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

spinal stenosis

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

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

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

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

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

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

Basics of Spinal Stenosis

spinal stenosis

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

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

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

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

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

Get Help For Scatica - Ease The Pain Through Exercise

spinal stenosis

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

Which Exercise's for Sciatica?

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

1.Core Muscle Strengthening

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

2.Hamstring Stretches

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

3.Aerobic Exercises

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

Important Final Tips:

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

Scoliosis - Current Review of Potential Causes

spinal stenosis

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

Genetic factors + Environmental factors = Progressive Scoliosis

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. Rotational preconstraint theory

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3. Brain, nervous system, and skull concepts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6. Relative Anterior Spinal Overgrowth (RASO)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

His 6 steps has a linear causality mechanism...

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

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

8. Origin in contracture at the hips

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

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

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

9. Osteopenia- a risk factor for curve progression?

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

10. Melatonin Deficiency

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

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

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

11. Platelet Calmodulin Dysfunction

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

An In-Depth Overview of Endoscopic Spinal Surgery

spinal stenosis

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

What is Endoscopic Spinal Surgery?

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

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

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

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

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

Who is an Ideal Candidate for Endoscopic Spinal Surgery?

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

What is the Average Recovery Time After Endoscopic Spinal Surgery?

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

Are there Any Risks Involved in Endoscopic Spinal Surgery?

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

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

What are the Alternatives to Endoscopic Spinal Surgery?

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

- Arthroscopic Spine Surgery
- Laser Spine Surgery

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

Conclusion

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

Leg Numbness

spinal stenosis

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

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

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

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

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

What to Do For a Pinched Nerve

spinal stenosis

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

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

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

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

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

Oh My Aching Spine!

spinal stenosis

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What You Need To Know About Degenerative Disc Disease

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

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

Causes

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

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

Symptoms

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

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

Diagnosis and Treatment

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

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

9 Ways to Avoid Back Surgery in the 21st Century

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• 26% of those that had surgery returned to work


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sources Of That Pain In The Buttocks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Spinal Decompression - Effective Treatment of Neck and Back Pain

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

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

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

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

Two Ways To Relax Tight, Knotted Muscles

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

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

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

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

Myofascial Release

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

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

Active Stretching

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

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

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

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

The Unique Benefits of Medical Adjustable Beds

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

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

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

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

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

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

Spinal Fusion Options - Roads to Recovery

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Spinal fusion has become a very common surgical procedure in the United States over the past 10 years. There are many diagnoses that range from fractures of the spine to severe degenerative disc disease that prevent patients from being able to stand or walk are best treated with a surgical remedy. This article is intended to provide a basic review of the many spinal fusion options that are available. It is best to talk to a fellowship-trained spine surgeon who will be able to give you a complete picture of all of the devices available that are recognized for quality and reliability or to help you rule out those that are not recommended.

As the number of spinal fusions has increased, the variety of procedures and hardware alternatives that are available has also increased. It may be easier to understand why there are so many types of fusions if you consider how fractures need to be fixed with fusion. With broken bones, there is usually little question about the wisdom of providing casts or plates and screws to stabilize bones that need to be realigned or stabilized. Spinal fusion provides the same stability for the spine as is used for other fractured bones. What is a spinal fusion? Screws and rods in the spine are used to keep bones from moving as the bone graft that is placed allows the stabilized bones to form a connection across a previously mobile disc space. The growth of bone between 2 previously mobile bones is called fusion.

Standard fusion technique: Initially, fusion of the vertebral bones was done by laying bone graft between the bones, to provide a scaffolding across which the native bone cells could grow. As the patient's bone cells move across the bone graft, they are able to incorporate the bone graft into the patient's own bone structure, forming a complete connection called a fusion. Bone graft is of primary importance in allowing the vertebral bones to fuse across a previously mobile segment. Studies of patient's with fusions done with bone graft alone have shown a relatively good rate of incorporation when patients are placed in back braces for 3 months or more. Because of the inconvenience and discomfort of the bracing, pedicle screws and rods have been added to provide an internal support that obviates the need for external supports. Internal screws and rods have increased successful fusion rates, as well as allowed patients to become mobile very quickly after the spinal fusion.

