Back Pain - How to Deal With a Bulging Disc

spinal stenosis

Bulging spinal discs which are more usually known as a herniated spinal disc are extremely painful. If you ever suffer from a bulging spinal disc what happens is that the outer layer known as the annulus becomes corrupted and the protective jelly like substance in the middle of the spinal disc begins to shift and exposes a much weaker and more sensitive element of the disc.

What occurs is what you would describe as a bulge in the spinal disc wall and that is why it is commonly known as a bulging or herniated disc. The pressure that occurs as a result of the bulge is exerted upon the spinal nerves and this in itself is what results in severe and acute pain.

A slipped disc can cause discomfort and disability in various parts of the body. About 92% of slipped discs happen around the lower back region or lower spine areas of the spinal column. Symptoms of a bulging disc depend very much on the location of the affected disc in the spine.

Some people may experience pain in their legs and hips if the lower back is affected. While others may feel pain in the arms if the problem is in the shoulder region in the upper back. Only a proper medical examination can determine the presence of a bulging disc. This will include X-rays. MRI or CT scans.

So what can you do about a bulging disc in your back? Firstly, the treatment you receive will depend on the severity of the pain you have from a herniated disc.Your doctor will assess your needs best and recommend the best course of treatment. Rest plays an important role in the recovery of a protruding disc. This helps to relieve the pressure and stress on your spine.

A good mattress combined with a pillow under your knees in bed can help to alleviate the pain. A word of caution though. Too much rest is not advised after the initial onset of pain, as it can make the muscles become weaker and aggravate the condition.

Minor exercise is normally advised and you could end up being referred to a physical massage therapist. Under their instructions they will give you the right exercises to boost as well as strengthen your back muscle groups, reducing irritation and pain.

Also you can be shown ways to enhance your good posture to provide maximum relaxation and much less stress to your spinal column. In the management of pain reduction, health professionals frequently prescribe anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin. However, in the event the soreness is more extreme, you could be offered a powerful epidural steroid injection. As well as alleviating soreness they act as a powerful anti-inflammatory too.

In the event the pain is really so extreme that it is affecting your total well-being and flexibility, medical procedures might be advised. This can be used as a last resort due to the prospects for lasting neural harm. Surgical procedure is normally taken into consideration in situations when the protrusion of the disc is more in the vertebral channel. The surgery will be targeted at relieving the pain as well as decreasing extra deterioration.A protruding disc is usually quite uncomfortable, so it is important to understand which actions you need to steer clear of so they won't worsen the problem. It is best to safeguard your lumbar region while lifting, discovering the correct techniques. Using a good position whenever being seated or standing. The right seat and bed mattress which support your lower back are essential.

The discs that make up your spine are extremely important as they are like the shock absorbers in a car and keep separate each vertebrae in your back. The shock is absorbed when you start to move which has the effect of protecting your bones from injury.

Every single vertebrae disc contains two elements. The first one is a robust outside cover known as the annulus. The second is a very soft glutinous centre called the nucleus. The spinal nerves are situated after every disc in the spine. This is where the pain emanates from when you experience a protruding disc. The pressure put upon the nerves is caused by the change that is taking place due to the compression of the disc.

Keeping a healthy weight can make an impact in managing the pain of a slipped disc. Less weight will mean less stress on your backbone. Regular exercise is critical to keep the lumbar region versatile and also healthy. It's also sensible to know that age is an additional risk component for slipped discs. Vertebrae can get weaker and less flexible with time. Unfortunately there is nothing that can be done in regards to the aging process, but looking after yourself can help in controlling the impacts of a bulging disc.

Causes, Symptoms, and Chiropractic Treatment of Neck Pain

spinal stenosis

Your cervical spine, commonly referred to as your neck, is made up of seven vertebrae. Your "neck" begins at the base of your skull. The cervical spine is responsible for holding your head, which is no small feat considering your head weighs several pounds. But while your cervical spine possesses a great deal of flexibility, allowing movement in many directions, this very same flexibility renders it prone to injury and pain.

The reason for this vulnerability is attributed to the biomechanics of the cervical spine. Repetitive movements, injury, sitting for prolonged periods, or merely the natural process of aging and its attendant side-effects can affect your neck's health. Regardless of the reasons, cervical pain can present considerable discomfort.

Contributing Factors to Neck Pain
Accidents and Injury: Whiplash results from a sudden, abrupt movement of the neck or head that causes a rebound effect that may damage the tissues supporting the neck and head. The so-called "rebound" is a result of muscles reacting to strain by contracting themselves. This contraction results in muscle fatigue, stiffness, and pain. More severe cases of whiplash may be linked to intervertebral joint injury, or to damage to the discs, nerve roots, muscles, or ligaments. Whiplash is commonly associated with car accidents.

Aging: Disorders of a degenerative nature can take the form of spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, and age-related disc ailments. They all have a direct influence on the spine.

Spinal stenosis narrows the nerve passageways in the vertebrae, making it contract and block nerve roots and thus, impair the nerves. In addition to neck pain, spinal stenosis can also affect the shoulder and arm, bringing numbness and pain to these areas.

Degenerative disc disease affects the height and elasticity of invertebral discs. Ultimately, a hernia or bulge may develop in a disc. This can cause numbness, tingling, and pain along the arm.

Osteoarthritis results in progressive degeneration of cartilage. The body's response is to create bone spurs, which in turn, affects the motion of the joints. Osteoarthritis is a common occurrence.

There are also daily habits that can aggravate the cervical spine. Obesity and poor posture, for example, alters spinal balance and forces the neck to compensate by leaning forward. Emotional strain and stress prompts muscle tightness and compression, causing stiffness and pain. The stress on the spine can result in permanent neck pain, which may also end up affecting the arms and upper back.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help
In order to determine the source of your pain, you must first locate its source. A chiropractic doctor performs exams and investigates your reported symptoms in an effort to locate the exact source of the pain. The chiropractor may ask questions regarding the amount of time you've had the discomfort, what remedies/tactics you've tried, whether other parts of your body are affected, and what, if anything, helps to alleviate the pain. Physical and neurological exams will also be conducted. The physical exam will disclose your range of motion, posture, and general physical shape while noting the kind of movements that bring pain. Your spine will be manually examined to determine its alignment and curvature, as well as establish whether there are muscle spasms. Your shoulder will also be looked at.

In the neurological exam, the emphasis will be on checking your muscle strength, reflexes, extent of pain and how far it has spread. There are cases where other tests might be needed in order to properly diagnose your condition. An X-ray, for example, helps reveal fractures, bone spurs, and a contracted disc space. An axial tomography scan, in the form of CAT or CT scan, or a magnetic resonance imaging test, known as a MRI, shows where a dilated disc may take place. In cases where nerve damage is likely the source of pain, an electromyography (EMG) might be recommended, as it can measure the responsiveness of your nerves.

Cervical Adjustments
Cervical manipulation entails, for the most part, manual adjustment of the neck joints. This type of neck adjustments effectively improves the mobility of the spine, restoring range of motion. In addition, it may also raise the amount of movement of the adjoining muscles. Patients receiving cervical adjustments report an increase in their ability to move their heads, as well as less soreness, stiffness, and overall pain.

Research findings support the use of chiropractic spinal manipulation for the treatment of patients with chronic neck pain. Comprehensive clinical trials reported significant improvement of chronic neck pain as a result of spinal manipulation. All the trial groups responded to treatment, showing improvement for weeks after treatment.

Your Personalized Chiropractic Care
Each patient receives an individualized program care that may include different types of treatment. Other recommended approaches might be the use of massage and rehabilitative exercises, and mobilization of the affected area. Contact your chiropractic doctor; it's an invaluable first step to figuring out how to care for your cervical spine.

Piriformis Pain - What Are the Causes, Symptoms and Available Treatments?

spinal stenosis

Piriformis pain is the pain due to Piriformis Syndrome which is apparent in around 10 to 15% of hip and lower back pain patients. Unlike nerve impingement issues like sciatica, stenosed spinal foramen and canal, and spinal abnormalities like scoliosis, lordosis, and kyphosis, Piriformis Syndrome is a neuromuscular disorder.

The Development. Generally, the sciatic nerve should pass underneath the piriformis muscle though for some lower back pain patients, it goes directly through the muscle which brings about pain when the muscle contracts and suffocates the nerve.

The issue can be further irritated when sitting for extended periods of time since the gluteal muscles remain inactive. Flexion of the hips leads to overactivity in the psoas major, iliacus and rectus femoris muscles at the cost of the gluteals, like the gluteus minimus and the obturator internus. As a result of this, the hamstrings, adductor magnus, and the piriformis, which are the synergist muscles of the gluteals, will have to perform a lot harder which they shouldn't. This disease mechanism induces the piriformis to hypertrophy resulting in pain.

The Symptoms. Known by extreme pain in the gluteal, piriformis pain may expand down to the leg. Certain exercises like running, walking, bicycling, and rowing may lead to pain. If pain is eased by walking with the foot of the impacted side directed outward and if pain is experienced when sitting in an awkward placement, Piriformis Syndrome should be assumed.

The Diagnosis. Piriformis pain is identified clinically by stretching the irritated piriformis muscle and causing sciatic nerve compression through physical exam procedures like the Race and Freiberg maneuvers. Imaging procedures are only utilized to exclude other disorders, such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, facet arthropathy, and lumbar muscle strain. The MRN or the Magnetic Resonance Neurography is the only imaging technique that can discover Piriformis Syndrome. The presence of the inflammed sciatic nerve where it passes through the muscle can be visualized.

The Treatment. There are obviously, numerous traditional treatments that are shown useful in relieving piriformis pain. These treatments are:

• NSAIDs and/or muscle relaxants


• Stretches and other gentle workout routines


• Therapeutic massage


• Cold compresses at the onset of pain followed afterwards by hot compresses


• Osteopathic and chiropractic manipulation

Shots of anti-inflammatory drugs and/or steroids, local anesthetics (such as lidocaine), botulinum toxin (BOTOX), or a combination of the three may be provided if traditional treatments are unsuccessful. Although surgery is rarely suggested, the latest procedures of minimally-invasive surgery have been proven successful in freeing the entrapped sciatic nerve from the piriformis muscle. All of these procedures help in relieving piriformis pain.

