Spine Surgery Procedures
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Which Bed is Best for Back Pain, Mama Bear’s or Daddy Bear’s?
0A recent study produced mixed results and a high dropout rate. 160 patients with lower back pain at Denmark’s Funen Back Center were assigned to sleep in one of three beds to determine which was better. They either had a hard futon, a water bed or a body-conforming foam mattress to sleep in for one month.
Unfortunately, many of those assigned the water bed never tried it and many with the futon dropped out of the study prior to the end of the month. This makes the results of the study difficult to evaluate. It may tell us that people are set in their ways when it comes to their perception of bed comfort, especially when they suffer from lower back pain.
Among patients who did finish the study, slightly more preferred the water bed or the body-contour mattress over the hard futon. Even so, there were patients who said they felt better after sleeping on the hard bed as well as patients who said they felt worse after sleeping on the softer beds.
Robert Molinari, MD, associate professor of Orthopedics at the University of Rochester Medical Center, is not surprised by this. “We really don’t understand why, but some patients respond better to hard mattresses and some to soft ones,” Molinari tells WebMD. “There are very few studies lending support to one mattress over another.”
At the same time most with back pain will tell you a bed can make a big difference. Sleeping in a bed unlike the one you believe you prefer often brings on a backache the next day. Conventional wisdom has always been that a firmer mattress is better for your back because it provides more support. People with back pain are often told to replace an old mattress.
But with what? A Spanish study of 313 adults compared firm and medium firm mattresses and the medium firm bed emerged the victor. That being said, the “Goldilocks standard” is the one most touted these days when it comes to beds, i.e., one that is not too hard, not too soft, and satisfies personal preference.
Excess weight not so sweet for back health
0Overweight adults are much more likely to suffer from disc degeneration than those with a normal body mass index, according to a recent study appearing in in Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests have shown an increased number of degenerated disks and greater severity of disc degeneration, including narrowing of the disc space, in those with an elevated BMI.
Obesity is one of the most preventable risk factors for a number of diseases and has more than doubled since 1980, according to the World Health Organization. In 2008 roughly 1.5 billion people aged 20 and older were overweight, with more than 200 million men and close to 300 million women considered obese. In the U.S., studies estimate one in three children is overweight and excess weight could lead to more severe obesity in adulthood, which in turn, sets them up for a myriad of problems including spine issues.
The intake of sugar is thought to be the number one cause of the obesity problem, responsible for 35 million deaths a year world-wide from health problems including heart disease, diabetes and cancer. The use of sugar has tripled in the last 50 years. A recent study published in Nature by Robert Lustig, MD, Laura Schmidt, PhD, MSW, MPH, and Claire Brindis, DPH, at the University of California, San Francisco, reveals that sugar is not merely “empty calories” since 40 percent of the people with diabetes, heart disease, and cancer are not obese. It seems that the damaging effects of sugar encompass more than weight gain. Experts advise using sugar in moderation, like alcohol.
Authors of the Arthritis & Rheumatism study suggest that with weight gain, stress on the disc along with chronic low-grade inflammation from the fat cells may play a role in disc degeneration. Previous research has linked higher BMI to low back pain, which is often debilitating and can limit physical activity, affect psychological well-being, detract from the overall quality of life, and is linked to substantial socioeconomic and health-care costs.
Currently, 75% of all health care money is spent on diseases related to obesity. These diseases and the physical problems associated with an elevated BMI are now more prevalent in the world than infectious diseases. Experts suggest that disc degeneration is a major cause of low back pain, and therefore, sugar intake and weight control must be considered significant factors in the prevention and treatment of degenerative disc disease.
Back Pain: A high price for fashion
0Fashionistas and hipsters take note: skinny jeans, high heels, Hip Hop-style saggy pants and oversized “Hobo” shoulder bags may lead to a number of health problems including back pain. Skinny jeans may be the trendy must-have garment of today, but the price can be high in more ways than one. The Wall Street Journal reports that skinny jeans could be to blame for “lower back pain, yeast infections in women and a rare condition called lipoatrophia semicircularis, in which horizontal lesions appear around the thighs.” Even indigestion is often caused by too-tight jeans.
