Dr. Oz and Chiropractic

The Dr. Oz Show aired a segment featuring the spine and the causes of back pain. Dr. Oz explained that 80% of people experiencing back pain could benefit from visiting a chiropractor and receiving a chiropractic adjustment to the spine.

On a large piece of equipment designed to represent the spine, Dr. Oz demonstrated how the spine getting out of alignment causes pressure on the discs and nerves, which in turn, causes pain. Dr. Oz said that even simple things such as sleeping wrong or getting groceries out of the car can force the spine out of alignment.

Dr. Oz explained that pain medications only mask the symptoms, but do not treat the underlying cause of back pain. He also said that a misaligned spine can result in a herniated disc which causes a lot of pain and takes quite a while to heal.

Dr. Oz had a chiropractor on today’s show who proceeded to give an audience member a chiropractic adjustment. Chiropractors restore health by the manual realigning of joints, particularly the spine. After the adjustment was given, he explained to Dr. Oz that realignment of the spine reduces interference to the nervous system and lets the body heal itself.

Dr. Oz has praised the benefits of chiropractic treatment before on previous shows. The majority of chiropractic clinics offer spinal and joint adjustments, massage, electrical stimulation, acupuncture, heat, cold, and exercise prescription to reduce their client’s pain.

Aekta Erry D.C.

Temple Hills, Oxon Hill, Clinton, MD

Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy and Low-Level Laser Therapy in the Management of Cervical Facet Dysfunction: A Randomized Controlled Study

Lindie Saayman, MT (Chiro)a, Caroline Hay, MT (Chiro)b, Heidi Abrahamse, PhDc

Received 7 May 2010; received in revised form 31 January 2011; accepted 10 February 2011.

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine the short-term effect of chiropractic joint manipulation therapy (CMT)and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on pain and range of motion in the management of cervical facet dysfunction.

Methods

Sixty ambulatory women between the ages of 18 and 40 years with cervical facet joint pain of more than 30-day duration and normal neurologic examination were randomized to receive 1 of 3 treatment options: (1) CMT of the cervical spine, (2) LLLT applied to the cervical facet joints, or (3) a combination of CMT and LLLT. Each participant received 6 treatments in 3 weeks. The main outcome measures were as follows: the Numerical Pain Rating Scale, Neck Disability Index, Cervical Range of Motion Instrument, and Baseline Digital Inclinometer. Measurements were taken during weeks 1 (baseline), 2, 3, and 4.

Results

No differences existed between the 3 groups at baseline. A significant difference was seen between groups 1 (CMT) and 2 (LLLT) for cervical flexion, between groups 1 (CMT) and 3 (CMT + LLLT) for cervical flexion and rotation, and between groups 2 (LLLT) and 3 (CMT + LLLT) for pain disability in everyday life, lateral flexion, and rotation.

Conclusion

All 3 groups showed improvement in the primary and secondary outcomes. A combination of CMT and LLLTwas more effective than either of the 2 on their own. Both therapies are indicated as potentially beneficial treatments for cervical facet dysfunction. Further studies are needed to explore optimal treatment procedures for CMT and LLLT and the possible mechanism of interaction between therapies.

60% of Surgical Candidates Avoid Surgery with Chiropractic

Lifetime prevalence of a herniated disc has been estimated to be 35% in men and 45% in woman and it has been estimated that 90% of all leg pain secondary to herniated discs occurs at either the L4-5 or L5-S1 levels. It has also been reported that average duration of symptoms is 55.9 weeks, underscoring the critical necessity for finding a viable solution for these patients”

It was reported by McMorland, Suter, Casha, du Plessis, and Hurlbert in 2010 that over 250,000 patients a year undergo elective lumbar discectomy (spinal surgery) for the treatment of low back disc issues in the United States. The researchers did a comparative randomized clinical study comparing spinal microdiscectomy (surgery) performed by neurosurgeons to non-operative manipulative treatments (chiropractic adjustments) performed by chiropractors. They compared quality of life and disabilities of the patients in the study.

This study was limited to patients with distinct one-sided lumbar disc herniations as diagnosed via MRI and had associated radicular (nerve root) symptoms. Based upon the authors’ review of available MRI studies, the patients participating in the study were all initially considered surgical candidates.

Both the surgical and chiropractic groups reported no new neurological problems surfaced and had only minor post-treatment soreness. 60% of the patients who underwent chiropractic care reported a successful outcome while 40% required surgery and of those 40%, all reported successful outcomes. Of those patients choosing surgery as the primary means of treatment, 15% reported a failed surgical outcome and then chose chiropractic as a secondary choice. Of those 15% with failed surgeries, all were reported to have performed worse in clinical outcomes.

While it is clear that an accurate diagnosis could dictate that many patients require immediate surgery, many also do not. The above study indicates that a conservative non-operative approach of chiropractic care prevented 60% from needless surgery. While a larger study would give us more information, based upon the outcomes, cost factors and potential increased risks of surgery, it was concluded that chiropractic is a viable, first line treatment option.

These studies along with many others conclude that a drug-free approach of chiropractic care is one of the best solutions for patients with surgical lumbar discs and sciatic pain.

In our office we use Spinal decompression therapy with chiropractic adjustments and rehab.

Source: http://healthfultips.com/?p=955