Herniated disc NYC-Sciatica NYC-Back pain treatment

Understand Back Pain from Herniated Discs

2011-07-18T11:07:00.000-07:00

When back pain is your everyday companion, you tend to look at every possible problem as the cause of your pain. Inherently, we want to understand what’s going on in our bodies, so it’s a normal tendency to look at any back pain diagnosis you see or read as the culprit. Of course, words like sciatica, lumbago and slipped disc are a part of the mix whenever we think of back pain, so it’s not unexpected to assume that’s what’s at the heart of the matter. However, who’s to say? And what do those “buzz words” mean to you for finding relief and getting back to normal, pain-free living? As you may or may not know, all three of these things can be related; a so-called “slipped” disc, actually called a disc herniation or disc prolapse, may lead to sciatica and lumbago (lower back pain). Why don’t we break it down a little so we can understand what’s the real reason for pain?

There are a number of factors that might increase the likelihood of a herniated disc, many of which are common sense and others which may not be so much. Let’s review a couple.

Firstly, of course, is age. As we get older, our spinal discs tend to hold water less efficiently, so the discs degenerate. It’s a natural part of aging, but it can be a big problem - the water and fluid inside of a disc is a big part of the reason it is able to function effectively as a shock absorber. Without, the fluid, trauma and injury can have a much more significant impact.

Next is genetics. It sort of goes without saying that if there is a history of back problems in your family, your chances of running into the same in your lifetime are greater. That being said, there are estimates around that approximately 80% of Americans will suffer from acute or chronic back pain at some point in their lives, so maybe back pain is more scripted into our lifestyle choices? Which leads us to...

...Exercise habits and body weight. This has a lot to do with what your body can handle. If you are significantly overweight, the load you place on your spine each and every day is greater than what it is designed to bear. The added strain can make disc herniation more likely. Exercising the muscles that support the spine and general exercises can have a major positive impact on the health of the back, effectively acting as a preventative measure.

Lastly, and perhaps most overlooked for its straightforwardness, is your work. Do you have a job that requires extreme strain to the back with regular heavy lifting? Or at the other extreme, do you have a job that keeps you stuck in a chair for hours on end? On the hand, the harsh physical job can cause herniation because of the hard work that is constantly demanded from the back. On the other hand, not using your back can lead the muscles that support it to atrophy. It’s important to consider these factors in examining your back pain and understanding its true source.

All this is great to know, but the fact is, if you’re in pain, you need help! Here at Living Well Medical in Downtown NYC, we help patients with herniated discs all the time. By combining several non-surgical techniques and treatments, we give patients the best chance of returning to active living without pain (and without resorting to riskier methods!). If you have back pain and need help, call today at 212-645-8151.

- Dr. Shoshany, NYC Chiropractor

Spinal Decompression: A Great Option Even After Back Surgery

2011-06-21T12:43:00.000-07:00

Sometimes certain conditions or prior procedures, like back surgery (ex: spinal fusion), can rule out treatment using the DRX9000.
We see patients that have had back surgeries and have not found relief, and after a through evaluation we start providing care and help relieve their pain and discomfort using a variety of therapies, including Spinal Decompression.

Recently a patient came to us who was still experiencing back pain after he had surgery on his L5/S1 intervertebral disc. The patient stated that he also had L4/L5, L5/S1 herniations, and had been dealing with back pain for quite a long time. Sometimes people will go many years, suffering from lower back pain and sciatica before they even become aware of non surgical, drug free options.

While many people walk around with undiagnosed bulging discs, they may not even feel pain from them and therefore dont seek treatment. Usually when people start suffering from sciatica, a painful and sometimes dibilitating symptom of a bulging or herniated disc, thats when they seek out treatment. Often times people suffering form sciatica won't do a lot of research about their options because they just want to find someone to help them get out of pain as fast as possible. This often leads to heavy doses of prescription drugs that have many serious side effects and can also lead to addiction and after the treatment is stopped they are likely to experience a return of their painful symptoms. Pain medication masks pain and doesnt treat the cause of the pain.

The aforementioned patient described the painful symptoms following surgery as having increased, with pain in the lower right back and glute, and the pain would last for about half the day. There was a dull ache along with tingling and sitting would cause the pain to increase, these symptoms are not unlike sciatica, which meant that there was a possibility that one of the nerve roots in the lower back may have been irritated by the bulging discs. After having surgery just a year ago after a long and agonizing bout with pain the patient felt that another surgery was not going to be a feasible option, especially since the pain had returned so soon after surgery.

