Posts Tagged ‘Lower Back Pain’
Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010
I recently read a Q and A session on a European blog where individuals could ask a doctor about a certain situation in their personal health lives and the doc would respond.
One particular question a woman was asking about her 70-year old mother’s back pain. The response was lengthy and informative so I have taken the liberty to copy what was said and post it here for your educational reading.
“My mother has severe pain in her lower back and legs. An MRI scan showed ‘cauda equina’ compression and a slipped vertebra. She was told the only treatment is an operation but the outcome will not be that good and may even make things worse. She was given Gabapentin for the pain but it hasn’t helped, and she’s constantly crying and unable to do anything. Are there any other treatments?”
Dr Scurr says… Your mother is stuck between a rock and a hard place. But as is so often the case, communication is everything, and what is significant is that you’ve been led to believe the outcome of surgery ‘will not be that good’.
While I agree there’s a possibility an operation may not help, and under exceptional circumstances could make matters worse, the balance of probability is her pain will be reduced and she’ll be able to get back to normal life.
Hers is a common problem, so it is worth describing what’s going on. The cauda equina (or ‘horse’s tail’) are the group of nerves which travel from halfway down the back. They run through the spinal canal, a channel about the thickness of your little finger which is situated behind the vertebrae.
The scan revealed your mother has degenerative disease (often referred to as wear-and-tear arthritis), which has put pressure on those nerves. This is usually because a disc between two vertebrae is breaking up or bulging.
Sometimes the pressure is due to lack of space when new bone has formed in the spinal canal (a condition known as osteophyte formation). This is due to damage and inflammation caused by arthritis.
The medical term for this lack of space in the spinal canal is spinal stenosis. It is very common, probably affecting almost all of us to some extent as we age, though not to this degree.
All this pressure on the cauda equina causes severe back pain and some pain in the buttocks and legs, usually relieved only by lying down. It’s a disabling and miserable condition, and it usually worsens.
Your poor mother’s stenosis is being compounded by a slipped vertebra (spondylolisthesis). Imagine a pile of three cotton reels, one on top of another, then gently push the middle one; the cotton reel holes are no longer lined up, so that the bundle of nerves running down the middle are at best kinked, at worst crushed.
This slippage is caused by degeneration of the ligaments and muscles which support the vertebrae, and is the result of a sedentary lifestyle combined with natural ageing.
By the time it gets to this stage, other options, such as good physiotherapy, are very limited.
The spinal stenosis can be relieved by laminectomy, trimming the bone behind the cauda equina to open up enough space for the nerves to travel free of pressure.
To tackle the spondylolisthesis the surgeon will stabilise the vertebrae using screws, bone grafts, or both (a technique known as spinal fusion).
The combination of the two procedures constitutes major surgery, but it is routine, i.e. thousands of such operations are performed every year, and it’s the best potential route for your mother to be pain-free and mobile once again.
Gabapentin can be effective in the treatment of pain, caused by damage to nerve tissue. The dose has to be adjusted upwards, slowly, to reach a level that provides relief, although in this type of problem, which is caused by the crushing of nerves, the chances of success are limited.
You need to tackle the cause, and that means having the courage to go through with an operation.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1299793/Ask-doctor-Is-surgery-cure-pain.html#ixzz0vgGF8Sxy
Personally I wonder if decompression therapy would help her, or are her joints and ligaments too deteriorated? Wearing a decompression brace such as our SR 500 would certainly help relieve some of the pressure and be a good indicator as to whether decompression may work.
Tags: back brace, back pain, back surgery, herniated disc, Lower Back Pain, spinal brace, spinal decompression, spine, sr 500
Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments »
Tuesday, September 21st, 2010
The following is a repost from Readers Digest
Back pain is hurting us—in the wallet. According to new government numbers, we spent nearly twice as much on the problem in 2007 as we did in 1997: more than $30 billion, up from an inflation-adjusted $16 billion a decade earlier.