Interbody fusion cages: As the skill of the surgeon's has grown when applying screws and rods to the spine, we have, in turn, looked for better ways to gain improved results. Now, we are able to put bone graft around the back of the spine, as well as into the disc spaces. With these improved grafting methods, we are able to safely access the lumbar disc from the back of the spine. Adding bone graft to the disc increases the surface area for healing and should improve the overall success rate of the spinal fusion. Interbody grafting can be done from several different approaches, as access to the disc space can be achieved from multiple directions.

XLIF: This acronym stands for extreme lateral interbody fusion. XLIF is a newer device designed to provide a carrier for bone graft and support to the disc space. It is placed through an incision on the patient's flank. By making an incision on the patient's side, the abdominal contents can be moved out of the way for a good view of the spine. Unfortunately, there are some significant nerves in the front of the spine that are very sensitive to being moved. This type of access to the spine can lead to weakness in one leg because of the sensitivity of these nerves. At this time, there are no long-term studies that demonstrate success of this procedure.

AxiaLif: This is another fusion device that has received some attention, due to its being touted as the "least invasive spine fusion". This device is placed across the lowest disc space by access from the front of the sacrum (a large, triangular bone at the base of the spine, inserted like a wedge between the two hip bones). By placing instruments through a small incision near the rectum towards the spine, the disc is accessed through a series of cannulas (hollow surgical tubes) and drills. This allows the disc material to be removed from the disc space. After the disc material is removed, bone grafting can be placed into the hole that is created. This disc space is then supported by a tapered screw placed into the bones. So far, this device has had minimal post-surgical study and is most likely best done in conjunction with standard screw and rod fusion techniques.

Flexible Rods: There has been some recent excitement around rod and screw systems that are so-called "non-fusion" fusion devices. This confusing name infers that, although the intent of the screws and rods is for the bones to not move, these devices are designed to allow some movement. As was discussed earlier in this article, fusion is the solid connection of bones that had previously moved. The idea of these flexible rods is to provide "enough" stability to allow the bones to fuse together, but not enough to change the forces in the spine. This is termed a "soft-fusion". At this point, there is no consensus as to how much or how little support is needed to achieve this goal. It is known that current screw and rod systems provide enough support to allow a fusion to occur while providing complete immobility of the vertebrae. Other than this complete connection, the amount of support less than complete immobility has not been defined and at this point is still under investigation.

Disc Replacement: Disc replacement was developed as an alternative to fusion and is suggested for those discs that have ruptured, but in which the bone structure is still good. If only the disc has gone bad, removal of the disc leaves a space that we normally fill with bone graft to promote fusion in the neck or lower back. With the development of the disc replacement, the space that is left from disc removal can be filled with a device that allows motion, rather than fusion. This is a complete reversal in the approach to disc removal; from complete immobility to complete mobility. Disc replacement is intended to maintain the motion in the spine. This reconstruction of the spine should maintain the forces across the discs in the spine to prevent the other discs from deteriorating any more rapidly than their normal degenerative process. Disc replacement in the lumbar spine has met with some success in well-selected patients. It has not been a panacea for all patients with low back pain or degenerative disc disease. Disc replacement in the cervical spine has had good success, as most neck fusions are done for bad discs with the bones being in good condition.

Improved training, including advanced specialty training in fellowship programs, as well as improved implants, has decreased most surgical procedure times to 2 hours or less. Historically, older techniques have been known to take 4-6 hours for the operation alone. By decreasing operative times, surgeons have seen decreased complications from the anesthesia, as well as decreased risks of infection and blood loss. Most surgeries under 2 hours will not require a blood transfusion.

