Herniated Disc Therapy - Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression

spinal stenosis

If you are suffering from a herniated disc, you should consider therapy as a possible remedy. A type of disc problem involves the rubbery cushion between the individual vertebrae of your spine to push out through a crack of the tougher exterior of the disc.

Symptoms usually include a numbing or tingling sensation that begins in one leg and can extend from the buttocks down to the knee. In some cases, the pain can extend from the buttocks all the way down to the ankle and even the foot. Pain can also be present in the front of the thigh, and a person can have severe and even extreme muscle spasms due to a herniated disc.

There are many types of herniated disc therapy. One form of therapy that is used by chiropractors is non-surgical spinal decompression.

Non-surgical spinal decompression involves the use of a mechanical traction device that is operated by an on-board computer. This device regulates the angle and force of disc distraction, which limits the body's natural ability to generate muscle spasms. Non-surgical spinal decompression helps to reduce intradiscal pressure, which reverses nerve impairment, reduces loading of the spine, and enables damaged spinal discs to heal themselves over time.

A type of mechanical traction that is used in non-surgical spinal decompression is inversion therapy. This involves the patient hanging upside down in order to achieve relief from a herniated disc. This therapy works by alternating between 15 one-minute decompression and relaxation cycles to reduce the pressure on the herniated disc and to allow the tougher exterior of the disc to heal.

There are several versions of therapy, including range-of-motion (ROM) decompression. Range-of-motion decompression involves the chiropractor adjusting the patient's spinal posture while the decompression is taking place. This allows the decompressive pulling forces that are applied during the spinal decompression to reach into the spinal areas and tissues. These are areas that are often not affected by basic linear decompression.

Spinal decompression through inversion therapy is a popular herniated disc therapy because spinal decompression does not have the risks associated with surgery, anesthesia, or injections, yet can be quite effective in providing relief from a herniated disc. Therefore, spinal decompression is considered to be a safer herniated disc therapy option as compared to surgery or injections. Additionally, spinal decompression is an FDA-approved therapy and is generally less expensive than surgery or injections.

Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy is a herniated disc therapy option you should consider if you have any of the following conditions:

- Numbness
- Tingling
- Radiculopathy (sensory and motor disturbances that cause severe pain and muscle weakness within the neck, back, arm, shoulder, or leg)
- Spondylosis (degenerative osteoarthritis of the joints between spinal vertebrae and the openings within the vertebrae)
- Lower back pain
- Sciatica (numbness, weakness, pain, or tingling within the leg due to pressure or injury on the sciatic nerve)
- Disc hernia
- Disc protrusion
- Spinal injuries
- Foraminal stenosis (narrowing of the small canal in the spine)

Therefore, if you are suffering from any of the aforementioned symptoms, you may have a herniated disc and need to seek therapy in order to obtain long-term relief. Non-surgical spinal decompression is an FDA-approved therapy option you should consider, as it can provide the relief you are seeking without the need for surgery or injections.

Spinal Fusion Often Not Best Option For Spinal Stenosis Patients

spinal stenosis

Characterized by the narrowing of the spinal canal and impingement of nerves, spinal stenosis can be severely painful and debilitating. Stenosis can be caused by vertebral bone spurs, disc herniation or ligament overgrowth in the spine.

Stenosis of the upper spine segment in the neck is called cervical stenosis; it causes intense localized pain at the area of nerve compression and refers pain, numbness, tingling and/or weakness into the arm. In the lumbar spine, the condition often leads to sciatica. If nerve damage, paralysis or loss bladder and bowel function are imminent, surgery will be performed to treat this condition.

Not all surgeries are created equal. Be sure you know your options before agreeing to a surgical procedure.

Fusion Vs. Laminectomy

By far, spinal fusion is the most popular procedure prescribed for people with stenosis. This procedure entails the use of a bone graft or other device that is placed between two or more vertebrae to fuse them together into one rigid segment. The fusion is often reinforced with multiple pieces of hardware.

Medical researchers have expressed a great deal of concern about the increasing number of spinal fusion procedures in the last 15 years, particularly among Medicare patients. Some speculate that high reimbursements for the procedures coupled with kickbacks to surgeons from hardware device companies like Medtronics rather than the patients' best interests are responsible for the choice to perform the procedure.

A 2010 study sought to analyze trends of spinal fusion procedures while comparing this type of surgery to another, laminectomy, in the treatment of older Medicare patients with spinal stenosis. The study reports that the rate of complex spinal fusions - those involving fusion of more than two vertebrae or entailing both posterior and anterior approaches - performed between 2002 and 2007 increased 15-fold. Rates of laminectomy procedures decreased during this time.

Laminectomy, or surgical decompression, involves the removal of a piece of the posterior vertebra that covers spinal nerves. During a laminectomy, bone spurs or spinal disc segments impinging nerves are removed as well. The procedure widens the spinal canal, aiming to relieve painful pressure on nerves.

The study results showed that the rate of life-threatening complications was 2.3% among laminectomy patients and 5.6% for complex fusion patients. Rehospitalization rates within 30 days of the procedure were 7.8% for laminectomy recipients and 13% for complex fusion recipients. Complex fusions cost nearly 4 times more than laminectomies ($80,888 compared to $23,724). See more on the study at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20371784.

Another study sought to compare the cost-effectiveness of both procedures for stenosis patients. Some cases of stenosis cannot be treated with laminectomy, particularly those that involve vertebral slipping (spondylolisthesis). Researchers compared the cost-effectiveness of laminectomy for regular stenosis to that of fusion for stenosis with vertebral slipping. Cost-effectiveness was measured in quality-adjusted life-years (QALY). Laminectomy cost $77,000 per QALY gained, compared to $115,000 for fusions. In the U.S., procedures are considered cost-effective up to $100,000 per QALY. See more on the study at http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=744151.

Despite the low cost-effectiveness, it is important to note that the above study also showed fusion for stenosis patients with spondylolisthesis to yield significantly greater health improvements than nonoperative care.

The decision to have surgery should not be an easy one. It is important for both patients and health professionals to ensure that conservative treatments have been rigorously pursued, if possible, and that surgery is a necessary last resort. For those with stenosis without vertebral slipping, laminectomy appears to be the best surgical option. Inform yourself about all your options before having surgery.

Cure For Stiff Neck - How To Stop A Stiff Neck Quickly Using Natural Remedies

spinal stenosis

Ever get too engrossed in reading a particularly interesting book for too long and then later, literally beat your head against a wall searching for a cure for stiff neck? Sounds familiar?

One of the most uncomfortable and irritating ailments is neck pain or a stiff neck. It affects us all at some point in life.

Knowing About Neck Pain

For most people, a stiff neck is the result of bad posture. However, there are a number of reasons that can be responsible for this.

Injury in the form of fall or blow to the neck area can lead to a stiffness in the neck. The nerves between the shoulder and the neck are injured in such situations and can manifest itself in the form of neck stiffness.

A condition called radiculopathy occurs due to repetitive stress on the neck or continued bad posture, resulting in pain in the neck muscles.

Diagnosing A Stiff Neck

In most cases, except for serious ailments like spinal stenosis, the most common form of relieving stiffness in the neck is to correct your posture and take proper rest. However, in a world where time is a luxury most cannot afford, most people would run to the nearest dispensary and get themselves a pain relief ointment. But the question here is, whether the ointment is actually a cure for stiff neck or whether it makes way for future ailments?

Considering that most commercial pain relief medicines contain chemicals like toluene, dioxane, parabens, etc. the long-term effects of using such medicine easily weigh out the short-term relief they provide.

Most available ointments for this ailment have other nasty side effects like bad odor and may cause rashes or inflammation on the skin.

Cure For Stiff Neck The Natural Way

Studies have proven that these natural ingredients work the best to get rid of stiffness in the neck.

• Belladonna: Used by people in the Middle Ages to anesthetize a patient before surgery, Belladonna in regulated amounts helps as a pain-killer.
• Menthol: External application helps with the healing process of the area by eliminating waste from the blood.
• Naja: Acts directly on the nerves, thus soothing the pain and speeding up the recovery process.
• Phosphorous: Helps in muscle contraction and heartbeat regulation. Due to this property, phosphorous overcomes the burning sensation in the muscles felt due to a stiff neck by regulating the nerves responsible for receiving pain.

And the best part about all these homeopathic remedies is that they have no side effects.

One Essential Ingredient

Now, consider if a cream or ointment has all the above ingredients and is readily available, would that make it a perfect cure for stiff neck? Well it would, if it contained Cetyl Myristoleate.

Cetyl Myristoleate is a chemical that is proven to cure joint and muscle pain, confirmed by independent studies by the University of Connecticut and the prestigious Journal of Rheumatism.

Bottom line

With this information, all you need is a cream or ointment that contains the most effective and scientifically proven ingredients as mentioned in order to achieve cure for stiff neck quickly and without side effects.

Spinal Cord Injuries Leading to Temporary or Permanent Paralysis

spinal stenosis

In a previous article, we looked at different types of back injuries due to trauma. Spinal cord injuries can occur at any level of the back or neck, and may be due to flexion, rotation, extension, compression, or cauda equina problems. And the result can be damage to the tissues including ligament strain, subluxation (misalignment of the vertebrae), nerve damage, and fracture or dislocation of the bones of the spine. This article will discuss the results of such trauma in terms of changes to the proper functioning of the spinal column and potential paralysis below the site of injury.

