Herniated Disc Therapy - Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression

spinal stenosis

If you are suffering from a herniated disc, you should consider therapy as a possible remedy. A type of disc problem involves the rubbery cushion between the individual vertebrae of your spine to push out through a crack of the tougher exterior of the disc.

Symptoms usually include a numbing or tingling sensation that begins in one leg and can extend from the buttocks down to the knee. In some cases, the pain can extend from the buttocks all the way down to the ankle and even the foot. Pain can also be present in the front of the thigh, and a person can have severe and even extreme muscle spasms due to a herniated disc.

There are many types of herniated disc therapy. One form of therapy that is used by chiropractors is non-surgical spinal decompression.

Non-surgical spinal decompression involves the use of a mechanical traction device that is operated by an on-board computer. This device regulates the angle and force of disc distraction, which limits the body's natural ability to generate muscle spasms. Non-surgical spinal decompression helps to reduce intradiscal pressure, which reverses nerve impairment, reduces loading of the spine, and enables damaged spinal discs to heal themselves over time.

A type of mechanical traction that is used in non-surgical spinal decompression is inversion therapy. This involves the patient hanging upside down in order to achieve relief from a herniated disc. This therapy works by alternating between 15 one-minute decompression and relaxation cycles to reduce the pressure on the herniated disc and to allow the tougher exterior of the disc to heal.

There are several versions of therapy, including range-of-motion (ROM) decompression. Range-of-motion decompression involves the chiropractor adjusting the patient's spinal posture while the decompression is taking place. This allows the decompressive pulling forces that are applied during the spinal decompression to reach into the spinal areas and tissues. These are areas that are often not affected by basic linear decompression.

Spinal decompression through inversion therapy is a popular herniated disc therapy because spinal decompression does not have the risks associated with surgery, anesthesia, or injections, yet can be quite effective in providing relief from a herniated disc. Therefore, spinal decompression is considered to be a safer herniated disc therapy option as compared to surgery or injections. Additionally, spinal decompression is an FDA-approved therapy and is generally less expensive than surgery or injections.

Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy is a herniated disc therapy option you should consider if you have any of the following conditions:

- Numbness
- Tingling
- Radiculopathy (sensory and motor disturbances that cause severe pain and muscle weakness within the neck, back, arm, shoulder, or leg)
- Spondylosis (degenerative osteoarthritis of the joints between spinal vertebrae and the openings within the vertebrae)
- Lower back pain
- Sciatica (numbness, weakness, pain, or tingling within the leg due to pressure or injury on the sciatic nerve)
- Disc hernia
- Disc protrusion
- Spinal injuries
- Foraminal stenosis (narrowing of the small canal in the spine)

Therefore, if you are suffering from any of the aforementioned symptoms, you may have a herniated disc and need to seek therapy in order to obtain long-term relief. Non-surgical spinal decompression is an FDA-approved therapy option you should consider, as it can provide the relief you are seeking without the need for surgery or injections.

Spinal Fusion Often Not Best Option For Spinal Stenosis Patients

spinal stenosis

Characterized by the narrowing of the spinal canal and impingement of nerves, spinal stenosis can be severely painful and debilitating. Stenosis can be caused by vertebral bone spurs, disc herniation or ligament overgrowth in the spine.

Stenosis of the upper spine segment in the neck is called cervical stenosis; it causes intense localized pain at the area of nerve compression and refers pain, numbness, tingling and/or weakness into the arm. In the lumbar spine, the condition often leads to sciatica. If nerve damage, paralysis or loss bladder and bowel function are imminent, surgery will be performed to treat this condition.

Not all surgeries are created equal. Be sure you know your options before agreeing to a surgical procedure.

Fusion Vs. Laminectomy

By far, spinal fusion is the most popular procedure prescribed for people with stenosis. This procedure entails the use of a bone graft or other device that is placed between two or more vertebrae to fuse them together into one rigid segment. The fusion is often reinforced with multiple pieces of hardware.