Treating Lumbar Stenosis With Interferential

spinal stenosis

Lumbar stenois is a condition in which the spinal canal narrows and causes neurologic symptoms almost always resulting in pain. Generally speaking the onset occurs in persons over 50 years of age. The hallmark of lumbar stenosis is pain in the back and legs which is aggravated by bending backwards, standing and walking. The pain is lessened by bending forward and to the sides. Many physicians seem to accept that the natural course of lumbar spinal stenosis is that of a progressive worsening. The classic syndrome associated with lumbar stenosis is termed neurogenic intermittent claudication. The pain generally occurs in the lower limbs of the patient.

Historically it had been accepted that only surgery could check the development of the disease. The procedure is called a decompressive laminectomy in which the laminae (roof) of the vertebrae are removed, creating more space in the spinal canal for the nerves. In 1996 in the British Journal of Neurosurgery it was concluded that conservative treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis is recommended for patients with moderate stenosis. Conservative treatments in 1996 were considered to be physical therapy, chiropractic flexion spinal manipulation, bracing, strength training, muscle stretching and relaxation as well as interferential treatments.

Today with advances in early diagnosis, as well as new modaliities, it is felt an at home treatment of interferential therapy combined with stretching, strength training and increased physical activities may help stop the progression of the disease. The most noticeable aspect of lumbar stenosis is the presence of pain which also prohibits the recommended therapeutic activities.

Interferential therapy provides immediate pain relief. With the ability to treat at home it is reasoned that the multiple treatments will provide prolonged pain relief progressing over time which is called "carryover". The interferential treatments can be administered prior to beginning exercise routines and during the routines so the stretching and rehabilitation exercises can be continued longer and with greater range of motion since the pain will not be present during and after interferential treatment. With interferential providing a biphasic ( +/-) polarity wave form it is felt the positive (+) aspect actually increases blood flow, prevents muscle spasticity, and relieves pain including radiating sciatica. Due to the Widensky effect the area underneath the electrodes during an interferential treatment is naturally anesthesized which also provides the pain relief.

With the advances that have been made it is no longer necessary for the patient suffering from lumbar stenosis to "grin and bear it". There are better non-surgical, non-drug options available.

Risks And Patient Selection For Epidural Steroid Injections

spinal stenosis

In the 10 years between 1997 and 2006, interventional pain treatments went up by 235% in the Medicare demographic. There is building evidence that early imaging and injection treatments result in better outcomes. The results have been very promising.

When looking at neck and back pain causes, there are really 3 main categories: 1) Disc Degeneration 2) Disc bulges/herniations and 3) Facet Degeneration

When imaging studies are obtained, one of the main reasons is to exclude non-degenerative pain problems such as tumors, compression fractures, or neural disorders.

Safety of lumbar and cervical epidural injections and nerve blocks has been shown in many studies, with a complication rate of <1% requiring additional treatment.

Transforaminal injections into the cervical spine entail risk higher than lumbar due to 1)Tortuosity of the vertebral artery 2) Direct injection possibility into the spinal cord and 3) Injection potential into the microvasculature surrounding the spinal cord.

It's unclear whether these injections in the cervical spine are that much better and with the increased risk, it may be better just to stick to regular cervical epidural injections. The contrast used to elucidate correct placement may end up in one of these vessels, causing potentially serious complications.

The most common complications seen in back and neck procedures are 1) Pain and 2) Needle misplacement. As mentioned, transforaminal cervical epidural injections are questionable with their safety profile. It's debated where some studies show them to be safe, while others display an unfavorable safety profile.

Patient Selection for ESI

Injections are of value to patients with both spinal stenosis and painful disc herniations. With spinal stenosis, one may see a situation where the stenosis is chronic and the patient is functional, however, an acute exacerbation makes it intolerable. ESI's may put the situation back to baseline.

Injections are not a permanent cure, and surgery is an option for stenosis or herniations. One injection may not do the trick, it may take a series of injections with a repeat of the series every few months.

If a series works and then wears off it does not mean it was a failure, simply it ran its course.

ESI's can achieve pain relief, lower operative rates, and less medical cost, especially in those over age 65. Acute problems and leg/arm radicular pain respond the best. Disc herniations have an overall efficacy response (61%) better than stenosis (38%). Interestingly, though, with stenosis the degree of the problem is independent of the patient response to the injection. For patients with multilevel spinal stenosis, injections may be a godsend as it can prevent a multi-level surgery with increased risk.

Surgical Treatments in the Fight Against Cervical Spondylosis

spinal stenosis

One of the many degenerative diseases that are evident in old age is Cervical Spondylosis. This condition attacks the cervical bones responsible for bending and rotating the neck by forming bone spurs or osteophytes. Sometimes, the condition is also termed as Neck Arthritis. The earliest clinical manifestations of the disease are headaches, neck pain and stiffness. Some people's disease manifestations, however, do not show clinical signs of development until it is elaborately diagnosed with a simple neck x-ray.

Severe cases of Cervical Spondylosis show neurologic and physiologic symptoms that may already alter body functions. Some of these severe manifestations include neck pain that is not relieved by drugs and other homeopathic remedies. Difficulty in swallowing, medically termed as dysphagia, can be dangerous and is observed when the developed osteophytes in the neck area compress the esophagus. Loss of balance may also be an issue when standing and moving about. Bowel and bladder incontinence can be disturbing as it affects excretion of toxins from the body.

Surgery can be the final option when the neck pain persists and radiates in the arms and back. However, some older people believe that this does not work up until advised by experts. Primarily, surgery is done if neurologic symptoms such as falling, weakness and numbness are observed. Your surgeon has the discretion of how to approach the spinal cord which has three areas: the front, rear and side. Usually, some portions of the cervical disc are excavated along with some osteophytes.

The type of surgery that will be used can vary depending on the underlying origin of pain and nerve damage including a narrowed spinal canal or a slipped disc. Here are each of the surgeries and overviews of each of the processes. Laminectomy is one of the most common procedures where a small incision is made at the back of the neck removing bone pieces contributing to spinal cord compression. Foraminotomy, on the other hand, is done by cutting a nerve root at the back of the neck. When a whole osteophyte or bone lump is removed, discectomy is performed.

A new kind of surgery, the Prosthetic Intervertebral Disc Replacement, is performed by removing a worn-out spinal disc and replacing it with an artificial disc to do the same function. This procedure has brought promising results to patients. However, there are still no data on how well it works on a long term basis.

RegenaDisc Procedure Offers Back Pain Patients Quality of Life

spinal stenosis

For most patients suffering from back pain, life with a herniated or bulging spinal disc is at best restrictive, and at worst a constant battle with debilitating pain.

But today, RegenaDisc is offering orthopedic patients the opportunity to beat the pain for good, without a lifetime of reliance upon pain medications or steroids.

How? By integrating state-of-the-art spinal care with the transplantation of adult stem cells, often called mesenchymal stem cells.

Through this revolutionary outpatient procedure, RegenaDisc is giving patients a new lease on life, freeing them from the misery of chronic back pain, dependency upon prescription medications, or the need for restrictive surgeries such as spinal fusion. And in many cases patients experience pain relief after just one treatment.

Stem cell spinal treatments also minimize inflammation and offer relief to patients with arthritis, including degenerative osteoarthritis, who have had little or no success from traditional therapies.

Adult stem cells can actually facilitate the regeneration of cartilage, rebuilding the delicate but important tissues that protect and insulate the human spine. This process allows patients to avoid traditional and more aggressive procedures, many of which offer only minimal relief from the pain of degenerating, bulging, or herniated discs.

And because the stem cells are harvested from the patient's own body, there's no risk of rejection by the body's immune system, and the healing process can progress quickly and efficiently.

While this program is far easier on the overall health of the patient than steroids, drugs, or surgeries, it isn't a simple process - disc regeneration is dependent upon a host of factors.

For example, all RegenaDisc patients who are currently smokers must have completed a smoking cessation program before treatments begin. After the procedure, a careful regimen of back stretches and exercises must be followed to allow for the maximum development of healthy spinal cartilage and proper spinal alignment.

Patients with more extensive spinal injury may require more than one treatment in order to enjoy the full benefit of pain relief.

Sciatica - Causes and Treatment Methods

spinal stenosis

Sciatica is a condition involving pain down the sciatic nerve-- the largest peripheral nerve in the body.  Although sciatica is more common in the older population, it can also affect younger people as well.  It is characterized by a sharp, focal pain in the lower buttock, very close to the part of the pelvic bone that we sit on (called the ischial tuberosity).  In some cases, it can travel down the back of the thigh, all the way to the back of the calf.  Sciatica is usually unilateral (one side only), but can also be bilateral (both buttocks/ legs affected).  It may  be accompanied by lower back pain; and numbness, tingling and weakness in the lower leg.

The sciatica patient will report intermittent pain in the buttock, and may show labored gait.  Sitting for more than a few minutes aggravates the condition, so the patient will favor standing when possible.  The condition usually is not so severe that it causes disability (the need to stop working).  It is more of a "significant annoyance"; most sciatica patients can still walk about, and even engage in light sports.

There are several, known causes of sciatica:

(1)  Disc herniation:  when a spinal disc herniates (ruptures or bulges outwards), it does so in the posterior (rear) direction, where the spinal cord and nerve roots reside.  This is because a very strong ligament called the anterior longitudinal ligament covers the front part of the spinal column, preventing disc movement in that direction.  If the bulge presses against one of the nerve roots that form the sciatic nerve, it can cause radicular pain that travels down the buttock and leg.  The L3,  L4, L5, S1, S2, and S3 nerve roots branch in pairs from the sides of the lumbar (lower) spine and sacrum (triangular bone at the base of the spine that connects to the flat pelvic bones) and eventually combine to form the sciatic nerve, which starts in the gluteal area and travels down the leg.