He inquired about Spinal Decompression and after an MRI and a thorough chiropractic evaluation and consultation it was determined that he would be a suitable candidate for spinal decompression.

The MRI findings showed that at L5/S1 there was some normal post-operative scarring towards the left side of the disc. There were some mild disc bulges but they had not yet compromised the nerve root. On the right side in the L4/L5 disc, there was some moderate posterior herniation.

The findings:
Vertebrae- Mild retrolisthesis of L5. The remaining AP alignment intact. Height, intensity and enhancement are normal.

Discs- There is a prominent left and rmidline soft tissue intensity at L5/S1, the far majority of it is scarring. There is a small left and right associated disc bulge.
At L4/L5, a small to moderate right posterior herniation. The remainder of the Discs are normal.

The treatment:
The patient will undergo a series of evaluations and decompression sessions, using the DRX9000, followed by Ice and STIM therapy. Along with continued chiropractic care and monitoring, he can also be moved on to physical therapy to help strengthen weak points, stabilize postural muscles, and make tight muscles more flexible.

Using a vast array of advanced treatment options we administer individualized treatment protocols for each patient and prouce results quickly and without the use of invasive procedures like surgery, and our results are unparalleled.

The Vicious Cycle of Back Pain

2011-05-26T13:03:00.000-07:00

There is no shortage of active people in New York City. From fitness enthusiasts to avid runners that run the entire bike path on the west side, everyone is trying to be active. However a de-conditioned person just getting back out after being shut indoors all winter, seething form the cold and the inactivity that comes along with it, may just be asking for pain and injuries.

Even people that are regularly active don't notice that over the winter and spring their activity levels fall, sometimes significantly. Making a conscious effort to be active and not let yourself get out of shape during the winter doesn't always mean that you didn't avoid a walk or just stayed in an extra night here and there, or cut your gym time short to stay warm under the covers just a little while longer.

And is it just the winter inactivity that leads to injury? Well, no, its sort of a complicated answer. Your body has an economy based around exercise, rest and nutrition. An increase in activity needs more fuel (nutrition), and time to recover. Rest, or inactivity requires less nutrition, so its also easy to over consume, if you over consume, you require more work to burn off the excess calories, that leads to more activity, and so on.

Exercise economy

As the previous statement went, theres also an exercise economy, where there is a risk/ reward system. According to the National Academy of Sports Medicine, The National Strength and Conditioning Association, and other evidence based training certifying bodies that research exercise and nutrition, low repetition, heavy, compound exercises build strength, while high repetition, light weight exercises build endurance. So weather you exercise to be strong or to increase your endurance, the trade off between training volume and exposure to injury is simple. The more you do, the more you risk. But if you don't do enough, you don't make many improvements.

Too much training?
Its hard to believe that most people do too much. Think about it, most people hit a wall in their training regimen, and to fix it they simply do more. Some people "run through pain" when they have shin splints, other people just start adding more sets to their weight training workouts. This upsets that aforementioned "exercise economy" because you are now simply giving your body more work to do, and probably with poor mechanics and execution.

Can I exercise with a bad back?
Yes, some people can actually keep exercising with a back injury. Now, any time you are starting an exercise regimen, or thinking about exercising on an injury, make sure you talk to your doctor, or if you are under the care of a Physical Therapist, make sure you clear any exercise you are planning o do. Everyone is different and therefore everyone's injuries are going to require a different approach if not treatment altogether.
You want to stay away from exercises that load the spine, making herniated and bulging discs even worse, so stay away from deadlifts, and bent rows. What you want to do is focus on exercises that require "core" stability, or exercises that require you to have your lumbar, hips, and abdominal/oblique muscles work as one unit.
Try this:
Low cable row: Sit down on the machine and grab the cable handle, go for the single handle. Keep your back straight, and tight, now flex your abdominals, flex the obliques, and try to keep your hip complex tight too, so squeeze your butt a bit too. Make sure you can breathe, and go light on the weight, be careful not to make any sharp jerky movement, and don't allow your trunk to turn during the exercise.
Supine Bridge: Lay flat on yours back, bend the knees, and keep your hands at your sides. Start slowly and raise your hips up keeping your back and hips tight, return to starting position slowly.
Bird Dog
This is a simple Yoga movement, and here is a quick video demo for it:

Remember that for back pain, there are come great options for finding relief. A chiropractor can help adjust your spine and a Physical Therapist will help you strengthen the surrounding musculature.

