Spinal Stenosis

November 10th, 2008

Spinal Stenosis

Symptoms and Treatment of Lumbar Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is caused by narrowing in the openings of the vertebrae that nerves pass through. When the narrowed area is in the lower back, it is called lumbar stenosis. The symptoms of lumbar stenosis are related to the compression of nerves that go to the hips, legs and feet.

Symptoms

The most common symptom of lumbar stenosis is pain in the legs. Sometimes people will have what’s called “neurogenic claudication” pain, which is heaviness, aching or cramping in your legs when you walk. Claudication pain gets worse if you walk and is relieved by sitting or lying down. It can be caused by impaired circulation to the legs (vascular claudication) or by lumbar stenosis. The claudication pain of lumbar stenosis is usually also relieved by bending over or stooping down.

People with lumbar stenosis can also have “radicular pain,” or pain that radiates down one or both legs, also called sciatica. Other sensory abnormalities caused by lumbar stenosis are tingling, heaviness or numbness in your toes, feet and legs. Motor abnormalities include weakness in one or both legs and difficulty walking.

Rarely, severe lumbar stenosis can cause “caudae equinae syndrome.” The spinal cord itself ends in the lower back and splits into several nerves. Those nerves continue down the spinal canal and exit in pairs between the vertebrae. Lumbar stenosis that compresses the caudae equinae can cause “saddle anesthesia,” or loss of feeling where you would sit on a saddle, bladder or fecal incontinence and sexual dysfunction. It is considered a medical emergency because only a very large disc herniation or other serious problem can cause caudae equinae syndrome.

Treatment

Treatment modalities for lumbar stenosis can be divided into three categories: conservative, alternative and surgical.

Conservative treatment includes anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxers and pain medications. Physical therapy is often helpful in improving pain and mobility. If the pain continues, you could receive cortisone or anesthetic injections. Anesthetic injections, or nerve blocks, usually give you some relief from the pain. Cortisone injections seem to be less effective.

Chiropractic, massage and acupuncture are alternative treatments. They provide excellent pain relief for some people.

Surgery is usually a laminectomy, or removal of some of the bone around the spinal canal, to make a larger opening for the nerves. Sometimes a spinal fusion is done, too, to stabilize the vertebrae and keep them from slipping and compressing the nerves.

Many people, especially those who are older or who have other health risks, benefit from minimally invasive surgery for lumbar stenosis. The surgeon views the lumbar spine with a microscopic endoscope and uses microsurgical techniques to make specific repairs. Endoscopic surgery is less invasive and better tolerated than traditional surgery.

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About the Author: David Betz is a consultant doing work for Laser Spine Surgery http://www.laserspineinstitute.com and
Houston Web Site Design http://www.novatexsolutions.com

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This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Seek the guidance of a licensed physician if you need medical advice.

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Physical Therapy

October 20th, 2008

Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy Exercises

By Milos Pesic

The procedures of physical therapy are diverse. Physical therapy combines a variety of methods and techniques. Yet all in all, the process would include lifestyle change, external stimulation, use of assisting devices, and of course – the therapeutic exercise.

Appointing yourself with physical therapy exercises gets you in the hub of physical wellness. Whether to decrease pain or increase movement and function, various physical therapy exercises tender different types of body training that will improve any patient’s physical condition.

As the heart of any physical therapy program, whether clinical or home care, physical therapy exercises shall keep you moving. Plus points with the physical therapy exercises has been earning scores since studies realized that keeping an overworked or injured muscle immobilized to ‘rest’ is a bad idea. In contrast, continuous physical therapy exercises shall assure a patient’s vital recovery. In most cases, failure to use the muscles surrounding an injury or illness can lead to permanent weakness – a big no-no for physical therapy.

Physical therapy exercises are intended to restore strength and endurance, increase range of movement, and also improve balance and coordination. And to increase these effectiveness, physical therapists also use the physical therapy exercises treatment along with external stimulations such as heat, coldness, ultrasound, electricity, infrared or UV light, traction, water, and massage. All are applied externally to a specific area, or internally, in order to relieve pain or reducing swelling.

