What is spinal decompression?
This is a big word but is very simple to explain. When people have back pain, the nerve in the center of the spinal cord gets compressed or pinched. The compression may be from bone, ligament, tumor, or any type of mass. When the nerve is pinched, it causes pain. Spinal decompression means relieving the pressure in the joint space so that the nerve is no longer pinched
What is classic treatment of back pain?
Back or neck pain are common problems in society. In most cases, it is a nerve that is pinched that is causing the pain. Sometimes besides pain, one may also have numbness or tingling sensations.
The traditional treatment of back pain is rest and pain control for a few days and most individuals recover in 4-6 weeks. However, there are a number of patients who fail to improve. These individuals then go through a wide range of therapies including physical therapy, exercise, traction, massage, acupuncture, yoga, praying, and when all that fails, some undergo surgery.
IS back surgery essentially spinal decompression?
Yes, in simple all surgery for back pain is designed to remove pressure from the nerves. However, surgery is not the only way to remove compression from the disc joints. There are also various traction devices that do the same thing.
Can spinal decompression surgery be performed only on the back?
No, spinal decompression surgery can be performed anywhere along the spine when there is evidence of a pinched nerve. The two most common areas are the neck and lower back
How is the surgery done?
Under general anesthesia, a small incision is made over the mid spine. The lamina (the bone that covers top of the spinal canal) is removed. This allows the nerves more freedom and removes the compression.
There are several types of decompressive spinal procedures but the principle is the same- remove pressure off the nerves.
Showing posts with label back pain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label back pain. Show all posts
Friday, April 10, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Spinal injections for back pain
All over the country, doctors have set up pain clinics offering to give injections to anyone and everyone with pain. Treatment of back pain is a lucrative business and many physicians have exploited this aspect of medicine.
Many people with back pain remain disabled and have a very poor quality of life. There are many individuals with back pain who have gone through the entire gamut of surgery, physical therapy, acupuncture, massage and so on and nothing has worked. For these individuals, the only other treatment is to get pain relief. One of the ways to relieve pain is with injections. The injections are made in the spine with steroids. Anesthesiologists, orthopedic surgeons, rheumatologists, and many other physicians have set up clinics to provide pain relief to the individuals suffering from back pain.
For the consumer, it has to be understood that epidural injections are not the first treatment of choice. One has to try oral pain pills before jumping the gun.
Do epidural injections relieve back pain?
Well, not everyone finds relief from epidural injections and the pain relief is not immediate. Less than 10-20 percent of people with back pain have any significant pain relief. The pain relief is never complete and not permanent. The pain relief is noticed at around 3-4 weeks and lasts for a few months only. Most individuals can only have 2-3 injections of steroids per year. Repeated uses of steroids can lead to bone softening, ulcers and weight gain.
Prior to the epidural injections, one has to have an MRI or CT scan of the back. These radiological studies help identify location of the problem. However, most physicians who perform epidural injections generally go ahead and inject irrespective of the findings.
Many people with back pain remain disabled and have a very poor quality of life. There are many individuals with back pain who have gone through the entire gamut of surgery, physical therapy, acupuncture, massage and so on and nothing has worked. For these individuals, the only other treatment is to get pain relief. One of the ways to relieve pain is with injections. The injections are made in the spine with steroids. Anesthesiologists, orthopedic surgeons, rheumatologists, and many other physicians have set up clinics to provide pain relief to the individuals suffering from back pain.
For the consumer, it has to be understood that epidural injections are not the first treatment of choice. One has to try oral pain pills before jumping the gun.
Do epidural injections relieve back pain?
Well, not everyone finds relief from epidural injections and the pain relief is not immediate. Less than 10-20 percent of people with back pain have any significant pain relief. The pain relief is never complete and not permanent. The pain relief is noticed at around 3-4 weeks and lasts for a few months only. Most individuals can only have 2-3 injections of steroids per year. Repeated uses of steroids can lead to bone softening, ulcers and weight gain.