Leg Pain: Is It Just a Muscle Issue?

2011-05-10T13:05:00.000-07:00

Now that it’s nice outside, it’s normal to see more and more people running and enjoying the outdoors; the sunny season brings people back to life, out of the cabin fever days and into the spring fever days. Everything is just starting to come back to life. Of course, at the same time, it’s easy to have the winter months of relative inactivity come and bite you in the behind.

This is the way I have had more than one patient come to any office, Living Well Medical in NYC, complaining of leg pain, thinking it was muscle-related - it’s the first choice in a case of a person returning to active days. This is particularly true of people ages 50 and up because they are generally more susceptible to injury. However, based on the way the pain is described, it can become evident that leg pain is more than just muscular. That’s when things get more complicated.

Patients often say a few things that made me believe it might be something more.

Shooting, electric, burning pains are a component of the overall pain. This is sometimes an indication of a nerve-related problem like sciatica, but it cannot be confirmed without an in depth study like an MRI.

Patients also typically complained of some numbness in the legs, buttocks, feet or toes. Again, this is consistent with a pinched nerve that is inflamed and irritated, perhaps because of a herniated or bulging disc.

Finally, the patient complained that there was no real “comfortable” position - sitting hurt, standing hurt, even lying down hurt.

Just to be clear, none of the above is a definitive indication of a pinched nerve, but they do warrant more investigation, especially if the pain is persistent, as it often is. If you do have a pinched nerve, we’re here to help; services like spinal decompression, physical therapy, active release technique, chiropractic and so many others have been shown to be able to relieve pain and keep it away. The main thing to remember: if you’re in pain, don’t just ignore it! Call and find out more about getting help at 212-645-8151.

- Dr. Shoshany, NYC Chiropractor

Some Common Causes of Back Pain and How Spinal Decompression Can Help

2011-05-02T12:18:00.000-07:00

What makes me a candidate for spinal decompression treatment?

Usually we would recommend Spinal Decompression for patients that have been suffering from:
Herniated discs
Bulging discs
Sciatica
Degenerative Disc Disease
Facet Syndrome
Additionally, patients that have not responded to physical therapy and chiropractic care may be candidates for non surgical spinal decompression.

What is the spinal decompression treatment experience like?

Thats the best thing about spinal decompression, the "side effects" of spinal decompression are limited to mild soreness which may cause mild discomfort for some patients. The soreness is not unlike how you would feel after a good workout. For most patients the treatment is very comfortable and relaxing, and the treatments last between 30 to 45 minutes. Patients often fall asleep since the stretch in the spine is not painful and feels good to most people.

Spinal decompression is often followed up with other therapies like cold/heat therapy, electronic muscle stimulation, and laser therapy.

What do the conditions mean?

Degenerative Disc Disease:
Is when a intervertebral disc is deteriorated, and dehydrated which leads to the degradation of the disc's ability to handle the loads placed upon it. Degenerative disc disease also contributes to bulging, herniated discs, and stenosis.

Facet Syndrome:
The facets are located towards the back of the spine and help keep the vertebrae aligned. Facet syndrome is usually characterized y inflammation, pain and stiffness that increases with activity and decreases with rest.

Sciatica:
Often associated with a herniated or ruptured discs, sciatica occurs when a disc in the lumbar spine impinges no a spinal nerve that leads to the sciatic nerve, interfering with normal nerve activity. Sciatica can be acute or chronic, and is associated with pain that shoots down the buttocks and the leg. Tingling and numbness are also associated with sciatica, along with some loss of sensation.

We always use a combined approach towards treating back pain. Along with other treatment methods like Physical Therapy, Cold Laser, and the Graston Technique, we have helped mmany people suffering from chronic, painful conditions.

L5 S1 Paracentral Disc Herniation and Foraminal Stenosis

2011-04-21T10:48:00.000-07:00

Here is a sample diagnosis of someone suffering from back pain.
"L5 S1, small para-central disc herniation, superimposed on an annular bulge, bilateral foraminal stenosis present, and degenerative hypertrophy of the facet joints."

