The term "herniated disc," refers to localized displacement of nucleus, cartilage, fragmented apophyseal bone, or fragmented annular tissue beyond the intervertebral disc space.[1]Simply stated, the annulus, or outer part of the disc has been torn completely through the wall allowing the inner portion, or the nucleus pulposis material to escape the inner confines in a “focal” or finite direction. Unlike a bulging disc, which an entirely different physiological process and diagnosis, caused by degeneration, a herniated disc is traumatically induced phenomena.
The highest prevalence of herniated lumbar discs is among people aged 30–50 years, with a male to female ratio of 2:1. In people aged 25–55 years, about 95% of herniated discs occur at the lower lumbar spine (L4/5 and L5/S1 level); disc herniation above this level is more common in people aged over 55 years.[2]
Symptoms of a Cervical Herniated Disc
A cervical (neck) herniated disc will typically cause pain patterns and neurological deficits as follows:[3]
C4 - C5(C5 nerve root) - Can cause weakness in the deltoid muscle in the upper arm. Does not usually cause numbness or tingling. Can cause shoulder pain. C5 - C6(C6 nerve root) - Can cause weakness in the biceps (muscles in the front of the upper arms) and wrist extensor muscles. Numbness and tingling along with pain can radiate to the thumb side of the hand. This is one of the most common levels for a cervical disc herniation to occur. C6 - C7(C7 nerve root) - Can cause weakness in the triceps (muscles in the back of the upper arm and extending to the forearm) and the finger extensor muscles. Numbness and tingling along with pain can radiate down the triceps and into the middle finger. This is also one of the most common levels for a cervical disc herniation. C7 - T1(C8 nerve root) - Can cause weakness with handgrip. Numbness and tingling and pain can radiate down the arm to the little finger side of hand. Symptoms of a Lumbar Herniated Disc
The most common symptom of a lumbar disc herniation is pain. The pain is usually described as being located in the buttock with radiation down the back of the thigh and sometimes to the outside of the calf. The specific location may vary and depends on which disc is affected (and thus which nerve root is affected). The pain (and other symptoms and signs) come from pressure on the nerve root. The pain frequently starts as simple back pain and progresses to pain in the leg. When the pain moves to the leg, it is not unusual for the back pain to become less severe. Straining such as bowel movement, coughing or sneezing are all things that tend to cause the leg pain to worsen. Very large disc herniations may cause something known as the "cauda equina syndrome". This is a rare syndrome caused by a very large disc herniation putting pressure on many nerve roots. Signs and symptoms include urinary problems (either retention or incontinence), loss of leg or foot strength, "saddle" anesthesia (loss of sensation in the area of the body that would be in contact with a saddle), decreased rectal sphincter tone and variable amounts of pain (ranging from minimal to severe).[4]
A research paper published in a Peer Reviewed Medically Indexed Journal (scientific journal,) was conducted to evaluate how patients with disc herniations responded to chiropractic care. The authors stated “all patients were evaluated before commencement of chiropractic care by MRI scans for presence of disc herniations. Pre-care evaluations also included clinical examination and visual analog scores [asking them to rate their pain by using a number from 0 to 10]. Patients were then treated with a course of care that included traction, flexion distraction [a specific Chiropractic technique], spinal manipulative therapy, physiotherapy and rehabilitative exercises. All patients were re-evaluated by post-care follow-up MRI scans, clinical examination and visual analog scores. Percentage of disc shrinkage on repeat MRI, resolution of clinical examination findings, reduced visual analog pain scores and whether the patient returned to work were all recorded. This is an important study because it shows MRI scans pre-care and post-care.
