Saturday, May 25, 2013

Consequences of Having a Poor Sitting Posture


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Good posture is essential for overall well-bring. Prolonged sitting with poor posture will lead to negative effects such as back pain, muscle strain and improper alignment. Prolong sitting will cause the body to get into a slouchy position which seems to be more?comfortable, but there are consequences in the long run. Being in a poor sitting posture for a long period of time will increase pressure on the intervertebral discs, increasing the chances of suffering a back injury.

Weak stomach muscles

Our stomach muscles are one of the core body muscles and they are important to help maintain proper posture of the body. The stomach muscles work hand in hand with our back muscles to support and hold the body in the proper alignment. Poor sitting posture will lead to us having weak stomach muscles and this will lead to cause improper alignment of the back and ultimately weakening the lumbar spine muscles, causing back pain.

Poor blood circulation

Poor sitting posture will lead to a lack of proper blood circulation around the body, causing degeneration of the intervertebral discs and eventually causing back pain.

Neck pain

Poor posture is responsible for more than 80% of neck pain as it will cause misalignment of the back, head and shoulders, causing tremendous strain on the ligaments and muscles, causing neck pain.

Spine curvature

Poor posture can cause the curving of the spine, adding pressure on the spine and reducing the ability of the spine to absorb shock. This will lead to a higher chance of injury. In the long term, it will also lead to neck pain, headache and lower back pain.

Headache

Poor posture leads to muscle tension, reducing blood flow throughout the body. A decrease in blood flow can possibly lead to fatigue and headache. A proper posture instead will help increase the flow of blood throughout the entire body.

Inefficient breathing

Our body is designed in a way that the entire skeletal system and muscles are in a proper alignment and that helps to ensure every single component of our body is placed correctly for optimal health. A poor posture disrupts that and that will decrease the capacity of the lungs to take in oxygen and causing inefficient breathing.

Joint and muscle disorder

One of the causes of joint and muscle disorder is poor posture. Poor posture can cause pain in our face as well as earache.

Poor posture will add unwanted stress and pressure onto our body, causing pain, muscular disorders and spine problems. It doesn't hurt for us to sit in a proper posture and a good posture will increase our productiveness and our overall well-being.

What Is Spinal Decompression And Can It Work For You?


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If you regularly suffer from neck and back pain, or have numbness and weakness in your arms or legs, you may benefit from the chiropractic procedure known as spinal decompression. Your pain and numbness may be caused by damaged discs in your back, or from a pinched nerve in the spinal area. If so, this procedure may be your best bet to not only alleviate the pain, but also keep you from having painful surgery later on to correct the problem.

What Causes Disc Problems?

The discs in the spine are very durable for the purpose they were intended for, which is cushioning the spine, and absorbing the physical shock of walking and running through our daily lives. Accidents and injuries to the back or neck can damage the outer protective sheath of the discs, and they will also deteriorate over time through aging. Once that sheath begins to break down, the disc will begin to protrude, or even get caught between the vertebrae in the spine.

This event is what causes medical conditions like a herniated disc or bulging discs, which cause chronic back pain. The pressure these discs go through can also cause them to shift, and press upon sensitive nerves that reside along the spinal column. This is the root cause of a condition known as a pinched nerve, which can cause pain to radiate down through your lower back and into your legs. If you begin to lose feeling in your posterior and legs, or experience weakness, a pinched nerve is most likely the cause.

The good news is that all of these conditions can be improved through spinal decompression.

What to Expect From the Procedure

Unlike the roller table kind of traction commonly used in chiropractic therapy, this kind of vertebral decompression elongates the spine by gently pulling each section apart, through the aid of a computerized traction system. It charts the spine as an axis, and will systematically apply continuous, gentle pressure to encourage each section to separate naturally.

While the traction is working, it is also creating negative pressure within each disc, allowing any that are bulging or shifted to be gently pulled back into its natural alignment. If the discs were crowding nerves or slipping out of their protective sheaths, the negative pressure will help them to go back to their original position, as well as slide them back into the sheaths, if possible. This will result in a reduction of pain and numbness, and will encourage the discs to heal themselves naturally, without having to resort to surgery.

Cautions and Advice

As always, you must consult with your doctor before undergoing any kind of spinal decompression. The final decision is yours, of course, but your doctor will know best if what is causing your chronic back pain or numbness can be helped by this procedure. You should also keep in mind that just one session may not fix everything. Some patients may require several sessions, depending upon the severity of your condition.

Understanding Spinal Stenosis


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Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal resulting in a lack of space to accommodate the nerves.

The spinal canal contains the nerves that connect to the skin and muscles of the legs. A normal size canal has sufficient space to hold these nerves. But, as a person ages, the canal is subject to narrowing. The narrowing may not always result in problems. But if the narrowing causes pinching of the spinal nerves, problems will develop.

Spinal stenosis isn't always caused by degeneration due to age. It can also be due to tumors, herniated discs, and injuries resulting from accidents. Spinal stenosis can even be present at birth but this is rare.

The symptoms of spinal stenosis vary depending upon the location of the compressed nerve. If the nerves in your neck or shoulder are pinched, you will experience pain in this area.

If the pressure is on the nerves that control your balance, you will tend to be clumsy or fall easily.

When the stenosis results from a herniated disc, the pain will begin in your hip or buttocks and travel down the back of your leg. In this case, the pain is confined to one side of your body but increases when you sit.

If the pinched nerves are in your lower lumbar region, you can have a condition known as false claudication. People with this problem have pain and cramping in their legs make it difficult to stand straight in one position for long periods of time. Sitting down relieves the discomfort. Walking is easier when bending forward which is why many people with spinal stenosis prefer to shop at stores that have shopping carts. Leaning forward on the cart makes walking much easier. False claudication also makes downhill walking difficult.

There is another form of claudication called vascular claudication, which is a blockage in the arteries in the legs. This also causes pain and cramping but unlike false claudication, it gets worse when walking up hill and gets better when you stand still.

Other symptoms of spinal stenosis are numbness in the arms, hands, feet, or legs and loss of bladder or bowel control. People who experience the numbness need to be careful, as it is possible to injure the body part and not be aware of it due to reduced sensitivity.

Anyone have problems with bowel or bladder control need to consult their physician immediately.

Doctors use radiographs and MRI's (magnetic resonance imaging) to diagnose spinal stenosis. The radiographs show whether arthritis is present and if there is any slippage of the vertebrae. The MRI scan is needed to detect whether or not there is any pinching of the nerves. There are also special tests available for people who cannot have an MRI.

There are two basic types of treatment for spinal stenosis - surgical and nonsurgical.

Nonsurgical treatments involve physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, and epidural steroid injections.

People need to be cautious about the anti-inflammatory medications as many of these have serious side effects. They should be thoroughly discussed with the doctor prior to taking the medications.

The steroid medication is injected directly into the nerve roots within the spinal canal. There are less side effects with this treatment and sometimes it will allow patients to avoid surgery.

The non-surgical treatments are only useful for providing relief from symptoms. They do not decrease the narrowing of the canal.

There are two types of surgical treatments. One, called decompression, consists of removing the bone and soft tissues that are pinching the nerve.

The other involves a spinal fusion during which two or more vertebrae are permanently fused together.

Surgery is usually viewed as a last resort to be attempted when all other treatments fail. However, if there is loss of bladder or bowel control, surgery will be performed immediately.

Lower Back Anatomy and Back Pain


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The muscles that surround the lumbar spine on either side, particularly the spinal erectors (also called the erector spinae), are a common site for chronic pain and stiffness. However, most people have no idea how these muscles even work.

The truth is that the function of the spinal erectors is actually quite complicated. By understanding the function of the spinal erectors, you can avoid putting your body in a position that strains this muscle group. This will lead to reduced pain and improved function over time.

Most people assume that the spinal erectors help them extend the back, such as when they bend over and pick an object off the ground. The spinal erectors actually have two sections and functions: the portion of the muscle around the lumbar spine and the portion of the muscle at the mid spine.

The portion around the mid-spine is actually the part of the spinal erectors that helps lift heavy objects off the ground. The portion of the spinal erectors around the lumbar spine has a completely different function. From a structural standpoint, the portion of the muscle around the lower back is way too small to exert enough force to pick up heavy objects. The erector spinae expand in cross-sectional area and get a lot thicker at the mid-spine, which is why the upper portion of the lumbar musculature is dedicated to picking up heavy objects.

The lower portion of the spinal erectors actually holds the lumbar vertebrae in place when you bend forward. This is normally a task that these muscles are built to handle.

Due to the alignment of individual muscle fibers in the erector spinae, this muscle group can only perform its function effectively when the spine is in a neutral position. If the spine is rounded, the orientation of the muscle fibers of the lumbar erectors changes, making it hard for the spinal erectors to do their job properly. As a result, the muscle has to contract much harder to keep the spine in place when it is rounded.

The simple application of this is to always maintain a neutral spine (natural S shape of the spine) when lifting an object. It does not matter if you bend at the hips or at the knees; the only thing that is important is to you keep your spine neutrally aligned so that the lower portion of the erector spinae have a good angle of pull to help keep your lumbar vertebrae stable.

Simply by paying attention to spinal alignment and applying the neutral spine technique to your daily activities, you can significantly reduce your pain and stiffness.

Good Sciatica Exercise


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The sciatica nerve is the nerve that runs right through certain muscles in the back and legs, from the back side or buttock area.

When these muscles tighten or compress, this causes pain. Stretching will decompress this area and loosen up the back area near your sciatic nerve. Any back stretching exercises will really protect you from future flare ups or getting sciatica in the first place.

A doctor or health care provider will can give good advice as to stretches and exercises you can begin. They can also check for conditions called herniated disc or spinal stenosis.

A good chiropractor, who does actual x-rays, can create an entire exercise routine for you, personally, and this will also stop flare ups from reoccuring. This author recommends chiropractors because they are more into giving you "work" to do as exercises than slapping a band aid on the problem with medication. You want to cut off any sciatica problems at the root, and not just fix it for a short period of time.