Generally, the passage of time and extra attention to body mechanics are enough to ease the discomfort (pain relievers help too). But you may be able to lower your risk of a recurrence by strolling down the right aisle in the supermarket. The research isn’t all in, but intriguing evidence suggests that certain foods can quash inflammation that contributes to some kinds of back pain—especially bouts linked to arthritis. Here, from Kitchen Cabinet Cures (Reader’s Digest, $31.96), foods to eat and to avoid.
Eat More
- Cherries. One study showed that drinking 12 ounces of tart cherry juice twice a day for eight days reduced muscle pain and strain. Fresh or canned tart cherries are also helpful.
- Olive oil
- Canned salmon, sardines packed in water or olive oil, mackerel, albacore tuna, flaxseed, and walnuts—all good sources ofomega-3 fatty acids
- Vegetable protein (such as soy)
- Vegetables and fruits of every hue (canned or frozen are fine, as long as they’re not packed in heavy syrup or loaded with salt)
- Nuts of all kinds
- Green tea
- Ginger. Try steeping a bit of grated root in boiling water for tea.
 Cherries are high in antioxidants. Eat less
- Certain vegetable oils such as corn, safflower, sunflower, cottonseed, or “mixed” vegetable oils
- Margarine and vegetable shortening
- Processed foods
- Products containing high-fructose corn syrup
- Foods high in saturated fat, including meat, tropical oils, and full-fat dairy products
- Foods made with trans fats
A lack of vitamin D, the “sunshine” vitamin, may contribute to back pain. In one study, more than 80 percent of people between 15 and 52 with chronic low-back pain were deficient in the vitamin—and when they started supplementing, their back pain improved. Some nutrition experts suggest taking 1,000 IU of D3 daily.
Tags: back pain, back surgery, healthy foods, Lower Back Pain, pain, spine
Posted in Reposted from another source | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, September 15th, 2010
The following is a repost. Click the link at the bottom to read the full article.
All back pain is not created equally. The way pain in the back presents itself can be a clue to what kind of problem exists and therefore what to do about it. A proper assessment is crucial in order to begin relief and training to prevent recurrence of the cause.
Pain in the low back that does not radiate to the legs or buttocks is called lumbago. This pain will be described as an ache that may become sharp with certain movements. The pain can start suddenly or gradually and often the actual cause of it may not be known. Generally, lumbago is thought to be caused by overusing a weak back. Lifting, gardening, cleaning the house or other seemingly innocent physical chores may be enough to bring on lumbago. Sudden onset lumbago may be caused by a disc injury, muscle strains or spinal joint misalignment or irritation. Gradual onset lumbago may be caused by many things like postural problems, weak muscles or muscle imbalances, sacroiliac joint problems or poor sitting positions at work or while driving and spinal misalignment. Treatment can include heat if the pain is not of sudden onset or has continued for more than three or four days, spinal realignment such as a chiropractic adjustment, rest and massage. Lumbago can go away only to return sometime later. If this happens, an exercise program with a trainer is recommended to strengthen the back to prevent the problem in the future.
Pain in the lower back and or buttocks which radiates down one or both legs is called sciatica. Sciatica is not a condition, it is a symptom which can be caused by a long list of problems which cause pressure on the sciatic nerve, which extends from the lower spine and pelvis into the legs and all the way to the toes. Causes include inflammation, disc bulges, disc herniation, piriformis muscle syndrome or something less common, like tumors, bony growths or infection. Sciatica can be accompanied by…[read full article here]
Tags: back pain, back surgery, discs, healing, herniated disc, Lower Back Pain, nerves, neurological disease
Posted in Reposted from another source | 3 Comments »
Tuesday, September 14th, 2010
Tags: back brace, back pain, back surgery, DME, Durable Medical Equipment, herniated disc, Lower Back Pain, pain, prescription drug addiction, spinal brace, spinal decompression, spine, sr 500
Posted in Articles by Michael Harris | 2 Comments »
Friday, September 3rd, 2010
According to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), 60 percent of children toting heavy backpacks to school had suffered from back pain; studies conducted in France have shown that the longer a child wears a backpack, the longer it takes for the spine to correct itself from a curvature or deformity; and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) conducted by researchers at the University of California, San Diego, concluded that the heavier the bags, the more there was compression of the discs in the spine and increased curvature of the lower spine in kids.
