Sciatica Treatment

Spinal Manipulation Proves Equally Beneficial as Surgery in Sciatica Treatment

Chiropractic care could save America 2.75 BILLION a year for patient suffering from sciatica secondary to lumbar disc herniation


In a recent study, “Manipulation or Microdisketomy for Sciatica? A Prospective Randomized Clinical Study,” (Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, October 2010, Vol. 33 Iss. 8, p: 576-584), researchers concluded that spinal manipulation was just as effective as microdiskectomy for patients struggling with sciatica secondary to lumbar disc herniation (LDH). The patient population studied included people experiencing chronic sciatica (symptoms greater than six months) that had failed traditional, medical management. Overall, 60 percent of patients who received spinal manipulation benefited to the same degree as those who underwent surgery.

“To our knowledge, this is the first, randomized trial that directly compared spinal manipulation, which in this study was delivered by a doctor of chiropractic, and back surgery, two popular treatment choices for this prevalent health condition,” says Dr. Gordon McMorland, who co-authored the paper with neurosurgeons Steve Casha, MD, PhD, FRCSC, Stephan J. du Plessis, MD, and R. John Hubert, MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACS. “Sciatica is a serious spinal condition that causes pain, numbness, or weakness in one or both legs. Many times when symptoms become debilitating and without further help, surgery is prescribed to alleviate discomfort. But surgery is not without financial and physical drawbacks.”

According to the study, “Outpatient Lumbar Microdiscectomy: A Prospective Study in 122 Patients”, more than 200,000 microdiskectomies are performed annually in the United States, at a direct cost of $5 billion, or $25,000 per procedure. In this year-long study, consenting participants were chosen randomly to receive either an average of 21 chiropractic sessions over a year or a single microdiskectomy, both with the additional integration of six supervised active rehabilitation sessions and a patient education program. If cost is assumed at $100 per chiropractic visit, there is a direct, total savings of $22,900 per manipulation patient. System-wide, this could save $2.75 billion dollars annually.

“After a year, no significant complications were seen in either treatment group, and the 60 percent patients who benefitted from spinal manipulation improved to the same degree as their surgical counterparts,” says Dr. McMorland, who also points out that, “The 40 percent of patients who were not helped by manipulation did receive subsequent surgical intervention. These patients benefited to the same degree as those that underwent surgery initially, suggesting there was no detrimental effect caused by delaying their surgical treatment.”

“Our research supports spinal manipulation performed by a doctor of chiropractic is a valuable and safe treatment option for those experiencing symptomatic LDH, failing traditional medical management. These individuals should consider spinal manipulation as a primary treatment, followed by surgery if unsuccessful.”

Headache Pills Can Cause Headaches

When patients come to us with help for headaches it is important for them to know about the latest information from a Consumer Reports (CR) health research report: their headaches may be caused by the drugs they’re taking to treat them!

"It’s not uncommon for people to experience medication-overuse headaches," said Orly Avitzur, MD, medical adviser, Consumer Reports Health, and a practicing neurologist. "It often comes as a surprise to my patients when I tell them that overuse of an over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen or aspirin may be causing their headaches. We all keep these OTCs in our medicine cabinets and I think many of us are so accustomed to them that we may underestimate the risk of overmedicating," Dr. Avitzur added.

The popular WebMD website concurs: "Many commonly used pain relievers, when taken in large enough amounts, can cause rebound headaches. Drugs once thought of as ‘safe’ are turning up as the likeliest culprits," warns one WebMD medical reference article. The "culprits" listed include:

• Aspirin
• Sinus relief medications
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (such as Aleve)
• Sedatives for sleep
• Codeine and prescription narcotics
• Over-the-counter combination headache remedies containing caffeine (such as Anacin, Excedrin, Bayer Select)
• Ergotamine preparations (such as Cafergot, Migergot, Ergomar, Bellergal-S, Bel-Phen-Ergot S, Phenerbel-S, Ercaf, Wigraine, and Cafatine PB)
• Butalbital combination pain relievers (Goody’s Headache Powder, Supac, fiorinal, fioricet)
  

The CR report took a particularly close look at a group of drugs called the triptans, which have become the most commonly prescribed drug for migraine patients, despite the fact that MDs are unclear as to how they work (it’s believed they affect how the nervous system handles serotonin, which is involved in pain processing).
It’s no wonder triptans are so extensively prescribed. They’re expensive and extremely profitable for drug makers. A single dose ranges in cost from $21 to $157, depending on the dosage and the form the medication comes in (tablets, nasal spray, or injection).