Another factor to assure the success of the exercise methods is to do it right. As long as properly prescribed, physical therapy exercises are the most effective method for healing sports or accident injuries or restoring basic functions. Another key is to do enough exercises. Physical therapy exercises performed during office visits alone is inadequate. For quick recovery, physical therapists also teach patients how to exercise at home. Here are some examples of home physical therapy exercises:

Sitting Stretch:

Sit on the floor with a towel around one of your outstretched foot (or around the one bent knee). Pull the foot towards your body (or the knee upwards) to feel the stretch. Hold for some seconds. Do alternately, and repetitively and at particular number of times per day.

Standing Wall Push:

Position your body against/ facing a wall with one foot behind slightly lunging. Hold the heel down while gently pushing your hands towards the wall to feel the stretch. Hold for some seconds. Do alternately, and repetitively and at particular number of times per day.

Tightening Legs Over a Ball:

With one knee bent over a ball, straighten the knee by trying to tighten the muscle on your upper thigh. Be sure to keep the bottom of your knee on the ball. Hold for some seconds. Do alternately, and repetitively and at particular number of times per day.

You should note that the repetitions and frequency of the exercises are increased progressively according to the exercise plan or as directed by your PT. Good luck!

Milos Pesic is a successful webmaster and owner of popular and comprehensive Physical Therapy web site. For more articles and resources on Physical Therapy related topics, Physical Therapy exercises and much more visit his site at:

=>http://physical-therapy.need-to-know.net/

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Tempur Pedic Mattress

July 15th, 2008

Tempur Pedic Mattress



My Quest For The Perfect Mattress

By Mike Taylor

It seems to me like everyone I have talked to lately has had the same problem my wife and I did in finding a mattress we both liked so I thought I would write about our experiences.

We had a mattress that was about 15 years old and had that sag in the middle. You know the one where if you lay on your side you’ll roll backwards into each other?

We decided it was time to get a new mattress so we went to our local furniture store and tried several different models from all the top names. After spending so much time “sleeping” on them to the point of the salespeople asking us for our breakfast order we decided on a Simmons Beautyrest and it was promptly delivered to our home.

It was extra firm and you could not feel the other person move around which was definitely a big plus. But, after trying the mattress for several weeks and waking up stiff and sore we felt it was too hard and asked for a replacement.

Since this was a store where we did a lot of business they obliged and we got a Serta Perfect Sleeper pillow top thinking that the extra cushion would help prevent that morning stiffness.

Well, the Serta turned out to be too soft and we never did get used to it. After several months we saw an ad for the Select Comfort Air Bed and I told my wife to” get ready because we’re headed to the mall” where there was a Select Comfort store.

After spending close to an hour trying the bed out and playing with all of the settings we were sold. Now we only had to wait a few weeks for delivery and we would be set and finally able to sleep peacefully.

The mattress came in several boxes and set-up was simple. At last, we were going to sleep comfortably! Well, once again we never did get used to the Select Comfort. Either it was too hard or too soft and it kind of felt like an air mattress that we used to use when we stayed at my sister’s over the holidays so we sent it back. The remote control was kind of neat though.

The re-packing process was pretty difficult and I had to call the company to figure out how to get everything to fit back in the boxes as the main “mattress” was originally vacuum packed into a compact bag and now was much bigger and bulkier.

We went back to our old Serta still longing for a good nights sleep when we finally decided to try the mattress of last resort, the Tempurpedic Memory Foam mattress. I had used a Tempurpedic pillow for years and absolutely loved it but I was put off by the high price of the mattress. We decided that if it worked it would be well worth the money so we ordered one (this was before you could buy them in stores) and were pretty excited when it came.

After a few weeks we noticed we were having slight backaches in the morning so we called the company and a representative said that was common if you slept on your side (which we do) and that it would go away after awhile.

It took some time but eventually the pain did go away and we now love our Tempurpedic! You never have to flip it, dust mites can’t live in it and it lasts for at least 20 years.

I really like it best in the winter as it gets firm when it’s colder and then your body just nestles in nice and cozy as your body heat softens the mattress. In the summertime it’s definitely softer but still much better than any other mattress we have ever slept on.

If you are on a quest like we were for the perfect night’s sleep do yourself a big favor and try the Tempurpedic Memory Foam mattress. Hey, if you don’t like it you can always send it back but I’m guessing you’re going to love it too.