Well that's a lot to think about and that's just an abbreviated sample report. An entire diagnostic report can be a few pages long, along with a doctor's notes, and possibly even more on top of that from previous treatments, not to mention the possibility of failed treatments or surgeries in the past.

Its understandable that patients can become confused, depressed, and don't really know where to turn and may feel like they are losing an uphill battle. No one would argue that the medical care system is fairly daunting, and not really set up to provide readily available answers. However you have to understand that the medical language is set up to be easily, uniformly, read and digested by medical professionals. So naturally theres a feeling that the patient is given a report in difficult to understand language and then set off to find a specialist. Terms and conditions are based in facts and studies. Diagnosis are backed by medical findings, not guessing, so essentially a fact based language that doesn't infer, to avoid potential problems, is best suited to provide for our safety.

With that out of the way, lets dissect the report above and try to offer a better understanding of whats going on and the available treatment options.

L5/ S1
This is usually how a diagnostic report starts out, by listing the physical location of the problem. L5 is the 5th Lumbar vertebrae, its located in the lower back, and S1 refers to the first sacral (sacrum) vertebrae. Its not unusual to have multiple bulging or herniated discs, along with other spine problems like a lordosis (exaggerated curvature.

Para-central Disc herniation
This is a way of noting the location of the disc herniation, since the discs are round and can herniate from a few different locations. A para-central herniation is located next to the center of the disc. Lateral would mean side, posterior meaning back, etc.

Annular Bulge
The "annulus" is located on the outside of the spinal disc, and wraps around it - kind of like the word annular means once a year, meaning something is cyclical.

Foraminal Stenosis
Stenosis means that something is narrowing or narrow. The foramin is an opening in between the vertebrae that allows the nerve roots to pass through to the spine, and over time, due either to spinal stenosis or other factors, like debris, these openings can become narrow and interfere with the nervous system.

Facet Joint Degeneration
The facet is the connective/ support structure that lies between each vertebrae, and this support and connective structure can wear down over time and cause problems with the spinal structure.

So this is basically a multifaceted problem, that requires an approach that's not all that unusual or difficult. Living Well Medical has been leading the way in treating pain with a multidisciplinary approach. Using Physical therapy to address structural weaknesses, and chiropractic, and decompression to de-stress and de-load the spine, a combination of therapies has been the most efficient way to treat painful conditions. those conditions often being complicated ones.

The Most Effective Non Surgical Back Pain Treatment

2011-04-07T14:07:00.000-07:00

As an "alternative" treatment, Chiropractic remains as the overwhelming favorite in the US for many painful conditions. Chiropractic adjustments target the spine and the soft tissue of the body. Most people may not know about adjustments of the extremities and joints other than the spine.

Chiropractic adjustments go beyond spinal manipulation, many chiropractors practice adjusting the extremities and also perform soft tissue mobilization to help ease pain in movement and allow the muscular imbalances to become less of a problem, weather its through tightness or the presence of adhesions and scar tissue build up. Furthermore many also practice other soft tissue treatment techniques, such as:

Graston Technique
Active Release Technique
Cold Laser Therapy
Acupuncture
Deep Tissue Massage

Along with these techniques some Unique Treatment Facilities, like Living Well Medical, have a team of medical care professionals that form an integrated approach to help ease pain and speed recovery. Professional Massage Therapists, Physical Therapists, Medical Doctors and Chiropractic working in the same facility can better communicate a patients need and progress instead of sending notes and charts to another specialist, who may have no direct contact with the patients doctor. This can sometimes frustrate the patient and even slow progression towards full recovery.

The importance of communication between specialists, the availability of a various techniques, and the integration of them in to a comprehensive program is truly a cutting edge approach that only used to be available to professional athletes. Some techniques may be great for certain patients while others may not garner much of a response, so having a treatment protocol ready for every type of patient can mean recovery in a month rather than becoming a chronic issue to deal with for years, eventually leading to surgeries and more pain.

Chronic pain, especially back and leg pain, is treatable, without surgery. Non Invasive treatment is available to everyone, and is even covered by most insurances.

What’s in a Herniated Disc?