Doctors are seeing an increase in young people with problems directly related to wearing baggy pants or sagging pants without a belt. To keep their pants from falling down; young people are forced to walk in an awkward manner. Their posture suffers and they rotate their legs inwardly at the knees and turn their feet outward to keep balance. This can lead to hip degeneration and low back problems. Rotating your legs like this every day can lead to life-long knee misalignments and bunions. Some have suggested a connection between saggy jeans and sexual dysfunction.
Stiletto heels and platform shoes are a fashion favorite but cause an array of foot problems such as bunions, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis and arthritis. The American Podiatric Medical Association labels high heels “biomechanically and orthopedically unsound,” increasing our risk of falling, degenerative back conditions and knee pain. Stilettos, the highest of high heeled shoes, can cause injury to the lower back and shortened calf muscle fibers. A person’s center of mass must be located over a stable base for the body to balance. High heels throw this center of mass forward, putting pressure on the ball of the foot and on already cramped toes.
Those carrying everything from laptops to a change of shoes in large shoulder bags are triggering neck, shoulder and back problems. The American Chiropractic Association advises that people lug around no more than 10 percent of their body weight. Slaves to fashion may consider it so yesterday to use a fanny pack or both shoulder straps on a sturdy back pack, but huge hobo style bags slung over one shoulder may trigger or aggravate conditions like herniated discs. If you must carry such a bag, remove its heavier contents, switch shoulders frequently or better yet, wear the strap messenger-style across your body.
Back Pain: Bad for Your Bank Account
0People with chronic back pain are much more likely to retire with no significant savings. Back problems like herniated discs are a very common health issue. Those suffering have a greater chance of retiring early as a result and limiting their long-term ability to accumulate financial assets. The effects of chronic pain can diminish productivity for a person who continues working until conventional retirement age as well.
“Relative to those who retired early due to other health problems, there are more than twice as many people who have retired early due to back problems who are estimated to have no savings by the time they reach the traditional retirement age of 65,” according to lead investigator Professor Deborah Schofield, PhD, Chair of Health Economics at the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre and Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Australia. “For most of the age and sex groups analyzed, even those who reported back pain and were working full time accumulated less wealth than full-time workers who suffered no chronic health conditions.” Their study is published in the January 2012 issue of Pain®.
The 2003 SDAC data included 147 individuals between 45-64 years who were out of the labor force due to back problems, 168 respondents who were employed part time and had back problems, and 356 who were employed full time and had back problems.
Successful treatment for back problems could prevent the financial disadvantage caused by early retirement or lost time and reduced effectiveness on the job due to disability and pain. According to Professor Schofield, adopting cost-effective approaches to prevention and treatment of back problems may contribute to extending the working life of individuals, increasing their wealth and long-range security.
If you suffer back problems and interested in a non invasive method to treat herniated & bulging disc learn more at washawaybackpain.com.
Treating Your Back Pain
0Treating Your Back Pain Is the Smart Thing to Do
Cognitive impairments have been found to result from chronic back pain such as that cause by herniated discs. A study shows significant thinning of certain regions of the brain in those suffering from chronic back pain. Amazingly, researchers found such thinning not only improved after back pain treatment or surgery, but often reversed!
The thickening after treatment had additional benefits including improvements in concentration and decision-making. “We thought it would be able to slow down the thinning, but to actually recover was pretty amazing,” says study researcher Laura S. Stone, PhD, a neuroscientist at McGill University in Montreal.
A recent study by The Journal of Neuroscience shows relief of chronic pain lessens brain injury symptoms and cognitive impairments. Those with chronic pain also display reduced gray matter in parts of the brain associated with pain processing and the emotional consequences of pain, like depression and anxiety.
Pain puts an additional burden on the brain. Researchers identified abnormal activity in the brains of those suffering with back pain compared to those who did not when they were performing similar tasks.
Whether caused by the distracting nature of chronic pain or a cellular change due to inflammation is not known.
“Is it cells dying? Or do other things happen? Do the cells shrink? We don’t know,” Stone says. “But if we can figure out what causes the thinning and the thickening, we may be able to develop therapies that target that mechanism.”