Kids’ schoolbags should not weigh more than 10 to 15 percent of their own weight (i.e. if a child weights 65 pounds, their backpack should weigh no more than 13 pounds). Concerned parents only need to see their children leaning in one direction, breathing heavily while lugging their backpacks, or holding their straps to ease achy shoulders to realize they are carrying too much weight. Here are some tips to get your kids’ minds off their backs and back into their studies:
Be Picky About Your Pack
Children naturally migrate toward backpacks that display their favorite television characters. Examine these carefully. The right carryall for their school supplies can be fun and safe. An appropriate-sized backpack will end just a few inches above the waist. Also look for a backpack that has soft, padded straps to maximize comfort and different compartments that help distribute the weight. Packs with waist straps are an added bonus.
Proper Pack Packing
Have your child sort through their backpack and leave any books home that aren’t needed. Place the heaviest items in first so they are closer to your child’s back and put less strain on those muscles. Encourage your child to stop at his or her locker frequently to drop off books that aren’t needed the rest of the day. If the choice is available, advise your child to select a paperback textbook over the heavier hardcovers
Read more: http://blogcritics.org/culture/article/back-to-school-backpacking/#ixzz0yVHwRTtI
Tags: back brace, back injuries, back pack, back pain, back to school, discs, herniated disc, Lower Back Pain, spinal decompression
Posted in Reposted from another source | 2 Comments »
Monday, August 30th, 2010
Give your back a break! Treat it with respect and it will support you your entire life. Ignore it; neglect it or even abuse it and you will become one of the 80 percent of Americans who suffer from severe to moderate chronic back pain.
Here are seven sins that can spell pain and suffering to back health if not avoided.
Sin 1-Lifting with your back
The muscles in your legs work synergistically to be the most powerful group in your body. Your back muscles on the other hand are spread out and work more independently responding to which way you need to twist or bend. Therefore, when it comes to lifting heavy objects, you are much more likely to isolate, strain and pull a back muscle than you are a leg muscle. Plus, your spine consists of many individual bones (vertebrae) that house and protect nerves that are connected by many delicate micro tendons, tissues and muscle. Your legs on the other hand have three main, large bones supported by large muscles. Logically thinking, the legs are where it’s at when you need to lift.
Sin 2-Poor Posture
Slouching: Yes, it is a sin. Your mom knew what she was talking about all those years. Over time it and other poor posture positions wear the ligaments down, squish the discs into degenerative oblivion and can even cause the vertebrae to rub, grow spurs and fall out of alignment.
Sin 3-Wreckless Abandon
While we are young many of us feel indestructible and we engage in risky activities that can lead to back injury. For example, my brother once got a little too big for his britches while jumping his dirt bike at our local sand dunes. Too much speed led to too much height which led to landing too hard which led to a broken back. Luckily no damage occurred to his spinal column, but now that he is older the location of his breaks are turning into sources of pain, and the prognosis is for it to worsen. Moral of the story: We all get old and injuries incurred when we were young though careless actions can come back with a haunting vengeance.
Sin 4-Poor Health
We’ve all seen the guy with a belly so large he has to lean way back to maintain a center of balance. The strain such a posture puts on the spine is one thing, the wearing effects of the excess weight is another. Additionally such a person is likely not in the habit of keeping his core muscles in shape. They are your abdominal muscles and all the back muscles surrounding your spine. If kept strong they minimize the deteriorating effects gravity can have on your discs and vertebrae. When weak you run a significant risk of degenerative disc disease and a drove of other malicious ailments. Add the burden of excess weight or obesity and you are sure to be hurting as early as your mid 30s, depending on factors such as genetics and the previously-mentioned sins.
Sin 5-Genetics
It may not be fair to call genetics a sin…but just as inheriting a predisposition for cancer or heart problems, genetics can dictate your back’s susceptibility to such things as arthritis and other diseases. Sin or not, genetics can play a very significant role.
