact aerobics three times per week as well as daily neck exercises.

Injections: Steroid injections around the nerves exiting the spinal cord may be able to provide some pain relief.

Intradiscal Electrothermal Therapy : Intradiscal electrothermal therapy, or IDET, involves inserting a small catheter with a heated tip into the disk. The heat causes shrinkage of the disk and deadens the disk's nerve endings. This is not yet a generally accepted.

SURGICAL TREATMENT :

Patients who suffer from a herniated disc, ruptured disc, or degenerative disc disease, and have failed conservative therapy are often treated with an Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion. An Anterior Cervical Disectomy and Fusion has been the gold standard of treatment.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Artificial Cervical Disc :

This procedure reaches the cervical spine (neck) through a small incision in the front of the neck. The intervertebral disc is removed and replaced with a small plug of bone or other graft substitute, and in time, will fuse the vertebrae. While Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion remains the gold standard for treatment of cervical disc herniations and degenerative conditions of the cervical spine, the use of motion sparing techniques such as artificial disc placement are under investigation world wide.

Cervical Corpectomy :

This procedure removes a portion of the vertebra and adjacent intervertebral discs, which allows for decompression of the cervical spinal cord and spinal nerves. A bone graft, and, in some cases, a metal plate and screws, stabilizes the spine.

If you have been experiencing back pain, you have probably gone to see your primary care physician or an orthopedist. They have evaluated you and probably ordered you to get an MRI or an X-ray. That is common practice today in our current health care system. When you do the MRI or X-ray, it is usually followed up with a report that is sent to the referring doctor.

Many times the MRI or X-ray will say that there are bulging discs, facet hypertrophy, stenosis and other things. As important as those things are, it is even more important to understand whether or not they correlate with your symptoms.

If you are having lower back pain and butt pain, but the MRI says you have a disc herniation at L5-S1, it is probably not the cause of the lower back pain. The reason I say that is because the nerves that correspond to the L5-S1 dermatome area are located in the back of the leg and they control bladder and bowl movement. A significantly herniated L5-S1 disc would cause pain in the back of the leg and affect bowl and bladder function.

I am often asked what all of the findings mean. My answer generally is to first identify what if causing your back pain rather than reading thee MRI. While I think it is very important to get these imaging studies I place extreme attention in determining if the findings are what are really causing your problem.

For example, I have had patients whose MRI and X-rays actually show nothing, yet they are in incredible amounts of pain. So what good was the MRI in this case? By examining further and looking at a person's posture, muscle strength, muscle length, type of work, and type of recreational activities and habits, I can better diagnose what the problems could be.

Often people's pain originates from something that they do on a daily basis like their sleep position or the posture they assume while at work. Even though their MRI might read facet hypertrophy or stenosis, it could be one of the positions you are in daily that is making your problem worse and more painful.

This article is to help inform you that there is hope beyond just your imaging results. Even as bleak as you imaging results may be or sound, there is always something that you can change, modify or improve upon that can help you in the long run.

Even if you had a 7mm herniated disc at L4-5, a very large bulge, and had really bad numbness and tingling down the legs, you could still learn what positions to avoid, what positions to try and achieve, what stretches you can do comfortably and what strengthening exercises you could do to help provide some stability to the spine.

While MRI's and X-rays can be very helpful, I hope you can see that you have the opportunity to seek out additional advice and education on how to help improve the situation you are already in even if your imaging studies results don't paint such a great picture.

Oftentimes, we wonder if the intense, passionate attraction we have for a person is true love or not. We think it's true love but eventually realize that it was just lust; so how can we know that it's finally true love? Here are indications that you might be truly in love:

1. You think of him first before the I or me. You make him your priority. You think about his benefit before you do yours.

2. He is always on your mind. Not a day goes by that you don't remember the person; wondering what he is busy with. Did the day go well?

3. You want to be with him for the rest of your life. You can't imagine life without your beloved.

4. You have passion for him. You want to hug and kiss your beloved.

5. When planning, you always include him in your plans, like when you plan for a house; you consider his favorite color, etc.

6. You are willing to sacrifice your life for his, without hesitation.

7. You want to get to know his family better. Does his mother want cats or dogs? What's her favorite hobby? What's her favorite food?

8. You strive to work hard for a living so you could ask her hand in marriage. You started saving for the future, planning about what type of car to buy, what architectural plan your house would be.

9. He is your best friend. You can tell him anything and he understands. Even if you don't tell him anything, he still understands. There are several instances that prove being a best friend to your beloved makes for a stronger relationship.

10. When asked why you love him, you find it hard to give a reason. You truly love a person, when you love him for what he is. You have no reasons why you do, you just do.

True love though is like a plant that needs to be watered and taken cared of. It should be nurtured until it has taken firm roots in the ground. It takes constant renewal and understanding. It needs some sunshine to grow. When you experienced going through life's challenges together, it would make your love stronger and sturdier. That would be the time that you can self-confidently proclaim to the world that what you have is true love.

Sadly, the vast majority of us are going to experience back pain at some point in our lives. Although many of us may be able to control this pain through over-the-counter painkillers or perhaps some light physical therapy and bed rest, there are going to be some of us that have back pain to the extent where we need to seek medical attention.

A common type of back pain or pinched nerve pain that is experienced is as a result of a slipped or herniated disc. These discs are gel filled material that exist between the vertebrae of our spine and allow the vertebrae to move independently of each other and also protect it from damage. Should these happen to crack or slip out of place, the pain that we experience can be extremely severe.

There are a lot of different ways that a slipped or herniated disc can be treated. These can include such things as physical therapy, bed rest, traction, spinal decompression, painkillers, surgery and natural forms of treatment. There may be times, however, whenever an epidural steroid injection is prescribed. What exactly is an epidural steroid injection, how is it administered and what can it do for you?

An epidural is a rather broad term that refers to an injection which goes into the epidural space in the spinal column. The epidural space is in the outermost part of the spinal canal and it lies outside of the dura matter which encases the spinal column. The injected steroids mimic cortisone and hydrocortisone which can reduce the inflammation that surround the affected nerves. This can give almost immediate relief to the pain that is experienced in this area and can help to keep the inflammation down for a considerable amount of time in order to allow for more effective pain management.

Unfortunately, the relief that is felt as a result of the epidural steroid injection is usually temporary. Also, the steroids that are injected can have side effects which may include weakened muscles, a decrease in bone density, and possible lowering of the steroids that your body produces naturally.

Be sure to discuss with your personal physician the pros and cons of epidural steroid injections for providing back pain and pinched nerve pain relief.

A modern chiropractor may specialize in a specific area only but may use a wide variety of methods and tools to address different general health issues and neuromuskuloskeletal problems. Most common methods include soft tissue therapy, dry needling, strength training, traction, functional electrical simulation, and nutritional recommendations. Alternate methods are sometimes used as a part of a holistic treatment approach.