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Surgery For Back Pain

July 15th, 2008



Surgery For Back Pain

By Frederic Madore

Unless you absolutely need an emergency surgical procedure, surgery for back pain should be the very last solution to look at to get rid of your back problems. If you are suffering from extreme back pain, you should immediately consult with your physician, and only if he recommends it, you should seek surgery for your back pain. People usually do this type of procedure when every other back treatment fails or if the causes of your back problems can only be cured by surgery for back pain

Proven Herniated Disc

Of course there are situation where surgery for back pain is inevitable. One of those cases would be to suffer from a proven herniated disc which is quite painful. The surgical procedure consists in decompressing the nerves in your back relieving you of your pain.

Other conditions requiring surgery for back pain:

- Fracturing your spine
- Dislocating your spine
- Spondylolisthesis (This is when one of your vertebra slips forward under another one)
- If you are suffering from a Neurologic deficit that is a result of a nerve compression.

Even in spite of the most serious conditions that may warrant having to undergo surgery for back pain, statistics report that there is approximately only a one percent chance that you would actually need to resort to surgery for your back pain problems. The major factor that will decide whether you need surgery or not, is the severity of your condition. Is the condition preventing you to perform your day-to-day activities? Will you back problem will get worse if left untreated? All these aspects will be taken into account.

Now days there are many surgeon and experts that are of the view that in the past there as been too much surgery for back pain that where not successful. Many of those surgeries did not help the patient and in some cases even made the condition worse. They are now convince that before performing surgery for back pain, the individuals must be selected carefully and the surgery will be performed only on those that are most suited for this kind of procedure.

There are many types of surgery for back pain, for example there is the surgery for:

- Discs problems
- To stabilize the spine
- To create more space in the spine
- And more

You physician or doctor is the only person qualified to help you determine what is the best surgery for back pain according to your condition.

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Osteoporosis

May 21st, 2008

Osteoporosis

Prevent Osteoporosis During Menopause - The Easy Way

We know that our bodies require calcium and vitamin D in order to build and maintain powerful bones. According to his recent book entitled, “Preventing and Reversing Osteoporosis,” by Dr. Alan Gaby, it takes more vitamins than we think to prevent brittle bones including Vitamins K and B; as well as minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, fluorine, silica and boron.

The idea is to provide enough combined supplementation for our bodies to make an abundance of healthy collagen which is the connective tissue used to create cartilage and bones. Collagen also ‘binds’ our cells together and as a result, someone with good collagen has healthy looking skin whereas another will have thin and wrinkled skin.

A healthy bone cut in half looks similar to a sponge. The body deposits calcium, phosphorus and other minerals onto all of those connective fibers and you get healthy bones! The holes give the bone its flexibility, and you won’t have healthy bones if you don’t have plenty of collagen on which to deposit the minerals.

Collagen is primarily a protein which is made from amino acids. Our bodies can create some of our requirements but we also need additional amounts from our foods and supplements including lysine and praline. Vitamin C is also required to create collagen.

Now we know how bones can be made stronger, but how is this process affected by menopause? The loss of estrogen due to menopause or possibly surgical removal of the ovaries can accelerate bone loss for a period of up to 8 years. It is well established that replacing that estrogen helps protect against the risk of osteoporosis.

More often, women’s bones become fragile as we age and it’s not uncommon to break bones in the wrist, spine and hip due to osteoporosis. Unfortunately, a fracture such as in the hip, can even shorten our life span so it is important to pay attention to our bone health.

What should be done to prevent osteoporosis from happening after menopause?

First of all, eat the foods that are calcium-rich (about 1,000 mg per day) and can enhance bone growth including: sardines, salmon, seafood, and green leafy vegetables such as swiss chard, beet tops, kale, mustard greens, collards, spinach, dandelion greens, watercress, parsley, chicory, turnip greens, broccoli leaves, almonds, asparagus, blackstrap molasses, broccoli, cabbage, carob, figs, filberts, oats, prunes, sesame seeds, tofu and other soy products. Vitamin D-rich foods include fish oils such as found in salmon, mackerel, sardines), eggs (including the yolks), sweet potatoes, tuna, vegetable oils and cod liver oil. Getting 15-20 minutes of sunlight exposure daily can also boost production of vitamin D.