One best way to find out what exercises are best is to visit a local chiorpractor. They can really help you out on health tips as far as eating, stretching, exercises, posture and simple information. One way to build your back is to use an exercise ball, and sit on that at your computer instead of a computer chair. This forces posture to be perfect and enforces strength in your lower back muscles.

After a few months using an exercise ball, instead of a computer chair, you will be well on your way to a very healthy spinal column and sciatica will be a thing of the past.

Remember, the object here is to take as much stress off your lower back with proper posture.

Another exercise you can do is anything that relieves stress to your back area. Avoiding sciatica flare ups by minimizing stress on your lower back is very key to back health. When sitting, simply lean back until you feel your back relax. When standing, shift your weight or if you can, place your foot on something while the other stays on the ground. When sleeping, pick a side and never sleep on your stomach, this puts unbelievable stress on your lower back. You can also try putting an extra pillow under your thigh to relieve the stress to your muscles.

When you have problems with your sciatica and the pain is overwhelming, taking anti-inflammatory or pain meds is not an answer, but it is what most folks do. You can lay on your side opposite the pain until the pain subsides. You can lay on your back as well, and lift your knee slowly to your chin, and stretch that way.

If sciatica continues to be a problem in your life, it is almost mandatory you take the proper steps to finding a permanent relief and exercise to stop future flare ups. Caring for your spine and entire back is key to keeping your lumbar areas and lower back decompressed, and lucid.

Can Spinal Injections Stop My Back Pain?


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The thought of someone sticking a needle in my spine does not thrill me. Especially when the needle looks like something youwould use on a horse instead of a human. But if a spinal injections can stop the back pain and let me return to a normal life I am ready to try it. If this sounds like you and you are desperately seeking a way to stop your back from aching then read on.

So exactly what is a spinal injection? Basically a needle is inserted into the epidural space surrounding your vertebra and a solution of anti-inflammation medication and or steroid is injected into the space. The idea is to block the pain, give you some relief and give your doctor a better idea of what the problem is. Although not as invasive as surgery there are risks and you should discuss these with your doctor.

In my case I decided not to opt for the injections. I based this on a three reasons.

1. I don't like needles! Seriously two of my friend had injections. For one the pain returned two days after the shot was given and for another he was pain free for six months, but eventually had to get another shot.
2. In my specific case surgery was the best option.
3. The shot may bring relief for awhile, but it doesn't cure what ever is causing the pain.

This being said the procedure is effective in temporarily stopping the pain. Once this is done then the next thing is to begin physical therapy or an exercise system to take care of the underlying condition. One of the top rated programs is called the Lose The Back Pain System developed by therapists and doctors of the Healthy back Institute. This program has helped thousands by strengthening muscles and eliminating muscles imbalance.

As someone who has suffered with a bad back and who has endured months of physical therapy and an operation, I can tell you there are solutions for your discomfort. To help myself and others cope with an aching back I have created a blog.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Exercise Is Simply the Best Remedy for Your Back Pain


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A majority of people are afflicted with Back Pain, from periodic pain to constant and long-lasting pain resulting in disability.

Not treating your back properly, will lead to back pain, Sciatica and bulging disc (herniation).

Causes of Back Pain:-

- Diseases like Appendicitis, kidney diseases, Pelvic infection and Osteomyelitis (bone infection).

- Trauma to the muscles, spine, ligaments and nerves of the spine.

- Abnormalities of abdominal organs or chest, may be linked to the back.

- Stress on our bodies, eventually results in compression of the spine, causing back problems.

- Herniated or bulging discs due to degeneration, as the spinal discs progressively become thinner and worn out.

- Occurrence of Spondylosis due to loss of moisture and volume, in the intervertebral discs, thus decreasing disc height. This in turn causes inflammation and Sciatica.

- Tumours and cancerous growths in the spine, are a source of spinal pain.

- Herpes Zoster or Shingles, develop due to spinal nerves infection, thus causing back pain.

Since our bodies know how to naturally heal wounds, lacerations and trauma--it does likewise for our discs, Sciatica and back pain. All it requires, is our co-operation with our bodies natural healing and not Resistance.

Our spine and vertebrae must be in the S- shape to stay healthy. Alignment of the pelvis is absolutely necessary as the pelvis is the back's foundation.

Do you know that gravity compresses our spine? On the other hand, strange as it seems--Orbiting in space, as discovered by NASA, actually decompresses our spine and possibly cause increase in growth.

Mobilization like Exercise is simply the Best remedy, for the prevention of the occurrence of Back Pain.

Mobilize your back, as it is vital, to ensure your back is flexible and not stiff. You can do this with the slow Rotation Exercises of the body.

Stand with your feet slightly apart, and place both your hands on each side of your hips. Slowly turn the right side of your body, from the front to the back, then rotate it back to the front.

Next, turn the left side of your body slowly from the front to the back, and then rotate it back to the front. Repeat this exercise to the count of ten, with both your hands still on your hips as you rotate.

This will really help to strengthen the muscles around your spine, and improve circulation around your back.

How a bad posture can contribute to your backache and compress the spinal vertebrae, when you hunch. So, correct your posture by sitting upright or stand straight, with both your shoulders pulling slightly backwards when you walk.

Learn to lengthen and strengthen your lower back muscles: Align your pelvis with your back straightened up, then lower your body by bending your knees with out-stretched hands. Hold this position for a few seconds, then return back to your normal position of standing up--your hands still stretching out.

Repeat this work-out several times as you are able to. Inhale when you bend your knees down, and exhale when you straighten up. Know that you never bend your back over in front, to lift up any weight, by picking up heavy objects as this causes strain or injury to your spine and back muscles.

Always bend your knees to lower your body down, and not your body, to bend over.

Are you aware that stretching exercise can benefit your back too? Just lie on your back with your legs stretched out together. Slowly raise your right leg up as high as you are able, hold it for a few seconds, then lower your right leg to a count of ten. Do this same exercise with your left leg alternately.

When you sleep, try lying on your side laterally, then curl your body in a foetal position with your head bent slightly. Clasp both your hands together round your bended knees. You will be surprised that this will definitely help to align your spinal column, and will relieve your back pain.

For sure I know, it takes time to get accustomed to sleeping in this odd, yet natural position. Can you recall, that this is the natural position a foetus, or unborn baby lie in the Uterus?

On getting up from the bed, always turn to your side or roll on your side, then lower your legs down and get up from your side of the bed.

By bending your upper torso to a sitting up position and get up from bed, can be straining--especially if you have a stiff and painful back!

Know that diet too, can relate to your body's power and capability to heal pain, and these are essentially the food rich in calcium and vitamins.

I've Got Osteoporosis - So What Are The Best Supplements I CanTake?


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Humans are designed to consume very high calcium diets however the average adult has a calcium intake of only a fifth to a third as much as people in the stone-age.

The US National Health and Nutrition Health and Examination Survey II shows an average calcium intake for American women of between 300mg and 508mg per day and only 680mg for men. Women and men over 50 need to consume at least 1200 mg per day from food and calcium supplements.

The most recent clinical research clearly points out that all of our diets are critically deficient in calcium and the only way to get enough calcium is through supplementing with calcium liquid supplements.

According to nutritionist and longevity expert, Dr Joel Wallach, if we don't get enough calcium there are as many as 147 calcium deficiency diseases which can result - osteoporosis and arthritis being the most common and debilitating.

Other examples are: degenerative arthritis, high blood pressure, insomnia, kidney stones, bone and heel spurs, twitches and cramps, receding gums, tinnitus, spinal stenosis and prolonged clotting time.

If you are trying to get enough calcium from your diet, good luck...! Most people unfortunately believe that they can get sufficient calcium from drinking milk. This is not true - milk (as we buy it in the shops) is actually a poor source of calcium. This is because it contains high amounts of phosphorus and protein which make it difficult to absorb calcium and cause a lot of calcium to be excreted.

Here are the best dietary sources of calcium: yoghurt, cheese, beans, tofu, Bok Choy, broccoli, spinach and other green leafy vegetables. Check the packaging to see calcium content. The most ideal source of calcium is, of course, in the form of calcium liquid supplements.

Unfortunately the soils in which many of theses foods are grown are also deficient in calcium so even with eating the right foods it can be really difficult - almost impossible - to 'eat' enough calcium.

Foods which have a high phosphorus or fluoride content like in protein, soft drinks and many processed foods, can make things worse by increasing your requirements for calcium as well as causing you to excrete more calcium.

One final point the rate of loss of calcium for all those atheltes and people who sweat heavily is about two to three times higher than normal.

So while it is good to take in calcium from natural sources - it is highly likely that you are not getting enough and you should consider very high quality calcium liquid supplements - particularly if you are already showing signs of a deficiency.

What to Look for in a Calcium Supplement & Why Calcium Liquid Supplements Give You The Best Results

If you're looking for a good source of calcium, we'd always recommend calcium liquid supplements along with a liquid mineral and multivitamin product. The reason for liquid is that all calcium supplements are not the same and calcium is very difficult for the body to absorb.

Avoid metallic sources of calcium in supplements, such as ground up rocks, i.e. oxides, carbonates, lactates, Tums, oyster shell calcium, or coral calcium. Your average source of calcium in a tablet form sold in drugstores and supermarkets is usually calcium lactate, calcium carbonate and you'd need to take almost 50 tablets a day to get your 1200mg.

The best source of calcium is calcium in liquid form (tri-calcium phosphate and calcium citrate) and any calcium supplement should also include magnesium, zinc, boron, as well as vitamin D. And calcium liquid supplements are far more absorbable than tablets.

Plant derived minerals contain a form of calcium and the other minerals mentioned above in a natural form that is over 98% absorbable.