(2)  Spinal stenosis:  older people often suffer from degenerative disc disease (DJD).  DJD involves thinning discs, hypertrophic (thickened) ligaments, and spondylosis (bone spurring/ thickening).  All three of these things can result in the narrowing of the spinal canal-- the space between the vertebral bodies and facet joints and spinous processes.  The spinal canal is where the spinal cord and nerve roots reside.  As the space narrows, cord material can get compressed or irritated by frequent contact with bone, ligament, or disc.  Imagine years of moving your back, causing the cord to rub against hard, bony material.  Over time, it can adversely affect nerve function, permanently.  Spinal stenosis is usually the cause of the chronic, unrelenting form of sciatica.

(3)  Piriformis Syndrome:  the piriformis muscle is one of the deep gluteal muscles responsible for hip movement.  It is attached to the side of the sacrum on one end, and the greater tuberosity of the same side femur bone (hip).  The piriformis muscle turns your hip outwards.  The sciatic nerve passes between the piriformis muscle and adjacent muscles as it makes its way down the gluteal region to the thigh.  If the piriformis muscle spasms, it can effectively "pinch" the sciatic nerve, causing buttock pain and posterior thigh pain.

(4)  Pelvic unleveling:  the pelvis is made up of two flat bones (named "ischium"), and the sacrum.  The femur heads of the femur bones insert into the ischium bones.  Under normal conditions, when standing on a flat surface, the femur heads and tops of the pelvis should be exactly parallel to the surface.  If for some reason one side is higher than the other, it can cause a shearing force in the gluteal muscles.  This can irritate one or several gluteal muscles, and can affect the sciatic nerve as well.  Pelvic unleveling can be the result of a hard fall on one buttock and other trauma to the spine and pelvis; uneven leg lengths (one leg physically shorter than the other); foot problems, knee reconstruction, and fractures or bone diseases that result in loss of bone in the femur or tibia.

Treatment Options

Sciatica, depending on the cause, can be very difficult to resolve.  In some cases, it resolves on its own with rest.

If the cause is related to a disc herniation, treatment geared towards reducing the disc herniation should be considered.  This includes surgery, physical therapy, and non-surgical spinal decompression.

If the cause is related to spinal stenosis, the goal of treatment would be pain alleviation.  If the stenosis is multiple-level, surgery may not be an option.  For these cases, pain medications, nerve blocks/ cortisone injections, and epidurals may be helpful.  Hotpacks, icepacks, and gentle stretching of the gluteals can help as well.

If the cause is due to piriformis syndrome, measures to reduce the piriformis muscle spasm would be appropriate.  This includes massage therapy, ice and heat, joint mobilization, chiropractic adjustments, and muscle stim.

If the cause of the sciatica is pelvic unleveling, chiropractic adjustments to restore pelvic alignment could help.  If the pelvic unleveling does not correct all the way, then shoe orthotics with a heel lift can help keep the pelvis even when standing; thus reducing the shearing force to the gluteal muscles.

In summary, sciatica, while not a very serious condition can adversely affect quality of life by limiting mobility.  Self help measures include gently stretching the gluteal muscles, and applying ice and heat.  Wear comfortable shoes, and be careful not to walk on uneven surfaces for extended periods (hill, beach, etc.).  If it does not go away on its own, visit a qualified health professional to get a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Dangers in Daily Living: Vacuuming the Carpet

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The previous article wrote about the dangers to our spines, when mopping the kitchen floor. It may seem similar movements could be used to vacuum the carpets.

However vacuuming requires greater strength, when pushing a mechanical piece of equipment compared to a mop. This is because the mop is much lighter and less cumbersome to handle, but also the action of pushing the appliance across carpet takes greater muscle strength, due to the resistance of the carpet.

Where does the strength come from to push the vacuum cleaner? It should not come from your spine. Many people mistakenly believe is the source of strength, through flexing the spine. This results in strain to the small spinal muscles and tendons.

Part of the strength for moving the vacuum cleaner comes in the physical force of extending the elbow in the right arm; along with pushing the arm forwards and backwards when flexing and extending the shoulder. Alternatively, the powerful force can be doubled with a 2-handed hold with both hands on the vacuum cleaner and extending the elbows in both arms to move the vacuum cleaner.

The rest of the strength will come in the weight transfer through the legs that pushes the vacuum cleaner forwards and backwards. This is where the similarity comes between vacuum cleaning and mopping the floor; through the weight transfer motion of using your leg muscles, which are the largest and strongest muscles in your body.

By using the powerful force in the leg muscles, we are able to protect our spine from attempting to generate the wrong movements that will lead to stresses and strains in the spine. This is what may be contributing to your low back pain, if you are using the wrong muscles for creating additional power to do household chores.

It should therefore be remembered that power for using your body in any productive activity, should never originate from the spine. Your spine is designed for the purpose of maintaining our upright position for sitting or standing upright, when performing daily activities. The spine also protects the spinal canal inside of the vertebrae, which distributes the nerves and blood supply throughout your whole body.

Our body is a wonderfully mechanized machine for moving our body parts, so that we have control over purposeful movements in productive activities of daily living. Our movement is usually spontaneous, so that they allow us to continue to move smoothly and efficiently, without thinking about our actions.

Sometimes spontaneous movement can have negative drawbacks, if you do not realize that some movements are not correct for the action being taken. At this point, you need to try and modify the spontaneous movement pattern into the correct movement pattern needed, so that normal movements are accepted into your lifestyle for safety and comfort.

Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF): Risks of Spinal Surgery

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Spinal fusion is an invasive surgical procedure performed to provide stability to the spine in the case of degenerative disc disease, nerve impingement and/or vertebral movement (spondylolisthesis). The surgery entails the removal of a disc or portion of a disc and the placement of a bone graft in the disc space that will fuse the vertebrae together. Additional grafts and hardware may be used on the outside of the spinal column for extra stability.

Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) is one type of spinal fusion surgery often performed to treat degenerative disc disease in cases where a lot of disc height has been lost. Anterior fusion is performed through an incision in the stomach. There are other approaches that dictate approaching through the back or side, but the anterior approach is favored sometimes for its avoidance of back muscles and spinal nerves.

ALIF is generally not performed on people with spinal instability caused by spondylolisthesis (vertebral fracture and movement) or tall disc spaces. In these cases, a posterior approach may be combined with ALIF to provide additional fusion sites.

Risks

Every type of surgery comes with unique risks. Risks that all types of fusion surgeries share are failure of fusion, bleeding, infection and scar tissue.

Anterior fusion carries unique risks due to its approach from the front of the body. One potential complication after surgery is incisional hernia. A hernia is present when part of the lining of the abdominal cavity, called the peritoneum, pushes through a hole or weak part in the connective tissue surrounding abdominal muscles and forms a sac. Incision of the abdomen can cause such a weak spot or hole. A hernia may be visibly protrude and retract when coughing or lifting. If it is painful to the touch or does not retract when pushed inward, surgery will likely be needed to patch the weak spot in the abdomen. Parts of organs can become trapped in the hole as the sac grows and blood supply can become cut off, strangling that part of the organ.

For males seeking fusion of the L5-S1 disc space, retrograde ejaculation is a concern. The anterior approach to this spinal segment puts the surgeon's tools in close proximity with nerves supplying a valve that directs ejaculate from the body. If the nerve supply is damaged and the valve doesn't open, the ejaculate will be directed to the bladder. While this does not pose risks to the man's health or feeling of pleasure, it provides distinct complications with conception. An exact rate of incidence is unknown, but could be 5% or higher, according to Spine.org, for men seeking anterior fusion at the L5-S1 segment.

A minimally-invasive form of ALIF is available that requires a smaller incision and the use of a laparoscope, or camera, that guides the surgeon's tools. While this procedure generally promises shorter recovery time and less scarring, it also poses a unique risk to the great blood vessels, the vena cava and aorta, that lay over the spine and travel to the lower body. Normal ALIF may cause damage to these vessels at a 1-2% incidence rate; risk increases with laparoscopic anterior fusion as the surgeon has limited view and mobility inside the incision pathway. Interference with these blood vessels is a major concern as it causes excessive bleeding.

When considering surgery, it is always important to weigh the risks against the possible benefits. While most surgeons boast fusion rates of 95% and higher, studies exist that put the rate much lower. A small study with 85 participants found that overall fusion rate was 80%. The study also specified results by level of fusion; rate of failure was much higher (31%) at the L3-L4 level than at the L5-S1 level (16%). These are all factors to consider when deciding whether surgery and what type of surgery is worth the risk for your unique situation. More on the above study can be found at http://www.mendeley.com/research/anterior-lumbar-interbody-fusion/.

A Last Resort

Any type of surgery is a last resort, yet not all spine surgeons are hesitant to prescribe fusions. Fusions are mainly performed to relieve pain from degenerating spinal discs. Have you exhausted all other treatment options for your condition?

Unless you are showing signs of major nerve damage (such as impaired bowel and bladder function), surgery should be a long way off. First, months of physical therapy should be performed to strengthen the core muscles that support the spine. You should be tested for muscle imbalances and postural distortions that could have caused excess pressure on the affected disc. A chiropractor or osteopath should check your spine for misalignment and resolve any if found.

Inversion therapy can be pursued at home to increase disc space, or decompression treatments can be sought from a chiropractor with a decompression machine in his or her office. Decompression treatments may or may not be covered by insurance, but they usually cost around $2,000 total without insurance. This is less than the out-of-pocket cost of spinal surgery for most people with insurance.

When considering various options for back pain treatment, be sure you're informed of the risks and benefits. Anterior lumbar interbody fusion poses unique risks that should be understood before anything is signed off on.

Exactly What You Should Know Of Sciatica

spinal stenosis

Well-known information about sciatica strain or irritability of the weak vertebral neural roots might frequently lead to sciatica. The sciatic nerve is the biggest nerve inside the body. This type of soreness is commonly felt down the leg in addition to lower back pain, while the sciatic nerve is definitely irritated or trapped as a result of lower back condition or injury. Treatment options for sciatica are determined by the main reason and the extent of the pain.

