Spinal Stenosis Surgery After Weighing the Risks

spinal stenosis

As a last resort after all the conservative treatments like bulging disc treatments are over and nothing works anymore for back pain, the doctor will recommend spinal stenosis surgery. While the thought of invasive procedures is enough to put the fear of God in any patient, the fact that it's the only option left calls for a little exploration into what happens before any surgery takes place.

Again, spinal stenosis surgery is only done when the doctor has no other choices left. The doctor will definitely put the sufferer through all the rigamarole of alternative medicine like chiropractic treatments and acupuncture while monitoring lifestyle changes at the same time. If pain medications are already at their maximum dosages and what is left is risking addiction, then and only then will surgery be suggested. Remember, the doctor wants to ease the patient's suffering just as much as the patient does and that'swhat spinal stenosis surgery is going to treat.

Before the surgery, it's important to discuss some procedures of the surgery with the surgeon. The first question that needs to be answered is where the spine is affected. You should be put through a slew of tests to accurately locate the damaged vertebrae. Since there are a number of causes of stenosis like genetic defects, bone spurs, aging, or herniated discs, the surgeon will be better able to choose a more viable procedure to use.

Second, what are the risks to the patient if he undergoes the surgery? Situations like there being little or no improvement, injuring nerves or the spine itself, or worse, paralysis, are all discussed and weighed.

Third, how much damage has already been caused? If the injury to the spine is already extensive, the spinal stenosis surgery may just involve touching the areas that are most damaged and possibly leaving other less damaged areas alone.

Fourth, is the sufferer in a good physiological state? If the patient is advanced in age or has bad health, the surgeon may well opt for another procedure, especially if it puts the patient's life at risk. However, if the patient is otherwise healthy, then choices like anesthetics will be discussed.

Spinal stenosis surgery is a major procedure and recovery is definitely not swift. In fact, you may wake up feeling like you've been hit by a car and wondering what made you say yes to the procedure in the first place. But recover you will, with the help of physical therapy, care, and a healthier lifestyle, you'll soon be pain-free. And isn't that exactly what you wanted, a spinal stenosis surgery that will end all that pain?

Saunders Cervical Traction for Neck Pain

spinal stenosis

Back pain can cause headaches, discomfort, and stiffness. The pain can occur from tight muscles, herniated disc, spinal stenosis, arthritis, or whiplash.

You can use Saunders Cervical Traction to gently stretch out tight muscle tissue while at the same time heal and prevent degenerative disc disease.

SOFT TISSUES

When using Saunders Cervical Traction for tight muscles you want to start with a low force at long periods. Ideal pressure for stretching soft muscle tissue is between 10 to 15 pounds of force. Examples of types of muscles stretched by the Saunders Cervical Traction include the upper Trapezius and the Suboccipital muscles.

Even after successful treatment patients will keep their neck traction device for any future muscle strains. Say after a long day at work some people find relief at the end of the day with a few minutes on the Saunders Cervical Traction unit.

SPINAL DEGENERATION

Neck pain can also be a result of degenerative disc disease that in turn causes muscle stiffness in the area and if your disc bulges out and pinches and nerve root then you may also feel strange sensations down one of your arms. In this situation you will need enough force to not only stretch the tight muscles but also increase the separation between your vertebrae. This will then begin to allow your discs to absorb the water and nutrients it needs that was compressed out of it; much like a sponge reacts to being squeezed and released.

Typically the safest way to treat your herniated disc with the Saunders Cervical Traction is to start at a low force for short treatment sessions. You should never feel any pain from the stretch provided by neck traction. If your symptoms get worse, then you should stop treatment and consult your specialist. When you follow the safe approach, never going beyond your comfort level and following your physiotherapist's treatment plan you will start to see progress

DIAGNOSIS BEFORE TREATMENT

It is important that you get a clear diagnosis of what exactly is causing your neck pain before treatment. Consult your doctor or physiotherapist and they can get you on the right track. If your physiotherapist writes you a prescription for a Saunders Cervical Traction unit to use at home then your Medicare typically will cover the cost.

The force of gravity and other tendencies to have bad posture coupled with heavy lifting and hours of sitting have made it necessary for most people to seek neck traction treatments with the Saunders Cervical Traction in order to counteract the effects of wear and tear over time. With our busy lifestyles making it hard for us to find time for stretching and strengthening, a portable neck traction unit can make caring for our cervical spine a lot easier.

Synovial Cyst

spinal stenosis

Degeneration in the spine will cause a development of a sack full of fluid. This is actually known by the medic's fraternity as the synovial cyst.

It manifests itself in the middle years of ones life. This is actually because of the fact that the synovial cysts develops from degeneration. Often you will hear adults of senior ages complaining about spinal pains. It is actually so common with people who are aged, from 65 years. In most cases, it may not be witnessed in people before their age of 45 years.

Patients with this condition often exhibit the symptoms of spinal stenosis, normally experienced in the lumbar spine or lower back. One can stay with the condition for many years since it is basically benign, meaning that the symptoms and the level of pain may not be so profound. It may remain in a stable condition for a very long time.

Pressure is normally created in the spinal canal as a result of this fluid filled sac, and that is actually the reason why a patient will be seen to be having all the symptoms of spinal stenosis.

People with this problem normally suffer from pain that actually comes from the fact that the blood in the venous around the nerves is unable to drain. This actually causes some irritation on the nerves. Most patients who have the problem are normally encouraged to sit down to relieve this pressure and allow the blood to drain.

The pain is just too much especially on the lower back, going down to the legs. When sited, the spinal canal is open and may not exert much pressure on the nerves. There is therefore no pain. The pain comes when the spinal canal closes down, and this actually is as a result of the pressure on the spinal nerve.

An MRI scan of the spine will actually show the synovial cyst very clearly. In this case, it will be visible more clearly as a hyperrintense lesion. It has the same intensity of the signal as water.

You can also try x-rays. Flexion and extension motion x-rays can be done to check the spinal instability. The joint is always in the process of undergoing the degeneration. The process also goes hand in hand with the degenerative spondlolinthesis (slipping forward vertebral body). The latter segment is the one that actually that the joint is basically incompetent or unstable.

Before any surgery is done, the most important thing that ought to be carried out is an instability test for the synovial cyst. Failure to check the instability of the synovial cyst before the surgery is done will actually mean that you will risk going for a repeat surgery at a later date.

Basically, when people are doing medical check up, there is always a tendency of failing to check on this particular medical aspect. Every part of the body will need that attention including checking on the synovial cyst.

What Can Spinal Decompression Therapy Do For Those With Neck And Back Pain?

spinal stenosis

When you're suffering from back pain or neck pain, there is nothing more important than finding relief. When your pain begins to affect your ability to do the things in life that are most important to you, it should not be ignored.

What's most important to you? Is it playing with your kids, running around with your dog? How about your hobbies such as working on your car or recreational activities? When you are not able to accomplish these activities or able to work from back or neck pain, then nothing is more important than finding pain relief.

Spinal Decompression Therapy is a non-surgical, non-invasive treatment for neck and back pain that is extremely safe and effective. It has helped many thousands of patients get relief from neck and back pain and get back to an active and pain free life.

It is a very comfortable and relaxing experience which can help patients improve their quality of lives, get back to work, and basically get back to an active and pain free life.

Spinal Decompression Therapy treats the source of your back pain. During treatment, the patient reclines in a comfortable position and a gentle pull works in an effort to relieve pressure between the spinal discs and allows the back to begin a natural healing process.

Spinal decompression works well for herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, failed back surgery, facet syndrome, and spinal stenosis. The treatment can actually decrease the size of a herniated disc almost to nothing and it can be seen on an MRI. Decompression restores disc height which increases hydration, allowing more oxygen to come into that disc.

Preliminary data exists showing the increased disc height and pain reduction from spinal decompression treatments. The difference between traditional physical therapy and spinal decompression is that decompression actually addresses the core of the problem and actually fixes the pathology that is happening in the area of the pain.

Middle Back Pain Conditions

spinal stenosis

Middle back pain is statistically the least common location for experiencing dorsopathy symptoms. However, since back pain is an epidemic condition, this still means that millions of people face chronic mid back agony every day, often without hope for lasting relief. It is always recommended that all patients suffering from middle back ache become ever more active in their own care, as this is the best way to maximize the chances for finding lasting symptomatic resolution.

Mid back pain is loosely defined as symptoms which exist below the shoulder blades and above the belly button or waist. The middle back is comprised of the middle and lower thoracic spinal regions and is structurally designed for protection and support far more than flexibility or movement. The vertebrae in the mid back are strong and not generally subjected to the same degree of stresses as the structural components of the cervical or lumbar spinal regions which must bend and flex constantly. It is for this, and other reasons, that most cases of middle back ache are not deemed to be sourced by the same typical structural issues as those which are theorized to cause neck pain and lower back pain.

Spinal degeneration in the mid to lower thoracic spine is not a serious concern for most people and it is not uncommon for this area to remain looking quite good into old age. This can not be said for the lumbar or cervical spinal areas which degenerate universally and noticeably, most often by the age of 30 or younger. Spinal arthritis can take hold in the mid back, but this is rare, as is any form of significant intervertebral disc pathology, such as desiccation or herniation.

The middle back can be injured, just like the rest of the spine, and the vast majority of structural issues which do cause middle back pain are a direct result of a known trauma. Luckily, statistics clearly reveal that definitive injury is one of the sources of back pain which responds best to a variety of conservative, moderate and drastic treatment options. In cases where damage is extreme, the patients may be unresponsive to therapy and may end up with a purely anatomically based chronic pain condition. However, the incidence of this is very rare.

