Saturday, June 15, 2013

Certain Rowing Exercises Can Potentially Relieve Symptoms of Scoliosis


As part of the scoliosis workout routines proposed to correct posture and also relieve pain in the spine, rowing exercises are in fact an excellent option. Rowing exercises may be used as a healing method for scoliosis considering it can work the sizable muscle groups around the back as well as shoulders, working to strengthen the muscles throughout the spinal column to stop misaligned parts from becoming worse. Below you'll find a checklist of a number of rowing routines which are often beneficial to people suffering from scoliosis:

1. Bent-Over Rows - Stand with your legs a bit wider than your shoulders and drop down at the knees just a little. Poke your rear end out there as if you were attempting to brace against a wall and maintain your spine as straight as you possibly can. Put your arms straight out with palms facing straight down and holding the weights in your hands, and position your hands just in front of the knees. Pull your arms back and upwards a little more. Your arms should be alongside your upper rib cage and your elbows will be behind your back. Then clench your shoulder blades together as firm as you are able to in advance of releasing the clench and also lowering your arms back toward the knees. Once more, continue to keep your spinal column as straight as you can and certainly do not overextend the neck, keep your head up and don't let yourself look down.

2. Upright Rows - Upright rows tend to be very simple and also require you to use smaller-sized hand weights. The most typical weights used for this exercise usually are within 2 and five pounds each. Come up straight and put your arms right in front of yourself lowered to around your waist. Your palms really need to be facing your thighs bearing the weights, and steadily draw your arms upward with the use of your elbows barely above your hands. Then urge your arms back all the way down and then temporarily stop prior to doing it again. Repeat this exercise ten times to achieve 1 set, then continue completing 2 additional sets featuring a small breather in between each of these. Make it a point through this helpful routine to have your body's posture as vertical as you can.

3. Singular-Arm Rows - Utilizing something to lean on top of with the left hand, such as a chair or perhaps a exercise ball, grasp a slightly heavier weight inside of the right hand. Lunge forward using your legs so now the knees are bent slightly and one foot is at the front of your body and the other is just in back of your body.

Take the right arm and then suspend it by your foremost knee. Bring it all the way up and also backwards until your right hand is in fact next to your rib cage. Work on pulling the shoulder blades together as tightly as you can. Then gradually over time let your right arm travel downwards. Bring this about 10 reps for three sets on each particular arm.

In conclusion, remember that you should never start an exercise routine without consent from a qualified professional. The goal of these workouts is to improve your spinal health, and not to cause further injury.

Back and Body Roller


The effects of the Back and Body Roller on the Spine

As a chiropractor I'm always looking for different ways to explain just what it is I'm trying to accomplish to the patient as far as what is going on when an adjustment is delivered and what I am trying to accomplish as an end result. The Back and Body Roller's end result as far as assisting in inducing spinal motion back into the vertebrae is the same as what we do as chiropractors when we do an adjustment, the Back and Body Roller just does it more passively by gently rolling over the high center therapy balls that are located in the center of the device.

Chiropractors have therapy machines in their office called Spinolators in which you lay backside down and rollers from inside the table roll along side your spine inducing what we call "intersegmental traction", these therapy tables cost in the neighborhood of around $4000.00, the Back and Body Roller does the same thing only YOU have control over the direction of the therapy, instead of laying on a therapy table (spinolator table) and it having full control, and for a lot less money, only $59.95, and not only is it portable but a lot more versatile, it has handles which allows you to do body work on a friend or loved one, not just on the spine but on the entire body musculature for great massage work.

To explain further, achieving this "intersegmental traction" or "release of fixation" you lay the Back and Body Roller on the floor or against the wall and place your spine on either side of the therapy balls and roll up and down, what happens is as the spine rolls over the higher center therapy balls and it induces what we call "intersegmental traction" which is basically tractioning the adjacent vertebrae thus releasing the "fixation" that is causing the pain in the spine. Each individual vertebrae are suppose to move separately upon one another which gives the range of motion in our spines and allows us to move freely in our daily, recreational or sporting activities. If you can imagine a piano player and how they place the back of their fingers on one end of the key board pressing down and sweeping their hand to the other side of the key board causing the individual piano keys to go up and down, you can see that each piano key has freedom of movement, well the vertebrae is supposed to have the same type individual movement.

When a "fixation" happens in the spine it would be like 3-4 piano keys being "stuck" together so as the piano player tries to sweep his hand down the key board to move each individual piano key he would come to the few keys that are "stuck" and could not accomplish that task, of course this is an over simplification but you get the idea. The spine is the organ of movement, and also houses and protects the spinal cord and exiting nerves, so it is very important to keep this organ healthy and flexible, purchase a Back and Body Roller and invest in helping your spines ability to keep you moving.

Dr. Robert M. Siegfried, D.C.

Bulging Disc Therapy - Solutions To Bulging Disc Problems


A bulging disc is a spine related condition in which a disc weakens and, due to constant pressure, shifts out of its normal position creating a bulge. As a person ages, the spine loses its fluids and becomes immensely vulnerable to different stress factors. Excess weight, poor posture, smoking and other degeneration diseases take a toll on the spine and weakens it constantly.

The best chiropractic therapy for bulging discs is spinal decompression. This involves manual and mechanical measures to proceed with the therapy. It uses a mechanical traction unit that is controlled by an on-board operating computer. This unit basically controls the force and angle of the disc distractions and neutralizes the body's capacity to generate muscle spasms.

During this therapy, the patient is supposed to lay, fully clothed on the table for decompression. The vibrating units are used to relax the muscles in the spine in order to maximize the effectiveness of the therapy. To open up the segments of the spine, the decompression table is tilted at a particular angle to use the gravitational pull to extend the spine. When the spine is extended, the pressure on it is reduced. This results in the therapy being more effective.

Apart from playing a significant role in reducing the spinal pressure, the therapy also helps to create a vacuum in the spinal region which, in turn, aids the spine into get back to its normal position and reduces the bulging disc. Non-surgical therapy using spinal decompression also reverts nerve impairments, helps spinal discs to heal and also reduces spine loading.

Non-surgical spinal decompression is thus, most advisable due to the following reasons:

1. It is very safe and the entire procedure is very gentle.
2. The therapy is comfortable and painless.
3. It is a lot more affordable than surgery.
4. It is not invasive.
5. This therapy is completely FDA certified.
6. The therapy is a proven success.
7. It provides a long-term relief from bulging discs.

There are several versions of spinal decompression that take into consideration your personal needs and adjusts accordingly to provide maximum comfort. The Range-of-Motion decompression technique adjusts according to the patient's spinal posture during the process of decompression. This helps the pulling process from the traction unit to reach deep in the tissues and the other spinal regions. These particular points are generally not accessible by linear decompression and are mostly neglected in other treatment techniques.

The way non surgical spinal decompression therapy works on bulging discs is incredible. The therapy has worked wonders for those who have tried it and are now leading normal lives without physical restrictions. It is considered to be a "better alternative" than any surgical or medical treatments. It does not involve any pain during the whole procedure and it is entirely comfortable. Moreover, unlike other surgical treatments, this is very affordable and gives relief from pain for an extended period of time. For a person who has being suffering from bulging disc, it is never too late to take advantage of such a promising therapy that assures long term pain relief.

Extreme Lower Back Pain - Causes and Treatment


Extreme lower back pain can be a very debilitating and frustrating condition. There can be several causes for this.

Increasing age

Ageing means the deterioration in the strength and flexibility of the muscles and bones. The discs in the spinal column lose their fluid and elasticity, which adversely affects their ability to provide support and cushion to the spine.

Lifting heavy objects

When a weak or an old person tries to lift or pull anything that is too heavy for his strength, his muscles experience strain, sprain or spasm, which leads to pain in the back.

Degeneration of bones

Degeneration of the bones may lead to bone diseases like arthritis, osteoporosis, viral infections in the joints and some other abnormal conditions in the spinal column.

Weight gain

Weight gain due to obesity or pregnancy may cause posture problems and exert pressure on the muscles of the back and cause strain on them.

All these factors cause extreme lower back pain.

Treatment

Lower back pain can be treated by do-it-yourself efforts, if it is at its initial stage and has been caused by simple activities such as lifting heavy weights, etc.

1. Rest

The pain can be relieved by lying in a posture that provides rest to the stressed back. This can be done by lying on the back on the floor and putting one or two pillows below the knees. This arrangement raises the hip slightly upwards and places the lower back flatly on the floor. A day or two of rest is likely to relieve the pain.

2. Exercises

Some simple exercises that stretch the lower back can also bring relief.

One exercise is to stretch the back by arching it. To do this, first lie with your face on the floor, put your hands on the floor and lift your upper body upwards so that it forms a slight arch. This will stretch your lower back. Stay in this position for 10-15 seconds and come back to the earlier position. Repeat this exercise 5-10 times.

Swimming, walking, yoga also helps to cure the extreme lower back pain.

Hot packs, massage with balm or taking over-the-counter pain killers like aspirin also helps to relieve the back pain.

If these simple steps do not show results, consult your doctor.

What Is Scoliosis?


What is scoliosis? The medical term scoliosis signifies a spine that curves sideways. About 12 percent of the population suffers from scoliosis but it is often so minimal that it remains undiagnosed. There are four types of scoliosis:



  • Congenital scoliosis is present at birth. Usually, the spinal vertebrae and ribs are poorly formed.




  • Neuromuscular scoliosis is an umbrella term for a wide variety of condition; however, there is always some damage to nerves and muscles, usually caused by such disease as polio or cerebral palsy.





  • Traumatic scoliosis is caused by an injury to a previously normal spine. A spinal fracture, unrelated surgery, radiation treatment, or injury to muscle and tissues at the side of the spine can all cause traumatic scoliosis.





