SPINAL DECOMPRESSION: A TREATMENT FOR BACK PAIN

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.

Spinal Decompression Therapy can be a great alternative to surgery. If considering spinal decompression therapy, it is important you visit an Experienced New York City Chiropractor that you can trust. Dr. Nektalov has the experience and provides free demonstrations!

The Epidural Epidemic

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
Stavrou C; Hofmeyr GJ; Boezaart AP. Prolonged fetal bradycardia during epidural analgesia. Incidence, timing and significance. S Afr Med J 1990; 77(2):66-8
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
Studd JW; Crawford JS; Duignan NM; Rowbotham CJ; Hughes AO. The effect of lumbar epidural analgesia on the rate of cervical dilatation and the outcome of labour of spontaneous onset. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1980; 87(11):1015-21
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
Town A. Latent spinal cord and brain stem injuries in newborn infants Develop Ed Child Neural 1969, 11; 54-68
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
Murray AD; Dolby RM; Nation RL; Thomas DB. Effects of epidural anesthesia on newborns and their mothers. Child Dev1981; 52(1):71-82

WHO SHOULD SEE A CHIROPRACTOR?

The fact of the matter EVERYONE can BENEFIT from Chiropractic. Chiropractic has been around for over 100 years. Chiropractic has been increasing in popularity not because people believing in chiropractic, but because it works very effectively in not just eliminating people’s pain but also improving spinal health. People often tell me “well I don’t believe chiropractic works”, guys its not a religion to believe in it or not, chiropractic either works or it does not. Scientific studies have been proving over and over that Chiropractic gold standard for spinal treatment. People also tell me “if you start chiropractic, you will get addicted to it”. No one gets addicted to chiropractic, but people do get addicted to being PAIN FREE and feeling more healthier.

If you have a spine whether you are a child or an adult, you should be checked by chiropractor first. See if we can help you or not. The worse case scenario we cannot help you and at lease you not going to get worse in your symptoms. Remember HEALTHY SPINE HEALTHY LIFE!

PINCHED NERVE

Pinched nerve can be very painful symptom in one of spinal conditions. If you are having pain in your neck and back that is sharp, tingling, numbness, burning and shooting pain down the arm or leg, it is most likely a pinched nerve that is coming from the spine. It often starts because of too much pressure by surrounding tissues – such as bones, muscles or tendons. What can cause it?

  1. Poor posture
  2. Poor night sleep
  3. Long duration of sitting at a computer or driving
  4. Lifting heavy objects
  5. Reaching above the head

Most people start off with over the counter medication, which is simply pain management and covering up the problem. Often leads to more dangerous, invasive medical intervention.

At our Total Chiropractic Wellness Center, patients do not just come for pain relief but seek for the root cause of the pinched nerve, so that we can treat damaged areas for complete healing that lasts a lifetime. Most often this includes a full spinal evaluation, posture scan, muscle testing, orthopedic evaluation and x-rays using state of the art technology to determine the exact location of the pinched nerve.

CHIROPRACTIC AND CAR ACCIDENTS

Car accidents can very easily cause spinal misalignments in the body, especially in rear end accidents, which irritates nerves, bones, ligaments and discs and can damage your overall health.

If you have been in a car accident and feeling sharp pain in your neck and/or back, it is most likely a nerve pinching in your spine, which can accompany with inflammation around those delicate nerve roots. It is strongly recommended to ice it for 20 min, every hour, 5-6 hour a day. It may feel better during heat, but you actually causing more harm by increasing more inflammation in the area.

No matter how minor your accident is, you need a chiropractic spinal checkup to ensure that your spine is free from nerve interference, which can turn into spinal degenerative process left untreated. Only a chiropractor is trained to analyze your spine for the vertebral misalignments.

SAME DAY PAIN RELIEF!

When visiting a doctor with any kind of muscular skeletal pain, the only think you thinking is how fast can the doctor take the pain away? Well we have just the right treatment for you, the ATM2! A breakthrough this new instrument can relieve or totally eliminate your pain and stiffness in seconds. The ATM2 device is our new baby that is going to make you feel like a million bucks, or should I say . . . a million times better? Professional athletes are notorious for using this device but does that mean that you, personally, have to be a professional athlete to be using the ATM2? NO WAY. Many people experience pain every day for many different reasons and sadly, we often neglect out pain and make up many reasons to avoid the reality of our neglected pain.