The most common actual causes of middle back pain include muscular issues, such as strain and sprain, as well as chronic conditions, like regional ischemia. The former are certainly temporary and transitory pain syndromes which will almost always resolve within 2 to 6 weeks time, while the later is an ongoing disaster for patients, since it is definitely one of the most common types of pain and also one of the least often correctly diagnosed. Oxygen deprivation back pain has been proven conclusively in the laboratory through nucleus testing of patients with a variety of diagnosed conditions, including fibromyalgia. In many patients, their symptoms were blamed on coincidental structural findings, such as bulging discs and facet joint arthrosis, but regardless of the anatomical abnormalities, the patients responded well to appropriate psychologically based treatment and recovered 100% even with the continued demonstration of the structural issues once thought to be causative.

As a final thought, it must be mentioned that the antiquated structurally dependent Cartesian medical practices have doomed countless back pain sufferers to ongoing misery and frustration. At least in the middle back, where structural issues are less prevalent, this is not usually the case, although newer diagnoses like the previously mentioned fibromyalgia and thoracolumbar syndrome are still trying to place an anatomical face on pain which is usually anything but.

Thoracic Spinal Stenosis Symptoms and Treatments

spinal stenosis

Thoracic spinal stenosis is a condition in which the spinal cord or spinal nerves are compressed by narrowing of the spinal canal or the openings between vertebrae. The thoracic spine has some unique characteristics that make thoracic spinal stenosis a little different than stenosis in other areas. Thoracic spinal stenosis rarely occurs in isolation, but is almost always accompanied by stenosis in the lumbar area, and sometimes also the cervical spine.

There are 12 thoracic vertebra and they articulate with the 12 sets of ribs that protect our major organs. The thoracic spine curves outward, and the curve is gentler than the cervical or lumbar curves. Because of the ribs, the thoracic spine is more fixed than the cervical or lumbar areas, too. Most of the motion of the thoracic spine is rotation, with little flexion or extension.

The spinal canal is naturally narrower in the thoracic area, even though the size of the spinal cord remains the same. That means there is less extra space, so it takes less obstruction to cause problems.

Symptoms

Like cervical and lumbar spinal stenosis, thoracic spinal stenosis can be congenital or acquired. There is a great deal of difference, however, in how it is manifested.

Most thoracic spinal stenosis is due to degenerative changes--arthritis in the joints, bone spurs, disc degeneration and other changes due to aging. As the degeneration progresses, you may experience pain in your back and legs, either aching in your legs when you walk that gets better when you rest, or pain that radiates down your back or legs. You may develop problems with walking or loss of bowel or bladder function.

Because the thoracic spinal canal is already naturally narrow, people with congenital spinal stenosis cannot tolerate any extra pressure on the spinal cord. They tend to develop symptoms of cord compression (loss of sensation or movement below the injury) rapidly after minor injury.

Treatment

Degenerative thoracic spinal stenosis may get better with conservative treatment, which includes anti-inflammatory medications, pain management and physical therapy. Steroid injections or nerve blocks may help manage the pain.

If the pain is uncontrolled or if there are signs of cord compression, however, surgery is necessary to relieve pressure on the cord or spinal nerves. Traditional surgical options are laminectomy or corpectomy to provide more room in the spinal canal and spinal fusion to stabilize the spine and prevent damage to the cord.

Minimally invasive surgery may be an option for some cases of thoracic stenosis. Surgery is done through an endoscope using a microscope to directly visualize the spine. Microsurgical techniques allow the surgeon to perform precise, delicate maneuvers to remove the nerve pressure and repair structures.

How to Alleviate Lower Back Pain Associated With a Tingling Foot - Relief From Discomfort

spinal stenosis

How is your lower back feeling lately?

Do you suffer from a back problem that is also affecting your lower limbs?

1.) Introduction

People who suffer from lower back pain are often times aware of a tingling sensation in their feet or toes. Moreover, people with lower back problems can also have a general feeling of weakness in the affected foot. This is typical for people who are burdened with pain originating from the lumbar region. The sensation is caused by irritation to one of the nerves in the spine.

2.) Numbness and Tingling

If the numbness and tingling appears in the first three toes, it is usually attributed to damage to the L5 nerve. Symptoms identifying this condition include possible numbness on the front of the leg and on top of the foot impacted by the nerve. When the latter two toes are affected, an injured S1 nerve might be the underlying cause of the pain, and the numbness and tingling may even be experienced on the bottom of the foot.

The nerve damage that triggers the throbbing back can be caused by numerous events and conditions.

Among these are
• Nerve compression
• Damage to joints, ligaments, and muscles
• Slipped or herniated discs
• Defects of the vertebra
• Osteoarthritis
• Deformities of the spine

3.) Why Back Braces Matter

Individuals who have this lower back pain that is accompanied by a tingling foot can reduce the intensity of their pain and associated symptoms with the help of a back brace. A back support works by helping to stabilize the spinal column and helps to ensure proper alignment of the spine. This alleviates lower back pain and prevents additional impairment more often than you might initially think.

Back braces are highly recommended because they are a very traditional form of treatment in medical settings almost everywhere. While there are other remedies like medicines, hot and cold compresses, massage, chiropractic therapies, and surgery, back supports represent a less expensive and the simplest method of treating lower back pain that is accompanied by a tingling foot.

Unlike in the days of yesteryear, braces are much more flexible and designed for comfort as well as functionality. Today, they are made of canvas type materials that can bend a little more with the body yet still provide rigid support to an ailing back. Because of the innovative design, the brace remains in an unobtrusive position and can be worn anywhere without detracting from a person's appearance.

If the brace curbs back movement, then it will greatly reduce the pain in the lower lumbar in a very short time and more than likely will limit the occurrence of the tingling foot. The support supplied by the back brace also encourages the body's curative properties and increases healing time.

Note: We know back supports can be helpful, but it is best to talk with your local, licensed orthotist for medical advice on bracing and the best orthosis (brace) for your needs.

Chronic Spinal Stenosis - Surprising Solution That Will Get You Moving in 4 Days

spinal stenosis

If you have been suffering from chronic spinal stenosis, you know how debilitating it can be. On the worst of days, you may have very little ability left to control your leg muscles, and have a hard time moving about. You probably just want to stay in your bed and not do much of any physical activity at all. Going just about anywhere takes so much effort.

I know how it can be when you try to walk yet the legs can't move. I have been in that situation before once, walking on a path at the altitude of 12,000 feet. It feels like the air is taken out of your lungs, it feels like you are doing your best to move ahead but in reality you are going nowhere. It is just a weird feeling. Weird and scary.

But, there is a surprising possibility for you to get going and go places...

...and fast, even with chronic spinal stenosis affecting your walking... I will share it with you now.

When I walked on the road up in the mountains, I had a offroad four-wheel-drive Jeep overtake me on that road. I thought... if I only had a motor vehicle now!

And guess what? This can be a solution for your mobility problem too!

This is a great news for you and I. No longer will we be confined to a chair or bed.

So what is this surprising possibility to move about when your legs won't listen to you?

It is...

Getting a mobility scooter!

What is a mobility scooter? Mobility scooter is used by people with mobility restrictions that prevent them from getting from one place to another. A relatively small electric engine will drive it forward. Mobility scooter runs on one or more rechargeable batteries. It can drive you around for dozens of miles on a single charge.

Mobility scooters for adults use 3 to 4 wheels and feature a big, comfortable seat. It is like taking your chair with you everywhere you go. If you don't even feel like riding you can just stay seated in the comfort of your chair. The mobility scooter is safe too. The maximal speed can limited to 4 mph or so, so it is quite harmful.

In effect, you will be able to ride from place to place in your house or on the sidewalks without using your legs at all. Yes, you heard me right. Many people use it for indoor transportation - a lot.

And yes, you can get your mobility scooter in just 4 days from today!

The following two things will get you started with getting your mobility back:

1. Get the details on mobility scooters. Start with some online research

2. Get a physician's opinion on mobility scooters

Attention: Complete both of the above points. Start your research right away. Present the options you find online to your physician consult with him. He can help you decide and he will know about mobility scooters. He has prescribed them to other chronic spinal stenosis patients before.

Do we know at this point if a mobility scooter is right for you? And do we know that it will completely solve your problems with chronic spinal stenosis? No. You need to do the points 1 and 2 above first. Only then will you know for sure if mobile scooter is going to give you your flexibility and freedom of movement back.

Low Back Pain, Sciatica and Pinched Nerve Pain - Do You Have Spinal Stenosis?

spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a condition where for a variety of reasons the spinal canal becomes more narrow. This narrowing can put additional pressure and compression on the spinal cord and can cause a pinching of the nerve roots. If the narrowing is in the lower part of spinal cord it is referred to as lumbar spinal stenosis and if the narrowing is in the upper part of the spinal cord then it is referred to as cervical spinal stenosis. While stenosis can also occur in the thoracic or upper back region, the lumbar and cervical areas are the most common.

Who Gets Spinal Stenosis?

While some people are born with stenosis, most of the time spinal stenosis is seen in people over the age of 50 who already have some disc degeneration just as a consequence of getting older as well as the gradual wearing down on the spine from normal activities. As we get older, our spinal ligaments can calcify, bone spurs may form, and we can get herniated or ruptured discs. All these conditions can lead to a narrowing of the spinal canal which can compress and pinch the spinal nerves.

Spinal Stenosis Symptoms

Symptoms of spinal stenosis can include back pain radiating to the legs, numbness or pain in the buttocks that worsen when walking or exercising, leg weakness, decreased physical endurance, loss of balance, and leg and neck pain.

Spinal Stenosis Treatments

In general doctors tend to take a conservative approach when initially treating spinal stenosis. Drug therapy such as pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling are usually prescribed first, along with bed rest and reduced physical activity. Steroid injections can also be use to help reduce swelling although the pain relief is normally temporary.

Traction and spinal decompression may be prescribed, along with physical therapy which can be used to help increase flexibility as well as build endurance.

