If you often deal with back and leg pain, or you have weakness in your extremities, you might be suffering from a herniated disc. This condition can be quite painful depending on the severity of the disc injury. For those who have extremely severe pain, it can affect their lifestyle daily.

In a normal and healthy back, the discs provide cushion to the bones that are found in the spine. They act as a shock absorber and help to keep the spine in proper alignment and flexibility. However, if a disc is damaged, then it may bulge out of the spine or even begin to break apart. When this happens, it is known as a herniated disc. It is also known under the name of slipping or ruptured disc as well.

The discs become less lubricated and become more dry as an individual grows older. Because of this, herniated discs are more likely to be seen in the aging crowd. However, they can also be caused by a severe spine or back injury. If the disc is not pressing on any nerves in your back, however, you may not experience any pain or even realize that an injury has occurred.

Numbness or pain is likely caused by a disc that is pressing on a nerve in this case. Tingling or weakness can also be a result of this problem. Because of this, conditions like sciatica are often caused by the condition of herniated discs. An examination should be done to make a full diagnosis and get proper treatment.

A misconception that people often have is that taking lots of rest will help a herniated disc. In actuality, this can cause more harm than help. Resting should only be done for a short amount of time if you are in a lot of pain. More than two days on rest can worsen the condition by weakening the muscles. It is best to stay active, even if it is only by taking short walks.

Heating treatments can also be a good way to treat muscle spasm or pain. Other people might find that ice packs and similar cooling treatments give them more relief. Generally, if the pain is acute (within 48 hours) ice should be used. Either should be used for only up to fifteen minutes every few hours.

Herniated discs cannot necessarily be prevented, but there are precautions that you can take to keep your discs healthy. Try your best to keep proper posture and lift objects safely. Exercising regularly and keeping yourself at a good weight is also recommended to take additional load off of your back.

Chiropractic & Exercise Effective for Neck Pain

When it comes to neck pain the best medicine is no medicine at all according to a new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

1. Medication
2. Exercise
3. A Chiropractor

The patients treated by a chiropractor experienced the highest rate of success with 32 percent saying they were pain free, compared to 30 percent of those who exercised. Only 13 percent of patients treated with medication said they no longer experienced pain.

The Center for Chiropractic & Decompression NYC

1201 Broadway, Ste 1003, New York, NY 10001-5405

(646) 770-0916 ‎

: manhattan chiropractor

Degenerative Disc Disease and Chiropractic Care

Whether they first see the phrase in print or hear it for the first time in a doctor’s office, “degenerative disc disease” is a term that many chronic back pain sufferers will encounter.  It’s part of a brand new vocabulary that many patients learn as they try to understand their condition and navigate healthcare choices.  But what does it really mean?

Degenerative disc disease is not actually a disease at all.  Rather, it refers to normal changes in your spinal discs that tend to occur naturally as your body ages.  Spinal discs are the soft “separators” between your vertebrae that cushion the individual bones and give your spine its flexibility.  Healthy ones are thick and soft.  Unhealthy ones are thinner and more brittle.  Over the years, these discs may gradually become less effective as the amount of fluid inside is reduced or cumulative wear and tear damages the discs and raises the risk of bulging, rupture or disintegration.  The truth is that by the time we reach middle age, most of us already have degenerating discs, whether we’re experiencing any pain or not.  And even with our best imaging technology, it can be very difficult to tell whether this degeneration is actually the source of a patient’s problems.

So from a patient’s point of view, this bit of language—degenerative disc disease—can be both confusing and frustrating since it suggests a diagnosis but doesn’t usually come with a clear set of treatment options attached.  In some ways, it may actually seem like a “catch-all diagnosis” or “un-diagnosis”.

Can I Benefit From Chiropractic Care if I Have Degenerative Disc Disease?

Sometimes patients who’ve been told they have degenerative disc disease wonder if chiropractic adjustments can still help them or if they’re safe.  The answer to these questions depends on the patient’s individual circumstances, including whether the damaged discs are herniated or ruptured (bulging or broken) or have caused other conditions, such as osteoarthritis (a breakdown of the tissue that protects joints) or spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the channel within the spine that holds the spinal cord).

