Scoliosis: The Dangers of Spinal Surgery

spinal stenosis

Scoliosis is something that can attack a sufferer on two fronts. Firstly, it can cause great pain and discomfort in the sufferer, especially if it affects them from a young age. This can mean also that some sufferers spend a lot of time on medication and even in bed due to the unbearable pain that they can suffer.

In addition to pain and discomfort, there can also be some emotional damage suffered by the patient. Many scoliosis sufferers report that they feel self conscious about the curvature of the spine that the condition brings on, even though it can be minimal in many cases. This self conscious feeling is something that can last a long time, even after the problem has been treated and, eventually, managed.

One of the most startling aspects of scoliosis is the fact that surgery is so poorly understood by many people. When parents are involved heavily in the care of their children, it is often the case that they see surgery as a quick and simple way to treat the problem. However, surgery can be a very invasive and at times quite damaging procedure that can leave patients in a worse state than they were before. Without scaremongering, it is important to realise the facts about surgery for scoliosis.

When scoliosis is first diagnosed by doctors, they are very adept at recommending that patients hang on for a little while before offering any major remedies; however surgery does often come up when the more severe curvatures are diagnosed.

About 30,000 spinal surgery procedures are carried out each year for scoliosis alone, which should give you an idea as regards the frequency of the issue. The process is, on the surface, quite simple, with steel rods being attached to the top and the bottom of the curvature itself via the vertebrae. The vertebrae are thus fused through this measure, taking bone fragments from the hips and sometimes the spine itself. This fusing leads to healing in a straightened position, which is obviously the end result that surgeons and patients are hoping for.

However, things are not quite that simple. For a number of weeks after the surgery has taken place, many patients have to wear a brace. This is due to the fact that the surgery does take its toll on the human body, and wearing a brace can help to reduce the pain levels that are felt after the surgery has taken place.

As with any major corrective surgery, there is also the possibility of some kind of relapse taking pace. Whenever the human body has a correction made to a part of it, the body does face having to get used to this correction, Often the 'getting used to it' can take a very long time, and sometimes it can even be the case that the body falls into a position it was in before.

The end result of these complications can be quite nasty, in that a significant number of scoliosis surgery patients do go back to their doctors complaining of further back pain, and there have even been cases of the spine needing further corrections due to the invasive nature of surgery.

Add to this the problems that are present in any kind of surgery, such as infection and other complications. Some patients even have an adverse reaction to the anaesthetic that is used during surgery for example. While these cases are rare, it is easy to see why one must take extra care when considering using surgery for scoliosis problems.

The most common type of surgery that is used in the United States to combat scoliosis is the Harrington Rod surgery method. This is used in around 20,000 surgery cases that arise out of the condition. The cost is actually quite large, with regular Harrington procedures costing around $120,000 to carry out.

While this is the most common form of surgery in the United States, it is important to realise that there are recognised complications that do arise out of the procedure. For example, a major scientific journal recently stated that there are high risks that surgery does not actually correct spinal curvature. The journal also claimed that the long term complications arising from the surgery are 'often misunderstood', leading to patients actually signing up to a situation where irreversible damage is done to their spine.

Another leading journal also found that the surgery can severely impact upon the patient's ability to enjoy their day to day life. This means that everyday mobility is severely limited due to the surgery that has taken place. The European Spine Journal noted this fact quite clearly in recent times, offering the information that patients who undergo surgery often suffer a loss of full mobility in their spine. This means disability.

The problem is quite simple. Patients are not told that surgery for scoliosis problems will affect their lives in this way. While the surgery is quite invasive, patients still believe, on the whole, that they will only suffer a small loss in mobility, and that this is in the long term. This is most certainly not the case.

Patients are also often told, quite misleadingly, that surgery is wholly responsible of the correction of the curvature that they hope for. In reality, spinal surgery for scoliosis is not in any way effective in straightening the spine for the long term, and is definitely not effective in doing so on a permanent basis.

So if you are considering surgery for scoliosis, whether it is for you or for someone that you love, it is definitely worth understanding that surgery is not effective for straightening curvatures, and that it can cause further complications that can effectively damage your life by bringing you a disability.

Back Pain - A Common Illness That You Don't Want To Have

spinal stenosis

Only ten percent of Americans have yet to experience back pain. The other ninety percent makes back pain one of the most common types of illnesses in the United States. And according to a survey among health and trade associations across the country, this condition also ranks high on the list of the most common excuses for work absences. If you are suffering from this ailment, you should consider visiting your doctor before the pain gets worse.

Nevertheless, back pain is not acknowledged as a disease itself. The excruciating pain that sufferers feel during a flare up of this condition is only part of the symptoms brought about by a wide variety of other diseases. So it is common for doctors to be unmindful of your back pain as they dig deeper into your overall health, looking for clear signs of other types of disorders.

Back pain is usually classified according to how long a patient has been suffering from it. You are suffering from chronic back pain if you have been languishing for more than one month. But if you are experiencing the same manifestation on your back for less than a month, you are merely having an acute back pain. Also, bear in mind that over half of all patients diagnosed with both chronic and acute symptoms experience flare-ups for more than one occasion.

Sometimes, during an attack, the pain may start off in other parts of your body only to continue and intensify on your back, particularly in the lower areas. Appendicitis, aneurysms, and other disorders that involve the organs located in your abdomen area can all direct pain to your back. For other patients, all their abdominal organs may be in tiptop condition, but still they suffer from severe back pain; if you are in this same situation, you have to watch out for the following defects:

Stenosis

This condition is basically caused by the narrowing of passageways. When you have stenosis in your spinal column, it means that the spaces between each disc have been severely tightened. This happens when the fluids that allow your spinal column to move smoothly have been drastically diminished. Just imagine how it would feel when the bone plates on your spine rub on each other without lubrication; well, there's one word for it: pain!

Herniated Discs

This can be the worst possible cause of your back pain. This condition is actually brought about by the deterioration of your spinal column. As your backbone becomes thinner, individual spinal discs begin to bulge or become herniated. When this happens, the bones on your spine can pry on your sensitive nerves and the next thing you'll feel is pain.

Typical Deterioration Of The Spine

This is one cause of back pain which nobody can escape. You see, as you age, the spinal column along with all the other organs of the body begin to degenerate and become corroded. For older people, simple activities like walking and even standing for long periods can result to stiffness and pain in the back. While you can not do anything about the aging process, you should always consult with experts so that you will prevent further complications to your back problems.

In reality, people who suffer from back pains that are caused by problems in the spine have a high possibility for improvement. In as short as two months, patients can see signs of progress or correcting of the tissues in the spine; and that's even without expert supervision. However, the same can not be said to patients whose back pains are due to old age or are symptoms of other diseases or complications.

If you have been suffering from back problems, the most important matter for you is how to reduce the pain or the stiffness. The best thing you can do is nourish your back with substances that can bring back much-needed fluids to your spine. Products like Flexcerin can also help you rebuild the bone tissues in your back. You can visit http://www.flexcerin.com/ for more details about this bone supplement.

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

spinal stenosis

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Extreme Lower Back Pain - Causes and Treatment

spinal stenosis

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

Increasing age

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

Lifting heavy objects

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

Degeneration of bones

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

Weight gain

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

All these factors cause extreme lower back pain.

Treatment

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

1. Rest

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

2. Exercises

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

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

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

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

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

Rule Out the Simple Back Pain Surgery First

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Just about each week, I learn about a patient who had a surgical treatment to reduce extreme chronic back pain and found themselves far worse off than before. Among the list of greatest concerns is that money motivates surgeons to persuade people into much greater and more complicated operations than they really have to have -- and then those surgical procedures end in expected complications.

The greed claim sounds a bit tough, but it comes from a reliable source: The Journal of the American Medical Association.

The Oregon analysis observed that the amount of elaborate surgeries for back discomfort in Medicare individuals went up by 15-fold over a recent five-year period, but there was absolutely nothing in the patient population -- such as increasingly challenging back deformities -- to explain the increase.

Surgical rates for ordinary decompressions are around $600 to $1,000. The difficult surgical procedures earn surgeons up to 10 times more. Yet another possible variable is the temptation for both medical professionals and people to go for a new, more costly method simply because it sounds better.

The issue is that the more sophisticated surgical procedures carry at least double the threat of a poor outcome, according to the analysis.

The majority of back ache that isn't resolved effectively with medicines or other non-surgical therapies is attributable to disk herniation or spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is development of bone near a nerve coming out of the spinal cord which pushes against the nerve root and causes ache to move down a leg. The vast majority of individuals who need back surgery because of spinal stenosis can be benefited from a relatively simple lumbar decompression. This will involve removing bone, ligament and facet joint material which is compressing the nerve root. This procedure has a high rate of success as it's been evolved over the last 20 years.

Based on one editorial, if the patient also has some deformity of the spine -- front to back or side to side -- the simple lumbar decompression can lead to spine instability with elevated deformity, so those patients might need a fusion where adjacent vertebrae are fixed together with bone grafts. Even in these circumstances, simpler strategies get just as good results than more complicated procedures that add metal or other instrumentation into the back.