If the pain is acute, then surgery may be needed in order to widen the spinal canal and to correct the conditions that are contributing to the nerve compression.

Some of the surgical procedures used to treat spinal stenosis are:

Decompressive laminectomy. This is used for treating lumbar spinal stenosis and involves removing the top of the vertebra to create more space for the nerves.

Laminotomy. This is a partial removal of the lamina which can be done to widen the spinal canal and relieve compression on the nerve roots.

Foraminotomy. Removal of bone, scar tissue, or other obstructions that are compressing the nerve root exiting the spinal canal.

Due to the risks involved, many doctors will resort to surgical treatments only after non-surgical treatments have been tried first.

This article is not meant to replace the sound advice of a personal physician. Patients should discuss with their doctor all their treatment options before taking any medical course of action.

Corrective Exercises for Low Back Pain

spinal stenosis

Many young and old people are found complaining of low back pain. The reason is the overwork or some trauma due to which the muscles contract. Though low back pain is not dangerous as such; however, it is necessary to get rid of it to perform the routine tasks actively. Simple tips to avoid from low back pain are not to lift heavy weight items and using ice and painkillers. There are various exercises as well that need just 15 minutes maximum and help you relieve from this pain some of which are mentioned below:

Aerobic exercise is very good for relaxation of your muscles. Research shows that people who do the morning walk regularly and are interested in cycling recover soon from low back pain as compared to those who take bed rest.

Yoga is very effective exercise in which you can align your lower parts of the body and backbone in the right position within a short period of time. The steps involved in yoga for low back pain are fists forward bending, wall plank, downward facing dog, back traction, child pose, etc.

Core stability exercises are very common and useful these days. In include the exercise of core muscles like the abdominal muscles, neck muscles, spinal muscles, external and internal oblique, hip flexors, etc. It not only makes you powerful, but also enables the patient to overcome imbalance, if any. Athletes can improve their performance by doing these exercises.

A very sound and hygienic exercise is aquatic therapy in which the patient sits in water for some time. In fact, the water resistance works in the same way as the weights put on the joints outside water.

A simple exercise to provide comfort to your feet and help you stand relax is to move ankles upward and downward for 10 minutes.

Same as ankles exercise bend down to your knees and then stand straight. You have to do this exercise ten times.

Lie down in a restful position and compress the ribs downward. Hold breath for five seconds and repeat.

Stand with the back towards the wall and tighten your muscles of abdomen. Then, bend down gradually.

Sit on a ball and slowly get your arms and heels up and down. Same as there are simple exercises to relax your lower parts of the body such as heel raises, leg raises, pelvic tilt, knees and chest exercise and hamstring stretching, etc.

Prolotherapy: Possible Treatment for Unresolved Back Pain

spinal stenosis

Prolotherapy is a treatment that offers hope to those who feel they've tried everything to relieve back pain. If you suffer from sciatica, sacroiliac joint dysfunction or lumbosacral joint pain, you may be helped by prolotherapy.

Joint pain is often caused by damage to the ligaments that support the joint. Ligaments are connective tissues that band bone to bone in a joint, providing for strength and structural integrity. If a ligament is strained, torn or otherwise injured, its healing time will be slow and it will become weak. This is due to the fact that ligaments receive a very low blood supply. The same is true for tendons, which band muscles to bones.

If the ligaments that support spinal joints or the sacroiliac joint grow weak, they fail to support the joint. This results in abnormal range of motion. In the sacroiliac joint, this results in pelvic instability, localized and referred pain, and sometimes sciatica. In the spine, hypermobile joints can lead to disc herniation, which causes back pain, spinal instability and sometimes sciatica.

Often, the possibility that ligament damage is causing other phenomena like sciatica or disc problems goes overlooked, and so all attempts to resolve back pain fail. The low blood supply to ligaments means that they may never get back to being as strong as they once were. Prolotherapy claims to have an answer to that problem.

This form of treatment involves injecting a solution where the ligament in question meets the bone. The solution is often simple sugar water combined with an anesthetic; other irritants and additives are available. The introduction of a foreign substance sparks the inflammatory response. The body sends inflammatory materials to the injected area, meaning that blood flow is increased.

Inflammation is something we generally try to avoid; the swelling is painful and can actually cause more harm than good if it is chronic. But the inflammatory response is part of the immune system. Its goal is to 1) block perceived threats off from other parts of the body and 2) facilitate healing of the injured area. When it comes to ligaments and tendons, inflammation is needed to increase blood flow to the normally avascular areas. Blood brings with it nutrients and oxygen to rebuild damaged tissue. The "prolo" in prolotherapy stands for the proliferation of new connective tissue.

A local anesthetic makes the injection relatively painless. The inflammation caused by prolotherapy can cause temporary discomfort in the area, but the inflammation caused is generally controlled and does not last long. Most patients need 3 to 10 sessions to build enough tissue to restore ligament and tendon strength.

The downside of prolotherapy is that it is generally not covered by insurance - yet. The criteria for valid scientific study are rigid and have not yet been met by studies of prolotherapy. There is, however, substantial experiential evidence to support the treatment's efficacy. See http://www.dailystrength.org/treatments/Prolotherapy to read what recipients of prolotherapy have to say about it. Each session can cost $250 or more, depending on the joint that needs healing and the specialist you see. While the cost adds up over 10 sessions, it still pales in comparison to that of surgery.

If you think you've tried everything to heal back pain, remember that the field of treatment is vast. Educate yourself on all of your options for back pain management. Prolotherapy may be the overlooked form of treatment that can resolve the source of your back pain.

How to Get Pain Relief for Spinal Stenosis Without Drugs or Surgery

spinal stenosis

The human backbone (spine) is a very complex biological structure. The spine is composed of 26 bone discs that are called "vertebrae". The complex mechanisms and structures of the spinal column allow us to bend forward, backwards, and side to side. Additionally, the spine carries an electrical system called "nerves" that transmit complex electrochemical messages to our organs, muscles, other skeleton bone structures (arms, hands, feet), and it is all wired back into the brain, our biological computer system.

There are a wide variety of injuries and ailments that can affect the proper functioning of the spine. Infections, injuries, and tumors can lead to different spinal problems, such as spinal stenosis, a herniated disc, arthritis, scoliosis, compression fractures, and many others. In this article, we will focus on a single spinal injury, spinal stenosis, and how the pain from this condition may be improved by chiropractic care.

What is spinal stenosis?

In its simplest definition, spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal column which puts pressure on the spinal nerves. Spinal stenosis mainly affects those over the age of 50 and the elderly population in general.

As some people age, the spinal joints become arthritic and form bone spurs. The ligaments thicken, and the discs may collapse and protrude into the spinal canal. Since there is a limited amount of room within the spinal canal, these intrusions put pressure on the nerves. As a consequence, there is often back and leg pain, which can be made worse by standing or walking.

Symptoms of spinal stenosis are varied and may include pain in the neck or back, pain in the legs and arms, numbness, weakness, or foot problems. Traditional allopathic medical treatment involves surgery, medications, braces, and physical therapy.

In some of the most severe cases, medication is not sufficient to relieve pain, and epidural steroid injections are used to suppress the nerve-pain impulses. When even steroid injections don't work, surgical decompression may be recommended. Both of these treatments are invasive and potentially dangerous. This is why chiropractic treatment of spinal stenosis may be a better option.

Since the main cause of pain in spinal stenosis is the compression and narrowing of the spinal canal pressing in on the nerves, effective chiropractic treatment would involve manipulating the spine to open up the canals to allow for a natural increased blood flow and less pressure on the nerves. Special spinal decompression manipulation techniques are employed by the skilled chiropractor to relieve pressure on nerves and blood vessels.

Additionally an advanced technique called non-surgical spinal decompression therapy may also be may helpful. This computerized treatment produces negative pressure within the disc, which gives the patient's body an opportunity to heal naturally.

An added advantage to chiropractic treatment is its cost effectiveness and safety. The risk of injury associated with chiropractic care is exceedingly low. Many thousands of people have obtained relief from overwhelming spinal and back pain, using chiropractic treatment.

In fact, there are many reported instances of people with spinal stenosis, who after repeated failures with traditional therapies, finally found pain relief when they discovered chiropractic treatment for spinal stenosis!

Chiropractors Offer Modern Pain Management Treatment Options

spinal stenosis

Chiropractor treatment has expanded in the past 15 years dramatically. Decades ago, chiropractic treatment consisted mainly of spinal manipulations and a few exercises along with maybe some weight loss treatment. That is no longer the case by an exponential amount as multiple additional treatment are now being offered by chiropractors.

Chiropractors receive considerable education after college that it's actually four years just like medical school. They receive a very good education on the musculoskeletal anatomy, physiology, and treatment of the problem. As with most modern medical fields, advancements in chiropractic treatment have definitely kept up with the rest of pain management.

Upon going to a modern chiropractic doctor's office, you'll often see a significant amount of electronic equipment. This includes a spinal decompression therapy machine, which is a technology involving computerized intermittent traction that can effectively relieve back pain, neck pain, or arm and leg pain. This has revolutionized the treatment of degenerative disease, sciatica, spinal stenosis, and facet arthritis along with ruptured or bulging discs.

Another piece of treatment equipment you may see is electrical simulation and ultrasound. These devices are great for helping patients get better and involve laying on the table and having foam pads placed over the painful area. Then electrical stimulation is administered through the skin in order to alter the way that pain is perceived by the brain and is designed to tire out the muscles that are being treated in order to relieve pain. Ultrasound can help decrease inflammation along with pushing steroid medication from the skin a couple centimeters into the soft tissues acting as an intense anti-inflammatory medication.