Exercise is crucial; in particular, you need weight-bearing exercise such as walking, Tai chi, dancing and weight training to reduce the chances of brittle bones at least two times a week. Include 15 to 60 minutes of aerobic activity two to three times a week. Avoid high-impact activities and include stretching exercises.

Finally, use high-quality supplements prescribed by your doctor or health-care provider, and oh yeah, don’t forget to have fun.
The information in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice.

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About the Author: Cathy Taylor is a marketing consultant and freelance writer. She can be reached at creativecommunications@cox.net

This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Seek the guidance of a licensed physician if you need medical advice.

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Pain Management

May 9th, 2008

Pain Management

Pain Management as a Method of First Resort, Not Last

by: Leslie McKerns

In treating acute or chronic pain, it has long been accepted that physicians had two basic options to alleviate suffering: surgery or pain medication. Now there is a third option–pain alleviating, non-invasive pain management procedures used as the method of first resort, not last.

Creative, innovative solutions to previously persistent painful disorders are increasingly making surgery unnecessary. Pain management includes pain alleviating treatment for back pain, neck pain, nerve pain, work related injuries, cancer related pain, traumatic insult, Sciatica (compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve), Spinal Stenosis (build-up of bone in the spinal cavity), Spinal Cord Injuries, Post Stroke Pain, Shingles, Herniated Disks and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

Pioneering pain management techniques performed by Board Certified Pain Management physicians include highly specific injection procedures eliminating pain at its source by isolating the nerve ending to the painful spot. The breakthrough process numbs or freezes the nerve and keeps it numb for up to a year. Benefits include avoiding costly major surgery, lengthy recovery times and the risks of infection or debilitating complications.

Who experiences pain?

According to the American Chronic Pain Association, pain affects 86 million Americans, causing losses to US business and industry of $90 billion. Back pain is the leading cause of disability in Americans under 45 years old, and more than 26 million Americans between the ages of 20 and 64 will have back pain during their lifetime. Many back pain problems occur following injury, strain and accidents causing fractures, lumbar muscle strains and ruptured/herniated discs.

Other causes of pain include degenerative changes caused by the normal aging process. The US Census bureau reported 78.2 million Baby Boomers in 2005, (nearly a quarter of the U.S. population). In 2006 there were 7,918 people turning 60 each day—representing 330 every hour. Baby Boomers are an active generation—working longer and playing harder than previous generations. Sports activities, repetitive stress and ambitious weekend projects account for painful conditions and injuries.

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), osteoporosis is responsible for more than 300,000 bone fractures annually, costing the nation $17 billion. According to the NOF, osteoporosis affects 44 million American men and women age 50 and older, and one in two women and one in four men in this age group will break a bone due to osteoporosis.

Recent advances in technology, new techniques and minimally invasive procedures in interventional pain medicine have eliminated many of the sources of pain, allowing patients to return to a normal level of activity.

What is the non-invasive nature of the treatment?

Over the last twenty years, many chemical and anatomic pain pathways have been identified and studied. The Board Certified pain medicine specialist often performs diagnostic injections, usually with enhanced fluoroscopic guidance. These injections isolate and confirm the source of the patient’s pain. Once identified, these painful structures are medically treated.

Medication can be injected at the exact site of the injury or compressive lesion. Epiduroscopy is the insertion of a fiber optic filament through a needle directly into the spine. This is connected to a television monitor to visualize the inside of the spinal canal, spinal cord and spinal nerves. This procedure has been effective in making accurate diagnosis, accomplishing precise injections, cutting of epidural adhesions and scar tissue and the removal of toxins liberated by injured discs.

Injured or painful facet joints can be injected with steroids. If long-term pain relief is not accomplished, these patients are often treated with Radiofrequency rhyzotomies. These Radiofrequency procedures numb the facet joints and eliminate the patient’s pain for approximately one year. These are outpatient or office procedures, which often provide immediate pain relief and allow the patient to return home after a 30-45 minute recovery period.

