Back pain can seem to take over your life. Your every thought and action is centred around your back. Patients come to me in pain, desperate to know whether Spinal Decompression is right for them. To help answer this question, Web MD has put together a useful guide about Spinal Decompression. Read more to find out whether Spinal Decompression might be right for you…
What Is The Difference Between Disc Protrusion And Disc Herniation? Are they the same thing?
Probably the most frequent problems of the back involve the discs which are typically vunerable to compression, tearing or protruding. Two of the most prevalent spinal injuries involve the intervertebral discs. Commonly referred to as disc protrusion and herniated disc, quite a few who experience these conditions are uncertain whether they are actually the same.
Both disc protrusion and herniated disc injuries can be painful and unbearable and may worsen or cause damage of the spine as the patient ages. Muscle weakness, loss of range of motion, arthritis and also numbness in the extremities are common signs caused by a protruding or herniated disc.
A protruding disc develops when the exterior ring around the disc tears allowing the internal disc to alter shape and protrude through the fibrous layer upon compression. Similar to a gradually leaking car tire, the gelatinous core of the disc gets bigger upon compression and bulges through the disc’s outside wall.
As opposed to a protruding disc, herniated discs are more sudden and painful in character, and may include the fragmentation and subsequent displacement of other tissues in addition to leakage of the soft inner part of the disc.
This video animation explains different types of spinal injection that may be recommended by your doctor. Spinal injections can be administered to various sites along the spine. Some injections are used to relieve severe back pain. CLICK HERE.
Most disc injuries occur in the lower back. Disc injuries often cause pain radiating into an extremity. The herniated disc of the low back cause pain in the lower back and radiate into the leg often to the toes. Herniated disc in the lower back often cause leg pain without any lower back pain. Ninety percent of the time when you have radiating leg pain below the knee it is related to a compressed disc of the lumbar spine.
Three at home lower back tests you can do to indicate if a herniated disc is causing your pain are:
Slump Test – Sit on a chair. Then slump your shoulder forward and let your lower back curve toward the back. Then raise one or both of your legs straight out in front of you. If you have radiating pain in the leg you probably have a lower back herniated disc.
Leg Raise Test – Lay on the floor flat of your back. Keep both legs straight and raise both heels off the floor about 6 inches. If you have radiating pain into a leg or legs or you are unable to hold your legs up you probably have a lower back herniated disc.
Leg Traction Test – While lying flat on your back have someone pull slowly and but firmly on your leg from the ankle and foot. If your lower back or leg pain lessens you probably have a herniated disc and traction would be a good treatment.
You still need a professional orthopedic and neurological assessment of your lower back along with a radiographic examination such as an x-ray or CT/MRI scan to narrow down the specific level involved.
If you or someone you know suffers from chronic back pain or scitica from a herniated disc, you can call our office for a complimentary assessment of your lower back to see if you are a candidate for spinal decompression therapy.
Tel:604-984-4601, www.vanspinaldecompression.com
LONDON - Sporting a weighty man bag may be the latest fashion for fellows but it can cause back pain and poor posture, British chiropractors said this month.
Trendsetters such as footballer David Beckham, rapper Jay-Z and actor Brad Pitt have all been spotted wearing the functional fashion accessory that the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) said can be bad for your back.
The BCA said the man bag in its various guises — from traditional over the shoulder laptop case, to messenger bag and satchel — should be used with caution.
Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Chiropractors+issue+warning+packing+purses/4320876/story.html#ixzz1Ei5oFH7k
