Back pain NYC, Herniated disc and back pain. Now what?

NYC Disc spinal decompression specialists-
New York City’s premiere facility dedicated to non-surgical, non-invasive treatment of Back pain, Sciatica and herniated discs.

Question: I have a herniated disc in my lower back, is surgery the only option to fix it?
Question: I have a herniated disc in my lower back, what are my options to fix it?

A herniated disc can be a scary diagnosis for anyone especially if you are active. The disc is the jelly like substance between your back bones “vertebrae”. The disc helps to provide space for the exiting nerve roots and helps to cushion weight carried throughout the spine. The disc is a structure that has a poor blood supply, so once it is injured it generally it does not heal properly and degenerates with time. This middle of the disc is called the nucleous and it moves or herniates and it can put pressure on very delicate nerves and cause pain or weakness.

The most common symptoms when the disc that is involved in the lower spine is Sciatica, Sciatica refers to pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling in the leg.
It is caused by injury to or compression of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body and is comprised of nerve structures from the lumbar nerve roots L4, L5, and Sacral nerve roots 1-3.
The traditional medical model involves medication to reduce inflammation and analgesics to reduce pain as well as physical therapy to strengthen core muscles.

Chiropractic care has been proven to be a successful treatment for management of the herniated disc and effective in reducing low back pain.
A fairly new treatment has been used that is non-surgical and not only decreases pain but helps to restore the discs height and reduce the disc herniation.
It is called spinal decompression; this non-invasive treatment has been utilized worldwide with an impressive success rate close to 90%. When this method is combined with a physical therapy program designed to strengthen Core muscles the results are impressive. Spinal decompression involves specialized equipment that gently lengthens the spine which helps create a vacuum and the injured disc level. This vacuum allows the disc material to return its normal position. If you are diagnosed with a herniated disc it is in your best interest to learn more about this treatment.


Dr. Steven Shoshany DC,CCEP, CKTP
Dr Steven Shoshany is a NYC Chiropractor that specializes in treatment of the Herniated disc utilizing the most advanced non-surgical methods.
Methods include Spinal decompression, Cold laser therapy, Oxygen therapy and SpineForce 3D rehabilitation and soft tissue methods like the Graston technique and deep tissue massage.
Dr. Shoshany is a Chiropractor and practices in Manhattan at Living Well Medical a Comprehensive Rehab center the offers Physical therapy, Spinal decompression, Cold laser therapy, Chiropractic, Medical massage and Pain management.
www.livingwellnewyork.com
www.drshoshany.com
www.nycdisc.com
www.backpainnyc.com
www.herniateddiscnyc.com

Chiropractic and Neck Pain: Conservative Care of Cervical Pain, Injury

Chiropractic and Neck Pain: Conservative Care of Cervical Pain, Injury


Your neck, also called the cervical spine, begins at the base of the skull and contains seven small vertebrae. Incredibly, the cervical spine supports the full weight of your head, which is on average about 12 pounds. While the cervical spine can move your head in nearly every direction, this flexibility makes the neck very susceptible to pain and injury.

The neck’s susceptibility to injury is due in part to biomechanics. Activities and events that affect cervical biomechanics include extended sitting, repetitive movement, accidents, falls and blows to the body or head, normal aging, and everyday wear and tear. Neck pain can be very bothersome, and it can have a variety of causes.

Here are some of the most typical causes of neck pain:

Injury and Accidents: A sudden forced movement of the head or neck in any direction and the resulting “rebound” in the opposite direction is known as whiplash. The sudden “whipping” motion injures the surrounding and supporting tissues of the neck and head. Muscles react by tightening and contracting, creating muscle fatigue, which can result in pain and stiffness. Severe whiplash can also be associated with injury to the intervertebral joints, discs, ligaments, muscles, and nerve roots. Car accidents are the most common cause of whiplash.

Growing Older: Degenerative disorders such as osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease directly affect the spine.

Osteoarthritis, a common joint disorder, causes progressive deterioration of cartilage. The body reacts by forming bone spurs that affect joint motion.
Spinal stenosis causes the small nerve passageways in the vertebrae to narrow, compressing and trapping nerve roots. Stenosis may cause neck, shoulder, and arm pain, as well as numbness, when these nerves are unable to function normally.
Degenerative disc disease can cause reduction in the elasticity and height of intervertebral discs. Over time, a disc may bulge or herniate, causing tingling, numbness, and pain that runs into the arm.

Daily Life: Poor posture, obesity, and weak abdominal muscles often disrupt spinal balance, causing the neck to bend forward to compensate. Stress and emotional tension can cause muscles to tighten and contract, resulting in pain and stiffness. Postural stress can contribute to chronic neck pain with symptoms extending into the upper back and the arms.

Chiropractic Care of Neck Pain
During your visit, your doctor of chiropractic will perform exams to locate the source of your pain and will ask you questions about your current symptoms and remedies you may have already tried. For example:


When did the pain start?
What have you done for your neck pain?
Does the pain radiate or travel to other parts of your body?
Does anything reduce the pain or make it worse?
Your doctor of chiropractic will also do physical and neurological exams. In the physical exam, your doctor will observe your posture, range of motion, and physical condition, noting movement that causes pain. Your doctor will feel your spine, note its curvature and alignment, and feel for muscle spasm. A check of your shoulder area is also in order. During the neurological exam, your doctor will test your reflexes, muscle strength, other nerve changes, and pain spread.

In some instances, your chiropractor might order tests to help diagnose your condition. An x-ray can show narrowed disc space, fractures, bone spurs, or arthritis. A computerized axial tomography scan (a CT or CAT scan) or a magnetic resonance imaging test (an MRI) can show bulging discs and herniations. If nerve damage is suspected, your doctor may order a special test called electromyography (an EMG) to measure how quickly your nerves respond.

Chiropractors are conservative care doctors; their scope of practice does not include the use of drugs or surgery. If your chiropractor diagnoses a condition outside of this conservative scope, such as a neck fracture or an indication of an organic disease, he or she will refer you to the appropriate medical physician or specialist. He or she may also ask for permission to inform your family physician of the care you are receiving to ensure that your chiropractic care and medical care are properly coordinated.

Neck Adjustments

A neck adjustment (also known as a cervical manipulation) is a precise procedure applied to the joints of the neck, usually by hand. A neck adjustment works to improve the mobility of the spine and to restore range of motion; it can also increase movement of the adjoining muscles. Patients typically notice an improved ability to turn and tilt the head, and a reduction of pain, soreness, and stiffness.

Of course, your chiropractor will develop a program of care that may combine more than one type of treatment, depending on your personal needs. In addition to manipulation, the treatment plan may include mobilization, massage or rehabilitative exercises, or something else.

Research Supporting Chiropractic Care
One of the most recent reviews of scientific literature found evidence that patients with chronic neck pain enrolled in clinical trials reported significant improvement following chiropractic spinal manipulation.

As part of the literature review, published in the March/April 2007 issue of the Journal of
Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, the researchers reviewed nine previously published trials and found “high-quality evidence” that patients with chronic neck pain showed significant pain-level improvements following spinal manipulation. No trial group was reported as having remained unchanged, and all groups showed positive changes up to 12 weeks post-treatment.

Your NYC Chiropractor www.drshoshany.com
Conservative care for your cervical spine.
We utulize Chiropractic care, Cervical spinal decompression and cold laser therapy