Prior to the epidural injections, one has to have an MRI or CT scan of the back. These radiological studies help identify location of the problem. However, most physicians who perform epidural injections generally go ahead and inject irrespective of the findings.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Herniated Discs 101
What is a herniated disc?
A herniated disc is one of the most common reasons for long term disability in young people in North America. Basically, all of us have a jelly like substance in our vertebral joints. For some unknown reason (e.g. trauma, heavy lifting) this jelly-like substance leaks and impinges on the nerves which are leaving the spinal cord. When the nerves are pinched or compressed, the patient feels pain. When a herniated disc develops, it can limit how an individuals functions on a daily basis- the chief reason is because of continuous pain. The pain is a dull ache which often radiates to the back of the legs.
How is diagnosis of herniated disc made?
The diagnosis of a herniated disc can be made very easily with an MRI. However, even with a diagnosis, the treatment is somewhat difficult. There is no one type of treatment that works in everyone. Even the same treatment may not work in the future. For most patients with back pain, the treatment has to be individualized. Unfortunately, most health care professionals simply write a pain prescription, send you to a physical therapy exercise (owned by the physician), and then recommend surgery.
Who makes decision about treatment?
In general both the patient and physician should discuss the issue. However, since many patients do not know of all the options, they are at a major disadvantage. Physicians in general will recommend therapies which they know or therapies which are expensive
Can herniated discs occur in the neck?
Sure, herniated discs in the neck are common. But it is herniated discs in lower back that are frequently more disabling that those seen in the neck region.
Can the pain resolve on its own?
Definitely, if one is patient enough, pain from herniated discs will subside with time. In the majority of cases this may take anywhere from 4-6 weeks. Of course, you will need some pain medications for the first few weeks. Once the pain has diminished, one can start physical therapy.
Over time, the herniated disc will shrink and limit the compression on the nerves. Shrinkage of the herniated disc can take anywhere from 4-6 weeks. That is why it is extremely important not to undergo any surgery before this time.
A herniated disc is one of the most common reasons for long term disability in young people in North America. Basically, all of us have a jelly like substance in our vertebral joints. For some unknown reason (e.g. trauma, heavy lifting) this jelly-like substance leaks and impinges on the nerves which are leaving the spinal cord. When the nerves are pinched or compressed, the patient feels pain. When a herniated disc develops, it can limit how an individuals functions on a daily basis- the chief reason is because of continuous pain. The pain is a dull ache which often radiates to the back of the legs.
How is diagnosis of herniated disc made?
The diagnosis of a herniated disc can be made very easily with an MRI. However, even with a diagnosis, the treatment is somewhat difficult. There is no one type of treatment that works in everyone. Even the same treatment may not work in the future. For most patients with back pain, the treatment has to be individualized. Unfortunately, most health care professionals simply write a pain prescription, send you to a physical therapy exercise (owned by the physician), and then recommend surgery.
Who makes decision about treatment?
In general both the patient and physician should discuss the issue. However, since many patients do not know of all the options, they are at a major disadvantage. Physicians in general will recommend therapies which they know or therapies which are expensive
Can herniated discs occur in the neck?
Sure, herniated discs in the neck are common. But it is herniated discs in lower back that are frequently more disabling that those seen in the neck region.
Can the pain resolve on its own?
Definitely, if one is patient enough, pain from herniated discs will subside with time. In the majority of cases this may take anywhere from 4-6 weeks. Of course, you will need some pain medications for the first few weeks. Once the pain has diminished, one can start physical therapy.
Over time, the herniated disc will shrink and limit the compression on the nerves. Shrinkage of the herniated disc can take anywhere from 4-6 weeks. That is why it is extremely important not to undergo any surgery before this time.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Acupuncture and back pain
Acupuncture has been used in the treatment of back pain for many decades. The procedure is quite simple and involves insertion of very fine needles into the body. The exact placement of the needles is important. Although acupuncture is widely used in the Orient to treat a range of medical disorders, it is only used to treat a few painful conditions in North America. No one knows exactly how acupuncture works but there are a few anecdotal reports that the treatment may help reduce pain and relieve vomiting.