Discogenic pain due to injured and herniated discs is now being treated with new outpatient procedures called an IDET (Intradiscal Electrothermal Treatment) procedure and a Nucleoplasty. A special wire electrode is inserted through a needle into a disc and directed to the affected area of the disc herniation. Once in place, the electrode is heated with Radiofrequency or designed to create an electromagnetic field. This causes cauterization and vaporization of the disc, proliferation and tightening of the protein matrix of the disc, shrinking of small herniations and disc denervation or numbing. The final effect of this process is the relief of pain and the creation of more collagen within the disc.

Rather than simply administering pain medication, Board Certified Pain Management physicians diagnose the sources of pain and provide pain relief through these and other minimally invasive techniques.

Keywords: back pain treatments, disc pain treatments, injured discs, minimally invasive treatment options for pain, outpatient procedures for treatment of pain, Board Certified Pain Management physicians, lumbar muscle strains, ruptured or herniated discs, osteoporosis and bone fractures, Baby Boomers and back pain, relief of pain, new treatments for painful conditions, diagnosing the sources of pain, IDET, Nucleoplasty, immediate pain relief, what to do for back pain, treating pain with pain management techniques

About The Author

Leslie McKerns of McKerns Development writes about issues in the professions. http://www.freewebs.com/mckernsdevelopment/

Want to know more about Board Certified Pain Management physicians and minimally invasive treatment options? Visit: http://www.helpain.com

This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Seek the guidance of a licensed physician if you need medical advice.

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Scoliosis

May 9th, 2008

Scoliosis

Scoliosis: The Facts

In medical terms, the spinal cord is a thin, tubular bundle or network of nerves that act as the extension of the central nervous system. The spinal cord functions as the “transmission line” of neural messages from the brain to the rest of the body. The spinal cord is enclosed by the vertebral column, a bony structure that protects the nerves. Usually, the normal shape of the spinal cord would be an inverted ‘S.’ The bony covering of the spine also serves as a prop or structure that allows a person to stand upright and maintain over-all body balance.

Like other parts of the body, the spine is also prone to some diseases. One such disease is called scoliosis, a condition that involves the rotational and lateral curvature or deformity of the spine. According to U.S. health statistics, about 5 in 1,000 Americans have scoliosis or other spine-related problems such as congenital spine deformity, neuromuscular problems, and limb length inequality. Other ailments that are related to the spine and the central nervous system are spina bifida, cerebral palsy, spinal muscular atrophy, and muscular dystrophy. About 80% of scoliosis cases are considered as idiopathic, meaning that the cause for the ailment is unknown. Idiopathic patients are separated into four distinguished categories, all based on the age of the person. The age range for infantile idiopathic patients is three years and under; juvenile idiopathic patients would be from three to nine years old; adolescent patients would be from ten to eighteen years of age; and the adult stage starts right after the individual’s skeletal maturity, which is usually at around 24 years old. Based on current data, it is safe to say that scoliosis can run in families, which means that a person may be prone to this disease if there are close members of his family that have the said ailment.

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What are the visible signs of scoliosis? A person may have this spinal deformity if he exhibits a prominent, raised hip; uneven waist; different rib cage heights; different shoulder heights; a head that is not centered directly above the pelvis; skin changes on the spine, including hairy patches, color change, and dimples; and the leaning of the entire body to one particular side.

There are also severe cases of scoliosis that may require surgery. Spinal deformities that increase in progression, curves that bring pain on a regular basis, curves affecting physiological functions such as breathing, to name a few, are the situations that may require surgical treatment. Scoliosis surgery usually entails the procedure called spinal fusion. Although not all people with scoliosis needs surgery, it is essential to have a check up with an orthopedic doctor to mitigate the effects of scoliosis. The proper alignment of the spine is not only important for one’s posture but also for the proper transmission of neural impulses that are needed for good physical coordination.

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Back Surgery Options

March 21st, 2008

Back Surgery

Back surgery - Neurosurgeon or Orthopedic Surgeon? Does it Matter?

If your back pain is chronic then chances are good you’ve tried all manner of conservative back pain remedies, stuff like resting, medication, heat or cold therapy, physical therapy, visits to the chiropractor and even cortiscosteroid injections. If the back pain persists it may be time to consider a more invasive approach.