Article from Consumer Reports, March 23, 2011


Note from Dr. Boyd:
Chiropractic – 1st
Drugs – 2nd
Surgery -- Last Option
Look at treating the cause 1st and not just covering the symptoms with drugs.
Only your chiropractor can tell if yours is a chiropractic case.

Best Alternative Therapy for Back Pain

Which natural therapies really work to beat back pain? - Here's what more than 45,000 respondents in a new 'Consumer Reports' survey found most helpful:

Back pain may go away on its own, but for people dealing with chronic aches, chiropractic care may be a good option. Survey respondents found that it was the most helpful treatment for back pain (65 percent said it helped) surpassing both prescription and over-the-counter meds (53 and 28 percent said they helped, respectively). Deep-tissue massage, yoga, and Pilates were also deemed somewhat helpful by nearly half of those who’d tried them.

Original article by Leah McLaughlin of AOL News, July 21, 2011 - "Best Alternative Therapies for 12 Major Aches and Pains"

Reduce High Blood Pressure Without Pills

Are you dealing with high blood pressure? Medications will only mask the problem. According to a study conducted in late 2007 it’s time for you to stop relying on prescription medication and turn to a natural, healthy way to eliminate hypertension: chiropractic adjustments.

The study found that the correction of a spinal misalignment of the Atlas vertebra was often associated with reductions in blood pressure in hypertensive people.

In a two-month study 50 high blood pressure patients, who were found to have a misalignment at the Atlas vertebrae, were divided into two groups. The first group was the control group which received faux chiropractic adjustments. The second group received chiropractic care to specifically align the Atlas vertebrae. No one in either of the groups took any medication during the study.

When the study began, the average blood pressure of the control group was 145/91. The average blood pressure of the chiropractic adjustment group was 147/92. At the end of the study the chiropractic adjustment group experienced a significant decrease in blood pressure, averaging to 130/82. The control group maintained their original high blood pressure readings.

Medical experts said that chiropractic adjustments naturally delivered the same results that would occur when a hypertension patient simultaneously took two different blood pressure reducing medications.

Isn’t it good to know that chiropractic adjustments can create better health without the use of potentially harmful medication?

[Source: Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research, 10-29-07]

Milkshakes, French Fries, Chips & Cocaine...

In the 04/04/11 issue of the online edition of The Archives of General Psychiatry, a group of Yale University researchers reported on why it can be so hard to maintain a healthy weight, and why it has been so difficult to find obesity treatments that work.

Obesity is one of the biggest challenges facing this nation as well as the individuals of the US. Could the brain's response to the tempting appeal of fast food (sugary, fatty, salty, and/or greasy foods be the same response an addict's brain exhibits when it is anticipating the next "dose" of whatever it is addicted to?

The research hypothesis was that if certain foods are addictive, many people may be fighting a losing battle in their efforts to achieve sustainable weight loss.

The researchers found that compulsive eating may be driven, in part, by an enhanced expectation of the reward of eating a particular food. This is the same mechanism at work in addictions. (i.e. Cocaine)

What causes the brain to seek "reward" may lie in the chemicals that have been added to many "junk" foods. These foods are highly processed and tend to be loaded with flavor enhancing chemicals like MSG, Aspartame and High Fructose Corn Syrup. All of these are KNOWN to be highly addictive.

MSG, which we have reported on in the past, over-excites the brain to the point that it actually causes neurological brain damage -- but because it "tastes" so good, people quickly become addicted to it.

