Chiropractic treatments revolve around ensuring the integrity of the spine. Under the chiropractic system of thought, many ailments and problems arise from the incorrect positioning of the spinal columns. Diseases and several other symptoms that people face day in and day out have their basic roots in the spinal cord not being properly maintained. This school of thought traces itself way back to Hippocrates and other scientists who painstakingly uncovered the secrets of holistic health.

In the modern day, Chiropractors apply themselves to the manipulation of the spine for several ailments. This non invasive and drug free method has resulted in innumerable patients being able to live pain free lives.

The basics of Spinal Manipulation

To understand spinal manipulation, it is first necessary to grasp the concept of a vertical subluxation. This is a physiological misalignment of the spinal segments where the joints are not in their proper place. Spinal manipulations aim to correct these imbalances and restore the harmony and integrity of the spine. There are many different kinds of spinal conditions, each of which necessitate a different type of manipulation.

Spinal manipulation is more of an art than other treatments as a great deal depends on the skill of the Chiropractor. Spinal manipulation can be performed under many conditions. One of these is under anesthesia.

Manipulation under anesthesia (MUA)

Three types of anesthesia are used for this purpose. General anesthesia makes the patient go completely unconscious without being aware of what is happening. Sometimes this is not necessary and all that is required is a mild sedation. Yet in other cases, only specific sections will need to be anesthetized by the chiropractor. It is a well understood and practiced medical technique with a CPT code of 22505.

One particularly effective use for MUA is for the breaking up scar tissue that might have formed around the spinal joints. Such fibrous material can easily escape an X-Ray examination can can cause many problems. Patients almost always opt for Manipulation under anesthesia when conventional treatments have been tried and have not yielded any results.

Before engaging in MUA treatments, patients are required to undergo thorough testing in order to rule out other causes for the pain. Sonograms, MRI scans or CT scans may be necessary to ensure that the correct treatment is being given. Most chiropractors have these services in house in order to speed up the process.

Summary

Manipulation under anesthesia is an essential tenet of Chiropractic technique. Its fundamental nature has led it to becoming extremely common and it is only recently that the public has begun to widely appreciate its benefits.

Spondylolisthesis is a condition of the spine where one vertebrae slips or “falls over” another (scientifically termed “anterior displacement.”) Of all the parts of the spine, the lumbar spine is the most affected. There are several symptoms of Spondylolisthesis, but most of them are caused due to the effects of the displacement rather than the displacement itself. For example, individuals suffering from the disorder begin to develop a “waddling walk” due to postural deficiencies caused by tight hamstrings.

They begin to adopt a forward posture while walking. However, more serious concerns will be shooting pain near the lower back, extending all the way down – even towards the knee. Activities that place a strain on the back such as sneezing will also begin to be painful.

Spondylolisthesis is most common in older individuals and for this reason, surgery is often complicated and is not without a lot of hassles.

Severity of Spondylolisthesis

The most common form of Spondylolisthesis is the pre existing type that develops at an early age. Most of the time however, there are absolutely no symptoms and many people with this condition will go through life without knowing they have it. Indeed, radio graphs show that a lot of people suffer from this disorder and no one knows for sure why the symptoms manifest themselves in some and not in others. The ones that do become symptomatic however are classified into how much slippage has taken place. There are four different severity levels and each has its own special treatment.

Low grade Spondylolisthesis is also called Isthmic Spondylolisthesis and refers to a slippage of less than 50%

Treatment options

Surgery

Surgery is the last option for patients suffering from Spondylolisthesis. This is because the chances of complete success are low and can be complicated by other factors such as the patient’s age. Doctors themselves do not opt for surgery unless the sufferer has undergone other routes of treatment for several months first.

Chiropractic Care

Patients who have low back pain respond excellently to chiropractic care. Flexion distraction techniques have been effective in most patients and combined with several other procedures, there is a high chance of success. One of the key aims is to enhance stability through muscle training. Patients are taken through a gradation of exercises in different positions designed to allow their spine to stabilize slowly. Combined with Spinal Decompression, an experienced chiropractor can greatly help a patient recover quickly and without surgery. Find a chiropractor on our site and contact them now!