A well-informed patient, who understands the benefits and the risks of their surgery, can fully participate in the choices that need to be made about their surgery. If you have been told that you need a spine fusion, ask questions and do your research. It is appropriate to ask your surgeon about their experience performing spinal fusions, how many of the fusion procedures they perform, how long the operation will take and the likelihood of needing a blood transfusion. Selecting a well-qualified surgeon can help ensure the best outcome for you and the success of your spinal fusion.

Pinched Nerves Cause Back Pain

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Everyone has at one time or another applied too much pressure to the "funny bone" in their elbow which is actually the ulnar nerve. This physical pressure disrupts the nerve's function causing pain, tingling, numbness or weakness from the elbow into the fingers of the hand. Too much pressure applied for too long to a nerve along the spine results in much the same sensations. Where these sensations occur naturally depends upon the pathway of the specific involved nerve as illustrated above.

Nerve pain resulting from direct physical pressure is called an entrapment neuropathy because the nerve is trapped or pinched by some structure. This term helps to distinguish them from neuropathies resulting from infection or disease where the nerve pain is more often referred to as neuritis or neuralgia.

Radiculitis / Radiculopathy

These are not specific conditions, but rather describe a nerve that is being pinched at or very near the spinal cord at the beginning or ''root'' of the nerve. Radiculitis is from Latin radiculo for root plus itis for inflammation. Radiculopathy comes from the same Latin radiculo for root plus Greek pathos for suffering. There may be slight technical differences between the two words but in truth they are often used interchangeably without clear distinction.

In a radiculitis or radiculopathy the pinch is occurring at or near the root of the nerve along the spinal cord. The most common cause of this physical pressure is a herniated or protruding spinal intervertebral disc crushing the nerve against the bone resulting in pain at that level of the spine in the neck or back, and of course, along the pathway of the adjacent nerve root itself resulting in arm pain or leg pain through a process called referred pain or radicular pain. For example, a nerve root impingement in the neck, or cervical spine, can produce pain, motor weakness, or sensory paresthesia in the shoulder, arm or hand which is called brachial radiculitis from Latin brachio for arm or more simply a cervical radiculitis or cervical radiculopathy. Likewise, a nerve root impingement in the lower back or lumbar-sacral spine can be manifested with symptoms in the lower extremity, a lumbar radiculitis or lumbar radiculopathy. This can result in pain, weakness, numbness, or paresthesia in the butt, hip, leg or foot. This is often called sciatica, a reference to the nerve that is being pinched. Sciatica due to compression of one of the lumbar nerve roots is one of the most common forms of radiculopathy.

Neuritis / Neuralgia

Neuritis is from itis for inflammation and neuro for nerve. Neuralgia is from the Greek algos for pain and neuro for nerve. The difference between neuritis and neuralgia are again technical and these terms too are often used interchangeably. The most common cause of neuritis or neuralgia are generalized metabolic issues such as those that occur as a result of diabetes or alcoholism, and as such, the nerve dysfunction is generalized and widespread as opposed to being one specific nerve root such as in sciatica that is caused by direct physical pressure. Acute or chronic Poisoning most commonly by lead, arsenic, mercury, copper and phosphorus also results in widespread nerve dysfunction also correctly termed a neuritis or a neuralgia.

Alternative Treatment for Degenerative Disk Disease

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Intervertebral discs are the cushions of cartilage in between every vertebra in the spine. If the spine experiences even the smallest amount of trauma it can then rupture, cause inflammation, or bulge the disc.

Numbness and tingling in the bilateral extremities, with radiating pain, is a common sign of someone with degenerative disc disease, even worse if the disease is irritating adjacent nerve roots. Symptoms normally appear when the disc puts pressure on the nerve root. The chiropractic approach to disc degeneration is to reduce inflammation and improve the motion in the spine. If the chiropractor sees it necessary to help with his diagnosis, he may send the patient for an MRI or CT scan for further evaluation. There are three types of spinal manipulations for disc problems:

Flexion-distraction technique: A non-thrusting technique that is normally used on herniated disks or the treatment of spinal stenosis.

Specific spinal manipulation: The restricted joints are identified and treated by the chiropractor, restoring movement back into the joints.