Solving Bulging Disc Problems

spinal stenosis

Many back problems are actually caused by bulging discs. A bulging disc is a common back problem for adults of all ages. Many people have this condition yet may be unaware of it. Bulging intervertebral discs can be a source of significant pain. The spine is made up of a series of bones separated by spongy intervertebral discs supported by ligaments. As the body ages the ligaments in the spine tend to wear down or shift. Bulging discs occur when the discs pop out from their original location.

A bulging disc becomes painful when it protrudes into the spinal canal area. When it rubs on other parts of the spine or on the nerve roots exiting the spine, it causes acute pain. The pain often subsides upon rest, but returns after a use such as standing, walking, or bending. Even sitting a certain way can cause pain. When the pain is acute, the patient needs the help of a spinal surgery specialist. A growing treatment for bulging discs is an arthroscopic laser discectomy. This is a special surgical procedure that is less invasive than traditional open back surgeries. This type of surgery is done using a small incision into which an endoscopic tube is inserted. This instrument removes the problematic disc material and then the laser gets rid of any surrounding problem areas.

This type of treatment for a bulging disc is fairly new. The patient has a much shorter recovery time than he or she would from traditional back surgery. The surgery is less invasive, making it less painful, and allowing for a shorter recovery time. The first step towards treatment for bulging discs is to get a proper diagnosis. This is often done using an MRI. The surgeon will discuss options with the patient to determine the best course of treatment.

Sciatica and Piriformis Syndrome

spinal stenosis

One of the more common injuries seen in chiropractic offices around the country is sciatica. Those of us unlucky enough to have dealt with this injury in the past fully understand how painful it can be and how much havoc it can cause in your life. Sciatica has a lot of fancy names like sciatic neuralgia, sciatic neuritis, and lumbo-sacral radiculitis but no matter what you call it it is defined by pain in the buttock and leg. If you break down its fancy names you will see that it results from the inflammation of the sciatic nerve. This inflammation can be the result of direct trauma, compression, or decreased blood flow (ischemia) to the sciatic nerve. Compression of the sciatic nerve, the most common cause that I see in my office, generally occurs either at the spine where the nerve exits the spinal column or somewhere along the nerve as it descends the leg. Compression at the spine is usually the direct result of a disc herniation, bulging disc, foreign body, or the narrowing of the canal that it exits the spine through, which is called stenosis. Stenosis usually occurs because of arthritis, disc degeneration, bone spurs, or abnormal growth of ligament or bone called hyperplasia. It is also important to note that a very common cause of ischemia to the sciatic nerve is by direct compression by a bulky wallet in the back pocket of your pants so make sure to get that wallet out of there while driving or sitting for long periods. I cannot even count how many cases I have resolved by that simple change. Now, when it comes down to peripheral nerve entrapment, the most common structure to compress the sciatic nerve is the piriformis muscle. This small muscle that runs across the top of the buttock from the pelvis to the side of the hip can go into spasm and compress the sciatic nerve, causing sciatica. The sciatic nerve passes directly under the piriformis muscle and in 12% of the population it actually pierces through the middle of the muscle. This specific form of sciatica is called piriformis syndrome and in this article I will discuss its presentation, causes, and treatments.

Sciatic nerve neuritis caused by the contracture of the piriformis is one of the most common peripheral nerve entrapments in the body and is also one of the most misdiagnosed entrapments as well. Many doctors just assume that cases of sciatica are caused by disc bulges and herniation and order MRI's to diagnose the condition. These same doctors are confused when the MRI shows no sign of arthritis or disc displacement. EMG tests will have mixed results but for the most part the lower gluteal and lower limb muscles will be abnormal but the large paraspinal muscles in the lower back will be normal, as will the TFL. Piriformis syndrome will have many signs and symptoms in common with traditional sciatica including pain down the buttock and lateral leg, numbness, pain with forward bending, leg weakness, and decreased range of motion in the low back and leg. Both with have positive orthopedic tests like the Straight Leg Raise Test. Valsalva Test will be negative if there is no disc involvement but remember that piriformis syndrome can coexist with a disc injury. The piriformis muscle's normal action is to externally rotate the leg which means it opens the foot outward as if you were going to kick a soccer ball with the instep of your foot. With that in mind, signs that the piriformis muscle is contracted include one-sided toeing out when standing or walking, increased pain with internal rotation of the leg, and pain with stretching the piriformis muscle. The way to isolate and stretch the piriformis muscle is to sit in a chair, cross and flatten the leg (like a man crosses his leg), and lean forward and to the side towards the crossed foot.

There is a lot you can do at home for treatment before going into your doctor's office. Massage and trigger point work at the origin and insertion of the piriformis muscle is very effective. Ice therapy in the area of the upper buttock along with stretching can also calm down an inflamed case of sciatica. Stretching the piriformis muscle as described above in the seated position with the affected leg crossed can help to lengthen the contracted muscle. Other muscles that should be stretched include the hamstring muscle, TFL, and glut medius. Lifestyle changes include avoiding long periods of sitting, beginning a light walking routine, and drinking lots of water to keep your muscles from cramping. If the condition does not improve within 2 weeks it is recommended that you see a specialist. Chiropractors are trained to diagnose and treat these conditions and will typically incorporate myofascial release, post isometric relaxation stretching, therapeutic ultrasound, electric muscle stimulation, and chiropractic manipulations to complement the above mentioned home treatments. In more severe cases you may need to see a neurologist or orthopedist. It is important to remember that prolonged ischemia or compression to the sciatic nerve can cause major damage to the nerve so it is recommended that you seek medical help if the condition lasts longer than 2 weeks.

Spinal Stenosis - Symptoms and Treatment For Spinal Stenosis

spinal stenosis

Do you feel constant leg and buttock numbness when you're standing or walking for some time? Does the numbness or pain come and return frequently every day? Are you over the age of 50?

If you're saying yes to all the questions above, you might be having spinal stenosis as those are the symptoms of this disease.

Having spinal stenosis can be considered 'lucky' comparing to sciatica because normally when the spinal stenosis pain strikes, the patient can ease off the pain by sitting or lying but for a sciatica patient, sitting or lying might do worse for the condition.

The cause of spinal stenosis is commonly associated with aging, although it may occur in younger people who develop a curvature of the spinal canal or suffer a spinal injury.

Do you know why you feel numbness or pain at your lower back and buttock when you're standing?

Standing upright further decreases the space available for the nerve roots and can block the outflow of blood from around the nerve. Congested blood then irritates the nerve, causing you pain. Rest assured that the congested blood will do no damage to the nerve.

Well, you have a few options for spinal stenosis treatment.

First of all, attending acupuncture sessions a few times a week can give you instant relief. Acupuncture has been proven working effectively in unblocking the congested blood.

Alternative treatment for this disease is to do simple stretching exercises. Constant exercises are key in maintaining a healthy back. Many patients often neglect the importance of doing exercises because many think that exercises are unable to help improving their condition.

Spinal Disorders

spinal stenosis

The spine is a major part of your body. The vertebral column, which is often referred to as the backbone, can acquire a variety of spinal disorders, some of which can cause major pain, complications, and/ or side effects, in turn sustaining major damage to the spine.

It is constructed of joints that are in between each vertebrae. Just like many other parts of our bodies, the spine is susceptible to major injury. The pressure that we put on our spine through the activities that we do and from aging can play a major part in the development of arthritis in the joints of the spine. The arthritis can also lead to other ailments that affect the spine such as spurs and thickening of the ligaments. If someone develops one of these disorders they can be shoved into the canal of the backbone causing a greater amount of complications. Developing thickening of the ligaments and spurs and having them pushed into the spine can diminish the quantity of space that is in the canal making it less accessible to the nerves and spinal cord which are located in this area.

Spinal injuries can also occur within the discs of the spine. Discs are located between each vertebra and are like a soft cushion. These help with bending and mobility and also act as cushions for the bones that compose the spinal column. Discs can be injured when too much pressure is placed upon them, causing a herniated or ruptured disc. When this type of disorder occurs there can be tingling, numbness, and even pain in the leg since the nerve in the leg runs throughout this area. Disc injuries can be treated through over the counter anti-inflammatory medications when they aren't as serious and if they are worse scenario cases steroid injections and prescription medications may be required.

Another spinal disorder can be spondyloisthesis. This takes place when a vertebra slips forward or backward, becoming out of line with the ones next to it. Spondyloisthesis can be caused by the effect that wear and tear over a number of years can have of the backbone, from a fracture, or even from being born with this disorder. This disorder can cause nerve pressure, lower back pain, or leg pain. The best medicine for a disorder such as this is a high-quality back exercise plan along with anti-inflammatory medication. When you have spondyloisthesis the spine can also sometimes benefit from a surgery called lumber fusion.

The back is a huge support system for the body and all of its elements should be taken care of. Spinal disorders are not to be taken lightly and should be treated by a medical professional or suggested plan or action or program immediately.