Chiropractic physicians are specially trained to diagnose the underlying causes of back pain and to recognize when specific types of treatment may be either ineffective or harmful in situations where patients have degenerative disc disease.  Since they are often skilled in a wide range of conservative, non-surgical therapies, most chiropractors will recommend low-force, non-thrusting techniques in situations involving disc degeneration and related complications.  They may also employ traditional spinal adjustments based upon the results of a careful evaluation of the patient.

Chiropractic care generally focuses on addressing back pain at its source as well as improving the spine’s stability and mobility.  While there is no cure for degenerative disc disease, an effective treatment plan will usually combine manual therapies (such as manipulation or massage) with supervised exercise and/or nutritional programs and lifestyle changes designed to minimize its impact.  If you’re wondering what chiropractic care could do for you or someone you care about, please call our office today to schedule a consultation.

Bibliography

Degenerative Disc Disease – Topic Overview. (2011, July 21). Retrieved September 2011, from WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/tc/degenerative-disc-disease-topic-overview

Arn Strasser, D. (n.d.). How a Chiropractor Treats Degenerative Disc Disease. Retrieved September 2011, from spineuniverse.com: http://www.spineuniverse.com/experts/how-chiropractor-treats-degenerative-disc-disease

New York Times Back Pain In-Depth Report. (n.d.). Retrieved September 2011, from nytimes.com: http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/symptoms/back-pain-low/print.html

Peter F. Ullrich JR, M. (n.d.). Degenerative Disc Disease. Retrieved September 2011, from spine-health.com: http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/degenerative-disc-disease/what-degenerative-disc-disease

The Center for Chiropractic & Decompression NYC

1201 Broadway, Ste 1003, New York, NY 10001-5405

(646) 770-0916 ‎

: manhattan chiropractor

Comparing the Risks: Spinal Manipulation versus Back Surgery

While most people seeking medical care for back or neck pain recognize that they may have treatment options (often including chiropractic care and surgery), many do not understand the potential benefits and risks associated with those choices.  Patients who ask family, friends or coworkers for advice all too often hear secondhand stories about healthcare “miracles” or “nightmares” experienced by a friend’s uncle, a wife’s boss or a father’s golfing buddy.  The clinical facts—on the other hand—are often less accessible to the average person and tend to leave a smaller impression.   However, for those who want a broader perspective on their treatment options, there are several high-quality research resources available.  The American Journal of Medicine and Spine (among others) have featured information on the risks involved with surgery and spinal manipulation.

Headline:  Both Surgery and Manipulation Present Risks

Patients who are suffering with neck pain and considering both surgery and chiropractic treatment should be aware of the risks and discuss them openly with their healthcare providers.

In the case of any surgery, there may be serious complications from anesthesia, excessive bleeding, blood clots that lead to pulmonary embolism and infection.  These general risks are added to the more specific risks of surgery on the spine.  These may include a dural tear (the dura surrounds the spinal cord and a tear can cause leaking of cerebrospinal fluid), spinal cord injury and persistent or increased pain from an unsuccessful procedure.

Spinal manipulation may also cause dangerous complications.  Spinal manipulation has been associated with disc herniation, cauda equina syndrome (pain, weakness or loss of bladder and bowel function) and vertebrobasilar accident (a tear in a major artery of the neck).  These complications can be just as serious as the complications associated with surgery.

If similarly severe complications may result from either course of treatment, how can a patient weigh the risk of each option?  Managing risk isn’t just about understanding “worst-case”-type scenarios, it’s also about understanding how likely these and other complications are to occur.  This is where some additional research findings can help.

How Frequently Do Serious Complications Actually Occur?