There may be many forms of treatments involved in Chiropractic Medicine but the cornerstone of care remains to be chiropractic adjustment. This is to restore and maintain function of extremity joints and the spine.

Here are the different methods of diagnosis and care that chiropractic doctors most commonly use today:

Graston Technique

This is the latest technology in soft tissue therapy that entails deep muscle massage to relieve pain and tension along with reducing scar tissue formation. This is often applied in conjunction with chiropractic adjustments as it helps relax the muscles.

This offers a quick and effective way of treating various conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, neck pain, back pain, rotator cuff syndrome, and fibromyalgia.

The great benefits make Graston technique a popular choice among athletes like those in NBA, NFL, AFL, NHL, MLB, and even PGA.

Digital Motion X-ray (DMX)

This is a modern-day diagnostic test that allows radiologists to visualize and evaluate all body joints in motion enabling doctors to specifically determine which ligament or soft tissue is damaged or injured. This enables recording of any joint in motion with real-time, full motion x-ray imaging.

Trigger Point Injections (TPI)

This is a famous option among patients with chronic pain. This is a procedure done by treating painful areas of muscles that contain the trigger points or the knots that tensed muscles form.

The injection usually contains a local anesthetic with corticosteroid that renders the trigger point inactive that further results in alleviation of the pain.

Spinal Decompression

This is the non-surgical and drug-free method of treating chronic lower back pain, sciatica, herniated or bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, and even relapsed or failed back surgery. The method entails using a state-of-the-art technology to apply a distraction force to relieve nerve compression that causes pain.

Spinal decompression also works in the way that it causes the disc to heal through stimulating the cartilage to regenerate and causes the nutrient-rich blood to fill the disc spaces.

Kinesio (Sports Tape)

This is a latex-free therapeutic taping technique that is more popular among athletes. It is applied to the body in various ways over joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments to support and stabilize the certain area.

Kinesio taping facilitates the natural healing process of the body while helping to reduce inflammation and alleviate the pain.

The goal in regenerative medicine is not simply to repair injured tissue. The human body repairs tissues, such as cartilage and tendons. But the human repair process routinely falls short, either failing completely or reaching a maximum of 70-80% strength with its repair. This may be enough to present functionality for a person. However, it often leaves cartilage defects unfilled, rotator cuff tendons weakly attached, or ACL tears unstable.

In recent years, there has been a shift with musculoskeletal injury and disease to regenerative capability. The United States put a man on the moon over 40 years ago, isn't it about time we figured out how to regenerate soft tissues? Amniotic fluid has emerged as a potential superior source of regenerative components.

In the body of an expectant mother, the amniotic membrane along with its fluid and cells acts as a biologic system whose primary function is to not only protect the fetus, but also aid in fetal growth and development. The fluid has been found to be a rich source of proteins, growth factors, and multipotent stem cells essential for fetal growth and development.

Along with these components, various proteins, cytokines, carbohydrates, phospholipids, and hyaluronic acids are present. The stem cells that are present are capable of differentiating into all three germ layers of the human body. That means they have the capability to differentiate into adipogenic (fat), osteogenic (bone), myogenic (muscle), endothelial (skin), neurogenic (nerve), and hepatic (liver) cell lines.

Research has shown than unlike embryonic stem cells, those seen in amniotic fluid do not over-replicate. That means they do not have the potential to form tumors as are seen from time to time with embryonic cells.

At this point amniotic fluid based stem cell treatments have been utilized for numerous indications. They have been helpful as a biologic dressing in a broad range of clinical applications such as a wound covering. In addition, they have been successfully utilized in spinal fusion and as a scar tissue barrier around the spinal cord.

Amniotic fluid stem cell based treatments also also show some promise for the treatment of cartilage defects, tendon and ligament tears (e.g. ACL, rotator cuff, Achilles), and osteoarthritis. Soft tissue overuse syndromes also have responded anecdotally well to treatments including plantar fasciitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, medial and lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow).

Medicine has been waiting and hoping for an effective treatment that helps bolster the body's regenerative capacity. Amniotic fluid treatments continue to show promise as a potential holy grail.

Studies have shown that neck pain acupuncture works to ease the stress off our general neck area. While society is slowly learning to veer away from relying too much on over-the-counter remedies or prescription drugs, alternative forms of medicine are now becoming more popular. An increasing number of people are turning to more 'natural' ways to relieve common aches and pains.

Any kind of pain in the neck, however mild or severe the attack, can affect one's quality of life. Just like lighting, it can strike you in a flush. You can be fine one moment, and the next you'll be in a great deal of misery. Whatever kind of neck pain one may have can hinder individuals to fulfill their duties well. Many factors cause neck pain, but everyone at one point in their life will experience some kind of pain in the neck. When your neck muscles stay in one position for a long period of time, expect some discomfort in that area to happen. This condition can also be caused by sudden force, such as a being involved in a car accident. Sometimes, even neck pains bring along head aches with them, making people suffer even more.

Commonly, one's occupation has a direct impact on whether or not one experiences pain in the neck. Those involved in manual labor have higher incidence of pain in the neck, as compared to professionals who work in a typical office. But office workers beware, if one stays in a singular position or remain seated for long periods of time and forget to move around a bit, one can get neck pain as well. Twisting and bending your body frequently can also cause this inconvenience, and the level of pain can go up with age as our muscles and bones wear out.

Acupuncture is not exactly a science, but is an accepted means to relieve pain and provide therapeutic results by inserting fine needles into exact points in the human body. This practice originated from China, and is believed to have started during the Stone Age. Of course there were no needles then, but the concept of putting 'stones' on certain points of the body to relieve pain was born.

Various scientific studies involving neck pain acupuncture have proven that it can actually work better than prescription medicine, or massage. People commonly go to get a Swedish or Shiatsu massage when they experience pain in the neck, or pop a pill to relieve the pain. It is proven that people who received acupuncture for neck pain experienced faster relief, and got less neck pain 'attacks' in the future. This breakthrough study will sure make many folks reconsider their mode of treatment, especially if they get neck pains frequently.

Neck pain acupuncture can truly be an alternative solution for many people, especially those who go through chronic neck pain. Chronic neck pain sufferers can go through extended bouts of suffering, with some reaching well over 3 months. Imagine having that constant pain in the neck, literally. Some medical clinics, spas and massage centers already offer "pain in the neck" acupuncture services at friendly rates, but check with friends who've had similar treatments for referrals on the best places to go to get the treatment. And of course, it's always important to consult one's physician first before embarking on alternative treatments.

We all have these little jelly donuts between the bones of our spine. Okay, they're discs, but they're actually built much like a jelly donut. These discs are made of cartilage on the ouside and a jelly like substance on the inside. The disc's job is to absorb shock to the spine. Sometimes, due to an abnormal force, or a long term stress, part of the cartilage gets torn and the jelly starts to leak out.