No one wants to think about being paralyzed from the neck down or the from the waist down as a result of a fall or motor vehicle accident. But people can be very seriously injured and lose the functioning of their bodies as a result of spinal cord trauma. In a fall or violent encounter affecting the back, though, one of the first signs of a cord injury is a loss of nerve function below where the injury occurs. It may be a total loss of sensation and control, or just a partial impairment with some loss of feeling. But if it is clear that some feeling has been lost, then spinal cord injury may be the problem.

A complete cutting of the nerve can result in immediate, total loss of functioning below the transection level. All sensation and reflex activity is paralyzed, the person loses control of the limbs, and the automatic processes of the body below that level are completely shut off. If the cord is cut high in the neck region, functions such as breathing may be impaired as the muscles that control the respiratory response are no longer able to function. In fact, pneumonia is a common cause of death in such patients who need help in breathing after complete paralysis.

While the prospect of recovering from the spinal cord being cut is very low, complete paralysis below the site of injury may not be permanent in all cases. Sometimes, trauma causes a concussion or contusion leads to a temporary paralysis due to the swelling at that part of the spine. In time, as the inflammation is reduced, proper nerve functioning is restored. This phenomenon is referred to as spinal shock, and the related swelling usually diminishes over a few days after a rapid buildup right after the injury occurs. The good news is that the paralysis is only temporary.

Nerves that have been completely cut or degenerated, though, do not recover in time or with treatment. The damage to the nervous system functioning is most often permanent and irreversible. If there is a return of feeling and muscle control within the first week of an injury, there is a much better chance of recovery. Compression injuries that compress the nerves in the spine can also recover with time. Injuries that cause a lack of sensation and movement for months, however, often lead to a permanent loss of functioning.

Pain, Pain, Go Away - The 7 Mistakes That Are Making Your Pain Persist

spinal stenosis

So often, pain plagues us for years, rearing its ugly head at the most inopportune times, like right before a sporting event, while we're on vacation, or when the weather finally turns to sun and it's time to get outside and play. Even worse, it can be a persistent thorn in your side for years; you might find that you wake each morning covered in aches, stiff, and unwilling to move.

Those who suffer with chronic or acute pain don't do so willingly. In fact, according to the American Chiropractic Association, Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on back pain, and experts estimate that as much as 80% of the population will experience back pain at some point in their lives.

Most doctors, if they are unable to find a direct medical cause of the pain such as a herniated disk or spinal stenosis, chalk pain up to "just a part of getting older," leaving patients with little hope of long term healing. The truth is that aging does not have to be accompanied by the myriad aches and pains our Western civilization has come to expect.

In his lecture series, The New Physics of Healing, Deepak Chopra refers to studies done on indigenous tribes where the perception of a person as he or she ages actually increases in value. So, for example, a 30 year-old is much more highly regarded in athletic ability and mental wit than a 20 year-old, and so on and so forth. In this culture, the population did not decline as they aged, but actually improved in cardiovascular health and athletic ability (as measured by their ability to run long distances - their main form of delivering messages between tribes). Similar studies also invalidate the notion that aging necessitates physical and mental decline.

So, if pain isn't a necessary part of aging, why are so many people plagued by chronic discomfort? Following are three of the seven reasons I see clients get stuck running in circles, unable to achieve the results they're dreaming of.

Mistake #1: Continuing to do what doesn't work

It's common for someone to try a healing modality because a friend or family member had success with that path. Usually, clients will go to the same therapist that treated the referrer. This is generally a good strategy, but if you're not getting the results you want, don't keep flogging a dead horse. It may be that the therapist isn't a good match for you or that you need someone with slightly different skills. Your body may respond better to a different modality. Don't be afraid to end treatment if it's not getting you to where you need to be.

Mistake #2: Assuming there is only one solution

In contrast, some people bounce from practitioner to practitioner, seeking the "miracle cure" that will banish their pain. They try one session of massage, two with an acupuncturist, and then hit up a Rolfer for three sessions, never sticking with anything long enough to evaluate whether or not they're getting results.

When you set out to heal your body, you have to understand that there is no magic bullet. Accepting that fact will allow you to be proactive and engaged in your healing process. Ask lots of questions and educate yourself about the different therapies. If you're getting results, however small the measure, keep working with the therapist or modality that is moving you forward. Slowly add additional modalities, one at a time, until you find two or three that have a symbiotic relationship for your body. And, most importantly, keep an open mind. Assuming that you know it all, have tried everything, and that you know what does or doesn't work will tend to keep you stuck in a rut. You never know what new tidbit of knowledge will be the secret key to unlocking your vitality.

Mistake #3: Not working with the right mentors

Commonly, clients show up asking to be "fixed." They say, "I just want you to fix me so I can get back to my old life." I hate to break it to you, but a) you can't time travel backwards - the body you have now is the body you have to work with from this point forward, and b) no one can "fix" you; it's an inside job.

Healing pain runs deeper than just "fixing" a sore spot on your body. Pain is intricately linked with our mental and emotional states as well as our physical well being. At the very least, if you are stepping out on your healing journey, it's essential to have the support of a body mentor, spiritual mentor, and counselor or therapist. You may find that you have several in one category, such as an acupuncturist and structural integrator for your body, or one individual may be ideal. Dealing with all aspects of pain will help you to change the patterns that got you into your current state, developing healthier habits that will support whole body wellness.

Mistake #4: Treating only the symptoms

This could be the most common stumbling block that I see my clients facing. Western medicine, in its endeavor to divide and categorize the body, has given us the false notion that we are some sort of soft machine, a marvel of engineering with interchangeable parts, where organs and tissues can be extracted and replaced with no effect whatsoever on the organism as a whole.

Please don't get me wrong; western medicine has produced marvels in healing and definitely has its place in the world. Believe me, if I am in a serious car accident and need to be taken to the ER, I want the best MD in the world there to sew me back up!

But, when it comes to back pain, the tendency to want to pinpoint one tiny fulcrum of pain tends to leave the patient struggling and without solution. Here's why: Your body is intricately linked together; each tiny, microscopic cell is connected to the one next to it, and the one next to that, and so on. Every joint in your body affects the functioning of the joints that immediately surround it. If you injure a joint, there is a ripple effect through the body, much like the rings in a pond when you toss in a stone. It is impossible to focus solely on a knee, a hip, or a facet joint of the spine without also looking at the joints above and below it.

Most treatments only focus on the condition or diagnosis, i.e. sciatica, herniated disc, etc. In reality, your body underwent many stages of misalignment before developing severe conditions and debilitating pain, all starting with an imbalanced physical structure. Treating only the condition equates to treating only the result of the imbalance instead of going directly to the root cause of the pain. And, if there is no medical condition, doctors will often tell you that the pain and discomfort you are experiencing is "just part of getting older." In fact, it's usually indicative of an underlying imbalance that will worsen if you don't intercept it.

I highly recommend working with therapists who take a whole body balance approach to healing pain, such as a structural integrator. Your results will be deeper and tend to last much longer than treatment that only focuses on the symptom.

Mistake #5: Not dealing with pain the first time

We're all busy, and no one wants to put a halt to their life just because of a little back stiffness, right? Even worse, we don't want to sound "whiny" or get labeled as a hypochondriac. So, it's no surprise that most people don't treat back pain the first time it happens.

Barring any major bodily injury such as a bad fall from a horse or a horrendous car accident, back pain doesn't come on suddenly or overnight. It's a progression, a slow deterioration perpetuated by daily habits. If you are experiencing even mild discomfort in your back, neck, and shoulders, it's a sign that all is not well and if you don't get treatment immediately, you're setting yourself up for a much more difficult healing task down the road.

This is exceptionally challenging for athletes to come to grips with as excelling in sports necessitates a tough mentality. If you quit at the first sign of pain and discomfort, it's unlikely that you'll make it very far as an athlete; therefore, I recommend that athletes find a solid core of body care professionals, set up a scheduled treatment program, and stick to it (no canceling appointments just because you feel healthy and well this week)! This will help to catch any minor imbalances in their early stages, reducing the risk of greater injury and pain later on.

Mistake #6: Not understanding that healing back pain is a process

In a world of quick fixes and magic cures, we all want to take the fastest road to health that we can. But, like losing weight, healing pain is a process and can take some time. The only way to get from A to B is to put one foot in front of the other, keep walking, and don't let minor setbacks discourage you. Healing your body is a journey of self discovery, and it can be uncomfortable to say the least. It forces you to take a look at your life, at the areas that are serving you and those which are not. Just like losing weight means letting go of habits that are destroying your health, facing your back pain head on will mean that you must change the way you are living to some degree.

Pain is almost always correlated to an emotional state. There is absolutely a connection between stress and pain, in part because stress causes the body to emit certain neurochemicals that create inflammation and tension, and also because stress causes us to focus less on taking care of our well being (the economic downfall of 2008 saw increased work hours and a corresponding spike in computer related shoulder pain). Dealing with stress goes much deeper than swallowing a pill; it requires us to allocate time for self care and to incorporate practices that support a calm, relaxed state of being, like meditation, qi gong, tai chi, and yoga. All of these take time to have an effect on your body and life. Choosing a program of bodywork, exercise, and stress management and sticking with it is crucial to long term success in healing your pain.

Mistake #7: Not taking action

Making this mistake will most certainly keep you trapped and in pain for years to come. No one can take action on your behalf - no one! If you want to heal your body, you must become an active participant in your healing process, and that means making appointments with experienced bodyworkers, incorporating daily activity into your life, being proactive about stress management, and educating yourself about every single aspect of healing from pain.

Although it's easier to sit on the couch and wonder why this happened to you, or even to just push through the pain, continuing to do all the same sports and other activities (weekend warriors, I'm looking at you on this one) until you just can't bear it any longer, refusing to actively seek relief or taking refuge in pain relieving drugs that mask symptoms is the same as choosing to shorten the number of years that you will be physically able to remain active. The choice is entirely yours.