2011-03-14T09:15:00.000-07:00

As an all-around pain relief center, we see all sorts of different problems, but if I had to put a name on the most common problem we see, I’d almost certainly have to say disc herniation. That’s one of the main reasons we continue to expand Living Well Medical with technologies and treatments that work well with ailments of the back and spine. Of course, lots of our treatments apply broadly, but the point is, we do a lot with backs, necks and spinal stuff. A technical term, “spinal stuff.”

So back to disc herniation, what the heck is it? And why does it happen? And why does it hurt so bad? Let’s take a quick look at these questions.

A disc herniation is when the inner part of an intervertebral disc (called the nucleus) is pushed free of a tear in the outer band surrounding it (called the annulus). I’ve it compared several times before to a jelly donut with the filling squeezed out. In so doing, the disc loses the vast majority of its function as a shock absorber and can even cause pain.

As to why, well that’s a little more complicated to answer because it varies from person to person. Suffice it to say that the most prevalent factors in disc injuries like herniation are age, wear and tear (like heavy lifting), and trauma. Overall lifestyle choices like healthy eating, drinking in moderation and not smoking are also important.

Then there’s the pain. Pain from a herniated disc is brutal. It’s among the worst things to suffer with, to be sure. And the reason it hurts so bad is often because it is crushing and inflaming the nerves that carry pain signals, sensory information and motor function to the various parts of your body! When a nerve root that is exiting the spine is compressed, we sometimes get the symptom set known as sciatica. Burning, numbness, pins & needles, and even muscle weakness are often the result. It’s a serious problem that can be completely debilitating.

Now that you know, it’s easier to see the whole picture. Disc herniation is a big problem with big pain. If you need help, give our NYC office a call at 212-645-8151. I’ll be glad to help.

- Dr. Shoshany, NYC Chiropractor

Chiropractor Dr. Shoshany on the Dr. Oz Show

2011-03-07T14:38:00.000-08:00

Recently Dr. Oz, who is always looking for new and proven ways to help people get healthy, motivated, and happier, became aware of a new Cochrane review of Chiropractic treatment for lower back pain showed that Chiropractic adjustments were just as effective at relieving pain as more traditional medical care. While Chiropractic is not a new alternative treatment for pain, its almost as its position as the number one pain treatment alternative in the U.S is being reasserted, and its great to see a show with such a large audience recognize the results of chiropractic care for lower back pain.

Here is the par of the lower back pain segment with the adjustment performed in front of a live studio audience.

Do I Have a Herniated Disc?

2011-02-02T14:09:00.000-08:00

No one who has ever had a herniated disc would confuse it with a pleasant experience. The pain is outrageous, the disability can stop you dead in your tracks and overall, it can just make you miserable. But back pain comes in many forms, and really, none of them are a picnic. What’s more, treatment for a herniated disc will often diverge from that of other back-related problems. Basically, what I’m trying to say is that it’s important to know what’s wrong with you so you can move forward with the right treatment. So how do you know? What are the signs? I’ll cover that in some small way here; however, it’s important to note that this is in no way intended to be a replacement for a doctor’s opinion. If you are in pain, call us at Living Well Medical. With that said, let’s move on.

If you are familiar enough with the term ‘herniated disc’ chances are you know a little about how the back works, but just in case you don’t, we’ll start there.

Three of the major structures in the spine are the bones, discs and nerves. The bones are the basic support structures, the discs are the shock absorbers and the nerves carry messages and information throughout the body, to and from the brain. In a herniated disc, one of these shock absorbers can’t perform its function because it has burst open and spilled the contents of its nucleus which provides much of the shock reduction. Sometimes, that herniated material will push against the nerves. That in turn can cause a number of severe symptoms like pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness and burning sensations. So if you are experiencing problems in the lower back or legs like these, you may have a disc herniation.

That said, the only 100% accurate way to know if you have a herniated disc is through medical imaging like an MRI. X-ray studies can also help rule out other serious spinal conditions like spondylolisthesis, but that's for another post entirely. Nerve tests like electromyography (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Studies are also able to point out nerve irregularities. The main point is that only a doctor can tell you what the situation is.

If you are in pain, call our NYC office us at 212-645-8151. We can and enjoy helping people like you reclaim your life from pain like a herniated disc.

- Dr. Shoshany, NYC Chiropractor

Is spinal Decompression Therapy Right for You?