How Chiropractic Care Helps in Treating Pinched Nerves

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A pinched nerve happens when there is too much pressure applied to a nerve by its surrounding tissues such as bones, cartilage, muscles or tendons. The pressure can cause disruption to the nerve's function which in turn may cause pain, tingling, numbness or weakness. This condition can occur in any part of your body, but it is more often to happen in the back. In the field of chiropractic, this term is identified as subluxation.

In addition to the back, a pinched nerve may also occur in the neck, wrist, or elbow. There are many different potential causes for it, depending on the location of the nerve. If it occurs in the neck or lower back, it may be due to a herniated disc, arthritis, bone spurs, or spinal stenosis. If it occurs in the wrist or elbow, it may be due to carpal tunnel syndrome, or cubital tunnel syndrome. Other causes of this condition may be due to injury, bruise, or swelling of extremities during pregnancy.

The symptoms of a pinched nerve may vary depending on which nerve is affected. The common symptoms are pain, numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness along the path of the nerve. When it occurs in the neck, there is pain or stiffness, along with the symptoms that radiates down the arm. If it is in the lower back, there is pain and stiffness with symptoms that runs down the leg. If it is in the wrist, the thumb, index, and middle fingers are usually affected and it may also cause weakness in gripping objects, and if it occurs in the elbow, it usually affects the forearm, the ring finger, and the small fingers of the hand.

Chiropractic treatment can provide relief to pinched nerves without the use of drugs and expensive surgery. It begins with knowing the medical history of the patient and then a chiropractor will conduct diagnostic tests on the patient to determine the exact location and the cause of the nerve disorder. Once they are identified, the chiropractor will make some spinal adjustments using different methods to treat the problem.

Usually, three to six visits can show positive results. While in some cases, patients get instant relief upon their first visit. Additional visits to a chiropractic clinic can treat misalignment and promote nerve and joint health. If the pinched nerve persists after three to six visits, the chiropractor might use other treatment methods such as back brace or traction, electrical stimulation, physical therapy, and soft tissue therapy. The body has the capability to heal itself and the chiropractor supports its healing capabilities to improve its health.

Chiropractors are the only professionals who specialize in detecting and eliminating pinched nerve problems. The goal of chiropractic care is to allow the flow of communication to the brain and from the brain and every cell, tissue, organ, and system in the body which is a prerequisite to health.

It is important to have an early diagnosis to prevent further injury or complications brought by pinched nerves. Even the slightest misalignment can cause pressure and irritation to the nerves and may lead to more severe and disabling illness if not treated.

Is Back Pain a Disease of the Old?

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For many of us, several things begin to happen to our back as we grow older. Our bones become brittle, muscles and ligaments loses that flexibility that exists in a youth; the discs between the vertebra lose moisture and shape due to wear and tear. As a result, the spinal canal becomes narrower putting pressure on the spinal cord and spinal nerves causing pain, loss of feeling {both in the hand and leg} and general weakness in the body. Medical practitioners have described this kind of condition where the spinal canal becomes narrow as spinal stenosis.

Spinal stenosis is a medical condition in which the spinal canal narrows and compresses the spinal cord and spinal nerves. This is usually due to the common occurrence of spinal degeneration that occurs with aging. It can also sometimes be caused by spinal disc rupture, osteoporosis or a tumor. Spinal stenosis may affect the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine. In some cases, it may be present in all three places in the same patient. Lumbar spinal stenosis results in low back pain as well as pain or abnormal sensations in the legs, thighs, feet or buttocks, or loss of bladder and bowel control.

Back pain has been terrorizing human beings for very long time now and so it is not a disease of recent times as some people would believe. It is a global health concern. Civilization has also brought about back pain in terms of the work we do. Our jobs require us to do more of either sitting, standing, lifting objects, etc. This has endangered our health which leads to one form of back pain {Waist, mid-back, neck pain}. Most disabilities in older peoples are as a result of improper walking, standing or sitting posture or careless usage of their back while young and active.

What this means is that at their later years, they will suffer severe consequences especially when the pains spread to organs in the body such as lungs and other internal organs. In the lungs, there is constriction which means that the patient would find it difficult to breathe {agonizing pain is felt when breathing}. Other internal organs would also be deprived of adequate support from the lungs which would bring about difficulty in defecation, urination, penis erection for men and organism for women.

Well, all hope is not lost as there are still ways in which you can put those pains in your back to rest. There are many ways of relieving back pain but the best still remains therapy. Visit a physiotherapist today nearby or asked your doctor to refer you to one.

Thoracic Herniated Disc Treatment - Stretches

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Thoracic herniated disc problem is something which could be cured both with the help of surgical and non surgical treatments. This is good news for the people who are not really willing or are a bit scared of going under the knife for this problem.

The non surgical treatments could be very beneficial only if they are done over a period of time and they are done in combinations of different treatments. Just one treatment is not good enough. We would, in this article, look at some of the non surgical treatments for thoracic herniated disc.

Taking rest is very important for this problem and if you are having this problem, then it would be advisable that you go through a couple of days rest and then get back to the normal things of life. This would ensure that the herniated disc does not get further deteriorated by your activities.

After some time of rest, the person can go back to normal activities but he or she should be very slow and gentle in each and everything he or she does for some period. Starting with some gentle walking exercises would be a good way to go about things initially.

There could be some medications taken as well. They could be either narcotic or non narcotic or a combination of both. These narcotic medicines are basically used to cure the upper back pain problems which might help in relieving the pain from the thoracic herniated disc as well. There could be some anti-inflammatory agents used as well mainly for bringing down the inflammation near the herniated disc.

These anti-inflammation remedies could be either medications, ice packs or some anti inflammatory injections. Strengthening exercises, manual manipulation could be some of the other non surgical treatments that can be used to cure the thoracic herniated disc.

How to Fix Your Back Pain Effectively With Pilates

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Most people experience some sort of back pain occasionally, and for others more on a regular basis Whatever, it is, if you experience pain or discomfort in your back, you should aim to treat it immediately. Temporary pain relief is ideal but you should not settle with it. Think about getting rid of the problem in the long term. Also be reminded that back pain, if untreated and neglected for a long time, can worsen and more difficult to treat in the long run.

If you are looking for an effective and long-lasting back pain relief treatment program, Pilates is your answer!

It is the ideal program for all. It not only relieves pain, the pilates exercises routine is easy to follow and simple to perform. What's more, it also eliminates and corrects any problem or condition that may eventually lead to chronic low back pain. Thus, Pilates can be considered as one of the most holistic approach against back pain.

Causes of back pain

Back pain is usually caused by muscle imbalances particularly along weak areas of your spine. It can occur as a discomfort in the area near your neck, in your mid-back, or in your lower back. Some muscles along the spine can get idle, while others tend to be overused. This leads to muscle imbalance, which can be precursor to muscle spasms and tears. It can also lead to poor posture due to over compensation!

Other causes of are herniated discs and spine degeneration disorders like spinal stenosis or spinal compression. While there are specific medications that can bring about pain relief, these medicines, whether over-the-counter or prescriptive, only masks discomfort in the short term. They do not fix the problem. Aside from that, such medications can potentially become addictive or can bring about other side effects.

Research shows that back pain relief is most effective when combined with a specific Pilates exercise routine that aims to fix the problem. Pilates fundamental program is most ideal for handling all aspects of back pain problems. The exercise routines re-educates the body in proper muscle activation. It improves the range of motion of tight and weak lower back muscles, returning it to proper function. That is why Pilates pain relief program brings not only long term results; it is also permanent.

Pilates exercises for back pain relief

Pilates lower back exercises teaches you how to awaken weak stabilizers of the spine that is no longer doing its job of supporting the spinal column. Here are some examples of Pilates exercises specific to back pain relief:

1.Bridging

-Teaches your body to understand its possible range of motion with correct method of lower back articulation. Scar tissues that are tight will start to melt away as function is restored with consistent practice. Core strength will improve as well.

2.Pelvic Bowl

-Trains specific movements of your lower back to re-orientate to function better. This is important for quick recovery. The movements aid in pain relief and strength development.

3.Neutral Spine

-Re-educate the lower back area to lengthen and stretch out. A simple and easy technique used by most doctors and physiotherapist.

Your poor posture can be a main reason for occurrence of your back pain. To prevent such a problem, you need to learn how to properly stand, sit, or walk. Correct posture can remove back strain. Pilates exercises generally promote good posture through regular training.

Pilates is suitable for all from age 7 to 70. There are many levels to the exercise methods. If you are a beginner, your program will be a basic introductory program. As you improve and get stronger, your program will progress with your needs and fitness level.

Be sure to train with the help of a pilates instructor who is certified and have experienced working with similar. And do the pilates exercises regularly if you want to help yourself manage a pain free back and live a more active and healthier lifestyle.

What Is The Sciatic Nerve?

spinal stenosis

The sciatic nerve is a nerve that is formed. It's the largest single nerve in the human body. The location is at the base of the spinal cord, or your lower back right above your buttock. The sciatic nerve is made up of the lumbar and sacral nerve roots from the spine. It leaves the lower part of the spinal cord and runs behind the hip join, and down the back of the thigh.

When this nerve flares up it is call sciatica. A very annoying and painful condition. Pains can run from the buttock down the legs to the feet, or in the thigh or just in the buttock, depending on which nerve area has flared up.