Chiropractic Treatment for Spine Disorders

spinal stenosis

Chiropractic care is very effective for treating spine related disorders. It is the most powerful and natural curing method. The popular chiropractic techniques are Laser Therapy, Cox Spinal Decompression, Full Spine Diversified etc.

There is a need for regular monitoring of the spine. The stress and tension which occurs due to malfunctioning of the spine can affect physical and mental activity of the person up to great extent. The spine is a common bony site for metastatic involvement. The upper bone structure of our body includes rib cage and spinal cord, and is supported by the Central Nervous System or Peripheral Nervous System. A spine is the foundation for the bone system and Nervous System of our body.

Problems Associated With Spine Disorders

The problems which are associated with the malfunctioning of the spine are Trigeminal Neuralgia, Horner's Syndrome, Bell's palsy, Dizziness, Allergies, Sinus problems, Leg and arm numbness, Seizures including Epileptic, Carpel tunnel Syndrome, Scoliosis, Sciatica, Neck and back pain, auto accident injuries, athletic injuries, chronic pain or stress, asthma, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, migraines and other headaches. There are also several instances for the dislocation of discs such as degenerative discs, bulging discs, herniated discs, thinning discs, and disc degeneration with oseophyte formation.

Chiropractic Treatment

In most of the cases people suffering from neck ache and back pain problems do not know where to go for an effective treatment and they remain confused, frustrated and anxious. In this regard chiropractic treatment is the most powerful and natural curing method, which is the most viable treatment method. It helps people in achieving new levels of fitness and wellness. The services of chiropractor professional were used to offer comprehensive health care and medical services to athletes in the winter Olympics, which occurred in Canada 2010.

Techniques of Chiropractic treatment

The chiropractic treatment is clinically effective in offering quality treatment options. Some of the modern chiropractic techniques are Applied Kinesiology, Laser Therapy, Orthopedic Extremity Adjusting, Motion Palpation, Myofascial Release, Instrument Adjusting, Sacro-Occipital, Palmer Specific, Cox Spinal Decompression and Full Spine Diversified. The techniques provide considerable improvement in patient's health and overall well-being. The treatment provides new hope to the patients suffering from neck and back pain problems.

The chiropractic techniques are specifically tailored for your individual health and provide treatment to all the spine related problems like Sports Injury, Spinal Stenosis, Headache, Scoliosis, Whiplash, Neck Pain, Back Pain, Pinched Nerve, Herniated Disc and so on.

How To Perform Autofellatio for Men Interested in Giving Themselves Fellatio (Oral Stimulation)

spinal stenosis

Autofellatio is the method where a man is able to stimulate his own sexual organs with his mouth. All by himself. Men are not alone in this interesting form of sexual stimulation. Some women can utilize similar techniques to stimulate their vulva. In women this is known as autocunnilingus.

There are many approaches and methods of performing autofellatio. I'll give a brief outline of what all is entailed to help men try this amazing form of self-sex.

1) Make sure you have a healthy enough spine and no contraindications to performing such tasks. Things like fractures in the spine, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and other physical problems may rule out autofellatio for some men. See a doctor to see if you have any problems that might interfere with autofellating.

2) Some form of preparatory warm up to help relax the body is always helpful. I don't mean "warm up" like working out with weights or jogging around the block; but something like a very hot shower or bath will help relax the muscles of the body. This will help relax and limber you up and also clear your mind.

3) Comfortable settings are important. Something like a bed or a soft Yoga mat is preferred. Make sure you won't be disturbed. You don't want your sister walking in on you. That would really suck.

4) Now it's just a manner of bending forward enough to reach your goal. Don't ever push yourself and if you feel any strains in any muscles or in your back, then back off. There are many positions available. Some men get extra leverage by pulling up with their hands on their body. Some use a wall for support and leverage. However, leveraged stretches like this can really cause sprains, so if you are going to use leverage, going very, very easy.

That's about it, actually. There's really not much to it.

However, if you're not used to this sort of thing, chances are you didn't get very far. This is probably because of the lack of flexibility in your spine and associated joints. Practicing stretching, over time, will help men become more flexible. Joints and fascia can also be targeted to increase overall flexibility. There are many methods of simple therapy that can help men improve their spinal range-of-motion. Easy techniques men can do easily at home.

It's important to take it easy at first. Monitor yourself and be patient in your quest.

Men who are interested in speeding up the process of autofellatio are encouraged to read the book YOGAFELLATIO. This book is very useful in helping men realize their autofellational goals in the shortest amount of time possible. This material is presented in an intelligent and concise manner.

Kimi Kalfino

Lower Back Pain and Pinched Nerve Pain Relief With Epidural Steroid Injections

spinal stenosis

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

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

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

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

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

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

Basics of Spinal Stenosis

spinal stenosis

For those who don't understand what spine Stenosis is, it can basically be defined as a condition that leads to your spine becoming narrow. When this condition occurs, it is more liable to happen in areas of your body such as your upper or lower back. The end result of this narrowing is that you then impart a lot of pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves then branch out and spread from these compressed areas into other places and then cause problems which lead to other complications that may have a severe impact on your health and your general well-being.

Stenosis leads is usually expressed through a number of symptoms, these symptoms include pain and numbness in the legs as well as other areas of your body such as your back and other attached areas of your torso. You may even lose sensitivity in these parts of your extremities as well. Some other complications which may then result include infections of reproductive and excretory organs. Stenosis usually occurs as part of the effects of bone damage which in turn may be caused by arthritis. Sometimes however it may be due to a number of other reasons which people suffering from the condition may be unaware of.

When the spine narrows, it is not every time that the spinal Stenosis condition occurs to indicate the fact that the spine has narrowed. However despite all this if spinal nerves are in the location or the spinal cord is among the parts of the body structure that is being compressed then a number of other symptoms may most likely occur which would then indicate that this condition exists in a degree which may be ascertained by the severity of the symptoms. Certain individuals tend to notice this pain when they are standing and feel it reduces when they get seated.

Sometimes the pain experienced may be in the form of radiating back pain or hip pain which can narrow the spinal cord and compress the nerves of the lumbar region as well. When this happens the pain usually starts off in the hip region and then moves down through the legs, the pain may be more pronounced when seated and affect only a particular side of the body. The condition may also result in an increased propensity for clumsiness or a general loss of balance on a rather regular basis. This in turn may prove disconcerting for the person who is affected by the condition.

When it comes to treating the condition, many options exist among these options are the opportunity for physical therapy as well as drugs that stop inflammation that results from Spinal Stenosis. Sometimes regular pain medication is offered in conjunction with a number of supplements that tend to boost the formulation of absent compounds in bone composition. At other times when the condition may be much more severe, medical operations may be carried out to reduce the strain on the spine and its associated components as well.

Get Help For Scatica - Ease The Pain Through Exercise

spinal stenosis

Contrary to what you might think, exercise is one of the best things you can do to help get relief from sciatica. Bed rest is okay initially for just a few days if necessary when your pain begins but it will make your condition worse if you continue. Exercise and physical movement is necessary to condition your back muscles and small spinal muscles to better support your back. Without proper exercise, your back muscles become weaker and this can lead to further back injury that will cause increased amount of pain. Exercise is not only important to maintain muscle conditioning but maintain spinal discs as well. Since your discs are not internally vascularized, movement is required to get nutrients into your discs as well as wastes out. Maintaining healthy discs will help to prevent pressure on your sciatic nerve. Many exercises can be done in the convenience of your own home. A simple sciatic exercise program generally includes strengthening core muscles, hamstring stretching and aerobic exercises.

Which Exercise's for Sciatica?

Before you get your sciatic exercise program under way, make sure that you visit your health care provider. It is important that you have a proper diagnosis of the cause of your under lying pain. For example, do you have a herniated disc or in particular spinal stenosis? This will determine the right type of exercises you will need to do. Doing the wrong exercises will increase your sciatic pain and possibly do permanent damage. Not only is it important to do the right exercises, but also the exercises must be done correctly. Exercises done incorrectly may worsen your problem. It is a good idea to work with a physical therapist or chiropractor to learn how to do your exercises properly. Then you should be able to do them on your own safely.

1.Core Muscle Strengthening

A sciatica exercise programs generally starts with strengthening your core muscles. Your core muscles include your stomach muscles and back muscles. Strengthening these muscles will provide better support for your back. Stretching exercises for your back and stomach are meant to target muscles that are causing pain because they are tight and lack flexibility. With stretching and strengthening your core muscles, you should be able to recover quickly and slow down future occurrences of sciatic pain.

2.Hamstring Stretches

Next, you can incorporate hamstring-stretching exercises. If you are not familiar, your hamstrings are found in the back of your thigh. Chances are your hamstring muscles are to tight and are creating stress for your lower back. Tight hamstrings can make your condition worse or this may be the cause of some of your sciatic pain. Hamstring stretching should be a part of your regular exercise whether you have sciatica or not. This form of stretching is known to be effective for most forms of sciatica.

3.Aerobic Exercises

The third form of exercises involves aerobic exercises. Aerobic exercises are not what you would call specific for sciatica but may be beneficial. Aerobic exercises provide for all over body fitness. One of the easiest forms of aerobic exercise is walking. I'm sure your aware that walking is a very low impact exercise and will provide excellent therapy for your sciatic pain. It is best to walk everyday. If you are not used to walking, make sure to start out slowly. Try working up to three or more miles a day. Your walk should be rather fast paced to bring up your heart rate. Walking will strengthen all of the muscles of the body allowing you to have good posture. Good posture is important to ease and even eliminate all back pain.