Your primary care physician can help you find the right Neurosurgeon for your procedure. Here are some questions you should ask your surgeon well before your surgery date:

1) Are there alternatives to surgery? You may think you’ve tried them all, but your neurosurgeon could have suggestions beyond what you’ve attempted thus far. Further, he’s seen your type of pain a great deal and may know just the conservative remedy for you.

2) What are the risks of this surgery? It’s important that you know all the long and short term risks that accompany your potential surgery. This is a tough question to ask but it will help you to weigh your decision and it’s better to know the risks up front.

3) What are the benefits of this surgery? This may sound like an obvious question, but it will help you make sure that the surgeon knows exactly what pain you’re having and that he’s discussing the operation that’s best for you. Further, there might be some benefits of the surgery that you don’t really need. Talk this one all the way through and help diagnose yourself fully.

4) What will happen if I don’t have this surgery? There might be more factors than your continued back pain. If so, you should know these factors before making your final back surgery decision.

5) Where can I go for a second opinion? This may seem like an odd question, but it’s a great test of your neurosurgeon’s mettle. If he’s quick to rattle off second opinion options then it’s clear that he’s confident in his diagnosis. His confidence should NOT be your only deciding factor. Even if you really like your doctor it’s imperative that you get that second opinion. You’ll have your back for the rest of your life so make sure you’re getting it the best care possible.

6) How long can I expect to be in the hospital? The answer to this question gives you an idea of how invasive the procedure really is, plus it will give you an idea of how to plan for other aspects of your life such as work and family responsibilities.

7) How long will it take me to recover? Full recovery from the surgery could potentially take longer than your stay in the hospital. Talk this one through with your surgeon to get a good idea of the full extent of recovery, and even some things you could do to speed recovery.

8) What if I still have back pain after surgery? Be sure to ask this question of any and all neurosurgeons you see prior to surgery - it’s vital that you have a road map of the potential lengths you have to go through to achieve relief from your pain. Ideally, should pain persist, you’ll be able to relieve it using more conservative methods.

9) When can I resume normal activities? This question should give you the final analysis on how long you’ll be out of commission due to the surgery. Be sure to have a list handy of all the activities that are important to you and go down the list with your neurosurgeon to see if there are any special cases that may have longer or shorter wait times.

10) What is your experience with this surgery? Make sure you get at both angles of this question… You’re asking not only how many times your surgeon has performed the operation, but how well the operation has achieved its goals over time. Take your time with this question and get a thorough answer. You could also consider looking up your doctor’s online profiles to check his experience. Mine are here: Dr Steven Gelbard (from SpineUniverse.com) and here Dr Steven Gelbard (HealthGrades).

So there you have it, the top ten questions to ask your neurosurgeon before surgery. I also suggest that you ask him about costs, and what items or people you should bring with you to the hospital on the day of your surgery.

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Is Back Surgery Needed

February 22nd, 2008

Back Surgery

Back Surgery Is Not Always The Answer

by: Robert Gould

So many people suffer from chronic low back pain. Its the number one reason Americans miss work. Back pain can either come on slow and get worse, or all at once you wake to find you cant get out of bed like a lighting strike out of the blue. Either way its a terrible thing to cope with. When after a few days or a couple of weeks at tops, most people end up going to the doctor. Upon going to the doctor, a lot of the people hurting with low back pain are told by physicians that surgery is needed. This news alone can be devastating in itself. Back surgery required recovery time that most people cant afford to take from work. Back surgery also is very expensive. Not only does it take a to recover and expensive, its also sometimes not even necessary.

So many people have low back surgery when other alternatives could have been used. Other methods of dealing with back pain can be physical therapy, biofeedback, traction, exercise, steroid injections, and electric stimulation therapy of muscles and nerves just to name a few. People that rush into back surgery have found that their back actually hurts worse than it did before the surgery. Some people also need follow up surgery either to correct mistakes made in the initial surgery, or problems in the back that crops up later. Either way this is also devastating. By this time, the patient has been out of work so long, that a financial hardship has occurred, medical bills have piled up, or some people have lost their employment, and find their back pain is no better or even worse.

