Posts Tagged Degenerative Disc Disease

Spinal Decompression Offers Freedom From Back Pain

Spinal Decompression Is The Ultimate Back Pain Reliever Today, there’s new hope for sufferers of chronic neck and back pain due to sciatica, herniated or bulging discs, and degenerative disc disease. A recently developed procedure, Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression, offers patients a chance of resuming a normal life, without medications or surgery . Since back injury with resulting back pain is the leading Workmen’s Comp injury and the main reason for disability in people under 45, news of a new treatment is indeed consoling. Common causes of pain include injuries sustained from car accident, fall or trauma relative form. Back or neck pain strikes more casualties since it could be the result of long time iterative stress arising from occupation, improper spinal posture, aging and fast deterioration of spinal condition. The cervical spine of the neck and the lumbar spine of the lower back are most commonly injured. The Culprits Behind Back Pain The best way to understand Spinal Decompression as a pain reliever is to understand the triggering factors of pain. The spinal column is composed of  25 vertebrae and between each are intervertebral discs which act as shock absorbing shields, and allowing the spine to bend, twist and turn.  Healthy discs refer to tough cartilage pads with thick and flexible features containing an inner jelly-like component. Discs compress when pressure is put upon them and are similar to a sponge; when you squeeze it, the water is forced out of the sponge. When the pressure is removed, the sponge ‘sucks the water’ back into it.The procedure starts with the compression and bulging out of the jelly-like material within the disk causing pressure on a spinal nerve which interferes with normal blood circulation. If ruptures or tears take place, this can lead to a herniated disc often known as a ‘slipped disc’, ruptured disc or ‘blown out disc’. As it is deprived of nutrients and oxygen over time, the unhealthy disc flattens, and becomes stiff and solid similar to the case of a dry sponge which can lead to degenerative disc disease. Disc pressure on the spinal nerve causes back or leg pain, possibly numbness and tingling called Sciatica. This excruciating pain which can also affect the thigh to the lower leg and foot can surface unexpectedly. Often referred to as a ‘pinched nerve’, the pain can be acute, prolonged and debilitating, often with muscle weakness.  Cervical spine injuries cause much the same symptoms only numbness and tingling occur in the arms and hands. Ultimately, these disorders result in severe, nagging chronic low back or neck pain. Theoretical Aspects of Spinal Decompression Therapy Standard treatments include physical/chiropractic therapy, epidural injections, (an injection into the epidural space of the spinal cord), treatment with NSAIDs,(non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). If the outcome is not successful, surgery option is resorted to. Based on statistical information, back surgery is the second most popular ailment which warrants surgical procedure. Results are not always spectacular and some patients have even more post-surgical difficulties. Spinal Decompression Therapy is machine based that makes use of FDA compliant medical technology to undertake the gentle stretching of the spine, gradually reducing the pressure on the affected discs by slowly drawing the vertebrae apart. disc decompression yields a negative pressure causing a vacuum effect, reducing the size of the herniation. Similar to the way a dry sponge sucks up water, the jelly-like substance is drawn back into the disc, decreasing pressure on the nerve root and relieving pain and numbness. Nutrients are drawn into the disc, helping it heal and return to its normal size. The vertebral height is increased to allow more space for the disc as compression is relieved. During a treatment, the patient wears a harness which is fitted around his pelvis and chest. He lies on a special table, operated by a computerized program specifically developed to treat his spinal disorder. The duration for each treatment is around 20 to 45 minutes and most patients report no discomfort; while many find their symptoms decreasing after only a few sessions. The average length of treatment is 5 days a week for 4 to 6 weeks. Therapy procedure may also consist of ultrasound treatments, electric stimulation, hot or cold packs to the affected area plus a specific exercise program. Patients are encouraged to take in at least ½ gallon of  fluid daily and take in necessary nutritional supplements to fast track the healing process of the injured discs. In terms of insurance coverage, this is on a case to case basis. Certain conditions are contraindications to Non-surgical Spinal Decompression: severe osteoporosis, myelitis, anlylosing spondylitis, fracture, surgical procedures where there are metal implants such as screws or rods, cancer and spinal tumors. For applicable conditions, this treatment is a sigh of relief from chronic and debilitating pain.

Americans spend at least $50 Billion each year on <a href="http://www.usspinecare.com/back-pain-facts.html” rel=”nofollow”>low back pain and it is the second most common neurological ailment in the United States. Find your way to a more healthy back thru <a href="http://www.usspinecare.com/how-spinal-decompression-works.html” rel=”nofollow”>spinal decompression. Visit http://www.usspinecare.com.
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Benefits of Spinal Decompression Therapy

Spinal decompression therapy is a non surgical treatment for chronic lower back pain caused by degenerative disc disease, herniated disc or other deformities of the disc.  This treatment is also adopted for pain in the neck, arms or legs and involves reducing the load to the spine. Spinal decompression therapy is otherwise called Vertebral Axial Decompression (VAX-D). In the early days, major surgeries were the only relief for chronic lower back pain. Now we can avoid surgeries by making use of spinal decompression therapy. This therapy has an FDA approval for lower back ailments. This treatment is adopted for treatment of conditions such as pain in the lower back, buttocks, and hip with or without numbness in the foot or leg.

Spinal decompression therapy is meant for patients suffering from back pain due to herniated disc for more than four weeks. Those having recurring back pain even after back surgery, which is more than six months old, can also make use of spinal decompression therapy.