Spinal injuries are one of the most debilitating injuries that can occur to a person. They can result in complete or partial paralysis depending on the location of the injury as well as the severity. This happens due to damage to the white matter which is responsible for carrying signals to and from the brain. Less than 5% of those who experience complete paralysis recover their locomotive abilities and over 95% of those with incomplete paralysis do so. Spinal injuries go through a cycle of shock, recovery and failure.

Spinal Injuries near the neck

These are the most damaging types of injuries and can result in the complete paralysis of the entire body including the ability to breathe, which necessitates an artificial respirator.

Injuries near the Thorax

Thoracic injuries result in a condition known as paraplegia which relate to the loss of sensory and motor functions for the lower extremities. Depending on which of the 12 vertebrae making up the thoracic region are injured, control of the arms and upper body can be either complete or partial.

The Sacral region

When the area of the spine near the sacral region is injured, there is a weakening of the lower limbs as well as a loss of control of the urinary and defecation functions.

Spinal Injuries Rehabilitation

Physical therapy is often long term when trying to recover from a spinal injury. PT for spinal injury is very different from that used for other injuries in that the patients suffer from different types of problems. Therapists who specialize in this work are extremely knowledgeable about how the various muscles coordinate to perform basic tasks and after a thorough evaluation of the patient’s condition, they are able to lay down procedures that strengthen the weak muscles.

When patients suffer from an incurable paralysis of any part of their body, PT is useful for teaching them how to cope without worsening the condition of any other body part. As part of a coping strategy, spinal injury rehabilitation is a must.

For example, PNF stretching is one such therapy for those suffering from paralysis.

Role of a chiropractor

A qualified chiropractor can help you recover from your spinal injuries in a shorter time. It isn’t a replacement for therapy, but an addition that can improve it’s efficacy. As mentioned in an earlier article on choosing a chiropractor, you must be careful to find one that you are comfortable with and suits your needs.

The McKenzie approach has been used by chiropractors for decades now ever since Robin McKenzie formalized his principles of pain management based on his own research. The breakthrough occurred when a patient named “Smith” unexpectedly found his pain significantly reduced when he was in a position that was at the time considered unhealthy. McKenzie then applied his nascent theories to other patients and what he learned has now become a vital concept in modern physical therapy today.

The McKenzie philosophy is more about an approach to back and neck pain rather than a specific set of exercises. Robin McKenzie always maintained that pain could be reduced only through active involvement of the patient and not by passive techniques such as cold or hot compresses. While patients might need guidance initially, the ultimate aim is to ensure that they can take care of themselves.

McKenzie Principles

The central theory of McKenzie’s principles was the concept that spinal extension was a primary technique for pain management. Since only the patient knows the exact sort of pain he or she is undergoing, the specific postures cannot be dictated solely by the physician. The main tenet of the McKenzie technique is a concept known as centralization whereby the patient attempts to extend his or her muscles in such a way that the pain experienced “goes back” to the center of the back. Centralized back pain is preferable to pain that radiates away to the legs, stomach, or shoulders.

Each patient has a different direction towards which they must lean to obtain this relief and this is called “Directional Preference.”

McKenzie Exercises

The McKenzie exercises revolve around a system of classification to accurately diagnose the cause of the patients pain. The three classifications are:

1. Postural: Problems caused due to the stress of soft tissue caused by incorrect posture
2. Dysfunction: Pain caused due to tissue being shortened because of scars
3. Derangement: Change in the position of the vertebrae due to fluid imbalances in the discs

The classifications are determined by pain responses in various patients which enables physicians to arrive at an accurate assessment.

The McKenzie exercises depend on this classification with each type receiving different treatment.

McKenzie Certified Doctors

The McKenzie Institute International certifies McKenzie providers in the McKenzie techniques. The offices are present in 26 countries and even where it is not present, courses are available. It is a 16 day course and is a thorough elucidation of the McKenzie principles which culminates in a certification exam.

Chiropractors are an enterprising lot. Due to their mechanical outlook on the way the body functions, they are able to look at treatments from a new angle and come up with solutions that are quite novel in nature. Inversion therapy and inversion tables are one such example.