This causes a herniation of the disc
The jelly pushes out because there's less support on one side of the disc. Faulty posture or too much pressure on one side also pushes the jelly to the weaker side. This looks much like what happens with a bubbled tire.

This bubble causes you pain because it compresses the nerve around the injured disc.

In extreme cases...
The disc tears completely causing the jelly to rush out. This leads to the need for surgery, known as a discectomy. This procedure removes the leaked jelly and eases the irritation to the nerve. This is a procedure you'd hope to avoid.

How to avoid a herniated disc
We always talk about the importance of training using core exercises. This situation is no exception. Any deep core exercises and stretching helps improve your posture while taking stress off your spine. If you still find yourself with a herniated disc you'll need the right care to get you out of pain.

How we care for a herniated disc
Our first goal is to get you out of pain. Once we get you comfortable we begin strengthening the muscles around the spine. This takes the stress off the nerve.

It's important to remember once the wall of the disc is compromised it can't be repaired only supported. So you'll need to be stronger to compensate for it. This way you can keep the jelly where it belongs.

Summary:

* The discs that absorb a shock to your spine are like jelly donuts, cartilage on the outside, jelly on the inside.
* A tear in a disc happens much like a blown tire. An abnormal force or long term stress cause the disc to bubble
* The tear cannot be healed, but the muscles around it can be strengthened to relieve the pain and pressure.

Don't panic! Though our spine is situated on our backs, most of our back pain complaints are not usually associated with spine damage. As a matter of fact, back pain, together with headache, belongs to the most frequent complaints of adults.

The most common signs of serious medical problem caused by back pain are the lack of control of bowel and bladder as well as the weakness in the legs. If you're not experiencing these symptoms, nor were you involved in an accident that could have caused damage to your spine, most probably, your back pain is caused by muscle spasms.

Like what you experience after working out in the gym for the first time, muscle spasms on your back may be secondary to improper posture, strains of physical work or because of wrong sleeping positions. Pregnant women may also experience back pain because of the weight of the child. Sometimes, even the cold weather may trigger tenderness on your back.

Under the said circumstances, back pain usually subsides in a few weeks' time. However, if the pain is really distracting, several over-the-counter medicines are available to lessen the throbbing. The usual types of pain relievers are as follows:

Acetaminophen

This is said to be one of the safest over-the-counter pain relievers and is recommended for children and pregnant women. Acetaminophen, or paracetamol in the British Commonwealth and some Asian nations, is available in several brand names like Tylenol, Datril, Liquiprin, Tempra, etc. It is less powerful than aspirin and ibuprofen and does not have an anti-inflammatory effect. This is very effective for treating mild pains caused by muscle spasms and fevers. Acetaminophen users seldom experience side effects, although overdose is known to cause liver failure. This is seriously fatal, especially to children, so we must always follow the directions on how to consume acetaminophen.

Aspirin

This is one of the pain relievers that usually have side effects. It is very effective, though, in treating arthritis because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Usual side effects are upset stomach and ringing in the ears. The fatal Reye's syndrome on children is also said to be caused by aspirin. To avoid these side effects, children who have chicken pox or flu should avoid taking aspirin. Acetaminophen is safer. Also, if aspirin will be used to lessen aches, say back pain, it should be taken only when it hurts.

Ibuprofen

This is usually prescribed for arthritis and is very effective for pain and fever. Ibuprofen brands like Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, etc. are available as over-the-counter medicine. This pain reliever also causes upset stomach but has no other fatal side effects. It is said to be impossible to commit suicide with ibuprofen overdose. Ibuprofen, however, costs a little higher compared to other pain relievers.

Naproxen

This is another type of over-the-counter medicine that is efficient for back pain. Its advantage over the other pain relievers is that it has a longer effect. Usually, consuming naproxen twice a day is efficient enough. Because it also causes stomach upset, children and adults over 65 years of age should avoid taking naproxen.

Topical Pain Relievers

Salicylates are the usual components of topical pain relievers. These are the same components present on aspirin and are very effective when absorbed by the skin. Bengay is an example of a topical pain reliever. It contains methyl salicylate that causes the soothing and menthol effect.

Back pain caused by muscle spasms usually subsides in a few weeks. However, if the pain is intolerable despite the intake of pain relievers, or some side effects are being experienced, a visit to the doctor is not a bad idea. Most people usually suffer a lot from worrying than the actual illness itself, so if it would ease your nerves, consult a doctor. Just don't be surprised if he or she prescribes you with the said pain relievers mentioned above.

As the number of pain management patients in United States continues to increase, pain itself is turning into big business. It is often times helpful for patients to receive an injection to avoid or delay surgery, or to allow individuals the ability to participate in physical therapy. Focal injections can also decrease the need for opiate pain medications.

Let's look at a few different types of injections and how well they work. The first type is soft tissue injections in the extremities. An example of this would be an injection of steroid medication into the shoulder area that is called the subacromial bursa. Impingement syndrome is one of the most common diagnoses seen in medicine today, and a subacromial injection can permit patients increased function of their shoulder and significant pain relief.

Another type of soft tissue injection example would be one for tennis elbow. This is a condition around the elbow that involves inflammation and pain of the tendon insertion on the outer part of the elbow. Injections of steroid work very well for this region, and often times the doctor will place small holes in the bony region to enhance blood flow and healing of the area.

Another type of injection performed in the extremities is a nerve block. Let's use an example of a supra-scapular nerve block which is a nerve that can become compressed around the shoulder region. Injecting steroid medication around the area of compression may allow a patient to participate in physical therapy along with providing excellent pain relief and may help the patient avoid surgery.

Additional examples of extremity nerve blocks will include a lateral femoral cutaneous nerve block, an ankle block, or a carpal tunnel injection. Occipital nerve blocks are utilized for occipital neuralgia. Occipital neuralgia may be a significant cause of migraine headaches, and blocking the nerves in this area may provide months of pain relief. If that works well, the pain doctor may move on to a radiofrequency ablation which may provide pain relief for over a year.

When it comes to interventional spinal injections, there are a few different types. These can be grouped into 3 different categories. The 1st are injections in or around the facet joint. Pain doctors may inject medication right into the joint or potentially around the joint which is called a medial branch block. The evidence for medial branch blocks is strong and can give weeks to months of pain related along with acting as a diagnostic injection. A subsequent procedure when that injection wears off called a radiofrequency ablation may allow patients to receive pain relief for over a year.

The next category of injections are referred to as epidural steroid injections. Evidence for these injections is strong, and there are currently three different types used by pain doctors. The first is known as interlaminar injections, which is the oldest type and has been done since the 1960s. Transforaminal epidural steroid injections are the newest type performed and allow the pain doctor to get fairly close to the area of the pinched nerve with steroid medication. The last type of epidural started injection is called a caudal injection, and works very well in situations where steroid is needed to work on multiple areas of compression.