Instrument-assisted manipulation: This technique is performed with a handheld instrument, typically an activator.

Many chiropractors offer manual therapy to their patients in addition to the spinal adjustment. Trigger point therapy involves pressure being put on the painful spots to relieve the tension. Therapeutic exercises, such as stretching and resistance techniques, help prevent symptoms from getting worse.

Degenerative disc disease is most commonly diagnosed in people who have suffered an injury to their disc because they degenerate quicker. There are a few different types of disc injuries:

Disc tear: Located in the outer cartilage where fluid starts to leak out.

Bulging disc: The jelly substance centered in the middle of the disc is pushed to one side and begins to swell.

Herniated disc: The jelly substance ruptures through the fibers on the outside and extends past the normal position.

Prolapsed disc: A fragment of the disc breaks away becomes a free-floating piece.

Desiccated disc: The disc loses the fluid inside, degenerates, and wears down. This takes place right before the bones start to fuse together.

Optimal functioning of the musculoskeletal system is a necessity for good health. 60% of the human body consists of bones, muscles, tissue, and nerves which are all part of the musculoskeletal system. Chiropractors are experts in this area, so it's only wise to seek out and receive chiropractic treatment for degenerative disc disease. Many patients have avoided unnecessary surgery or a pill dependency because they chose the best approach to natural healing.

Herniated Disc Treatment Options You Should Consider

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Without the require for any kind of herniated disc exercises and herniated disc treatment, many research have revealed that the the vast majority of herniated disc cases and its symptoms will deal with themselves in about six weeks. Noticeable development was confirmed in 73% of patients after 12 weeks even without surgery. Naturally, as a result of chemical radiculitis, a doctor may prescribe NSAIDs to relieve lower back pain. Prolonged use of NSAIDs however, may bring about cardiovascular and gastrointestinal health complications.

Epidural Steroid Injections. These have been observed to give only temporary alleviation in a few selected instances and may also lead to serious side effects. Precisely focusing on TNF to reduce discomfort, etanercept is one medication that is in its experimental stage. However, if employed as part of a herniated disk treatment, it may be a very costly answer for any patient.

Chiropractic Care. Medical trials on osteopathic and chiropractic spinal manipulation have generated contradicting results. Though allowed for patients who have encountered relief with this procedure, the WHO has disapproved spinal manipulation in cases of frank disc herniation accompanied by signs of progressive neurological deficiencies.

Spinal Decompression. This is an appealing treatment that has displayed efficiency in providing alleviation not only to disc herniation patients but also to chronic lower back pain caused by other problems. Usually mistaken for typical traction, spinal decompression involves accumulating negative pressure into the spine that would draw extruded materials back into the disc center. This is specifically productive in sciatica. An in depth discussion on spinal decompression can be seen in the page.

Surgery. This is done as well for slipped disc treatment, is only considered when all conventional treatment choices have been taken and healing of the disc herniation and pain alleviation has not been achieved. In instances of significant neurological deficits like caude equina syndrome, surgery may also be necessary. The goals of surgery are the relief of nerve compression (in order to improve healing of the afflicted nerve), alleviation from the accompanying back pain, and the repair of normal function in the patient.

The following are surgical choices for herniated discs:

• Discectomy/Microdiscectomy - Nerve compression alleviation;


• Hemilaminectomy/Laminectomy - Performed to ease compressed nerve and address spinal stenosis;


• Chemonucleolysis: Conducted to fix protruding, bulging, or ripped discs;


• Lumbar fusion - Patients with repeating lumbar disc herniations should undertake this procedure;


• Dynamic stabilization - Uses bendable materials to strengthen the spine if it is affected by degenerative variations;


• Intradiscal Electrothermal Therapy (IDET) - A heat probe is used to shrink disc tissues and cauterize small disc nerves;


• Nucleoplasty - Tissues in the nucleus pulposus are ablated and taken away using Coblation簧 technology and this disc decompression procedure is minimally invasive

Artificial Disc Replacement. The stem cell therapy is one type of herniated disc treatment presently being researched. Intervertebral disc degeneration can be stopped or partial regrowth of the disc is plausible with the autogenic mesenchymal stem cells being experimented on animal specimens.