What exactly is sciatica? Sciatica is actually a usually chosen brief phrase for sciatic neural soreness. Sciatica is painfulness in lower legs and back of thighs caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is considered the greatest nerve inside the body. More or less entire leg in addition to lower back are supported with the sciatic nerve. This particular nerve starts out inside low back, goes toward upper legs, knees as well as lower leg. Lower back is considered the most usual area where people spot the discomfort first. Next they might feel it going forward to the legs along with under the knees.

Which are causes of sciatica? The hernitation of backbone disc pressing directly on the nerve would be the essential factor for sciatica discomfort. But it really can be activated by any sort of problem which induces the sciatic nerve irritability. There are certainly many causes of the pain like long term standing or perhaps sitting, body building, heavy training and much more. Numerous causes for example contamination, tumors, internal bleeding, irritation of the nerve from nearby muscle tissue or bone, physical damage and other reasons can certainly contribute to sciatica. Sciatica is definitely attributable to inflammation of a root of the lower lumbar and lumbosacral spinal cord.

What are factors of risk for sciatica? Risk factors for sciatica comprise degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spinal column, lumbar disc disorder, and trauma or injury to the lumbar spine.

Indications of sciatic nerve soreness. Sciatica causes painfulness, a burning sense, feeling numb, or tingling passing from your spine and upper buttock straight down the rear of your thigh to the back of the lower leg. Discomfort in buttocks, lumbar soreness, pain in thigh, and soreness in leg are generally some of the several results. From time to time a person can feel as if soreness in hip in the event the painfulness goes across the buttock or hip. Frequently, the painfulness runs from the lower back all through the back of the upper leg and down through the leg. Common signs of sciatica incorporate:

Most of symptoms for sciatica happen to be:

- Feeling tired, tingling, or problems moving the leg or perhaps foot.

- An acute discomfort that makes it challenging to get up.

- Feeling numb: one additional regular attribute, commonly in the paws or foot. Often rather then feeling numb, pins and needles is felt and infrequently a burning sensation.

The abnormal stress or interference in a single or some more nerves which makes up the sciatic nerve certainly is the reason for the sciatic discomfort. From time to time the indications of sciatica will be worsened by going for walks or bending at the waistline and relieved by relaxing. Swapping poses can be rather sufficient to obtain sort of pain relief.

Just how is sciatica identified. To be able to make sure whether lower-body soreness and various signs or symptoms are, in reality, sciatica, a health care professional may inquire about medical background, symptom seriousness, and even indication place. Men and women will likely be expected to look at various postures as well as activities, including squatting, walking on toes, bending ahead and also backward, turning the spine, sitting, relaxing on the back and lifting one leg at a time. Technological strategies just like MR neurography may help in identification as well as care of sciatica. There can be many supplemental studies for sciatica diagnosis:

- MRI - magnetic resonance imaging produces sharp pictures of the inside of the human body without the need of utilization of X-ray.

- EMG - in electromyography, muscle action is watched by quite small needles that check reaction to mind signals.

Treatment of Sciatica

To be able to treat your sciatic nerve pain, you have to know the causal agent and handle it accordingly. On most occasions the medical doctor will propose slumber as the right treatment, for the reason that frequently recovery can happen over time frame. In cases that suffering don't resolve interventions may well involve spinal injections along with medical procedures based on the root cause. It is recommended keep your muscles stretched once you have a sitting occupation that makes you sit for an extended time. Exercises stretch the muscles and beef up, they aid in reducing pain along with tightness, and truly increase the range of activity. The physical exercises recommended will depend on what's inducing the sciatica. Additional therapy ways for sciatica contain dealing with the actual trigger, prescription drugs to alleviate painfulness together with irritation (together with oral and injectable steroid) and loosen up muscle tissues, and even physical treatment.

Foot Drop

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Foot drop is a colloquial term for a particular symptom often associated with sciatica. The condition is described as the inability to elevate the front of the foot due to actual or perceived muscular weakness, also known as a dorsiflexion deficit. In the vast majority of cases, a structural issue is blamed for the pain and often operated upon using the latest spinal surgery techniques. Unfortunately, many patients do not find relief from their sciatica and associated lower body issues due to poor treatment results, or far more commonly, misdiagnosis of the root cause of the symptoms.

Foot drop is not difficult to diagnose, since most patients will notice it for themselves. It is common for affected sufferers to have difficulty walking normally, since the front of the foot will not operate in a manner consistent with a normal gait. Patients usually shuffle along with the foot pointed straight out, or even down, and typically have difficulty in climbing stairs or moving quickly without hitting their toes. Some patients have variable degrees of a dropped foot, with the symptoms coming and going to one extent or another, predictably or unpredictably. Many other patients have total objective loss of functionality, also known as complete foot drop. These patients can not elevate the frontal foot at all, despite their best efforts.

The most common reason for foot drop to occur is a problem with the L5 spinal nerve root. This structure is located in the lower lumbar spine, right above the lumbosacral juncture. The L5 vertebral level is one of the most common locations in the spine to suffer a variety of degenerative conditions, including the universality of disc desiccation, the common incidence of herniations and the normalcy of spinal osteoarthritic change. Other less common conditions also affect this level more than other spinal areas, including spondylolisthesis, lumbar scoliosis and various degrees of hypolordosis and hyperlordosis.

The overwhelming majority of affected patients will receive diagnostic imaging of the lumbar spine, usually in the form of CT scan, or better yet, magnetic resonance imaging. The findings will almost surely show one or more of these structural degenerative conditions, since these exist in virtually the entire adult population. Regardless of the structural problem located, there is almost a 100% chance that it will be blamed for sourcing the foot drop, without any additional thought. Patients with access to truly quality care will enjoy the benefit of neurological symptom correlation, which is one of the better ways of avoiding misdiagnosis. The rest are simply often scheduled for surgery or long term conservative care with no follow up testing at all...

Foot drop can surely occur due to herniated discs and other structural concerns, such as the incidence of osteophyte growth in the lower lumbar vertebrae. However, in many cases, non-structural processes are at work which cause the drop foot to exist and the structural findings, if any, may be only contributory or even coincidental to the symptomatic expression. I see this often in patients who still have dorsiflexion deficit, despite active and sometimes surgical treatment.

A great many patients have disc or vertebral issues at L5, since these are almost a given in the human spine. However, when symptomatic correlation is performed correctly, the actual expression will usually be far too diverse and widespread to possibly be explained from single L5 nerve compression. Regardless, surgery is often performed and results are, as expected, abysmal. Objective neurological correlation would save these patients from a world of anatomical injury and pain as they waste time, money and hope pursuing treatment which is not appropriate or indicated... Similarly, simply learning more about a diagnosed condition will help a patient see the holes in the working diagnostic theory. It is for this reason that I strongly urge all patients with foot drop, sciatica or general back pain to take active roles in their own care and thoroughly research their diagnoses, treatment options and prognoses, before agreeing to any ongoing or invasive therapy plan.

No More DDD Back Pain! Here's a Proven Way to Say Goodbye to Your Degenerative Disc Disease Worries!

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Degenerative Disc Disease, or DDD, is highly correlated with age factor. As we mature and grow older the tough and rubbery discs between our vertebrae dry up and lose their cushioning height. To illustrate, I would compare a spinal disc to Homer Simpsons favorite sofa cushion (the sofa cushion in front of the TV). As years passed by, Homers weight would shatter the sofa ultimately and wear out the fabric. While the outcome for Homer was perpetual butt-relief, the result of Degenerative Disc Disease for the typical 3-D person sadly, is anything but comfort.

Luckily Degenerative Disc Disease sounds a lot worse than it actually is. It is the degenerative that really affects my well being. Well, disease is not an encouraging word either. But the truth is, everyone gets DDD as they age, and usually it is not painful. It is an inherent stage of getting older. However, it is when the spinal disc shrinks to the point of vertebrae hitting bone on bone, that nerves are affected and back pain begins. For the two commonly known DDD back pain, these are classified as Cervical (neck) and Lumbar (lower back).

Both types of degeneration yield further back problems such as herniated discs, arthritis or sciatica (pain in the legs) or spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal chord). It is amazing how a small problem in the spine can cause joint and bone inflammation in the fingers and toes. Has anyone ever compared the peripheral nervous system to the Internet? Like the Internet, the nervous system is all over: It conveys body-wide messages, but watch out, it can also instigate body-wide aches.

Spinal Decompression To The Rescue!

Spinal Decompression helps treat all types of DDD because the lifting of the vertebrae allows for the spinal disc to repair itself. Then pressure is taken off the nerves. Especially in cases of spinal stenosis or sciatica, where surgery is invasive and therefore risky, Spinal Decompression is a conservative, yet affective method of treatment.

With the option of Spinal Decompression, I feel at ease. But my pressing concern given all the information available, is there a doable way which can ensure a healthy condition for my spinal discs?

Unfortunately, this time eating right and exercising regularly just wont cut it. The root of DDD back pain comes from a loss of collagen (protein) and water in the spinal discs. The shortfall of fluid occurs when the number of Proteoglycan Molecules in the discs decreases. So, when Drs. Mark Ewin and Robert Inman from the University of Toronto, Toronto Western Hospital discovered in 2006 that the Notochord Cell (which releases CTGF, which is a connective tissue) regulates production of Proteoglycan, they were upbeat that their research results would serve as a groundwork for future regeneration of disc cartilage for patients suffering from DDD back pain. One impediment: the only Notochord cells found in humans are in their embryos, and for now this study is steering clear of stem cells!

But thank goodness there is at least progressive research going on that might one day help preserve the spines discs. Good thing for Spinal Decompression in the meantime though! I feel somewhat relieved that no one is alone for having a fear of back pain. So: research studies are underway, the spinal decompression machine is pulling: Some efforts are underway geared towards addressing our back problems.