The last category of spinal injections involves procedures to remove scar tissue. This is called an adhesiolysis and may be performed under a fiber-optic camera guidance. This is the least used of the interventional procedures.

Other procedures performed by pain doctors should be placed into a category termed exotic. These would be such things as superior hypogastric plexus blocks, sympathetic blocks, and Botox injections for neuromuscular conditions.

Lastly, one of the more exciting procedures in pain management they are spinal cord stimulator's. These are permanent implants that can help provide electrical stimulation around the spinal cord and decreased pain in situations where there is no solution to caring the painful problem.

As the years go by in pain management, technology continues to improve and it is a very exciting field presently. More research is necessary to keep up with the amount of pain issues in this country and keep coming up with new solutions to help those in need.

Once a patient has a thoracotomy procedure, pain from the incision may persist despite having a successful procedure. Thoracotomy procedures have numerous indications, including lung resection or spine surgery just to mention a couple. Unfortunately even if the procedure was exceptionally successful, the patient may end up with residual pain despite having had a successful resection or spine surgery. This can be extremely disabling for patients and ruin an otherwise successful surgery.

If a patient's pain from the thoracoctomy incision persists for over 2 months following the initial surgery, this is known as post-thoracotomy syndrome, or PTPS. Patients present with symptoms of neuropathic pain, along with muscular type pain in the scapular on the same side and maybe the shoulder too.

Treatments that have been described for patients with PTPS including oral NSAIDs, topically applied NSAIDs, physical therapy, neuromodulating agents like Lyrica, or TENS Unit treatment, and various injections. These injections may include trigger points, radiofrequency ablation, intercostal nerve blocks, epidural injections, or cryoablation.

One treatment that may hold some promise is spinal cord stimulation. A spinal cord stimulator is an excellent last resort for patients who have failed other treatments for their back pain and are no longer candidates for spinal surgery. Spinal cord stimulator's are finding utility in the treatment of other diagnoses as well, such as chronic pelvic pain. When it comes to PTP, it can be so disabling and patients fail other treatment options a spinal cord stimulator may be a viable option.

A spinal stimulator provides a persistent electrical stimulation in the area of where the electrical catheter is placed. It can help depolarize the pain channels that are in the region and alter how the brain senses the pain signals that are incoming. This can allow for a patient to decrease the amount of pain being experienced while at the same time having no curative effect.

A spinal cord stimulator is placed completely under the skin. The electrical catheter is placed in the area of the problem or the intercostal nerves are, and then the wire is placed under the skin and attached to a subcutaneous battery. This battery is able to be charged without being pulled out from the body, and the patient wears a belt potentially while they are sleeping that charges the battery every few days.

No large clinical studies exist in the effectiveness of spinal cord stimulator treatment for PTPS. It truly should be considered as an option for these patients, but probably not a first resort since it is an extremely expensive procedure. There are plenty of case reports and anecdotal reports backing up its effectiveness, so it should be in the option department for PTPS but once again not reached to primarily.

Facet joint injections are the most commonly performed pain management procedure in United States. There are two reasons to perform a facet injection. Number one is for a diagnostic purpose to figure out if the joint is the source of pain, and the second reason is for therapeutic purposes. Thankfully these often overlap, meaning a diagnostic injection, if it works, provides pain relief often for weeks to months.

In the human body, there are facet joints on either side of this fine at every level all the way from the top of the cervical spine down to the sacrum. These small joints allow individuals to have an incredible range of motion of lumbar spine.

Similar to other articulating joints in human body, they are prone to arthritis and often times it occurs at multiple levels. This is called facet syndrome if it causes pain in patients.

If the patient is suspected of having pain in the facet joints of the lumbar spine, a pain management doctor will often perform a facet injection for diagnostic purposes. This injection involves administration of a numbing agent such as lidocaine or along with a steroid around and or into the facet joints. If the injection relieves the patient's pain, then diagnostically that joint is the pain generator. Even as a diagnostic injection, the pain relief may end up lasting for weeks to months. When the steroid and numbing agent is injected around the facet joints rather than directly into it, this is called a medial branch block. The medial branch nerve is a tiny little nerve that brings sensation to the joint and often times pain. The injection can relieve that pain for as mentioned a few weeks to months.

If the pain relief is substantial and then wears off after a few weeks to months, the individual will then be a potential candidate for procedure called a radiofrequency ablation. This procedure involves heating up the facet joints in order to get in the tiny little nerve endings supplying pain to the joint. Pain relief from this procedure may last for 1 to 2 years, and it may be repeated if the tiny little nerves grow back and the pain comes back as well.

The research on whether or not facet syndrome exists is controversy. It is also controversy over whether or not to perform facet joint injections for a therapeutic purpose. Larger studies are needed to continue to prove further efficacy of facet injections. At this point in time they're typically approved for diagnostic purposes and sometimes for therapeutic purposes but it varies between states and/or insurance companies.

Surgery for arthritis in multiple facet joints is typically not a good idea, so seeking treatment from a pain management doctor to receive treatment with either a diagnostic injection for therapeutic injection and maybe even a radiofrequency ablation may be able to achieve significant pain relief and lesson a patient's need for narcotic medications, and avoid surgery.

Researchers say that over 80% of the total population will likely suffer from at least one of the wide array of vertebrogenic disorders during certain periods of our lives. A vertebrogenic disorder is an impairment of the body that is normally caused by faults in the spinal column. Not only do vertrebrogenic disorders cause extreme discomfort and pain in the neck and back area, they also produce tension headaches, bursts of migraine, neuralgia, dizziness, some pain in the arms and shoulders, a gush of pain in the abdomen and chest, hip pains, sciatica or pain in the knees and leg, disc disorders, digestive disorders and menstrual cycle pains.

You may doubt the connection on how the spine could affect so many parts in the body and cause so much harm. The spine is where most of your body nerves are connected to. These spinal nerves serve different parts of the body and once it gets irritated by spinal disorders you will suffer a milieu of disorders all over your body.

Chiropractic care is a profession in health care which is dedicated to diagnosing, treating, and preventing disorders associated with the neuromusculoskeletal system. It is a non-surgical treatment that focuses on spinal manipulation and treating surrounding spinal structures. Chiropractic care usually treats pains in the lower back, midsection, and neck, joints in the arms and legs and headaches. Chiropractors can also provide great relief for people suffering from arthritis. Typically, spinal problems begin during stages of childhood. Spinal disorder symptoms don't usually appear during childhood. If they are identified early, these spinal disorders are reversible. That is why spinal examinations for children should be undertaken to see if your child has spinal column problems that would lead to the development of spinal disorders.