Inversion therapy essentially refers to the therapeutic use of remaining upside down in order to relieve back pain. There are several different ways to do this including gravity boots and inversion tables. Though it isn’t accepted as a mainstream tool, the use of such methods undoubtedly help relieve back pain – even the experts concede that.

Relieving pressure on the spine

The premise of inversion therapy is that by reversing the pull of gravity on the spine, the pressure on the discs is relieved – thereby enabling them to regain nutrition and blood flow. Chiropractors often recommend regular use of inversion tables as a supplemental treatment to other treatments such as spinal decompression. In fact, inversion therapy is form of spinal decompression.

Image Credit: karenwithak

Benefits of Inversion Therapy

Chiropractors advise Inversion therapy for a number of benefits including improved ligament strength and body posture. There is evidence that inversion therapy aids in better flexibility as well as blood flow. The lymphatic system in particular benefits from the inversion therapy since it doesn’t have it’s own dedicated circulatory system, but borrows off from the action of the muscles.

Athletes frequently make use of inversion therapy to strengthen their muscles and improve circulation. It has also been shown that the procedure aids in the speedy recovery of the muscles after exercise.

Health Risks

Benefits aside, there are several caveats to be noted when performing this procedure. Those at risk are usually only those who are not healthy and have signs and symptoms of heart disease or high blood pressure. Retinal bleeding is also a danger due to the excessive blood flow to this area of the body.

Inversion Therapy and Spinal Decompression

My chiropractors are glad to prescribe some form of inversion therapy while their patients undergo spinal decompression. Inversion tables are most often used for this purpose. Unlike other devices, you don’t hang completely upside down using an inversion table, but are instead gently lowered to an angle that you are comfortable with. It is therefore safe and it feels good too! It is specially useful when treating scoliosis of the spine which we learned about in a previous post.

To learn more about inversion therapy and how it can help you, talk to your chiropractor.

Scoliosis of the spine is a medical condition that arises when the spine is curved from side to side. In other words, it’s not symmetric when viewed from the front. If you take an X-Ray of the spine from the anterior, it can be seen to be an “S” shape or a “C” shape (in either direction).

Scoliosis is a major problem to the lifestyles of a not insignificant percentage of the population. The severity varies with the degree of curvature and can cause problems ranging from extreme pain to dis figuration of the body.

Causes of Scoliosis of the Spine

Scoliosis can arise from many causes that are not well understood. It can be congenital from birth, or it can be what doctors call “Idiopathic” – meaning that it they have a little bit of understanding of the cause, but not much. It can develop in adolescence or in adulthood due to a trauma as well. In some cases, the spine is not only asymmetric, but also rotated, a condition known as Rotoscoliosis.

Diagnosis

Scoliosis can be suspected when there is significant pain around the spinal area. Other conditions to look for are uneven musculature development around the spine due to the asymmetry as the muscles try and conform themselves to the shape of the spine. Also, a common condition is that either the shoulder, the hips or the breasts (for women) are not of the same height.

Treatment

Braces

Younger patients who still have bone growth left, are outfitted with braces that cover their torso and prevent the condition from worsening, as often happens. With infants and those born with the condition if treated early, it has been shown that scoliosis of the spine can be completely halted. However even with braces, patients have a much higher chance of success with a chiropractor and spinal decompression.

Surgery

For those whose spinal curvature exceeds 40 degrees, surgery is an option. Straightening of the spine is achieved at the cost of flexibility since most surgeries rely on fusion of the vertebrae. Each situation is different and complications can arise due to the age of the patient, the degree of curvature, and rotational aspects.

Spinal Decompression

Chiropractors are able to treat scoliosis using joint mobilization techniques. Also, since patients suffering from spinal scoliosis are subject to early disc degeneration, spinal decompression allows the discs to heal themselves. There is a growing body of evidence that suggests that non invasive chiropractic techniques significantly improve the efficacy of traditional methods and improve the flexibility and strength of the spinal joints.

Summary

All in all, scoliosis of the spine can be treated with mixed results. However, chiropractic therapy and spinal decompression increase the chances of success and it is highly recommended that patients enroll with one of our doctors in order to ensure maximum efficacy.