Dealing With Hip and Lower Back Pain

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The very serious problems that are relating to back pain are the hip and the lower back. Usually hip pain and lower back pain come hand in hand as the pain is very similar. As the causes of the lower back pains are same as of hip pains.

Your body movements are basically affected if you are having hip pains and or lower back pains. These problems cannot be fully removed and this becomes a very painful situation. The people over 40 years old who are facing this problem deal with a terrible experience as far as the pain are concerned. They must stay still at one place to avoid having body movements which makes it very difficult for them to walk around when they are in their home.

The causes of the hip pain and lower back pain occur as follows:
- The nerves that are connected to the hip are coming from the lower back which becomes affected by a neurological problem.
- Any injuries to the muscles in the lower back might also affect the hip muscles.
- Any injuries to the muscles in the hip might also affect the lower back muscles.
- Is very difficult to face these pains as it is not easy pain to deal with.
- Arthritis will also affect both organs the back and the hip adding more pain to the body.

If you were to ask your physician for the reasons behind hip pain and lower back pain, he may not be able to provide you with an answer. Causes of this pain can be arthritis, spinal stenosis and a fracture. The thigh bone, the femur and pelvis are connected together at the hip joint, as these bones have cover of articular cartilage, which is a different matter altogether as it works as a shock absorber. This act as a contraction and expansion as the existing pressure helps to protect the bones as the hip joint contain a lubricating substance around the muscles. In the hip joint you have a capsule that can go in any direction since the hip joint is the ball and the socket joint as the nerves nearby this area come from the lower back.

The lower back can always be treated with a treatment regularly, once the causes of your hip or back pain is found your doctors will provide you some medications with some routine exercises which will improve your daily habits. If there are any changes in your back pain it should be directed to your doctor, if there is any pain in your lower back or your hip you should contact your doctor as soon as possible as it can easily become a serious and major problem such as arthritis or a congenital hip or lower back problem. This is a situation in which your hip joint ball is not seated properly where is suppose to be at the socket, if the socket is not deep the ball will have to move from the edge of the socket.

While aging and use plays an important role as the situation arises in which the fluid filled sac is inflamed and create pain, a person over the age of 40 years old may get a fracture with a gentle fall and this will not be able to be operated and this patient must face this problem the rest of his life.

If by any chance you have your two legs which are of different length you might be getting into having a problem of hip or lower back pain due to the difference in length, arthritis needs a different treatment, which needs to be followed for a longer period of time.

The treatment usually is a treatment of heat and cold water which helps to alleviate the pain. Maintaining weight control is very important as well as using medications against inflammation is required. Hips and lower back will provide support to our body while the attention of our problems must stand out with very strong support.

A solution has been created which will help to avoid these pains and make you pain free, is a solution known as Muscle Balance Therapy which is the greatest back pain break-through of our generation.

If you need additional information about the Muscle Balance Therapy Please visit this site.

Back and Leg Pain

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Are you suffering with back and leg pain? Do you need pain relief for sciatica? Lower back Pain or Sciatica generally occurs often as a result of 'overdoing things', such as spending the whole weekend digging the garden, after a week of sedentary occupation "inactivity". There's often a high incidence of lumbar pain in drivers, or lumbar pain in golfers. Sciatica usually occurs in the 30 - 50 age group, is generally infrequent in younger people, although it isn't mutually exclusive from any age group.

Although most lower back pain and sciatica is very treatable and is not permanent, it's advisable to consult your GP to obtain an objective diagnosis of the condition, a course of treatment, and a strategy to prevent a re-occurrence such as the formulation of a daily exercise routine. If the sciatica and back pain can be managed then this should alleviate the need for more radical future treatment such as surgery, should the condition is allowed to become chronic or long-term.

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica strictly speaking isn't one condition, but is often a generic term applied to a number of symptoms that could be brought about as a result of irritation of the sacral nerve roots from the spine that converge to form the sciatic nerves. Usually, the symptoms will only be experienced on one side.

Sciatica is usually triggered by the compression of nerves in the lumbar region or sacrum at the base of the back or indeed the sciatic nerve itself.

This nerve compression or irritation results in pain in that area or sensations or numbness down into the thigh or legs. Effectively we are causing a "short circuit" of the neurological transmissions from below the point of the nerve irritation.

Causes of Sciatica

Causes of Sciatica can include:

Spinal prolapsed disc or lumbar disc herniation

Most Sciatica is brought about as a result of a spinal disc bulge where distortion or pressure exerted on the vertebrae has caused the intervertebral disc to be pushed (prolapsed) onto the nerves, or a herniated disc in the lower spine, where the soft inner pulp has been pushed through a tear in the outer wall, protruding onto the nerve. Pressure on the nerve causing leg or back pain can also be caused by or vertebral misalignment or degenerated discs.

Spinal Stenosis

This occurs where the channel through which the spinal cord runs (spinal canal) becomes narrow, maybe as a result of a herniated disc, a bone spur or misalignment of a spinal segment (Spondylolisthesis), inflammation. This reduction in space may cause compression and irritation of the nerves and subsequent back pain in the sciatic nerve roots

Piriformis Syndrome

This can occur where the piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve, as a result of the muscle suffering trauma such as a strain or spasm and tensing around the nerve. This can occur in the minority of the population where the sciatic nerve actually runs through the piriformis muscle, rather than underneath it.

Posture or work related Sciatica

Posture related sciatica or work related sciatica can be brought on by such factors as long periods of standing e.g. hairdressers, or occupational activities which cause distortion or misalignment over time of the sacral joint e.g. one sided carrying or operation of equipment such as tool belts or shoulder held hedging strimmers.

Pregnancy

Compression of the sciatic nerve and therefore back pain or sciatic pain can occur as a result of pressure from the uterus or again through spine alignment changes and alignment, arising from physical changes from carrying the foetus and changes in the spinal loading.

Trigger Points

Although the subsequent pain is similar to that associated with sciatic nerve compression or irritation, this occurs in the trigger points of the lower back muscles and gluteus muscles (buttocks) have poor blood flow as a result of trauma or muscular contraction or spasm.

Symptoms of Sciatica

Symptoms of sciatica may include:-

Numbness or tingling in the lower back, buttocks, or legs

Sharp or stabbing pain from below that point in the legs or buttocks

Stinging or burning sensations, or cramping felt in the thigh

These pains may increase where there is sudden or exaggerated movement in lumbar region e.g. stretching, twisting, or sneezing which may have the effect of further irritating the affected nerves. Your GP will carry out a physical examination, usually determining the amount of movement and their pain thresholds in the lumbar region and legs, and sometimes following up if need be with x-ray, CT or MRI scans if necessary to establish root cause.

Treatment for Sciatica

Treatment for sciatica usually involves addressing the sciatica pain and inflammation initially, relaxing the muscles.

Over the counter pain killers are often effective along with anti inflammatory medication or ice packs in dealing with the initial discomfort. If the pain is more severe, then your GP may prescribe a more powerful epidural steroid injection to reduce the pain by easing the inflammation to the sciatic nerve. Alternatively natural back pain relief products are available for those of us reluctant to use drug therapy and these could be discussed with your GP

Rest is not regarded as the best therapy for back pain relief or sciatica. Indeed, there are exercises that can be carried out if there is a bout of sciatica. Stretching exercises or Yogic positions may be carried to decrease pressure on the sciatic nerve by relaxing muscle tension in the affected area.

Exercises for sciatica

Once the sciatic pain and inflammation is under control then a course of back pain relief therapy and stretching exercise routines can be devised by your GP to strengthen and tone the lower back in order to reduce the risk of recurrence of the sciatica. Indeed having an effective exercise routine for sciatica and back pain can be the most successful strategy in controlling or managing the condition

Back Inversion Tables For Posture Improvement

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How a person carries himself or herself is important. In a way, this would be able to provide an insight about the individual's character. It is important to have the right posture. There are many causes of poor posture, but mainly it is because of poor habits when it comes to sleeping, walking and sitting.

There are several negative effects of poor posture. Mayo Clinic states that back and fatigue could be one of the numerous health problems caused by bad posture. When a person slouches, the muscles have to work extra to support the spinal cord this could lead to sore muscles from the neck down to a person's lower back.

Sustained bad posture could lead to developing a spinal curvature. With a bad posture, the spine curve (it's natural S shape), changes. This affects the ability of the spinal cord and would affect your balance.One way of dealing or correcting bad posture is through the use of back inversion tables. But what is inversion therapy?

In inversion therapy, the person is suspended or inverted with the use of either gravity boots or inversion tables. When inverted, the pressure on the discs and ligaments are decreased. This would provide pain relief to those who are suffering from back pains. Inversion therapy could also increase a person's flexibility and improve blood circulation or flow. Other benefits of inversion therapy are improving a person's mental alertness, increase the motion in the joints, and works as a great stress relief.

Supporters or proponents of inversion therapy, believes that inversion therapy can restore the proper alignment to the spine. With bad posture, misalignment is possible. When the hips and the spine are not aligned, it could lead to inflammation and pain. Doing inversion therapy regularly could assist in helping the individual maintain proper posture.

In a study by the New Castle University, the use of inversion tables was able to help 70% of the users to avoid back surgery. There are several medical journals and studies showing the use of inversion tables indeed increase the separation of the spine and disc.

However, the use of back inversion tables is not for everybody. Those who have heart disease, high blood pressure and eye conditions/ diseases are warned against using these inversion tables. Pregnant women are also warned against using this equipment while pregnant. Furthermore, it is always best to consult with your physician before starting any kind of exercise regime or therapy such as this.

Braces for Back Pain

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If you are looking for a back brace to help you cope with persistent back pain, it is important to first identify what is causing the pain. If the pain is chronic and has not yet been diagnosed by a medical professional, that should be your next step after reading this article. Typically pain can be traced back to several root causes: over-activity, disc injury, disc degeneration, degenerative spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, or scoliosis. In some instances back pain can be attributed to some very dangerous conditions including tumors and arterial disease. For this reason, it is critical you have the cause diagnosed by a medical professional who will be able to use imaging tests such as x-rays and MRI's to accurately pin-point the underlying issue and rule out life threatening conditions. This is the first step to proper treatment for the back pain.