Medical researchers have expressed a great deal of concern about the increasing number of spinal fusion procedures in the last 15 years, particularly among Medicare patients. Some speculate that high reimbursements for the procedures coupled with kickbacks to surgeons from hardware device companies like Medtronics rather than the patients' best interests are responsible for the choice to perform the procedure.

A 2010 study sought to analyze trends of spinal fusion procedures while comparing this type of surgery to another, laminectomy, in the treatment of older Medicare patients with spinal stenosis. The study reports that the rate of complex spinal fusions - those involving fusion of more than two vertebrae or entailing both posterior and anterior approaches - performed between 2002 and 2007 increased 15-fold. Rates of laminectomy procedures decreased during this time.

Laminectomy, or surgical decompression, involves the removal of a piece of the posterior vertebra that covers spinal nerves. During a laminectomy, bone spurs or spinal disc segments impinging nerves are removed as well. The procedure widens the spinal canal, aiming to relieve painful pressure on nerves.

The study results showed that the rate of life-threatening complications was 2.3% among laminectomy patients and 5.6% for complex fusion patients. Rehospitalization rates within 30 days of the procedure were 7.8% for laminectomy recipients and 13% for complex fusion recipients. Complex fusions cost nearly 4 times more than laminectomies ($80,888 compared to $23,724). See more on the study at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20371784.

Another study sought to compare the cost-effectiveness of both procedures for stenosis patients. Some cases of stenosis cannot be treated with laminectomy, particularly those that involve vertebral slipping (spondylolisthesis). Researchers compared the cost-effectiveness of laminectomy for regular stenosis to that of fusion for stenosis with vertebral slipping. Cost-effectiveness was measured in quality-adjusted life-years (QALY). Laminectomy cost $77,000 per QALY gained, compared to $115,000 for fusions. In the U.S., procedures are considered cost-effective up to $100,000 per QALY. See more on the study at http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=744151.

Despite the low cost-effectiveness, it is important to note that the above study also showed fusion for stenosis patients with spondylolisthesis to yield significantly greater health improvements than nonoperative care.

The decision to have surgery should not be an easy one. It is important for both patients and health professionals to ensure that conservative treatments have been rigorously pursued, if possible, and that surgery is a necessary last resort. For those with stenosis without vertebral slipping, laminectomy appears to be the best surgical option. Inform yourself about all your options before having surgery.

Cure For Stiff Neck - How To Stop A Stiff Neck Quickly Using Natural Remedies

spinal stenosis

Ever get too engrossed in reading a particularly interesting book for too long and then later, literally beat your head against a wall searching for a cure for stiff neck? Sounds familiar?

One of the most uncomfortable and irritating ailments is neck pain or a stiff neck. It affects us all at some point in life.

Knowing About Neck Pain

For most people, a stiff neck is the result of bad posture. However, there are a number of reasons that can be responsible for this.

Injury in the form of fall or blow to the neck area can lead to a stiffness in the neck. The nerves between the shoulder and the neck are injured in such situations and can manifest itself in the form of neck stiffness.

A condition called radiculopathy occurs due to repetitive stress on the neck or continued bad posture, resulting in pain in the neck muscles.

Diagnosing A Stiff Neck

In most cases, except for serious ailments like spinal stenosis, the most common form of relieving stiffness in the neck is to correct your posture and take proper rest. However, in a world where time is a luxury most cannot afford, most people would run to the nearest dispensary and get themselves a pain relief ointment. But the question here is, whether the ointment is actually a cure for stiff neck or whether it makes way for future ailments?

Considering that most commercial pain relief medicines contain chemicals like toluene, dioxane, parabens, etc. the long-term effects of using such medicine easily weigh out the short-term relief they provide.

Most available ointments for this ailment have other nasty side effects like bad odor and may cause rashes or inflammation on the skin.

Cure For Stiff Neck The Natural Way

Studies have proven that these natural ingredients work the best to get rid of stiffness in the neck.