What Is Sciatic Nerve Pain?

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Sciatic nerve pain is more commonly referred to as sciatica. It's a type of pain that is due to an irritation in the sciatic nerve. Usually, the pain starts on the lower back or lumbar area and then spreads down the thigh, until the knee. The reason behind this is that the sciatic nerve is located from the spinal cord in the lumbar area and extends down the buttocks. It is the largest nerve in the body.

The pain can also radiate to the hips. It can make walking extremely difficult or even impossible. Aside from the pain, sciatica also has other symptoms. A person may also feel numbness and tingling or burning sensations from the lower back area, upper buttocks, thigh or the back of his legs. Sometimes, these symptoms are worsened by bending the waist or by walking. It may be partially or completely relieved by lying down.

There are several causes for lower back pain. Usually it is caused by a lumbar disc hernia that presses directly on the nerve. This could either cause an inflammation or irritation in the sciatic nerve. Other causes can include tumor growths, infection, internal bleeding, trauma, and different injuries. The nerve can also be irritated by any adjacent muscle or bone. On some cases, it could also be caused by pregnancy.

The three common causes of sciatica are spinal disc herniation, spinal stenosis and piriformis syndrome. In a spinal disc herniation occurs when a person suddenly bends or twists their waist. When the spinal disc is herniated, it can press on a nerve and cause swelling on the surrounding tissues, which further progresses on the nerve. With lumbar spinal stenosis, the space for the spinal cord is narrowed. It pinches and irritates the nerves including the sciatic nerve. Piriformis syndrome is a condition wherein the sciatic nerve goes through the piriformis muscle instead of underneath it. When this muscle is overused or injured in people with this syndrome, it compresses or strangles the sciatic nerve, causing lower back pain.

In order for lower back pain to be treated, it needs to be diagnosed first. Checking for the symptoms, along with a physical exam and medical history will help with the diagnosis. Diagnostic tests such as electromyogram, X-rays, MRI and CT scans are helpful for determining what the exact cause is.

There are several treatment options for sciatica. Aside from treating the underlying cause, medications and physical therapy are also helpful. The main goal of medications is the relief of pain and inflammation. On the other hand, physical therapy focuses on strengthening the back. Lower back stretching and conditioning exercises greatly help people with their recovery. Although bed rest is not an absolute essential for recovery, it still helps relieve symptoms and it is still being encouraged. On some cases, surgery is needed to treat sciatic nerve pain. It is indicated for persisting and chronic sciatica that is due to a compression of a nerve in the lower back area. Other times, specialists on pain management are consulted to help people treat with chronic sciatic nerve pain.

Correlation Between Reduced Cervical Lordosis (Curvature) and Neck Complaints

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An average person takes approximately 10,000 steps per day. At the very top of your spine rests a 4 kilogram object called your head that bounces up and down with every single step. The cervical spine, also known as the neck, takes most of the compressive forces from this undulating motion. The neck should have a curvature somewhere between 31-40 degrees. However, if this is reduced, the force gets distributed unevenly and leads to early degeneration, neck pain, headaches, and many other neck related symptoms.

The Correlation

The neck is composed of 7 vertebrae that protect the spinal cord. Many of the nerves that exit the neck control the upper back, arms and hands, and the entire head and face. The curvature of the cervical spine allows for weight to be transferred evenly which distributes the force onto the rest of the spine. According to a study published in the JMPT in 2005, a "clinically normal" range for cervical lordosis should be between 31 and 40 degrees. It was also found in the same study that "the odds that a patient with cervical pain had a lordosis of 0 degrees or less was 18 times greater than for a patient with a noncervical complaint."

Cervical pain and headaches are two of the most common and debilitating spinal problems. There is a direct correlation between the structure and function of the cervical spine and the symptoms that ensue.