2011-02-02T13:27:00.000-08:00

Every day we have patients come in to the office at Living Well New York, complaining of back pain, leg pain and numbness, as well as tingling in the leg. Patients often ask if their symptoms are the result of problems with inter vertebral discs, and if non surgical spinal decompression can work for them.

How can you tell if you're a candidate for Non Surgical Spinal Decompression:

If you suffer form chronic or severe back pain which is caused by bulging, herniated, or degenerative discs, sciatica, or facet syndrome.

If you have been told that you are a candidate for surgery.

If you have had a failed back surgery, or have failed back surgery syndrome.

How can you tell is you are not a candidate for Non Surgical Spinal Decompression:
If you have any retained surgical components such as fusion cages or titanium rods,

If you have a clinically unstable back.

If you have spinal infections or abdominal, or pelvic Cancer.

You have recently fractured vertebrae.

If you suffer from Osteoporosis

If you have ankylosing spondylitis.

If you have an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Pregnancy.

How long until you feel results:

Many patients notice reduced pain after their first few treatments, and may even feel that the course of their treatment is complete, but this is only the start of the healing process, and stopping treatments early can result in remission, and symptoms can reoccur. Some patients may take several treatments to feel relief because their physiology may be different, and everyone if different so the healing times do reflect this.

Non surgical spinal decompression works:

Patients suffering from herniated and degenerated discs report immediate pain reduction, and even with one treatment, the bulging pulposus may be completely or partially retracted back in to the disc. However it is normal for long term pain relief to take longer.

Consistency is the key to results:
Like with most injuries, tearing in the walls of the disc require time to heal properly. Pain relief doesn't mean that the injury has healed. The disc needs time to seal up properly, and it is crucial to continue treatment to make sure that the newly retracted discs do not herniate again quickly.

Living Well Medical focuses on a non invasive multidisciplinary approach to healing and pain management. If you are in the New York City area, and are suffering from back pain visit us at our treatment center on 632 Broadway, located in the heart of Manhattan, or call us at: 347 562 2144

Can Spinal Decompression help with a herniated disc?

2010-12-10T08:49:00.000-08:00

Non Surgical Spinal Decompression, or NSSD is an effective and proven method of treating a range of symptoms, from back pain caused by sciatica associated with herniated, bulging or degenerative discs in the spine, to post surgical pain, and even narrowing of the spinal canal (stenosis). Significant improvements to pain and quality of life have been reported by patients treated with NSSD. This Procedure was developed by Allan Dyer, MD, PhD, after suffering from a herniated disc in his back.

Unlike linear traction, which uses force applied in a straight line to the spine, NSSD slowly lengthens and decompresses the spine. This decompression causes negative pressure to build within the discs, which creates a vacuum that pulls bulging and extruded discs back in to their proper positions. Pinched nerves also respond due to the pressure placed upon them being removed, and oxygen and fluids are also allowed in to the discs to promote greater, faster healing.

NSSD allows the body's natural recovery and regenerative mechanisms to get to work, without the use of drugs, injections or invasive surgeries, which can have many adverse side effects. So over the course of a few treatments the patient can feel remarkable pain relief, sometimes after just the first few treatments.

At Living Well NYC has an integrated medical center located in SOHO in NYC, where spinal decompression therapy, provided by Doctor Shoshany using the DRX9000, along with physical therapy, exercise and medical care and a vast array or non invasive technique such as Active Release Techniques and the Graston technique. This integrated approach centered around NSSD often not only alleviates signs and symptoms of herniated or ruptured discs but often corrects the problem without surgery.

Interview on Spine-Health

2010-10-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

I was recently contacted for a brief interview by spine-health.com, a website dedicated to spreading knowledge about pain relief through chiropractic and other treatment methods. Here it is below.

Building a Multidisciplinary Practice

Featured Member: Dr. Steven Shoshany, Chiropractor, NYC Chiropractor and Spinal Decompression – New York, New York

Interviewer: What is the patient experience like in your practice?

Dr. Steven Shoshany: From the minute a patient walks in to our office, they are greeted and made to feel comfortable. We also respect a patient's time; NYC is a busy place and patients have other places to be so we are keenly aware of scheduling and patients hardly wait to be seen. Our practice is in a SoHo loft so it is spacious with high ceilings. It is a very tranquil setting that is conducive to healing. A patient can expect top-notch service and attention from our team of massage therapists, chiropractors and our physical therapist.