Acupuncture for back pain is done on a weekly basis in an outpatient setting. Most individuals require anywhere from 8-12 treatments. Each clinic visit can last anywhere from 30-45 minutes.
The treatment of back pain with acupuncture is done when you are lying down in a comfortable position. Most acupuncturist use single use sterile prepackaged needle. The insertion of the needle does sting for a second but is not very painful. When the needle reaches the appropriate depth one does feel the sting. After insertion of needles, the needles are often rotated or stimulated with either electricity or heat. Most people require anywhere from 10-15 needles per treatment. Once the needles are in place, they are usually left in the location anywhere for 5-25 minutes.
While there are a lot of oriental theories on how acupuncture works, the western concept is based on the belief that the needles most likely stimulate nerves or muscles and this helps to relieve pain and possibly increases blood flow.
Acupuncture is widely used to treat back pain. It is never the sole treatment but used as complimentary treatment to the conventional medical treatments. The majority of reports on the effectiveness of acupuncture are anecdotal and most scientists believe that the major effect of acupuncture is placebo based (meaning it is all in the head).
Acupuncture, nevertheless, is quite safe when performed by a skilled practitioner and has few complications. It is widely available and may help relieve pain. Individuals who do not like to take pills may find that acupuncture is a better alternative.
However, acupuncture does have a few negatives. It should never be done in any individual with a blood coagulation problem or has broken skin. There are many instances of needles breaking inside the body and damaging internal organs. Further if the needles are re-used (and they often are to save money), there is always the chance of transmitting an infection process.
So before you go and get acupuncture for your back pain, always ask for recommendations. Check the training of the therapist and most important find out what is the cost. The majority of medical insurance carriers and Medicare do not cover the costs of acupuncture. And the treatment does not come cheap.
For more information on acupuncture related products, visit www.medexsupply.com
Acupuncture for back pain is done on a weekly basis in an outpatient setting. Most individuals require anywhere from 8-12 treatments. Each clinic visit can last anywhere from 30-45 minutes.
The treatment of back pain with acupuncture is done when you are lying down in a comfortable position. Most acupuncturist use single use sterile prepackaged needle. The insertion of the needle does sting for a second but is not very painful. When the needle reaches the appropriate depth one does feel the sting. After insertion of needles, the needles are often rotated or stimulated with either electricity or heat. Most people require anywhere from 10-15 needles per treatment. Once the needles are in place, they are usually left in the location anywhere for 5-25 minutes.
While there are a lot of oriental theories on how acupuncture works, the western concept is based on the belief that the needles most likely stimulate nerves or muscles and this helps to relieve pain and possibly increases blood flow.
Acupuncture is widely used to treat back pain. It is never the sole treatment but used as complimentary treatment to the conventional medical treatments. The majority of reports on the effectiveness of acupuncture are anecdotal and most scientists believe that the major effect of acupuncture is placebo based (meaning it is all in the head).
Acupuncture, nevertheless, is quite safe when performed by a skilled practitioner and has few complications. It is widely available and may help relieve pain. Individuals who do not like to take pills may find that acupuncture is a better alternative.
However, acupuncture does have a few negatives. It should never be done in any individual with a blood coagulation problem or has broken skin. There are many instances of needles breaking inside the body and damaging internal organs. Further if the needles are re-used (and they often are to save money), there is always the chance of transmitting an infection process.
So before you go and get acupuncture for your back pain, always ask for recommendations. Check the training of the therapist and most important find out what is the cost. The majority of medical insurance carriers and Medicare do not cover the costs of acupuncture. And the treatment does not come cheap.
For more information on acupuncture related products, visit www.medexsupply.com
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