Additional equipment that you may see in a chiropractic office might look exactly like physical therapy equipment. The reason is that a lot of chiropractors are trained in physical rehabilitation, which is the same exercises involved in physical therapy except being performed by the chiropractor. This can work exceptionally well for low back and neck pain and along with the other treatments now being offered. This explains why chiropractic treatment is over 85% effective in the US.

At any one point in time, over 10% of Americans are under the care of a chiropractic clinic. Based on the continually modern treatments being added to the profession, one can easily see why. Chiropractors in the US do not prescribe medications, yet the success rate for effectiveness in pain management is very high. The reason that these treatments along with spinal manipulation are great, and provide patients with the pain relief needed to increase their functional abilities.

L4, L5, S1 Low Back Pain - Meet Your Psoas Muscle

spinal stenosis

Low back pain that is characterized by pain in the L4, L5, S1 region means that you need to have your psoas muscle lengthened. The psoas muscle attaches from the lumbar area (i.e., L4, L5, S1) to the upper thigh region. The psoas muscle is easily susceptible to contraction. When it gets shortened, it creates pressure on the discs in the L4, L5, S1 area, causing low back pain. Few people know about the effect of the psoas muscle on low back pain. And fewer people know how to lengthen the psoas when it becomes contracted. The best method is through Active Isolated Stretching therapy (also known as AIS).

The psoas muscle lies deep inside the stomach, so it is the flip side of the low back region. Is attaches at numerous points along the spinal column, over twenty-six locations. Sitting for long periods of time and doing full sit-ups are common reasons for the psoas to tighten. Modern society requires humans to sit most of the day, which is why low back pain is so prevalent. Tightness in the psoas muscle is not the only reason why people experience low back pain. But it is almost always a principle factor.

When a person undergoes Active Isolated Stretching treatment, a therapist helps the client to stretch the psoas muscle. This involves a client leaning on a massage table and the therapist pulling the leg away from the torso. This AIS technique properly lengthens the psoas muscle without risking injury to the discs of the low back. Opening the psoas muscle will radically improve low back pain; it is necessary but not the entirety of solving low back pain.

Other methods unsuccessfully try to address psoas tightness. Some massage therapy techniques try to manually lengthen the psoas muscle by pushing the hands deep into the stomach and trying to massage the muscle. This technique fails because the psoas is too deep inside the stomach to reach manually. And even if it can be touched, the psoas has too many attachment points along the vertebrae that need to be released. Its impossible to adequately lengthen the psoas muscle through massage techniques.

Back surgery is another option for low back pain in the L4, L5, S1 region. In some cases, a surgeon will shave off part of the disc that is herniating/bulging/degenerating. The disc is the cushion that lies in between the vertebrae (sections of the spinal column). The reasoning for shaving off the disc is that the protrusion is pushing into the nerve and causing low back pain. This procedure is regarded as minimally invasive back surgery. A more aggressive surgery involves removing the disc entirely and fusing the vertebrae together. This procedure is known as spinal fusion.

In either case, the issue that is being ignored is why is the disc being negatively affected? What is causing the disc in the low back to bulge, herniate, or degenerate? Part of the answer is contraction of the psoas muscle. Tightness in the psoas muscle is squeezing the vertebrae together. The excessive force is causing the discs around L4, L5, or S1 to spill out of normal position or wear down.

The approach in Active Isolated Stretching is to get to the root cause of low back pain. If the psoas muscle and numerous accompanying muscles can be restored back to normal length then the discs in the low back can return to normal position. Herniation can slide back inside when the excessive squeezing is terminated. The body can repair its own problems when the critical muscles are balanced. Even physicians emphasize investigating every option before considering back surgery. Active Isolated Stretching therapy is the safe/effective method that needs exploration.

Spine - Laser Spine Surgery in India at Low Cost

spinal stenosis

A laser spine surgery is a minimally invasive procedure for performing laser surgeries of the spine. With these minimally invasive procedures the blood loss is minimum and the surgical incisions made is also small.

The associated pain and the recovery period is also less for such laser spine surgery. Laser spine surgeries are used to treat disorders like failed back syndrome, radiculopathy, sciatica, foraminal stenosis, arthritis and nerve entrapment syndromes.

Usually a laser spine surgery is done with local anesthesia or a mild sedation. Techniques like microscopic, endoscopic, and arthroscopic are used in these surgeries. During the procedure, a thin needle is inserted into the herniated disc under x-ray guidance. An optical fiber is inserted through the needle and laser energy is sent through the fiber, vaporizing a tiny portion of the disc nucleus. This creates a partial vacuum, which draws the herniation away from the nerve root, thereby relieving the pain. The effect usually is immediate. Patients get off the table with just a small adhesive bandage and return home for 24 hours of bed rest.

When considering undergoing spine surgery there are a few choices out there are as under :

Foraminotomy : A foraminotomy is a laser spine surgery used to relieve certain specific spinal conditions. It uses an arthroscopic approach to open the foramen without any need of general anesthesia.

Laminotomy : laminotomy uses an arthroscopic approach to opening the spinal canal for laser spine surgery. With no need for general anesthesia laser spine surgery can be performed in an outpatient surgical setting.

Endoscopic Disectomy : When Herniated disc or bulging disc material presses on a nerve root or directly on the spinal cord, laser spine surgery can be performed to remove the portion on the disc that is causing pain.

About 70 to 90% of patients get what they term as "good to excellent" relief. This compares to conventional surgery where most get 50 to 70% "good to excellent" results.

Advantages of Laser Spine Surgery:

o Minimally invasive
o No cutting
o No scarring
o No general anesthesia
o No hospital stay
o Short recovery period
o Costs 1/3 to 1/2 of conventional surgery

Except above India has become a global center of excellence in spine surgery including lazer spine surgery, best spine surgery hospital, innovative lazer technique, top class medical expertise at an attractive price.

Due to all these,the cost of spine surgery in India is less and saves you 60- 75% of your hard earned money. It costs only 25% of the price quoted in America.

Do You Have Lower Back Pain?

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The back pain is on the rise due the lifestyles we are living in. The back pain affects about 90% of Americans in their life at some point. But that is a matter of time as the pain resolves on its own after a few days to weeks. There are other back pains that do not resolve but becomes lifelong pains. The former is called acute back pain while the latter one is chronic back pain. The pain can be of the upper or the lower region of the back.

SYMPTOMS OF LOWER BACK PAIN
The warning signs that indicate the presence of back pain and there severity depends on the type of conditions that causes it, but essentially the symptoms are similar. Persistent back pain that more often has been present for than a few days. Back pain that wakes the person at night is indicative of the disorder. The pain makes the control of the bowel or bladder difficult in many instances. Presence of a fever, chills, sweats, or other signs of infection or any other unusual symptoms also warns of a back strain or disorder. The lower limbs are also affected by the lower back pain as the pain sensations radiate in many cases down the leg. Pain may worsen while bending the back.

CAUSES
There are many causes of the back pains we often experience. The short term or acute back pain is usually caused by arthritis or injured lower back structures. The pain of chronic nature is usually caused by the inflamed joints, muscles or ligaments of the back region. More often the pain is due the person's lifestyle. Poor posture, obesity, lifting anything the wrong way, sitting or standing in the same posture for a long time can also be the causes. Other factors include physical and mental stress on the person.

Many diseases can also cause severe back pain. Herniated disc, sciatic nerve compression or spinal stenosis may also be the cause of severe backaches as the symptoms of these disorders are generally associated with back pain.

TREATMENT APPROACHES
The treatment of these pains is usually available as over-the-counter (OTC) medications. In many cases the physicians prescribe the drugs for specific conditions as well. The basic function is to relieve pain and reduction of the severity of inflammation. The medications that are used for the treatment of back pains are available as Pain relievers, Muscle relaxants and steroidal medications. In some cases it also requires Physical therapy or even Surgery in severe conditions.

There are many pain killers or pain relievers that are used for back aches. The most common OTC pain killers available are aspirin and acetaminophen (Tylenol) from the NSAIDs. The most popular of these is aspirin as it can reduce both the inflammation and relieves the associated pain. It is easily available under a variety of brand names. It should however be checked for safety in cases of allergy, stomach ulcers or when used in children due to risks of aspirin use in such cases. Acetaminophen is a safe drug in this aspect. However it is associated with risks for patients suffering from liver disorders where it can harm the liver as well as the kidneys.

Other important nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that relieve pain as well as inflammation, which are more commonly used include; Diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), Flurbiprofen (Ansaid), Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Indomethacin (Indocin), Ketoprofen (Actron), Naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprelan, Naprosyn), Piroxicam (Feldene), The less common NSAIDs for this purpose include Diflunisal (Dolobid), Etodolac (Lodine), Meclofenamate (Meclomen), Nabumetone (Relafen), Orudis, Oruvail, Oxaprozin (Daypro), Phenylbutazone, Salsalate (Disalcid), Sulindac (Clinoril) and Tolmetin (Tolectin).

Muscle relaxants
These are centrally acting drugs that are usually prescribed for back ache relief when the muscle spasm is contributing to the pain.

These are available as prescription only medicines in the USA but some are available in Canada without a prescription. Most are available in tablet forms and are prescribed usually along with rest, exercise, physical therapy, or other treatments. Only methocarbamol (Robaxin) is available in both tablet and injectable forms. It is important to note that these muscle relaxing drugs should never be considered as a substitute for the other more important forms of treatment. Carisoprodol (Soma), Chlorzoxazone (Parafon Forte DSC), Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), Methocarbamol (Robaxin)

Steroids
In some severe cases the steroids are given as epidural injections to ease the pain. These cases include Herniated disc, sciatic nerve compression or spinal stenosis which involve the nerve compressions where steroids are effective. The effects are temporary but are beneficial to patients of acute episodes of back or leg pain. This also helps in the rehabilitation of the patient by relieving pain.