  • Idiopathic scoliosis accounts for 70 to 80 percent of all cases of scoliosis. Despite extensive research, precise cause is unknown. Recent studies point to genetic factors, but further investigation needs to be done to confirm this theory. In children with idiopathic scoliosis, the spine is normal at birth and starts to curve just before or during the adolescent growth spurt. This type of scoliosis affects both boys and girls, but almost all of the severe cases occur in girls.

Scoliosis conditions of all types are categorized according to the severity of the curve. A curve of 30 degrees or less is considered mild and may remain undetected until the person is examined for unrelated backache later in life. For mild scoliosis which does not appear to be progressing, serial observation will usually suffice. There is no active treatment; the doctor simply examines the patient at regular intervals to ensure that the condition is not getting worse.

If you think that your back pain may be caused by mild scoliosis there are some scoliosis exercises that you can do. Swimming, for instance, will increase your flexibility and strengthen your trunk muscles without stressing your body. Many people also find that yoga for scoliosis is very helpful. You should first be checked out by a family physician, however, in case something more than exercise is required.

Treatment at Spine Center Can Do Wonders for Your Spine Pain


A spine center can directly affect your outcome of treatment if you are having issues with your back or spine. With 80% of Americans reporting at least some type of back pain, the need for spine centers to address this pain is relevant. The back is a vital part of the body with its support required to walk, run, sit and bend. A spine center will be staffed with professionals to treat all aspects of back pain, with the experience, training and tools to provide relief.

Spine Center Professionals

A spine treatment center will typically be directed by an orthopedic surgeon. This specialist will have attended medical school with a specialty in the musculoskeletal system, and be board certified by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. A well-qualified orthopaedic surgeon will have completed fellowship training in spine surgery. Because back pain is an issue that can often be controlled with pain management, often an anesthesiologist board certified by the American Board of Pain Management will be available at the center as well. This specialist may also have fellowship training in pain management and as well as anesthesiology. The registered nurses (RNs) of a spine pain treatment center have been trained in pain management and dealing with spinal issues as well and can record patient symptoms to relate to the physician.

Non-surgical Options at a Spine Center

There are five regions of the spine with the most recognizable the top three: cervical (neck), thoracic (middle back) and lumbar (lower back). Lumbar back pain is the most common, and with rest and treatment, can often be relieved with non-surgical options. With physicians on staff at a spine treatment center, prescription medications for pain and muscle relaxing can be ordered when over the counter (OTC) drugs are not effective any longer. After a proper diagnosis, these stronger pain killers may be prescribed before any treatment takes place. Some of the treatments may include physical therapy, massage, electrical nerve stimulation, traction and back supports. In addition, at-home treatments will include the use of hot/cold packs, stretching and extension exercises, and proper rest. With the rest prescribed, the patient will also be asked to slowly move into an exercise routine to strengthen the muscles around the affected area.

Minimally-invasive Options

Sometimes the non-surgical treatment options do not relieve the pain. A spine center will have the tools to offer minimally-invasive back treatments that do not require a trip to the hospital. When a nerve has pressure from a herniated vertebral disc, steroid and anesthetic injections can ease pain in the area and can last up to six months or more. Kyphoplasty, the insertion of an x-stop spacer for spinal stenosis, and minimally invasive spinal fusion are all treatment options with a spine center specialist.

Surgical Options

When minimally-invasive or non-surgical spine pain relief options do not relieve back pain discomfort, the physicians at a spine treatment center may recommend surgery. With the many back conditions and different areas of the back to be addressed, there are also numerous surgical procedures that can be recommended. Laminectomy, spinal fusion, discectomy and disc replacement are a few of the more common.

The bottom line is that a spine center will be able to offer specialized care to an individual with spine issues and should be considered for dedicated expertise.

Friday, June 14, 2013

Treating SI Joint Dysfunction in Children


Children with sharp, one-sided lower back pain that travels down the buttocks may be suffering from sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction. The condition is often caused by rigorous sports play in youth and is far more common in girls, given the general looseness of the developing female pelvic girdle.

The SI joints attach the large hip bones to the spine on each side. They typically allow for very little movement; SI joint dysfunction occurs when too much or too little movement is allowed. The repeated stresses of activities like dance or track and field, or impact injuries from sports like football or softball, can cause the joint to be either dislodged or locked in place.

SI joint dysfunction can be identified either by injecting a numbing agent into the joint to see if it stops the pain or by an assessment in which the child performs certain movements and indicates pain to an observing professional trained to identify SI joint dysfunction through movement patterns. This condition is increasingly thought to be a prevalent and overlooked cause of back pain in adults. It may also be prevalent among young people, whose bodies are still developing.

It may be frightening to imagine a child with a misaligned joint, but SI joint dysfunction may be very easily and safely treated among youth. One study sought to test the effectiveness of muscle energy technique in the realignment of the SI joint. Put simply, muscle energy technique involves the patient using his or her muscles to push against a counterforce. In the study, youth diagnosed with SI joint dysfunction did hip extension and flexion exercises while a physical therapist provided resistance. From a supine position, each patient first attempted to straighten their affected side's leg as the therapist resisted; this engaged the gluteus maximum muscle in the buttocks and pulled back on the pelvis. If this didn't realign the joint, the patients would attempt to re-bend the leg as the therapist resisted; this engaged the iliopsoas in the front of the hip and pulled the pelvis forward.

By using simple muscle engagement to change the position of the pelvis, 80% of the study's participants experienced significant relief of painful symptoms. 53% had complete, immediate resolution of pain. Average pain scale scores dropped nearly 4 points (within a 10-point scale) post-treatment. Of the 20% (9 patients) who did not experience relief, 2 had a spinal condition and 3 had histories of spinal surgeries. The full study can be viewed at http://thejns.org/doi/full/10.3171/2012.2.PEDS11220?prevSearch=si%2Bjoint&searchHistoryKey=.

Many of the youth in this study had been in pain for years. It is important to be aware of simple, natural treatments for pain like the muscle energy technique, which can get kids back into the activities they love without the concerns of pain medication or surgery.

Treating sacroiliac joint dysfunction in children and young adults may be as simple as a trip to the physical therapist. Help your children grow up healthy by being aware of different back pain conditions affecting youth.

Sciatica and Back Pain Treatment


What is the Sciatica?
Sciatica is a term given to the pain experienced when the sciatic nerve is causing a person pain. Therefore let's take a look at the spine. A human spine is made up of a number of individual bones linked together with tendons. Discs cushion the bones or vertebrae. These bones and discs protect the spinal nerve and all of its tendrils that jut out of narrow openings in the spine to service the rest of your body. If a nerve becomes agitated or pinched in between the bones this results in pain. The typical vertebrae that impinge on the sciatic nerve are the L4, L5 L6 and S-1. This is the largest nerve in your body and can cause the most debilitating pain.

What are the symptoms of Sciatica?
One of the symptoms is muscle weakness and a 'pins and needles' feeling in the legs can occur or this might even be felt in the feet. Numbness can also be felt anywhere along the length of the affected leg. Pain can also be experienced with muscle cramps. Or it might just consist of intermittent shooting pains, or a sharp pain when moving in specific directions.

Can Sciatica be treated?
Yes, sciatica can be treated with surgery, chiropractic care, drugs and preventative care. The preferred method is preventative care like gentle stretching and exercise. Chiropractors offer stretching exercises. However they are usually generic and do not offer a lot of benefit to the person doing them. A better alternative is visiting an exercise therapist, physical therapist or sports therapist. They look at how the muscles are functioning and recommend activities that will promote strength in under used muscles and help relax those that are pulling your joints in inappropriate directions thereby minimizing pain.

If the pain is severe, painkillers such as the NSAIDs [Aspirin, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Naproxen] can help reduce the inflammation, reducing the pain as well. Stronger painkillers, prescribed by your medical advisor, can also help. These painkillers, such as Co-codamol, Tramadol, Fentanyl, Dihydrocodeine, amongst others, are much stronger and can help you get an exercise programme underway.

Probably one of the best in this group is Co-codamol because it has the inflammation reducing qualities of the NSAIDs as it contains Paracetamol and it has the benefit of the stronger painkiller, Codeine. An added advantage is that it comes in different strengths, an 8/500 strength usually being sufficient unless the pain is very severe. If this is the case, 30/500 could be prescribed by your medical advisor.

Surgery is also an option but, considering the invasive nature of this option, it is only ever considered when a full program of exercising and other conservative treatment has failed to correct the problem. This is never an option to be taken lightly - especially as the underlying cause has not been dealt with, perhaps re-occurring in a different area.

Sacro Occipital Technique For Chiropractic Care


Sacro Occipital technique or SOT is an old chiropractic treatment that's still being used today. There's continuous proof of its effectiveness from clinical experience and scientific investigation. The SOT technique involves the importance of normal cranial function which is often overlooked. It mainly has to do with the cranial sacral respiratory mechanism which is a wavelength oscillation or in the covering of the brain and spinal cord. It needs to function properly in order for other functions in the body work correctly. Patients usually feel relaxed during this treatment. There may be some mild pain when adjustments are made but nothing to worry about.

The purpose of the Sacro Occipital technique is to help the function and health of the entire body. A combination of spinal and extremity alignment, soft tissue analysis and cranial sacral procedures are used. The body's entire structures are analyzed to find out if there's a nerve imbalance. When neural communication pathways between the brain and the spinal cord are working properly, mental and physical health problems will improve. Organs also need proper nerve supply in order to function optimally. These include high blood pressure, urinary problems, headaches, visual disturbances, respiratory problems and female reproductive problems. Nervous disorders or anxiety, extreme fatigue and posture problems also improve.