The paper goes on to report “Clinically, 80% of the patients studied had a good clinical outcome with post-care visual analog scores accompanied with resolution of abnormal clinical examination findings. Anatomically, after repeat MRI scans, 63% of the patients studied revealed a reduced size or completely resorbed disc herniation (completely resolved.) One significant finding was “seventy-eight percent of the patients were able to return to work in their pre-disability occupations.”[5]
This study shows that Chiropractic care can be a very important part of treatment in patients, when clinically indicated with disc herniations. Injuries such as disc herniations can have a negative impact on the ability to work and complete personal tasks. Evaluating treatment options is paramount when deciding how best to fix the problem especially the non-surgical approach that Chiropractic offers to patients. If you have an injury to your spine, the first step is making sure that you are diagnosed effectively and efficiently, and then engage in treatment as quickly as possible. Although Chiropractic is effective in treating conditions in the early and late phases it has been shown to be most effective when started immediately.[6]
This study, along with many others concludes that a drug-free approach of chiropractic care is one of the best solutions to herniated discs.
William J. Owens DC, DAAMLP
Mark Studin DC, FASBE (C), DAAPM, DAAMLP
Every year people line up at the doctors’ office or pharmacies to receive their seasonal influenza vaccine, or their “flu shot.” Significant resources are put into the manufacturing of the flu shot annually, and even more resources are allocated to make sure they are distributed to the masses (Jefferson). The shot is normally given in the arm, and is recommended for usage in anyone over half a year old, to include “healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions”(CDC).
The flu shot, a common medicine for avoiding the influenza virus, is a vaccination that carries a ‘dead’ virus solution which causes the body to create flu-fighting antibodies” (Laken). Nasal treatments, such as flumist, are also available for people who are incapable of receiving the shot, or just do not want to receive it through injection. In addition, around 20% of Americans receive the vaccination annually. According to the CDC, many hospitalizations or fatalities in the United States are linked to influenza.
Despite the painful injection, the vaccination has been declared to reduce the chance of a person acquiring the flu or flu related symptoms as well as flu related hospitalization. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that, The viruses in the vaccine can change each year based on international surveillance and scientists’ estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year. About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against the influenza viruses in the vaccine develop in the body.
The swine flu epidemic of 2009 is a perfect example of the changes required for the annual vaccinations (Albietz). Albietz also states that “as of December 2009 the H1N1 vaccine appears to have no dangerous effects.” Some doctors and the Centers for Disease Control say that the amount of deaths from the flu would decline if more people received the annual shot.
Furthermore, the CDC suggests that every child under the age of 5 or someone 65 years and older should get the flu vaccine because they are at a higher risk of “developing flu related complications.” Scientists pick three strains of viruses for the flu vaccine which they recommend people take as soon as it becomes available in their region (CDC). They state that receiving the flu shot reduces flu related symptoms, hospitalizations and death.
Despite all of these claims, the CDC itself and other sources indicate that not only may the flu shot/flumist not be necessary, but may even be harmful, if not toxic or damaging to those who take it. The chances that vaccination will properly shield an individual “depends on the age and health status of the person getting the vaccine, and the similarity or ‘match’ between the viruses or virus in the vaccine and those in circulation” (CDC). This means that not everyone needs to be vaccinated, and also the virus that is predicted to come each year may not “match” what is produced to kill the virus. The CDC also declares that “on rare occasions, flu vaccination can cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions,” and continues to list side effects of the flu shot or flumist that are all symptoms of the flu itself. Also, in 1976 the “swine flu vaccination killed more people than the virus itself” (LeM22).
Moreover, critics may argue that the flu vaccination incorporates many toxins and viruses that could harm our body. Dr. David Brownstein declares that,
The flu shot contains a mixture of egg proteins including bird contaminant viruses. It also contains polysorbate 80 (associated with infertility in animals),formaldehyde (a known carcinogen), Triton X100 (detergent), sucrose (sugar), and thimerisol (50% mercury by weight).