Minimally invasive spine surgery is a wise move to relieve your pain and get back to a normal, active life, and it may make you smarter in the process.
Hot or Not? Not All Back Pain is the Same
0155 days
by admin
in Herniated Disc
HOT OR NOT? WHEN IT COMES TO RELIEF, NOT ALL BACK PAIN IS THE SAME
When you’re hurting, do you reach for a heating pad or a bag of frozen peas? Both heat and ice relieve pain and hasten healing. The confusion revolves around which to use and for how long, according to Golf Digest Professional Advisor Ralph Simpson, who is a PGA Tour physical therapist and former fitness trainer.
A fresh injury is more likely to benefit from ice, which helps alleviate inflammation and swelling as well as pain. Older or chronic injuries, such as recurring back pain from herniated discs may call for heat. Heat may be most helpful prior to activity or exercise because it encourages blood flow. Better blood flow means easier movement. Stretching is also beneficial.
Simpson says, “I sometimes use ice after exercising—or a round of golf—to help control any inflammation the activity might have inadvertently triggered.” Ice helps muscle spasms but should be used for 15 minutes at a time, at the most. Topical “heat” or “ice” ointments and creams, known as rubefacients, don’t provide enough heat/cold to aid in the healing process, but they can dull pain temporarily.
You may be a candidate for minimally invasive non surgical spine surgery to improve your quality of life and ability to enjoy activities like golf. Studies indicate that HydroDiscectomy offers a new way of treating the pain of bulging discs. The procedure bridges the gap between traditional therapy and full-blown invasive surgery, and is getting great results.
Herniated Disc Symptoms A Vicious Cycle
0184 days
by admin
in Herniated Disc
A Vicious Cycle
Patients’ herniated disc symptoms are significantly worse if they have had symptoms for more than six months prior to treatment, according to a recent study in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. Compared to patients who have had symptoms for six months or less, those who have suffered longer have more pain, diminished function, general health, work status and overall satisfaction.
“Patients often ask their physicians whether the duration of their symptoms will affect their potential for a full recovery, and the goal of our study was to address this question,” said orthopedic surgeon Jeffrey A. Rihn, MD, and one of the study authors.
There are two major reasons for treating back pain before it becomes a long-time issue. The first is that chronic inflammation leads to scar tissue and decreased range of motion, which in turn increases pain, trigger points and yes, more inflammation. That continued inflammation often leads to changes in the nervous system which may distort and amplify the sensation of pain. The human nervous system is trying to tell the body that something is wrong. The spinal column protects a multitude of nerves which lead to organs and muscles throughout the body. If we ignore the signals, our bodies seem to stop distinguishing between different kinds of feelings, interpreting them all as pain.
Several studies conducted over the past 30 years have demonstrated the effectiveness of discectomy. “Sooner rather than later” seems to be the best advice when it comes to back treatment. Listen to your back! Investigate minimally invasive treatment for your herniated disc and stop the vicious pain cycle.
Fear Factor Associated With Back Pain
0The Fear Factor
Around 20% of the population has so much anxiety when going to the doctor that their blood pressure surges at the clinic. Called “white coat syndrome,” this phenomenon can make an accurate reading difficult. Fear of the doctor sometimes keeps people from getting the preventative care they need. In addition, news stories about medical errors and hospital-borne infections can cause people to avoid seeking medical help. The more distant relationship between doctor and patient in today’s busy society also increases fear and anxiety.
Fear of surgery can be especially intense since it is more unusual than a routine test. Patients are conscious of the risks of anesthesia and may even fear disfigurement. With orthopedic and herniated and bulging disc procedures patients often worry they may not walk or be able to be active again following the surgery.
The mind/body connection also makes pain more severe when coupled with fear and anxiety. Fear has been associated with increased pain perception in patients with chronic low back pain. Fear of pain is also likely to slow recovery. Anxiety about pain may keep people from resuming the activities known to speed recovery and a return to normalcy.