In most instances a medical back brace is an effective and affordable component of a comprehensive back pain treatment strategy. If you discover that you suffer from a slipped or bulging disc, a brace will not only provide support but it will offload pressure from the disturbed area. For others, if the pain is post-operative, a brace will not only aid with pain management, but it will also promote healing by limiting motion and providing support.

Your spine consists of a spinal code and nerves contained within a series of vertebra, separated by intervertebral discs and facet joints, all of work together, allowing the spine to transfer nerve information to the brain and body parts while also permitting the spine to move. Back pain can typically be attributed to one of these spinal components behaving irregularly, leading to "pinched nerves" or strained muscles / ligaments.

There are two types of back braces that are most commonly used to limit the motion in the spine, and they are rigid braces and corset braces. Rigid braces are exactly that: rigid - as opposed to elastic. A perfect example of a rigid brace would be TLSO braces. These firm, form-fitted braces are your best bet if limiting range of motion is your primary objective. They are typically constructed of stiff plastic and can limit motion by 50% or more, making them perfect fracture and post-operative braces. Because of their rigidity, these braces can be uncomfortable and are typically worn when upright, but not while sleeping. Corset braces are elastic braces which provide support while also allowing more give and their rigid counterparts. They are adjustable via elastic straps or corset styled lacing. Good examples of corset braces include lumbar braces and sacroiliac brace.

Lower Back Pain and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

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Is there a correlation between lower back pain and Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Researchers have long argued that IBS may be caused by abnormal functioning of the nerves and muscles of the bowel. No indication or explanation is ever given as to why this malfunction might occur. To my knowledge there has been no adequate evidence to support this assumption. More over, I have not seen, heard of or read about any studies which were specifically implemented to test this hypothesis. Because of my own observations about my own IBS symptoms, I am inclined to believe and support this hypothesis.

Some of us who suffer Irritable Bowel Syndrome have tried for many years, without success, to eliminate the often debilitating affects of this mysterious disorder. Generally those who suffer have spent a great deal of time and money, having test after test only to be told that nothing conclusive was found.

Often after years of diagnostic procedures and expensive studies, patients are told there was nothing wrong with them. Their complaint of symptoms are brushed off as imaginary or more properly put in medical terms, psychosomatic. But with the ever increasing number of patients complaining of the same generalized list of symptoms, the medical community has been forced, in at least a small part, to acknowledge the malady as something more then imaginary symptoms of hypochondria.

So what can we surmise about IBS? It is a condition or disease in and of itself? Or is IBS is a condition caused by or a symptom of some other physical, neurological or possibly even psychological problem that is as yet undetected or undiagnosed as being relative to the IBS condition? I find this to be a more plausible conclusion and will provide some insight for my personal belief that IBS is a secondary condition rather then a condition unto itself.

For years doctors have proposed the secondary condition concept in relation to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Unfortunately, they have not yet been able to successfully document any evidence to conclusively say what might be the root cause of IBS. Moreover, I believe there is not just one cause, but several causes, all with the same secondary symptoms, which make up what is termed as IBS.

Please don't think that it is my intent to say the IBS condition is not real, or the symptomology is psychosomatic in nature. I know from painful experience the condition and symptoms of IBS are very real. I also would venture to say because of the sheer number of reported cases, the medical community had been forced to re-evaluate their approach while dealing with patients with complaints of Irritable Bowel Syndrome-like symptoms. I am merely going to express what I personally have concluded about another possible causation for IBS which may be overlooked by the medical profession.

I would like to also toss up for consideration that IBS, with its list of many symptoms, may be a traceable progression of symptoms stemming from a single causation. I believe, in my case, this is a very valid assumption. I have as yet been unable to get any physician to agree with me, at least to the point of taking up the position on the record.

Before going any further, I think it would be a good idea to review a partial list of Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms. IBS may be characterized by a combination of any or all of the following symptoms:

o Abdominal discomfort or pain, usually in the lower abdomen

o Altered bowel habit

o Chronic or recurrent diarrhea, constipation, or both. May be mixed or in alternation.

o Bloating

o Heartburn

o Nausea

o Abdominal fullness

o Feelings of urgent need to evacuate the bowel

o Feeling of "incomplete" bowel emptying

o Low back pain

o Headache

o Fatigue

o Muscle pain

o Sleep disturbances

o Sexual dysfunction

More and more it is generally believed that the symptoms of IBS are produced by abnormal functioning of the nerves and muscles of the bowel. More and more I personally agree with this as a valid and plausible perception of at least one of the causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. With some personal observations, I hope to give light as to why I believe this to be a possible causation for many IBS sufferers. Unfortunately, what I have come to believe as the causation for my particular brand of IBS, most assuredly will not be a diagnosis for all cases of IBS.

I think we who have suffered Irritable Bowel Syndrome tend to minimalize our symptoms and pain. We have been led to believe that other than common sense changes to diet and exercise there is nothing we can do because there is no cure. Many people who suffer will suffer in silence for years before seeking medical treatment. By then, and I include myself in this group, we may have subconsciously lessened or even put aside some of the lesser symptoms that IBS causes, focusing only on the ones that cause the most pain and discomfort.

Worse yet, we are less likely to bring symptoms to the attention of a doctor by mere assumption that it is just another facet of our complex disorder. This could become a dangerous scenario for anyone who suffers from IBS. We may ignore persistent symptoms that have gotten more intense or new symptoms that seem to be related only because we are discouraged by being told there is nothing anyone can do.

Doing these kinds of things could lead to serious life threatening symptoms being overlooked. Symptoms of conditions that, unlike IBS, can be treated if caught in time. Things like colon cancer, stomach cancer, esophageal cancer or many others, might be missed because we want to ignore our IBS symptoms after so many trips to the doctor.

My story of IBS starts over 20 years ago when I was a young man of 26. While helping lift a very heavy cast iron wood burning stove from the back of a pickup truck, the other person lost their grip and the load all shifted down hill onto my back. I felt my back give way as the stove went crashing to the ground at my feet. I knew I had sustained a serious injury. I couldn't erect myself from the 90 degree bent forward position I was in. I had to literally pull my self up by using my hands and arms against the side of the pickup.

Being 26 and stubborn and thinking that I was invincible, I had my wife help me home and to bed, not bothering to go to the emergency room. I had some left over pain killers which numbed the pain enough to allow me to sleep. When I awoke in the morning I was horrified as I could not feel my legs. They were both cold and numb to the touch. I could move them, I just couldn't feel them. After about 30 minutes of movement the feeling began to return to my legs and at that point I knew it was time to get to the doctor.

After the examination and x-rays what the doctor had to say wasn't pleasant to hear. He told me I had two options. One was to go to a surgical specialist and have fusion surgery on several of my lower lumbar vertebra because the discs between them had been severely compressed. He mentioned that having this type of surgery would reduce my physical mobility by as much as 30% or more. At best, he explained, the surgery was about 40% effective.

My other option, he told me, was time... time allow let my body try to heal itself. He explained I would probably never be as good as I was before the accident, but with time my body should partially heal it self. He told me the inflammation which was causing the pain and partial paralysis should lessen. At age 26 losing permanently 30% or more of my mobility was an unthinkable option. At least the second option offered some hope of recovery. He gave me muscle relaxants and pain pills and that was that.

I trusted this doctor...we were good friends. We had a good personal and professional relationship. I took him at his word. By today's medical standards, his medical advice probably wouldn't hold water, but over 20 years ago, it was most likely a very good perception of my problem.

For the next 6 months, I would wake up to cold, numb legs and each day, but as he said, the symptoms gradually got better. I was so focused on my back injury improving; I didn't pay attention to other, minor things going on which had become bothersome.

The first and most prevalent symptom was a change in my bowel habit. Not a big change, but it seemed that instead of a daily movement, it was now once every other day, and it took a bit more effort. But with the back issue, it seemed minor in comparison and for several years seemed to be the only symptom. My back continued to get better but my bowel never did return to normal.

I have always been a large person, in 1986 at the age of 26: I weighed about 220 pounds, standing 6 feet tall. Slowly, my weight began to rise. I attributed my initial weight gain to a lessening of physical activity over the first year or two of my back problem. By the end of the second year, my physical ability and activity had almost returned to normal. I learned to deal with the pain and my legs no longer went numb. I was able to function fairly well. Only occasionally did the pain in my back become such that I was unable to function in my "new" normal fashion, and usually only lasted a day or two. I now had added 70 pounds to my weight with no real explanation.

Only in the past couple of years (over 20 have passed since my back injury) have I begun considering the original injury being related to my bowel and stomach problems. Because I believed there was little I could do to rectify the situation, I have done as well as I could to manage the pain mentally. I did this well until the pain in my back started to worsen to the point that again my legs started going numb again. Not that this happened all the time, it was only occasional, but these bouts of pain have gotten much worse.

Only now that the back pain is impossible to ignore have I come to realize the cycle of events which have taken place. Now when I notice my legs are beginning to go numb on a more frequent basis, I have also noticed an increase in my IBS symptoms. More frequent and painful symptoms seem to begin with chronic constipation, lasting for many days. This is followed by the gas distress fatigue, head aches, bloating, acid indigestion, heartburn and eventually explosive diarrhea. Along with other symptoms, all interwoven into a cycle I now believe to be directly related to some type of nerve injury due to my original back injury.

I have since gone to a neurosurgeon and been diagnosed with severe disk compression and degeneration and spinal stenosis in the lower lumbar region. The treatment is as yet to be mapped out, but I now have at least one doctor who agrees that many, if not all, of my symptoms could be tied directly to nerve dysfunction resulting from my present spinal condition.