The amount of mercury in the vaccination “is five times the maximum amount judged safe by the CDC for a 110 lb. person” (Koren) and “exceeds the EPA’s (Environmental Protection Agency) safety limit of mercury exposure by over 250 times” (Brownstein). Brownstein goes on to say that “Mercury is a known neurotoxin and is the third-most toxic element known to mankind.” Formaldehyde, once again, is a known carcinogen, which is a substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue (Brownstein).
In addition, many reports have revealed that the vaccination is unproductive across the board in all age groups (Koren). The shot proved to be inadequate for more than half of the kids that took it, and for children older than two, a mere 33% showed success (Brownstein). This means that for the other 70% it was ineffective. An escalated hazard of 300% hospitalizations was discovered for people that received flumist (Brownstein). Dr. Koren states that if someone receives the shot repeatedly for five years, they then have a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Opponents have pointed out that, “repeated vaccination at a young age increased the risk of influenza in older age” (Koren).
In closing, although the CDC as well as many doctors and pharmacies promote getting the flu shot, the potential harmful effects greatly outweigh the benefit. In reality, research shows little to no reduction in symptoms, hospitalization, or fatality in those that receive the flu shot or flumist. What the research does indicate, along with the CDC’s own admission, is that not only are there risks associated with the shot, there are a number of potential side effects, most of them similar to flu symptoms themselves. Additionally, the chemical make-up and contents of the flu shot or flumist contain known toxins and carcinogens that are well documented to be damaging to the body. There are many different ways to avoid the flu without getting the vaccination. For example, maintaining a healthy diet, getting enough rest, taking vitamins regularly, and consuming plenty of liquids, including water, can “help the immune system fight viral infections“(Brownstein).
Samantha Harrison
Dr Steven Harrison
If you are suffering with lower back pain, had low back pain or back pain treatment in the past or just want to make sure you never experience the joy, here are a few tips to help keep your back healthy, supple and strong.
1. Stretch daily!! Most people stretch very little or not at all. Get off your lazy butt and stretch!! Stretching is underutilized and under-estimated in its benefit and effectiveness in not only reducing existing back pain but also in the prevention of lower back troubles. Stretching of the quadriceps (the anterior thigh muscles) and your hamstrings (the posterior thigh muscles) will help to stabilize the lower back and prevent undue stress to the lumbar spine (lower back).
2. Exercise. Regular exercise is crucial to keeping that dreaded abdominal fat away. Keeping the core strong by exercising your abdominals and lower back muscles will help prevent lower back injuries.
3. Warm up. If you know you have some strenuous lifting or other activity that needs to be done, take the time to warm up the lower back before doing so. Looking back to numbers one and two above, stretch a little, maybe just a few of the exercises to warm up your core and an old time favorite, a few jumping jacks to get the circulation going through the body. If you can do these few simple things which only take a minute or two you will significantly reduce the probability of a sprain, strain to the lower back.
4. Hydration. I have mentioned this before in one of my blogs. Statistics have shown that approximately 70% of the population is walking around dehydrated. A hydrated muscle is a happy muscle and will help to keep it supple. Hydration also helps the body in its natural detoxification process.
5. Regular spinal check-ups. Most people spend more money going out to eat, getting their hair or nails done or even worse on the maintenance of their car. The most important vehicle you have is your body. Take care of spine which houses your central nervous system by getting an occasional spinal evaluation. Proper mobility in the spine is essential to making sure the nervous system is functioning properly, keeps your mobility full and complete and slows down the onset of degenerative arthritis. The frequency of your need will be dependent upon what shape your spine is in now, what type of stress it is under (work and play) and your age. If you have any questions please feel free to set a free consultation.
MICHAEL ATKIN: Professor Phillip Ebrall says the medical professionals are engaged in a turf war against chiropractors.
PHILLIP EBRALL: It always seems that when one discipline is really under the pump the way that it deflects a lot of the negative press is by attacking another discipline.
MICHAEL ATKIN: AMA president Steve Hambleton rejects the claim of a turf war saying he supports evidence based chiropractic treatment.