Chiropractors usually perform different techniques such as Diversified technique, Extremity manipulating/adjusting, Activator Methods, Thompson, gonstead, cox flexion/distraction, Sacro Occipital Technique, Manipulative/Adjustive Instruments, Cranial, Applied Kinesiology, NIMMO/Receptor Tonus, Logan Basic, Palmer upper cervical, Pierce-Stillwagon, Meric, Toggle Recoil, Bio-Energetic Synchronization, Atlas Orthogonal, Chiropractic Biophysics, Contact Reflex Analysis, Neuro Vascular Technique, Toftness, Vector Point Therapy, Motion Palpation, Advanced BioStructural Correction and others.

Chiropractors treat their patient's condition by using exact, gentle spine manipulations that makes you feel amazing. Mostly chiropractors are doctors who have had a university education for 7 years studying the art of hands-on healing. Aside from spine manipulations, chiropractic doctors will also help you in physical therapy. They have an array of equipment such as ultrasound, traction, electrical stimulation and etc. to help in reducing back pain and inflammation. They will also recommend various exercises such as strengthening, cardio and stretching exercises to assist in the healing process. These exercises will also aid in decreasing lower back pains, increase back strength and restore your range of motion. They can also help in pelvic stabilization and in patient ergonomics. Other than these services, a chiropractor will provide patient education. They will give advice regarding the lifestyle modifications you would need to make such as your diet and other nutritional programs, self care strategies and coping treatments.

Are you currently suffering from lower back pains or having constant headaches that don't seem to go away? Have you been recently injured or had a car accident and have back trauma? Do you play sports and have stiff joints and shooting pains after every game? Are you a pregnant mom who has an aching back? Are you getting old and is unable to enjoy your retirement due to back aches and pains that don't seem to go away? Are you trying to find a good alternative to health care? Have you got apprehensions regarding your child's growth and long term well being? Are you short on budget and would want a way to ease your back pains without paying for expensive surgical treatments?

Then, chiropractic care is the right treatment for you. Chiropractic care is a great treatment for people who have back issues such as back aches and back pains. Not only does chiropractic care help in treating your back issues but will also assure you that any spinal disorders will be avoided in the future with proper care and prevention. Chiropractic care is healthy for the body, affordable and a great way to relieve you from pain, aches and stress.

Most of us are familiar with back pain of some kind. You bend over to pick something up or twist the wrong way, and the pain hits you like a baseball bat. Even though it hurts a lot, however, you usually get better in a few days by resting, using a heating pad or ice packs and taking anti-inflammatory medications.

Sometimes your back pain doesn't go away, though. It may have been getting worse for a long time, and you're tired of suffering with it. You've probably tried a lot of things besides home treatment, like prescription medications, steroid injections and physical therapy, and you're still not getting relief.

Physicians are reluctant to suggest back surgery unless it's really necessary and nothing else helps. Any kind of surgery has risks associated with it; some risks associated with back surgery are:

· General surgical risks, such as reaction to anesthesia, bleeding, infection, lung problems and blood clots.

· Problems with the surgery itself, like poor healing of bone grafts.

· Problems due to spinal nerve damage, like weakness and paralysis, urinary or fecal incontinence and sexual dysfunction.

· Poor surgical results. Back surgery doesn't always relieve the pain, and some people even get "failed back surgery syndrome" with persistent pain.

· Problems due to scar tissue formation. As time goes by, scar tissue shrinks, and it can cause pressure on the spinal nerves and your back pain can come back.

There are some newer "minimally invasive" procedures using endoscopes. The surgeon inserts a small endoscope through a tiny incision. Using a microscopic camera, she can directly visualize the damage and repair it through the endoscope. Instead of cutting the muscles, she pushes them aside, which means there is less scarring after surgery. This is an exciting development because endoscopic surgery can be as effective as open back surgery, there are fewer complications, you're in the hospital for a shorter time, and you recover faster.

With all of that said, however, there are times when you really do need back surgery. Your doctor may recommend it if:

· You've had back pain for six months or longer that is not getting better with other treatments.

· You have weakness in your arms or legs, trouble grasping things or numbness/tingling in your legs and feet.

· You have lost bladder or bowel control

· You have spinal instability.

· You have spinal deformity.

When you can't manage the pain or when you're having functional problems because the spinal cord and/or spinal nerves are being impaired--that's when you need back surgery.

If you suffer lower back pain, you are not on your own. Probably nearly all adults at some point in their lives will experience this condition that interferes with their work eg there is a high incidence of lumbar pain in drivers, everyday activities, sports (eg lumbar pain in golfers) or hobbies. Lower back pain or sciatica is considered the most common cause of job-related disability and the highest contributor to absenteeism in the western world. For example, it is second to headaches as the most common neurological ailment in the United States. Generally, most occurrences of lower back pain or lumbar pain subside after a few days, although some instances may take much longer to resolve or very occasionally lead to more serious conditions.

Short-term pain (Acute) generally lasts from a few days to a few weeks, and this condition tends to be mechanical in nature, the consequence of trauma to the lower back or a condition such as arthritis. Back pain from trauma may be caused by an injury sustained through sports activity, household jobs or working in the garden.

Sometimes, sudden jarring from a minor fall, or other stress on the lower back bones and tissues could be the root cause of low lumbar pain or sciatica. Symptoms of lumbar pain may range from aching muscles to shooting or sharp stabbing pain, limited flexibility and/or range of motion, or an inability to stand straight. Sometimes, pain felt in one part of the body may stem from a disorder or injury incurred in other parts of the body. Very occasionally acute low back pain syndromes could become more serious if untreated.

Definitions of what period or duration constitutes chronic back pain vary but pain that persists for over 12 weeks would generally be described as chronic.

Often the initial cause of the back problem is not known and this condition can sometimes be progressive The good news is that the vast majority of occurrences can be treated without surgery. Back pain treatments include analgesics, to reduce inflammation, to restoring proper mobility and strength to the back, by a variety of back pain products and therapies, to strategies for the avoidance of recurrence of the injury.

Usually patients suffering lumbar pain recover fully and don't incur continuing loss of functionality. It's advisable to contact your GP if there is no improvement or reduction in the back pain and inflammation after 3 days There is a plethora of exercises, medication, or therapy products and gadgets available to sufferers, designed to provide either, relief, prevention or both.

Although some of these back pain products (such as Magnatherapy or aromatherapy) would be described as 'alternative' or pseudoscientific ie they have few empirically or scientifically proven benefits, many are developed through the application of sound medical principle and theory. It's worthwhile asking your GP for recommendations on any therapies as well as making sure that the cause is not more serious

Back pain therapy devices PGAT devices

Inversion Tables

Inversion is a natural form of passive gravity assisted traction (PGAT) that uses the patient's body weight in conjunction with gravity to decompress weight-bearing joints. While the patient is rotated and suspended, gravity effectively creates a traction, resulting in a customized stretch that extends the spine, from the sacroiliac to the cervical joints of the neck, increasing the space between the vertebrae, which relieves the pressure on the discs and nerve roots. By reducing this pressure there is less interference with the spinal nerves thus reducing lower lumbar pain. Inversion is considered to be an effective therapy This is typically performed on what's called an inversion table.