One of the most common forms of pain when the spinal nerves get compressed results in sciatica. The back pain is bad, but typically the leg pain is much worse. I've asked if foot cramps can be from sciatica and the answer was no, foot cramps are typically from wearing shoes too tight or loose and not taking care of your feet. In the foot, Sciatica pain is on the top of the foot and has a different pain than a regular cramp.

There are a few different nerve roots when talking about sciatica in the foot area, which is why you should see a doctor to diagnose sciatica.

Sciatica in the L4 nerve root area will occur in the medial lower leg and foot. You will experience a weakness or inablity to bring the foot up while walking. You can test this by trying to walk on your heels, and you will not be able too.

The L5 nerve root affects your big toe and ankle. This is typically called "foot drop". If you try to extend your toe, you will experience weakness in doing so. Typically this pain will be located in the web of the foot, between the big toe and the second toe.

One last nerve root is the S1 nerve root which when affected can cause pain or numbness to the outer foot area. Difficulty in walking on tip toes or taking your heel off the ground it the normal result. The person may also show a reduced reflex in the ankle-jerk.

The other common problems are numbness or pain shooting all the way down your leg and buttock pain, like constant squeezing.

The good news about sciatica is that most people will recover fully without having any surgery. About 80 to 90% recover from sciatica without spinal surgery and this is because usually the sciatic nerve is not damaged and can heal itself typically within a 21 to 90 day duration.

Lastly, it's good to know that sciatica is not a medical emergency, however if you are constantly having pain or difficulty with your bowels or bladder function and notice a decreased sensation around the genitals, or a progressive weakness in your legs, this may be the sign of cauda equina syndrome, which is significant narrowing of the spinal canal and this is a medical emergency.

If you have these symptoms, contact your doctor or even emergency medical care right away.

Spinal Fusion Procedure

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A spinal fusion procedure is one of the most universal approaches to back surgery, regardless of the diagnosed source of symptoms. Fusion is used to treat abnormal spinal curvatures, vertebral alignment issues, advanced arthritic changes, extreme disc desiccation and a variety of bulging and ruptured disc concerns. If a condition is theorized to cause chronic back pain, it is likely to be a candidate for fusion surgery!

Fusion is one of the oldest forms of modern spinal surgery and is also one of the most common. Ironically, fusion is also one of the procedures which offers the absolute worst results when it comes to pain relief results. Statistically, surgeons view the fusion procedure as a success as long as the spine actually fuses. They do not consider pain relief to be a criterion for success or failure, but most patients do not know this fact when researching the operation. If patients knew what little hope they had of becoming and staying pain free after a spinal fusion procedure, the vast majority would turn and run...

Now, if this was the worst of the downside, it would be bad enough. However, the negative aspects of spinal fusion are just beginning to show themselves! Fusion, by nature, is against the natural law and design of the spine. The spinal column is a result of countless millions of years of evolutionary trial and error. It came to being since it proved itself the best way to support and protect a human (or other vertebrate animal), while still allowing mobility and flexibility. The spine is a jointed structure with each vertebrae allowed independent movement compared to surrounding levels. This is one of the main strengths of the design...

Spinal fusion procedures end this flexibility by inserting bone grafts and reinforcing metal hardware to prevent the movement between vertebral levels. Not only is this against the basic nature of the spine, but it has also been decisively proven to begin a destructive process as soon as the fusion bonds tightly... When vertebrae are fused, they impart an exponentially higher degree of stress to the vertebrae above (especially) and below the fusion. This stress causes the natural degenerative processes to speed up and intensify dramatically. The result is a domino effect of damage which multiplies throughout the spine, often resulting in additional fusions, which in turn continue to multiply the stress, ad nauseum, until the patient is utterly incapacitated.

Far worse still is the fact that there is NO PROOF at all that preventing vertebral movement helps in any way to stop pain. This fact is obvious to the millions of patients who have endured this invasive and barbaric operation only to feel worse. In fairness, I must tell the whole story, so here it is when it comes to statistics governing pain relief via spinal fusion procedure:

* Up to half of operated patients do not see marked relief or are worsened by the procedure. Some are damaged beyond repair.

* Many patients feel temporary relief for a few weeks to a few months, most likely due to surgical placebo or the powerful post-operative drugs used immediately after the surgery.

* A great majority of patients who do enjoy relief for a year or more will face a recurrence of pain, most often worse than the original condition, and many will undergo 2nd or 3rd spinal fusion procedures within 2 to 7 years time.

* A small minority of operated patients actually enjoy what could be called a cure for their pain, lasting more than 10 years.

* Spinal fusion procedures are the most common cause of failed back surgery syndrome and post-fusion patients have the fewest options for ever finding relief from their chronic symptoms.

* Fusion patients have the highest incidence of being "abandoned" by their surgeons after the procedure. Many doctors simply refuse to answer the continuing calls...

* Fusion patients are far less likely to be accepted as candidates for any other type of treatment, surgical or non-surgical, after a failed procedure.

Of all the many letters I receive every week, the most heartbreaking come from spinal fusion patients who are begging for advice on what to do now that they still have pain and have already gone to hell and back... As much as I wish to be able to answer these queries with some hope, I have yet to find it. The only positive advice I can give to anyone out there is to research the facts about fusion for yourself and understand the very great risks. Do not be misled into thinking this will be the end-all cure-all for your pain, since statistics clearly prove otherwise. Personally, I say to leave fusion as a completely last resort, for only extreme varieties of certain spinal conditions which would otherwise result in death due to organ failure or spinal instability.

Cervical Disc Replacement - Risks and Benefits

spinal stenosis

Exactly what is a cervical disc replacement and what is it necessary? It is a device inserted between two cervical vertebrae to replace a surgically removed vertebral disc. What this basically means is that this disc will help to stabilize and maintain the motion of the neck after surgically removing a diseased disc in the neck. Disc replacement surgery is done to stop the symptoms of degenerative disc disease. Our discs wear out as a natural part of aging and from stress and strain on the neck. Eventually, the disc collapses and implanting this device is a last resort option when non surgical treatments means have failed to improve the health of the patient. The benefit of the surgery is obviously to help treat the worn out part of a patient's aging neck. It is usually a strong metal structure, thus eliminating most of the concern of whether or not the patient will require further replacements. The patient can recover quickly from the surgery and can be back to work within four to six week when following a strict recovery protocol. However, I believe that there are way too many risks and potential complications associated with this surgery.

When you stop and think about it for a moment, some things can go wrong with any implant. In the case of the disc replacement, sometimes the spine fuses itself, a process called spontaneous ankylosis. Loss of neck motion is the main side effect of this problem. Some patients are left with pain, numbness, and weakness. In addition, normal wear and tear over a prolonged period of time can cause debris to come off of the implant. The body may react to these tiny particles and cause pain, implant loosening, and implant failure. In rare cases, the artificial disc replacement can dislocate altogether and more complications will arise. Most surgical procedures require that some type of anesthesia be done before surgery. A very small number of patients have problems with anesthesia, however to avoid falling into that small percentage, consult your doctor. Thrombophlebitis is a fancy scientific term for blood clots, and they usually occur on the pelvis, hip or knee. When left untreated, they are life threatening. Infection following spine surgery is also rare but can be a very serious complication. Some infections may show up early and uninvited! Deep infections that spread into the bones and soft tissues of the spine are much harder to deal with and may require additional surgery. Cervical disc replacement surgery also carries the risks associated with injuring the blood vessels that travel near the front of the spine. Boy, these risks are piling up mighty fast.

Could you imagine if the surgeon makes a mistake? Injury can occur from bumping or cutting the nerve tissue with a surgical instrument, from swelling around the nerve, or from the formation of scar tissue. Any of these will result in muscle weakness and a loss of sensation to the areas supplied by the nerve. After doing some research, I believe that the potential for the voice box to be injured scares me the most. When doing this neck surgery, surgeons prefer to go through the left side of the neck, and coincidentally that's the closest path to the voice box. If the nerve gets injured in any way, shape or form, you can guarantee that you will have some hoarseness, voice fatigue, or difficulty making high tones. I love to talk; I couldn't imagine having that taken away from me "accidentally". While rare, spinal surgery can result in stroke, heart attack, spinal cord or spinal nerve injury, pneumonia, or possibly death. I don't like the sound of any of those possibilities! These are the more dangerous complications one can deal with after the surgery if performed. After realizing how dangerous this surgery can be, I definitely will be taking better care of myself and my health to prevent this from happening to me. If this surgery can be avoided altogether, I'd rather take that route instead of the latter.

Do You Have to Keep Going to a Chiropractor Forever?

spinal stenosis

There are several myths or misunderstandings about Chiropractic that are floating around. There is one myth that I feel is actually worth explaining. The others I will let stand; it kind of adds to the air of mystery surrounding Chiropractors, and I think I would miss that if it was totally gone.