Dr Bruce Walker is a chiropractor with over 35 years experience at Murdoch University. He agrees that subluxation theory should not be taught.
BRUCE WALKER: Subluxation theory is not taught at Murdoch University and has been rejected by a growing number of chiropractic bodies around the world including the British Chiropractors Association.
It can't be measured. It can't be reliably identified. In reality it's a theoretical construct. The public should in fact steer clear of that sort of practitioner.
MICHAEL ATKIN: Central Queensland University say the letter has given them a welcome opportunity to justify their chiropractic teaching.
Professor Phillip Ebrall denies it has been a PR disaster before a single lecture is held.
PHILLIP EBRALL: I think it's wonderful. I think it is absolutely fantastic that people know what the university is doing, that the university is open and honest and is presenting what it's doing with integrity.
MICHAEL ATKIN: But Dr Bruce Walker disagrees, saying the letter is a significant blow to the university and needs to be taken seriously.
He is also concerned it has damaged the credibility of the chiropractic profession.
BRUCE WALKER: Evidence based practitioners within the chiropractic profession in Australia and around the world discuss this issue constantly and are growing tired of the number of practitioners that continue to use subluxation. It's old-time fundamentalism and there's no place for it in the 21st century.
MARK COLVIN: Chiropractor Dr Bruce Walker ending that report from Michael Atkin.
http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2011/s3384081.htm
If you are suffering from headaches there are three things you must know before going down the path of popping pills. Headaches are very treateable if you know what to do and many times resolve without the use of over the counter or prescription meds.
First lets look at the causes of headaches. The number one cause of headaches is muscle tension. 90% fall into this category. Most commonly involved are the muscles at the base of the skull or top of the neck. They call this the suboccipital area. Headaches generated from this area usually start in the back of the head and may radiate around to the forehead. Anything that will cause muscle tension can cause these types of headaches. Long hours at the computer, sleeping in an awkward position, whiplash from auto injuries, sports injuries etc... The remaining 10% fall into sinus, migraine and cluster headaches. Today we are gonna focus on the majority.
So what are the top three things you can do to prevent or reduce tension headaches?
- Stretching and range of motion exercises for the neck. Anything that will promote movement and keep the muscles in a relaxed state will help reduce the tension. If you are unsure of what exercises or stretches to do. Contact your local chiropractor for a home program.
- Drink a lot of water. 70% of the population is walking around dehydrated. When we become dehydrated the muscles lose water content as well causing the muscles to become more tight. So if you feel a headache coming on, or already have one, try drinking a large glass of water and wait a half hour to hour and see how you feel. Many times your headache will disappear.
- Chiropractic Adjustments! Adjusting the cervical spine will improve mobility and reduce muscle tension. We have been treating headaches successfully for over 100 years in the profession.
For more information contact Dr. Harrison, your orlando chiropractor at our office for a free consultation.
Driving is probably the most dangerous thing most of us will ever do. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2008, there were more than 5.8 million police-reported traffic crashes in which 37,261 people were killed and more than 2.3 million injured the United States.
Although you do your best to drive responsibly and defensively, it's still smart to know what to do just in case you end up in a collision.
Car Crashes can be very scary, but here are some tips if one happens to you:
Take some deep breaths to get calm. After a
car crash, a person may feel a wide range of emotions — shock, guilt, fear, nervousness, or anger — all of which are normal. But take a few deep breaths or count to 10 to calm down. The calmer you are, the better prepared you will be to handle the situation. This is the time to take stock of the accident and try to make a judgment about whether it was a serious one.
Keep yourself and others safe. If you can't get out of your car — or it's not safe to try — keep your seat belt fastened, turn on your hazard lights, then call 911 if possible and wait for help to arrive. If you can drive your car and are in an unsafe spot or are blocking traffic, find a safe and legal place to park your car (like the shoulder of a highway or a parking lot). In some states it's illegal to move your car from the scene of an accident, though. Ask your driver's ed instructor what the law is in your state.