Physical therapy
Physical therapy may be prescribed by your doctor, which is very effective in healing the pain. This therapy includes;For 20 minutes, 3 or 4 times a day during the first few days of a muscle sprain or spasm the effected person should use ice packs on his back. A hot bath or heating pad can help reduce pain and stiffness of the back muscles as well. Maintain good posture to keep your body's weight aligned and reduce stress on the back muscles thus causing pain relief. For the prevention of future problems weight loss is important. Avoid lifting heavy objects and repeated bending and twisting. Change positions often during the day and use a chair with good lower back support. It should also be noted that if the back pain is not relieved in 3 days by any of the treatments it is better to consult the health care provider.

Surgery
Fewer than 1 in 100 people ever require surgery for back pain.

Generally it is considered after months of an ineffective treatment by the physician but rarely used for this purpose. Surgery is an option in the case of a proven herniated disc that is causing the pain. Treating a herniated disc involves decompressing the nerve in the back that is causing the pain. If herniated disc is causing the pain surgery is an option in that case only which involves decompressing the nerve in the back. Tr aumatic conditions such as fractures of the spine, dislocations, painful spondylolisthesis where one vertebra slips forward on the one beneath it, neurological deficits caused by nerve compression or instability are the rare cases that requires surgery

PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Some tips to maintain a healthy back and avoid causes of low back pain are given below:
Lift an object only by bending your knees and squatting to pick up the object. Always keeping the back straight and holding the object close to the body. By avoiding twists on the body while lifting anything the pain can be prevented. Rather than pulling when moving heavy objects it is always better to push them to avoid any strain on the back muscles.

By stopping or taking intervals while driving a car or truck for long hours. By sitting at a desk the pain is avoided by sitting on a chair that has a good support for the spine. By wearing flat shoes or shoes with low heels (1 inch or lower) to provide a straight stature to the body. An inactive lifestyle contributes to low back pain thus exercising regularly is important. Maintenance of weight is also very important, by putting down the weight the stress on the lower back is reduced.

When the back hurts, the best position for relief is to lie on the back on the floor with pillows under knees, with hips and knees bent and feet on a chair or just with hips and knees bent. This takes the pressure and weight off the back muscles and vertebrae. Resting for 1 to 2 days on the bed can relieve the back pain. Muscles may weaken if rest is more than that and recovery is slowed down so for avoiding this a few minutes walk is recommended.

So, You Have a Herniated Disc

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Today I'm writing about herniated discs. Maybe you've heard the term before, but perhaps you don't know exactly what it means. What exactly are the symptoms of a herniated disc anyway?

What is the difference between a herniated disc and a bulging disc?

Both conditions start the same way. The discs in your spine are composed of a thick outer layer and a soft and gel-like inner layer. A bulging disc happens when there is pressure placed on the disc and the inner layer starts to cause the outer layer to bulge outward. A herniated disc occurs when the inner layer not only bulges outward, but actually pushes through the thick outer layer.

A herniated disc is much more serious than a bulging disc because the outer layer of the disc has actually ruptured. Not only is this not easily reversible, but the inner layer of your disc contains an acidic substance that can irritate surrounding tissues and cause added pain.

What causes a herniated disc?

There are quite a few things that could cause a disc to herniate. Sometimes a sudden or intense injury could result in disc herniation like a fall or other traumatic injury. But more often than not it is the result of continued or repeated stress over a period of time.

Maybe you haven't been in the habit of lifting heavy objects properly (remember that old saying: lift from the knees with ease?). Maybe you've just had bad posture for too many years without doing anything about it. Or maybe could be something else entirely. Constant pressure applied over a long period of time can eventually cause your discs to herniate.

What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?

A disc herniation may or may not put pressure on the nerves of the spine. If it does not, then you may only experience a back ache or perhaps no symptoms at all.

But more often than not, the herniation will put pressure on the spinal nerves. When this happens things like Sciatica become quite common. Sciatica is the result of pressure on the Sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down to the legs and feet. You can tell you're suffering from sciatica if you have any sort of leg, buttocks, or lower back pain. The pain could be dull or quite intense. Sometimes you may not experience pain at all, but a numbness or tingling feeling instead like if your leg was asleep.

In extreme cases the pain may become so intense that muscle weakness occurs in one or both legs. This is the result of a large amount of pressure and inflammation around your nerves.

A herniated disc is nothing to mess around with. If you're suffering from a herniated disc, then be sure to seek advice from a qualified medical professional. In most cases surgical treatment isn't necessary, but if non-surgical approaches do not help to improve your situation, surgery may be required to help you regain an acceptable quality of living.

Herniated Disc - Try Acupuncture

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If you have experimented with the more standard herniated disc treatments, and wish to try something new, it may be well worth considering the traditional Chinese therapy of acupuncture. Acupuncture is perhaps the most popular form of traditional oriental medicine, and it has proven to be quite effective for treatment of a herniated disc and the sciatic pain associated. Further to this the acupuncture can also relieve spinal stenosis, lower back pain, spine root compression, neck pain, neuropathy and other irritating and debilitating diseases.

In some cases Chinese herbs and acupuncture have been proven to be more effective, less risky and less invasive in comparison to more common forms of treatment for a herniated disc such as surgery and oral steroids. Side effects associated with drugs for treating a herniated disc is a common reason for people experimenting with acupuncture.

Acupuncture tends to be even more effective when it is utilized upon the onset of the initial symptoms of a herniated disc such as back spasms and cramps. If the condition of the herniated disc is more severe, often acupuncture will be teamed with traditional Chinese herbal remedies to assist in the recovery process. Further to this the longer lasting effects of acupuncture are realized through combining the treatment with physical therapy and exercises. When acupuncture is delivered correctly there can also be additional benefits for the patient- such as an improvement in mood and less fatigue.

It is very important for one's recommended doctor or physician to assess the degree of damage involved in the herniated disc and associated sciatica pain, before considering acupuncture as an effective treatment for the herniated disc.

It is a frightening statistic that more than half of the US adult population experience or are affected by sciatica pain. It is that burning pain from the lower back down to the feet caused by the compression of the sciatic nerve resulting in most instances in a herniated disc. The normal reaction for sufferers of a herniated disc and sciatic pain is too improve the posture and walk and site more upright. This however can increase the pressure on the problem area, resulting in further discomfort. It is quite common that, with age and poor nutrition, the back bone and its muscles and other essential body parts deteriorate and breakdown, and factors like overexertion, accidents, diseases, and bad posture all result in back problems.

Acupuncture as a herniated disc treatment when performed as early as possible has been shown to rapidly improve recovery time and ease sciatica pain significantly. Research has shown that the acupuncture stimulates the damaged area of the spine creating naturally occurring steroids encouraging it to repair and producing valuably endorphins in the body. In this natural way the swelling is minimized and the pain of the herniated disc is eased. This dual effect from the acupuncture is why is can be so effective

The benefits of acupuncture often vary from patient to patient and are also very dependent on the person administering the acupuncture. Always seek you doctor or physician's advice before getting acupuncture treatment for a herniated disc and sciatica pain. Acupuncture is certainly a far more positive option for treating a herniated disc than surgery and more serious oral steroids.

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction and Your Ligaments

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The sacroiliac (SI) joints in the lower back can suffer a condition known as SI joint dysfunction. While there are a few causes of this condition, they usually involve damage to the ligaments surrounding the joint.

SI joint dysfunction is characterized by hyper- or hypomobility of the joint. Hypermobility is more common. The SI joint is stabilized by an intricate network of strong ligaments and the deep muscles of the core group. The joints are located where the ilia, or large pelvic bones, meet the sacrum, the triangular bone at the base of the spine above the tailbone, on each side of the body. It is common for only one joint to be affected, and pelvic height discrepancy is usually involved.

The SI joint can become unstable when the ligaments that support it are either too stiff or too lax, with laxity being the most common. Ligaments can be torn or strained in a number of ways: falling, lifting improperly, prolonged poor posture, or a botched chiropractic session, since improper twisting can tear ligaments.

When a ligament that supports an SI joint is torn, it no longer holds the joint in its proper position. It is meant to move very little, between only 1 and 3 degrees. Any increase in movement creates pelvic and spinal instability, since the SI joint connects the spine to the lower body. If the joint is unable to transfer forces to the lower body and absorb shock from the upper body, the pain associated with SI joint dysfunction results.

SI joint pain is often centered on the injured joint itself in the lower back slightly off the mid-line. The pain can radiate throughout the buttock and into the thigh, and sometimes wraps around the hip and affects the groin.

While hypomobile SI joints benefit from mobilizing techniques like chiropractic manipulation, hypermobile joints need to be stabilized. The general treatment plan for a torn ligament is to refrain from straining it further by ceasing activities that stress it.

Resting the SI joint is extremely difficult; it is used in nearly every motion of the body, since it is connected to the spine and pelvis. The time it takes ligaments to heal - sometimes months - is also a concern, because bed rest that lasts beyond 2 days is detrimental to health. Muscles in the area need to be conditioned to help support the joint and inflammation must be reduced, all without aggravating the damaged ligament.

This is a difficult balance to strike, and the reason why SI joint dysfunction is notoriously difficult to treat. It is not impossible, however. During the beginning phase of treating a torn SI ligament, ice is recommended to decrease painful inflammation in the affected area. When a body part is injured, the brain responds by sending a cascade of fluids with materials to the site to both facilitate healing and prevent the perceived threat from spreading to the rest of the body. While the idea is to block off the unhealthy from the healthy, the inflammatory response is often counterproductive when it comes to injured body parts. The blockade formed prevents fresh blood and nutrients from getting to the area, creates painful swelling and can cause damage to surrounding tissues. Ice constricts blood vessels, limiting the amount of inflammatory materials that enter the area.