Sacro Occipital technique is based on using analysis so the doctor will know which treatment is best for the patient. The SOT adjustments each has certain indicators or clinical findings that show how and when to adjust subluxations. Indicators are based on neurological reflex patterns, neurological tests, weak muscles and other things. This system puts treatments into categories. After the category is determined for a patient, the treatment protocols are started. Indicators are monitored and adjustments may be added or removed at each visit depending on what the patient needs. Indicators also allow the chiropractor to determine when he has made a correction.

Some types of SOT treatment protocols are primary respiratory mechanism, cranial movement, neurological indicators, blocking and cerebrospinal fluid flow. Wedge shaped blocks are places under the low back or pelvis area to adjust the sacrum. Primary respiratory mechanism has to do with the pumping action of the craniosacral respiratory mechanism. SOT uses diagnostic and treatment methods to evaluate and return cranial movement to normal. Abnormal function of the neurological system needs treatment. Different adjustments involve blocking procedures that are also part of the SOT technique. Proper cerebrospinal fluid flow is important to good health.

Dr. M. B. DeJarnette developed this technique with study, research and clinical application. Sacro Occipital is said to naturally improve health when structural misalignment is corrected.

Misalignments can occur in the pelvis, spine, cranium, shoulders, arms, legs, knees, feet and organs. Pain can heal in all parts of the body when they're corrected. This includes pain from disc degeneration, herniation, sciatic pain and plantar fascitis. Excellent health can result when the skull, pelvis and spine are aligned and in balance. SOT is often used with different techniques. Patients are sometimes given direction about their diet and nutrition along with the Sacro Occipital Technique.

Allopathic Treatment Options For Herniated Disks


A herniated disk can occur at any time and will be experienced as a sharp electric shock, numbness, or pain - most often in the lower part of the pelvis, though the neck is also a vulnerable area for this condition. It may originate pursuant to a variety of different activities or conditions, making it difficult to predict or avoid. The most common areas in which the condition is noticed are the legs and lower back muscles, and the discomfort levels range from mild to severe.

Many individuals make the mistake of trying to 'push through' the pain as opposed to seeking treatment, however, this course of action only serves to further aggravate the condition and exacerbate the symptoms. Through allopathic treatment, a number of options are available to help ralleviate the effects of the injured disk, and return it to a healthier state.

Diagnosing a Herniated Disk

Virtually everyone has experienced some form of back pain, so it can be difficult to discern the difference between a herniated disk and a strained muscle. Education is thus essential in enabling one to understand the difference in symptomology, and hence to determine when the situation requires medical intervention.

The spine is composed of 24 bones, or vertebrae, that function as a cohesive unit to enable the body to bend and rotate. Each vertebra also features a unique, sponge-like disk acting as a cushion to provide elasticity and hence the ability of the body to absorb shocks.

With age, these disks may compress and lose much of their cushioning. (A disk can also be damaged or become misplaced due to an injury to the spine.) In such case, the outer layer of cartilage may crack, and the inner portion of the disk will be pushed through the tear and against the surrounding nerves. This results in either unusual pain or numbness throughout the area, pain or numbness that usually radiates to one or more of the extremities-such as a leg or an arm-depending upon the location of the herniated disk. (This is in contrast to the pain of a muscle strain, which is usually confined to the back muscles).

A doctor can diagnose a herniated disk with an examination, testing reflexes, and asking specific questions. Some cases may require further testing, such as an MRI or a CT scan to accurately rule out other possible health issues. Once a herniated disk is confirmed, your doctor will proceed with the proper allopathic treatment, based on the types of symptoms you are having.

Allopathic Treatment and Medications

Although it is highly recommended to stay active as much as possible, rest is prescribed in patients who are in excruciating pain and cannot move. In most cases, moving around can speed up your recovery (muscles will weaken if not used for an extended period of time); walking or light activity is a good allopathic treatment for strengthen muscles. In many cases, drugs are prescribed which significantly relieve the pain and swelling.

In addition to pain medication, a corticosteroid, or anti-inflammatory, may be injected around the nerve root to diminish the pressure. Muscle relaxants are also a commonly prescribed allopathic treatment that reduces soreness and assists the muscles to heal more quickly. Any allopathic treatment, drug or medication taken for a herniated disk needs to be approved and monitored by a physician.

Physical Therapy

A skilled physical therapist can successfully treat back pain from a herniated disk through noninvasive methods and allopathic treatment methods. These include, but are not limited to, ultrasound, heating pad applications, and diathermy, where heat is transmitted deep into the tissue of the back muscles. In addition, an exercise program is an excellent adjunct treatment used to improve posture and restore mobility.

Traction might be considered to decrease the amount of pressure to the disk and to accompany the exercise routine. The use of a lumbar support is another valuable tool associated with physical therapy that complements the above allopathic treatment techniques.

Surgery

Only a small percentage of individuals fail to respond to nonsurgical treatment of herniated disks, but for disks that show no signs of healing from normal treatment, surgery is an option used to remove portions of the disk that are pushing against the nerve. Several operations can accomplish this, including a discectomy.

In a spinal fusion, a piece of bone is removed from the pelvis and strategically positioned in between the vertebrae as a substitute for the portions of the disk being removed. An alternative to surgery is chemonucleolysis, the injection of a purified papaya plant extract into the disk space, reducing its size.

Prevention

The best treatment option for a herniated disk lies in the prevention of its occurrence. Thus, herniated disks can be prevented by maintaining good posture and lifting with the knees bent, using the leg strength to perform lifting as opposed to using the muscles of the lower back. Sitting down or hunched over for an excessive periods of time has also been known to lead to a disk injury.

If you have previously hurt your back, be careful and pay close attention to the way your joints move when you stand or walk. Protect your back by keeping the shoulders pulled down and back, keeping the neck in a neutral position, and compressing the abdominals towards the navel.

Know the Facts

Knowledge is a safeguard against the incorrect diagnosis of a herniated disk. Herniated disks can occcur in people of all ages, especially those who are between 35 and 45 years old. Lifting improperly, having a fall or accident, or sudden twists are all causes which may result in a herniated disk. Often the first symptom is not pain, but rather a tingling sensation running up the length of the leg and lower back muscles in the lumbar region.

It is important to know, however, that having a herniated disk is not a crippling condition. Statistics show that half of those diagnosed with herniated disks heal completely within 1 month, and most individuals experience a full recovery within 6 months. Moreover, surgery is extremely rare; performed on only 1 out of every 10 individuals who suffer from the condition. Fortunately, most cases are effectively cured with conservative, allopathic treatment and moderate therapy.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Workers Compensation


Back injuries are on of the most common injuries in Illinois work injury cases. This is an overview of spinal injuries.

Spinal Injuries

Some common forms of spinal injuries are those that relate to the spinal discs. Spinal discs are pads of cartilage that separate and cushion the spinal vertebrae. When the body moves, the spinal discs protect the vertebrate from shock. Over time, spinal discs can be hurt by injury, degeneration and disease.

One common spinal injury is known as a herniated disc, which can also be referred to as prolapsed, bulging, or ruptured. Herniated discs can cause pain, weakness and numbness in various areas of the body, including the lower back, legs and feet. A disc becomes herniated when the hardened outside layer tears, and leaves the softer inside material of the disc pushing out.

Diagnosing a Back Injury

Neurosurgeons and Orthopedic surgeons are the most appropriate doctors for diagnosing back injuries. The Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission views diagnoses and treatment from neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons as more credible than diagnoses and treatment from chiropractors and internists.

Doctors are most likely to diagnose a back injury by first administering an objective examination before ordering expensive tests. The most critical factor for diagnosing an injury is oftentimes the patients' own description of the pain. For instance, a herniated disc can be diagnosed when a patient mentions pain shooting down his or her leg. Many problems eventually require an MRI or CT scan because some back injuries don't show up on a simple x-ray.

Causes of Back Injuries

Back injuries can arise from various activities. Usually herniated discs arise from heavy lifting, car accidents or other traumatic activity, but they have also been know to sometimes occur from simple activities such as sneezing.

Spinal disorders can arise from soft tissue injury, structural injury, and degenerative conditions. The development of spinal disorders can be influenced by injury, aging, general health, and lifestyle. In Illinois, workers are entitled to workers compensation benefits when a pre-existing condition is aggravated by work activities.

Treatment for Back Injuries

Once a back injury is diagnosed, there are usually treatment involves either physical medication with pain medications or surgery.

1. Physical therapy and pain medications

Physical therapy strengthens the back and prepares it for increased activity. Usually physical therapists design exercises to simulate work activity if a back injury is preventing a patient from working. In addition to physical therapy, pain medication can also assist patients regain the ability to participate in normal activities. Medications vary in strength depending on the severity of the injury. Usually, if pain medication doesn't provide relief, doctors consider surgery.

2. Surgery

The three basic types of back surgery are:

o Fusion: Spinal fusion involves the permanent connection of two or more spinal vertebrae. In order to complete this surgery, the surgeon needs small pieces of extra bone to fill spaces between the vertebrae. Extra bone can either come from a bone bank or from a patient's own body. When preformed after other surgeries, fusions are usually unsuccessful.

o Laminotomy or laminectomy: The lamina is the back part of the bone over the spinal canal, and both of these surgeries involve removing all or part of it. A laminectomy involves a complete removal of the lamina. The laminotomy only involves the removal of a portion of the lamina to relieve pressure or allow the surgeon to access a disc that is pressing on a nerve.

o Diskectomy: To relieve pressure on a nerve, this procedure consists of removal of a portion of the disc.