If you are considering the dietary approach, here's some more things to consider. First of all you need to increase your intake of calcium whenever you consume protein. When talking about this calcium (Ca) to phosphorus (P) ratio, the ideal ratio is 2:1 Ca to P. To achieve this by eating food, you'd have to eat 25lbs of broccoli every time you eat a 16oz steak, and to get enough magnesium from food you'd have to eat 200lbs of spinach.

The only possible way to get the ideal ratio is to avoid as much as possible food items with high amounts of phosphorus, like processed meat and organ meat, sodas and most processed food.

You should also, at the very least supplement with plant derived colloidal minerals containing calcium in a highly absorbable form and calcium liquid supplements containing more absorbable forms of calcium such as tri-calcium citrate and calcium phosphate.

Other vitamins, minerals and trace minerals

While calcium supplements, particularly calcium liquid supplements are extremely important for healthy bones and joints and for a wide range of cellular functions, there are many other nutrients which are very important for your health and the prevention of diseases.

For Osteoporosis and related diseases, the most important bone minerals are calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and fluoride. Equally important is the balance between the minerals. Too much phosphorus or fluoride will create poor bone structure and most of us take in too much phosphorus in the form of processed foods and nearly all of us take in too much fluoride, especially in our water.

Magnesium is very important to help build strong bones because it helps the absorption of calcium. Equally important are trace minerals like boron and manganese. Dietary sources include green, leafy vegetables.

Vitamin D is needed for calcium to be absorbed and vitamin B6 works with magnesium to get calcium into the bones. The best source of vitamin D is direct sunlight on the skin. A few minutes a day is all we need.

Digestive Enzymes are also required for calcium to be incorporated into the bones. Enzymes also require magnesium and vitamin B6 to work effectively.

Collagen is a tissue that makes up the bone matrix. Minerals are then laid onto this matrix to build the bone. So without collagen you can't have bone mass. And to build collagen you need vitamins including vitamin A (as beta-carotene), lots of vitamin C, protein (amino acids), minerals including copper, and a number of trace minerals including manganese. A good natural surce of collagen is gelatin - this will also contain chondroitin sulphate - an important building block for healthy bones an joints.

Summary


  1. Calcium is the most common mineral in our bodies and a majority of people fail to get enough calcium from their diets - this results in disease and it gets worse as we get older.


  2. Calcium liquid supplements and a number of nutrients play a very important role in preventing, treating and reversing osteoporosis and a number of related diseases.


  3. To build strong bones and bone matrix, we require a number of minerals, trace minerals, vitamins and protein in our diet. Calcium, along with multi-mineral and multi-vitamin supplements - are needed.

Why Herniated Disc Inflammation And Injury May Take Some Time To Develop After A Car Accident


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During the impact of a vehicle collision, there's often a tremendous amount of pressure applied to the backbone of an injury victim and this can cause the spine's framework and discs to flex out of their proper position.

A lot of these problems are often called slipped or ruptured discs. The out-of-alignment disc can potentially place pressure on the spine channel and radiate pressure in the direction of spinal nerves. This can create extreme discomfort in the back and neck region-- even radiating pain toward the legs.

If you happen to suffer from a distinct ache within your back, leg or foot just after an automobile accident it is advisable to visit a health care provider right away.

Don't underestimate the long-term effects of an injury you may have suffered. The best case scenario is when your back fully recovers from an injury and you can resume your normal level of activity. But often, there's a delayed effect to back injuries that can introduce other complications years after the first injury took place. Injuries like these can be the result of a just one collision. It takes very little time to call an attorney to get a quick opinion on whether you have a viable claim for recovering damages.

Don't wait until it's too late to take action and protect you legal rights. Pain from a neck or back injury usually doesn't just "go away" as many accident victims hope. There are times when recovery is quick and the pain subsides. But this isn't the usual outcome. In other people a disc happens to be dislodged along with continual back discomfort.

If you're injured, ask a personal injury lawyer for an opinion on your situation. Some attorneys will give you an appraisal of your claim at no charge.

What Things Should I Watch For If I Think I Have A Back Injury?


  • Back or neck irritation could vary widely between cases. It might feel like a mild tingling, dull ache, or a burning or pulsating sensation.

  • Another obvious sign is that you cannot move without causing exceptional pain. You could also have numbness.

  • Pain will tend to gravitate to one side of the body. With a lumbar (lower back) herniated disc, you might have pointed soreness within just one component of the leg, hip, or buttocks as well as feeling numb within other parts.

  • Having a cervical (neck) disk herniation, you might have discomfort when moving your neck, deep discomfort near or over the shoulder blade, or discomfort that radiates toward the upper arm, forearm, or (rarely) fingers.

Onset of discomfort, quite often, starts incrementally. And It may possibly get worse in these environments:


  • a. After sitting or standing for long periods of time

  • b. At night or when lying down for an extended period of time

  • c. When sneezing, coughing, or laughing. When moving arms, legs, or neck in a short, rapid motion

  • d. When bending backwards or walking much more than some yards, specially if it's caused by spinal stenosis

You might also become aware of a possible herniated disc injury by noticing a weakness in a specific muscles. Or you could may discover that routine arm or leg movement suddenly becomes more difficult.

Exams and Tests

A physical examination and history of discomfort might be all that your well being care provider necessities to diagnose a herniated disk. A neurological examination will evaluate muscle reflexes, sensation, and muscle durability. Frequently, examination of the spine will reveal a decrease inside the spinal curvature inside the affected location.

Leg discomfort that occurs whenever you sit down on an exam table and lift your leg straight up normally hints at a herniated lumbar disk. Spurling's test, often known as a foraminal compression test, is certainly a specific physical test used to diagnose acute cervical (neck) radiculopathy.

One such sign, 'Spurling's test' is the reproduction of the patient's nerve symptoms by movements of the neck.

People with a cervical radiculopathy (compression of a nerve 'root' in the neck) can reveal multiple symptoms, including pain, numbness and weakness. Many other disorders can produce similar symptoms. For this test, you'll flex your head forward and to the sides although the health care practitioner puts minimum amount downwards pressing on the top area of your head. The test is considered positive if pain radiates into the limb ipsilateral to the direction that the head is rotated to.

Standard Diagnostic Medical Tests


  • Spine x-ray could possibly be taken to eliminate several other reasons behind back or neck pain and discomfort. But bear in mind, it isn't really feasible to identify a herniated disk by vertebral x-ray exclusively.

  • Spine MRI or spine CT will reveal spine canal compression by a herniated disk.

  • EMG could very well be carried out to figure out the particular nerve root which is affiliated.

  • Nerve conduction velocity test might also be accomplished.

  • Myelogram might be completed to figure out the size and site of disk herniation.

Getting Monetary Compensation For Your Injury

Auto insurance companies are motivated to keep claim volume down. One of the ways they do this is to "shame" people into believing that all back and neck injuries are minor and not worthy of injury claim compensation. But in actuality, a high percentage of neck and back injuries in the United States are a direct result of a road accident.

Even a seemingly minor back injury could turn into a chronic, lifelong back problem with continuing pain. Pain that can, especially in later years, significantly reduce a person's activity level. From that a cascading effect of one small problem compounding on top of another can appreciably reduce quality of life. A back or neck injury claim should be handled by a competent personal injury attorney who knows how to present your case and quantify the financial and emotional damage you have suffered.

Any time you have ended up being harmed in an auto wreck do not forget to get a hold of your health practitioner for a plan for treatment as well as remember to get legal recommendation. No part of this article content should be construed as legal counsel.

You Woke Up With a Sore Lower Back - Why? Because of the Increased Pressure in the Discs At Night


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A significant number of people have the experience of going to bed every night with a normal back and waking up in the morning with a sore one. Why is that? Why is morning low back soreness so common, and what causes it? As will be discussed in this article, the phenomenon is not that rare, and is caused by changes in the spine and the discs overnight.

When people go to bed, their spines actually increase in length. This is a result of the pressure in the discs in between the vertebrae changing. In fact, one study done in 1984 showed that people's sitting height can dramatically decrease throughout the day -- up to 19 millimeters in some cases. This is due to the discs losing some of the fluid that built up during sleep.

A spine that has spent the night horizontal and building up fluid is a spine that has lost some of its flexibility, as well. This is why people may wake up and feel that their lower back is sore and they just feel "stiff" upon rising from bed. Especially the ability to bend forward and flex the spine can be compromised after a night of sleep. The discs have expanded during the course of the night, built up fluid, and the spine has become more resistant to such bending.

The good news is that this soreness does not usually last all day, and there are actions that people can take to reduce their low back soreness in the morning. In fact, due to the changes in the disc pressure during the night, it is quite important for some people who are especially at risk of injuring or re-injuring their backs to take precautions in the morning to ensure their spinal health throughout the day.

The most important action to take is to avoid much forward bending for the first hour upon waking. The discs of the spine will lose about 90% of the pressure and extra height they have gained during the night in the first hour after getting out of bed. Because of the increased pressure during this first hour, though, doing any kind of spinal flexing or exercises that involve the back may be best avoided until later in the day.

People who are currently suffering from a back injury or who are in physical therapy for rehabilitation of an injury are frequently prescribed various spine exercises. While these can help with the healing process, if they involve a lot of flexing or extension of the spine, it may be best not to do these right after getting up. Exercises to increase stability and muscle endurance can help, but not if they exacerbate symptoms in the mornings.

Finally, the best advice may just be to stay aware that the spine increases in length during the night and the discs increase in pressure. But after the first hour or two after rising, most people's sore backs may begin to feel normal again. It is most important not to round the back or flex too much in morning, as just this simple avoidance of full flexion can help reduce the pain of a sore lower back.