In April 2010, the journal Spine (published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins) included an article that summarized the incidence of adverse events in spinal surgery based on the authors’ review and analysis of the existing literature.  They found complication rates for spinal surgery ranging from 5% to 19%.  Similarly, the American Journal of Medicine in 2002 published the results of a study that examined the incidence of serious adverse events for spinal manipulation.  By comparison, researchers involved in that work reported complication rates ranging from one out of every 400,000 manipulations to one out of every two million.

So now we can see that the risk of a serious adverse event from spinal manipulation is extremely low relative to the risk posed by surgery.  That’s one reason that the Mayo Clinic and many other reliable healthcare organizations around the world consider spinal manipulation very safe when performed by someone trained and licensed to provide this type of chiropractic care.

Whenever we talk about risk, it’s always important to remember that almost everything we do can be ‘associated’ with some type of adverse event.  Driving a car, handling scissors, and even eating dinner can all lead to serious complications.  The best way to handle these risks, including the risks of spinal manipulation, is to understand them and keep them in perspective.  Healthcare providers are uniquely qualified to help you do that.  If you or someone you care about is interested in chiropractic care—including its potential benefits and risks—please call our office to make an appointment.

Dekutoski, MD, M. B., Norvell, PhD, D. C., Dettori, PhD, J. R., Fehlings, MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACS, M.G., & Chapman, MD, J. R. (2010). Surgeon Perceptions and Reported Complications in Spine Surgery. Spine, 35(9S).  RetrievedAugust 31, 2011, from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/721611

Staff, M. C. (n.d.). Chiropractic adjustment: Risks – MayoClinic.com. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved August 31, 2011, from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chiropractic-

The Center for Chiropractic & Decompression NYC

1201 Broadway, Ste 1003, New York, NY 10001-5405

(646) 770-0916 ‎

: manhattan chiropractor

Can Chiropractors Help With Your Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), named from the carpal bones in the wrist that form a tunnel around the nerve leading to the hand, is an injury usually caused by repetitive and forceful movements that result in swelling around the tendons and pinching of the median nerve, causing painful tingling, lack of muscle strength and control in the hand, and pain shooting from the hand up to the shoulder. CTS is a risk to most workers, such as those who work on the computer and also store and assembly line workers, who receive micro-traumas to their hands and wrists on a daily basis due to awkward positioning, forceful and repetitive movements, and stressful activity. [1,2]

The usual treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can extend to heavy medication and surgery, however there are alternative methods of treatment that can alleviate the symptoms and effects arising from CTS. Chiropractic treatment for CTS has been studied against conventional non-surgical medical treatment by Davis et al. [1] and was found to be effective. This offers an alternative to sufferers who are intolerant to ibuprofen, or those who simply wish to avoid treating with medication.

The median nerve in the wrist, which when trapped causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, connects to the spinal cord through the openings in the bones in the areas around the lower neck. If these bones in the spinal cord lose their ordinary position or motion, this can cause problems in the wrists or fingers. Through chiropractic treatment, these bones can be reset to the correct position and can help to treat CTS.

If Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is detected early, then surgery can be avoided, and chiropractic treatment is the leading method of non-surgical treatment. Chiropractic treatment usually involves various methods [3], with a combination of rest, ice, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation, including:

• By chiropractic manipulation therapy of the elbow and upper spine, where the joint’s soft tissue undergoes manipulation [4];
• Nutritional supplements in the diet such as B6, a vitamin that has had long-term promotion in its treatment of CTS;
• Electro-acupuncture treatment; bracing, a technique that has had extensive success, by limiting extension and flexion in the hand, and with compression on the median nerve may encourage recovery and ease the swelling in the tendons;
• Exercises for the wrist and hand designed to encourage recovery;
• Reassessing the ergonomics of the work place to minimize stress the best way as possible.

Recent studies, such as that by J. Burke et al (2007)[5], concluded that using manual therapy intervention such as soft tissue mobilization (STM) has been found to help improve the signs and symptoms of CTS, with improvements to nerve conduction latencies, wrist strength and motion.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can become a serious health problem, and if left too long may require surgery. If it’s caught early, then chiropractic treatment is an effective, drug-free method to ease the symptoms and pains caused by CTS, and provide long-term relief from CTS.