The following two surgeries are gaining popularity because they are more modern and less invasive:

o Vertebroplasty: This procedure involves the use of bone cement. The cement is injected into fractured or collapsed vertebrae. The fracture stabilizes and pain is relieved as soon as the cement hardens.

o Kyphoplasty: This is similar to a vertebroplasty in that it involves the use of bone cement to stabilize vertebrae. The difference is that it involves use of a balloon-like instrument to expand the compressed vertebra while injecting bone cement.

Paraplegia

When a spinal cord is severed, or if nervous tissue inside the spinal cord is damaged, paraplegia results. Paraplegia is the paralysis of the entire lower body. Paraplegia affects the legs and usually any internal organs below the waist. Such damage to the nervous tissue can result when the spinal cord is pressed up against by a broken vertebrae.

Quadriplegia

When an injury severs the spinal cord or damages nervous tissue inside the cord, quadriplegia may result. Like paraplegia, quadriplegia is a paralysis of the body, but it affects the arms as well as the legs. The distinguishing factor that causes quadriplegia as opposed to paraplegia is that the injury occurs to the upper part of the spinal cord, inside the neck. When an injury occurs in the upper end of the spinal cord, the spinal cord is unable to send messages to any part of the body below the injury.

When Should a Pain Management Patient Be Referred for Surgery?


When a patient receives pain management treatment for back pain, the goal is to try and avoid the need for an operation. But sometimes this is just not possible. In what situations is surgery indicated and pain management deemed a failure?

The first qualification that needs to be clarified is whether or not the patient is dealing with a quality of life issue or one that has an absolute indication for surgery. The quality of life issue is something such as arthritis which never killed anybody, or degenerative disc disease where it is also a form of an arthritic type condition.

Degenerative disc disease may very well be exceptionally painful to a person suffering from it, but as with arthritis the condition is not fatal and can often be tolerated.

So that's the first clarification needs to be made is whether or not it's a quality-of-life situation or otherwise. Problems that fit into the otherwise situation are dramatic situations where there is a fracture that is unstable, or a nerve root is being pinched and the patient is suffering motor weakness from it. Additionally, there are a couple emergency situations in the spine, one of which is called cauda equina syndrome.

Cauda equina syndrome is when the spinal cord is getting pinched near the bottom of the area around T12 or L1 and patients are at risk of losing their bowel and bladder function which may become a permanent situation if not addressed within 24 hours. It is an unusual diagnosis but an emergency one.

So if the patient has an emergency situation and cauda equina is present then an operation should be performed within 24 hours. If the patient has a fracture and instability from a trauma situation, then surgery is indicated as well and the specific timeframe will depend on the extent of an individual's injury.

If it is a quality of life disease such as arthritis then the patient should try nonoperative forms of treatment such as chiropractic manipulations, physical therapy, spinal decompression therapy, medication management, or interventional pain treatments from a pain management doctor. Over 90% of the time, these suffice and allow patients to continue working, playing with their children, and socializing satisfactorily while avoiding surgery.

The general rule is that if a patient tries consecutive conservative treatment for over six months with degenerative disc disease, then surgery can be considered. Considering that the surgical outcomes for a spinal fusion for degenerative disc disease are typically in the 50 to 70% satisfactory outcome range, it's really should be considered a last resort.

For patients dealing with spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine, this too is considered a quality of life decision. Arthritis causes soft tissue and bony overgrowth in the spinal column, and multiple nerve roots can start to get pinched which can cause sciatica and pain in one or both legs of the patients. Patients should try physical therapy, epidural injections, medications such as neurontin or some pain medications, and other nonoperative treatments just as with degenerative disc disease.

When a patient has a pinched nerve from a herniated disc, it is prudent to also try and avoid surgery. Granted, the surgery has low risks associated with it, but it is not a risk free proposition.

When a patient has muscle weakness from a pinched nerve, it is appropriate to consider surgery after 2 to 3 months of watching and waiting to see if it's going to get better. The concern is that if over 3 to 6 months are spent waiting, even if a technically perfect surgery is performed the muscle weakness may never improve. Additionally the patient has considerable nonoperative treatment over a period of 6 to 12 weeks and it is not getting better with the pain, surgery becomes indicated to simply get rid of the pain.

These are some of the indications for surgery but as mentioned before the main qualification is to determine whether or not surgery is absolutely indicated, or simply a function of a quality-of-life procedure.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Treatment of Scoliosis Using Spinal Resistance Training


Idiopathic Scoliosis has long challenged scientists, clinicians, and parents for hundreds of years. Although research has led to many theories on why it occurs in adolescent females at an 8 to 1 ratio, developed better prognostic testing, newer brace technology, and more expensive fusion surgeries, no one seems to have changed the way it is treated. The standard system in the US and most countries is to first, diagnose the condition with physical exams and x-rays costing hundreds of dollars, second rule out pathology using MRI's costing thousands of dollars, then wait and observe the condition. Statistical data varies, but on average one could easily assume half of these kids reach stage two where the curvature has advanced to where it becomes visually noticeable at 25 or so degrees and now are presented with the recommendation to place their young child in a rigid orthosis (brace) to wear 23 hours per day until they reach what is termed skeletal maturity, around age 15 or 16. On average according to genetic based authorities, the makers of scoliscore, approximately 75% of these kids won't reach surgical threshold of 40 degrees or higher by this age even if they are not placed in the brace costing thousands. The other 25% even with bracing reach the end stage of the condition where surgical fusion is recommended and most often performed costing hundreds of thousands.

It seems almost surreal that in this age of technology and medical sophistication we have not changed the way kids with scoliosis are dealt with in over 50 years. You may be asking yourself, what other options are there?, and if there were legitimate options someone would have figured it out by now. Therapists have been working with kids with scoliosis for decades primarily using the Schroth exercise method developed in Germany with little effect on the natural course of moderate to severe spinal deformity. Neither chiropractic nor electrical muscle stimulation have done little to alter the course of this condition as well. Researchers have isolated the type of muscle and what portions of the brain are involved the most with scoliosis but the trick has always been how to alter these areas without invasive life altering procedures.

The interesting thing about scoliosis is that the spine in a patient with scoliosis is really no different anatomically then a person with a straight spine, meaning research has demonstrated no structural differences in the bone or spinal cord. So what creates this somewhat aggressive asymmetry? The majority of theory points to a miscommunication between incoming messages from the environment and outgoing muscle control to the antigravity system of the spine which positions the center masses of all the bones in the spinal column, the head, and pelvis. So the key ingredient here is the antigravity system which is a complex system where communication travels from the receptors in our joints and muscles from environmental forces acting on them, through the spinal cord where it is processed by our hindbrain. The hindbrain then sends information to the intrinsic (deep) layer muscles of our spine and to larger muscles of our pelvis and legs to counterbalance these forces so we remain balanced and upright.

By using a scoliosis exercise cantilever (extended lever arm out from the body) we can challenge the spine in ways it has never been challenged before. The forces from this scoliosis cantilever cause small stabilization reactions in the deeper spinal muscles which in turn alter where the individual vertebrae are positioned while the person is standing upright. This ultimately reduces and stabilizes their scoliosis. If you were to stand on an unstable surface, like something flat filled with air, and someone were to try to push you off and you resisted them your spine and body's antigravity system would be functioning at an extremely high rate. When this new exercise system is performed daily in 20 minute increments the spine literally uncoils itself.

Scoliosis Back Pain


Scoliosis back pain is a great conundrum for dorsopathy patients, since this spinal curvature condition is often blamed for sourcing symptoms, yet treatments are rarely, if ever, successful. Scoliosis describes a spinal abnormality in which the patient suffers an atypical side to side curvature of the spine at one or more locations. Some patients have a single abnormal curve, generally referred to as a "C" curve, while others have 2 or more abnormal curves, generally referred to as an "S" curve. Scoliosis can be suspected from visual observation and examination, but can only be accurately diagnosed using specialized imaging, such as x-ray or MRI technology.

Scoliosis is one of the most common of all structural abnormalities in the human spine. It can strike anywhere in the spinal column and may be insignificant or extreme. Scoliosis is measured in degrees, just like an angle, and this measurement is used to diagnose potential health consequences of the individual expression. There are many different types of scoliosis, including congenital varieties, idiopathic varieties, juvenile varieties and adult degenerative varieties. In most cases, scoliosis exists alone, but in other cases, other atypical spinal curvature issues may also be present. In these cases, the usual accompanying curvatures may include hyperlordosis, hypolordosis, hyperkyphosis or hypokyphosis.

Scoliosis back pain is a classification of dorsopathy symptoms theorized to exist as a direct result of the abnormal curvature. There is no doubt that many patients with scoliosis do have back pain, just as a large percentage of the adult population without scoliosis also suffers painful spinal syndromes. Back pain is an epidemic in our modern healthcare system and is becoming ever more the burden year over year. So, it is worth analyzing the eternal question, "Is scoliosis the actual source of pain in these patients, or not?"

The answer is surprisingly simple... YES and NO. There is no absolute answer to the question, as spinal curvatures are highly individualized conditions and each must be studied carefully in order to answer this query for each affected patient. In my vast experience working with back pain patients, I come across thousands of patients whose pain has been blamed partially or completely on atypical spinal curvatures. Here are my thoughts, based on practical experience, clinical statistics and treatment results...