• Belladonna: Used by people in the Middle Ages to anesthetize a patient before surgery, Belladonna in regulated amounts helps as a pain-killer.
• Menthol: External application helps with the healing process of the area by eliminating waste from the blood.
• Naja: Acts directly on the nerves, thus soothing the pain and speeding up the recovery process.
• Phosphorous: Helps in muscle contraction and heartbeat regulation. Due to this property, phosphorous overcomes the burning sensation in the muscles felt due to a stiff neck by regulating the nerves responsible for receiving pain.

And the best part about all these homeopathic remedies is that they have no side effects.

One Essential Ingredient

Now, consider if a cream or ointment has all the above ingredients and is readily available, would that make it a perfect cure for stiff neck? Well it would, if it contained Cetyl Myristoleate.

Cetyl Myristoleate is a chemical that is proven to cure joint and muscle pain, confirmed by independent studies by the University of Connecticut and the prestigious Journal of Rheumatism.

Bottom line

With this information, all you need is a cream or ointment that contains the most effective and scientifically proven ingredients as mentioned in order to achieve cure for stiff neck quickly and without side effects.

Spinal Cord Injuries Leading to Temporary or Permanent Paralysis

spinal stenosis

In a previous article, we looked at different types of back injuries due to trauma. Spinal cord injuries can occur at any level of the back or neck, and may be due to flexion, rotation, extension, compression, or cauda equina problems. And the result can be damage to the tissues including ligament strain, subluxation (misalignment of the vertebrae), nerve damage, and fracture or dislocation of the bones of the spine. This article will discuss the results of such trauma in terms of changes to the proper functioning of the spinal column and potential paralysis below the site of injury.

No one wants to think about being paralyzed from the neck down or the from the waist down as a result of a fall or motor vehicle accident. But people can be very seriously injured and lose the functioning of their bodies as a result of spinal cord trauma. In a fall or violent encounter affecting the back, though, one of the first signs of a cord injury is a loss of nerve function below where the injury occurs. It may be a total loss of sensation and control, or just a partial impairment with some loss of feeling. But if it is clear that some feeling has been lost, then spinal cord injury may be the problem.

A complete cutting of the nerve can result in immediate, total loss of functioning below the transection level. All sensation and reflex activity is paralyzed, the person loses control of the limbs, and the automatic processes of the body below that level are completely shut off. If the cord is cut high in the neck region, functions such as breathing may be impaired as the muscles that control the respiratory response are no longer able to function. In fact, pneumonia is a common cause of death in such patients who need help in breathing after complete paralysis.

While the prospect of recovering from the spinal cord being cut is very low, complete paralysis below the site of injury may not be permanent in all cases. Sometimes, trauma causes a concussion or contusion leads to a temporary paralysis due to the swelling at that part of the spine. In time, as the inflammation is reduced, proper nerve functioning is restored. This phenomenon is referred to as spinal shock, and the related swelling usually diminishes over a few days after a rapid buildup right after the injury occurs. The good news is that the paralysis is only temporary.

Nerves that have been completely cut or degenerated, though, do not recover in time or with treatment. The damage to the nervous system functioning is most often permanent and irreversible. If there is a return of feeling and muscle control within the first week of an injury, there is a much better chance of recovery. Compression injuries that compress the nerves in the spine can also recover with time. Injuries that cause a lack of sensation and movement for months, however, often lead to a permanent loss of functioning.

Pain, Pain, Go Away - The 7 Mistakes That Are Making Your Pain Persist

spinal stenosis

So often, pain plagues us for years, rearing its ugly head at the most inopportune times, like right before a sporting event, while we're on vacation, or when the weather finally turns to sun and it's time to get outside and play. Even worse, it can be a persistent thorn in your side for years; you might find that you wake each morning covered in aches, stiff, and unwilling to move.

Those who suffer with chronic or acute pain don't do so willingly. In fact, according to the American Chiropractic Association, Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on back pain, and experts estimate that as much as 80% of the population will experience back pain at some point in their lives.

Most doctors, if they are unable to find a direct medical cause of the pain such as a herniated disk or spinal stenosis, chalk pain up to "just a part of getting older," leaving patients with little hope of long term healing. The truth is that aging does not have to be accompanied by the myriad aches and pains our Western civilization has come to expect.