The #1 misunderstanding that I hear is: once you go to a Chiropractor, you have to keep going forever. There are several reasons for this misunderstanding, with not the least being the confusion between "have to keep going", and "want to keep going." For the most part, Chiropractors see patients for one of three main reasons. One, to help someone heal from an injury or acute episode of pain; two, to help someone feel better and manage a chronic or uncorrectable problem; and three, to help someone maintain a healthy spine in order to be healthier, prevent injury, and function better.

Most patients are introduced to Chiropractic care for one of the first two reasons, but often maintain a relationship with a Chiropractor for the third reason.

In order to help someone maintain a healthier spine, it takes periodic visits; much like it takes periodic visits to a dentist to maintain healthy teeth. Unfortunately, unlike dental check-ups which can occur every 6 months or so, Chiropractic check-ups need to happen much more frequently. Our bodies, and specifically our spines, undergo an amazing amount of stress on a daily basis, which can result in stiff joints, tight muscles, and improper joint movement patterns. If left alone, this can lead to major episodes of pain and chronic problems. When corrected on a regular basis, these types of problems can be better avoided. A good rule of thumb for most people who have generally healthy spines is a check-up about every 2 weeks. Even though regular visits will keep you feeling better and reduce your risk of developing more complicated spinal problems, don't let anyone tell you that if you don't go often, you are guaranteed to have problems, or end of having surgery, or other such dire consequences. It is simply not true.

For the individuals that have chronic, uncorrectable problems, Chiropractic adjustments will usually help them feel better for a while, but they will start hurting again eventually. The idea behind regular adjustments in this case, is to keep them feeling as good as they possibly can and to keep the spine as healthy as it can be. Once again, this is a choice that individuals are allowed to make; to feel better or not.

It is always a matter of choice. Come in as long as you need to in order to feel better, or keep coming on a regular basis in order to stay feeling better, stay healthier, and try your best to prevent bigger problems from occurring.

For more information, see the contact information below.

Homeopathy For People Experiencing Back Pain and Sciatica

spinal stenosis

This is the fifth and final article I've written on homeopathy and musculoskeletal conditions. My previous articles were on rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative arthritis, gout, and finally tendinitis and bursitis.

This article will cover the topic of back pain, sciatica, and how homeopathy can help people experiencing it. I'll first document the nature of back pain and suggest lifestyle changes one can implement to relieve their pain. I will also describe the etiology and signs of sciatica. Then I'll cover how homeopathy works with people experiencing this condition. This will be followed by recommendations of a few homeopathic remedies that may help.

Back pain can occur in the upper back, mid-back, and low back. It affects approximately 80% of Americans at some point in their lives. This staggering number also makes back pain one of the leading causes of absenteeism from work and disability claims. What makes back pain so common in our culture?

There are several risk factors associated with having low back pain that are common circumstances in our culture. Some risk factors you can do something about include:

• Infrequent or inadequate exercise


• Sedentary lifestyle (less than 30 minutes of activity daily)


• The nature of your job (that involves long periods of sitting, heavy lifting, repetitive motions, bending and twisting motions, or constant vibration that occurs with using heavy machinery).


• Smoking (believe it or not, smoking increases the risk for low back pain)


• Being overweight (as a result from poor physical condition, weak back and abdominal muscles, and minimal flexibility)


• Poor posture


• Stress (chronic stress induces chronic tensing of muscles)


• Taking medications chronically that may weaken bones, such as corticosteroids

What can you do about low back pain? For starters, get active! Begin getting at least 30 minutes of moderate, light-intensity activity on a daily basis. This could include brisk walking, stair climbing versus taking elevators, playing sports at a moderate intensity, etc. Implementing routine strengthening and stretching exercises related to your low back and abdominal muscles will also help. If you are overweight, implement healthy dietary changes to lose weight and sustain it.

Sciatica is a form of back pain that refers to a narrowing of the spinal canal, which compresses the spinal cord and sciatic spinal nerve roots together. This extremely painful condition is brought on by some form of trauma, degeneration (arthritis or bone spurs), or rupture (herniated disc) in the back.

Signs and symptoms of sciatica include:

• Severe, sharp pain that radiates from the sciatic nerve down the leg and to the foot


• Pains may be intermittent (off and on) or continuous


• Numbness and tingling of the skin supplied by the affected nerve.


• Low back pain


• Inability to stand or sit on account of the pain


• Radiating pain may go down the legs and in the buttocks, thighs, or calves.


• Weakness in legs

Homeopathic treatment is very effective at helping people experiencing sciatica. Its role will be to assist in increasing muscle tone, improving general health, and decreasing inflammation of muscles and nerves. Because homeopaths view health as a condition of the entire individual, rather than in terms of isolated symptoms from specific locations of the body, sciatic pain is just one aspect a homeopath will need to know in order to help you. That said, below is a list of homeopathic remedies and their indications for various aspects of sciatica and back pain. For comprehensive and individualized care, please contact me.

Belladonna: Sudden onset of severe low back pain or sciatica. Pain is so severe that it prevents any movement. Pain is worse from motion, being jarred, mis-stepping, from the direct pressure of laying on it, and from long sitting. Generally affects the right side more than the left.

Calcarea Carbonica: Low back pain from the slightest exertion, especially lifting. Back feels weak; person easily slumps in the chair. Worse from the cold, damp weather; from lifting; exerting; or ascending (stairs).

Kali Carbonicum: Low back pain that drives them out of bed at night. Worse at night, often at 2 or 3 am; also from the cold or drafts. Usually affects the right side. Pains that extend into the buttocks or into the sole of the foot.

Nux Vomica: Severe sciatica down either leg with great sensitivity and is often accompanied with anger. Worse in the morning that worsens the longer they stay in bed; from the cold; from turning in the bed. Better from heat.

Tellurium: Severe pains that travel down the sacrum and into the sciatic nerve and thigh. Worse from coughing; laughing; sneezing; when pressing during stool; anything that induces the valsalva maneuver (forcible exhalation against a closed airway).

In this fifth and final article on homeopathy and musculoskeletal disorders, I covered the topic of back pain and sciatica. I covered important lifestyle changes one can make to relieve low back pain, I described the etiology and symptoms for sciatica, and suggested several homeopathic remedies that may help people who experience this condition.

Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
Noel Peterson

Laser Surgery For Neck Pain Relief

spinal stenosis

THE SKINNY

Laser surgery for chronic neck pain relief is a relatively new medical procedure that has proven to be at least partially effective in the large majority of cases. Although laser surgery this is less invasive than more traditional procedures, it is still considered significant surgery and should be approached as such. There are a number of practices in the country that specialize in spinal laser surgery.

Laser surgery for neck pain relief should be considered only after physical therapy protocols have been exhausted. There are also pharmaceutical products that have proven effective for cervical pain management, such as Lyrica and Celebrex.

Laser surgery for chronic neck pain relief is a relatively new medical procedure that has proven to be effective in the majority of cases. Although laser surgery this is less invasive than more traditional procedures, it is still considered significant surgery and should be approached as such. There are a number of practices in the country that specialize in spinal laser surgery.

DOUBLE WHAMMY!

Unfortunately, most patients have multiple conditions occurring at once and may require a combination of surgical techniques. Patients can have a pinched nerve caused by spinal stenosis or foraminal narrowing, as well as having neck or back pain due to arthritis of the spine (facet disease). To treat these maladies, both a foraminotomy and a laminotomy can occur simultaneously.

Wikipedia defines a laminotomy as: "a neurosurgical procedure that removes part of a lamina of the vertebral arch in order to decompress the corresponding spinal cord and/or nerve root."

Cure-back-pain.org defines a foraminotomy as: "a back surgery procedure used to enlarge the opening through which a spinal nerve passes as it exits the spinal canal. When this opening is reduced due to a spinal problem or injury, there is less room for the nerves to pass between the bones. This sometimes causes a pinched nerve and the usual painful symptoms."

Since the laser procedures are less invasive, and recuperation time is less than traditional spine surgeries, it is not any more difficult on the patient to treat more than one condition at a time. It actually allows patients to return to their lives sooner. A Cervical Neck Traction may be good idea for neck pain relief.

UNDER THE "KNIFE"

First, IV sedation and a local anesthetic are administered, then a small incision is made and a round tube is inserted into the incision. A series of tubes of increasing size are placed over the first tube, one at a time, to slowly create an opening to the spinal canal. The muscles are rarely pushed out of the way and are not torn or cut. The last tube is about 18 millimeters in diameter (about as big as a small marker) and the surgical instruments: laser, camera, suction, irrigation and other necessary instruments are inserted through it.

Once everything is in place, the surgical team can begin the procedure. Some patients experience immediate pain relief during the procedure when the nerve(s) are released. Decompressing the spinal canal can directly affect the patient's back or neck pain and can resolve them permanently. Finally, the tube is slowly removed, the muscles to move back into place and the procedure is complete. Sometimes, but not always, a stitch or two is necessary for the incision.

OUTA THERE!