If you have sustained a back injury, or have IBS with lower back pain, it may be prudent to have a spinal study, to find out if an underlying back problem might be involved in the causation of your IBS symptoms. It stands to practical reason that if there is injury to the spine or lower back from where the nerves controlling lower bowl function stem, there could also be bowel dysfunction. With bowel dysfunction, the progression of symptoms in logical sequence right up the line to the top of the digestive tract would be a very plausible scenario.

If you have IBS and low back pain you really have nothing to lose and everything to gain by having a spinal examination. At the very least you may find out that there is no problem with your spine thereby eliminating one more source.

Proper Back Care for Healthcare Workers

spinal stenosis

If you are a nurse or caregiver, then you know the importance of protecting both yourself and your patient when you are working. However, many healthcare professionals get back injuries or strains when they are transferring patients, lifting equipment or moving supplies, and some patients are injured as well. This is why it is extremely important that you use every precaution necessary to protect everyone involved.

Follow Guidelines

If you work for a healthcare facility, make sure that you follow all guidelines that they have in place about transferring patients. This may mean that you need to have several nurses on hand to help move the patient, or it may require you to use a patient lift. Patient lifts will take the strain off of you and the patient, which keeps everyone safer, while extra hands will make sure that help is available in case of an accident. In addition to protecting you from injury, following the guidelines will protect you from any legal ramifications if an accident occurs.

Wear the Proper Equipment

No matter what type of work you do, it is vital that you wear the proper shoes. This is especially important when you are working in the healthcare industry. Since you are on your feet all day, you are more susceptible to injuries. A good pair of shoes will keep your muscles and joints healthy so that you are less likely to pull or strain a muscle.

If you will be lifting patients or heavy equipment, you need to wear a back brace. This will help you remember how to bend properly and to lift using your legs.

Change Position Often

As you are working with patients, make sure that you change your position often. Don't hunch over a patient's bed for several minutes without standing up straight, as this could cause the muscles in your neck, back and shoulders to become bunched up. Keep your movements varied, and avoid repetitive movements, which will overwork your muscles.

Outside of the Workplace

When you get off work, it is still important that you take care of your back. Take a long, hot bath to soothe away the strain of the day. Visit a chiropractor if necessary, which will help to alleviate any strains or knots that you may have. You should also indulge in an occasional massage to pamper your back and should muscles.

Your back is a very important part of your job, so you should protect it while you are working and at home. By taking these precautions, you will be less likely to suffer back injuries so that you can continue to work and do the things you love.

Cure for Neuropathy

spinal stenosis

Neuropathy is a severe disease of the nerves of our body. When our nerves outside the brain and spinal cord get seriously injured due to various reasons, it is called neuropathy. Due to this disease, we may experience serious pain or sometimes lack of sensation in our hands and feet. Medical experts and physicians all over the world have suggested different course of actions for the successful cure for neuropathy.

Different types of medicines are advised by the physicians for the effective cure for neuropathy. For example, some types of antidepressants are prescribed by them that have been identified as really effective for curing neuropathy. Tricyclic types of antidepressant medications, such as nortriptyline and amitriptyline are often suggested by the medical doctors for the treatment of neuropathy. Some specific types of opioid narcotic treatment methods are also used for the successful treatment of neuropathy. Again, different varieties of pain killers are often prescribed by the doctors for the cure for neuropathy. You can also apply the Lidocaine patch directly to the painful area which typically contains the anesthetic element called 'lidocaine'. Applying capsaicin topically to the affected area of hands and feet may also be helpful. Medical experts should always be consulted before taking any sort of medicines in order to avoid possible side-effects.

A specific type of therapy, called Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) may also be helpful for relieving from pain due to neuropathy. In this therapy, the electrical current of varying frequency is produced through a device which is ultimately used to stimulate the nerves. For the treatment of acute pain in hands and feet due to neuropathy, this therapy is hugely effective when applied regularly. In case of necessity, surgical procedures are also applied for curing neuropathy.

Doctors will often suggest following a diet chart regularly for the successful treatment of neuropathy. Diets rich in vitamin B are always advised by them. Moreover, supplements for B complex vitamins, actyl L-carnitine and chromium may also be taken regularly. You should always try to avoid smoking and alcohol of all types. Bringing discipline in life is always necessary for curing neuropathy.

Controlling the level of blood sugar is always suggested by the medical experts. Diabetes is such a severe disease that may even cause neuropathy. That is why, being conscious about it and always trying to be careful about diet and medication is often required for the treatment of neuropathy.

How Do Inversion Tables Help Low Back Pain?

spinal stenosis

There are big benefits to using inversion therapy tables. No matter whether you want to enhance posture, or preserve correct blood flow and circulation and even decrease continual low back discomfort affiliated with a pinched sciatic nerve and vertebral column compression, all these are possible with inversion therapy. Inversion therapy is a therapeutic treatment that was quite well-liked back in the mid-sixties for treating extreme lower back discomfort associated with herniated discs and spinal compression. The idea of inversion therapy goes all the way back to historic times, when Hippocrates, a renowned Greek doctor was one of the first persons to comprehend the effective nature of gravitational power used in treating lower back pain and similar conditions.

Due to gravitation force of the earth, the human body is subjected to continuous downward force on the bones, joints, muscle tissue and connective tissue. This downward force is frequent and it gets intensified via a variety of routines and movements. There may be various causes of lower back discomfort, although gravitation pressure on the spinal column and various vulnerable components of the human body is one of the leading reasons. The gravitational pressure can be double or even triple when doing every day activities such as sitting down or ascending stairs or lifting heavy objects.

It has been proven that people lose almost an inch of their height every single day as an end result of spinal compression from gravity. Throughout their life-time, human adults can lose about 2 inches from their total height by the time they have reached old age. For a lot of individuals, very small variations in height may not be a major cause for concern, though this alteration may cause a lot more harm than simply a difference in perceived height. In fact, the physical demonstration of gravitational pressure is placed on the entire body while executing every day activities. This is where inversion table exercises can play an important role in supplying anti-gravitational inversion therapy for lower back pain.

Inversion therapy is one of the most efficient ways to utilize gravity in the reverse direction. A gravity inversion table is employed to basically turn the body upside down by the ankles or feet, therefore making it possible for the joints, muscular tissues and connective tissues to stretch and elongate. Inversion therapy may be a lengthy process and may need a life time to undo the wear and tear that eventually leads to chronic lower back discomfort, joint conditions, cervical conditions, and pain all over the body. To have prolonged lasting effects, inversion treatment should be given a thorough trial, but it can present a near complete cure for low back pain with the help of low back pain workout routines.

Sciatica pain may be induced as a result of the pressure exerted on the sciatic nerve due to piriformis syndrome, bulging or prolapsed vertebral discs, spinal stenosis, arthritis, or spondylolisthesis. The sciatic nerve exercises can seriously help to minimize and control sciatic pain and minimize the dysfunctions that are responsible for pinched sciatic nerves. Conventional treatment options for sciatic nerve discomfort reduction include oral medications, weight loss routines and surgery. If the causes of lumbar discomfort have been identified as non-distinct, it may be helpful to take into account alternative options such as altering diet plan, lowering stress, and instituting lower back stretching exercises.

Stenosis - Back Pain Test

spinal stenosis

Stenosis back pain originates in the spinal canal itself. Stenosis occurs when the spinal canal narrows, and compresses the nerves inside it. This compression of the nerves can lead to stenosis back pain, numbness in the legs, and the loss of bladder or bowel control. If left untreated, stenosis back pain can eventually become paralysis.

It is estimated that approximately 400,000 Americans currently have spinal stenosis back pain. That number is expected to increase as Baby Boomers age.

Defining Stenosis Back Pain

You probably know that the spinal column protects your spinal cord, a bundle of nerves, from being injured. In spinal stenosis, the spine narrows in one or more of three places: space at the center of the spine; canals where nerves branch outward from the spine itself; a space between the spine's bones (vertebrae).

Stenosis back pain occurs when the narrowing puts pressure on the nerves inside the spinal column. Although this can occur in younger people, it is most often a complaint of those over 50 years of age.

Causes of Stenosis Back Pain

Spinal stenosis back pain can be caused by a number of factors.

1. Age is a primary factor. As we age, bands of supportive tissue in the spine may harden and thicken. Our bones and joints may enlarge as they age. We may get bone spurs on the spine - places where bone surfaces bulge outward.

2. Arthritis is another cause of spinal stenosis and accompanying stenosis back pain. Either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis may be to blame. Osteoarthritis is the more common of the two. This type of arthritis usually is seen in middle-aged and older people, and does not go away. Osteoarthritis can cause the bone spurs described above. Rheumatoid arthritis is usually seen in younger people, and is not usually a cause of spinal stenosis back pain.

3. Inherited factors may also lead to stenosis and stenosis back pain. Some genetic conditions, such as a small spinal canal or curved spine, can cause spinal stenosis.

4. Other causes for your stenosis back pain could include calcium deposits, fluoride accumulation, or injuries.

Symptoms of Stenosis Back Pain

Stenosis back pain usually occurs in the neck or back. In addition to the stenosis back pain, you may feel pain down one leg, or numbness, weakness, cramping, and pain in legs or arms as the nerves are compressed.

Stenosis Back Pain Test Problem

The problem with tests for spinal stenosis is that the conditions shares symptoms with so many other disease. The result has too often been costly misdiagnoses and unnecessary back surgery, according to Andrew Haig, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Michigan Medical School.

The following 3 tests are used to diagnose the cause of stenosis back pain.

1. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) -radio waves to picture the spine

2. Computerized axial tomography (CAT) - X-ray series to picture the spine

3. Electromyogram (EMG)- a test that not only gives a picture of nerves, but also tests nerve function, showing if there is actual nerve damage

Best Stenosis Back Pain Test

Of the three, the oldest, Electromyogram (EMG) has been found to be the best. This test has been around as long as, or longer than the Baby Boomers themselves, but a study published in the January 2006 issue of "Spine" shows that it is by far the best of the three tests.

That study, done by the University of Michigan Health System, shows that the EMG test accurately determines the cause of stenosis back pain. As a result, low back pain is less likely to be misdiagnosed, as are other common neuromuscular conditions with similar symptoms. Back surgery undertaken to cure misdiagnosed stenosis back pain can be avoided with this stenosis back pain test.

