More than a decade ago, researchers at the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) were among the first to investigate the effects of spinal decompression on intervertebral discs. They found that astronauts were relieved of low back pain in the antigravity state. In addition, they learned that disc height was increased during a space mission. By combining proven scientific principles with the latest technological developments, a decompression system was developed by a team of physicians and former NASA engineers. The automated system they developed has the capability of decompressing discs to relieve pressure on the spinal nerves caused by disc herniations, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, and posterior facet syndrome. The decompression system uses a mechanized traction device and it features the only FDA-approved cervical attachment. The system reportedly lowers pressures in discs using a combination of harnesses, air bladders, and disc angle pull adjustments to treat lower back pain in a non-invasive, non-surgical manner. The device differs from manual manipulation and traction devices by reducing intervertebral disc pressure within the spine. The decompression system’s distracting process has been shown by MRIs to widen disc height space, allowing a decrease in intradiscal pressure while helping the disc reposition itself. This apparently triggers herniation shrinkage, which educes or eliminates protrusions and pressure on surrounding nerves. According to the manufacturer (Axiom Worldwide), each treatment is centered on a logarithmic ramp-up, hold, and release protocol implemented by a computerized system designed to bypass proprioceptors that restrict ligaments and muscles when they sense movement at the disc. By comparison, spinal manipulation by physical therapy, traction, chiropractic or osteopathic adjustments cannot bypass the body’s protective proprioceptor lockdown response and therefore cannot create negative vacuum pressure for extended periods. In the New England Journal of Medicine, an article by Stephen J. Lipson, M.D. (“Spinal Fusion Surgery –Advances and Concerns,” February 12, 2004), says 151,000 spinal fusions are done each year in America. He advocates restraint because of the complications and typically modest benefits associated with surgery. In a recent study utilizing the spinal decompression system, of 219 patients with herniated discs and degenerative disc disease, 86 percent who completed the therapy showed immediate improvement and resolution of their symptoms; 92 percent improved overall; five patients (2 percent) relapsed within 90 days of initial treatment. (“Spinal Decompression,” Nov/Dec 2003, Vol. 5, No. 6, Thomas Gionis, M.D., and Eric Groteke, D.C., Orthopedic Technology Review.)
A study by the Department of Neurosurgery and Radiology, Rio Grande Regional Hospital and Health Sciences Center, University of Texas published in the Journal of Neurosurgery (Volume 81, September 1994) demonstrates another aspect of decompression therapy: Intradiscal pressure measurement was performed by connecting a cannula inserted into the patient’s L4-5 disc space to a pressure transducer. The patient was placed in a prone position on a vertebral axial decompression therapeutic table and a tensionometer on the table was attached. Changes in pressure were recorded at a resting state and while controlled tension was applied by the equipment. Intradiscal pressure demonstrated an inverse relationship to the tension applied and tension in the upper range was observed to decompress the nucleus pulposus. The results of this study indicate that it is possible to lower pressure in the nucleus pulposus of herniated lumbar discs to levels significantly lower when distraction tension is applied according to the protocol escribed for decompression therapy.
In an another study of 778 patients, Gose et al recommend decompression therapy as a primary treatment modality for low back pain associated with lumbar disc herniation at single or multiple levels, degenerative disc disease, facet arthropathy, and decreased spine mobility. (“Vertebral axial decompression therapy for pain associated with herniated or degenerated discs or facet syndrome: An outcome study,” Neurological Research, April 1998). Researchers found that pain, activity, and mobility scores all improved after therapy. The researchers demonstrated a success rate ranging from 6 percent for facet syndrome to 72 percent for multiple herniated discs, and 73 percent for patients with a single herniated disc. The average successful outcome for all diagnoses was 71 percent. The authors concluded that for patients with low back pain, decompression therapy should be considered as a front-line treatment for degenerative spondylosis, facet syndrome, disc disease, and nonsurgical lumbar radiculopathy.
Back Pain Stems From Many Sources, But You Should Be Able To Find Some Relief
Back pain is pretty much a universal problem and plagues people of all ages, but even more so as we get older. There are many reasons for this, and diagnosis is an important part to treatment. In general, there is no real cure for most related problems, but there is certainly relief available.
You may seek help through your personal physician, an orthopedist, or a chiropractor. It depends upon who you are comfortable with and, of course, the type of trouble you are having. Some of us have chronic pain, but in some cases it can come on suddenly. There may be a defining reason, such as if you twist the “wrong” way or are in an accident. Sometimes, you may not have felt any reason for the onset.
Pregnancy can cause it and so can being overweight. Some problems may begin at the neck and work down. While others, like sciatica may actually start in the back, but cause aching down into the legs.
Usually, most of us will want to start with someone we have seen, our physician. He or she may direct you to someone else for the problem. If it seems like a somewhat simple muscle problem, a little physical therapy or massage may help a lot. Heat packs may also be used. Sometimes muscle relaxants are prescribed for a few days to help relieve the tension of the pull which causes the problem.
Whatever the cause, it is best to not let any condition go untreated. Unless it is pretty minor, the symptoms may get worse, or chronic. This can result in the need of even more treatment needed later down the road.