Minimally invasive spine surgery reduces the risks associated with traditional surgery. General anesthesia is usually unnecessary, scarring is very minimal and SpineJet technology involves the use of a high pressure stream of water to perform a HydroDiscectomy on a herniated disc. This can usually be done without the anxiety of a hospital stay, on an outpatient basis. Recovery is faster, getting the patient back to day-to-day activities, which in turn, hastens healing.
Pain Control and Chronic Back Pain
0Chronic Back Pain
Medications, including opioid based drugs like hydrocodone and oxycodone, may be effective in relieving back pain following surgery or during an acute pain episode resulting from an injury. When used for ongoing pain relief, however, such drugs pose the risk of abuse, addiction and accidental overdose, even death. In addition, tolerance may occur, making larger and larger doses necessary to address the chronic pain associated with conditions the require herniated disc treatment. Side effects of opioid pain medications can be bothersome, including nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, itching, dry mouth and constipation.
Back Pain Management
Long term back pain management techniques other than oral medication include injections, chiropractic manipulation, physical therapy, massage, acupuncture and even psychotherapy. In particular, yoga and intense stretching have been found to be one of the more effective types of exercise for lessening chronic back pain. “Our results suggest that both yoga and stretching can be good, safe options for people who are willing to try physical activity to relieve their moderate low back pain,” researcher Karen J. Sherman, PhD, MPH, a senior investigator at Group Health Research Institute in Seattle, says in a recent news release. Nevertheless, back pain tends to recur when there is an underlying pain-producing condition.
The best long term solution for chronic back pain may be a procedure to eliminate the cause of inflammation and pressure. Ideally this is followed up with lifestyle changes that support recovery and muscle strength, and have overall health benefits. Minimally invasive spine surgery for herniated disc treatment offers less risk, pain and scarring than traditional surgery. Spinejet’s new technique, called HydroDiscectomy, uses a high speed water stream to removes bulging disc tissue. It does not require general anesthesia, is far less traumatic and clinically proven.
Watch Your Back – Old Man Winter’s On the Way
0220 days
Whether it’s due to shoveling snow, lugging heavy packages, putting that star on the tree, or schussing down the slopes, the upcoming winter season may wreak havoc on your back, especially in the East and Midwest. Thousands of winter back injuries leading to emergency room visits are reported every year. Holiday stress, traveling, shopping, outdoor decorating, and prolonged work in the kitchen all make aching backs ache even more. Back injuries are also often due to slips and falls on ice. If you are already dealing with a back condition, winter can be a trying season.
People tend to favor either extreme sports or extreme hibernation in cold weather. Snow-boarding, skiing and ice skating, activities many practice only occasionally, can lead to back pain and injury. Indulging in too much comfort food on the couch can lead to excess weight and poor muscle tone, both of which worsen the pain of existing back conditions like herniated discs. Caution is often thrown to the wind in the excitement (and pressure) of the holidays. Remember to bend properly, using the knees while doing tasks like shoveling. Don’t use a step stool if you need an extension ladder. And don’t decorate the roof alone after a cup of that special holiday egg nog.
Winter’s short days and lack of sunshine also rob people of their ability to make enough vitamin D, the protector of bone health. The lower back is especially vulnerable to the softening of bone surfaces from a lack of vitamin D. This sunshine vitamin helps your body make calcium, essential for musculoskeletal strength. Fight back pain with extra vitamin D. Increase consumption of these rich sources of vitamin D — yogurt, cheese, orange juice, mushrooms, soy milk, nuts, liver, cod, egg yolk, fish, beef, chicken and shrimp. A walk in the morning sun won’t hurt either (but watch out for ice!).
www.washawaybackpain.com, a site dedicated to educating patients the options they have for herniated disc treatment throught a new technology called SpineJet. Millions of people suffer from lower back pain, which is often caused by herniated or bulging spinal discs. If you have had little success with traditional back surgery to treat herniated and bulging disc a minimally invasive spine surgery procedure may be what you need. The procedure involves muscle dilation rather than cutting, and patients experience less pain during and after the HydroDiscectomy procedure.
For further information see http://www.washawaybackpain.com and use the physician locator to find a doctor near you.