Important Final Tips:

Taking care of your sciatica will be an everyday endeavor. Be careful how you lift things, don't sit or stand for long times and try to keep a proper posture. Everything contributes to relieving your sciatic pain. Don't forget to get a proper diagnosis before you begin and make sure you learn how to do your exercises properly. If you follow this regime, you should have great success. In fact, you may experience relief within a few days to one week.

Scoliosis - Current Review of Potential Causes

spinal stenosis

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is a multi-factorial condition involving both genetic and environmental risk factors. Neither seems to be enough to cause the condition on their own, but it can be positively devastating when they do combine to form progressive scoliosis. Two separate questions keep popping up in regards to scoliosis; 1. Why does it occur in some child and not in others? 2. Why do some spinal curves progress and others do not?

Genetic factors + Environmental factors = Progressive Scoliosis

1. Initiating/inducing factors.....which is thought to involve a genetic pre-disposition....undetected neurological development/dysfunction which affects control of posture and coordinated movements in relation to the central nervous system body schema.... ('Body scheme' or 'body set' is the neural representation in our brainstem of our body. It is a sort of reference frame for our brain.
fMRI studies can show us the we can increase activity there by doing certain activities.)

These include multiple theories, which I'll elaborate more on individually later in this article.

- Rotational preconstraint theory
- Uncoupled spinal neuro-osseous growth (The String and Spring Theory)
- Brain, nervous system, and skull concepts
- Neuro-Osseous timing of maturation theory (NOTOM)
- Transverse plane pelvic rotation, skeletal asymmetric, and the "developmental theory: timing of maturation from the top-down to bottom-up organization of postural control.

2. Curve progression factors (which is generally thought to involve a mechanical process (torsion, vicious cycle, dorsal shear forces, etc) with eccentric loading (having axis away from the center) and vertebral growth modulation....AKA:Hueter-Volkmann principle. These are generally accepted to have both neural and osseous components.

These include theories on curve progression that appear after the initial onset of AIS.

- Relative Anterior Spinal Overgrowth (RASO) (although this could possibly be controlled via genetic factors in some AIS cases)
- Thoracospinal concept - girls with right thoracic adolescent AIS only
- Origin in contracture at the hips
- Osteopenia - a risk factor for curve progression?
- Melatonin deficiency
- Platelet calmodulin dysfunction
- Biomechanical spinal growth modulation

1. Rotational preconstraint theory

This theory is pretty straight forward and not too complex...on the surface. It basically states that paravertebral muscle imbalance with interference of the postural reflexes and body weighted related vertical loading lead the formation of scoliosis. The lingering question is... what causes the interference of the postural reflexes?

2. Uncoupled spinal neuro-osseous growth (The String and Spring Theory)

Biomechanically speaking, the continuous axial tissue tract of the pons, medulla oblongata (the CNS postural control centers) and spinal cord are all functionally linked together and anchored vertically from the skull to the caude equina at the base of the spine. It is also anchored laterally through out the spine by dentiulate ligaments, nerve roots and nerve sleeves. Take home message: The spine is tied down in the spine pretty tightly.

Alf Breig's 1978 work shows changes in relative lengths of spinal canal and cord CAN lead to pathologic axial tension. JD Reid's research confirms this when his research found physiological lengthening of the cord chiefly between C2-T1 up to a maximum of 17.6% in flexion (AKA: reversal of the normal cervical curve). Essentially, an acquired spinal cord tethering is the result from a loss of the normal side view cervical curvature.

Roth built off this information in 1981 when he speculated that AIS is a disproportion of vertebro-neuro growth due to either a short spinal cord or a too rapid growth spurt of the spine. In this spring/string model, he found that shortening of a string running though a spring model (think of a slinky with a string running though it) hindered elongation of the spring resulting in a scoliotic deformity.

Porter supported the uncoupled neuro-osseous growth concept of AIS being a physical manifestation of the mal-adaption of the growing immature spine to the tether created by the short spinal cord. This evidence for this was the finding that the conus medullaris (the end of the spinal cord) position is NOT significantly different from that of a normal spine.

Dr. Chu re-examined the Roth-Porter theory via an MRI study (comparing AIS patients with severe curvatures vs normal subjects) in 2007. They found the vertebral column in the AIS population was significantly longer, yet the there was no detectable change in spinal cord length. The speculated that the initiation and progression of AIS result from vert. column overgrowth through a mal-adapation of the spine to the subclinical tether of a relatively short spinal cord.

3. Brain, nervous system, and skull concepts

Dr. Chu (the same researcher who re-investigated the uncoupled neuro-osseous growth concept) developed a concept of AIS progression with 6 linked and overlapping processes a follow...

1. Longer latency somato-sensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) via a higher CNS disturbance producing visuo-spatial perceptional impairment, motor adaptation, and learning deficits which lead to faulty recalibration of the proprioceptive (bodily awareness in space) from axial musculature.
2. leading to impaired balance control, with...
3. Low lying cerebellar tonsils due to acquired spinal cord tethering, together with...
4. Other intracerabral structural abnormalities (Ex: abnormal skull base and vault) that could contribute to...
5. Inappropriate postural adjustment during...
6. The adolescent growth spurt that leads to...
7. Progressive AIS.

4. Neuro-Osseous timing of maturation theory (NOTOM)

This theory was introduced in 2002 by Burwell and Dangerfield and it suggests that the maturation of postural mechanisms in the CNS may be complete about the same time in boy and girls and the higher prevalence of progressive AIS in girls may be the result of entering there adolescent growth spurt in postural immaturity vs boys whose later adolescent growth spurt occurs post postural maturity.

Essentially, they are viewing the problem as a dis-coordination between the Osseous (bone) escalator (increasing skeletal size, changing skeletal shape, and relative mass of the different body segments) and the neural escalators (postural maturation with the CNS body schema being recalibrated as it continually adjusts to skeletal enlargement, shape, and relative mass changes to enable it to coordinate motor actions.

5. Transverse plane pelvic rotation, skeletal asymmetrics, and the "developmental theory: timing of maturation from the top-down to bottom-up organization of postural control.

This theory demonstrates correlation between thoracic curvatures and pelvic rotation in the same transverse plane. They speculate that the feet, pelvis, and "bottom-up" organization of postural control emerges prior to postural control and the "top-down" postural control re-organizes around age 7. It is possible that a dis-coordination of timing between the top-down (visual and vestibular) from the "bottom-up" (feet) organization of postural control could serve as the initiation and progression of AIS.

6. Relative Anterior Spinal Overgrowth (RASO)

Relative Anterior Spinal Overgrowth (RASO) essentially states that in many AIS cases the anterior elements (vertebral body) are longer than the posterior elements (the posterior joint complex) resulting in a structural hypo (decreased) thoracic kyphosis (the normal reversed side view curve seen in the mid back area).

It is not clear if this phenomenon is the result of an intrinsic abnormality of skeletal growth in patients with AIS which may genetic or an adaptation to biomechanical bone stress....which is the more accepted premise thus far... via the Hueter-Volkmann principle(bone under stress grows slower then bone not under stress) which would mean AIS has primarily a mechanical basis (aka: Dorsal shear forces theory).

The dorsal shear forces theory states the initial event is a lordotic segment in the thoracic spine with the spinal rotation and cobb angle being created by secondary torque forces from the posterior musculo-ligamentous structures.

Castelein has outlined 6 link/overlapping processes of the dorsal shear forces leading to AIS.

1. Upright human posture
2. Backward inclination of the vertebra in the sagittal plane (lordotic segment in the thoracic spine) creates...
3. Dorsal shear forces that render the facet joints inoperative and introduce...
4. Axial rotational stability enhancing slight asymmetries in the transverse plane with already exist.
5. Asymmetric loading of the posterior part of the vert. lead to asymmetric growth in 3-D of the pedicles, vert bodies, arches in accordance with the Hueter-Volkmann effect.
6. Progressive AIS

7. Thoracospinal concept - girls with right thoracic adolescent AIS only

Dr Sevastik developed a "thoracospinal concept" based on experimental, clinical, and anatomical data and it only applies to females with right thoracic curves.

His 6 steps has a linear causality mechanism...

1. Dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system (which is responsible for involuntary neurological postural control)
2. Increase vasularity of the left anterior hemithorax
3. Overgrowth of the left peri-apical ribs which...
4. disturbs the equilibrium of the forces that determine normal alignment of the thoracic spine, in a putative growth conflict, that...
5. triggers the thoracospinal deformity simultaneously in the three planes.
6. Biomechanical spinal growth modulation.

Basically, he is staying that asymmetrical blood flow between the left (increased) and right (decreased) to the anterior chest wall which causes and elongation of the left ribs.

8. Origin in contracture at the hips

Dr. Karski developed this concept of AIS orgin/progression based on 3 step linear process.

1. Hip abduction (external rotation)...which equates to a limitation of internal hip rotation...mostly of the right hip.
2. Disturbance of growth of the pelvi-sacral lumbar region with development of a left lumbar curvature.
3. Development of a compensatory right thoracic curvature.

Based off this theory he developed 3 groups with varying degrees of hip contractor to explain the "S" and "C" curve patterns.

9. Osteopenia- a risk factor for curve progression?

Low bone calcium has been found and noted in approximately 50% of AIS females in which their curve progressed 6 degrees or more and especially in the femoral neck of the hip on the side of the curve convexity (the outside of the curve) due to more weight bearing loading on the side of curve concavity (the inside of the curve). The researchers feel some of these findings could be explained via low calcium in-take, but felt that a lack of weight bearing activity and programmed exercise due to spinal brace treatment may be a primary contributor to the osteopenia in AIS.