In his lecture series, The New Physics of Healing, Deepak Chopra refers to studies done on indigenous tribes where the perception of a person as he or she ages actually increases in value. So, for example, a 30 year-old is much more highly regarded in athletic ability and mental wit than a 20 year-old, and so on and so forth. In this culture, the population did not decline as they aged, but actually improved in cardiovascular health and athletic ability (as measured by their ability to run long distances - their main form of delivering messages between tribes). Similar studies also invalidate the notion that aging necessitates physical and mental decline.

So, if pain isn't a necessary part of aging, why are so many people plagued by chronic discomfort? Following are three of the seven reasons I see clients get stuck running in circles, unable to achieve the results they're dreaming of.

Mistake #1: Continuing to do what doesn't work

It's common for someone to try a healing modality because a friend or family member had success with that path. Usually, clients will go to the same therapist that treated the referrer. This is generally a good strategy, but if you're not getting the results you want, don't keep flogging a dead horse. It may be that the therapist isn't a good match for you or that you need someone with slightly different skills. Your body may respond better to a different modality. Don't be afraid to end treatment if it's not getting you to where you need to be.

Mistake #2: Assuming there is only one solution

In contrast, some people bounce from practitioner to practitioner, seeking the "miracle cure" that will banish their pain. They try one session of massage, two with an acupuncturist, and then hit up a Rolfer for three sessions, never sticking with anything long enough to evaluate whether or not they're getting results.

When you set out to heal your body, you have to understand that there is no magic bullet. Accepting that fact will allow you to be proactive and engaged in your healing process. Ask lots of questions and educate yourself about the different therapies. If you're getting results, however small the measure, keep working with the therapist or modality that is moving you forward. Slowly add additional modalities, one at a time, until you find two or three that have a symbiotic relationship for your body. And, most importantly, keep an open mind. Assuming that you know it all, have tried everything, and that you know what does or doesn't work will tend to keep you stuck in a rut. You never know what new tidbit of knowledge will be the secret key to unlocking your vitality.

Mistake #3: Not working with the right mentors

Commonly, clients show up asking to be "fixed." They say, "I just want you to fix me so I can get back to my old life." I hate to break it to you, but a) you can't time travel backwards - the body you have now is the body you have to work with from this point forward, and b) no one can "fix" you; it's an inside job.

Healing pain runs deeper than just "fixing" a sore spot on your body. Pain is intricately linked with our mental and emotional states as well as our physical well being. At the very least, if you are stepping out on your healing journey, it's essential to have the support of a body mentor, spiritual mentor, and counselor or therapist. You may find that you have several in one category, such as an acupuncturist and structural integrator for your body, or one individual may be ideal. Dealing with all aspects of pain will help you to change the patterns that got you into your current state, developing healthier habits that will support whole body wellness.

Mistake #4: Treating only the symptoms

This could be the most common stumbling block that I see my clients facing. Western medicine, in its endeavor to divide and categorize the body, has given us the false notion that we are some sort of soft machine, a marvel of engineering with interchangeable parts, where organs and tissues can be extracted and replaced with no effect whatsoever on the organism as a whole.

Please don't get me wrong; western medicine has produced marvels in healing and definitely has its place in the world. Believe me, if I am in a serious car accident and need to be taken to the ER, I want the best MD in the world there to sew me back up!

But, when it comes to back pain, the tendency to want to pinpoint one tiny fulcrum of pain tends to leave the patient struggling and without solution. Here's why: Your body is intricately linked together; each tiny, microscopic cell is connected to the one next to it, and the one next to that, and so on. Every joint in your body affects the functioning of the joints that immediately surround it. If you injure a joint, there is a ripple effect through the body, much like the rings in a pond when you toss in a stone. It is impossible to focus solely on a knee, a hip, or a facet joint of the spine without also looking at the joints above and below it.