In the study mentioned above, the entire sample set had an average cervical curve of 14.5 degrees whilst the average symptomatic curve was just 9.6 degrees. There appears to be no trend seen in age. Also, a study entitled "Cervical Lordosis and Headaches" linked the relationship of "altered cervical curve configuration to the presence of chronic headache pain."

The primary goal is prevention. The development of the cervical lordosis happens when an infant begins to crawl. A more normal curvature can be attained later in life, but is much more difficult to achieve.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care addresses the underlying problem and helps to promote and restore proper cervical structure and function. A chiropractic adjustment can help alleviate the stress placed onto the nervous system, but the patient needs to also change postural habits and other contributing factors. The largest factor that reduces the cervical lordosis is poor posture.

In today's computer-reliant society, there is more and more degeneration of the cervical spine. Chronic forward head carriage leads to a reduced cervical lordosis which then translates to a plethora of neck symptoms in most cases.

A key component to caring for a person with cervicogenic symptoms is restoration of cervical lordosis.

Very gentle stretches and exercises may be added during the care process but should also be monitored closely. The focus should be on neck support to better stabilize the head and distribute the weight and force of the head onto the neck properly. Balance may also be another underlying cause contributing to poor neck posture. The brain may have conflicting information signalling where the body is in space and therefore positioning is altered.

Most importantly, people need to be aware of how they use their body on a daily basis. Headaches and neck pain are not normal and should never occur. I cannot stress the importance of good posture enough and the impact it can have.

How To Use Magnetic Therapy To Treat The Pain Associated With Cervical Spondylosis?

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What is Spondylosis?

Spondylosis (spinal osteoarthritis) is a degenerative disorder that may cause loss of normal spinal structure and function. Although aging is the primary cause, the location and rate of degeneration is individual. The degenerative process of spondylosis may impact the cervical, thoracic, and/or lumbar regions of the spine affecting the inter-vertebral discs and facet joints.

Lumbar spondylosis refers to any narrowing of the spinal canal. Cervical Spondylosis refers to a degenerative process of the cervical spine producing narrowing of the spinal canal producing compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots.

Causes and symptoms:

As people age, shrinkage of the vertebral disks prompts the vertebrae to form osteophytes to stabilize the back bone. However, the position and alignment of the disks and vertebrae may shift despite the osteophytes. Symptoms may arise from problems with one or more disks or vertebrae.
Osteophyte formation and other changes do not necessarily lead to symptoms, but after age 50, half of the population experiences occasional neck pain and stiffness. As disks degenerate, the cervical spine becomes less stable, and the neck is more vulnerable to injuries, including muscle and ligament strains. Contact between the edges of the vertebrae can also cause pain. In some people, this pain may be referred (that is, perceived as occurring in the head, shoulders, or chest, rather than the neck). Other symptoms may include vertigo (a type of dizziness) or ringing in the ears.
The neck pain and stiffness can be intermittent, as can symptoms of trapped nerves (radiculopathy). Radiculopathy refers to compression on the base of nerves that lead away from the spinal cord. Normally, these nerves fit comfortably through spaces between the vertebrae. These spaces are called intervertebral foramina. As the osteophytes form, they can press on this area and gradually make the fit between the vertebrae too snug.

The poor fit increases the chances that a minor incident, such as overdoing normal activities, may place excess pressure on the nerve root, sometimes referred to as a pinched nerve. Pressure may also accumulate as a direct consequence of osteophyte formation. The pressure on the nerve root causes severe shooting pain in the neck, arms, shoulder, and/or upper back, depending on which nerve roots of the cervical spine are affected. The pain is often aggravated by movement, but in most cases, symptoms resolve within four to six weeks.