Learn more about carpal tunnel treatment with cold laser therapy.

The Center for Chiropractic & Decompression NYC

1201 Broadway, Ste 1003, New York, NY 10001-5405

(646) 770-0916 ‎

: manhattan chiropractor

Chiropractic Care for Migraines

Migraine sufferers have to endure a pain that is recurring, severe and can last up to 72 hours. Warning signs such as an “aura”, which is a type of visual disturbance, and nausea, sometimes accompany migraines. Many sufferers find that conventional medicine and prescription drugs offer little relief from their condition, and many are turning to alternatives methods of treatment in order to manage the pain. One such alternative is chiropractic treatment.

A holistic approach to pain relief, chiropractic treatment focuses on aiding numerous health issues through massage, spinal manipulation and adjustment of the body’s soft tissues and joints, predominantly in the back. But is it effective against migraines?

In February 2000, a study published by Dr. Tuchin et al. [1] cited the possible benefits of chiropractic treatment in alleviating or easing both the pain and frequency of recurring migraines. The study used a sample of 127 migraine patients, all of whom suffered from at least one migraine per month; this sample was divided into two groups – one control group who received inactive treatment, while the other group received chiropractic treatment, focusing on aligning and treating specific areas of vertebral swelling and misalignment. The study concluded that those who received chiropractic treatment experienced subsequent improvement in the duration of the study, showing reduced pain and frequency of their migraines within two months of treatment. The latter group also reported a decline in the need of migraine medications. Further results from the same study found that one in five sufferers from the chiropractic treatment group had a 90% reduction of migraine frequency, while 50% found significant improvement in the severity of their migraines.

Recent studies conducted by R. Bryans et al. published in 2011 [2], concluded that chiropractic care, including spinal manipulation, were found to improve both cerviocogenic headaches as well as migraines. A systematic literature search on controlled clinical trials on the topic of migraines and headaches involving chiropractic treatment, published through August 2009, was conducted using a selection of medical and alternative therapy databases. Research found that chiropractic treatments such as spinal manipulation and massage could significantly help patients who suffer from chronic or episodic migraines, whereas sufferers of tension-type headaches did not respond to such treatment.

While using alternative methods of treatment such as chiropractic care can help sufferers to gain more control over their migraines, it should be treated as another form of support or extra help, instead of completely overlooking conventional medical care.

[1] P.J. Tuchin, H. Pollard, R. Bonello, A randomized controlled trial of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy for Migraine. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Feb. 2000: Vol. 23, No. 2, pp91-95.

[2]R. Bryans et al., J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2011 Jun;34(5):274-89. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2011.04.008.

The Center for Chiropractic & Decompression NYC

1201 Broadway, Ste 1003, New York, NY 10001-5405

(646) 770-0916 ‎

: manhattan chiropractor

Chiropractic Care for Runners and Running Performance

With more and more people taking up recreational running in theUS, the number of running associated injuries have also increased. Commonly reported cases include: shin splints; patellofermoral pain syndromes; Achilles tendinitis; flat feet; and compartmental syndromes and stress fractures. All these injuries are a result of cumulative stress reactions to soft tissues and bones. While running, the musculoskeletal system may absorb up to 250-300% of the runner’s weight on the heel strike [1,2,3], and this exerts stress on the body.

Chiropractors are generally contracted to help alleviate pain and non-specific symptoms associated with running, usually from the gradual onset of regular stress on the soft tissues and bones. If these symptoms are caught early, they can then be effectively managed and reduced in a short period of time [4]. Chiropractic treatment can help excessive pronation [5], the inward rolling of the hind foot and the midfoot beyond the acceptable parameters of general walking and running; prolonged internal rotation of the internal extremity [6], the inward rotation of the femur, which transmits stress to the pelvic region; and excessive supination [7], and those with very high arches who are very sensitive to stress reactions and fractures.