Most treatments only focus on the condition or diagnosis, i.e. sciatica, herniated disc, etc. In reality, your body underwent many stages of misalignment before developing severe conditions and debilitating pain, all starting with an imbalanced physical structure. Treating only the condition equates to treating only the result of the imbalance instead of going directly to the root cause of the pain. And, if there is no medical condition, doctors will often tell you that the pain and discomfort you are experiencing is "just part of getting older." In fact, it's usually indicative of an underlying imbalance that will worsen if you don't intercept it.

I highly recommend working with therapists who take a whole body balance approach to healing pain, such as a structural integrator. Your results will be deeper and tend to last much longer than treatment that only focuses on the symptom.

Mistake #5: Not dealing with pain the first time

We're all busy, and no one wants to put a halt to their life just because of a little back stiffness, right? Even worse, we don't want to sound "whiny" or get labeled as a hypochondriac. So, it's no surprise that most people don't treat back pain the first time it happens.

Barring any major bodily injury such as a bad fall from a horse or a horrendous car accident, back pain doesn't come on suddenly or overnight. It's a progression, a slow deterioration perpetuated by daily habits. If you are experiencing even mild discomfort in your back, neck, and shoulders, it's a sign that all is not well and if you don't get treatment immediately, you're setting yourself up for a much more difficult healing task down the road.

This is exceptionally challenging for athletes to come to grips with as excelling in sports necessitates a tough mentality. If you quit at the first sign of pain and discomfort, it's unlikely that you'll make it very far as an athlete; therefore, I recommend that athletes find a solid core of body care professionals, set up a scheduled treatment program, and stick to it (no canceling appointments just because you feel healthy and well this week)! This will help to catch any minor imbalances in their early stages, reducing the risk of greater injury and pain later on.

Mistake #6: Not understanding that healing back pain is a process

In a world of quick fixes and magic cures, we all want to take the fastest road to health that we can. But, like losing weight, healing pain is a process and can take some time. The only way to get from A to B is to put one foot in front of the other, keep walking, and don't let minor setbacks discourage you. Healing your body is a journey of self discovery, and it can be uncomfortable to say the least. It forces you to take a look at your life, at the areas that are serving you and those which are not. Just like losing weight means letting go of habits that are destroying your health, facing your back pain head on will mean that you must change the way you are living to some degree.

Pain is almost always correlated to an emotional state. There is absolutely a connection between stress and pain, in part because stress causes the body to emit certain neurochemicals that create inflammation and tension, and also because stress causes us to focus less on taking care of our well being (the economic downfall of 2008 saw increased work hours and a corresponding spike in computer related shoulder pain). Dealing with stress goes much deeper than swallowing a pill; it requires us to allocate time for self care and to incorporate practices that support a calm, relaxed state of being, like meditation, qi gong, tai chi, and yoga. All of these take time to have an effect on your body and life. Choosing a program of bodywork, exercise, and stress management and sticking with it is crucial to long term success in healing your pain.

Mistake #7: Not taking action

Making this mistake will most certainly keep you trapped and in pain for years to come. No one can take action on your behalf - no one! If you want to heal your body, you must become an active participant in your healing process, and that means making appointments with experienced bodyworkers, incorporating daily activity into your life, being proactive about stress management, and educating yourself about every single aspect of healing from pain.

Although it's easier to sit on the couch and wonder why this happened to you, or even to just push through the pain, continuing to do all the same sports and other activities (weekend warriors, I'm looking at you on this one) until you just can't bear it any longer, refusing to actively seek relief or taking refuge in pain relieving drugs that mask symptoms is the same as choosing to shorten the number of years that you will be physically able to remain active. The choice is entirely yours.

Chiropractic Treatment for Spine Disorders

spinal stenosis

Chiropractic care is very effective for treating spine related disorders. It is the most powerful and natural curing method. The popular chiropractic techniques are Laser Therapy, Cox Spinal Decompression, Full Spine Diversified etc.

There is a need for regular monitoring of the spine. The stress and tension which occurs due to malfunctioning of the spine can affect physical and mental activity of the person up to great extent. The spine is a common bony site for metastatic involvement. The upper bone structure of our body includes rib cage and spinal cord, and is supported by the Central Nervous System or Peripheral Nervous System. A spine is the foundation for the bone system and Nervous System of our body.