10. Melatonin Deficiency

Virtually all of the work done in area of Melatonin deficiency and AIS has concluded that it may be factor in curve progression, but probably not related to initial onset of the condition. Machinda and colleagues postulated that in the development of progressive AIS, melatonin acts through the nervous system.

1. An inherent disorder of neurotranmitters from neuro-hormonal origin affect in melatonin,
2. associated with the bipedal condition, and......
3. a horizontal localized neuromuscular imbalance with torsion produces.....
4. a scoliotic deformity of the fibro-elastic and body structures of the spine.

Dr. Alan Moreau reported a melatonin-signaling transduction to be impaired in osteoblasts (bone builders) caused by the inactivation of Gi proteins. Which could serve as a biological marker with potential for curve progression prognosis via a blood test using lymphocytes.

11. Platelet Calmodulin Dysfunction

This curve progression theory also incorporates melatonin and the RASO concepts. Calmodulin is a protein that helps regulate skeletal muscle contraction via regulation of calcium within the muscle. Melatonin functions may include modulating calcium-activated calmodulin.

It is suggested that altered para-spinal muscle activity explained the relationship between calmodulin level changes and cobb angle in AIS.

Lowe offered an alternative calmodulin concept in 5 linear steps which ends in with development of RASO (relative anterior spinal over growth in the thoracic spine).

1. A small scoliotic curve.
2. Increased axial loads (growth spurt) create micro-damage to the vert. body growth plates...
3. causing vertebrae vascular damage...
4. combined with genetic pre-disposition calmodulin changes occurs with dilated blood vessels of deforming vert. bodies
5. which releases growth factors, which in a mechanically compromised vertebral endplate promotes RASO

12. Mechanical spinal growth modulation (AKA: The vicious cycle)

This theory is the most supported and generally accepted theory. Purposed by Dr. Ian Stokes (one of my personal favorites) as early as 1996, the biomechanical spinal growth modulation suggests spinal imbalance through gravity and continuous muscle action leads to asymmetric loading of the vert. growth plates and hence asymmetric growth via the Heuter-Volkmann principle.

Perdriolle reports that the onset of AIS occurs as a result of a mechanical process termed "geometic torsion of the vertebral bodies" but worsening was caused by deformation of the vert. bodies.

Stokes developed a 2-D mathematical simulation of the lumbar vertebra (not the discs) and tested whether the calculated loading asymmetry created by muscles in a spine with scoliosis could explain the observed rate of scoliosis. The results were consistent with the clinical observations.

Stokes' "Vicious Cycle"
1. Pre-existing scoliosis curve of unknown etiology (probably genetic underdevelopment of the neurological postural control centers in the CNS from the current knowledge provided by Axial bio-tech (developers of Scoliscore).
2. Putative neuromuscular dysfunction with the most physiological strategy causing loads more the concavity at the apex of the curve.
3. Neuro-muscular determined left-right asymmetric loading of vertebral bodies sustained over a substantial portion of the day.
4. Vertebral body growth plates (sensitive to altered asymmetric compression) with mechanically modulated alteration of growth leads to AIS curve progression

*** Different individuals adopt different neuromuscular strategies which explains curve patterns and varied progression rates.

What does it all mean? Well, there are a few conclusions that can be out of this massive amount of data and theory.

1. The origins of AIS is most likely linked to a genetic defect of the central control or processing by the central nervous system (Pons and hind brain) that affects the growing spine.
2. It appears that factors that pre-dispose/initiate AIS are separate from the factors that drive curve progression.
3. The consensus is that RASO results largely from biomechanical spinal growth modulation.
4. The NOTOM concept was formulated to explain why adolescent girls are more susceptible than boys to curve progression. Based on the timing of adolescent growth spurts (earlier in females) in relation to the timing of postural maturity (similar in boys and girls).

So how will all of this new information change the future of scoliosis treatment? No one really knows for sure, but it obviously will and has even spun an new concept in scoliosis treatment called Bernstein's Problem.

The Bernstein's problem: The brain is responsible for coordinating an amazing number of mechanical linkages, so Bernstein theorized the nervous system organized movement in a hierarchical manner which places the "body schema" at the top.

During the development of the body Schema the overwhelming evidence suggests it is tied to growth of the muscular-skeletal system and brain.

The key theoretical issue centers around how the brain adapts circuitry controlling muscles/joints and matches them to the developmental biomechanical changes during growth spurts.

The body schema is developed long-term from both somatotrophic body maps and immediate sensory input. (AKA: it is partly genetic and partly acquired through adaptation to the environment)

The first part of the body to develop postural organization is the head via visual and vestibular sensors (Top-Down mode by postural organization by age 7)

The NOTOM escalators may influence the CNS body schema during growth via proprioceptive inputs and brain plasticity. Particularly the decoupling that occurs between the head and torso past the age of 7 years old.

The evidence is continuing to support the notion that early stage scoliosis intervention using a neuro-muscular system of involuntary postural control may be the only way to alter the natural course of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

An In-Depth Overview of Endoscopic Spinal Surgery

spinal stenosis

Endoscopic Spinal Surgery is one of the most refined types of minimally invasive spinal surgeries that can be used to diagnose and treat spinal damage as well as spinal problems, such as spinal stenosis. Traditional spinal surgeries require long incisions, and the recovery periods are generally quite lengthy. This is what separates Endoscopic Spine Surgery from other major spine surgeries. Rather than recovering in months or even years in certain cases, patients get to recover within a few days after this surgery. Thus, undergoing this minimally invasive surgery gives patients the opportunity of experiencing minimal pain and returning to their regular activities within no time.

What is Endoscopic Spinal Surgery?

The medical-surgical procedure through which spinal injuries are cured is known as Endoscopic Spinal Surgery. If the spine of a patient has been damaged, then the damaged area of the spine is accessed by passing a minuscule video camera, known as an endoscope, through a small incision made in back. The video feed s obtained used by surgeons to assess the damage area and to determine a suitable remedy or treatment.

Some of the spinal conditions that can be treated with this surgery include:

- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Fractures
- Herniated Disc
- Infections
- Kyphosis
- Spinal Tumors
- Scoliosis

In comparison to open back surgery, there are three major benefits of undergoing this kind of back surgery:

- Since an endoscope is so compact sized, therefore, a very small incision is made in the back during this surgery.
- The muscles and tissues surrounding the incision do not need to be cut or torn.
- Due to the above two factors, the time required for recovery is a lot lesser (up to a couple of days).
- With all of these benefits combined, this surgery also tends to less painful as well.

Who is an Ideal Candidate for Endoscopic Spinal Surgery?

People suffering from persisting pain or numbness in their back are ideal candidates, especially using medication and undergoing treatments did not relieve the pain. Not all patients, however, are ideal candidates for this kind of surgery. Therefore, before undergoing this surgery, patients must often undergo evaluation first. Treating back pain is not an easy task; therefore, surgeons, firstly, try to understand what might be causing the pain a patient's back when evaluating them. This helps them carry out the proper treatment and determine if a patient is an ideal candidate for this kind of surgery.

What is the Average Recovery Time After Endoscopic Spinal Surgery?

While it depends on the patients how quickly they might recover after this surgery, however, in comparison to open back surgery, they will recover a lot quicker. Usually, patients who have undergone this surgery are released from the hospital the same day. Also in most cases no complications arise after this surgery, and the surrounding tissues are never damaged. A brace does not always have to be worn in most cases, but some patients are recommended to wear a brace after the surgery.

Are there Any Risks Involved in Endoscopic Spinal Surgery?

While this kind of spinal surgery is highly effective and tends to be a lot safer than open spine surgery, however, there are still a few general risks involved in this surgical procedure. Some of the risks involved include:

- Blood loss
- Inimical reactions to the anesthetic
- Post-operative pneumonia
- Risk of pulmonary embolus due to blood clots formed in the legs
- Infection in the incision made during surgery

What are the Alternatives to Endoscopic Spinal Surgery?

While this kind of a spinal surgery itself is an alternative to open back surgery, however, patients who are not ideal candidates for this surgery can consider other alternatives. Some other alternatives include:

- Arthroscopic Spine Surgery
- Laser Spine Surgery

While patients can consider undergoing one of the above-mentioned surgeries if they cannot undergo Endoscopic Spine Surgery, however, they will have to undergo evaluation once again.

Conclusion

Overall, even though not every spinal condition can be treated with Endoscopic Spine Surgery and not everyone might be an ideal candidate to undergo this kind of a spinal surgery. However, one thing that is for certain is that Endoscopic Spinal Surgery is an ideal alternative to open back surgery and allows patients to recover a lot faster with minimal risks.

Leg Numbness

spinal stenosis

Leg numbness is one of the neurological symptoms often associated with sciatica. There are many possible sources of numbness in the legs and all conditions should be thoroughly investigated by a qualified physician to insure that the patient is not suffering from some potentially serious health crisis, such as a circulatory disorder or diabetic condition. Unfortunately, many numbness conditions tend to either defy diagnosis or are misidentified as to the actual causative condition sourcing the symptoms. This is par for the course when discussing any of the usual symptoms of sciatica...

Leg numbness comes in 2 distinct symptomatic expressions. The first and less common is objective numbness. This type of symptom is defined as a numb feeling which can be verified medically and proven through diagnostic testing. The leg will not only feel numb; it will actually be sensory deprived, as well. The more common type of sciatica numbness is called subjective numbness. In this expression, the leg will feel numb, but testing will reveal no actual numbness in the skin, nerves or muscles involved. This objective versus subjective symptomatic comparison is very important in many sciatica conditions and can also be applied to weakness conditions, as well.