After only 1 or 2 hours of monitoring, the patient is free to go! The minimal recovery time is obviously attractive to patients at the outset. All indications are that laser spine surgery is here to stay! This is an unsolicited, non-medical review

Back Pain and Sciatica - Evaluating Your Options

spinal stenosis

You've been hurting for months. You can't stay on your feet for more than a few minutes. It hurts to sit for too long. Recently you can't get a good night's sleep because you just can't get comfortable. The painkillers aren't working, and you're starting to think seriously about back surgery. But after all the expense, rehabilitation and risk, will you bet better off? There are alternatives to surgery, and they just might work for you.

Back pain that leads to surgery is often associated with a damaged intervertebral disc or spinal stenosis. The discs are the tough, flat cushions between the vertebrae. Imagine a disc as the warm toasted marshmallow sandwiched between two graham crackers in a s'more. If the crackers are pressed together evenly, the marshmallow will spread out evenly as well. If you squeeze just one side of the sandwich together, the marshmallow (or disc) will ooze out to the opposite side. That's what happens with a "slipped" disc. The protruding part can irritate a nearby nerve. If it ruptures, there can be chemical irritation of the nerve as well. The discs also tend to degenerate, flatten and become less resilient over the years, so there is less space for the nerves where they come out of the spinal column.

Siatica (Sciatica) is an irritation of the siatic/sciatic nerve. It can cause radiating pain, burning sensations or cramping in the buttocks and down the leg. This may be caused by a nerve root problem in the lower part of the spine, but it can also be caused by impingement further down in the area of the buttocks. The piriformis muscle runs across the back of each hip joint, deep in the buttock, where it crosses paths with the sciatic nerve. Pressure from an overly tight piriformis muscle is believed to irritate the sciatic nerve causing buttock and/or radiating leg pain. This is known as piriformis syndrome. It can be addressed by releasing excess tension and any "trigger points" (knotted areas) in the piriformis and associated muscle groups.

Stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that leads to compression of the enclosed spinal cord and nerves. Fractures of the spine can also result in unstable vertebral joints and irritation to the spinal nerves.

Treatment Options

Common surgical procedures for these conditions include discectomy, laminectomy, and fusion. In a discectomy, the part of the disc that is stressing the spinal cord or a nerve is removed. Removing or trimming part of the bony structure around the spinal cord (the lamina) is called a laminectomy. This may be done to widen the spinal canal when it has been restricted by stenosis, or to provide access for a discectomy. Spinal fusion fixes vertebrae together using bone grafts and screws or other hardware to prevent any movement between them.

Determining when surgery is appropriate is not always easy. Most incidents of back pain resolve themselves over several weeks. Even cases of severe chronic back pain or sciatica may respond very well to more conservative treatments. Individuals with substantial disc degeneration and/or stenosis can return to an active pain-free life without surgery. Surgeons may have a skewed perspective because their patients who are diagnosed as needing surgery, but who go on to rehabilitate themselves through non-surgical means, are unlikely to report back to the surgeon.

Even when there is clear disc impingement upon a nerve, non-surgical remedies are possible. Experiments have shown that a healthy nerve root (where the nerve exits the spinal cord) can withstand substantial pressure without pain or paresthesia (tingling or burning). When a nerve root is injured, pressure on it can cause loss of feeling, reduced reflexes and eventually reduced strength and motor reflex. However, when a nerve root has a poor blood supply (ischemia), it becomes very sensitive to pressure. So, a healthy nerve root with a good blood supply can tolerate a fair amount of mechanical abuse. But once it has become irritated, swollen, inflamed or otherwise suffered decreased blood flow, it will be much more easily irritated. Therapy should therefore be aimed at reducing mechanical irritation, reducing inflammation, and improving blood perfusion.

"Conservative treatment" is a term that can be applied to anything from pain pills and bed rest to much more aggressive therapy that involves substantial patient participation. The latter requires more commitment but is likely to give better results. The patient can also learn some useful self-care techniques during treatment. Analgesics, muscle-relaxers and anti-inflammatory drugs (or herbal formulas) may also have their place in the therapy.

Seeing the Bigger Picture

The muscular, skeletal, neural, vascular and lymph systems of the body all affect one another. A good treatment plan works toward optimizing all of them. When there is pain, as from nerve impingement, a common protective reaction of the body is to tighten up and stabilize the area. Unfortunately, this tightening can exacerbate the problem by putting more pressure on the damaged structures. Also, chronic spasm of the muscles leads to decreased blood infusion (ischemia) and poor lymph movement. The muscles become poorly nourished, and the tissues are not properly cleansed of cellular waste products. A large component of patient's pain can be from this muscular dysfunction, rather than from the direct nerve impingement itself.

Tight muscles, especially when their forces are not well balanced, are intimately involved with skeletal joint dysfunction. The skeletal system, after all, is aligned and controlled by the soft tissues around it (with limits set by the bony structures themselves and by the ligaments that surround the joints). When muscular action on one side of the spine is stronger and tighter than the other, it can significantly change the alignment between the vertebrae, and inhibit the natural smooth gliding at the joint surfaces. Besides nerve irritation (remember that squeezed marshmallow), this can accelerate arthritic changes in the joints.

Nerves are responsible not only for sending pain signals back to the brain, but also for sending motor control signals out to the muscles. Therapy should address the neural components of the problem. Neuromuscular reeducation refers to therapy that aims at normalizing the interaction between muscles and their nerve signals.

Many types of non-surgical therapies are available, and each has its strengths. Chiropractic adjustments can restore normal joint function, and thus release tension and inflammation in surrounding soft tissues. Unfortunately, some people do not respond well to this high-velocity approach, and normal muscular function often does not follow. Skilled massage, physical therapy, yoga, stretching, strengthening and other manual therapies can address the muscular components. Functional and postural habits that exacerbate the condition may need to be relearned. Acupuncture works via several pathways: it can release and balance muscle tensions, moderate nerve signals, decrease inflammation and increase local blood flow to the tissues.

The Benefits of Avoiding Surgery

Results from conservative therapy can be dramatic, but it typically takes weeks or months to effect lasting changes, and a combination of techniques may be needed. The reward for this effort is a reduction or elimination of pain, a better functioning body and more information about how to keep it that way, not to mention the avoidance of surgery, anesthesia, and post-surgical rehabilitation. This can save tens of thousands of dollars, and greatly decreases one's exposure to pharmaceuticals. Even with a course of anti-inflammatory drugs, a patient will be subjected to a much lower pharmaceutical load that when undergoing surgery.

Besides, surgery often fails. The U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality states that "Patients considering lumbar spine surgery should be informed that the likelihood of having another spine operation later is substantial." A study of 24,882 adults who had low back surgery for degenerative spinal problems in the early 1990's found that about one out of five had another back surgery within 11 years. That's about double the rate for hip or knee replacement. And one should not assume that the rest were living pain free.

Is Good Medicine Driving High Back Surgery Rates?

A study by the University of Washington's Center for Cost and Outcomes Research looked at spinal surgeries in the U.S. and confirmed some disturbing trends. In 2001, approximately 122,000 lumbar fusions were performed, representing a 220% increase from 1990. Were those surgeries more successful than in the past? It seems not. Reoperation rates actually increased during the 1990's, with a cumulative rate of about 12% just three years after the initial surgery.

The Department of Health Services at the University of Washington has noted that there are large variations in back surgery rates across different parts of the country. The Department also found that "The rate of back surgery in the United States was at least 40% higher than in any other country and was more than five times those in England and Scotland. Back surgery rates increased almost linearly with the per capita supply of orthopaedic and neurosurgeons in the country." That sounds more like supply-side economics than evidence-based medicine.

Meanwhile, the New England Journal of Medicine has published a new study of 283 patients with severe sciatica. The participants were randomly selected to have surgery early on, or to have extended conservative treatment and undergo surgery at a later time, if needed. Only 39% of this second group actually ended up having surgery. After one year, the outcomes were similar for those with early surgery and the conservatively treated group, although those receiving early surgery had somewhat faster pain relief and self-perceived recovery rates.

The decision to have surgery for back pain or sciatica due to degenerative conditions will usually be left to the patient. Trauma resulting in fractures, cancer, and other conditions causing back pain may permit fewer options. But for patients who are willing to participate in their own recovery, conservative treatment holds a lot of promise with very low risk. Surgery, after all, will remain an option. They may need to be more proactive in seeking out treatment. Learning stretches and other exercises from a skilled therapist will give them some control over their recovery. A willingness to try appropriate therapies and actively engage in the treatment process can lead to much greater success than simpler treatments involving only rest and drugs. Those who choose such a treatment plan may well be rewarded with a strong, pain-free body, and new knowledge that can help keep it that way.

Non-Operative Treatment for Spinal Stenosis

spinal stenosis

Regardless of what is believed in today's society, there are other options to relieve the pain caused by spinal stenosis rather than surgery. Activity modification, steroid injections, and regular exercise are three of the most common treatments for stenosis of the spine.

Exercise isn't a cure all for this condition, but it definitely helps alleviate some of the pain. It is very important for patients with spinal stenosis to remain active. It is a key point in any treatment plan involving the condition. Patients normally receive counseling with activity modification so they can continue with their daily activities while putting less stress on the injured vertebrae.