The table allows you to lie on your back relaxed, in an inverted position. This position eliminates some or all gravitational compression, depending upon how far back you position your body. Inversion therapy relieves back pain, and it works even better when it's part of a well-rounded therapy plan that addresses the specific muscle imbalances you have. But even by itself it is highly effective. A recent study done at Newcastle University found that over 70% of patients who performed inversion therapy were able to cancel their scheduled back surgeries.

CPM Mobilisers

Backlife

Backlife is designed to apply a Continuous Passive Movement (CPM) to the lower back pain sufferer in a similar way to how a healthcare professional, as part of his back pain therapy, would apply in order to help relieve pressure between the vertebrae, and therefore relieve pain in the lumbar region. In order to apply CPM the user would lie on the floor bending their knees over the upper section of the machine. As the upper section moves, it gently rotates the pelvis in a circular fashion, allowing the joints to move, whilst the joints remain relaxed. The advertised benefits of Backlife for pain relief are that it reduces the stress and pressure on the lower back, restores back mobility and improves stability. In addition it reduces lumbar pain with regular use, improves posture, and reduces muscle tension.

Back in action Mobiliser

The Back in Action Mobiliser is an extremely powerful medical grade spinal joint mobilisation system, available for home or professional use for back pain relief. It's described as usually very effective at decreasing the symptoms of long term and chronic musculo-skeletal problems. The system applies very localised pressure to the muscles either side of the spine, simulating a practitioners 'thumbing technique,whilst mobilising the spine, flexing and extending the spine, freeing up stubborn vertebrae. In addition to this the mobilise provides a continuous passive motion (CPM) considered to be beneficial to health and aid healing The mobilise has been used to treat conditions such as: lumbago; prolapse /slipped disc, sciatica; scoliosis, arthritic hips, sacro-iliac dysfunction, whiplash injuries; fibromyalgia and many other disabling conditions. It is also comprehensively tested and endorsed by medics, so that it is probably the most commended back pain therapy care system available. Its most significant disadvantage is that it is made in small numbers and is expensive to buy however they are available to hire.

Backstretcher

The Backstretcher, also known as the Rolastretcher provides relief with a combination of massage and stretching movements, allowing the user to move and stretch different parts of the spine by moving up and down the frame. The rollers also provide pressure (acupressure) on the back muscles either side of the spine where dysfunctional trigger points (knots) often occur. It provides back pain sufferers the opportunity to complement their therapeutic treatment with a device, which is portable, The effectiveness of this device has been confirmed by scientific study by the University of Iowa's Spine Centre.

Flexibak

Flexibak is back support cradle that is designed to ease lower back pain problems, reduce discomfort, and promote relief, by decompression of key joints, allowing natural movement to return to the user. Flexibak, developed by 2 leading British osteopaths, is designed to encourage the lumbar and sacroiliac joints to open up, and encourage the return of natural movement as pressure on inflamed muscles is relieved.

Back cushions and wedges and Supports Cushions

Back cushions

These are custom shaped soft cushions which are tailored to the natural shape of the user's lower back and designed to offer support whilst maintaining an ergonomic and comfortable posture whilst sat on a chair or in the car, thus providing an element of relief for low back pain.

Seat wedges

Seat wedges provide lumbar pain relief in a natural passive manner. Sitting on a seat wedge has the effect of moving forward the pelvis which has the effect of causing the users spine to adopt a more ergonomically correct upright posture. Seat wedges maybe useful for lumbar pain suffering car drivers by angling their backs into more comfortable driving positions, or in sedentary workplace situations where the back pain sufferer may be adopting a suiting position for several hours, for example call centre workers. Ideal for everybody working in a sitting position, especially PC users. A variant of the seat wedge is the coccyx wedge which incorporates a cut away section to reduce or avoid pressure on the sacrum or coccyx which could be causing lower back pain or tail bone pain.

Back Braces

These aim to constrict the affected area of low back pain low afflicted area, these strap-on body braces help reduce lower back pain and help to correct poor posture.

TENS units

TENS (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) is the application of electric current produced by a device to stimulate the nerves for therapeutic purposes. In this case we are referring to portable stimulators used to help with back pain. The unit is usually connected to the skin using two or more electrodes or semi adhesive pads. Although the first units developed in the US for testing tolerance of chronic back pain sufferers to electrical stimulation in preparation for surgically invasive implants, many patients reported deriving relief from the TENS itself. A number of companies began manufacturing TENS units after the commercial success of the Meditronic device became known TENS is regarded as a non-invasive, safe nerve stimulation intended to reduce pain, both acute and chronic. Controversy does exist over its effectiveness in treating of chronic back pain. In 2007 a feature in the Pain Journal concluded that ENS was effective for chronic musculoskeletal pain whereas the journal Neurology advised against recommending TENS for chronic lower back pain,but other neurologists in the same journal suggested that in some patients TENS is useful. TENS units available from high street retailers Baxolve offers immediate relief for lower back pain through a combination of TENS therapy and lumbar support in one easy to use convenient belt.

Heat and cold back pain products

There is little empirical evidence that the application of hot and cold compresses actually effectively relieve back pain conditions, although the use of hot and cold compresses may provide relief by helping to reduce the lower back pain, spasms, and inflammation, in turn allowing for improved mobility for some back pain sufferers. Immediately after the trauma, the sufferer would apply a cold compress (generally ice packs or refrigerant gel) to the affected area of the lower back pain, maybe after a strain, for up to about 20 minutes a few time a day, for a couple of days to help reduce tissue inflammation. After a couple of days the back pain sufferer would then apply heat to the affected area, using a variety of methods such as heat pads, heat lamps etc for short durations. This has the effect of dilating the blood vessels which increase blood flow to the affected tissues, and encouraging the healing process. It also has the effect of relaxing the muscles similar to having a warm bath after exertion. As with any back pain treatment it's advisable to consult your GP before commencing a treatment.