Sin 6-Injury
Accidents happen. Whether you slip on some ice; lose your footing on your stairs; get in an automobile accident or land wrong when skydiving; one accident can cause a lifetime of pain. It doesn’t matter if you are the cause of the accident or a victim, the sentence is the same…damage to key locations of your back.
Sin 7-Disregard
Should you have the misfortune of sustaining a back injury or if you are hurting as a result of one of sins 1-5 you are likely going to end up talking with a doctor, a chiropractor, a physical therapist or some other practitioner as you seek relief from the pain. And you are likely to hear all sorts of advice. The worst thing you can do is permanently ignore what you hear. However, some of the advice may be conflicting so it is important that you do your own research…and of course opt for the less evasive therapies before agreeing to back surgery. And if your doctor asks you to take it easy, wear a back brace or do some specific core-strengthening exercises, follow his suggestions! For to disregard them would be…a sin.
Tags: back brace, back injuries, back pain, back surgery, Lower Back Pain, spine, sr 500
Posted in Articles by Michael Harris | 4 Comments »
Wednesday, August 25th, 2010
If you are one of the millions of Americans suffering from disc-related back pain it is important for you to understand the difference between the three major types of disc dysfunction and how to treat them.
A disc can suffer damage from an isolated incident such as a fall or a car accident, or it can gradually weaken with age. Either way, the result is most likely severe pain.
This is because discs are in such close proximity to a slew of delicate nerves. One slip, bulge, break or squeeze from the adjacent disc and you can experience pain that will stop you in your tracks, most likely in the form of sciatica pain (the nerve that goes through your buttocks and down your legs).
Here’s a summary of everything you ever needed to know about your discs but never knew you needed to ask:
- A healthy disc has a fibrous outer shell with a jelly-like, squishy substance in the middle called the nucleus. It is that center substance that gives the disc its shock absorbing traits and keeps the vertebrae from rubbing against each other.
- A bulging disc is when, most likely through an injury, the disc is over compacted (squished) between the two vertebrae it protects, forcing the nucleus to push against the fibrous shell with such force that it actually bulges the wall of the shell.
- A herniated disc is when the nucleus actually penetrates the fibrous wall spilling out into the inter-vertebra cavity. This is also called a ruptured disc.
- Disc degeneration is not necessarily caused by injury although an earlier injury may be the partial cause. Degeneration is a much slower onset and is due to age, poor health and poor posture. All these combined gradually wear the disc down. The disc loses its height and elasticity. As it loses height it begins to allow the vertebra to touch and rub. This in itself can be painful and will likely result in osteophyte formations (bone spurs on the outer rim of the vertebrae). Signs of early disc degeneration are referred to as disc thinning.
No matter your disc ailment, believe it or not there is something you can do. Discs can heal if given the opportunity. That opportunity is in the form of added space. All of the above ailments are caused by either a onetime violent squeeze on the disc or a life time of squeezing from gravitational effects. Either way the disc’s natural residing area was compromised forcing it to flatten. With no room to spare in the inter-vertebral disc space, the disc, or parts of it, is forced out. Or in the case of degeneration, cell by cell, over time the disc dissipates.
Give the disc back its original space and the disc will reassume its original shape…and heal! Well, most likely. Extremity of the injury or the advancement of the degeneration may be deterring factors…as will age and patient’s overall health.
How do you give a disc more space? Depends on who you ask. A spinal surgeon is likely to tell you it can be done through surgery (by cutting off the herniation or carving into the vertebra to create more room) or not at all (in which case they may recommend a spinal fusion of the two vertebrae in question thus totally eliminating the need for the disc).
A chiropractor will tell you otherwise—particularly a chiro who specializes in decompression therapy. Modern decompression therapy involves computer guided micro adjustments that can target the specific disc in question. The adjustments expand or stretch the two vertebrae thus creating more inter-vertebral disc space. The result is the disc distracts back into its place and begins the healing process. Full distraction is accomplished over the course of 15 to 30 sessions. These sessions may be augmented with a decompression brace.