People needlessly put themselves in this situation. I blame this on a couple of things. Physicians are quick to suggest surgery for the simple reason they do not believe in treating people with pain medicine. Some physicians are more worried about writing prescriptions for pain medication, than the pain your suffering from. This is due to people abusing the system when it comes to prescription drugs, or the lack of knowledge the physician sometimes has towards chronic pain sufferers. Either way the true chronic pain patient suffers tremendously.

When it comes to your back, going under the knife should always be the last resort. Everything under the sun should be tried, and tried again before anyone should have surgery. There are a few exceptions when having back surgery right away is necessary, but for the most part, other measures and therapy are out their and should be used. As a low back pain sufferer myself, though Im not a medical doctor, I would suggest something like this. First find a doctor who believes treating pain with pain medication. Combing physical therapy with pain medication can relieve pain tremendously. Do physical activities such as stretching, walking, sit-ups if possible, this strengthens the muscles around the disc taking the pressure off the nerves that cause such pain. A good program of pain medicine combined with other pain management tactics can do wonders over a period of time. A lot of people have found that the pain has actually went away with this type of therapy.

Worse case scenario, its better to have your back still in tact with pain, compared to the many complications, the severe pain, permanent nerve damage, loss of physical mobility, being unable to work, and even becoming disable due to having low back surgery. Remember no matter what anyone tells you, its your back, not theirs. Its easy for someone to tell you what you should do, but they don’t have to walk in your shoes after a failed back surgery.

Copyright 2006 Robert Gould

About The Author

Robert Gould is an advocate in pain managment, helping people who suffer from chronic pain to get the proper pain medication to treat their pain for a better quality of life. For more information go to: http://www.rxscripts4u.com

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Chiropractic

December 28th, 2007

Chiropractor

Why You Should Choose A Chiropractor For Back Pain Relief

by: Patrick Porter

When you are in , finding relief is the most pressing thought in your mind. Masking the pain with painkillers or dangerous surgery often leads to unfavorable results, and risks your future chances for living a pain-free life. That’s why finding a caring, professional chiropractor should be your first choice.

A qualified chiropractor can quickly provide you with a diagnosis and treatment plan, or can point you in the direction of a medical professional who can help you.

During your initial consultation, the professional chiropractor will gather your health history. After an initial exam he or she will be able to tell you what chiropractic services can do for you.

As an example, one patient began to have pain in his shoulder related to an old football injury for which he had previously had surgery. He decided to try a chiropractor before taking any radical measures. “My doctor wanted me to have additional surgery to correct the problem. Luckily, I went to a chiropractor first. My once a month visits eliminate my pain almost completely. I am even able to enjoy playing golf with no soreness.”

Why Your Family Doctor Can’t Relieve Your

Family physicians are trained to know a little about a lot of things. Your body is an amazing biomechanical machine. Chiropractors specialize in relieving back pain by working with the mechanics of the human machine. Medical doctors are trained to work with the biology. They are adept at prescribing drugs that alter or react with human biology. Unfortunately, these chemical painkillers often come with a price: potential addiction, immune suppression, lethargy, and constipation, to name a few. Not only that, the body continues to be damaged by misalignment of the spine.

Doesn’t it make good common sense to seek out a back pain specialist when you have back pain? Wouldn’t you prefer to try a natural remedy before turning to drugs or putting your body through the trauma of surgery?

Don’t worry, your chiropractor will know if he or she can’t treat you and will refer you to an appropriate specialist.

The Benefits of Regular Chiropractic Care

Short-term and regular chiropractic care has a number of benefits including spinal and extremity pain relief. With monthly visits you can increase mobility, experience better range of motion, decrease stiffness in your back and eliminate muscular spasms. Another patient found no solution for her migraine headaches outside of her Chiropractor’s care.

Other popular uses for Chiropractor care are arthritic joint pain relief, increased joint health, increased performance and energy, increased sense of wellbeing and relaxation, increased balance and coordination, reduced degeneration and risk of injury, enhanced tissue healing and decreased tissue inflammation.

About The Author

Dr. Patrick Porter is an award-winning author, and professional speaker. From a PhD in Psychology, and 24 years of operational research in the dynamics of change, to his 18 years of experience as CEO of the world’s largest self help network, for more information go to: http://www.newreality.com

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