The greatest number of scoliosis patients have mild curvatures. I do not see these minor issues as any cause for alarm or concern, almost without exception. Over 90% of affected back pain sufferers diagnosed with scoliosis fall into this category. In these cases, the diagnosis of curvature as the source of pain is obviously incorrect, since patients do not respond to scoliosis treatments, but can often be cured using other types of unrelated modalities. In these patients, the scoliosis is purely coincidental to the symptoms, much akin to herniated discs or degenerative disc disease in other misdiagnosed patients. The next category of scoliosis sufferers demonstrate moderate curvatures which are rarely to blame for pain. Some patients may have minor occasional pain or even chronic dull aches, but most should not experience any acute or severe chronic pain often blamed on their curvatures. Once again, the vast majority are at least partially misdiagnosed by placing the painful burden blame on the curvature issues. Between the 2 categories of mild and moderate spinal curvature, this accounts for some 98% of diagnosed patients...

Serious and extreme scoliosis conditions are mostly symptomatic. These patients may suffer from a multitude of possible painful events in the spine, including spinal and foraminal stenosis, advanced osteoarthritic change and even internal organ compression problems. Blaming these symptoms on scoliosis is generally universal and in almost every case, absolutely correct. However, just remember that this only holds true for the truly worst cases of side to side curvature, which accounts for less than 2% of the total diagnosed population.

To summarize, I urge all patients with mild and moderate forms of scoliosis to reconsider the validity of their diagnostic theory if their pain has been blamed wholly on their curvature issues. Patients who embrace these incorrect blame patterns rarely find lasting (or any) relief and usually end up victims of failed back surgery syndrome due to barbaric and unnecessary spinal fusion procedures.

When Is Spinal Decompression My Right Choice?


Thousands of back pain sufferers continue to seek medical help to ease or eradicate their spinal problems. As our bodies age, the degree of pain and damage to our spinal system can increase for many reasons. In our youth, it would have been ideal to be handed a crystal ball and set of red flags to alert us of the impending damage that our bodies would experience during our life span. We could then begin to plan "preventative maintenance" of our spinal system to avert irreversible spinal problems. Unfortunately, the reasons for our back pain problems are made aware to us in our later years by medical professionals following that dreaded doctor's visit. As many of us have heard often, our backs may have gone through accidents and trauma that resulted in muscle, nerve, bone, and tissue damage to our spine. Other causes may have been physical abuse due to impact sports, incorrect weight training, construction heavy lifting, sitting in the office extended periods, daily poor posture, and a myriad of other non-conforming body movements that ultimately threw the spinal system out of alignment with the rest of our limbs and body.

It is man's experience historically, that back pain becomes more noticeable and serious enough after 25 plus years of age. During this early period and for the next 10 years, pain sufferers either take the high road or low road to recovery (or prevention) if you will. In other words, that person will either exercise while staying active regularly, addressing certain body movements that will slow down the damaging back pain symptoms or, he will choose a sedentary or limited lifestyle that will only worsen the unknown causes of his back pain. Unfortunately, by the age of 35 to 50 years, back pain sufferers begin to flood the offices of orthopedic doctors, chiropractors, physiotherapists, only to be told following an x-ray, MRI and other tests, that their back pain condition and physical being are in the serious stages. At this point, the patient is diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis or herniated discs, resulting in pinched nerves and sciatica. Perhaps his condition is one of scoliosis, a misalignment of the spine, or degenerative disk disease due to arthritis, or spondylolisthesis, a slipping of the lumbar vertebrae in the lower spine.

The question then becomes how to treat the patient's particular spinal problem. Depending on the patient's diagnosis and spinal demise, he will be advised of his options as to the best treatment program by medical professionals. These can range from epidural shots in the lumbar, thoracic, or cervical sections of the spine; prescribed medication such as hydrocodone for pain relief, naproxen for inflammation of spinal parts, or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS); physical therapy to strengthen core and back muscles that support the spinal sections; and last but not least, the dreaded surgery in extreme cases.

So, having presented the medical side of the back pain sufferer's dilemma, there are options outside of the medical arena that are worthy of consideration by the back pain sufferer. These options should be considered carefully in conjunction with the knowledge and understanding that the back pain sufferer has gained during the discovery and diagnosis stages of his condition. It is not implied that this person should attempt to diagnose his own back pain problem nor should he take medications that are not prescribed by his doctor for his particular back pain condition.

Option 1 - He can embark on a program of self-administered natural health supplements and healing aids in lieu of damaging NSAIDS as mentioned earlier.

Option 2 - He can pursue corrective exercises and activities which are assisted or self-administered under the direction and resources of spine medical facilities or professional health organizations such as the Back Pain Institute. One such program focuses on the merits of using "Spinal Decompression" for back pain relief. The degree of treatment using this method can vary from opting for a costly high level specialty staff to provide the service, to what we'll refer to as a lower level self-directed endeavor.

What is Spinal Decompression?

Most everyone will experience compression of the spinal bone and vertebrae system due to gravity, as they get older. This mechanism ultimately results in muscle imbalances that create poor posture and may result in herniated or bulging discs that result in pinched nerves that cause back pain symptoms.

Spinal decompression occurs when your body is placed in an inverted position (hence Inversion Therapy), or any stretching exercise or mechanism, that relieves the pressure on the spinal system. The most common form of achieving self-induced spinal decompression is by using an "inversion table" at home. A lesser scaled-down back stretching program can be accomplished using the Nubax Trio decompression device.

When Should You Consider the Spinal Decompression Option?

To answer this, let's consider two arguments.

First, if you are being seen by an orthopedic or spine specialist, you will almost always be administered a traditional program as related to your particular problem. In basic terms, he will perform diagnostics using x-rays, ultrasounds, or MRI to form his conclusion about your condition; then he will prescribe pain killers, initiate epidural shots in the problem area, or suggest back surgery. However, these doctors will almost never recommend or suggest Spinal Decompression. There are perhaps many pros and cons regarding this approach which suggests that it is either not very lucrative for them, or there are still differences of opinion as to the validity of such a method yielding reliable or safe results.

Secondly, there are medical professionals who actually practice the art of administering Spinal Decompression using "inversion therapy" under controlled conditions (intermittent stretching). Although inversion therapy has been around for a long time, technology has only recently yielded modern inversion equipment and facilities, and there are now specialty medical personnel willing to set up shop for this service. It is recommended that anyone considering an inversion or spinal decompression approach, first consult with your spine doctor to determine if you are a candidate, based on certain body limitations and restrictive conditions that may not be in your best interest. Keep in mind that many health insurance programs may not cover such professional services.

Choosing to pursue a self-administered decompression option can be a personal choice but it may come with risks. A person must realize whether his physical condition is capable of supporting repetitive stretching of his spine and other body parts when using for example a commercially available "Inversion Table" or other available back stretchers such as the Nubax Trio. Many stores such as Wal-Mart and Sporting Outlets sell inversion equipment but the "buyer beware" slogan is always implied. It is recommended that you purchase a quality inversion table such as the Teeter Hangups. Common sense should dictate whether such a purchase meets your needs without harming your body. Another factor to consider is your age. Most persons who are physically fit and well-conditioned in their early years will probably coast through a decompression session without adverse effects. This may not fare so well with older folks who lack the stamina and well-being necessary to meet the challenge.

You are probably one of many back pain sufferers who will be advised, by those who have "been there done that", not to agree on back surgery because spinal decompression may very well relieve your symptoms and eradicate your problem. For those not wanting to seek chiropractic or physical therapy help for their back pain, consider a low-scale low-impact decompression home exercise program using the Nubax Trio stretching device. Most medical back-pain personnel will emphasize the importance of supplementing back stretching with strengthening one's core and back muscles that support the spinal column. Many people have discovered their back pain gone or reduced after following a routine home decompression program along with other stretching and strengthening exercises.

FDA Clearance Received for First Cervical Artificial Disc


Chicago, Illinois (EzineArticles.com) September 20, 2007 - People who have suffered for years from degenerative discs in their neck now have an option that may relieve the pain in their neck and arm, allow quick recovery and enable them to lead active and productive lives. On July 17, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the Prestige ST Cervical Disc System.

Used extensively in Europe, FDA clearance of the Prestige disc from Medtronic follows a unanimous recommendation for approval from the FDA advisory board. The artificial disc for the cervical (neck) region is expected to impact more than 200,000 Americans who suffer from degenerative disc disease.

Currently, the most common treatment for patients with degenerative discs in the cervical spine is spinal fusion. In this procedure a surgeon removes the damaged disc then implants a bone graft and metal plate to fuse the vertebrae together. During artificial disc replacement surgery, the damaged disc is removed and replaced with an artificial disc, a stainless-steel device with a ball-in-trough design intended to allow for replication of normal motion. The disc stays in place with bone screws. The hospital stay for this procedure is approximately 1-2 days. Patients can begin rehabilitation and return to daily activities soon after surgery. In fact, patients receiving the Prestige ST artificial disc returned to work in 45 days, 16 days earlier than the fusion patients.

"Compared to spinal fusion, this surgery allows patients to maintain normal neck motion, and study has shown a lower rate of additional surgery for degeneration of adjacent segments," says Noam Stadlan, M.D., CINN neurosurgeon (CINN.org). "Unlike with fusion, patients who've received the disc don't have to bother with a hard collar following surgery."

"Study results show that artificial cervical disc patients regain function faster, and have a higher rate of neurological success as measured by muscle tone, strength, sensation, as well as responsiveness of reflexes than those who undergo spinal fusion," says Dr. Dean Karahalios, CINN neurosurgeon. "Furthermore, the study demonstrated that at two year follow-up the overall success rate for the artificial disc group was 79.3% compared to the fusion group at 67.8%. These reasons are compelling enough for potential candidates to consider the option of an artificial disc."

The Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch is one of the nation's leading organizations for the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of people with brain and spine disorders. Originally founded in 1987, CINN is one of the Midwest's largest teams of neurosurgeons, physiatrists, and neurologists known for their pioneering treatments in minimally invasive techniques. Through a network of seven hospitals throughout Chicagoland, CINN is a market leader in treating patients with brain tumors and spine disorders.