Of course, it should go without saying that exercise and good health can make a huge difference in both preventing disc problems in the first place, and in helping them heal. This is especially true with degenerative disc disease. If your core muscles, (the ones responsible for lower spine support) are kept strong, natural weight-bearing forces are kept off the discs to begin with thereby sparing your discs the wear and tear that promotes degeneration.
Tags: back injuries, back surgery, healing, herniated disc, Lower Back Pain, pain, spinal decompression, spine
Posted in Articles by Michael Harris | 17 Comments »
Monday, August 16th, 2010
If you have prolonged moderate to severe back pain, chances are at some point a doctor is going to suggest back surgery. Most likely this suggestion will come after pain med prescriptions and epidural blocks have lost their efficiency and you are at your rope’s end.
There are many things you can do to help your back heal and avoid going under the knife. Of course everyone is different and each cause of back pain is unique, so unfortunately a “one cure fits all” remedy is simply not available.
Let’s get going. First and foremost is diet and exercise. Yeah yeah I am sure you are as sick as the rest of us of hearing you’ve got to work out and eat right. But maybe you are hearing it so much because it is actually important? Just a thought.
The preventative effects exercise alone can have on your back and its overall health are significant. Ever heard of exercises that strengthen your core? They are not referring to your spirit or soul. They are referring to that group of muscles located in and around your midsection (your waist and lower back). They are called obliques, abdominals, flexors, extensors and glutes. Keep these babies toned and loose and you will not only avoid a plethora of potential back problems later in life, but you will find your posture is one even 18th century Aristocrats would be proud of.
Keeping these muscles strong keeps weight bearing forces off the spine…which can prevent such nasties as bulging or herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, and facet joint deterioration. All of which equal pain with a capital “P.” Regarding diet, answer this question: What is most likely to wear down your spine—80 or more lbs of beer belly fat (men) or no extra weight at all? Does the answer really need to be stated?
What does need stating is the effect smoking can have on the back. As if you needed one more reason to not smoke, the arteries which carry precious nutrient-rich blood to your back—including to all the delicate tissue around your spin and the discs and muscles that cushion and support it—tend to harden and restrict with age. Smoking speeds up this process possibly making it so you have an 80-year old back when you are only 60 or 65. Lack of nutrients to your back is an open door invitation for degenerative diseases such as arthritis to take hold.
But let’s say you’ve already spent most your life neglecting your core muscles coupled with a wicked mixture of bad eating habits. Now you have constant moderate to severe back pain. Is it too late? Is your back destined to be sliced and diced? No, not necessarily.
Again, this has to be said with caution because sometimes surgery may indeed be necessary. But we’ll assume you are one of the many lucky ones who can find relief without a surgical knife. How do you know if you are one of the lucky ones? One of the following tactics will work.
To begin with, start exercising your core muscles! Trouble is by now you may be in so much pain that you can’t actually exercise. Now what?
Work with a physical therapist. Start slow, with stretches and mild moves. Believe it or not, little by little your muscles will strengthen. However, that might not be enough. You may have damage that needs repaired in addition to strengthening your core. Fortunately the body is its own best healer! A chiropractor, especially one that specializes in spinal decompression, may be exactly what you need. Today’s decompression tables are guided by super smart computers that control the force and angle of the pull on the spine thus tricking the body’s natural tendency to resist. The result is extra room between the vertebrae into which bulging or herniated discs can distract and heal.
Lastly, use a decompression spinal brace for your toughest times. Such a brace can give your back the break (no pun intended) it needs just long enough to get you to your next round of core-strengthening exercises.
Tags: back brace, back pain, back surgery, Lower Back Pain, pain, spinal brace, spinal decompression, sr 500
Posted in Articles by Michael Harris | 5 Comments »
Friday, July 30th, 2010
No one disagrees that the evolution of modern medicine has been a miracle. From the discovery of Penicillin in the 1920’s to the development of the artificial heart; the advances and innovations that have come within the last century are stunning.
The resulting industry found within modern medicine is large and powerful with more than a quarter million physicians and over 5,000 hospitals in the U.S. alone. World-wide total health care expenditures top $4.5 trillion, $550 billion of that in prescription drugs.