If the collision seems to be minor, turn off your car and grab your emergency kit. If it's safe to get out and move around your car, set up orange cones, warning triangles, or emergency flares around the crash site.
Check on everyone involved in the crash to see if they have any injuries. This includes making sure you don't have any serious injuries. Be extremely cautious — not all injuries can be seen. If you or anyone involved isn't feeling 100%, you should call 911 or any other number your state uses to request emergency assistance on roadways. Be ready to give the dispatcher the following information:
Chiropractors are employed by professional football teams to manage injuries once they occur, but their care also helps prevent injuries. In fact, every team in the National Football League has chiropractors on board to care for their players.
Football has a well-deserved reputation as a rough sport, and injuries are very common; however, Dr. Sol Cogan who is the chiropractor for the Detroit Lions feels that chiropractic care during training and before and after games can help prevent some of these injuries. He uses chiropractic adjustments to improve several performance aspects of overall fitness, such as flexibility, range of motion, alignment and bio-mechanics.
He also advises football players of all ages to consider several things prior to a game to avoid injury. Warm up and stretching is imperative, and so is choosing the right equipment and making sure it fits well. Proper hydration, adequate rest and good overall nutrition will all help keep athletes operating at their peak.
Cogan recommends that players use ice for inflammation and, above all, discuss any pain or other symptoms with the coach, trainer and doctor.
The NFL players are fortunate to have chiropractic care provided for them, but even the youngest "pee-wee" football player can benefit from having a chiropractor on their healthcare team. Dr Steven Harisson is Chirpractor Based in Orlando Florida
- Age: The first attack of low back pain typically occurs between the ages of 30 and 40. Back pain becomes more common with age.
- Fitness level: Back pain is more common among people who are not physically fit. Weak back and abdominal muscles may not properly support the spine.
- Diet: A diet high in calories and fat, combined with an inactive lifestyle, can lead to obesity, which can put stress on the back.
- Heredity: Some causes of back pain, such as ankylosing spondylitis, a form of arthritis that affects the spine, have a genetic component.
- Race: Race can be a factor in back problems. African American women, for example, are two to three times more likely than white women to develop spondylolisthesis, a condition in which a vertebra of the lower spine—also called the lumbar spine—slips out of place.
- The presence of other diseases: Many diseases can cause or contribute to back pain. These include various forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and cancers elsewhere in the body that may spread to the spine.
- Occupational risk factors: Having a job that requires heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling, particularly when this involves twisting or vibrating the spine, can lead to injury and back pain. An inactive job or a desk job may also lead to or contribute to pain, especially if you have poor posture or sit all day in an uncomfortable chair.
- Cigarette smoking: Although smoking may not directly cause back pain, it increases your risk of developing low back pain and low back pain with sciatica. (Sciatica is back pain that radiates to the hip and/or leg due to pressure on a nerve.) For example, smoking may lead to pain by blocking your body’s ability to deliver nutrients to the disks of the lower back. Or repeated coughing due to heavy smoking may cause back pain. It is also possible that smokers are just less physically fit or less healthy than nonsmokers, which increases the likelihood that they will develop back pain. Smoking also increases the risk of osteoporosis, a condition that causes weak, porous bones, which can lead to painful fractures of the vertebrae. Furthermore, smoking can slow healing, prolonging pain for people who have had back injuries, back surgery, or broken bones.
http://www.niams.nih.gov/
Our Acupuncture Health Care Programs Include:
- Ear, Nose & Throat Disorders: Tinnitus, sinus, allergy, sore throat, cold & flu.
- Respiratory Disorders: Asthma, bronchitis, cough.
- Digestive Disorders: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, ulcers, colitis, acid reflux, bloating, stomach upset. food allergies, nausea.
- Circulatory Disorder: Hypertension, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, diabetes, obesity, arteriosclerosis, cardiovascular, chest pain, edema.