Spinal Disc Decompression - Effective Treatment For Your Back


spinal stenosis



Every adult living in the 21st century should recognize that almost everyone at some point in their lives suffers from back pain because of physical activity, old age, and sports or job related injuries. Traditional remedies like painkillers, expensive and risky back surgeries or just dealing and living with the pain are not the only available choices today. The latest medical advances improving the quality of life of many people is the painless, non-surgical, and less costly and FDA approved spinal disc decompression technology. Clinical research and discovery have revealed that this painless advanced treatment has an 86% success ratio.

What types of back pain and spinal diseases can be treated by Spinal Disc Decompression?

Ailments that can be treated using spinal decompression are herniated discs, degenerative spinal disc diseases, sciatica, protruding discs, posterior facet or joint syndrome and unsuccessful back and neck surgeries.

Discovery of the Vacuum Effect and History of Spinal Disc Decompression

How did the revolutionary idea of spinal disc decompression come about? NASA scientists found a common occurrences among their astronauts who were suffering from back pain. Everyone reported their circumstances to have improved after a space mission. After some investigation, the scientists concluded that the improvement in their conditions was due to the lack of pressure on the spine while in space. Instead there was a decompression or negative pressure that softly shifted or moved the herniated disc back in place which decreased the pain brought about by the pressure of the protruding discs on the spinal nerves. The vacuum effect also multiplied the flow of blood rich with nutrients, oxygen, and water from the outside of the spinal discs to go inside, thus allowing the spinal discs to recover by itself.

So how do you recreate this vacuum effect here on earth? Dr. Allen Dyer, the inventor of the cardiac defibrillator, that saves heart attack victims all over the world, also invented the spinal disc decompression treatment table in 1987. He developed a technology that superseded ineffective conventional traction tables which do not create any decompression or vacuum effect but just extends the muscles and spine. Dr. Dyers, engineering invention recreated the vacuum effect needed by the spinal discs to mend. In 1996, his design was acknowledged by the United States FDA as risk-free and effective.

How does Spinal Disc Decompression Therapy Work?

The patient is firmly strapped on a computer controlled spinal decompression table. The doctor enters personalized treatment dependent on his findings which may include verification from MRI results. The machine then places the body and applies force to create a spinal decompression that will release the pressure affecting the spinal discs and nerves. The negative pressure also enables the herniated disc to finally retract into its natural position. This negative pressure also forces the oxygen and nutrient rich blood to flow inside the spinal discs and facilitate natural healing.

Depending on the severity of the situation, an average of twenty to twenty-eight treatments are required over a period of one or two months to receive the full benefits of the therapy. Treatment only takes thirty to forty-five minutes. Spinal disc decompression therapy is also accompanied by hot or cold compresses to speed up the healing of the back injury. The patient is likewise advised to have re-hydration therapy or to drink lots of water, modify his diet and consider having nutrition and vitamin supplements, and execute recommended physical workouts to beef up the back and promote quicker healing.

Revolution in Spinal Disc Decompression Technology

The machine has been refined since the late 80s. In 2000, a machine was developed to also treat neck problems and to make the treatment process more comfortable for patients. Presently, the cutting-edge technological innovation in spinal disc decompression is the Articulating Spinal Decompression or Range-of-Motion (ROM) spinal decompression treatment table which allows the doctor to change or make adjustments to the spinal posture of the patient while the decompression process is ongoing. The increased ability to adjust or vary the position of the spine allows for the distraction or pulling forces of the decompression to get deeper into areas of the spinal discs and tissues, that previous versions of spinal decompression machines cannot reach.

As technology improves, many people suffering from back pain can be helped through a safe, non-invasive and less costly spinal disc decompression therapy. However, more intensive research needs to be carried out to ensure continued effectiveness on whether it does completely replace or just postpone back pain surgeries. However, for citizens of industrialized countries whose senior population are more active and are living longer nowadays, and any surgical operation is life threatening; the benefits of the innovations in spinal disc decompression technology can only be regarded as a genuinely positive medical innovation of the modern times.

Lumbar Epidural Injections for Pain Management Relieve Sciatica Tremendously


spinal stenosis



At any one point in time, 1% of America is suffering sciatica from a herniated disc. If that seems like a small number, consider that amounts to over 3 million people with burning, searing pain going down one of their legs right now!

Sciatica pain can be extremely painful, and it may burn or cause a pins and needles sensation along with muscle spasms. Patients may be administered narcotic medications to relieve pain, but they actually don't work so great for sciatica type pain.

But lumbar epidural injections actually have an excellent track record for sciatica. The principal behind an epidural steroid injection into the lower back is as follows. You have a nerve root that has been inflamed. This may be from a herniated disc, or in the case of spinal stenosis it may be from overgrown and arthritic bone and soft tissue. There is another scenario where the disc may have a tear in it and that is sparking up what is known as a "chemical" radiculitis.

There are a few different types of lumbar epidural injections.

繚 Intra-Laminar Epidural Injections

繚 Transforaminal Epidural Injections

繚 Caudal Epidural Injections

The first type invented sixty years ago was intra-laminar epidurals. These involve placing a needle just underneath the bony area overlying the spinal canal called the lamina. Thousands of intra-laminar epidural injections are done every day in America.

For decades, doctors did these injections in an office setting without an x-ray machine. Then a study approximately ten years ago showed that without a real time form of x-ray, called fluoroscopy, about 40% of these injections missed the mark. More and more, fluoroscopy is now becoming the standard of care in this country to ensure the best chance of accurate needle placement in epidural injections.

As the use of fluoroscopy was becoming popular, transforaminal epidural steroid injections were developed. These injections involve placing the steroid medication closer to the area of where the nerve roots are leaving the spine and being pinched. This type of injection is now extremely popular among pain management doctors and the results have exhibited between a 75% and 90% pain relief success in multiple studies.

The third type of lumbar epidural injection is termed a caudal injection. This injection is very interesting, as it involves an approach through a low point in the sacrum in the buttock area. The pain doctor places the needle through an area called the sacral hiatus and then injects a considerable amount of numbing medicine and steroid. Multiple areas of nerve root compression can be treated at one time, which is great in a situation such as spinal stenosis that affects multiple levels.

Complications of epidural steroid injections are small but real. They may include infection, bleeding, and temporary nerve injury. Paralysis is an extremely rare complication.

These injections are done in an outpatient setting. Patients either receive intravenous sedation or simply local numbing medicine. For most patients that is all they need!

Thursday, May 23, 2013

How Sciatica Pills Help You


spinal stenosis



Back pain is one of the most torturous and painful disorder that makes a person almost hates the world. As it sounds, it is not very difficult to diagnose of avoid back pains if one has the clear picture what the disorder actually does and how it can be tackled.

Sciatica is a disorder that usually occurs in the joints and spine which is due to the invariable and abnormal action of a nerve that gets compressed from a so called herniated disk which is located in the spine. Not only because of sudden twists and shocks, the disks in your spine may experience pain and dislocation due to the age, wear, heavy work, labor etc which results in Sciatica. Also, most of the time, Sciatica occurs very much naturally and rarely it is an accidental problem.

One of the most popular pills is the Aspirin or the Ibuprofen. This is mostly used and prescribed by many doctors for patients who suffer from normal back pain and are likely to develop sciatica. But, it is always advised that the patients shall avoid the intake of Aspirin and other related pills as it may lead to some side effects like nausea, diarrhea, sudden pain in body, rashes in the skin etc.

Yet another pill that can help in reducing sciatica is Acetaminophen but this can however lead to liver problems if not taken in proper dose. There are several sciatica pills one can rely upon to have quick relief from Sciatica.

Back Pain: Do You Have Degenerative Disc Disease?


spinal stenosis



Degenerative disc disease is one of the most common causes of low back pain and also one of the most misunderstood. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is typically associated with aging. As you age, your discs, like other joints in the body, can degenerate (break down) and become problematic: that's a natural part of growing older as your body deals with years of strain, overuse, and even misuse. However, DDD can occur in people as young as 20. In fact, some patients may inherit a prematurely aging spine.

Many people become fearful when they learn that they have Degenerative Disc Disease because the term sounds frightening. Although, the words might frighten you, degenerative disc disease is not really a disease. It is actually a term commonly used to describe the normal process that all of our discs undergo as we age.

Degenerative disc disease involves the intervertebral discs. These are the cushions between your vertebrae in your spine. As you age, the discs can lose flexibility, elasticity, and shock absorbing characteristics. They also become thinner as they dehydrate. When all that happens, the discs change from a state that allows fluid movement to a stiff and rigid state that restricts your movement and causes pain.

If you have chronic back or neck pain, you may have degenerative disc disease.

The most frequent symptoms are lower back pain and spasm. Pain is made worse by sitting, bending, or standing, and is often relieved by lying down. It commonly occurs in your lower back (lumbar spine) or neck (cervical spine). Symptoms vary from person to person. Some people have degenerative disc disease and have no symptoms, while others have severe pain.

For an accurate diagnosis, you need to be evaluated by a physician who conducts a medical history and thorough physical examination. A Diagnostic test such as an MRI can be helpful in identifying areas of disc degeneration.

Initial treatment is non-surgical. A physician may initially prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication and physical therapy to treat degenerative disc disease. A tailored program of physical therapy with spinal stabilization training usually works well for this condition. For some patients, a trial with a narcotic medication might be needed.

Further treatment depends on whether the damaged disc has resulted in other conditions, such as a herniated disc, or spinal stenosis. In these cases, an epidural steroid injection can be very effective in resolving the pain. If arthritis in the small joints of the back is the primary problem, injections into these small joints called facet injections can be done to relieve pain.

If conservative treatment fails, a discogram can identify problematic discs since some degenerative discs do not cause pain. If painful discs reproducing the patient's pain are noted during the discogram, surgery for degenerative disc disease can be performed to remove the damaged disc.

If you are among those who suffer from degenerative disc disease, the good news is that this condition usually improves with the appropriate conservative management.

See your physician to determine if you have degenerative disc disease.

This article is not meant to give or replace valuable medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is designed for educational purposes.

穢2012 Winifred Bragg, MD. All Rights Reserved.