Cervical spondylosis can cause pressure on the spinal cord. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal-- the area through the center of the vertebral column occupied by the spinal cord. Stenosis occurs because of misaligned vertebrae and out-of-place or degenerating disks. The problems created by spondylosis can be exacerbated if a person has a naturally narrow spinal canal. Pressure against the spinal cord can also be created by osteophytes forming on the inner surface of vertebrae and pushing against the spinal cord. Stenosis or osteophytes can compress the spinal cord and its blood vessels, impeding or choking off needed nutrients to the spinal cord cells; in effect, the cells starve to death.

With the death of these cells, the functions that they once performed are impaired. These functions may include conveying sensory information to the brain or transmitting the brain's commands to voluntary muscles. Pain is usually absent, but a person may experience leg numbness and an inability to make the legs move properly. Other symptoms can include clumsiness and weakness in the hands, stiffness and weakness in the legs, and spontaneous twitches in the legs. A person's ability to walk is affected, and a wide-legged, shuffling gait is sometimes adopted to compensate for the lack of sensation in the legs and the accompanying, realistic fear of falling. In very few cases, bladder control becomes a problem.

Magnetic therapy treatment of Spondylosis:

It is relatively easy to treat Spondylosis with magnetic therapy. As stated above the main causes of pain in spondylosis is muscle and ligament strains plus pressure in the nerves in the neck and spinal cord. Placing magnets around the area damaged by spondylosis will speed up the healing process in muscle and ligament damage and reduce the pressure on the nerves. Because much of the pain that is experienced from spondylosis is referred, this means the cause is in one area e.g. the neck ad the pain appears elsewhere e.g the arm and hand, you do not have to treat all of the painful areas individually. For example if you have spondylosis in the neck the swelling and pressure upon the nerves in the neck can cause pain, pins and needles and numbness to radiate down the arm and into the hand and fingers. There is no injury in the arm or hand but the pain is caused by the neck is felt there. By applying magnets to the cause of the problem, which is spondylosis in the neck, as soon as the symptoms in the neck have been relieved then the pain and numbness in the arm will reduce as well.

There are many magnetic therapy devices that can treat the neck, shoulders and back area. Although spondylosis is mainly thought of as a neck and shoulder ailment it is also possible to have lumber (lower spine) spondylosis. The treatment for lumber spondylosis remains the same to treat the area of injury with the magnets and any referred pain will also be reduced.

Common magnetic therapy treatments for cervical (neck)spondylosis are:

1. A magnetic therapy necklace or neck wrap. Most magnetic necklaces are higher strength than functional wraps. To efficiently treat widespread spondylosis that affects the neck, shoulders, head and arms, super strength magnets (2,500-3,000 gauss/250-300 millitesla) need to be applied. If a necklace or wrap is worn with a least 8 of these magnets the magnetic field will be able to reduce the symptoms in the neck plus the shoulders, head and arm areas with out any other magnets.

2. Magnetic therapy pillow pad. If a person is unable or does not want to wear magnets around the neck area, a magnetic pillow pad can be used as an alternative. The pads are placed into the pillow case and only used at night time. It is advocated that magnets are worn 24 hours a day 7 days a week until the symptoms are gone, but if they ca not be tolerated during the day then the best alternative is to use them at night time, as this is the time when the body enters it's healing phase, so the penetration and uptake of the magnetic field is at its strongest during sleep.

Common magnetic therapy treatments for lumbar spondylosis are:

1. A functional magnetic therapy back strap or support. The strap or support needs to be placed directly over the area of damage. Magnetic straps tend to be narrow around 1.5 inches wide so they are very easy to wear. They can be placed low around the back over the hips to ensure they contact with low lumbar spondylosis, but they can also be worn high around the thoracic (chest) area in high lumbar or thoracic spondylosis. Most narrow straps have adjustable fastenings to give the wearer flexibility of placement. These types of straps are the most comfortable and easy to wear. How ever if the damaged area is around waist height a wider more supportive belt may be required, provide support whilst bending. Supports are most beneficial to people with an active lifestyle who make vigorous movements through the waist area, such as golfers and builders. Whether a narrow strap or a wide support is chosen the same rule applies it must be worn night and day until the pain has gone, so it is advisable to try both types of strap before purchasing.