Objective numbness will usually be indicative of a structural issue in the lower back, or sciatic nerve anatomy, which has affected nerve activity, leading to decreased functionality. The most common cause of this phenomenon is a herniated lumbar or lumbosacral disc which compresses a spinal nerve root or the entire cauda equina structure. The second most common cause is an identical compression issue enacted by an arthritic osteophyte complex enacting foraminal or spinal stenosis in the lumbar spine. Other possible spinal reasons for weakness in the legs can include extreme spondylolisthesis or scoliosis, as well as failed back surgery syndrome. Non-spinal reasons for numbness are usually linked to a condition known as piriformis syndrome, in which the sciatic nerve is theorized to be compressed by the powerful piriformis muscle deep within the buttocks anatomy.

Subjective numbness is most often the result of a non-structural process, such as regional ischemia. This oxygen deprivation syndrome is at the heart of many chronic back pain conditions and is certainly the root source of many sciatica nightmares. Ischemia can be anatomical and linked to circulatory issues, but is usually enacted by the mind-body processes. In my experience, the majority of treatment-resistant sciatica syndromes are caused by oxygen deprivation, which helps explain why they do not respond well to medical care, complementary medical care or virtually any accepted treatment option, except knowledge therapy.

While this objective versus subjective symptom guideline is helpful to remember when diagnosing the source of numbness, it is not absolute. There are some structural issues which may only enact subjective numbness, although these conditions are usually transitional and typically improve without any dedicated treatment. There are also extreme cases of objective numbness caused completely by a powerful psychogenic process. In the case of both subjective and objective numbness caused by a mind-body issue, structural scapegoats are often located via diagnostic testing and usually take the blame for pain. It may take the patient year's worth of failed therapies and maybe an unsuccessful surgery or two to repudiate the diagnosis and finally realize the reason for their pain, tingling, numbness or weakness all along... This is the saddest aspect of life as a sciatica sufferer. The fact remains that despite advances in medical care, the present back pain industry is still burdened by misinformation, antiquated theories of pain and the illogical Cartesian medical philosophy which has proven itself to be so incredibly ineffective at dealing with chronic pain of any type or location.

What to Do For a Pinched Nerve

spinal stenosis

Do you know what to do for a pinched nerve? Those who live with this painful condition know how excruciating a pinched nerve can be. You may recognize a pinched nerve by intense radiating pain. Some people describe it as being stabbed by a red hot ice pick. People who have a pinched nerve in their lower back may feel radiating pain that shoots all the way down their leg. Others reports tingling and numbness. Either way, a pinched nerve is serious trouble that needs to be dealt with.

Nerves are the communication channels from the brain to the body and vice versa. Some nerves travel down the length of your spine. Other nerves, called peripheral nerves, leave your spine and branch out to other parts of your body. Due to various conditions, all nerves are vulnerable to being pinched, compressed, or stretched. Since these nerves are important communication channels, any pinching or irritation along these nerves can result in severe pain or discomfort.

So what to do for a pinched nerve? There are several options. This first step is to treat the pain. Your doctor may recommend various pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and probably some form of heat or ice therapy. The trick is to reduce the pressure at the point of compression along the nerve. You should avoid any activity that seems to make the problem worse. The anti-inflammatory drugs and ice/heat therapy will help reduce any swelling and give the area time to heal.

Your doctor may also recommend some form of stretching or physical therapy. This is because you may have developed some form of muscle imbalance. A muscle imbalance is simply a condition where one group of muscles becomes stronger and tighter than the opposing group of muscles. These muscle imbalances develop naturally over time as a result of your lifestyle, posture, and work habits. Over time, these imbalances will slowly warp your spine and pelvis out of alignment. This often results bulging disks, spinal stenosis, and other conditions that can pinch the nerves. Therefore, these muscle imbalances are usually the root cause of almost all pinched/impinged nerves and back pain.

If you only treat the pain and neglect these underlying conditions, don't be surprised if the pain quickly returns. Treating the pain is not the same as curing the condition. My best advice for what to do for a pinched nerve is to educate yourself on muscle balance therapy techniques. Many people have found this to be the most effective strategy for long term pain relief.

Oh My Aching Spine!

spinal stenosis

Previously we discussed briefly conditions such as rheumatic diseases, cervical spondylotic myelopathy, degenerative disk disease, and stenosis but there are several other conditions which can cause difficulty for your spine.

Ruptured, slipped, or herniated disk, all have the same meaning. They are a condition which occur when one of the pads between your vertebrae is bulging out and putting pressure on a nerve. To explain further, a disk is made up of two layers, one is outer and tough in form but the other is centered and gel like. A disk becomes ruptured when the center pushes the other layer out of its 'proper position'. There is a possibility that a massive herniated disk can cause severe problems. Losing control over your bladder or bowels can be warning sign of this condition and needs to be addressed by your doctor immediately.

Sciatica is a condition which occurs when the sciatic nerve is being compressed. This nerve extends from the lower point of the spinal column in the pelvis and all the way down your leg. When the nerve is compressed it can cause burning lower back pain, pain though the butt cheeks and down one leg below the knee, numbness, and loss control over the leg. The causes of this condition may include: a ruptured disk, tumors or cysts, and degeneration of the sciatic nerve root.

Spondyloysis and spondylolisthesis is described as a stress fracture in the lower spine. Spondylolisthesis is recognized as the poor alignment that causes the vertebrae to slip and put pressure on the nerve root.

Osteoporosis is a condition which weakens the bones and causes them to become brittle. As a result fractures can occur. Scoliosis is defined as a curvature off the spine which can result in stenosis or other accompanying problems.

Spinal tumors and cysts can cause great discomfort. A cyst is described as a closed sac of fluid. Much like a tumor, a cyst can cause pressure on the spine column or nerves and may cause intense pain. It can also cause increased stiffness in other areas of your body. Some cysts can be extremely dangerous because they can expand and destroy the center of the spinal cord.

Trauma, of course, can have a lasting effect on your spine. Injuries caused by an accident may never allow for complete recovery. However, working closely with your doctor can help decrease the severity of its effects.

What You Need To Know About Degenerative Disc Disease

spinal stenosis

The term degenerative disc disease does not truly describe an actual disease. It is really a general term given to the series of changes that the discs in our spines go through as we age. These changes are completely normal, and while not a disease itself, it can lead to other conditions, like arthritis, spinal stenosis or a herniated disc.

Spinal discs are soft and compressible discs that separate the interlocking bones of the spine, known as vertebrae. They act as shock absorbers, allowing the spine to flex, bend and twist without damage. Over time, these discs will begin to degenerate or break down, and it usually begins in the lower back or lumbar region and the neck, otherwise known as the cervical region.

Causes

One of the first signs that your spinal discs are undergoing changes through degenerative disc disease is the loss of fluid. Losing fluid reduces the disc's ability to act as a shock absorber, and they begin to lose flexibility. They also become thinner during fluid loss, and will narrow the spaces between vertebrae. Soon, tiny tears or cracks will also appear in the outer layer of the disc. There is a jelly-like material inside the disc that is normally used to cushion the bones of the spine, called nucleus, and it will leak out through those cracks over time.

Losing the nucleus material can cause the disc to bulge or rupture, and eventually break down into fragments. Sudden injuries to the spine can also create this condition of the disc, and is known as a herniated disc. As the space between vertebrae shrinks, the spine becomes unstable, and the body will react by creating bone spurs between the vertebrae. Those spurs squeeze in between the vertebrae, further crowding out the flattening discs, and putting pressure on the spinal nerves. This can result in chronic back pain, as well as loss of nerve functions throughout the body.

Symptoms

The main symptom of degenerative disc disease that alerts most patients that something is wrong is pain. Some patients may not experience any pain at all, while others will have chronic bouts of pain in the neck and lower back. A lot of it depends where the affected discs are located. A degenerating disc higher up the spine, near the neck, may cause pain in the neck or arm, including numbness and tingling.

A degenerating disc in the lower back can cause pain in the lumbar area, as well as the buttocks and legs, often accompanied by numbness and tingling as well. The level of pain may increase following movement, like reaching up for something, bending over, or twisting. Often, the pain comes out of nowhere, for no apparent reason, while others will only experience intermittent pain following an injury or fall of some kind.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Medical history and physical exams are just the beginning of diagnosis. A variety of tests will be run, including range of motion, reflexes and weakness will also be done. There may also be X-rays or MRI tests done to pinpoint the exact cause.

Treatment will depend on the condition of the disc, and whether other ailments besides degenerative disc disease are involved. Medication, chiropractic treatment and exercises are all normally employed. Surgery is always a last resort.

9 Ways to Avoid Back Surgery in the 21st Century

spinal stenosis

Back pain is a rampant problem in the United States. For example, did you know that over 1 million people are in bed today due to back pain? Back pain costs society over $100 billion every year in direct and indirect costs. There are over 400,000 spinal fusions performed each year in the United States. This represents a 15 fold increase over the past decade.

The vast majority of back surgeries in United States are elective. There are only really a few absolute indications for operating on one's back. The most prominent of these is called Cauda Equina syndrome, which is a condition that is an absolute surgical emergency. It involves pressure on the bottom part of the spinal cord and can affect permanent bowel and bladder function if not addressed right away. Unstable fractures of the back should be addressed in an emergency fashion as necessary. If the patient is having progressive neurologic deficit then that becomes a relative indication for surgery. Essentially what is being relayed here is that there are few relative and absolute indications for surgery, but the vast majority are actually elective.