Scoliosis Surgery


Technological advancements have made all kinds of surgery relatively easy, and Scoliosis Surgery is no exception. Earlier, patients underwent a drawn-out process of surgery, followed by treatment and casting. They also took several months to recover. Today, although Scoliosis Surgery still takes several hours, patients are released within a week. In addition, post-operative bracing is required only for certain kinds of surgery.

Surgery is the only method to rectify congenital Scoliosis . In other types of Scoliosis, such as adult Scoliosis or adolescent Scoliosis, Surgery is reserved for very severe curves. It is generally used as the last resort, after the patient does not respond to bracing.

Doctors recommend surgery for children and adolescents with curves greater than 40 degrees. Adults with such curves, who are experiencing pain and discomfort, are also advised by doctors to undergo surgery.

Doctors employ different surgical techniques and methods to treat different types of curves. The posterior spinal fusion surgery is used to rectify a thoracic curve, while the anterior approach is used for waist or hip deformities. Posterior surgery is generally used to treat adolescent idiopathic Scoliosis in conjunction with instrumentation and bone grafting. This operation takes several hours, but the patient is released within a week and does not need to wear a post-operative brace. The patient can go to school or work after a couple of weeks, and resume all pre-surgery activities within a span of four to six months. Anterior surgery enables faster recovery of patients and better spinal functioning. However, post-operative bracing is required.

Scoliosis Surgery is used to correct the abnormal curve and prevent it from increasing. However, several complications are involved in this treatment option. These include anesthesia-related problems, infection, post-surgery pain, excessive bleeding, nerve and disc damage, loss of balance and mobility, and fracture.

To sum up, Scoliosis Surgery can rectify severe spinal curves and prevent their progression. However, surgery can result in complications. Therefore, patients must approach only specialist doctors and discuss the possible benefits and risks of surgery before undergoing it.

5 Reasons to See a Chiropractor


Many people want to know when to visit the doctor. Some may ask themselves, "Is it too soon or am I being silly going to the doctor for this?" But sometimes they may be overlooking a serious condition that needs the attention of a doctor. Once they decide to go to the doctor the next question is, "what type of doctor do I go to?"

Chiropractors are specialty doctors for musculoskeletal pain, mainly back pain. They specialize in joint and muscle pain and have been mostly known for treating back or neck pain.

So you may now be asking, "when do I go to the chiropractor?" Here are a few good reasons to visit a chiropractic physician.

1. Are you in pain? If you are, your body may be trying to tell you something. Pain the in neck and back area are the most commonly treated areas for chiropractors, but extremity pain is also in their scope of practice. Extremity pain such as knee, hip, shoulder or wrist pain has been successfully treated by chiropractic care for years. If it is a muscle or a joint a chiropractor can most likely help.

2. Prevent a surgery. A recent WebMD article states that chiropractic care may reduce certain surgeries by 32%. Low back pain that radiates into the leg is most likely caused from a disc impingement. While this condition may eventually need surgery a chiropractor may be able to prevent the surgery altogether.

3. Get checked for scoliosis. This should be done in most schools but can sometimes be overlooked or missed. Chiropractors are trained to check even the slightest degree of curvature of the spine. This is a very important point for kids. Most scoliosis in adults will not cause too many problems as long as it is not severe. Teenagers and younger children should be checked regularly as there are many things they can do to help the scoliosis from becoming a major problem.

4. After an auto accident. After any accident for that matter. Sometimes pain may not show up for days or even years after a serious accident. Make sure there are no major problems after an accident whether you are in pain or not. By getting checked you may safe yourself a lot of trouble in the future.

5. Prevent pain or future problems. Have you ever wondered how degeneration happens to the spine? When there is a misalignment to a joint, then there is a decrease in movement or range of motion which over time will cause the joint to degenerate. Many years ago after a total knee replacement surgery a patient's knee would be put into a cast immediately in order to heal. What started happening to a patient that had this done was there knee began to degenerate due to the lack of movement. Today after a total knee replacement, a patient's knee is put into a device that keeps the knee moving, instead of a cast, in order to prevent this from happening. The reason is now we know that calcium deposits and scare tissue will form quickly in a joint that is immobilized. When a segment of your spine is not moving, over time it will degenerate also just like the knee would in a cast. That is why it is good "spinal hygiene" to get a chiropractic adjustment periodically. Three major things can happen to a joint in the spine if it is misaligned for an extended period of time. First atrophy will happen to the nerves. Nerves will get smaller. Atrophy to the surrounding muscles tissue of the spine, muscles will get smaller and lose tonicity. The last thing that will happen is an actual structural change to the bone itself, eventually fusion of the bones and loss of joint space can occur.

If you have never been to a chiropractic doctor remember some of the things that may warrant a visit. And you will be sure to have a healthy spine for years to come!

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Are You Experiencing Back Pain and Want To Know How to Make Your Back Pain Go Away?


In this article you will learn the treatment for back pain, the common causes, and the ways of preventing back injury. Nearly everyone at some point in their life will experience back pain that can interfere with their daily activities, work or recreation.

My wife and I both have suffered from severe back pain. We have gone to physical therapy and to chiropractors and have learned that doing daily back exercises and walking was crucial to the health of our backs.

Common Causes of Back Pain

You can experience back pain after lifting a heavy object, moving suddenly, sitting in one position for too long or having an accident or injury.

The Structural Problems That Can Cause Back Pain:

Ruptured or bulging disc (the cushions between your vertebrae).
Sciatica nerve (discs pressing on the nerve, causing a shooting pain down the buttock and leg).
Osteoporosis (loss of bone density, increasing the risk of vertebrae fracture).
Irregularities of the skeleton (abnormal curvatures of the spine, scoliosis).
Arthritis (narrowing of the space around the spinal cord).

Risk Factors That Contribute To Lower Back Pain:

Physically strenuous work.
Sedentary work or lifestyle.
Obesity.
Age.
Smoking.
Stress.
Pregnancy.

How To Diagnose A Back Injury:

A thorough physical examination, with medical and family history.
X-Ray imaging.
MRI scan.
Bone scan.
Ultrasound imaging.

Treatment For Back Pain:

Most back injuries can be treated without the need for surgery. Home treatment for back pain involves using the following methods:

Stop normal physical activities for the first few days.

Put ice on the injured part of the back (the ice pack should be wrapped in a towel). Ice the back several times a day for a maximum of 20 minutes at a time for 2 to 3 days.

Apply moist heat 24 to 36 hours after the initial back injury for several times a day for a maximum of 20 minutes at a time.

Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol)or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) to help reduce pain and inflammation.

Sleeping in a fetal position with a pillow between your knees will help to put less stress on your back while you sleep. If you sleep on your back, place a pillow under your knees to relieve the pressure on your back.

Refrain from doing any exercises, stretching, heavy lifting, twisting or strenuous activities for at least two to three weeks. Then gradually resume your exercise program with your doctor's approval.

When To Get Medical Attention:

Back pain after a blow or fall.
Loss of bowel or bladder control.
High fever with back pain.
Swelling or redness on the back of the spine.
Severe shooting pain traveling down your leg.
Numbness or weakness in your thigh, leg, pelvis or buttocks.
Blood or burning when you urinate.
Extreme pain when you lie down, which keeps you awake at night.
Back pain lasting longer than four weeks.

Ways of Preventing Back Injuries:

Back stretches, it is important to stretch your back muscles before doing exercises or other strenuous activities.

When standing or sitting, do not slouch (keep your weight balanced when standing on your feet).

When at home or at work, your work surface should be at a comfortable height for you (ergonomically correct).

Wear low-heeled, comfortable shoes.

To reduce stress on your back, sleep on your side with a leg pillow between your knees on a mattress that gives you firm support.

Do not lift objects that are too heavy for you, ask for help. When lifting, bend at your knees not at your waist, use your leg and stomach muscles, while keeping your back as straight as possible.

Do not twist your body when you are bending down to lift up an object.

Do not lean forward while reaching for an object. Stand as close as possible to the object you are lifting.

Place a lumbar pillow or rolled up towel behind your lower back when driving or sitting for long periods of time.

When driving on long distances, stop and walk around at least once every hour.

Stay on a proper diet and try to reduce excessive weight.

To promote new bone growth, take a daily vitamin that includes, calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D.

If you smoke, quit smoking. Smoking reduces blood flow to the spine and spinal discs.

As part of our treatment for back pain, my wife and I do daily back exercises, use a Chi Machine, an Inversion Table, a Rebounder and walking to keep our backs in good shape. We have found that these methods work for us!

Spinal Fusion Options - Roads to Recovery


Spinal fusion has become a very common surgical procedure in the United States over the past 10 years. There are many diagnoses that range from fractures of the spine to severe degenerative disc disease that prevent patients from being able to stand or walk are best treated with a surgical remedy. This article is intended to provide a basic review of the many spinal fusion options that are available. It is best to talk to a fellowship-trained spine surgeon who will be able to give you a complete picture of all of the devices available that are recognized for quality and reliability or to help you rule out those that are not recommended.

As the number of spinal fusions has increased, the variety of procedures and hardware alternatives that are available has also increased. It may be easier to understand why there are so many types of fusions if you consider how fractures need to be fixed with fusion. With broken bones, there is usually little question about the wisdom of providing casts or plates and screws to stabilize bones that need to be realigned or stabilized. Spinal fusion provides the same stability for the spine as is used for other fractured bones. What is a spinal fusion? Screws and rods in the spine are used to keep bones from moving as the bone graft that is placed allows the stabilized bones to form a connection across a previously mobile disc space. The growth of bone between 2 previously mobile bones is called fusion.