The most common symptoms of stenosis of the spine are numbness and tingling in the legs, low back pain, and limitations in walking. The leg pain related to stenosis usually appears acutely, but the condition can worsen over the course of time. When an older person is seen walking while leaning over a shopping cart it is usually the case of stenosis of the spine.

The pain that occurs with stenosis comes and goes rather than continuously. Certain activities can increase the pain more than others, but rest is the best way to relieve the aches and pains. Spinal stenosis has a changing effect on nerve compression, and chiropractors are the experts in this area. Chiropractic treatment will alleviate the pain with an appropriate treatment plan based on the diagnosis.

Surgical procedures should be the last option for stenosis. Natural treatment is by far the best for the body and patient. Therapeutic exercises improve posture and strengthen the muscles that support the spine. Chiropractic adjustments and massage therapy go hand in hand with proper treatment. Adjustments align the vertebrae back to their normal positions and allow the blood to flow naturally. Massage therapy helps to release the tight muscles that can then be strengthened and re-trained to properly support the spine.

Spinal decompression therapy, or traction, is a highly effective treatment for stenosis. It helps to relieve any pressure on the nerves and allows new space to open up in the spine. Chiropractors seek a balance of all the systems in the body for a positive treatment plan because their treatment plans are based on the specific idea that the body seeks for a certain point of balance, or homeostasis.

Steroid injections definitely help with spinal stenosis, but like all other medications there can be possible side effects. Chiropractic treatment is a great, natural way for the body to heal itself regarding stenosis, and it can be significantly less expensive than other traditional treatments.

Laminectomy Surgery - Understand The Facts Before It's Too Late!

spinal stenosis

Laminectomy Surgery, is it the end all be all of back surgeries? As all back pain sufferer know, it's not something that you can ignore or should ignore for long. First off it is not something that will pass and does not just effect a small area of your body, if you have chronic back pain/problems, then your whole body is effected and pretty much makes your ability to do anything physical difficult to nearly impossible without a great deal of pain.

Now there are some instances, where the your back pain, is simply muscles soreness and would require little more than rest. When the pain does not go away or is chronic in nature, it's time to find out if this is a more serious condition that involves your spine and vertebral discs. You should consult a physician to seek guidance on your condition, and if surgery is suggested one type that you want to know about is Laminectomy Surgery.

So what is Laminectomy Surgery? Good question!

A laminectomy is a medical or surgical procedure wherein the doctor who administers it removes a portion of the bony arch, or lamina on the back of your vertebra (think dorsal fin on a shark). This surgical procedure is also know more commonly as an open decompression procedure. When the lamina is removed, this enlarges the spinal canal (where your spinal cord/nerve runs),which in turn relieves the spinal nerves of the tremendous pressure which causes the pain that keeps you from doing pretty much anything.

The surgery itself is fairly straight forward, the doctor will make a small incision (aka cut you) near the affected area, the incision itself can vary anywhere from two to five inches in length. Next portions of the surrounding muscle will be temporarily dissected to get to the vertebral column. Next the surgeon will cut into the lamina, and then have access to the facet joints that surround the spinal nerve. This is where the real work is done, once the facet joints and spinal column is reached, the surgeon then creates "more space" for your spinal nerve, which will relieve the pressure and ultimately help reduce or get rid of the pain. It has been documented that Laminectomy Surgery has a high rate of success, and can effectively rid your back of pain and suffering. As of this writing, approximately 80% of those patients surveyed stated that the procedure either reduced/relieved or even eliminated the pain and have had a tremendous positive effect on their lives.

Now a word of caution, as with any medical procedure, it's important to know that there is always some risk involved. Common problems from this type of surgery are internal bleeding, possible pneumonia during recovery, as well as spinal nerve damage, or instability of the vertebrae which can make matters worse. Now the evidence of this type of negative results is relatively small compared to the successful results, but it is a very important consideration to take into account when deciding if Laminectomy Surgery is what you need.

Also take into consideration the costs which can be very high as this is a very specialized surgery and depending on where you live, and what type of medical insurance you currently have, it's important to understand the financial ramifications of this type of surgery. Also with specialized surgeries, comes scarcity of physicians who can perform these procedures, so it is important that you gather as much information before hand to be well educated to the risks, costs, benefits, and recovery time needed for this or any type of surgery.

Muscle Spasms In The Back

spinal stenosis

The irregular, abnormal, spontaneous or involuntary contraction of a muscle is known as spasm. Muscle spasms in back areas of the body near the spinal cord or nerve roots can be most painful and in some cases debilitating. The spasms in back muscles can be due to many reasons, and when this happens, the person feels the forcible tightening of the muscle and its surrounding tissues. Injury, an advanced degenerative condition, or in some cases deprivation of oxygen can be causing the muscle spasms.

A person's back is an intricate combination of muscles, bones, and other tissues from the neck to the pelvic area. Some back injuries are caused by working around the house or out in the garden, bending and stretching thereby pulling and damaging muscles and ligaments. Sports can also be a reason for a back injury, or a sudden bump or jolt as when an accident happens. Because of the natural structure of the body, spasms in back muscles happen in the lower portion where the functions of bending and stretching have the most effect on the spine and the muscles surrounding it.

Sprains and strains, herniated discs and fractured vertebrae are among the most common back injuries and causes of patients' complaints. These injuries can limit a person's movement and can be a cause of considerable pain. There are various treatments available but usually recommended are pain medicines, ice packs, bed rest, physical therapy or in extreme cases, surgery. Back injuries can be prevented by being watchful while concentrating on your tasks, maintaining the ideal weight, using care in the lifting of objects, and using lower-back support while sitting. Spasms in back areas can be relieved with hot compresses and special oils and unguents.

A person experiencing muscle spasms in back sections of the torso for the first time will most probably go right to hospital for emergency treatment due to the extreme pain. In some cases, the back pains should not cause a panic attack and may not need emergency treatment because it might respond to rest and go away on its own after a spell. Taking too many pain killers and other pills may make a person dependent on them, so this should be avoided if possible.

Injury that results in back pain conditions may be caused by twisting, pulling or pushing resulting in spasms in back areas of the body. Rigorous exercises may be one of the causes of injury and continuous exercises may sound good for you; but two or three hours of back-breaking exercises will cause torn muscles and tendons. The spine is designed to be resistant to vertical weight and its curves are meant for flexibility. When a person is carrying considerable weight, the spinal curve may temporarily increase to cushion the pressure that is exerted on the vertebrae. By carrying weight on the head, the centre of gravity is concentrated on the spinal axis relieving back muscles of too much strain. Spasms in back muscles are avoided by lessening the strain on your lower back. A disc fissure may warrant surgical procedures because when the fibrous envelope enclosing the disc rips and protruding or slipped disc results, the pain can be debilitating. Muscle spasms in back promontories also happen in these cases where the disc bulge causes pinching of the nerves.

The muscles in the back are some of the strongest and biggest muscles of the body. They are responsible for maintaining posture and balance. When spasms in back muscles happen, and it is not attributed to injury or medical-related physically debilitating conditions, it maybe caused by low oxygen levels in the muscles. This is called ischemia and usually leaves no permanent effect after it has passed. Just relax and breathe...

Back Pain Is More Prevalent Among Tall People

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Back pain is a common phenomenon in the general population, but it is more common among tall people. A study of 17-year-old Israeli military recruits from 1998 to 2009, published in Health & Science Today, found that males over 6 feet tall were 44% more likely to experience lower back pain, whereas females above 5 feet 7 inches were 22% more likely to experience back pain than shorter females.

There are some things you can't change, and your height is one of them. Being tall does not mean that you are doomed to back pain, however. We must first identify the mechanisms of pain, then proceed to find possible solutions.

Body Structure

The way in which height can cause back pain is two-pronged. The first prong of height-related back pain involves the body structure itself. Tall people are especially susceptible to disc degeneration, and there are a number of possible reasons for this.

Taller people likely have taller spinal discs than an average-sized person. A study by Natarajan et al published in the September 1999 issue of Spine confirmed that tall disc height is associated with greater rate of failure. When a disc with average area and extra height is loaded, it experiences extra stress. If a tall disc bulges, its bulge will be bigger than a disc of average height; this leads to increased risk of nerve impingement in the form of sciatica.

Another possible cause of back pain in tall people is the distance between the arm hinge and the lower back. The arm acts as a lever on the body. The closer the hinge (shoulder/armpit) is to your center of gravity, the less strain will be placed on your spinal discs when lifting objects. In tall people, who have a greater distance between the hinge and the center of gravity, more strain is placed on the spine, particularly on the lower back.

If you are tall, it is important to reinforce your spinal discs with strong muscles. A solid core will help to take pressure off your discs. It would be wise to invest in a lumbar cushion to give added support to your spine while sitting. It is also important to avoid lifting very heavy objects, and to practice proper body mechanics when lifting (for example, lifting with a straight back).

Postural Dysfunction and Strains

When you're a tall person in a small world, you find yourself bending and reaching frequently. From doorways to chairs, most things are not designed for you. Ergonomics and proper biomechanics are the keys to avoiding repetitive strain injuries.