Yet there are many who feel the “system” is broken—that it is focused more on profits than the patient. This thought is exacerbated by mainstream medicine’s resistance to new approaches such as preventative medicine, chiropractic practices and holistic and energetic healing techniques—despite some very convincing data and success stories. The resulting banter between the two thoughts can leave the consumer frustrated and confused, wondering which philosophy to subscribe to.
How about subscribing to both? Why does it have to be one or the other? It doesn’t. But since those in traditional and alternative medicines don’t live under one happy roof, it is unfortunately left to the consumer to navigate his way through the maze that is to become their road to recovery.
Amongst all the chatter, there are a few things you can believe, and a few you can’t. Here is your quick guide:
Believe—that Chiropractic is a legitimate way to help your body heal and prevent pain. Chiropractics have been around for three decades and has gained acceptance even within the “traditional” medical community.
Believe—that a healthy diet and regular exercise will keep you healthy and out of the hospital.
Believe—that bacterial infections need to be treated with antibiotics. There is no “alternative” equivalent. Yes, your body’s immune system may be able to trump the infection on its own, but the risk is so not worth it.
Believe—that sometimes surgery is necessary, sometimes it is not. Unfortunately some doctors jump to the surgery conclusion too quickly either out of frustration, lack of understanding or—God forbid—because it makes them the most money. So it is up to you to understand what it is your doctor wants to do and why, and what the desired outcome is. Then do your own research to see if there are alternatives to reach the same outcome.
A good example of an alternative to surgery can be found with those who suffer from back pain, particularly pain associated from a ruptured or bulging disc. Western medicine’s approach is to surgically remove the herniated disc matter. The alternative approach is spinal decompression using a decompression table at a qualified chiropractor’s office. Decompression has saved thousands of patients from back surgery.
Don’t Believe—that just because something did or did not work for someone else, that it will or will not work for you. Everyone is different. Individual results will vary.
Don’t Believe—that all drugs are bad. Some drugs may be necessary. But of course when it comes to prescription drugs, less is more. Don’t blindly accept every prescription offered to you. Also, don’t blindly refuse to take them either. Do your research.
Don’t Believe—all vitamins, minerals and supplements are good. This is an unregulated area of the FDA. As a result there are some false claims and overstatements of benefits. Generally though, subscribing to a diet full of vitamins and minerals won’t hurt anything…other than maybe your wallet.
Don’t Believe—that just because your doctor doesn’t bring up or endorse a certain alternative practice that it is not a good one. Remember, doctors have gone to 12 years of higher education to learn a certain world view on medicine. They are not likely to step out of that box. Alternative medicine is gaining popularity for a reason—it can work. You don’t have to look very hard to find plenty of success stories from folks who “cured themselves” through alternative means.
Tags: alternative medicine, chiropractics, decompression, diet, health, Lower Back Pain, pain, surgery, vitamins
Posted in Articles by Michael Harris | 18 Comments »
Tuesday, July 20th, 2010
For the first time in more than a decade, the American Society of Anesthesiologists Task Force on Chronic Pain Management has updated its chronic pain guidelines. The new recommendations are designed to help clinicians who treat pain. The objectives are to optimize pain control, enhance physical and psychological well-being, and minimize adverse outcomes.
The great news is that they recommend the use of TENS for Chronic Pain. On page 816 “TENS: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of TENS compared with sham TENS reports lower pain scores or greater pain relief from back pain for assessment periods ranging from 1 hour to 1 month (Category A1 evidence). Observational findings indicate that TENS provides improved pain scores for a variety of pain conditions for assessment periods of 3-6 months (Category B2 evidence). Consultants, ASA members, and ASRA members agree that TENS should be used for patients with chronic noncancer pain.” And further down the same page: “TENS should be used as part of a multimodal approach to pain management for patients with chronic back pain and may be used for other pain conditions (e.g., neck and phantom limb pain).”
~Source: Medscape and Anesthesiology Journal.
Tags: electro therapy, Lower Back Pain, pain, TENS
Posted in NEWS | 4 Comments »
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