Medical researches have supported decompression therapy as recent studies have proved it to be safer and more effective than spinal surgery. Sciatica, spondylosis, degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, soft-tissue spinal stenosis, and facet arthropathy are caused by compression of discs. Spinal decompression therapy offers the best treatment for these conditions.

A bulging or herniated disc can cause excruciating pain in the lower back portion. This can be returned to the normal condition using spinal decompression. Spinal decompression lengthens the bulging disc by placing traction. This activity helps the disc absorb the nutrients required to heal the disc. This is done by producing a negative pressure inside the disc. Thus the pain and discomfort produced by the bulging disc is eliminated.

The cost for spinal decompression therapy is only about 10% that for lumbar surgery, which makes it an economical option. It is ideal therefore to opt for spinal decompression therapy for a more effective and safer treatment involving minimum cost and in minimum time.

Igor Stiler is a medical consultant at HealthQuest, a state of the art multi-specialty office in Brooklyn, NY. By combining neurology, chiropractic care, physical therapy and rehabilitation, HealthQuest provides the highest quality care and services available. We have licensed physicians and technologists who are well experienced in offering spinal decompression services through a comprehensive package including heat, soft tissue massage, ice, myofascial release, electrical therapy, stretches and exercises.
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A Controlled Study Of Spinal Decompression And Tens For Treatment Of Low Back Pain

Several studies have been completed and reported on the success rates of the treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain using the mechanized Spinal Decompression machine. One study recently appeared in May 2007 in Chiropractic and Osteopathy. It compared success rates from the use of a non-surgical intermittent mechanized traction machine with the use of TENS in relieving low back pain due to a herniated or bulging disc. First, to understand any study, you need a picture of the disorder and the chronic misery it causes. Back pain due to an injury or accident is the leading Workmen’s Comp injury and the main reason for disability in people under 45. The spinal column is made up vertebrae stacked one on top of another. Between each vertebra is a tough, fibrous cushion, called an intervertebral disc, which contains a jelly-like substance. These discs act as cushions absorbing shock and allowing the spine to bend, twist and turn. Healthy discs are thick, flexible and compress when pressure is put upon them, like a sponge. When there is an injury, the vertebra may shift out of alignment or compress the disc causing the disc to bulge or rupture, out the jelly like substance. This herniated disc or bulging disc causes pressure on the spinal nerves, resulting in pain, numbness, and may progress to decreased function in the affected arm or leg.It is also known as:• a pinched nerve• sciatica• a blown out disc• a slipped discThe protrusion of the disc or its core material not only causes pressure on the spinal nerves, it compresses blood vessels and interferes with circulation to the area. Deprived of nutrients and oxygen, the disc cannot heal, and, over time, flattens, becoming stiff and hard, just like a dry sponge. This condition develops into degenerative disc disease.Standard treatment has included:• Physical/chiropractic therapy• epidural injections (an injection into the epidural space of the spinal cord)• NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs)• Hot or cold packs with massage • Electrical stimulation (TENS)• Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression• Acupuncture • Surgery – as a final resort A treatment method that is gaining support is Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression, in which some studies show a success rate of 71% to 90%. An FDA approved machine, using a computerized program gently stretches the patient’s spine, slowly drawing the vertebrae apart, relieving pressure on the disc, allowing it to heal. Testing of the machine continues and a recent study compares treatment results of Decompression Therapy with that of the TENS ( Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) unit. TENS is a small unit which can be worn during therapy. This FDA approved treatment for back pain delivers low-volt electrical current to the affected area through electrodes. Its electrodes pierce the skin just deep enough to reach nerve fibers, usually 1 to 2 inches. It activates the body’s pain fighting mechanisms and may be used several hours a day. The StudyThe object of the study was to compare the effectiveness of the two treatment methods in relieving pain and improving mobility in patients with a bulging or herniated disc. Subjects were recruited through newspaper advertisements and had to meet several criteria for inclusion in the testing:• Disc protrusion or herniation confirmed by MRI (Magnetic Resonate Imaging) or CT scan (Computerized Tomography)• Low Back Pain for 3 months or more; could be associated with pain radiating to one or both legs. • Average duration of pain was 7.3 yearsThe study enrolled 44 patients; the average age was 42 years. The group was initially divided into 2 groups of 22 people each.• Spinal Decompression treatments consisted of 30 minute sessions, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. This was followed by once a week treatment for 4 additional weeks.• The TENS Group received treatment with a TENS unit for 30 minutes daily for 20 days. This was followed by a weekly treatment for 4 additional weeks.• Both groups were able to take anti-inflammatory and non-narcotic pain relievers. The ResultsThe outcome was measured by the 10 centimeter Visual Analog Pain Scale (VAS) and a disability scale. The disability scale rated the subject’s ability to perform their most affected activity on a 0 to 4 scale, with 4 being “could do an activity without limitation”. Success was defined as a 50% improvement in the VAS, showing the degree of pain relief. Any decrease in disability was given a positive rating. During the study, 4 subjects dropped out, leaving 19 in the Decompression Group and 21 in the TENS Group, a total of 40 participants.Conclusions:Spinal Decompression:• 13 out of 19 people (68.4%) showed improvement. • The 6 months follow-up showed 7 out of 19 people maintained their level of improvementTENS Treatment:• 0 out of 21 subjects showed any improvement. . Additional scientific studies are being planned or are underway now to demonstrate conclusively the treatment effectiveness of Spinal Decompression Therapy.

Paul G Miller is a <a href="http://www.usspinecare.com/Lake-Worth-chiropractic.html” rel=”nofollow”>Pembroke Pines spinal decompression therapist who has worked with individuals with back pain problems for seven years.
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