Chiropractors have been using lumber manipulation for a very long time. It is one of the key practice areas and is considered as a staple of chiropractic care. The skill of a chiropractic is determined largely by his or her expertise in spinal manipulation.

There are many different types of spinal manipulation and lumbar manipulation is the one that is most frequently used to treat lower back pain. In this article, we take a quick look at how lumbar manipulation has evolved, what the associated risks are, and it’s effectiveness is treating back and neck pain.

History of Lumbar Manipulation

According to records, lumbar manipulation has been practiced for a very long time in various civilizations including the Egyptians. Even Hippocrates was known to use this technique frequently. For the last 20 years, spinal manipulation has been in widespread use all over the United States, as it’s methodologies have been refined and brought into line with modern science.

How Spinal Manipulation is performed

The idea behind spinal manipulation is the manual movement of the synovial joints beyond their normal range of movement. This allows the practitioner to re align the spinal and ease pressure on the cervical disks. Due to this, the disks to receive more nutrition and in some cases, can make them ease back into their normal positions.

Lumbar manipulation is also called lumbar or spinal adjustment in common language.

Risks of Manipulation

Lumbar manipulation is generally a very safe procedure. The most common side effect is soreness or mild pain in the back which disappears after a day or two.

In extremely rare cases, a condition known as cauda equina syndrome can arise leading to pain and weakness. But in the hands of a professional and licensed practitioner, this is extremely unlikely.

Benefits of Spinal Manipulation

Lumbar manipulation leads to a significant improvement in the symptoms associated with back and neck pain. Its effectiveness has been professionally recognized and is now listed as a viable alternative to conventional forms of treatment. Since it is a natural procedure and doesn’t involve any intrusive techniques, nor any drugs, it is greatly preferred by those who have have a deep dislike of taking medications.

Regular spinal manipulation (once in three months at least) can be instrumental in living a pain free life. In fact, spinal manipulation is not merely restricted to chiropractors any more. Main stream medical professionals and osteopaths have come to adopt the procedure as well due to it’s benefits.

With the latest spinal decompression treatment, a plethora of spinal problems can be resolved by providing the body with an increased ability to heal itself. The accurate application of spinal decompresssion casues the discs to regenerate and allow an increased blood and nutrient flow.

Spinal decompression treatment is viable in cases like back pain, leg pain, sciatica, neck pain, herniated disc, and many others. Let’s take a more detailed look at some of them in order to understand them better.

Sciatica

The sciatic nerve is the longest and widest nerve in the entire body. It starts in the lower back and runs all the way through the buttocks along the back of the thigh and down to the lower limb. Sciatica is a condition whereby the sciatic nerve or one of it’s five roots is compressed. This leads to pain or numbness all along the area covered by the nerve. The pain, which has the potential to be severe is debilitating. Spinal decompression is one of the few treatments that have been shown to be effective against sciatica.

Leg Pain

Another condition closely related to sciatica, leg pain can occur due to nerves in the lower back getting pinched. This causes numbness or pain. The pain can resemble that of burning. Unlike normal pain which is useful, leg pain due to a pinched nerve serves no healing purpose. Once again, spinal decompression to the rescue.

Herniated Disc

Speculated to be the root cause of most nerve related back and leg pain, a herniated disc occurs when the outer layer of a disc wears out, causing the soft inner tissue to bulge outward. The chemical reactions to this damage themselves can cause pain due to the inflammation. Very often, this also involves a pinched nerve. This is very difficult to treat surgically and is expensive and dangerous as well.

With spinal decompression treatment however, the herniated disc is given a change to be sucked back in due to the negative pressure created. This also gives a chance to the disc to heal itself. Currently, spinal decompression is the very best bet for those who chronically suffer from a herniated disc.

Failed Back Syndrome

Also called a failed lower back, this is pain caused due to the post operative effects of back surgery. There can be a wide variety of causes including a pinched nerve and unusual joint mobility. Back surgery is one of the most difficult types of surgeries and there can be many complications. Many of these are not understood fully. Successive surgeries have been shown to make matters worse.