Standard fusion technique: Initially, fusion of the vertebral bones was done by laying bone graft between the bones, to provide a scaffolding across which the native bone cells could grow. As the patient's bone cells move across the bone graft, they are able to incorporate the bone graft into the patient's own bone structure, forming a complete connection called a fusion. Bone graft is of primary importance in allowing the vertebral bones to fuse across a previously mobile segment. Studies of patient's with fusions done with bone graft alone have shown a relatively good rate of incorporation when patients are placed in back braces for 3 months or more. Because of the inconvenience and discomfort of the bracing, pedicle screws and rods have been added to provide an internal support that obviates the need for external supports. Internal screws and rods have increased successful fusion rates, as well as allowed patients to become mobile very quickly after the spinal fusion.

Interbody fusion cages: As the skill of the surgeon's has grown when applying screws and rods to the spine, we have, in turn, looked for better ways to gain improved results. Now, we are able to put bone graft around the back of the spine, as well as into the disc spaces. With these improved grafting methods, we are able to safely access the lumbar disc from the back of the spine. Adding bone graft to the disc increases the surface area for healing and should improve the overall success rate of the spinal fusion. Interbody grafting can be done from several different approaches, as access to the disc space can be achieved from multiple directions.

XLIF: This acronym stands for extreme lateral interbody fusion. XLIF is a newer device designed to provide a carrier for bone graft and support to the disc space. It is placed through an incision on the patient's flank. By making an incision on the patient's side, the abdominal contents can be moved out of the way for a good view of the spine. Unfortunately, there are some significant nerves in the front of the spine that are very sensitive to being moved. This type of access to the spine can lead to weakness in one leg because of the sensitivity of these nerves. At this time, there are no long-term studies that demonstrate success of this procedure.

AxiaLif: This is another fusion device that has received some attention, due to its being touted as the "least invasive spine fusion". This device is placed across the lowest disc space by access from the front of the sacrum (a large, triangular bone at the base of the spine, inserted like a wedge between the two hip bones). By placing instruments through a small incision near the rectum towards the spine, the disc is accessed through a series of cannulas (hollow surgical tubes) and drills. This allows the disc material to be removed from the disc space. After the disc material is removed, bone grafting can be placed into the hole that is created. This disc space is then supported by a tapered screw placed into the bones. So far, this device has had minimal post-surgical study and is most likely best done in conjunction with standard screw and rod fusion techniques.

Flexible Rods: There has been some recent excitement around rod and screw systems that are so-called "non-fusion" fusion devices. This confusing name infers that, although the intent of the screws and rods is for the bones to not move, these devices are designed to allow some movement. As was discussed earlier in this article, fusion is the solid connection of bones that had previously moved. The idea of these flexible rods is to provide "enough" stability to allow the bones to fuse together, but not enough to change the forces in the spine. This is termed a "soft-fusion". At this point, there is no consensus as to how much or how little support is needed to achieve this goal. It is known that current screw and rod systems provide enough support to allow a fusion to occur while providing complete immobility of the vertebrae. Other than this complete connection, the amount of support less than complete immobility has not been defined and at this point is still under investigation.

Disc Replacement: Disc replacement was developed as an alternative to fusion and is suggested for those discs that have ruptured, but in which the bone structure is still good. If only the disc has gone bad, removal of the disc leaves a space that we normally fill with bone graft to promote fusion in the neck or lower back. With the development of the disc replacement, the space that is left from disc removal can be filled with a device that allows motion, rather than fusion. This is a complete reversal in the approach to disc removal; from complete immobility to complete mobility. Disc replacement is intended to maintain the motion in the spine. This reconstruction of the spine should maintain the forces across the discs in the spine to prevent the other discs from deteriorating any more rapidly than their normal degenerative process. Disc replacement in the lumbar spine has met with some success in well-selected patients. It has not been a panacea for all patients with low back pain or degenerative disc disease. Disc replacement in the cervical spine has had good success, as most neck fusions are done for bad discs with the bones being in good condition.

Improved training, including advanced specialty training in fellowship programs, as well as improved implants, has decreased most surgical procedure times to 2 hours or less. Historically, older techniques have been known to take 4-6 hours for the operation alone. By decreasing operative times, surgeons have seen decreased complications from the anesthesia, as well as decreased risks of infection and blood loss. Most surgeries under 2 hours will not require a blood transfusion.

A well-informed patient, who understands the benefits and the risks of their surgery, can fully participate in the choices that need to be made about their surgery. If you have been told that you need a spine fusion, ask questions and do your research. It is appropriate to ask your surgeon about their experience performing spinal fusions, how many of the fusion procedures they perform, how long the operation will take and the likelihood of needing a blood transfusion. Selecting a well-qualified surgeon can help ensure the best outcome for you and the success of your spinal fusion.

Non-Operative Spinal Conditions


We all suffer from minor aches and pains, but when the pain reaches a point that it can no longer be tolerated, particularly in the case of back pain, there are some non-evasive treatments that can help minimize and treat spinal conditions. Patients suffering from early on-set scoliosis, degenerative disc disorders and spinal fusion can actually find relief from pain by through non-operative means, if the condition is caught in time.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a genetic disorder in which the spine twists and curves during adolescence, causing patients great pain as they age. Scoliosis can be properly treated with back braces if the condition is caught in a child at an early age. If the disease progresses along with proper treatment, it can result in stunted growth and eventually lead to an S- or C-shape curve in the spine. Since the condition is bone related, scoliosis affects children before the age of puberty, while their bones are still growing. Scoliosis rarely affects adults or older children whose bones have stopped growing. Back braces are the best way to treat the condition, as it allows the spine to align and grow properly.

Degenerative Disorders and Spinal Fusion

Degenerative disorders, like spondylosis, can occur at any age, and develops when the synovial fluid in the vertebrae is lost, thereby depleting the vertebrae of its natural lubrication and shock absorber. The vertebral disk in the spine acts as a cushion, but with spondylosis, the fluid is lost, the disk is depleted and this causes bone to rest upon bone. Without the synovial fluid to cushion the vertebrae, nerves and blood flow are restricted, creating a great deal of pain for patients. This condition can be slow moving, or can be the result of a back injury, like falling down a flight of stairs. Often spondylosis is treated with epidural infusions of cortisone, which can help relieve the pain and allow the body to begin healing naturally. It is not always effective, which is why many patients rely on braces and chiropractic means to help speed up healing.

If the condition is not treated and the patient allows the vertebrae to rest upon each other, the body will calcify the area and create a spinal fusion, which means the body will stabilize the affected area to create an immovable joint between the affected vertebrae. This is virtually irreversible and limits the range of motion for the patient. If the calcification occurs in the lower lumbar region, patients can also develop sciatica, which is the pinching of the sciatic nerve that runs down the back of both legs. In extreme cases, if it occurs within the neck, it can lead to total paralysis.

If you are dealing with chronic back or neck pain, it is best to see an orthopaedic specialist to find out your best course of action. Pain is a sign of disorder within the body and should not be ignored. Only a trained medical professional can determine the best course of action for you, so do not delay!

The Sciatica Story


Learning the cause of any type of pain is a critical step in the healing process. This is especially true for the tricky yet oh so painful sciatica. But what is Sciatica? How is it diagnosed? Can it be healed?

What is Sciatica?
Many folks confuse sciatica to be a diagnosis. It's not. It's a symptom of a different problem. But finding the problem can be…well, a problem. Think of it this way: You pull out a string of Christmas lights to put on your tree. You plug it in to be sure they work…but they don't. So you check the fuse. It's good. Now what? You systematically start looking at each bulb to find the one that is missing or burned out. It's a painstaking process of hit and miss. That's the same kind of problem doctors are facing—albeit much more intricate and critical—when they are trying to pinpoint the cause of sciatica.

Finding the source of sciatica can be difficult at best because it can be caused by a number of different conditions anywhere along the roots of the five sciatic nerves. The roots stem from the lumbar and sacral nerve lines which string down the spine in the L4 to the S3 vertebrae regions. Just about anything can go wrong in that area and cause sciatica to manifest itself in your buttocks, leg, knee or foot. You'll know it when it occurs because it hurts! But moderate to severe pain is not the only challenge. Numbness, tingling, pins and needles and muscle weakness are signs of sciatica as well.

The most common culprit behind sciatica is nerve pinching. Nerves can get pinched in a variety of ways ranging from lumbar misalignment, a sacroiliac joint misalignment, Piriformis syndrome, greater Trochanteric Bursitis and most commonly, disc herniation.

How is Sciatica Diagnosed?
The standard protocol no matter what kind of doctor is consulted is for an examination to be performed first. If the sciatica does not extend below the knee, it is less likely that it is due to a disc problem, and it's more likely that it's due to a lumbar misalignment, a sacroiliac joint misalignment, Piriformis syndrome or Greater Trochanteric Bursitis. However, it is more likely due to a disc lesion if the sciatica extends below the knee.

Once the examination is performed the next steps differ depending on what type of doctor is doing the examining. If it's a chiropractor, it is most likely that after the examination he will take an x-ray to rule out any kind of pathological process (such as bone cancer), and then treat the patient with chiropractic adjustments and physiotherapy. If the patient does not respond favorably within a week or two to this conservative approach, then the doctor will request pre-authorization from the insurance company for an MRI. It is unlikely that an insurance company will approve an MRI until after conservative treatment has been tried first and failed.

If however the patient is complaining of neurological symptoms such as numbness in the leg or weakness of any of the muscles of the leg, particularly the inability to walk on their heels (a condition called foot-drop), or loss of control of bowel or bladder function, then those neurological signs justify immediate approval and performance of an MRI. To not do an MRI in such a case could constitute negligence and could jeopardize the patient's life, if not their ability to walk normally for the rest of their life.