Magnet therapy

Magnet therapy can be described as an alternative or pseudoscientific method of back pain treatment, using magnetic fields on the body to promote back pain relief and healing, with a perceived, though not understood positive effect on blood oxygen content. There is no scientific basis to conclude that small, static magnets can relieve pain It has its origins in Traditional Oriental Medicine (TOM) dating back some 2000 years, centered around 'Chi'or 'energy flows' around the body and instrumental in health and wellbeing, with magnetic wave therapy having associations with acupuncture or and acupressure. Although it is regarded with an element of scepticism due to seemingly physical and biological implausibility, in Eastern countries, therapeutic magnets are licensed as medical devices, and it does appear to be gaining some recognition within the US medical community, with an example of affirmative research of published in the MDBR Journal of Rheumatology. The downside to this is the difficulty associated with establishing true blind testing of magnets and associated 'placebo or Hawthorne' effects within test groups. By all means have a look at what's available but remain sceptical.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is often used as a method of pain relief by physios and therapists in combination with other pain treatments, such as manipulation, massage, ice treatment and interferential (electrotherapy). The ultrasound device causes millions of sound waves to penetrate deep into tissue in order to promote healing of inflamed or damaged muscles, tendons and ligaments. It's claimed that ultrasound can reduce tissue inflammation by stimulating blood flow, promote healing by stimulating soft tissue, and assist in the absorption uf analgesics, and reduce pain. Again there is conflict over the effectiveness for lower back pain treatment with both positive user testimonials offset by inconclusive meta analysis. See Physical Therapy article Jul 2001 and New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy Jul 2008

Ultralieve

Ultralieve Pro is a mains operated or portable hand held medical grade device designed for home use to help with pain and promote healing by conducting ultrasound waves into the damaged tissue. Although the device is easy its perhaps best if the user has received ultrasound treatment previously from a physio or healthcare professional, and again it's advisable to check with your GP or physio before using one to derive pain relief It should not be used as a replacement for conventional help with back pain but in conjunction with it in between sessions. Again there is conflict over the effectiveness to help with back pain with both positive user testimonials offset by inconclusive meta analysis.

Did you know that approximately 40% of people who have undergone back surgery haven't gotten relief from their pain, even one year after surgery? If you are suffering from back pain and your doctor has advised surgical treatment, giving spinal decompression in Dallas a try before undergoing surgery may result in the permanent relief you're looking for, without going under the knife. Approved by the FDA for lower back ailments, decompression therapy is an advanced procedure that successfully treats herniated and bulging discs. Patients can resume their normal life in much less time than with other types of treatments. Individuals suffering from obesity, osteoporosis or nerve problems, as well as pregnant women are not advised this therapy.

Spinal Decompression in Dallas: Procedure

The procedure of spinal decompression in Dallas involves a computer operated spinal decompression table on which the patient lies. The practitioner then stretches the affected area, with the aim of releasing pressure on the spinal joints, discs and nerves. The procedure develops a negative pressure in the affected area. The disc gets the relief from pressure it needs to heal as this procedure promotes free transfer of nutrients, such as oxygen and water. The disc is shifted back to its base position. The patient gets relief from pain and irritation that occurred due to the bulging disc.

Spinal Decompression in Dallas: Treatment Duration

The duration of spinal decompression in Dallas varies from patient to patient due to the following factors:

* Overall health condition

* Age

* Intensity of the injury

* Pain in the herniated disc

Normally, sessions last less than 30 minutes and the whole treatment is completed in about 18 to 20 sessions. The patient starts feeling the effectiveness of the therapy right after the first session and finds their symptoms disappearing with each subsequent session. Patients suffering from very critical conditions are advised intermittent sessions to eliminate the possibility of recurrence.

Spinal decompression therapy has numerous benefits over surgical treatments. For instance,

* it is not only painless but also far safer than surgery.

* it has much fewer side effects whereas surgery can and does have a great number.

* it costs less than surgical treatments, in money and recovery time.

Spinal Decompression Therapy is a non-surgical traction based treatment that can effectively treat back, neck, arm, and leg pain. It works extremely well for treating herniated or bulging discs in the neck and lower back along with degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, facet arthritis, failed back surgery syndrome, sciatica, and radiculopathy.

The FDA cleared spinal decompression therapy in 1996. It's extremely safe, affordable, and revolutionary.

How Does Spinal Decompression Work?

The treatment is traction-based, with gradual application and release of traction forces designed to "trick" the para-spinal muscles so they do not guard or spasm.

This creates a negative pressure on the spine, which then allows increased blood flow bringing along substantial oxygen and nutrients. This allows the protruded or herniated disc to be pulled back within the normal confines of the disc, which permits healing to occur.

What Conditions Benefit from Spinal Decompression?

繚 Herniated Discs Neck & Back
繚 Bulging Discs
繚 Degenerative Disc Disease
繚 Failed Surgery
繚 Sciatica
繚 Radiculopathy
繚 Spinal Arthritis
繚 Spinal Stenosis
繚 Facet Syndrome

Is Spinal Decompression Therapy Painful? How Many Sessions are Needed?

For the vast majority of patients, treatment is completely painless. A considerable amount of patients actually fall asleep during the sessions.

Based on research and our providers' clinical experience, the best results are achieved with 20 sessions over a six-week period. To reduce inflammation and assist the healing process, supporting structures sometimes are treated with passive therapies (ice/heat/muscle stimulation), chiropractic adjustments (when indicated) and/or active rehabilitation in order to strengthen the spinal musculature.

Are there Clinical Trials that Document the Effectiveness of Spinal Decompression Therapy?

There are quite a few actually, although none are Level 1 studies. In a study published in the Journal of Neuroimaging in 1998, Eyerman found in 20 patients that utilization of spinal decompression therapy resulted in disc herniation reduction and disc rehydration in over half of the patients.

A study in the American Journal of Pain Management by Shealy et al in 1997 showed that 86% of ruptured intervertebral disc patients achieved good to excellent results with decompression. Sciatica and back pain were relieved substantially and of the facet arthrosis patients, 75% obtained good to excellent results with spinal decompression.

One of the most well known studies on decompression therapy was published in the Orthopedic Technology Review in 2003 by Gionis et al. Out of 219 patients, 86% who completed treatment reported immediate resolution of their symptoms, while 84% remained pain free 90 days post-treatment. Physical examination findings showed improvement in 92% of the patients and remained intact in 89% of the patients 90 days after treatment.

Are there Conditions where Spinal Decompression Therapy is Not Indicated?

Decompression Treatment is not recommended for pregnant women, people with severe osteoporosis, or post spinal surgery with instrumentation. Spinal fusion surgery without instrumentation is okay as well as spinal surgery without a fusion.

Do Patients Also Receive Physical Therapy and Rehab Exercises?

Typically yes. To reduce inflammation and to assist in the spinal healing process, physical therapy along with rehab is usually added to strengthen the paraspinal musculature. Also passive therapies like ice (cryotherapy),heat, muscle stimulation, and chiropractic adjustments are added to the mix as well.

How Much Does it Cost and does Insurance cover it?

The cost for 20 sessions ranges typically from $1200 to $4500, which is very reasonable considering the cost and potential adverse outcomes associated with spine surgery.

It's debatable whether insurance covers spinal decompression therapy. Some practices advertise that it does but it can be potentially deceiving. There are some codes for vertebral traction but spinal decompression is not pure traction, it's a "traction-based" treatment. Most centers offering spinal decompression therefore offer it as a cash based fee for service treatment.

The Bottom Line

Spinal decompression therapy has saved many people from spinal surgery. According to a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, surgery is no more effective than non-invasive treatments, including chiropractic care, for patients with lumbar disc herniation causing sciatica.