3 Conditions Affecting Neck Pain, Back Pain and Sciatica and Their Treatment


spinal stenosis



There are many causes of neck pain, back pain, and sciatic nerve pain or sciatica in both adults and children. We have discussed back strains and back sprains in a previous article and will now discuss more serious conditions and their symptoms. The conditions are herniated intervertebral discs (IVDs), cervical radiculopathy and spondylolithesis, at times with spondylolysis. The spine itself is made up of 33 bones called vertebrae and extends from the skull to the pelvis. The cervical or neck vertebrae are made up of seven bones, with the atlas articulating (coming into contact) with the skull, the thoracic vertebrae span the region from the seventh cervical vertebrae to the first lumbar vertebra, the lumbar vertebrae are made up of five large, in rare cases six, robust vertebrae at the base of the spine. The sacrum, often referred to as the tailbone, sits at the base of the spine, along with the coccyx (the true tail bone); and, is also part of the pelvis, bringing together the two halves at the sacroiliac joints. We will discuss the breakdown of the sacroiliac and the associated symptoms in an subsequent article. Between each pair of vertebrae there is a disc, and intervertebral disc or IVD, made up of cartilage and a jelly-like center, not unlike a jelly donut. The IVD serves as a shock absorber for not only the spine but the entire body. When anything happens to this support system, this shock absorber, neck pain, back pain, and even sciatic nerve pain, sciatica, generally ensues.

As noted above, and in a previous article, there are many causes of neck pain, back pain, and sciatica. We have already dealt with back pain and sciatica as a consequence of back strains and back sprains, we will now deal with symptoms of herniated discs (IVDs), cervical radiculopathy, and spondylolisthesis. The region of the spine affected by trauma and/or herniated discs will generally dictate what sort of symptoms the neck and back pain sufferer will experience. If the cause of the pain is centered in the cervical region, we often experience what is commonly referred to as a "pain in the neck." Cervical pain may also affect the shoulder and arm, even into the hand with pain, tingling, and numbness. The thoracic region symptoms are generally more difficult to pinpoint. Symptoms in this area may be expressed as a stiffness, chest pain, back pain radiating laterally, and/or even the feeling that you're back needs to be "cracked." In the lumbar region, usually the area most affected by herniated discs and spondylolisthesis (L5 most common of all), back pain may either be localized to the lower back, often radiating across the iliac crest or hip, or it may express itself in pain across buttocks, radiating down one or both legs. This is generally due to pressure on the nerve roots, for a variety of reasons, to include ruptured discs, bulging discs, stenosis (narrowing of the nerve canals), and is referred to as sciatic nerve pain or sciatica.

In the cervical region, cervical radiculopathy is one of the primary causes of neck pain. The condition may be caused by anything from a ruptured disc to normal degenerative changes in the discs as we age. Age-progressive deterioration is a consequence of aging, particularly as it relates to the secondary curvatures of the spine, the cervical and lumbar regions (discussed in a previous article). Once again, the primary symptom is pain that radiates from the neck into the shoulders and arms, even affecting the chest in some individuals. It is not uncommon, to experience numbness and even a tingling feeling in the hands and fingers, something like your hand falling asleep. Treatments for cervical radiculopathy may include anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen), corticosteroid injections, ice, and physical therapy. Because the cervical region is so vital, not only in terms of motion but also for regulating basic bodily functions, it is important to be seen by a medical practitioner if pain should continue more than 24 to 48 hours. The only way to diagnose this condition is by X-ray, MRI, and/or CAT scan. Delaying medical treatment may lead to significant and permanent damage.

Spondylolisthesis may be caused by many things and generally affects the lumbar region. The vertebrae most affected are L4 and L5, at the base of the spine, but other regions of the spine may be affected as well. Some of the clauses for spondylolisthesis are trauma, commonly either a stress fracture or an impact due to a sports injury in adolescents, and sometimes adults. Additionally, the vertebral body may break down as a consequence of infection or disease. Spondylolisthesis may coexist or express itself with a condition known as spondylolysis, a vertebral defect predisposing to spondylolisthesis. Spondylolysis is a congenital defect or anomaly causing a separation of the articular facets, the actual joint facets (surfaces) between vertebrae causing the vertebral body itself to slip forward. This condition may lead to incredible back pain, sciatica, tingling, numbness, and even loss of function. Treatments for spondylolisthesis may include a reduction in activity, particularly contact sports and physical labor, artificial supports such as braces, generally discouraged if at all possible due to atrophy and further weakening of the core muscles, exercise of the core muscle group, and even back surgery, known as surgical fusion, when all other measures fail. As previously stated in an earlier article, a spinal fusion is equivalent to opening Pandora's Box and should be avoided if at all possible!

While surgery used to be the first response for severe neck pain, back pain, and sciatica for many cervical radiculopathy and spondylolisthesis patients, particularly when expressed with spondylolysis, now more conservative treatment is generally exhausted before surgery is indicated. A treatment program consisting of anti-inflammatory medications, ice-compression braces, and exercise to strengthen the core muscles, primarily the abdominal muscles, obliques, spinal erectors, and even some of the larger muscles that either originate or insert in the lower back. It is vitally important to listen to your body, to read the symptoms, and to act in a timely fashion when pain lasts for more than 48 to 72 hours with no indication of relief. There are, as we have noted above, many causes for neck pain, back pain, and sciatica. In children and adolescents back pain is generally an indication of a more serious problem, medical supervision should be initiated immediately. With adults, there are a myriad of conditions that may express themselves as pain in this region. A program, as defined above, is the best first step in the treatment of symptoms of neck pain, back pain, and sciatica; anti-inflammatories, ice, exercise, proper shoes, cushions and support for the feet (orthotics) and even alternative medicine (such as acupuncture), which we will cover in a subsequent article.

Sciatica Pain


spinal stenosis



Sciatica is known as a nightmarish back and leg pain syndrome which often resists even the most seemingly appropriate treatment modalities. The sciatic nerve is the largest and most important single nerve in the entire body, being directly responsible for serving the neurological needs of the lower anatomy. Sciatic nerve syndrome is defined as any condition which affects the function of this crucial nerve structure or any of its peripheral branches, eliciting pain, tingling, numbness or weakness in the lower extremities.

The vast majority of sciatica conditions are diagnosed as stemming from a spinal source in the lumbar region. There are many conditions which may cause sciatic nerve symptoms including: herniated discs, advanced degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, arthritic processes leading to osteophyte development, foraminal stenosis, vertebral slippage (spondylolisthesis) and extreme spinal curvature (scoliosis or hyperlordosis).

While it is possible that each of these anatomical abnormalities may cause sciatica in some instances, these structural conditions are far more often mistakenly blamed for enacting symptoms, when in fact, they are merely coincidental to the pain. For example, blaming the universal and completely normal occurrence of degenerative disc disease for sciatic nerve pain is akin to blaming headaches on male pattern baldness... There is simply little evidence that most of these conditions cause any health concerns in the majority of diagnosed patients. Some unfortunate individuals certainly do suffer from physically induced pain due to structural anomalies of the spinal column. However, most sciatica patients are misdiagnosed when their pain is blamed on innocent, normal and completely expected facets of spinal aging. Remember... Spinal arthritis, stenosis and intervertebral disc conditions are all typical side effects of getting older.

Besides spinal causations, medical science also common blames three predominant non-spinal sources for symptomatic occurrences. When sciatic nerve pain exists due to a non-spinal concern, it is often termed "pseudo-sciatica". Sacroiliac joint dysfunction or sacroiliitis is often diagnosed when leg symptoms are far more prevalent than actual back pain. Piriformis syndrome is another common scapegoat for symptoms relating to nerve constriction by the powerful piriformis muscle deep in the pelvis. Finally, non-specific muscular impairments of the sciatic nerve are sometimes blamed for creating variable pain in the lower limbs. All three of these diagnoses are on shaky grounds in most instances, but are made in growing frequency throughout the back pain industry. As with many other suspected causes of back and leg pain, many of these conditions are difficult to pin down as the conclusive source of pain, but are virtually impossible to discount as the causation...

The most common source of ongoing sciatic nerve crises involves one of the most simple of all problematic health concerns. Ironically, despite the obvious nature of this condition and its symptomology, and despite an ever growing base of supportive research, this condition is rarely diagnosed as the wellspring of discomfort. This process is known as ischemia and is also sometimes called an oxygen deprivation pain syndrome. Every anatomical structure requires oxygen in order to exist and function properly. Nerve tissue is the most susceptible to even the tiniest levels of reduced oxygenation. It is no surprise that ischemia can have such dire and immediate effects on the sciatic nerve, since the nerve reacts violently the moment the oxygen supply is reduced. The autonomic system regulates oxygen supply throughout the body using the circulatory system. Small degrees of arterial constriction will reduce cellular oxygenation, while small degrees of arterial dilation will increase blood oxygen content. This is a stealthy and virtually invisible process which leaves no evidence of its occurrence, except for trace elements in the nuclei of affected cells.

Ischemia is indeed the most logical explanation for non-responsive and long lasting cases of sciatica. It is also the root cause of a number of poorly managed health concerns, including fibromyalgia, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, migraine and tension headaches and a tremendous assortment of gastrointestinal concerns. Ischemia is an even greater problem than it first appears to be, since it is most commonly driven by a psychosomatic symptom imperative. Given the Cartesian philosophy embraced by the modern medical establishment, it is no surprise that the overwhelming evidence supporting ischemic pain is systematically swept under the rug. After all, ischemia is easily treated and the cure is free for patients to enact using the basic principles of knowledge therapy. Remember too that the economic bottom line in the medical professions is the most basic directive as to effective treatment for any health condition. If a therapy goes against the idea of making money, it is typically arbitrarily ignored...