Problems Associated With Spine Disorders

The problems which are associated with the malfunctioning of the spine are Trigeminal Neuralgia, Horner's Syndrome, Bell's palsy, Dizziness, Allergies, Sinus problems, Leg and arm numbness, Seizures including Epileptic, Carpel tunnel Syndrome, Scoliosis, Sciatica, Neck and back pain, auto accident injuries, athletic injuries, chronic pain or stress, asthma, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, migraines and other headaches. There are also several instances for the dislocation of discs such as degenerative discs, bulging discs, herniated discs, thinning discs, and disc degeneration with oseophyte formation.

Chiropractic Treatment

In most of the cases people suffering from neck ache and back pain problems do not know where to go for an effective treatment and they remain confused, frustrated and anxious. In this regard chiropractic treatment is the most powerful and natural curing method, which is the most viable treatment method. It helps people in achieving new levels of fitness and wellness. The services of chiropractor professional were used to offer comprehensive health care and medical services to athletes in the winter Olympics, which occurred in Canada 2010.

Techniques of Chiropractic treatment

The chiropractic treatment is clinically effective in offering quality treatment options. Some of the modern chiropractic techniques are Applied Kinesiology, Laser Therapy, Orthopedic Extremity Adjusting, Motion Palpation, Myofascial Release, Instrument Adjusting, Sacro-Occipital, Palmer Specific, Cox Spinal Decompression and Full Spine Diversified. The techniques provide considerable improvement in patient's health and overall well-being. The treatment provides new hope to the patients suffering from neck and back pain problems.

The chiropractic techniques are specifically tailored for your individual health and provide treatment to all the spine related problems like Sports Injury, Spinal Stenosis, Headache, Scoliosis, Whiplash, Neck Pain, Back Pain, Pinched Nerve, Herniated Disc and so on.

How To Perform Autofellatio for Men Interested in Giving Themselves Fellatio (Oral Stimulation)

spinal stenosis

Autofellatio is the method where a man is able to stimulate his own sexual organs with his mouth. All by himself. Men are not alone in this interesting form of sexual stimulation. Some women can utilize similar techniques to stimulate their vulva. In women this is known as autocunnilingus.

There are many approaches and methods of performing autofellatio. I'll give a brief outline of what all is entailed to help men try this amazing form of self-sex.

1) Make sure you have a healthy enough spine and no contraindications to performing such tasks. Things like fractures in the spine, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and other physical problems may rule out autofellatio for some men. See a doctor to see if you have any problems that might interfere with autofellating.

2) Some form of preparatory warm up to help relax the body is always helpful. I don't mean "warm up" like working out with weights or jogging around the block; but something like a very hot shower or bath will help relax the muscles of the body. This will help relax and limber you up and also clear your mind.

3) Comfortable settings are important. Something like a bed or a soft Yoga mat is preferred. Make sure you won't be disturbed. You don't want your sister walking in on you. That would really suck.

4) Now it's just a manner of bending forward enough to reach your goal. Don't ever push yourself and if you feel any strains in any muscles or in your back, then back off. There are many positions available. Some men get extra leverage by pulling up with their hands on their body. Some use a wall for support and leverage. However, leveraged stretches like this can really cause sprains, so if you are going to use leverage, going very, very easy.

That's about it, actually. There's really not much to it.

However, if you're not used to this sort of thing, chances are you didn't get very far. This is probably because of the lack of flexibility in your spine and associated joints. Practicing stretching, over time, will help men become more flexible. Joints and fascia can also be targeted to increase overall flexibility. There are many methods of simple therapy that can help men improve their spinal range-of-motion. Easy techniques men can do easily at home.

It's important to take it easy at first. Monitor yourself and be patient in your quest.

Men who are interested in speeding up the process of autofellatio are encouraged to read the book YOGAFELLATIO. This book is very useful in helping men realize their autofellational goals in the shortest amount of time possible. This material is presented in an intelligent and concise manner.

Kimi Kalfino