Patient diagnoses such as to generate this disease or spinal stenosis with degenerative spondylolisthesis are the most typical types of issues that back pain patients have to deal with. These are never fatal, and are truly quality-of-life conditions. Nonsurgical measures should be exhausted prior to undergoing a spinal fusion procedure.

Is there a magic treatment to avoid surgery? The answer is truly not. There are no gimmicks, there are no holy grails, and there is no effective snake oil that can help patients avoid surgery. There are 9 treatments that have research behind them which can truly help patients avoid elective back surgery.

1. Activity modification-this refers to the old adage of if it hurts don't do it. Or simply do something else. For instance, if you are participating in a high stress activities such as jogging, that is probably not the best activity to pursue with significant degenerative disc disease. You'll probably be better off switching over to cycling or swimming. But benign neglect goes along with this and represents ignoring the pain if it's not too bad. These elective types of conditions by and large don't need prophylactic intervention.

2. Physical therapy and aerobic exercise-PT can strengthen the muscles around the spine, called the paraspinal muscles, and take pressure off the painful areas. A number of studies have shown that aerobic exercise maintains excellent results and is probably the single best activity for degenerative disc disease patients. Patients may need interventional treatments prior to undergoing PT to ensure their ability to perform the exercises properly. Especially if they are experiencing acute exacerbation of the pain.

3. Chiropractic treatment-this is now mainstream and is covered by many insurance companies. Over 10% the American public at any one point in time is under the care of a chiropractor. Research has shown that chiropractic manipulations are effective for pain relief for low back pain for a number of conditions.

4. Medications-chronic narcotics are a terrible idea for back pain and may lead to side effects such as depression, tolerance, and addiction. A better idea is to only use them on a short-term basis and stick with the tried and true Tylenol and NSAIDS. These are lower risk and very effective especially if taken within the manufacturers dosing recommendations. Muscle relaxers can help on a short-term basis, and as of recently dropped in and Lyrica are being used more fluidly for low back pain with good success. Non-narcotic medications such as old tram are also being used successfully for back pain. It is a good idea to utilize medications in conjunction with a complex of pain management program. That way not just throwing pills at the problem and you can obtain better results with less medications and side effects.

5. Interventional pain management procedures-the procedures for interventional pain management continue to improve every year and they can really help patients avoid surgery for back pain. These include facet injections, medial branch blocks, epidural injections, radiofrequency ablation, and spinal cord stimulation. Injections into the disk and diskograms are much less common now because some researchers showed a connection with disc degeneration and these procedures. There are some exotic procedures like the MILD procedure, which stands for minimally invasive lumbar decompression. These are not very commonly used.

6. Spinal decompression therapy became FDA cleared in 1996. It has minimal risk, is affordable, and is very effective for back pain, sciatica, facet arthritis, spinal stenosis, bulging or herniated discs, and failed back surgery. The actual cost of spinal decompression is less than 5% of spinal surgery.

7. Tens units-tens units are small battery-powered devices about the size of an iPod. They're safe and noninvasive and transmit small electrical impulses to electrodes on the skin. They can help steadily with suppressing pain and reduce the amount of pain medication necessary for comfort. Of note is that they do not cure anything, they are simply symptom relieving machines.

8. Lumbar bracing can be very effective for short-term pain relief. They can protect the lumbar spinal muscles similar to a splint like for wrist pain. They should not be used for chronic usage secondary to the fact that they can cause deconditioning of the spinal lumbar muscles.

9. Manipulation Under Anesthesia-this procedure is becoming more popular in the chiropractic community. It also can help patients avoid surgery and is typically done over 3 sessions on 3 consecutive days it can be an excellent resort unresponsive back pain to other treatments with intravenous sedation.

These 9 treatment methods can help patients avoid surgery over 95% of the time. Patients should try several or all of these prior to undergoing the knife for spinal fusion.

The Big Backfire on Back Surgery and The Rise Of Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression For Back Pain

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Imagine having back pain for a year, five years, or even a decade, and finally getting so frustrated you opt to go for a surgery that the doctor assures you will get rid of your pain and allow you to regain a normal lifestyle again. This is the exact story that was reported on MSNBC just a short while ago. In the next few paragraphs we can briefly recap the story of Ms. Scatena, but before we do I am going to some something completely out of the ordinary for my monthly newsletter. I'm going to let the cat out of the bag and give you the punch line right off the bat.

Patients who opt to have back surgeries and spinal fusions are way less likely to go back to work and are in desperate need of more opiates. Now this is NOT my opinion. I'm going to take a neutral stance on this and just going to lay down the story, give a few references as to where these statistics are coming from, give you insight into what a majority of "celebrity" back surgeons and pain management doctors have to say about it, and leave it at that. So let's get started. The story starts in the town of Scottsdale Arizona in the blazing heat. There was a woman, in great physical shape except for excruciating back pain. She jumped from doctor to doctor and after thinking she was getting the best advice and doing her research she finally decided to opt for surgery. She suffers from spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine. For those of you that are wondering what spinal stenosis is, it is generally a narrowing of the canal through which the spinal nerves travel. It puts pressure on the nerves which in turn cause pain, and if you've been reading this monthly newsletter for any length of time, you're well aware that....

Pressure = Pain Pressure causes pain fibers to experience pain, causes rubbing, irritation, and then the insuring inflammation to compound the problem. So Nancy opted to try and alleviate the pain by going through a "spinal microsurgery procedure". Immediately following the surgery Nancy Scatena was concerned she may have made the wrong decision. Just a month after surgery her pain was back in full swing and more excruciating than ever. So there she sat with unrelenting back aches and pain and her doctor prescribing medication after medication. None of which did more for her than barely taking the edge off. And just like the 27 million other Americans that suffer back pain every year she sat (or actually tried to sit comfortably) wondering what her next move should be. So just like many of us, she turned to a friend that recommend she go see yet another surgeon who her friend referred to as...

A Miracle Worker This new miracle worker-as she was referred to-assured her that this second operation would fix everything. And she decided to go with her friends' recommendation and have the surgery. And for just a few weeks the pain was better. Then It Came Roaring Back On MSNBC they say that about 600,000 Americans opt for back surgeries of some sort. But they go on to say that many surgeons and pain management experts say that most, back surgery is full of empty promises. And here are the facts as to why. And these numbers are actually from a study done in Ohio. I'll take out all the "doctor-ese" of the story and just lay out the facts. They looked at just under 1500 patients in the workers compensation system, half of them had surgery, half of them did not. So here is how it breaks down.

• 26% of those that had surgery returned to work


• 67% of those that did not have surgery returned to work.

So if that isn't troubling enough, the real shocker is that those that did have surgery for their back pain had a...

41% Increase in Pain Medications! So what does that actually mean? Well the head researcher in the study was a doctor named Dr. Traung Nguyen who is a researcher from the University of Cincinnati. Medical Colleagues claim that this study is evidence that back surgeries don't alleviate pain from degenerative discs.

Why Would They Continue To Do Procedures That Studies Show Don't WORK?

You're completely on point if you're asking yourself that same question. After all, the study provides "clear evidence". Some sources say economics. Spinal surgery is a lucrative procedure. In the Spine Journal, they report an EIGHT fold increase in invasive procedures that fuse two or more vertebrae over the past 15 years. This the little know dirty little secret that has public health experts and surgeons up in arms about back surgery.

In fact, one of the leading experts is publicly stating back surgery and the legitimate need for spinal fusions has gotten "WAY BEYOND WHAT IS REASONABLE AND NECESSARY" Another interesting statistic is that there are some parts of the country where spinal fusions are FOUR times more likely than the national average. All this comes from Charles Burton who is THE medical director for the Center for Restorative Spine Surgery in St Paul.

Is He Alone? Nope. Not at all. Dr William Webb who is the chairman at the University of Pennsylvania and the Chief of Neurosurgery of Pennsylvania Hospital says that "there is some success in treating back pain but as a whole we are less successful at treating back pain." As if that isn't convincing enough that surgery for back pain is the last resort, if it even should be an option at all (surgery is only clinically indicated when muscles begin to atrophy or there is bladder or bowel incontinence, otherwise it is an elective procedure). Dr. Dorisk Cope, who is a professor and chair for pain management at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, admits that....

"It's a case of, if you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail." So that brings us back to this month's newsletter message. The hammer and nail analogy refers to a "carpenter" trade. You wouldn't go to the carpenter and ask him to fix your plumbing. Why? That's not his specialty, in fact he probably doesn't know much, if anything about plumbing at all. Just like surgeons don't know much about Non-Surgical Methods. And we should be thankful about that. After all, if the surgeon was spending time to learn about Non-Surgical technologies and procedures then he is not getting better at surgery which is what we really want him to be good at right? The truth of the matter is that if someone has bowel or bladder incontinence, or muscle wasting or damage to the nerves, then more than likely they need to see a surgeon ASAP.

But Pain By Itself? Based off what many in the research, teaching, and neurosurgical circles are saying it just not as effective as the general population, portal of entry doctors, and the surgeons themselves would like to think. While I agree that for many there is no magic bullet, what I am saying is that if someone has a pressure "diagnosis', a herniated, bulging disc, a disc pressing on a nerve cause stenosis, sciatica or neuropathy, or they have a failed surgery, there may still be hope. If you have a compression problem, if you're suffering from pain, void of bladder, bowel or muscles wasting problems then maybe non-surgical spinal decompression is the answer.