For a tall person, an ergonomic chair is a necessity, not a luxury. The seat and arm rest heights of an ergonomic chair are adjustable. Some have built-in lumbar cushions; make sure these are adjustable as well. Whatever your job, your work station should be tailored to your height. You may need a taller desk or work surface to avoid constant bending.

To limit the deleterious effects of constant bending and reaching, you must train your body to move with maximum efficiency and without dysfunction. When bending to reach an object, bend at the hips rather than at the lower back. This maintains your natural lumbar curve and takes pressure off spinal discs. When ducking beneath a low doorway, bend your knees or hips and keep your back and neck straight rather than tilting your neck sideways. These and other simple maneuvers could prevent height-related muscle strain, joint dysfunction and disc degeneration.

If you require a more structured approach to correct body mechanics, consider studying the Alexander Technique. This program focuses on efficient movement that places body structures under the least amount of stress possible. The Alexander Technique can be pursued at home or with a trained instructor. See http://www.alexandertechnique.com/ for more information.

While you can't change your height, you have the power to limit its effects on the health of your back. The way you move and the spaces you work in can be altered to prevent or resolve back pain.

Psychological Evaluations For Back Pain - Does My Doctor Think I'm Crazy?

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When patients want relief from chronic back pain, they often see surgery as the best and most effective treatment possible. When physicians order psychological evaluations before undertaking spine surgery, or before surgically implanting devices such as the pain pump or spinal cord stimulator, patients often get worried. "Does my doctor not believe me?" they wonder. "Does my doctor think I'm crazy?"

Actually, if your doctor has sent you for a pre-surgical psychological evaluation, that is a good sign that you are receiving excellent care!

Research shows that all too often, surgical treatments do not reduce back pain related to bulging or ruptured discs, spinal stenosis, or many other back problems. In fact, research shows that the surgery may even cause complications, and the patient may have more pain than before. Neither you nor your physician would want that. Evaluating psychological risk factors before any surgical treatment for back pain reduces that risk, and is fast becoming the standard of care for best medical practice.

Medicare and many other insurance companies now require pre-surgical psychological evaluation before back surgery for pain, or surgery to implant devices such as spinal cord stimulators or pain pumps. When you are referred for evaluation of psychological risk factors, your physician is assuring that you are receiving the full diagnostic work-up needed to make this important medical decision, so you can have the best treatment possible.

The health psychologist will use psychological tests, interviews, and questionnaires to ask about your thoughts and feelings, your stresses and the ways you cope, and the experiences you have had. That's because stress and emotions are not just "feelings" that happen in our mind. Stress and emotions have direct biochemical effects on your brain and your body.

Stress and emotions are "mind/brain/body" experiences, and they can actually change how your body works. They affect your pain system and other central nervous system processes. Research shows that back surgery is not very effective at reducing pain when excessive stress, depression or anxiety have caused changes to the central nervous system.

Pre-surgical psychological evaluations can improve your chance for success with overcoming your back pain. Surgery is not the only way to help you deal with back pain. If the risk factors show that you won't get better with surgery, then your doctor can help you get other treatment that will give you the good outcomes you want.

So--there's no need to worry! If you have been referred for a pre-surgical psychological evaluation, you can rest assured that your physician wants you to have the best care possible for your pain problems.

Most Common Causes for Lower Back Pains

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The most common cause of lower back pains are injury or overuse of muscles, and pressure on nerve roots caused by osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, fractures, and herniated discs.

The back is made up of a structure of bones, muscles and tissue, of which the most important support structure is the spinal column, which covers the spinal cord. The spinal cord is responsible for carrying signals and conveying messages. The spinal cord also supports the body's weight. Injuries, accidents, or poor posture can result in strain being placed on it, resulting in back pains in the lower region.

The spinal column is an intricate structure, with bones placed on top of each other and cartilage in between them. This cartilage is called an intervertebral disc, and is responsible for flexibility in the spine. It also acts as a shock absorber, protecting the bones of the spine. The entire spine is attached to the muscles around it by ligaments and tendons. The lumbar vertebrae, also known as the lower back is that portion of the spine that is most susceptible to back pains.

What causes lower back aches and pains?

The lower back is important in providing structural support and movement to the body; however, as people age, the bone strength and muscle elasticity tends to weaken and the intervertebral discs begin to decrease in their ability to cushion the vertebrae.

Apart from age, here are some other reasons you might experience lower back pains:

Lumbar strain: Heavy lifting can often cause a strain to the lumbar muscles or ligaments, which may lead to a ruptured disc. This is turn can cause pressure on nerve roots, which can result in back ache. Apart from resting the back, your chiropractic doctor may suggest therapeutic massage, reconditioning exercises, and deep tissue massage.

Nerve irritation: Nerve irritation can be caused by lumbar strain, but it can also be caused by bone lesions or bone degenerative conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis, by weight gain, or by viral infections. It can also be caused by a herniated disc, brought on by repeated motion, or by spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spinal column due to age. Scar tissue created during an injury can buildup and also leads to nerve irritation. This in turn can cause back aches.

Fractures or bone injuries: Fractures caused by aging, sports, accidents, or medical conditions like osteoporosis can also lead to ruptured discs and consequently, back pains.

Other medical conditions like diabetes, fevers, bacterial infections, and spinal tumors can also result in pains in the lower back.

How can you treat lower back pains?

The first step in treating it is to diagnose the cause of the problem. Most back pains - upper or lower back - can be treated without surgery. Your medical practitioner may prescribe medication to ease the pain, and plenty of back rest.

Chiropractic care has also been used successfully to treat back aches and pains. Your family chiropractor may recommend ice and heat therapy, massage therapy, and bed rest. He may also use spinal manipulation and show you a series of exercises to help strengthen the lower back.

What Are the Causes and Symptoms of Neck Pain

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Neck pain can be acquired in many ways like sleeping in a bad position or from certain headaches. Neck pain can also be a part of something much more serious and it could be a danger to the spinal area. There are specialists that want to help and find solutions that could help fix any neck problems and find a way to solve and cure the pain. Neck pain is a problem if not treated and checked correctly.

Having neck pain can occur from different ways such as:

Whiplash - This is a jerk of the head that causes damage to the neck.

Arthritis - Stiffness at the joint that causes pain as well as inflammation occurring.

Degenerative Disc Disease - When the spinal discs slowly get smaller and smaller over age, but degenerative disc disease speeds up the process and can cause the person to have severe pain.

Muscle Strain - This is a tear in the muscle that was once attached to the tendons.

Those are a few ways that can cause neck pain. Whiplash is one of the most common causes that can damage the spine which most commonly happens in a car accident. Whiplash causes the neck to jerk and make it to turn where the neck and spinal cord move quickly and cause major complications. One complication from whiplash is that it causes the neck to move in a different position, but also have the spinal disc move in a position that it might leave the person paralyzed.

Neck ache can be something that can cause someone to have problems. Many people would look for solutions that they think will help and fix their neck. Some of the methods that people think that make their neck pain better cannot resolve it to a point that it will completely fix their neck. Another way people think that they might help fix neck pain is by taking medication which will help to a point, but if the pain is extreme, medication cannot help hide the pain of their neck. In other cases, they will just tell them to keep moving the position of where their pain is so that they adjust to it and don't feel it anymore, but that may damage the neck even more. It can also be a greater problem then just the neck which is focusing on the spinal cord as well.

Neck ache is something that can be taken lightly or seriously by how bad it's been damage. Any extreme damage to the neck can cause people to have motor problems that could alter their life significantly. Therefore, it's is important to get any neck pain treated quickly to reduce the chances of any complications arising.

How Can Spinal Decompression Heal My Herniated and Bulging Discs?

spinal stenosis

What spinal decompression does is create a vacuum effect in the spine so that the disc material is suctioned back into place between the spinal bones.

You see, between each spinal bone or vertebrae there is a disc. This disc is a gel like material that acts as a shock absorber and as a spacer.

Without this spacer the neural foramen (openings where nerves exit off the spinal cord) don't remain open and free from pressure.

Disrupt the disc and you lose the hole where nerve roots exit out of and you disrupt the anatomy of the spine.

When a disc is injured it may bulge or leak out of the area it normally should be. When this happens it may put pressure on nerves and also since it is no longer contributing to the mass or height of that "spacer" you lose the normal opening of the foramen that the nerves stemming off the spinal cord exit out of.

Additionally, as a side note - closing of the neural foramen or spinal canal from leaked disc material and inflammation is a major cause of stenosis. In fact, that's what stenosis is, a closure of those holes.

So what Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression does exactly is create a negative interdiscal pressure which makes the disc space like a vacuum. When this happens it pulls the bulged or herniated disc fragment back into place. This then re-heightens the disc taking pressure of the nerves, allows inflammation to dissipate and restores the stability of the disc and the spine.

As this treatment is done over a period of usually 4-8 weeks the disc can then heal back in the position it belongs.

As the disc is suctioned back into place nutrients and hydration will come into the disc as well. If pressure is alleviated from the nerves long enough the body starts to restore the outer collagen fibers of that disc, holding the disc material in place. This is how Spinal Decompression has proven to have lasting effects. Most importantly, removing the nerve pressure alleviates your back pain.