Spinal decompression is extremely helpful following back surgery – helping the patient’s spine realign itself naturally. Easily one of the best alternatives to spinal surgery, its value as post operative therapy is beyond question.

A 56 year old Caucasian female presented to my office with moderate chronic lower back pain which began 20 years ago with no known onset of injury. Her ADL’s included difficulty turning bending, sleeping, walking and sitting for prolonged periods of time. Examination revealed shortening of the hamstrings, piriformis and erector spinae muscles bilaterally and restricted ROM in the thoracolumbar region. The pain was rated as an 8/10 on the VAS in the lumbar region. LE DTR’s and dermatomes are WNL. The pain has progressively become worse in the last 2 years and she is tired of the pain. 

Diagnostic Studies: A lumbar MRI w/o contrast was ordered and revealed a disc herniation at T11-T12, T12-L1, L1-L2 and disc bulging at L3-L4 and L4-L5.

Recommended course of treatment: 3 consecutive days of Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA) followed by a 6 week intensive physical therapy program.

Conclusion: After receiving 3 consecutive days of MUA performed at an outpatient surgical center, the patient noticed a 65% improvement of her symptoms. She can now resume her ADL’s without difficulty which include household chores and sleep through the night without waking due to pain. Her ROM is full in the thoracolumbar spine. Her pain is rated a 3/10 on the VAS. The patient is excited to resume her normal ADL’s with full function and without a dependency on invasive measures.

 More information on back pain and  Lake Worth Chiropractic.

Physicians Wellness Care, Inc.

6894 Lake Worth Road Suite 104

Lake Worth, FL 33467

(561) 964-9191

www.drmorgen.com

Dr. Sabrina Morgen is a board certified chiropractic physician and has been in private practice for 9 years. She is certified in MUA and pain management and works with a team of board certified physicians who offer the procedure in a JCAHO and AHCA accredited out-patient surgical facility. She welcomes both physician and patient calls at 561-964-9191. The procedure is covered by most insurances.

Experts say if you have a history of heart attack or heart disease – if you smoke – you should hire someone for the job. Plus, if you’ve got high cholesterol or high blood pressure, it’s no good to pick up that shovel! Instead, pick up the phone – call someone to take over the job.

However, if you have to do handle the chore yourself, learn to manage it without ruining your back or having a heart attack. After all, nobody wants to swoon over their snow shovel or pass out in a snow bank.

Get Ready

• Dress in layers so you can remove clothing as your body warms up.
• Wear a hat, gloves, a warm scarf.
• Skid proof boots can help avoid falls.
• Choose gloves or mittens that allow you to get a good grip on the shovel handle and keep your hands warm and dry.

Warm Up

• Walk in place inside, or go up and down stairs to get your muscles moving.
• Stretching exercises helps loosen up arm and back muscles.
• Use Proper Equipment
• A plastic shovel is lighter weight.
• Choose an ergonomically correct shovel; one with a curved handle is easier on your back.
• A shovel made to push snow that is light and fluffy makes the job easier.
• A shovel with a small blade for handling a load of heavy, wet snow is better for your back

Shoveling Technique

• Stand with your feet shoulder width apart to maintain your balance.
• Try to keep the shovel close to your body.
• Push into the snow, using your legs, not your back.
• Bend at the knees – not your waist or back.
• Lift with you legs – not your waist or back.
• Scoop snow onto the shovel and walk to where you want to dump it.
• Try not to hold the shovel far out from your body as this places a strain on your back and arms.
• Dump the snow in front of you.
• Do not twist your body.
• Do not throw snow over your shoulder.
• When snow is deep, take a shovel full off the top, then gradually remove the rest in layers.

Precautions

• If you experience pain of any kind or severe shortness of breath, stop working. Seek help if necessary.
• Don’t eat or smoke right before shoveling as this increases the burden on your heart and blood vessels.
• Pace yourself and take plenty of breaks.
• Drink a lot of water as it’s important to keep hydrated.

Shoveling in very cold weather can make the job more difficult and places a greater strain on your body. Every winter, there are heart attacks and assorted back injuries among people who tackle this job. The task can be completed but use your head and work safely.