Sources Of That Pain In The Buttocks

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The sciatic nerve is the longest and largest nerve in the body and pain in the buttocks area may occur when the nerve is pressed or impinged. The nerve descends from the lumbar area of the spine into two branches down to each buttock, back of the leg and to the foot.

There are many causes of pain in the buttocks including anal and rectal medical conditions. Osteoarthiritis or wear-and-tear hip arthritis is a degenerative joint disease wearing away the cartilage of the joint that may also be causing buttocks pain. Another cause for pain in the buttocks is claudification caused by obstruction of the aorta or the common iliac artery. There are also incidences of sacroiliac joint inflammation called sacroilitis which maybe caused by arthritis, traumatic injury or a blow to the buttock or pelvic region causing injury to the joint connecting the spine to the pelvis and lower skeletons. Spondyloarthropaties on the other hand, are inflammatory conditions usually found in the vertebral column sometimes involving the sacroiliac joint and affect the ligaments and tendons attached to the bone in the knee, foot or hip. Inflammation from these and other types of inflammation causes the pain in the buttocks symptoms

A very serious condition that requires long courses of antibiotic treatment is Pott's disease or the TB infection of the spine. Brucellosis is another bacterial infection that may affect the sacroiliac joints that have discovered to be transmitted from goat's milk. Another infection characterized by local inflammation caused by pyogenic bacteria is called pyogenic infection causing common disease processes and pain in buttocks. And there are of course the primary tumor and the secondary tumor of the pelvic bone which causes considerable pain in the area of the buttocks. In elderly persons specially, a pelvis fracture involving the pelvis, hip bone, coccyx and sacrum will bring pain in the buttocks.

Paget's disease happens when the bones grow abnormally larger and weaker and may cause bones in the spine, skull, legs and pelvis to break easily. Another inflammatory disorder involving the hip and shoulder area is called polymyalgia rheumatica which can occur in people over 50 years old. Ankylosing spondylitis is another term which causes inflammation of the joints between the spine and pelvis eventually causing the affected bones to join together.

Trochanteric bursitis is also known as the greater trochanteric pain syndrome or GTPS, another inflammation of the bursa, the shock absorber adjacent to the femur. When the inflammation is in the hip area, the pain in the buttocks is often felt radiating down to the thigh.

Also a probable cause of buttocks pain is Leriche's syndrome which may involve the abdominal aorta and may also be occurring in one or both of the iliac arteries. The syndrome's symptoms may consist of the atrophy of the leg muscles, impotence and paralysis of the nerve and claudification of the thighs and buttocks. Physical trauma, accidents, inflicted wounds or accidental wounds are other causes of the pain in the buttocks and thigh areas. Pregnancy should never be removed from the list of probable causes, as the growing baby causes pressure on muscles and nerves of the soon-to-be mother.

Piriformis syndrome causes pain in the buttocks because the muscles press down on the nerve bringing about inflammation of the sacroiliac joint at the base of the spine, resulting in sprain of the iliolumbar ligament, or brings about referred pain from the lower back problems.

The buttocks are thick muscular areas that are seemingly impenetrable. But pain in the buttocks and lower thighs are usually from disorders and diseases in the spinal and lumbar areas that should not be taken lightly. A thorough examination by your doctor will keep you healthy and prevent further degeneration and damage to your most vital body parts.

Spinal Decompression - Effective Treatment of Neck and Back Pain

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Spinal decompression is a drug-free treatment available for treating a wide array of back disorders. If you are tired of surgical processes, this technique can provide you with complete relief. The treatment requires no complicated or risky surgical process and is totally safe. The method was developed from years of research and is ideal for long term relief from pain.

Until recently, patients with back pain were usually given drugs with possible side-effects, referred to physical therapists, or sent for surgery. The structure of our back is comprised of spinal bones (vertebrae), their joints, discs between vertebras, and the muscles and ligaments which bind all the parts together. The discs which act as a cushion between the vertebrae can get damaged and the gelatinous material inside can leak, leading to herniated disc which is the cause of pain. These types of back pains can be treated with modern decompression techniques including Decompression Therapy System (DTS), VAX-D, ABS systems, DRX-3000, DRX9000, and the Accu-Spina System.

Spinal compression is the common cause for neck and back pain. Spinal decompression causes the expansion of disc herniations, which are the cause for the pressure exerted on nearby spinal nerve roots. Decompression technique works by taking away pressure from damaged discs so that the bulging will shrink back to its original size and thus protect the surrounding discs from getting damaged. The treatment has also proved to be successful in treating spinal stenosis, sciatica, pinched nerve, facet syndrome, low back disc bulge, golf related pain, and degenerative disc disease.

The spinal decompression treatment normally takes about 6-8 weeks. It can be followed by neuromuscular, cardiovascular and diet therapy for even greater results. All treatment methods are affordable and are designed to alleviate all types of back pain. The treatment procedure is effective and results can be seen within the initial weeks of the treatment.

Two Ways To Relax Tight, Knotted Muscles

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Muscles that are chronically tense and knotted need more than passive stretching to regain flexibility. Since tense muscles are a main cause of chronic back pain and other pain conditions, it is important to be aware of how to relieve muscle tension.

Muscles become chronically tense due to injury, poor posture, repetitive use or improper training. Knots called trigger points often develop in tight bands of muscle fibers and the connective tissue surrounding muscles called myofascia. Trigger points are isolated spasms of tissue that can cause localized and referred pain, as well as making it even harder to relax the tense muscle.

Passive stretching, involving the use of a body part or other surface to hold our stretched muscle in position, is ineffective at relieving chronically tense muscles and trigger points. Examples of passive stretches are splits, where the floor is supporting the legs, or the popular quad stretch in which you hold your heel up to your buttocks with your hand. If anything, the spasmodic knots may tighten up even more in reaction to the attempt at lengthening the muscle fibers; this can be a form of self-protection to prevent tearing.

It is possible to restore length, strength and flexibility to tight muscles with the following techniques.

Myofascial Release

Myofascial release can be sought from a practitioner or self-administered. A specialist trained in myofascial bodywork can locate trigger points and use hands-on techniques to release the spasmodic bundles of tissue. Bodywork techniques are also employed to lengthen the whole muscle.

Self-myofascial release (SMR) involves the use of a foam roller or other dense, round object. To practice SMR, you roll over the tense muscle with the roller between your body and the floor. Pause on the tenderest spots (the knots) and hold for 30-45 seconds. Done twice a day and before and after workouts, SMR can provide sufficient relief to some.

Active Stretching

Active stretching employs the principle of reciprocal inhibition. This principle plays out between what are called agonist and antagonist muscles. These muscle groups are situated on opposite sides of a joint and facilitate opposing motions. An example of such opposing muscles is the hamstring and quadriceps; the quadriceps extend the knee whereas the hamstring flexes it. The principle of reciprocal inhibition states that activation of an agonist muscle causes inhibition of the antagonist through nueronal communication. When the quadriceps activate, a motor neuron signal is sent from the quadriceps through the spinal cord to the hamstring inhibiting its activation. This encourages the hamstring to relax and stretch.

Active stretching has an added advantage of strengthening agonist muscles (the ones being activated in the stretch). Muscle imbalances involve strength and length differences between muscles; the tighter muscle is shorter and stronger than the opposing muscle, which is weak and overstretched. In reality, both muscles are weak, since a strained, tense muscle cannot work hard. Active stretching restores length to overly tight muscles, which will lead to strength, and strengthens weaker opposing muscles by activating them.

People with lower back pain and muscle tension would likely benefit from doing active stretches that engage the abdominal muscles to unleash the advantages of reciprocal inhibition. The first half of the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckMBp3bRgT0 shows active stretches for the back.

Myofascial release combined with active stretching can help you get rid of chronic muscle tension and knots. More often than not, there is a safe and natural solution to back pain.

The Unique Benefits of Medical Adjustable Beds

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With more medical advantages, an adjustable bed finds more functions in a hospital or a nursing home. It provides relief to people who are bed-ridden or those who have to stay in bed for long hours and can be adjusted either manually or electrically.

There are several health benefits from adjustable beds. Adjustable beds ease swelling of the legs and ease back pain. They relieve soreness of the body and soothe neck and shoulder tension. They also offset acid reflux and overnight heartburn. They provide relief for certain parts of the body such as the neck, spine and knees. Adjustable beds are especially useful for people who have degenerative spondylolisthesis, osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis and other diseases. They are also ideal for people who have just had surgery. Adjustable beds also help in getting in and out of bed; relieving the heart muscle, thus making breathing easier; reliving the stomach muscles and aiding in proper digestion; passive back stretching, and more. Some adjustable beds also have built-in massaging motors in automatic and manual modes.

Medical adjustable beds can also designed to suit the exact requirements of the user. They can be designed to suit the condition of the patient and the exact position the body has to rest on the bed. The bed can also be fitted with a massage system and various other options. Medical adjustable beds are available in twin, queen, king or single sizes and the firmness can also be adjusted as per requirements. They can also be operated electronically by the user and without an attendant.

Medical adjustable beds are particularly useful for disabled, elderly and invalid users, regardless of whether the handicap is permanent or temporary. Their very lightweight control can adjust the head, foot motors, as well as the massaging unit, all simultaneously.

The main components of a medical adjustable bed are: the vertical lifter, the motors, battery backup, retractable cot sides, optional cot side protectors, base cut-outs, locking castors, reflex multi-zone mattress, and therapeutic massage system.

Adjustable beds come in various guises like the pocket spring mattress or the modern foam mattresses. They are also available with the option of screw-in or fixed legs. Fixed-leg beds are more suitable for nursing, allowing positioning the feet of various medical apparatus under the bed.