Some specialists say that poor posture is a large contributing factor to back pain. The more we huddle over the computer keyboard, our laptops or message phone the less we sit up straight. Some people simply slouch in general, which is not healthy for the spine. Whenever you think about it, or if you feel a twinge of pain, sit or stand up straight. Be conscious of your behavior pattern and try to avoid slumping.
There are many exercises one can do to help strengthen the muscles surrounding the spine and prevent or ease problems. Your doctor should be able to recommend some. Do not just start doing exercises you may find on the internet or in a book, as for some these could actually hurt you. Make sure that you take with someone who knows you and any conditions you may have.
Back pain often is a condition of aging be it through osteoporosis, arthritis, bone spurs or something else. Any old injury, which you may have recovered from, may come back to haunt you later in life. Whatever the reason for the problems you are having be sure to see someone and get advice. If severe enough, you may wish to get a couple of opinions not only for diagnosis, but also for treatment. The back is nothing to mess around with, be sure to have any problems checked out.
Epidurals during birthing have become so routine, as mothers are being convinced that pain during labor is unnatural. Convinced that they should not endure pain during the birth process, mothers are set up to believe in a drug instead of their bodies’ own natural capabilities. Sixty four percent of certified nurse midwives reported concern over the increased number of their clients who desire epidural anesthesia, and a majority of certified nurse-midwives surveyed (53%) reported a negative attitude toward the increased use of epidurals.
We started including questions about births years ago on our children’s case history and 9 times out of 10, mothers will check off that they had a “natural childbirth” and in the next question, they check off that they had an epidural. In other words, if they delivered vaginally, and their eyes were open, they are being led to believe that they delivered naturally.
What is not being provided to the parents is the increased complications which are a result of epidural usage. The PDR cautions that “local anesthesia rapidly crosses the placenta…and when used for epidural blocks, anesthesia can cause varying degrees of maternal, fetal and neonatal toxicity.” It continues, “this toxicity can result in the following side effects: hypotension, urinary retention, fecal and urinary incontinence, paralysis of lower extremities, loss of feeling in the limbs headache, backache, septic meningitis, slowing of labor, increased need for forceps and vacuum deliveries, cranial nerve palsies, allergic reactions, respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting and seizures.” Many of these side effects result in multiple complications. For example, maternal hypotension causes bradycardia (decreased heart rate) in the fetus. This altered heart rate can lead to fetal distress and operative deliveries. This has led doctors to warn “a high concentration anesthetics and epinephrine should be avoided, as they may influence labor.”
Things To Know About Epidurals:
Causes longer labors with slower progress.
Can cause fevers in mothers during childbirth.
Increase use of pitocin by as much as 3 ½ times, which causes slow and irregular contractions. Increases use of antibiotics in your baby by as much as 4 times.
Increases use of forceps by as much 4½ – 20 times.
Causes neonatal jaundice due to altered red blood cells.
Increases the incidence of birth trauma due to the use of mechanically assisted deliveries.
Causes adverse behavioral effects of the neonate.
In order to bring about a reversal in epidural usage, mothers must become educated not only on its potential side effects, but on their bodies’ own ability to give birth naturally. The overwhelming fear associated with birth has become a learned behavior in our culture. Fear causes additional muscular tension in the body, resulting in decreased blood supply to organs and therefore impaired uterine function. It is our privilege and obligation as Chiropractors to care for these women throughout their pregnancies, offering them encouragement and educating about choices for their upcoming experience. I have been told by many chiropractors (and have heard it in our own practice) how women look forward to their visit with us because we treat the process of pregnancy with respect, and we enhance the mothers confidence in her own innate abilities.
References:
Graninger EM; McCool WP. Nurse-midwives’ use of and attitudes toward epidural analgesia. J Nurse Midwifery 1998; 43(4):250-61
1996 Physicians Desk Reference
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Thompson TT; Thorp JM Jr; Mayer D; Kuller JA; Bowes WA Jr . Does epidural analgesia cause dystocia? J Clin Anesth 1998; 10(1):58-65
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Alexander JM; Lucas MJ; Ramin SM; McIntire DD; Leveno KJ. The course of labor with and without epidural analgesia. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1998; 178(3):516-20
Lieberman E, Lang JM, Frigoletto F Jr, Richardson DK, Ringer SA, Cohen A, Epidural analgesia, intrapartum fever, and neonatal sepsis evaluation. Pediatrics 1997; 99(3): 415-9
McRae-Bergeron CE; Andrews CM; Lupe PJ. The effect of epidural analgesia on the second stage of labor. AANA J 1998; 66(2):177-82
Clark DA; Landaw SA. Bupivacaine alters red blood cell properties: a possible explanation for neonatal jaundice associated with maternal anesthesia. Pediatr Res 1985; 19(4):341-3
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Menticoglou SM; Perlman M; Manning FA; High cervical spinal cord injury in neonates delivered with forceps: report of 15 cases. Obstet Gynecol 1995; 86(4 Pt 1):589-94
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