- Urological Disorders: Impotence, cystitis, prostate disorders, urinary tract infections.
- Gynecological Disorders: Menopausal syndrome, PMS, infertility, painful period, menstrual irregularity, endometriosis, cyst.
- Neurological Disorders: TMJ, arthritis, fibromyalgia, tennis elbow, body ache, carpal tunnel syndrome, gout, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, sprots injuries, Bell’s palsy, migraine, headache, hemorrhage, post-stroke paralysis, dizziness, eczema, urticarial.
- Psychological Disorders: Anxiety, depression, ADD/ADHA, insomnia, stress, memory loss.
Treatment for back pain can be tricky. Many times patients will get conflicting information regarding their treatment for lower back pain. Patients also have many questions regarding home remedies for lower back pain, back braces for lower back pain (what kind to buy and where can I buy them), and one of my favorites, should I use a heating pad for back pain? Whether your back pain is from a auto injury, work injury, a fall or just of gradual onset, see your orlando chiropractor for treatment options. I can steer you in the right direction.
First of all lets look at the cause of lower back pain because acute back pain treatment and chronic back pain treatment need to be addressed specifically. The number one cause of back pain may seem rediculously oversimplified, and it is. Tight muscles and restricted mobility. Yup, that's it. From a treatment standpoint that makes our job easy. On a plain film x-ray everything will look completely normal, so lets not overlook the obvious. If everything looks normal on the film then likely all we need to do is work out the muscles around the area and mobilize the involved joints as found on examination and in most cases the pain just goes away. The more chronic the condition, the more we will need to see the patient to correct the problem. Muscles have memory and they tend to want to return to their taught or hypertonic state until we retrain them to stay loose. In a new onset maybe only a few treatments. In a chronic situation where the back pain has been there for years it may be a few dozen treatments.
The second most common cause of back pain would be injury. This is a sprain or strain most of the time but occasionally we will see contusion (blunt trauma or bruising) type injuries. Sprains and strains require more comprehensive treatment to ensure a good outcome and this back pain treatment should begin immediately following the injury, not weeks or months later. Typical healing time for a sprain strain is three to six months and sometimes longer in severe cases involving disc injuries. The obvious goal for treatment from the patients stand point is pain relief. The two most important reasons for treating sprain and strains, in my opinion, are to reduce scar tissue formation and restore normal joint mobility. Any time you tear a muscle or ligament the body is going to lay down scar tissue. Applying chiropractic adjustments and physical therapy will help minimize the scar tissue and also help it heal in more alignment with the original muscle and ligament fibers. This will allow more elasticity in the injured tissue once healed and make them less prone to aggravation. Restoring normal joint mobility will simply prevent arthritis from developing at an accelerated rate in the involved joints. Many times this arthritis won't show up for seven to ten years down the road although the process begins almost immediately. That being said, the younger you are, the more important it is to rehabilitate a sprain / strain. If you are going to be around in seven to ten years or beyond, you will be around to experience the effects of accelerated arthritis and scar tissue if you choose not to do the proper treatment, so in children...extremely important...in a ninety year old we may not need to worry about it so much.
The third most common cause of back pain is degenerative arthritis (also termed degenerative joint disease, spondylosis). There are several types which aren't really important to go into. Lets just say the back is wearing out. Many times this can be due to not treating injuries properly as noted above. I can also be due to normal wear and tear over times. Our bodies were not designed to last indefinitely. Seeing your chiropractor for adjustment and restoring some of the lost mobililty which usually goes hand in hand with the arthritis will not only reduce pain, but also slow down the progression of the degeneration. Stretching and strengthening the joints can also be of benefit. This can be performed by your chiropractor or physical therapist.
Hopefully you learned three things you didn't know about back pain. My best advice is to not procrastinate when it come to taking care of your back pain. For the cost of a dinner out you can likely learn the cause of your back pain and begin treatment.