While chiropractic treatment can help with pain and injuries, its biggest advantage to runners and athletes is preventive care. Many runners, athletes and non-athletes may ask – why pay for chiropractic treatment when there is no pain to treat? It’s much easier to maintain good health and prevent injury than to treat somebody already in pain. The danger with running injuries is that they are likely to be caused by repetitive stress and alignment problems that take time to develop, and an even longer time for the pain to start. If our bodies were designed with perfect alignment, then we would be able to cope with the regular stress running delivers. However, very few of us do have perfect alignment, and in many cases those with flat feet or high arches are at risk to extra cumulative stress to the body. [8]

In preventive cases, a chiropractor can give a good overall evaluation, teaching the patient how to prevent injuries and maintain good alignment – thereby reducing the chance of injury. For those looking for preventive treatment, your chiropractor can help assess and evaluate your condition by offering scans of your feet, testing for strength imbalances and an analysis of your posture. In addition, the chiropractor can also suggest a program suited to your needs to prevent injury in the future.

[1] Lutter LD. Foot-related knee problems in the long-distance runner Foot &Ankle 1980; 1:112-116.

[2] Robbin SF, Hanna AM. Running-related injury prevention through barefoot adaptations. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1987; 19.148-156.

[3] Cavanaugh PR, LaFortune.MA. Ground reaction forced in distance running. Biomech 1980; 13:397-406.

[4] Griffith., HJ et aZ Magnetic resonance spectrum of stress injury to bone and ib clinical relevance. (in press) Presented at Annual Symposium of Am Coll Chiro Radiol, 1992.

[5] Michaud TC. Recurrent lower tibial stress fracture in a long-distance runner.ChinoSports Med 1988; 2(3):78-87. 18. Cavanagh PA The shoe ground interface in running. Symposium on the foot and leg in running sports, n.d.

[6] Schafer RC. Clinical Biomechanics Musculoskeletal Actions and Reactions.Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1983. 21. Greenawalt MH. Spinal Pelvic Stabilization (4th ed.).Roanoke: Foot Levelers, Inc., 1990.

[7] Subotnick SI. Sports Medicine of the Lower Extremity.New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1989:164.

[8] http://www.campanellahealthcenter.com/uncategorized/why-chiropractic-care-is-important-for-runners/ accessed September 2011

The Center for Chiropractic & Decompression NYC

1201 Broadway, Ste 1003, New York, NY 10001-5405

(646) 770-0916 ‎

: manhattan chiropractor

Spinal Decompression Therapy May Be An Alternative For Herniated Disc Treatment

Herniated discs are quite common.  In fact, nearly 7 out of 10 people probably have some form of disc degeneration that ranges in severity from a bulge to a herniation.  The kicker is that those 7 people likely don’t have any pain.

However, if you have low back pain or leg pain and your symptoms can be well correlated with, and confirmed, with diagnostics such as Xray, MRI and even NCV/EMG then it is very likely that a herniated disc is the cause of your pain.

In addition to the disc injury itself one must ask why the disc herniated in the first place.  Repetitive stress to the area? Poor muscle strength supporting the area? Loss of normal range of motion?  All these factors can and may have very likely led to the derangement of the disc.  Unless these factors are evaluated and corrected, if necessary, any treatment may only provide temporary relief.

Spinal decompression therapy is a non-surgical approach that seeks to address one aspect of this dysfunction - the disc bulge/herniation.  By applying a progressive traction like force to the lumbar spine the spinal decompression machine seeks to unload the disc and remove pressure from surrounding nerves that may be painful.  Over time this allows the disc to recover, nerves to heal, and the bulge/herniation may reduce in size.

If you thin you may be suffering with a herniated disc or sciatica spinal decompression may be a valuable component of a more comprehensive treatment plan.

Call us today to request an evaluation to determine if you may be a candidate for this type of care.  Or, take advantage of our new chiropractic patient special.