The second phase of treatment involves both limiting mobility by stabilizing ligaments and strengthening muscles that support its natural position. An SI joint belt, such as the one found at http://www.activeortho.com/si_belt_for_sacroiliac_pain.html, compresses the joint to limit mobility and provide support. This belt can greatly assist the first and second phases of treatment.

Once the ligament is healed, it is a good idea to condition the deep core muscles in the stomach, pelvis, lower back and buttocks to ensure that the joint continues to be properly supported. A physical therapist should be consulted to guide you through exercises that will not overstress your ligaments.

If these conservative treatments fail, it is possible that ligament-stiffening injections or fusion surgery will be recommended. These procedures are rare and best avoided, since the first is a temporary fix and the second may cause more harm than good.

For more information on SI joint dysfunction and a self-evaluation survey, see http://www.sidysfunction.com/generalinfo.php.

What Are The Signs Regarding Pinched Nerve Neck Pain?

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Typical indicators associated with pinched nerve neck pain consist of neck anguish (chronic or considerably less significant) and even soreness traveling straight down the neck and forearms or sometimes even as far down to the fingers. The explanation why people go through neck anguish is actually due to the fact your nerves, cellular matrix that are dedicated to transmitting signals across your overall body end up being damaged.

Pinched nerve neck pain: So how exactly does it take place?

You can damage, injure, or "crunch" a nerve in a wide variety of avenues: widening the entire nerve, stifling it, along with compressing are several. Nerve pain in the neck can come about out of improper growths in your neck that happen caused by arthritis or any kind of degenerative ailment which usually stores force on the nerves from the neck. You might have problems with neck anguish as a result of spinal stenosis, a condition that causes the open area linking an individual's neck and spinal vertebrae to narrow. Spinal stenosis delivers elevated burden to nerves. Herniated disks also are a reason for pinched nerve pain when it comes to those cases, disks may "glide out of position". Carpal tunnel is likewise an underlying cause associated with nerve pain, as that area that all fingertips tendons and even nerves enter by means of the hands is a bottleneck area.

When you experience neck aches, talk to a chiropractic practitioner for treatment options. Common pinched nerve neck signs and symptoms contain numbness in the hands and also legs, lower back fits, pain, stinging, or hot/cold sensations.

Have you been suffering from ache stemming through your neck?

You truly feel weaker?

Do you come to feel a numbing, painful, or perhaps burning up discomfort within your neck?

Does the aching stretch beyond your neck?

Treating Your Herniated Disc Pain Without Invasive Surgery

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Patients suffering from chronic back pain due to a herniated disc usually try a succession of recommended and prescribed remedies to help ease their comfort. Because of major advancements in medical technology, now those suffering from this common problem no longer have to live with that pain.

Patients diagnosed with a herniated disc may have pain in the back, leg, neck or arm, or a weakness of the lower extremity muscles. When a disc herniation occurs, the cushion that sits between the spinal vertebrae is pushed outside its normal position. A herniated disc would not be a problem if it weren't for the spinal nerves that are very close to the edge of these spinal discs.

Causes of Herniated Discs

A herniated disc may occur suddenly in an event such as a fall or an accident, or may occur gradually with repetitive straining of the spine. However, disc material degenerates naturally as you age, and the ligaments that hold it in place begin to weaken. As this degeneration progresses, a relatively minor strain or twisting movement can cause a disc to rupture.

Certain individuals may be more vulnerable to disc problems, and as a result may suffer herniated discs in several places along the spine. Research has shown that a predisposition for herniated discs may exist in families, with several members affected.

Symptoms

Symptoms vary greatly depending on the position of the herniated disc and the size of the herniation. If the herniated disc is not pressing on a nerve, the result may be a low backache or no pain at all. If it is pressing on a nerve, there may be pain, numbness, or weakness in the area of the body to which the nerve travels. Typically, a herniated disc is preceded by an episode of low back pain or a long history of intermittent episodes of low back pain.

Herniated discs are most common in the lumbar spine--the part of your backbone between the bottom of your ribs and your hips. Symptoms include:

· Severe low back pain

· Pain radiating to the buttocks, legs, and feet

· Pain made worse with coughing, straining, or laughing

· Tingling or numbness in legs or feet

· Muscle weakness or atrophy in later stages

· Problems with bowel and bladder

· Muscle spasm

Herniated cervical discs are far less common than lumbar disc herniation because there is substantially less pressure placed across this part of the spine. Symptoms of a herniated cervical disc include:

· Neck pain, especially in the back and sides

· Deep pain near or over the shoulder blades on the affected side

· Pain radiating to the shoulder, upper arm, forearm, and rarely the hand, fingers or chest

· Pain made worse with coughing, straining, or laughing

· Increased pain when bending the neck or turning head to the side

· Spasm of the neck muscles

· Arm muscle weakness

Treatment for Herniated Discs

Fortunately, the majority of herniated discs do not require surgery. However, a very small percentage of people with herniated, degenerated discs may experience symptomatic or severe and incapacitating pain that significantly affects their daily life.

The initial treatment for a herniated disc is usually conservative and nonsurgical. Your doctor may prescribe bed rest, or advise you to maintain a low, painless activity level for a few days to several weeks. This helps the spinal nerve inflammation to decrease.

Traditional conservative treatments include ice, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, cortisone injections, anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy. While these may deliver some relief, it will usually be only temporary.

But the major concern with these traditional treatments is that they cannot fix or heal a herniated disc as they do not address the actual cause of the problem.

Individuals who undergo a series of open back surgeries or fusion surgeries for herniated disc pain experience a lower level of pain relief. Up to 30% of those who undergo surgery have unsatisfactory results, as stated in a Practice Guideline developed for the Aerospace Medical Association by the American Society of Aerospace Medicine Specialists. Herniated disc open or fusion surgery is an involved procedure whose high failure rate can produce more pain than relief.

New Technology Speeds Return to Active Lifestyle

With advances in science and technology, there are alternatives to open or fusion spine surgeries. A proven alternative for helping to alleviate the pain of a herniated disc is The Bonati Procedures(sm).

The Bonati Procedures are advanced spine surgeries developed and perfected by The Bonati Institute®. The procedures employ the smallest incision possible to correct problems of the lumbar, cervical and thoracic spine with patented instrumentation and methods. The Bonati Procedures are performed sequentially as outpatient surgeries with the patient under local anesthesia and alert and able to communicate with the surgeon throughout the procedure. The result of this approach is far less trauma to the muscles and tissues, minimal blood loss and faster recovery. The Bonati Procedures are performed only at The Bonati Institute.

Consider all options

Before you agree to undergo any back surgery, consider getting a second opinion from a qualified spine specialist.

Bulging Disc - Lower Back Treatments That Are Easy and Enjoyable

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Bulging discs are really inter-vertebral plates which have been torn and have bulged into the vertebral column causing friction with the nerves and symptoms of pain in the lower back and upper legs. These conditions are mostly temporary, rarely ever requiring extended medication or surgical operations to cure them. Most of the time the right kind of exercise can help the body clean up the mess in the spinal column.

The purpose of all the exercises for bulging disc treatment is to flush out the substances that are clogging up the nerve canal and irritating the nerves. The majority of these exercises will involve stretching the spine. Here are a few of them:

1. Lying with your back flat on the floor, fold in your knees without raising your feet off the floor, until your pelvis arches upwards and your back completely flattens. Hold in that position while counting to 5. Return to the starting position. Now stretch out the knees by putting pressure on your feet. This should arch the pelvis downwards. Count to five and return to the original positions. Repeat the cycle.


2. With the "bulging" side of your spine facing the room, lean against a wall sideways with your shoulder and upper arm. Then slowly swing the pelvis towards the wall. This squeezes the side of your body with the bulge and helps to remove the clogged material on that side of the spine. The farther away the hip is from the wall, the more squeeze you will be giving it.


3. Get a big ball made of durable plastic and inflate it just enough for you to be able to sit on it. Then gently bounce your buttocks on the ball for 2 minutes. This routine also helps in flushing out harmful debris from within your spine and it affects the entire spine, not just the lower back.

The right kind of exercise can cure you of your bulging disk because nature just needs some help to do that herself.

You've Tried Alternative Neuropathy Treatments, Why Didn't They Work For You?

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You've tried alternative neuropathy treatments that seem to work for everyone else, why didn't they work for you?

It seems like everyday you hear about a new treatment for neuropathy. Someone knows someone who did ABC for six weeks and their idiopathic neuropathy was virtually cured. Just do an internet search for "neuropathy treatments" and you'll receive thousands of hits, with literally tens of thousands of cases where patients suffering from various types of neuropathy have been helped. Why haven't you found help, you wonder?

After trying so often and failing to find relief from neuropathy pain, you might think those patients didn't have "real neuropathy" like you.

If you think that, you probably are correct, more often than not. I've read many of the testimonials on the internet and as a doctor trained in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases like neuropathy, I have serious doubts about the validity of most of the claims. I treat patients suffering from neuropathy on a daily basis. Neuropathy is one tough disease to treat with few, if any, viable traditional medical treatment approaches. But don't get completely discouraged, I can tell you from experience that patients can and do find substantial relief from their burning, painful neuropathy. First, I am going to share with you a couple of cases from my office. Then I am going to tell you how to find an effective neuropathy treatment program that is right for you. Right about now, you are probably thinking that you have heard this story before and wondering what makes my case studies different from the testimonials plastered all over the Internet. What makes me and what I'm about to tell you different from all the other neuropathy stories your read about?

It's a legitimate question! First off, I'm a real doctor treating real neuropathy patients in the real world. Look me up. Second I have authentic education and training in diseases of the nervous system, like neuropathy. Finally, I have published and presented the results my neuropathy patients obtain in scientific peer-reviewed venues. So I won't call my results, testimonials, I'll call them legitimate medical case studies. There are life changing neuropathy treatments out there for you, but you need to know how to find them and apply them to obtain credible relief. Consider the following actual neuropathy medical case studies from my office files.