An MD will approach things a little differently than a chiropractor. An MD will likely first prescribe some pain killers and anti-inflammatory medicine. If that doesn't work then they'll prescribe physical therapy. An MRI will be ordered if the therapy fails to relieve the pain. Unless of course the patient demonstrates neurological signs and symptoms in which case the same urgency exists as in the above paragraph.

It is important to note that X-rays do not show whether or not a disc is bulging or ruptured. They only show the disc space, showing if it's normal-sized, or thin. If it's thin it may or may not show signs of arthritis. Occasionally an inflamed disc can show up on an x-ray as somewhat thicker than usual.

MRI's and CT's both show discs and will differentiate a normal healthy disc from an unhealthy one. They will also show if a disc is bulged or herniated and will show how well hydrated it is. Generally speaking, CT's are best to show hard tissues such as bone, and MRI's are best to show soft tissues like discs and nerves. So if arthritis or fractures are suspected by the ordering physician, a CT is ordered. If a disc bulge or herniation is suspected, then an MRI is ordered. Other diseases can also show up on CT's and MRI's such as spinal cord tumors, bone cancer, bone abscesses, meningeoceles, etc.

Can Sciatica be cured?
The more correct question is, "Can sciatica be relieved?" Remember sciatica is a symptom not a diagnosis. So whether or not sciatica can be relieved depends on whether or not the cause of the sciatica can be fixed.

The good news is that since the most common cause of sciatica is an impinged nerve usually resulting from a herniated or bulging disc, the answer is yes: Sciatica can be relieved with a fairly high success rate depending on how the problem is addressed. Many successful tactics can be implemented by your chiropractor or MD. They range from spinal decompression to surgery on the extreme end to core muscle strengthening, stretches, yoga and acupuncture on the more conservative end.

If the diagnosis is something other than a disc problem, the treatments can vary quite a bit…more than can be covered in this article.

Conclusion
The cause of sciatica can be very hard to diagnose. Seek help today if you or someone you know is suffering. Visit your chiropractor or MD, based on your preference. To do nothing may cause irreversible damage that may affect your ability to walk. Rest assured, help is out there. Relief is within reach.

Corset Type Brace For Low Back Pain - Pain Relief Options


How is your lower back doing lately?

Are you wondering if a support could help you move past your lower back pain?

1.) Introduction to This Article

Back pain is the fifth most common ailment that leads to doctor visits. In the United States alone, fifty percent of workforce has experienced back discomfort in their life. In adults, ninety percent have had experienced back pain at least once in their lifetime. Back discomfort, although common, is not something that should be taken for granted of course. It causes the sufferer, emotional and physical pain and impairs him or her from doing many of the daily routines and hobbies. Back pain can derail a patient from going to work for weeks or months, and that will have a negative impact on his or her productivity.

2.) Treatments Available for Low Back Pain

There are so many reasons why you can be suffering from lower back pain. Unfortunate but true. The treatment options used to improve a sufferer's condition have been backed up by many doctors and this is helpful to rely on for many patients. If your lower back discomfort is recurring, doctors usually inquire and assess the severity of pain. Depending on the pain threshold, some doctors may just prescribe pain killers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (make sure to talk with your doctor about medications prior to their use). There are back strengthening exercises and stretching included in some prescribed therapy to aid the recovery of someone who is suffering from back pain.

3.) Non-surgical Treatment for Low Back Pain

In treating severe lower back pain; surgery is not always the best option. There are alternative treatments that a patient can choose to battle back issue. Non-surgical treatments such as wearing back braces are preferred by many people. Back braces can help reduce the pain of the sufferer, and facilitate good posture to avoid the recurrence of the pain. Also, back braces restrict certain movements that are detrimental to a sufferer's back. In this way, further damage to the back can be avoided.

Back braces for the low back pain are created as a support to the lumbar spine to inhibit some movement. This will relieve pressure off the lower back, which in turn, reduces or takes away pain.

4.) Types of Back Braces

A Corset Back Brace is a type of back brace that comes as an elastic or canvas type of material that wraps around your lumbar spine and abdomen. They are often times referred to as lumbosacral braces. It offers a certain level of movement restriction, and it is effective in providing stability to the back. A corset brace is effective in limiting motion of the spine after lumbar fusion or other lumbar issue. It also helps the patient to avoid bending forward, which could otherwise elevate the pain.

A corset type of back brace is recommended for people whose daily activities or work requires them to do heavy lifting. If you are suffering from lower back pain, it is good to use a corset to give you a reminder for proper posture when you lift heavy things. Back braces are also recommended for those who need additional support due to the back strain caused by most of the activities during the day.

* This is health information. We have seen lower back braces help people a lot but it is important to note that you should talk to your doctor about medical advice for your particular situation. Corsets are usually very helpful for muscle strains, herniated discs and other degenerative issues, but not for kidney problems that cause low back pain, for example.

How Simple Is a Lumbar Laminectomy Procedure?


Undergoing a lumbar laminectomy procedure involves removing a little bit of bone to free up a nerve root that is getting pinched. It is also a procedure that is performed to free up multiple nerve roots that are being pinched as is commonly seen in spinal stenosis.

In the world of spine surgery, undergoing a laminectomy is a minor procedure. Granted, anytime surgery is being done to you it should not be considered minor, but in the scheme of overall magnitude of spine surgery it is in fact considered minor. After having a laminectomy, most patients are able to go home the next day. When you look at who has spinal stenosis, most patients are in an older age range between the 50s to the 80s. Because of this most patients find it is better to stay in the hospital for one night.

What are the reasons that patients need a laminectomy,? Well the first reason as mentioned is spinal stenosis which involves typically arthritis having extra bone and soft tissue formation and causing nerves to get pinched and pain flareup.

With this, what you have is a quality of life decision where patients need to decide if conservative treatments such as physical therapy, pain medications, epidural injections, chiropractic treatment, spinal decompression therapy, are working and if not a laminectomy may be in order. Another reason to undergo a laminectomy is for a herniated disc. A herniated disc procedure does involve removing a little bit of bone in order to safely pull the nerve root that's getting pinched out of the way and remove the piece of disk that has herniated. So in actuality when people undergo a discectomy it really is a laminectomy/discectomy.

As mentioned the most common reason for having a lumbar laminectomy procedure is to fix up nerves that are being compressed due to spinal stenosis. The typical procedures lasts under an hour, however if the procedure is being performed in conjunction with a spinal fusion with screws and rods then that will increase the procedure time and risks substantially.

What are the risks of a lumbar laminectomy?

The risks of undergoing a lumbar laminectomy include the risk of anesthesia complications, bleeding risk, infection, injury to the nerve that is being decompressed, and if too much bone is taken the patient may end up with spinal instability and increased pain. A lot of patients with spinal stenosis have minimal back pain and only leg pain from the pinched nerves. Studies have shown that 50% of patients will end up with back pain and stiffness after a laminectomy procedure. Thankfully it typically is not overly severe.

A laminectomy procedure continues to be the gold standard for a lot of spinal conditions patients suffer from. There are some newer types of minimally invasive surgeries to have a laminectomy performed, and that should be discussed with your surgeon prior to your procedure if one becomes necessary.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Sciatica and How Spinal Flossing Can Reduce Lower Back and Nerve Pain


Many people suffer from a type of back pain known as sciatica. The sciatic nerve is the longest and widest nerve in the human body, and a problem in any area of the spinal cord or this nerve can lead to the condition of sciatica. This painful situation is far too common in the general public, even though the nerve roots have shown a remarkable ability to repair themselves. Unfortunately, a lack of understanding of the condition prevents many from getting better.

The sciatic nerve, the longest in the body, begins in the lower back and branches into both legs. It extends through the hips and follows the legs down into the feet and toes. When there is a problem further up in the spine, low back, or hips that creates pressure on the nerve, pain and a loss of feeling can be experienced all the way down to the knee and toes. This is regardless of where the problem occurs, whether the nerve has a problem in the upper back, lower back, or wherever else.

Sciatica is a condition caused by excessive tension of this sciatic nerve or of the nerve roots in the lower back. Pinching of the nerve at various locations can also lead to sciatica. Another cause is rough tissues impinging on the nerve or arthritic bone causing friction. Disc problems such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or extruded disc material can also harm the nerve and lead to the condition.

Symptoms of sciatica include pain that radiates down the lower back and can be felt in the hips, down to the knees, and even in the big toe. Numbness along the nerve can also be a symptom. Radiating pain, though, is one important situation to watch out for, especially if a back injury causes painful sensations in the knees or feet, as this may be an indication of nerve impingement. Anyone with such symptoms should see a doctor or pursue treatment that they find appropriate.

One poor treatment option, though, is stretching the muscles at the point of soreness. This can often exacerbate the sciatica as the stretching just irritates the nerve further. And stretching muscles does not help much when the problem is not being caused by muscle stiffness, but is instead a neurological (nerve) problem. It would be better to address the root cause of the pain, rather than just tugging on muscles in the general area.

This is why a program of spinal flossing is much better than simply stretching. Flossing operates on the suggestion that nerves can create a pathway for themselves as long as they can move. Tissues such as spinal disc material or arthritic bone can be dissolved over time by the nerve through this technique. Flossing involves working the nerve through whatever range of motion the patient can manage, as long as the movement is done without pain. Over time, the area of painless movement can increase.

Sciatica can be a very difficult medical condition to live with, and patients can work with their doctors to reduce pain and regain their old movement skills by knowing which methods to avoid and which to utilize. Excessive tension on the nerve needs to be addressed not through stretching muscles in the area that hurt, but by taking an approach to address the nerve itself and begin reducing the symptoms of sciatica.