Tests done in the U of M study by Dr. Andrew Haig and his colleagues showed a substantial difference between those who have spinal stenosis and those with other types of back pain. It showed that use of the EMG allows experts to clearly distinguish between spinal stenosis and low back pain.

"Most doctors think of EMG as a simple test and incorrectly believe that it is sensitive for nerve damage, but cannot differentiate spinal stenosis form neuromuscular disease," explains Haig. "But as this study shows, that's not the case. In fact, EMG is an excellent test for spinal stenosis and other neuromuscular disorders using strict evidence-based criteria." (Spine, Vol. 30, No. 23)

Know The Causes Of Neck Pain And Fight It With Chiropractic

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Neck pain can make you immobile from the shoulder up. We rely on our necks to look around and not being able to move it because of pain and stiffness can greatly change your daily physical functioning. For you to get relief from neck problem, you need the help of a chiropractor. Chiropractors are familiar with neck cases and the first thing they do is identify the probable causes of neck problem.

Neck pain varies and this will depend on the causes of neck pain. The pain can be mild, severe, burning, numbing, and the pain can extend all the way down to the arms. The bottom line is, a neck problem is uncomfortable and it should be treated immediately. One of the main causes is the daily stress a person experiences. Getting through daily activities and tasks takes its toll on the body. Stress causes muscle tension and it can lead to tightening and contracting of muscles. Pain is felt when muscles contract. Sitting too long, staring at the computer and sleeping in the wrong position are causes too. Moreover, your lifestyle is a huge factor too. Poor posture, weak abdominal muscles and obesity disrupts the balance in the spine and can cause the neck to bend abnormally.

Aging is another cause of neck pain because it brings about different disorders like degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis. Degenerative disc disease makes the discs dry and the discs lose its elasticity, flexibility and its ability to absorb shock. Over time, a herniated disc or bulging disc can occur. A herniated disc puts pressure on the nerve roots, which can cause neck problem. Osteoarthritis is a joint disorder when there is deterioration in the cartilage. Cartilage functions to prevent two bones from rubbing together. The body naturally forms bone spurs as an immediate reaction and these bone spurs puts pressure on the nerves causing neck pain. Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of small nerve passageways, which can compress the spinal nerve roots. Spinal stenosis causes neck problem, arm pain and shoulder pain.

Injuries and accidents are common causes of neck pain too. Whiplash occurs when there is a forced movement on the neck that will cause the neck to suddenly rebound in the opposite direction. Whiplash comes from the whipping motion that the neck experiences. A natural reaction of the muscles is to contract, as this will prevent further injury to the neck. Again, when the muscle contracts, neck pain and stiffness will occur. For head injuries obtained from a car accident, there is a high possibility of experiencing neck pain too.

Chiropractic care recognizes all these causes of neck pain and develops a treatment plan suited for the patient. Chiropractors use spinal manipulation techniques to align the spine and remove any pressure on the nerve roots. The chiropractor can use the flexion-distraction technique where a pumping action is performed on the spinal discs rather than direct force. Soft tissue therapy can be used to treat muscle tension. Manual joint stretching is used to reduce neck pain symptoms. Massage therapy will help in relaxing the muscles.

Orthokine - Treatment of Arthritis and Spinal Disorders

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Orthokine is an antilogous concept that is used for the treatment of arthritis and spinal disorders. Osteoarthritis, the loss of cartilage in the joint has many causes. The factors like being overweight, predisposition, heavy load by work, etc are the main causes for osteoarthritis. In western countries there is about ten percent of the populations suffering from osteoarthritis. A protein named interleukin-1 (IL-1) plays a crucial role in the development of osteoarthritis and destruction of cartilage. Osteoarthritis patients will have too much IL-1 present in their joints. IL-1 is a most prominent active agent which damages the cartilage and so the natural shock absorber in the joint loses its function.

The therapy of osteoarthritis is done using IL-1 blocker which is known as interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra). IL-1Ra is anti-inflammatory, reduces pain and also protects the cartilage. The orthokine procedure is done by taking blood from the patient using a special syringe called orthokine syringe. The orthokine syringe is approved in the EU and Australia. The blood taken from the patient is an antilogous injection solution and it is called as orthokine serum. The Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist is naturally present in the blood. However, with the production of orthokine, it is produced and extracted in higher concentrations. So, to increase the concentration of IL-1Ra, blood samples are taken from the arm vein using special EOT syringe. The glass beads in the syringe induces the blood cells to synthesize increased amounts of protective proteins. The temperature of 37'c in the incubator is the optimum environment for protein synthesis.

During incubation, the white blood cells present in the bloods are stimulated immediately to produce IL-1Ra and other anti-inflammatory and regenerative proteins. They are increased in concentration and the "Antilogous Conditioned Serum"(ACS) is injected into the joint. A centrifuge separates the blood clot from the amber serum, containing the protective proteins in high concentration. The protective protein IL-1Ra displaces the damaged protein IL-1 and the inflammation process is blocked. Subsequent therapy includes about six injections that will be given once or twice weekly.

The orthokine procedure is used throughout the world by orthopaedic surgeons and rheumatologists. This procedure cannot be compared to treatments using the patient's own blood that is often used in alternative medicine. In Germany alone there are over 20,000 patients have been treated by this orthokine treatment. The advantages of this treatment is, pain in the joints will be reduced, improves the joint function and mobility and the continuing process of cartilage destruction will be blocked. This treatment is very efficient and safe.

Why You Should Use Offloading Back Supports First

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The medical indications or reasons why a doctor prescribes my supports for their patients are as follows: severe low back pain, also known as lumbago, or lumbalgia. Herniated or bulging discs, also called HNP lumbar, which stands for Herniated Nucleus Propulsus, when the center of the disc bulges out and makes contact with the Sciatic nerve, this condition also is called sciatica. Sciatica refers to the pain caused when the disc protrudes and makes contact with the sciatic nerve and the pain runs through the buttock(s), down the leg(s) and radiates down into the foot. This is also known as radiculopathy. Many patients who present radiculopathy may also experience burning, tingling, numbness. or aching in their feet. Other causes of low back pain are spinal stenosis commonly referred to as spinal arthritis. Stenosis is basically an arthritic deterioration of the vertebrae in the lumbar spine which basically causes the vertebrae to weld together accompanied by a deteriorative narrowing of the spinal canal. Degenerative disc disease occurs to many people for a variety of reasons: as we age our normal healthy intervertebral disc space diminishes, this is compounded by gravity, poor postural habits, an improper hydration (we do not drink enough water), which in turn leads to disc space dessication and deterioration. Many adults over forty experience a degree of degenerative disc disease. This condition may cause the effected vertebrae to ultimately fuse, in which case their pain normally diminishes, but it may be quite painful in the interim.

Other causes are spondylolisthesis, which is a condition cased by vertebral slippage, normally at the fourth or fifth lumbar vertebrae, or between the fifth lumbar vertebrae and the first sacral vertebrae. These are commonly referred to as L4, L5, and S1. Spondylolisthesis is often the result of a previous, unattended to injury, many athletes will injure themselves and the Spondylolisthesis does not fully manifest itself or present for several years. It is graded as type I, or type II, depending on the severity of the slippage. There can also be certain genetic predispositions which may present as spondylolisthesis.

Spondylosis, is another cause of low back pain. Spondylosis basically refers to a sick vertebral body. This often leads to lumbar instability, which is also caused by other metabolic and disease conditions. Another common cause of low back, or lumbar pain is known as lumbar sprain or strain, and it may be either chronic or more long term, or acute which normally means sharp or sudden.

The medical and clinical benefits of an offloading lumbar support orthotic are as follows: the orthotic itself, by virtue of its application gently stretches the lumbar spine in an attempt to re-establish the normal, healthy intervertebral disc space. This action in and of itself will provide many back pain sufferers with relief. For many patients, this gentle stretching of the spine is enough to enable the protruding, or herniated disc to re-seat itself in the disc space. This will relieve the symptoms relating to the pain caused by the disc coming into contact with the sciatic nerve, thereby relieving the pain, tingling and numbness that many patients experience with the sciatica and radiculopathy. With continued intermittent and repeated application of the spinal orthotic the patients' conditions improve over time, giving them ultimate freedom from the use of their lumbar support orthotic. Patients suffering with stenosis experience great relief with the use of my Lumbar Support Orthotic. Because of the degenerative and deteriorative processes that lead to stenosis, those patients will improve over time. As their spine is gently stretched the arthritic welding may be reversed.

Those patients who present degenerative disc disease normally do very well with the use of my offloading lumbar support orthotic. As the orthotic works to re-establish the normal, healthy, intervertebral disc space, the structure of the support itself encourages the patients to use and engage the postural musculature of their lumbar spine. This lends itself, once again to the rehabilitaional quality of the support, encourages the patients to be independent of the support. It structurally encourages patients to improve their posture and use the muscles in their low back.

Patients with spondylolisthesis also normally do very well with the use of this support. It isolates and stabilizes the lumbar spine as well as providing the offloading lift and re-establishment of the normal healthy intervertebral disc space. In combination with the encouragement of the use of the musces and musculature of the lumbar spine and low back, it is truly a win-win situation for the patients.

Patients with lumbar sprain and spondylosis also benefit greatly from the comfortable offloading support, the re-establishment of the normal, healthy intervertebral disc space, and the benefit of the encouragement and use of the muscles of the low back.

The use and prescription of an offloading lumbar support orthotic should be in the first line of consideration for physician treating patients with low back pain. It is harmless, non-invasive, non-narcotic, and can only benefit the patients. It is not a brace, it's an orthotic support. A brace is like a cast, used to hold a structure or bone in place and immobilized so the healing process can take place. An orthotic is a rigid, or semi-rigid structure or device that applies a gentle force to a specific area to mitigate, correct or promote the healing of a diseased, malformed or injured area of the anatomy.