In summary, it is wise to consider the idea that your sciatica might actually be the direct result of ischemia of the nerve and muscle structures, rather than the end product of a spinal abnormality. The clues to an ischemic condition include variable types and severity of pain and often changing symptomatic locations. If your pain has not responded well to appropriate treatment, investigate knowledge therapy for an alternate curative option.

Scoliosis Surgery - Medically Necessary or Cosmetic?


spinal stenosis



Over 38,000 scoliosis surgery procedures (adult and adolescent patients combine) are performed in the United States every year and there is no medical indication for the highly invasive procedure with poor long-term outcomes and a mortality rate (death) equal to that of swine flu (H1N1 virus) ["fatality rate for swine flu could be anywhere between 0.1%-0.35%" and for scoliosis surgery the "mortality rate was 0.17% and 0.40% for pediatric and adult patients".] The primary and only indication for scoliosis surgery is cosmetic improvement. Which, in all fairness is an important aspect and treatment outcome in scoliosis treatment, however current research suggests it doesn't succeed in the in its attempts to correct the spinal deformity associated with idiopathic scoliosis either.

  1. Scoliosis surgery fails to improve cosmetic spinal deformity in scoliosis. First of all, no seems to think about the massive scar the length of the spine that results from this procedure (that will ruin bikini season) and a recently published study on the topic of spinal fusion surgery and cosmetic improvement concluded, "Radiographic and physical measures of deformity do not correlate well with patients' and parents' perceptions of appearance. Patients and parents do not strongly agree on the cosmetic outcome of AIS surgery." (Smith 2006)

  2. It does not eliminate pain. Pain is not an indication for scoliosis surgery and many studies find that many patients are actually in more pain 3-5 years post op than pre-op. Don't believe me? Check out what I dub "the most unhappy place on earth" which is the scoliosis surgery revision section of the National Scoliosis Foundation Scoliosis Forum.

  3. It does not improve quality of life. When asked if scoliosis surgery benefits the patient researcher Berven stated in the September 2007 SPINE Journal "there are no current, definitive studies that answer the question posed above." Which is odd, because a 17 year post follow-up study found 40% of the post scoliosis surgery patients were legally defined as "severely handicapped".

This is in sharp contrast with the 50 year follow up study of un-treated scoliosis patients who seemed to have an significantly increased quality of life than many of the post fusion patients. Surgery does not improve lung function. A published study in the Journal of bone and joint surgery found

"no remarkable improvement in pulmonary function more than two years after surgery; three patients showed deterioration. The results of tests performed less than two years postoperatively showed no improvement in pulmonary function, irrespective of the types of assessments used." Furthermore, an even more recent study from ModernMedicine.com concluded, "This study supports the previously published theory that any surgical procedure that disrupts the chest wall has a negative impact on pulmonary function,"

It does not necessarily halt curve progression in adults. The average curve progression rate in adults with un-treated idiopathic scoliosis is 1-3 degrees a year. Post scoliosis surgery studies indicate a rate of curve progression in post spine surgery adults at Initial average loss of correction post spinal surgery is 3.2 degrees the first year, 6.5 degrees after two years, and 1.0 degrees every year after that of the course of the patient's life.

I believe Dr. Paul Harrington, known for inventing the scoliosis surgery that implants metal rods in scoliotic spines, stated in 1963, "metal does not cure the disease of scoliosis, which is a condition involving much more than the spinal column". I highly encourage every patient whom is considering any treatment to dig deep into the research available (both pro and con), ask your doctor as many questions as you can think of, and have your x-rays read by at least 2 radiologist (non-surgeons), because they are unbias and the Cobb angle measurement (used to determine the "need" for scoliosis surgery for some reason) has a inter-examiner measurement error of +/-5-10 degrees. Everyone has the right to make a truly informed decision.

Selective Endoscopic Discectomy: Extremely Minimally Invasive Surgery


spinal stenosis



TRANSFORAMINAL SELECTIVE ENDOSCOPIC DISCECTOMY: extremely minimally invasive surgical treatment for lower back and leg pain.

While 95% of people who sustain an injury to their lower back will recover with a combination of conservative treatment and preventative measures there is a small group of patients who fail to respond to these measures.

This article is meant for those patients who remain unhappy with their symptoms and have been advised by their treating physicians that they would have to live with their present symptomatology or undergo extensive spinal surgery. The following information is about SELECTIVE ENDOSCOPIC DISCECTOMY an alternative procedure for those patients who do not want to live with chronic pain, undergo extensive spinal surgery and do not want to have general anesthesia.

The typical patient frequently presents several months or more after having sustained an injury to the lower back with no previous history of any back problems. Initial treatment from the general practitioner, chiropractor or emergency room physician might include that the patient take anti-inflammatory medication, analgesics, muscle relaxants, limit activities and receive physiotherapy. When the patient's problem did not resolve the patient may have been sent to an orthopedic or neurosurgical specialist who scheduled the patient for an MRI scan that may have revealed one or multiple disc bulges, disc protrusions or disc herniations. The patient may have been provided with additional treatment in the form of a lower back brace and a series of epidural cortisone injections along with specific trunk/abdominal/lower back stabilization exercises or Pilates exercises. While the patient may have noticed some partial improvement with any or all of the above measures he or she may have significant residual lower back pain and radicular pain into one or both of the legs. At that point the patient may have been told that surgical intervention would be necessary in the form of either a micro lumbar laminectomy or a Metrx discectomy under general anesthesia or if the problem was more extensive that a spinal fusion or disc replacement surgery might be indicated.

At that point after thorough review of the patient's history and performing a complete physical examination and discussing the patient's MRI scan I might find that the patient could be a candidate for the SELECTIVE ENDOSCOPIC DISCECTOMY procedure if the patient was found to have either a contained lumbar disc protrusion or lumbar disc herniation unassociated with elements of severe arthritic changes. At that point we would recommend to the patient that additional confirmatory testing be performed in the form of a provocative discogram to determine the exact disc that is causing the residual pain and then follow the discogram with a SELECTIVE ENDOSCOPIC DISCECTOMY procedure.

A discogram is an X-ray study performed under flouroscopic control in an outpatient surgical center using local anesthesia. A needle is placed in the center of the abnormal disk and in an adjoining normal disc and a solution consisting of X-ray contrast dye mixed with indigo Carmine blue dye is injected into these discs. Since the patient is awake as the dye causes increasing pressure in the center of the disc most likely this will reproduce the patient symptoms in the back and/or leg pain and also define the abnormal anatomy of the damage disc on the floroscope. If the patient's symptoms are reproduced by this discogram it is considered a positive concordant discogram and the patient can then be treated with the SELECTIVE ENDOSCOPIC DISCECTOMY either immediately or at a later time if insurance authorization is required.

The SELECTIVE ENDOSCOPIC DISCECTOMY procedure is then performed under local anesthesia with the patient awake and in the prone position on special pillows. A small needle is inserted into the disc space after local anesthesia has been administered. A 7mm (1/4inch) skin incision is made and a spine arthroscope is slipped into the abnormal disc. Under fluoroscopic control, the micro-instruments (mini forceps, mini curettes, and mini cutters-shavers) and the laser probe are used for removal of only the damaged disc material. The laser is used for further removal and shrinkage of the disc for the purpose of disc decompression and tightening up of the annulus. The procedure takes about 30 minutes to an hour per disc, on the average. The amount of disc removed and shrinkage by the laser varies, but includes only the herniated and damaged portion. The supporting structure of the disc is not affected. Upon completion, the probe is removed and a small Band-Aid is applied over the needle incision. Since the patient is awake during the procedure frequently they are interested in watching the monitor as we remove the damage disc material.

After surgery the patient is sent home and advised to use ice packs on the lower back and take mild oral analgesics and rest for few days. Many patients are able to resume work within a few days. The patient are advised prior to the procedure that if the preoperative pain was primarily lower back that in excess of 86% good and excellent results should be expected. If the patient's pain was back and leg pain good and excellent results should approach 92%.

Most of the time the patient's return to the office one week later feeling much improved and wanting to know why this procedure was not performed on them earlier and why the procedure works. We believe that this technique is successful because the abnormal portion of the disc that is creating internal pressure against the annulus and nerve root is removed, the fissures in the annulus that allow leakage of disc fluid and material are sealed and tighten up and the constant flow of irrigating saline through the endoscope washes out the irritating damaged metabolites( prostaglandins, histamines,and substance P & X). No deep tissue is cut and generally no bone has to be removed.

The following patients are not candidates for selective endoscopic discectomy:

1. The rare patient than has a disk that has become a fully extruded and migrated up into the spinal canal.

2. The patient has extensive spinal stenosis will need an extensive amount of bone removed which is better done with open surgery.

3. The patient has extensive spinal instability and requires a spinal fusion that must be done with an open procedure.

For those patients who are afraid of having extensive spinal surgery and have been told that they will have to live with their lower back pain, SELECTIVE ENDOSCOPIC DISCECTOMY is an exciting successful minimally invasive surgical alternative procedure that it is performed under local anesthesia and has a very high rate of patient satisfaction. For further information see www.back-surgery-online.com.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis - What is It?


spinal stenosis



Lumbar Spinal Stenosis is a condition which presents with pain down the legs, with or without pain in the lower back or buttock region. In addition to pain, numbness, weakness and heaviness can also be felt in the same region.

NB It is important to note that the term Spinal Stenosis is also given to similar problems with the Neck. This is referred to as Cervical Spinal Stenosis.

What is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?

Along the length of the spine, from the base of your skull to your lower back, there is a pathway which the spinal cord/nerves pass through. This pathway is referred to as the spinal canal. As the nerves pass down the spinal canal, some of them leave the spine at different levels to form peripheral nerves, which themselves pass around the whole body.

Sometimes, the spinal canal through which the spinal cord/nerves pass can become narrowed. When this occurs, increased pressure is placed upon the nerves. Under these conditions, their function can become compromised and specific signs and symptoms result.