Article by: Dr. Mike Risoldi :: May 11, 2011

COMPUTER GENERATED NECK & BACK PROBLEMS

Back, neck and shoulder pain is the natural result of prolonged sitting at work behind a computer, as is bad posture. This can cause headaches and excessive tension in neck, shoulders, arms, forearms, wrists, back, hips, thighs and legs. The result is increased fatigue to the muscles and ligaments supporting the lower back and this can eventually lead to tissue injury and spinal joint dysfunction. Avoid these problems by posture correction, exercise and correct use of equipment.

Symptoms of back problems due to excessive computer use include:

* Back and neck muscle spasm and pain
* Back and neck soft tissue inflammation
* Back, neck and shoulder pain on movement and involvement of other muscles as a reaction
* Referred pain to buttocks and thighs or up the spine

Preventing back and neck pain while sitting is not an exact science as there are many differing opinions on the subject. However, there are some common denominators on which most chiropractors and other medical professionals agree:

Tips to Prevent Computer Related Neck and Shoulder Pain

Do not slouch in front of the computer or lie in bed and work on a laptop.

Do not work for hours in front of a computer without breaks.

Do not ignore back twinges and back pain, hoping that the problem will resolve itself.

Avoid taking pain or anti-inflammatory medication when in pain from using a computer. This will serve to mask the symptoms but can lead to serious injury or permanent nerve damage in the long term.

Do not sit on one leg or sit with legs crossed as this causes additional strain to the back.

Do not perch a laptop on the lap and stare down at the screen - this places extra strain on the neck, spine and arms.

Buy a chair that encourages you to use your back muscles, such as a stool chair with no back or arm rests. Lower back pain can be reduced or eliminated by strengthening the lower back muscles through active sitting exercises.

Buy an ergonomic keyboard and mouse and ensure that the height is adjusted appropriately.

Have a break every hour and do stretching exercises like neck rolls, chin tucks, cupping head in hands behind the head and extension exercises.

Visiting a Chiropractic Clinic

A chiropractor is a medical professional who treats spinal column dysfunction. Back and neck pain may be the result of the back being badly aligned and the chiropractor sets out to relieve the problem by manual manipulation, exercise, massage and the application of heat, cold and light.

Article courtesy of: NaturalNews.com

70,000 Kids Hospitalized for Accidental Drug 'Poisoning'

As Published in the Chiropractic Journal

Article Date: Mar 15, 2011

A new Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) study found that two-thirds (68.9%) of the 100,340 emergency department visits made in 2008 for accidental ingestion of drugs were made by children aged 5 or younger.

Two-fifths (42.3%) of the visits involved patients aged 2 years-old, and almost one third (29.5%) involved one-year-old patients. The report showed that males accounted for slightly more than half (55.7%) of the emergency department visits for accidental drug ingestion among children aged 5 or younger.

Additionally, the survey indicated that these incidents included drugs that act on the central nervous system (CNS) (40.8%), with the two main CNS drugs being pain relievers (21.1%), and drugs for insomnia and anxiety (11.6%). The study also found that 15.7% of the emergency department visits involved drugs for treating heart disease, followed by respiratory system drugs (10.3%).

"Poisoning is one of the most common childhood injuries. Most of the time it happens right at home," said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, JD. "Locking up drugs and properly disposing leftover or expired drugs can save lives. Studies like this one that measure the impact on the health care system of accidental ingestion of drugs also provides us an opportunity to get the message out to parents and caregivers that there are simple steps they can take to prevent accidental drug ingestion."

The study also looked at whether these young patients needed additional care and treatment following their initial treatment at the hospital emergency department. Most of the children who were taken to an emergency department because of accidental drug ingestion were treated and released following the visit (85.3%). However, about 1 in 10 (8.7%) of the patients were admitted for inpatient care and 5% were transferred to other health care facilities.

The study, "Emergency Department Visits Involving Accidental Ingestion of Drugs by Children Aged 5 or Younger," was developed as part of the agency's strategic initiative on data, outcomes, and quality -- an effort to inform policy makers and service providers on the nature and scope of behavioral health issues. It is based on SAMHSA's 2008 Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) report. DAWN is a public health surveillance system that monitors drug-related hospital emergency department visits reported throughout the nation.

SOURCE: A copy of the study is available at: http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k10/DAWN014/AccidentalIngestion.htm