Cookie is a really sharp 68 year old lady who unfortunately suffers from a serious lung disease. The medications that she needs to manage her many health problems left her with severe neuropathy. She was walking-the-floors at night unable to sleep because of the burning pain in her feet. All of the standard medications used for neuropathy had failed her.. She, like most of our neuropathy patients, heard about our great results. And like virtually every other neuropathy patient we treat, she was highly skeptical and not very hopeful. But Cookie was in luck. See she came for an evaluation of her neuropathy right at the time we starting to implement some advanced neuropathy testing. While I was presenting the results of my neuropathy techniques at Johns Hopkins, I was introduced to a company that developed some really promising urine analysis tests. This special urinalysis could provide information on the chemistry of the brain and spinal cord by measuring chemicals, called neurotransmitters in the urine. Then in patients suffering from neurological conditions like neuropathy, specific treatments can be formulated based on the test results for that patient. Cookie was one of our first neuropathy patients to be treated based on these test results. And she responded wonderfully. The neuropathy pain that she had for nine years kept her wandering the floors at night in agonizing pain, was gone within two months. She did so much better after our neuropathy treatment that many of her other medical conditions improved as well. Cookie's results showed us that effective neuropathy treatment must be based on urinalysis testing. Basing neuropathy treatment on these neurotransmitter test results has taken our already excellent results to a whole new level.

Some patients develop severe peripheral neuropathy as a result of the medications used to treat infectious diseases, Glenda was one of them. She became addicted to the pain medications her doctors prescribed to her. Glenda had a job that required a security clearance, because she required pain medications, she had to quit her job. We tested Glenda's urinary neurotransmitters. Between the neuropathy and her pain medications, they were a mess. We were able to specifically develop a nutritional protocol for Glenda, tailor a treatment plan that included laser therapy and acupuncture, all based on her specific neurotransmitter profiles. The results? No pain, no need for pain medications, she got her job and her life back.

Knowing what nutrients are needed, which ones may be overkill, monitoring the changes in the nervous system in response to various treatments is finally made possible by these simple tests. So to answer the question, how do you find a neuropathy treatment that will work for your neuropathy symptoms? The answer is first find out how your neuropathy has changed your body, then tailor a program to restore your body. Test the neurotransmitters. Specifically treat the imbalances.

Note: The author has no financial interest in Neuroscience or its testing services.

Best Beds and Mattresses for Back Pain

spinal stenosis

Beds and mattresses play a very important role in the keeping your back in good shape. After a day full of twists and turns, and bending and straightening, your back requires good rest. Beds and mattresses that do not support the back properly can add to the back strain, besides, affecting the quality of sleep.

You can find a large variety of beds and mattresses on the market. Selecting the right kind is a matter of choice, but for patients of back pain, it is necessary that they follow the guidelines given below.

Selecting the Best Beds and Mattresses

It is important for people suffering from back pain to opt for beds and mattresses that support their back and not put it under additional stress or strain. Not much research has been done on the type of beds and mattresses required for patients with back pain. However, it is seen that adjustable beds suit people with back pain better. The angle of inclination can be adjusted to a position where the patient feels most comfortable. Patients suffering from degenerative spondylolisthesis do benefit from an inclined bed with support under the knees. They can tuck in enough pillows or cushions under the knees and adjust the angle of inclination to provide comfort to the painful back. The mattress should be neither too hard nor soft. A firm mattress will provide the support needed for a bad back.

Patients with an osteoarthritic spine stand to benefit from adjustable beds and mattress that are supportive. It is important for such patients to wake up with a relaxed back, since people suffering from osteoarthritic spine normally get up from bed with a very stiff spine.

Normal beds and mattresses for patients with spinal stenosis tend to deteriorate their condition further. Such people are more comfortable bending forward than keeping their back upright. As such, flat beds and mattresses are not suitable for their condition. An adjustable bed can be inclined at an angle that stimulates a forward bending position. A firm mattress will support the spinal stenosis back well.

Herniated Disc, Leg Pain and Chiropractic

spinal stenosis

Pain going down your leg secondary to a herniated disc is a common and often disabling occurrence. A disc in your spine is composed of 2 simple elements, the inner nucleus pulposis that is a jellylike in composition and the outer annulus fibrosis that is fibro-cartilaginous and very strong. When a individual feels trauma and the forces are directed at the spine and disc, it increases the pressure on the inside of the disc (like stepping on a balloon) and the inner nucleus pulposis puts pressure, from the inside out and tears the outer annulus fibrosis causing the inner material to go outside the outer boundaries of the disc. This has often been misnamed a "Slipped Disc" Since the disc doesn'T slip or slide, it is torn from the trauma allowing the internal material to leak.

Conversely, a bulging disc, which gets confused with a herniated disc, is a degenerative,Wear and tear scenario. That occurs over time with the annulus fibrosis degenerating. This can also be a Risk factor. Allowing the disc to herniate with fewer trauma due to the degeneration or thinning of the disc walls. This however, is a conversation for a further topic

Life span prevalence of a herniated disc has been estimated to be 35% in men and 45% in woman and it has been estimated that 90% of all leg pain secondary to herniated discs happens at either L4-5 or the L5-S1 levels. It has also been reported that average duration of symptoms is 55.9 weeks underscoring the critical requisite for finding a viable solution for these patients. [1]

Although many of these are surgical candidates, it has been estimated that only 2-4% have actual surgical indications. [2] Therefore, nearly all patients need to be treated non-surgically and until recently, there have been a small amount of metrics affording guidance to the healthcare profession and public alike directing them to the appropriate care. In a 2009 study report, ending a 2 year study, a clear direction is now presented for patients that suffer with radiating pain from herniated discs.

The effects of the study illustrate that as a result of non surgical spinal decompression and chiropractic care,?Clinically significant progress in pain magnitude was seen in 73.9% of patients and overall in 80% of the patients, they self-described their results as either good or excellent. [3]

Chiropractic and non-surgical spinal decompression therapy protocols were utilized 2-3 times per week tapering down to 2 times per week and less until the patients were released from care.

The reports go on to state that there were no chief complications with any patient.

The results of the study referenced above also recommend that patients with cervical radiculopathy (neck pain radiating in to the arms,) lumbar spinal stenosis, pregnancy correlated lumbo-pelvic pain and chronic occupation related neck-arm pain may also benefit from non-surgical such as chiropractic care.

This study without a doubt shows that chiropractic is not only an alternative for disc associated radiating pain, but would be the most sensible place to start care with 80% of the patients getting well and not being exposed to drugs, their side effects or the added burden to the healthcare system with more costly treatments. The balance of the patients who would need necessary drugs or more complicated intervention is referred to the appropriate specialist as is the standard of care within chiropractic.

This study along with many others resolves that a drug-free approach of chiropractic care is one of the best answers for disc and radiating pain.

[1] Donald Murphy DC, Eric Hurwitz DC, PhD, Erika McGovern DC, A Nonsurgical Approach to the Management of Patients with Lumbar Radiculopathy Secondary to Herniated Disk: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study with Follow Up, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Volume 32, Number 9, 723-733, 2009

[2] IBID

[3] IBID Orlando Spinal Aid Center

Benefits of Spinal Decompression Therapy

spinal stenosis

Spinal decompression therapy is a non surgical treatment for chronic lower back pain caused by degenerative disc disease, herniated disc or other deformities of the disc. This treatment is also adopted for pain in the neck, arms or legs and involves reducing the load to the spine. Spinal decompression therapy is otherwise called Vertebral Axial Decompression (VAX-D). In the early days, major surgeries were the only relief for chronic lower back pain. Now we can avoid surgeries by making use of spinal decompression therapy. This therapy has an FDA approval for lower back ailments. This treatment is adopted for treatment of conditions such as pain in the lower back, buttocks, and hip with or without numbness in the foot or leg.

Spinal decompression therapy is meant for patients suffering from back pain due to herniated disc for more than four weeks. Those having recurring back pain even after back surgery, which is more than six months old, can also make use of spinal decompression therapy.

Medical researches have supported decompression therapy as recent studies have proved it to be safer and more effective than spinal surgery. Sciatica, spondylosis, degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, soft-tissue spinal stenosis, and facet arthropathy are caused by compression of discs. Spinal decompression therapy offers the best treatment for these conditions.

A bulging or herniated disc can cause excruciating pain in the lower back portion. This can be returned to the normal condition using spinal decompression. Spinal decompression lengthens the bulging disc by placing traction. This activity helps the disc absorb the nutrients required to heal the disc. This is done by producing a negative pressure inside the disc. Thus the pain and discomfort produced by the bulging disc is eliminated.

The cost for spinal decompression therapy is only about 10% that for lumbar surgery, which makes it an economical option. It is ideal therefore to opt for spinal decompression therapy for a more effective and safer treatment involving minimum cost and in minimum time.

What Is the Cost of Back Surgery?

spinal stenosis

Keeping yourself fit is one way of taking care of your health. Health is wealth. It's very expensive to get sick nowadays. With all the prescriptions, doctor's professional fee, hospital bills, follow-up check ups these things will really be a burden in your finances especially if the insurance does not cover this kind of ailment. There are alternative medicines such as herbal medicines and therapist but these are not suitable for all ailments especially when the doctor advices you to go on a surgery. Any kind of surgery is steep; especially if it's a major surgery, for example back surgery. When we say back surgery, any surgery performed from neck down to waist or the whole spine. A spinal surgery can cost around $5,000-$300,000 depending on the condition of the patient.