Discover pain free life again in 2013. The ATM approach focuses on our functionality and normalizing impaired movements through the use of Active Therapeutic Movements (ATM). The ATM approach aims at reducing or eliminating pain completely.

PULLED YOUR BACK?

Unfortunately people find out about their herniated disc in the back for the first time is when they pull or lift something very simple. Not realizing that herniated disc has been developing there for years without having any symptoms of pain. Simply lifting their child can complete a full blown herniated disc in the back, which can be so painful that some people drop on their knees, unable to hold themselves due to pain. This is exact reason it is recommended to get a spinal checkup and x-rays to make sure nothing is cooking in your back.

At out office we utilize digital x-ray, which can catch every little think in the spine. Even though x-rays cannot show the disc itself, but it will show the disc space and if there is bony degeneration which is sign of disc degeneration in the spine. At that point we will refer to MRI to confirm disc herniation. Catching it at early stage has a better chance in recovering.

Back Pain Due to Stress

Eight to ten hours of work on a daily bases creates huge amount of stress not just a mind, but also to the spine. Most people are either sitting or standing during the job, without taking any breaks to stretch and/or move around. When spinal joints lack motion, over time they become stiff and can create inflammation within the joints and nerve roots. Prolong stiffness in the spine can cause build up of spinal arthritis. Studies have shown that it can begin as early as age of 20.

First thing that happens, loss of spinal alignment than loss of spinal disc height due to dehydration. Once the spinal arthritis begins, its becomes very difficult to reverse it.

It is very strongly recommended to be evaluated by chiropractor and getting spinal x-ray.

Why First Chiropractic?

According to World Health Organization Chiropractic is holistic gold standard treatment for any muscular skeletal injuries or conditions. Dr Mehmet Oz states that PAIN is the number one reason patients go to the doctor. About 35% of Americans, pain escalates into a chronic problem lasting 3 to 6 months, or even longer. Approximately 50 million people in US are disabled because of chronic pain.

Unfortunately people are seeking pain management clinics, where they utilize pain killers and injecting a shot into affected area. People are not realizing that’s only temporally relief of pain and not correcting what is causing the pain. Along with any invasive procedures you are opening doors to very serious complications. According to a study in 2007 “Complications of Joint, Tendon, and Muscle injections” the most common complications appear to be infections that have been associated with virtually all kinds of injections. These infections include spondylodiscitis, septic arthritis, epidural abscess, necrotizing fasciitis, osteomyelitis, gas gangrene, and albicans arthritis. Other complications include spinal cord injury and peripheral nerve injuries, pneumothorax, air embolism, pain or swelling at the site of injection, chemical meningism, granulomatous inflammation of the synovium, aseptic acutearthritis, embolia cutis medicamentosa, skeletal muscle toxicity, and tendon and fascial ruptures.

Please keep in mind once invasive procedure has been done there is no going back. That is why Chiropractic is recommended first and if Chiropractic does not work for you, you can always go and seek pain management care.

CHIROPRACTIC CARE AFTER CAR ACCIDENT

car_accident_2_by_garri69-d4p0urkOne of devastating experience in personal injury is being involved in car accident. According to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), over 30 million personal injuries occur throughout the U.S. each year, which NCHS considers injuries to be serious health problems.

According to the NCHS, annually in the US there are:

  • 162,000 injury related death
  • 1,903,000 injury related hospital discharges
  • 29,529,000 injury related emergency room visits
  • 31,128,000 injury related doctor visits

Unfortunately over 50% of people develop chronic pain and suffer for many years. The reason is because over 80% of all people that were involved in car accident are just seeking for pain relief and not correcting the problem that is causing the pain. Number one result of all rear end collision is whiplash injury, which weakens the neck. In its most simple form, whiplash is this: the occupant’s torso is accelerated in one direction, while the head is going in the opposite direction. In between the head and the torso is the neck, and it’s not surprising that most of the injury takes place in the ligaments that hold the vertebrae together.

Over 100 years Chiropractic has been gold standard treatment for all muscular skeletal injuries. Chiropractors diagnose and evaluate the entire spine and other joints that might have been affected. Careful treatment by a chiropractor can give quicker relief that most other methods of treatment, in case of whiplash injury.

What to expect from first chiropractic visit? Full spinal posture evaluation, spinal orthopedic and neurological examination, spinal x-ray evaluation and if needed spinal MRI, followed by report of findings. The success stories of chiropractic in the treatment of whiplash injuries are well evident by several research studies. Chiropractic care has always been proven to be highly effective with higher success rates than its conventional counterparts.

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