This narrowing can occur for several reasons, but primarily it is a result of degenerative changes which take place upon the vertebra of the lumbar spine.

What are the Signs & Symptoms of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?

The classic signs & symptoms which are felt with those suffering with lumbar spinal stenosis is that of pain radiating down the legs, with or without low back/buttock pain. In addition to this, feelings of weakness/numbness/heaviness may also be felt.

A classic functional limitation with Spinal Stenosis is pain and weakness on walking and leaning backwards. With regards to walking, increased pain and weakness is felt sometimes after only a very short distance e.g. a few metres. However, almost immediate relief can be gained by leaning forward or sitting down and resting forward upon your thighs. It is this ability to almost immediately 'turn off' the pain which would contribute to a diagnosis of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis, although I must stress this is not a diagnostic test and a thorough assessment and investigations such as an MRI would need to take place to confirm the diagnosis.

How can Lumbar Spinal Stenosis be treated?

This depends ultimately upon the cause of the stenosis present, although the severity will also play a part as well. If the symptoms are quite mild and there are also other contributing factors, such as stiffness and inflammation present, an appropriate exercise programme and medication can be enough to settle the signs and symptoms down.

However, if the signs & symptoms are quite severe and the main cause of the stenosis is bony degenerative changes, exercise therapy and medication may only have a little influence. Under these circumstances it is likely you will need to see a consultant and further investigations, such as an MRI, may need to take place.

Finally, before I finish, it is important I note that Lumbar Spinal Stenosis can be quite easily confused with other conditions, namely i) sciatica - which is caused by problems such as tight muscles, facet joint irritation or a disc bulge/herniation and ii) intermittent claudication. I discuss these problems and the possible mis-diagnoses between them in my article titled "Lumbar Spinal Stenosis - Do I have it?"

Disc Desiccation


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Disc desiccation is a mysterious medical term for many patients who undergo MRI imaging of their spinal structures. Almost every adult patient will demonstrate desiccation in some areas of the spine, as the condition is normal and expected. However, patients who do not know the objective facts about disc conditions may be incredibly frightened when the desiccation diagnosis is made. It is for this reason that every back pain sufferer needs to know all about intervertebral discs and how they age as part of their natural lives.

So what exactly is disc desiccation? Many of you are more familiar with the term degenerative disc disease. This diagnosis is used interchangeably with desiccation and describes a condition where the spinal discs lose moisture and their ability to hold moisture. Young and healthy discs are full of water content, much like a gel, but they change as the person ages. The results of desiccation are easily seen on virtually any type of advanced diagnostic imaging, including MRI or CT scan. The discs will become smaller and thinner, shrinking in diameter, thickness and circumference. In some cases, the outer disc wall will also degenerate, suffering from small holes called annular tears. While this all sounds very bad, it must be reinforced that these processes are not inherently painful or harmful and typically affect every adult to one degree or another in their lumbar and cervical spinal regions.

Desiccation also facilitates herniations, bulges, protrusions, protractions and ruptures of spinal discs. All these terms (and more) are used to describe conditions where the nucleus of the disc creates an abnormal bubble in the outer disc wall and in some cases, actually breaks through and leaks into the body cavity. I am sure that all of you have heard the various horror stories about herniated discs, but once again, there is often much ado about nothing. There is little or no clinical evidence linking herniations to chronic back pain in most cases. Herniations can enact symptoms in some patients, although these aches and pains are mostly temporary and not debilitating. In only a very few patients are herniated discs actually the root source of ongoing severe dorsopathy or related neurological effects.

So, basically desiccation is normal, but it helps to create the ideal environment for herniations to occur, which is also normal. This is why so many people have herniated discs in the lower lumbar region and the mid to lower cervical region. These are the areas of notable desiccation and the areas of the spine which must bend, flex and work the most. It is no coincidence that these are also the common areas of arthritic change in the spine.

When discs degenerate, the vertebral bodies become closer together and may touch end to end on occasion. This increased bone on bone friction causes the wearing away of protective cartilage and results in the condition known as osteoarthritis. This is the same form of arthritis which can (and often does) affect many of the major joints in the body, including the elbows, shoulders, hips, knees and hands. Most cases of osteoarthritic change are nothing to be concerned about and although some may enact small aches and pains, the condition is not conclusively linked to severe back pain in almost any case. The exception to the rule is when osteophytes, also known as bone spurs, form in particularly problematic areas of the spinal canal. These hard little nuggets of bone can truly impinge on the spinal cord, causing spinal stenosis, or the neuroforaminal openings, causing foraminal stenosis, and may require professional and even surgical treatment in some cases.

So, desiccation is the root universal condition which usually facilitates both osteoarthritis and herniated discs. However, none of these 3 conditions are the typical causes of chronic back pain, although they are mistakenly diagnosed as such in a great number of cases. Treatments for the various conditions are rarely successful, proving the error of the diagnostic conclusion, while therapies which do nothing to change the spinal structure often provide a lasting cure, further dispelling the myths of the structural nature of back pain based on Cartesian medial philosophy.

I always recommend that patients learn the facts about their diagnosed source of pain. With a bit of enlightened research, patients can understand the real facts about dorsopathy and why it rarely responds to medical treatment and especially surgery. For patients who have already tried everything without success, you have even more reason to become clued in to the truth. Continue on your present path and you are sure to become a victim of failed back surgery, if this cruel condition is not already your fate. Get back on the right road and a lasting cure may be just around the corner...

What Actually Causes Lower Back Pain and How You Can Solve It


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Did you know studies show that 80-90% of all Americans will suffer from back pain at some time in their life? Some will have pain that comes and goes. Others will experience pain that stays and becomes chronic. Many times, back pain that comes and goes gradually becomes chronic if it is not treated properly.

So, What Causes Back Pain?

The most common causes of lower back pain are:


  • Misalignment (subluxation) of spinal bones

  • Strains and sprains

  • Degenerative disc disease and arthritis

  • Bulging or herniated disc

  • Facet syndrome

  • Spinal Stenosis

As you can see from the list above, most back pain is mechanical in nature. This means, in most cases, it is caused by your spine not moving or working properly or from some structural defect that occurs. Back pain can also be caused from diseases and tumors, but this is the minority of cases.

How Do You Treat Back Pain?

Treatment for lower back pain varies depending on the cause. Obviously, the cure for a simple strain would be totally different than a sever disc herniation. Unfortunately, many physicians use a "one size fits all" approach to back pain. This is one of the reasons why back pain sufferers go from one back pain treatment to the next searching for the one true cure for lower back pain.
If you are suffering from lower back pain and are sick and tired of being in pain and missing out on life, then read on for more details on the cause of back pain and what can be done about it.

Weight Gain, Spondylosis, and Treatment


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Gaining weight will hurt your back. Gaining weight during the holidays will cause back pain next year. Those extra pounds do not come off easily, either: it takes 60% of the people surveyed up to 10 months to lose their holiday weight. Nearly 13% of people surveyed said they simply give up on losing the weight after February. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine agrees: most people ca not shake their holiday weight until the next fall--just in time for the Halloween candy.

If you are overweight, your spine may be overworked as it tries to carry that extra weight. Gaining extra weight means you are more likely to injure your back, which would make it nearly impossible to exercise enough to lose weight. This could then graduate into chronic back pain. Physician's know that being overweight can lead to compression fractures, degenerative disc disease, and spondylolisthesis.

Spinal Arthritis

A medical term used to describe spinal arthritis is spondylosis. Spondylosis is a common condition that is estimated to account for 2% of all hospital admissions. Spondylosis is a common degenerative condition associated with aging and can affect the cervical (neck), thoracic (chest area), and lumbar (low back) spine.

The type of spondylosis that affects the facet joints in the spine is called osteoarthritis. Spinal osteoarthritis worsens with age and can cause loss of spinal structure and use.

With recent advancements in MRI technology, your doctor can use an MRI scan to detect spondylosis. The MRI will reveal the disc space between vertebrae. If the space narrows, you have spondylosis.

The medical term for cervical arthritis is cervical spondylosis. Progressive neck pain is a common symptom of spondylosis. With cervical spondylosis, the spinal canal may narrow causing compression of the spinal cord and nerves to the arms.

If the cervical spondylosis is severe, bed rest with traction on the neck may be needed. If you have cervical spondylosis, inflammation of your neck or upper back, and are in a great deal of pain, a cervical epidural block might be beneficial to relieve your pain.

If inflammation exists, anti-inflammatory drugs can be used for treatment. Massage may help to relieve pain.

Using Proper Body Mechanics to Avoid Back Pain

If I told you how to avoid back pain in the first place, would you be interested?

Exercise. The best cure for muscle oriented back pain is to gently use aerobic exercises to strengthen your back muscles.

Swimming is a good choice. Talk with your doctor about which activities are best for you.

Build muscle strength and flexibility. Back muscle exercises not only will strengthen your back, but they remind your back muscles how to relax. Flexibility in your hips and upper legs aligns your pelvic bones to improve how your back feels.

Lose weight. This is the biggest cause of back pain (second only to weak muscles). The more you weigh, the more strain that is put on your back muscles.

Use Good Posture

Stand smart. Maintain a neutral pelvic position. If you must stand for long periods of time, alternate placing your feet on a low footstool to take some of the load off your lower back.

Sit smart. Choose a seat with good lower back support, arm rests and a swivel base. Consider placing a pillow or rolled towel in the small of your back to maintain its normal curve. Keep your knees and hips level.

Lift correctly by moving straight up and down. Bend only at the knees, no with your back. Hold whatever you are lifting as close to your body as possible.

Sleep smart. People with back pain have commonly been told to use a firm mattress, but recent studies indicate that a medium-firm mattress might be better. Use pillows for support, but do not use a pillow that forces your neck up at a severe angle.