Discectomy is an example of a spine surgery; it is done to those people suffering with herniated disc. This procedure is one of the cheapest. It can range from $5,000-$10,000 for the surgery alone. This does not include the other payables I mentioned earlier, doctor's fee, hospitalization and the therapy after the surgery which would cost to around a hundred dollars. Another example of a back surgery is the Laminectomy. This procedure is for Spinal Stenosis, it takes out the pressure in the spinal cord. A person suffering from spinal stenosis and had under gone laminectomy can also have the spinal fusion procedure to be stable.

Chiropractic is much cheaper than going on a surgery. This alternative medicine is often used by people who don't have insurance or their card does not cover the surgery. This procedure includes massage and physical therapy. Chiropractors are paid per session, some of them are ranging from $100-$1000 depending on the procedure needed by the patient.

Back surgery is costly and at the same time risky. This should only be done by a licensed doctor. In some parts of the world back surgery is cheaper for example in India, a lot of write ups are on the internet about this and people from all over the world. The cost of surgery is almost half the price, so people who are suffering from different back ailment fly to India and have their surgeries done there. A lot of testimonials are posted in the internet. Some say that they had their surgery in India and they fly back home and have their therapies at home.

Understanding Back Pain Causes And Treatment

spinal stenosis

Back pain affects nearly 80% of Americans and the most common form is Low Back Pain. Because you rely on your back for almost every move you make, it is vulnerable to injury. Back pain can even be disabling. It is one of the most common problems prompting a visit to your doctor and for missing work. In fact, it is the second highest cause of disability in persons under the age of 45.

Although people complain of back pain, it is not a diagnosis but rather a symptom of an underlying disorder. There are two types of back pain, acute and chronic. Acute back pain is pain with a new onset. It comes on suddenly, usually due to injury. This is the most common type of back pain. It is usually resolved in less than one month but no more than 6 weeks duration. Chronic pain is pain that can have a quick or slow onset, but it lingers for long periods of time. Although it may last three months or longer, some people experience a lifetime of chronic back pain. Chronic pain is the least common type of pain.

What Causes Back Pain?

To begin to understand the causes of back pain, we need to understand the spine. The back is made up of 33 vertebrae or bones. It is divided into 5 groups: Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar, Sacrum and Coccyx. The cervical spine (upper back or neck) consists of 7 vertebrae. The thoracic(middle back) has 12, and the lumbar spine(low back) has 5 vertebrae. The sacrum consists of 5 fused vertebrae, and the coccyx(tail bone) has 4 vertebrae fused together.

The vertebrae are held together by ligaments and muscles with discs between the vertebrae. The discs are filled with a jellylike center, allowing them to act like a shock absorber. The vertebrae link together to provide stability and support. They protect the spinal cord and spinal nerves that run through the spinal canal.

Because the neurological system is complex, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of back pain. The causes of back pain are divided into categories: Mechanical, Injuries, Acquired disorders or diseases, Infections or tumors.

Mechanical causes: These are problems with how the spine works. For example, Spondylolistesis(deterioration of the disc one vertebrae to slip forward over another, causing the vertebrae to rub together, therefore causing pain). Other mechanical problems are fractures, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, spinal degeneration and sciatica.

Injuries- This category includes common forms of back pain due to injury to the spine or the ligaments and muscles involved with the spine. Sprains, for example, result if a ligament that supports the spine is pulled or torn due to improper lifting or body mechanics, even twisting the wrong way, Fractures can occur from osteoarthritis which causes the bones to become brittle and weak. Sever injuries can result from an accident or fall.

Acquired disorders- These are medical problems that you might have been born with such as scoliosis(an abnormal curvature of the spine) to other problems that you acquired, such as arthritis(osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis) which can lead to fractures; musculoskeletal pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia, spinal stenosis (Narrowing of the spinal canal putting pressure on spine or nerves); and even pregnancy.

Infection/Tumors- Infection, although not common, can cause pain if it involves the vertebrae. Two examples of this are Osteomyelitis(infection and inflammation of the vertebrae) and Discitis(infection in the discs).Tumors, although rare, can also cause back pain. These can be benign or cancerous, but usually result from a tumor that has spread from another area of the body.

How is back pain diagnosed?

In order for your physician to discuss the proper treatment for your back pain, he will need to do a thorough medical history and physical exam. You will need to give a clear concise description of your pain. Your physician will need to know how the pain started, what you were doing when it started, how severe it is, does it come and go or is it constant, and what makes the pain better or worse. You will need to undergo some diagnostic tests. Common tests done to diagnose back pain are x-rays, bone scans, and MRI's. These diagnose problems due to bone or soft tissue injuries. Your doctor may order blood and urine tests to look for infection. If your physician feels the pain might be caused by a nerve problem, then you will have an EMG(electromyography) or nerve study. An EMG is an assessment of the electrical impulses of nerves and the response of the muscles.

How is Back Pain Treated?

The common goals of treatment are to relieve back pain and to restore mobility. Treatment varies depending on the severity and type of injury. The most common and basic treatment used for strains or minor injury is Rest. Heat can be used to promote circulation to the area and relieve spasms. Cold packs can be used to decrease the swelling in the affected area of the back. Common OTC (over the counter) medications such as Aspirin, Motrin, Tylenol, and Aleve are prescribed to help the pain and inflammation.

Long term bed rest is not usually recommended because it can make recovery slower and can ultimately cause other problems. Usually the doctor will have you gradually resume normal activities after 24-72 hours of rest. He may start you on a physical therapy program which should include heat, massage, ultrasound and an individualized exercise regimen. If the pain does not subside and it is interfering with your normal daily activities, your doctor may order prescription pain medications such as Darvocet, Vicodin, or Percocet and anti-inflammatory agents to relieve muscle spasm.

If your pain becomes chronic and all other treatments have failed, your doctor may refer you to a Back or Pain specialist. Because the back is a complex entity, specialists are more up to date on new advances in the treatment of back pain. Some treatments you might encounter are epidural nerve block (injection of anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, or steroid into the epidural space of the back for long term pain relief)and trigger point injections(injection of steroids and anesthetic into the muscle that is triggering pain.)This should also provide long term pain relief. Other medications such as antidepressants and anticonvulsants have been found to help relieve pain caused by nerve injuries.

Other types of treatment include:

Use of TENS(transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit. Electrodes are placed on 2-3 painful areas of the back and attached to a unit that provides mild electrical stimulus to the area in order to relieve pain.

Chiropractic adjustments of the back.

Acupressure or acupuncture treatments.

Relaxation and breathing techniques and stress management instruction.

Massage and basic stretching exercises to promote mobility and relieve spasm.

Yoga-and Pilates- This can help relieve pain and stress. Some Yoga postures may help relieve low back pain and help improve strength, flexibility and balance. Yoga is good for stress reduction and can help with the psychological aspects of pain.

Aquatic or water therapy- This can be very beneficial in relieving pain and improving mobility in those with chronic low back pain. There is no resistance to movement in the water, and water is soothing, comforting, and relaxing for the body.

How can Back Pain be Prevented?

Although some people say that you can't avoid injuring your back, most doctors are in agreement that the common causes of back pain can be prevented by following a few lifestyle changes:

• Exercise: You will need to consult your physician prior to starting an exercise program because there are some exercises, such as high impact aerobics and weight lifting that can make back pain worse. Other exercise, such as swimming, walking and biking can help overall health and strengthen the back. Nonetheless, exercise should not be avoided as it helps to improve overall health.

• Lumbar support belts: Some people that work jobs that do heavy lifting on a daily basis are required to wear lumbar support and undergo back training on the job to learn how to prevent lifting injuries.

• Do not wear high heels.

• Keep head up and stomach in when standing. If standing for prolonged periods of time, place one foot up on a stool and alternate your weight frequently.

• Sit in a chair with good lumbar support. Maintain good posture, sit up straight and keep both feet flat on the floor. Make a lumbar roll out of a rolled towel to place behind the low back when you drive or sit for prolonged periods of time.

• Use proper body posture when lifting. Keep objects close to your body. Keep your back straight and your head up with stomach tucked in. Don't lift objects that are too heavy. Get help when lifting awkward or heavy objects. Don't bend forward to pick something up, rather bend at the knees and lift straight up from the knees.

In conclusion, back pain can be difficult to treat but there are many options out there for you. Specialists are finding new research every day. You can take care of your back by making good lifestyle changes and eliminating or reducing the amount of stress in your life. By maintaining good posture, using proper lifting techniques, and educating yourself on how to avoid back pain, you can prevent more back injury.

The Basics Of Caudal Epidural Steroid Injections For Pain Management

spinal stenosis

Caudal Epidural Steroid injection procedures are performed to relieve low back and radiating leg pain. The steroid medication can reduce the swelling and inflammation caused by spinal conditions such as spinal stenosis, radiculopathy, sciatica, and herniated discs.

In this procedure the patient lies face down on the table and a cushion is placed underneath the stomach area for comfort and to arch the back. The pain physician then uses a fluoroscope (x-ray machine) to find the small opening at the base of the sacrum called the sacral hiatus.

A local anesthetic is then used to numb the skin and all of the soft tissues down to the surface of the sacral hiatus. The pain physician then guides a needle through that anesthetized track and into the epidural space. The needle is carefully inserted about 1 to 2 cm.

Once inside the sacral hiatus space a contrast or nonallergenic iodine base solution is injected. This solution helps the pain physician to see the diseased and painful areas using the fluoroscope. A steroid and anesthetics mix is injected into the epidural space bathing the painful area and medication. The needle is removed.

The tiny surface wounds is covered with a small band aid. In some cases it may be necessary to repeat the procedure as many as three times for the patient to feel the full benefit of the medication. However, many patients feel significant relief from only one or two injections.

If a patient has a disease process at numerous spinal levels, a caudal injection may help significantly. The reason is it can bathe numerous levels with the steroid medication giving the patient the best chance of pain relief success with a multi-level problem.