It is extremely safe, FDA cleared, affordable, and very effective for many conditions such as back, neck, arm, and leg pain.

If numbness and tingling occurs in the feet for no apparent reason, it's a pretty good indication that something is wrong. And, while some of the causes might only be temporary, these symptoms can indicate some serious problems that, if not addressed in a timely manner, may require neuropathy surgery. This makes it vital that anyone who experiences a numbness or tingling foot seek the help of a professional such as a neuropathy doctor.

Temporary Causes

Limited blood flow is one of the most common causes of tingling or numb feet. This can occur any time the feet are elevated for a long period of time, wrapped too tightly with a bandage or clothing, or weighed down. Instead of neuropathy surgery as treatment, however, the patient simply has to remove whatever is restricting blood flow or move his feet to a lower position.

A neuropathy doctor also cannot do much in terms of treating systems caused by temperature. In this instance, fluids have difficulty flowing through cold tissue. The patient just needs to warm the flesh up slowly to eliminate the symptoms.

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Diabetes can take a toll on anyone's body, particularly if they suffer with it for a long period of time. This condition can also cause serious damage to the nerves in the body and feet including the sensory nerves, which allow the body to feel pain, temperature, and touch; motor nerves, which control muscle movement; and autonomic nerves, which control involuntary functions like sweating.

This condition starts out as numbness, tingling, pain, and general discomfort in the feet as well as muscle weakness, balance problems, and changes in the foot's shape as well as dry and cracked skin. Neuropathy surgery is ineffective in this instance, but medications in conjunction with a program to control blood sugar methods have shown great results. A neuropathy doctor may also recommend physical therapy to help treat balance and muscle problems.

Peripheral Neuropathy

While being similar to the diabetic condition, this form of nerve damage is caused by a number of different conditions including toxins, cancer, broken or injured bones, malnutrition, uremia, and AIDS. Sometimes, even the medications used to treat conditions such as cancer or AIDS can cause this problem.

Patients with this condition often notice that the numbness, tingling, and strange sensations such as burning start in the feet and gradually works upwards. The treatment of the condition may vary, however, depending on the cause. A neuropathy doctor might only be able to help ease the symptoms with therapy, acupuncture, or massage if the cause is medications, cancer, or similar illness. If the cause is broken or dislocated bones, however, the physician will need to repair the damage and may also perform neuropathy surgery. Transcutaneous nerve stimulation has also been proven to be effective in some instances.

If there seems to be no apparent reason for the symptoms, it's important to see a neuropathy doctor as soon as possible. This will help determine the cause of the sensations and help prevent the need for neuropathy surgery and the chance of permanent damage.

Thousands of people across the country suffer from frequent bouts with back pains. There are many different kinds of back pains, and some are mild while some can be unbearable. Over the years, scientists and doctors have come up with different ways of alleviating back pain. There are many options available and people suffering from back pains can do special exercises or take pain relievers. The zero gravity recliner is one of the more recent inventions that have been shown to be effective in dealing with debilitating back pains. These chairs are ergonomically designed to be as comfortable as possible, allowing users to sit and relax while forgetting about their back pains.

Since this specialized recliner is referred to as a zero gravity recliner, most people make the mistake of assuming that these chairs give users a feeling of being weightless. However, these chairs were given that name due to the fact that the chair's designers were inspired by NASA technology. A zero gravity chair is designed in such a way that the feet are in an elevated position relative to the heart. This has a dramatic effect on the human body. The pressure on the heart is lowered significantly. In addition to this, the spine is also in a more relaxed position. These features help in alleviating the effects of back pains.

A zero gravity recliner is also very adjustable and individual owners can use them depending on their own needs. These specially-designed chairs come with a number of locks, adjustment knobs and levers, allowing users access to numerous settings. These adjustments make the zero gravity recliner very versatile and people can use them depending on their needs. You can fiddle with the adjustments until you find the perfect settings for you. In addition to all of that, many zero gravity recliners also come with automatic massagers, further increasing their efficacy in dealing with back pains.

When a person sits in a zero gravity recliner, the muscles on the back will automatically decompress. This means that there is less pressure on your spine and you can relax more. As the spine is freed from tension in the back muscles, back pains slowly subside. This position also improves the amount of blood circulating in your back. These special chairs can also help in dealing with spinal disc problems as well as mitigating the effects of other painful back conditions.

If you have problems with your posture, a zero gravity recliner can also help you. Bad posture can lead to a number of serious problems as tension builds up in the back. Using a special chair will allow you to relax your muscles and release the tension. As you continue using your zero gravity recliner, your posture will eventually improve because your muscles get used to being in a relaxed position. These chairs also offer a lot of benefits to people suffering from heart problems. Because your feet are positioned above your heart, your heart has an easier time circulating blood to your entire body. This means that your heart is not working a hard as when you are in a standing position.

The spine is a major part of your body. The vertebral column, which is often referred to as the backbone, can acquire a variety of spinal disorders, some of which can cause major pain, complications, and/ or side effects, in turn sustaining major damage to the spine.

It is constructed of joints that are in between each vertebrae. Just like many other parts of our bodies, the spine is susceptible to major injury. The pressure that we put on our spine through the activities that we do and from aging can play a major part in the development of arthritis in the joints of the spine. The arthritis can also lead to other ailments that affect the spine such as spurs and thickening of the ligaments. If someone develops one of these disorders they can be shoved into the canal of the backbone causing a greater amount of complications. Developing thickening of the ligaments and spurs and having them pushed into the spine can diminish the quantity of space that is in the canal making it less accessible to the nerves and spinal cord which are located in this area.

Spinal injuries can also occur within the discs of the spine. Discs are located between each vertebra and are like a soft cushion. These help with bending and mobility and also act as cushions for the bones that compose the spinal column. Discs can be injured when too much pressure is placed upon them, causing a herniated or ruptured disc. When this type of disorder occurs there can be tingling, numbness, and even pain in the leg since the nerve in the leg runs throughout this area. Disc injuries can be treated through over the counter anti-inflammatory medications when they aren't as serious and if they are worse scenario cases steroid injections and prescription medications may be required.

Another spinal disorder can be spondyloisthesis. This takes place when a vertebra slips forward or backward, becoming out of line with the ones next to it. Spondyloisthesis can be caused by the effect that wear and tear over a number of years can have of the backbone, from a fracture, or even from being born with this disorder. This disorder can cause nerve pressure, lower back pain, or leg pain. The best medicine for a disorder such as this is a high-quality back exercise plan along with anti-inflammatory medication. When you have spondyloisthesis the spine can also sometimes benefit from a surgery called lumber fusion.

The back is a huge support system for the body and all of its elements should be taken care of. Spinal disorders are not to be taken lightly and should be treated by a medical professional or suggested plan or action or program immediately.