Spinal Cord: Tracing the Sensitive Nerve thread


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SCANNING THE SPINAL CORD

The spinal cord is a highly sensitive nerve thread. It extends up to 18 inches. The spinal cord is the communication highway between the brain and other parts of the body. The spinal cord along with the brain constitutes vital parts of the central nervous system (CNS). Incidentally, the CNS is the main managing unit of our body.

THE JOB OF SPINAL CORD

The spinal cord does the linkup job via bundles of neuron or peripheral nerves. These nerves are of two types, viz., UMNs (Upper Motor Neurons) and LMNs (Lower Motor Neurons). The UMNs are the spinal tract messengers. They carry the stimuli from the brain to other spinal nerves and vice versa.
On the other hand, the LMNs communicate with targeted sections of the body. The LMNs have entry and exit points at each vertebral stage. The LMN sensory portions convey sensation information from the skin and other organs as well as body parts to the brain. The LMN motor portions carry forth messages from brain to different parts of the body. Thus, the LMN brings about movement of the muscles.

WHAT CONSTITUTES THE SPINAL CORD?

The spinal cord is made up of mainly gray matters. The spinal cord also remains surrounded by certain white substances. Most of the gray materials are dendrites and cell bodies. The white portion called tracts is made up of interneuronal axons bundles. These tracts are the messengers to and from the brain.
Whereas some tracts carry stimuli or information to the brain (hence identified as ascending) the others convey such information from the brain (therefore called descending).

THE VERTEBRA

Several bone rings called vertebrae (singular is vertebra) enfold the spinal cord. These bones go to construct the back bone or the spinal column. Depending on their locations, the vertebrae are christened. The eight Cervical Vertebrae are located in the neck. From top to bottom, they are identified as C-1 to C-8. Similarly, the dozen chest vertebrae are known as the Thoracic Vertebrae. Take for instance the top rib is attached to the first thoracic vertebra (T-1).

LOCATING THE SPINAL CORD

The spinal cord starts from the brain stem (the lower portion) and ends at the vertebra called 'L1' or the first lumbar. It passes via the vertebral backbone at the central portion of body's dorsal side. From L1, the spinal cord assumes the form of Cauda Equina. Notably, only spinal nerves continue from this stage. There is no spinal cord beyond the first or the second lumbar vertebrae.

CAUDA EQUINA

This Latin term means the tail of a horse. Cauda equina resembling the hairy tail-end of a horse is actually an extension of the spinal cord. It is made up of nerve rootlets. This structure is located at the spinal column's lower end (vertebra L3).The spinal cord remains only till the Cauda equina. These hairy roots extend the communication network to the spine end. Cauda equina stay suspended within spinal fluid.

INSULATION OF SPINAL CORD & THE VERTEBRAL COLUMN

This spinal cord stays insulated within the vertebral column. The vertebral column moves via the spinal canal. The vertebral column is made up of vertebrae. The vertebrae are divided into five clusters (from bottom to top): the coccyx, sacrum, lumbar vertebrae, thoracic and the cervical. Within each vertebrate the spinal cord is shielded by a bony casing comprising the vertebral column.
Mentionably, the spinal cord passes down to the sacral vertebrae within a human fetus. But as a person grows, his spinal cord develops slower than the body. As a consequence thereof, the spinal cord touches only the first or second lumbar vertebrae during the person's adulthood.

UNDERSTANDING SPINAL CORD INJURY (SCI)

When the spinal cord suffers any damage, it is called Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). Such SCI may even lead to serious dysfunctions. It is to be noted that a person may not have his/her spinal cord severed; but even then that person may suffer from SCI. It is important to note that SCI is vastly different from back injuries like pinched nerves, spinal stenosis, and ruptured disks.
An SCI cannot happen only if the bones (the vertebrae) surrounding the spinal cord are damaged and the spinal cord is not affected at all. Mentionably, if the vertebrae are damaged the patient may not even suffer immediate paralysis if those broken vertebrae get stabilized following a surgery.

RECURRENT SCI EFFECTS

A person having recurrent SCIs may even lose mobility and the sense of feeling. The two major causes of such frequent SCIs are diseases and trauma. The diseases that lead to SCI are among others Friedreich's Ataxia, spina bifida, and polio. Trauma can be the result of sudden shocking events like gun shots, and vehicle accidents, to mention but two.

NERVE & SPINAL CORD STRUCTURES

Among the prominent spinal cord and nerve structures are the Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF), Meninges and Dermatones. The Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) is a shock absorber. This clear fluid moves around the tissues. It is also the primary agent shielding the spinal cord from any injuries. The CSF is located within the spinal cord, the spinal canal and the Ventricles (brain chambers). This clear liquid gets secreted from the brain's ventricles (forming the vascular portion) known as the Choroids Plexus. The CSF consists of various glucose, proteins, and electrolytes. A normal adult generally possesses approximately 150 milliliters of CSF.

The Meninges provide the membrane protection cover to the spinal cord and the brain -- the two main agents of the Central Nervous System. Meninges are of three types viz., Pia Mater, Arachnoid Mater, and Dura Mater. The highly vascular and most delicate membrane is the pia mater. Our neural structures get blood from these membranes. The arachnoid mater is made up of veins and arteries. A fluid known as the cerebrospinal fluid fills up the Subarachnoid space. The dura mater layer is thicker than arachnoid mater. The dura mater makes up the outer layer of the nerve roots and the spinal cord. It is gray in color. It is made up of sturdy connective tissues. The Dermatome is made up of skin mater. This portion is constituted of fibers that emanate from the root of a spinal nerve.

Sciatica and Buttock Pain


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Of the many and varied sources of buttock pain, one of the most distressing is - without a doubt - sciatic pain. When you have this condition, it's known as sciatica.

Sciatica is actually a form of nerve pain, and it because of damage or trauma to the sciatic nerve. This nerve starts out in the spinal column, stretches through the buttocks and down to the lower limbs. It is approximately the diameter of your thumb. It is also the largest and longest individual nerve in your body. So when it's damaged, especially in the buttock area, the discomfort can be severe and unrelenting.

It's also not unusual for sciatic nerve damage to cause a tingling or numbing sensation along the nerve pathway.

Causes of Buttock Pain from Sciatica

Typically, sciatic nerve pain begins in the spine, when discs or vertebrae are worn, injured or damaged. This results in inflammation. There are a variety of places sciatic pain can strike, depending on the location of the damage to the nerve: buttocks, back, legs or feet.

A herniated disc, which takes place when a spinal disc presses against nerve roots, is a common cause of sciatica.

A typical cause of sciatica is incorrect posture. Your teachers knew what they were doing when they kept nagging you to sit up straight. Incorrect posture can put pressure on - and therefore damage - the sciatic nerve in a number of ways.

But even good posture is no sure way to escape sciatic pain. Just the act of sitting in the same place for a long period of time can wear down or irritate the sciatica nerve. People who work in cubicles where they must sit in one place, hour after hour, day after day, are especially likely to experience buttock pain from sciatica.

A number of other medical conditions may cause sciatic pain, including:

  • spinal stenosis, a condition which occurs when the spinal canal becomes too narrow,


  • bone spurs caused by arthritis, or


  • when a nerve becomes pinched.

Relieving Buttock Pain from Sciatica

Sciatic nerve pain often is aggravated when you sit or stand for a long time. However, walking, lying down and movements that extend the spinal column may help reduce the pain. Contrary to conventional wisdom, there's been no scientific evidence proving that putting heat or ice on the painful area will do much good in relieving sciatica.

However, over-the-counter pain relievers and certain kinds of steroid injections may help.

If buttock pain caused by sciatica continues for more than a couple of days, you should visit your doctor. He or she may recommend physical therapy. Surgery for sciatic pain is usually done only in the most severe cases.

A Look Into VAX-D, A Spinal Decompression Machine


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In 1985, Dr. Allan Dyer, PhD, MD pioneered non-surgical spinal decompression therapy and in 1991, he was able to develop VAX-D, the world's first non-surgical spinal decompression table. The first VAX-D made use of a pneumatically-driven system and traction force to produce a negative pressure in the disks and reduce muscle spasms, respectively.

The year 2004 saw the introduction of the VAX-D Genesis 2 Lumbar Treatment System by VAX-D Medical Technologies, which contains precise electronic equipment and an on-board computer control system that keeps track of decompression and relaxation cycles with a logarithmic decompression curve.

How Does It Work?

During every day routines, the lumbar spine pressure can go as high as 180 mm Hg and the VAX-D works by bringing down that pressure to 160 mm Hg. Combine gentle stretching of the muscles of the lower back, and the VAX-D produces a negative pressure that pulls back into the spinal disc center the bulging nucleus pulposus, hence alleviating pressure on the impinged nerve.

Based on the problem that is impacting the patient and the severity of pain and other symptoms, VAX-D treatments would have to be conducted more than once. A treatment appointment is 45 minutes in length of time. On the average, 15 to 20 appointments are suggested but extra sessions may be advised for complicated instances.

So what ailments can or cannot benefit from VAX-D Treatment?

Curable disorders using VAX-D:

  • Unilateral or bilateral lower back pain

  • Sciatica

  • Post-surgical patients with Failed Back Syndrome (even after lower back surgery, pain still continues to be an issue)

  • Cervical (Neck) pain and other symptoms

VAX-D treatment would not be able to treat the following disorders:

  • Vertebral fractures

  • Spondylolisthesis

  • Osteoporosis

  • Spinal tumors

  • Lower back pain resulting from pregnancy

  • Ankylosing spondylitis

  • Spinal stenosis

  • Spinal fusion with retained hardware (such as screws and plates)

  • Spinal infections

  • Intense medical problems

Is VAX-D Treatment Affordable?

On the average, VAX-D treatments would be 1/10th of the cost of lower back surgery which makes it very inexpensive. To be able to save more money, patients with health care insurance should determine whether or not spinal decompression therapies are mentioned in their plans.

There are many pain management centers and health institutes that offer the VAX-D. It would be best to check out local health centers to get VAX-D treatments.