The Center for Chiropractic & Decompression NYC

1201 Broadway, Ste 1003, New York, NY 10001-5405

(646) 770-0916 ‎

: manhattan chiropractor

Fibromyalgia Suffers Choose Chiropractic over Traditional Medicine for Relief of Symptoms

Fibromyalgia is a condition with no known medical cure. It is characterized by chronic and debilitating pain all over the body, and heightened pain under pressure. Its symptoms can cause patients to suffer from widespread pain, poor sleep, chronic tiredness and even depression. The causes of fibromyalgia are unknown. Some theories cite that the patient’s low pain threshold may be attributed to increased sensitivity in the brain to pain signals. [1] Other possible causes could be a genetic predisposition [2]; stress; the disruption of normal dopamine related neurotransmission [3]; abnormal serotonin levels [4] and deficient growth hormone secretion [5]. While there is currently no cure for the condition, its symptoms can be alleviated by chiropractic treatment.

Chiropractic Adjustments for Fibromyalgia

Chiropractic treatment uses adjustments, which is a technique involving short and quick thrusts to the vertebrae in the spine to shift vertebrae back into their correct position. The treatment found in chiropractic care is based on the idea that illnesses and pain in the body arise from misalignments in the body’s skeletal structure. In order for the body to function healthily, the spine and the skeletal structure need to be set in the correct position – otherwise problems like chronic pain can arise.
Fibromyalgia causes numerous, tender points to occur all over the body, including back and neck pain and leg cramps. As a result of these symptoms, sufferers of fibromyalgia have sought treatment from chiropractors. Because the adjustments made during treatment help to restore the posture of the skeletal system, many sufferers find that treatment can help to reduce a significant amount of pain. Some fibromyalgia sufferers experience a condition known as cervical spinal stenosis, which results in compression of the spine’s meninges, which are the coverings of the upper spine. This can result in debilitating pain all over the body. A chiropractor may be able to help with cervical spinal stenosis by adjusting the spine around the head and neck, releasing this compression and eliminating the symptoms attributed to it.[6]

The effectiveness of chiropractic care has been studied in sufferers of fibromyalgia [6], where patients were asked which method of treatment, medical or alternative, helped the best with their condition. The majority voted for chiropractic treatment. In addition, the effectiveness was tested by using spinal manipulation to relieve fibromyalgia symptoms, and after 15 treatments, results concluded that patients had reduced fatigue and pain as well as improved sleep quality.

While fibromyalgia sufferers continue to look for a cure, it is great to know that there are ways to alleviate the symptoms and live a more normal life. If you or someone you know suffers from undiagnosed chronic pain or fibromyalgia, please share this article with them and encourage them to get a chiropractic consultation.

References Used:
[1] http://edition.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/fibromyalgia/DS00079.html Accessed September 2011
[2] Buskila D, Sarzi-Puttini P (2006). “Biology and therapy of fibromyalgia. Genetic aspects of fibromyalgia syndrome”. Arthritis Res Ther. 8 (5): 218. doi:10.1186/ar2005. PMC 1779444. PMID 16887010.
[3] Cervenka S, Pålhagen SE, Comley RA et al. (August 2006). “Support for dopaminergic hypoactivity in restless legs syndrome: a PET study on D2-receptor binding”. Brain 129 (Pt 8): 2017–28.doi:10.1093/brain/awl163. PMID 16816393. Retrieved 2008-05-21.
[4] Moldofsky H, Scarisbrick P, England R, Smythe H (1975).”Musculoskeletal symptoms and non-REM sleep disturbance in patients with “fibrositis syndrome” and healthy subjects”. Psychosom Med 37(4): 341–51. PMID 169541. Retrieved 2008-05-21.
[5] Anderberg UM, Liu Z, Berglund L, Nyberg F (1999). “Elevated plasma levels of neuropeptide Y in female fibromyalgia patients”. Eur J Pain 3 (1): 19–30.
[6] http://www.fibromyalgia-symptoms.org/fibromyalgia_chiropractic.html Accessed September 2011

The Center for Chiropractic & Decompression NYC

1201 Broadway, Ste 1003, New York, NY 10001-5405

(646) 770-0916 ‎

: manhattan chiropractor