Interviewer: How does this differ from the competition?

Dr. Steven Shoshany: In my experience, most chiropractors practice solo, and they lose patients for various reasons. Maybe the patient is afraid of an adjustment or they are looking for a specific service. Our practice is multidisciplinary. The chiropractor works together with a physical therapist that can integrate strength, stretching and range of motion programs. We have a massage therapist that can work on tight muscles or aches. A medical doctor on staff can provide prescription medication or pain injections in the event they are needed. And we even have an acupuncturist. We try to cover all the bases to give patients everything they need in one place.

Interviewer: How does this benefit your patients?

Dr. Steven Shoshany: Patients benefit from a staff that works together every day and creates treatment programs for the individual. By offering all these services in one place, a person who is suffering with a condition like a herniated disc can get a combined approach or choose from a range of options. Having the ability to choose and having it all in one place is the key benefit we offer.

Dr. Steven Shoshany, Chiropractor, NYC Chiropractor and Spinal Decompression – New York, New York

Marathon Preparation, Active Release Technique, and Kinesio Taping

2010-10-14T07:18:00.000-07:00

The New York Marathon is getting closer and closer; November is right around the corner for athletes coming from all over the world to compete and test their limits. That also means that this is near the peak training time, the moments when champions shine brightest and put their bodies through the most grueling weekly mileage. That also can mean injuries and it’s too crucial a time to be missing out on training time. Runners need to be able to continue to train while healing and preparing for the real test, the marathon itself.

At Living Well Medical in SoHo, we help runners every year as they prepare for the big race. If there is any way to keep them training and keep them in the race, we do our best to find it. We have a lot of different methods we can use, but there are two in particular that we recommend for endurance athletes because they are extremely effective with overuse injuries and can help athletes stay on the road.

The first technique is called Active Release Technique, or ART for short. ART is a technique that has been used for years at the Iron Man competition because of it’s effectiveness in assessing and treating repeat strains and other overuse issues.

Another common treatment method that promotes healing while keeping functional range of motion is Kinesio Tape. This therapeutic tape can support joints that are sore to keep them moving. For runners, issues like tendonitis and plantar fasciitis can be supported with this technique.

So be prepared to run the race of your life. If you need help with an injury, give Living Well Medical in SoHo NYC a call at 212-645-8151. We’re here to help.

- Dr. Shoshany, NYC Chiropractor

The Differences between a Herniated Disc and a Bulging Disc

2010-10-07T07:22:00.000-07:00

If you’re familiar with back pain or even had any kind of back injury, you’ve likely heard the words “herniated disc” and “bulging disc” before. You may have also heard the term “slipped disc” before, which it seems is often used to describe either problem in everyday speech. It’s that part that makes me think that people see these two conditions as being equivalent, but it’s important that they are kept separate. So why not discuss the differences between the two conditions?

First, let’s start with the condition that is the most painful and problematic - disc herniation. Herniation specifically refers to a spinal disc that has experienced a tear or crack in the outer layer of the cartilaginous fibers that encase the center of the disc (called an annular tear). The material from the nucleus of the disc leaks out into the spinal canal and presses on spinal nerves causing irritation, inflammation and pain.

A bulging disc, on the other hand, is a much more common issue where the disc protrudes out some in a large portion of the disc. A good analogy would be that it sort of resembles a hamburger that is too big for its bun. A bulging disc is a much more common problem than a herniated disc but is, in most cases, not the direct cause of pain.

As to the differences, there are a few. A bulging disc is mainly caused by aging and is completely normal, whereas a herniated disc is an indication of an injury or the direct result of trauma. Herniated discs are also much more commonly painful. In fact, bulging discs seldom result in pain.

If you are experiencing severe back pain, Living Well Medical in NYC is here to help. Give our office a call today at 212-645-8151 today and find out if your pain is related to a disc problem

- Dr. Shoshany, NYC Chiropractor

Here are some of the chiropractors from around the country that Living Well Medical endorses:

Dr. Eben Davis, San Francisco Chiropractor
Dr. Nona Djavid, Newport Beach Chiropractor
Dr. Ron Spallone, Denver Chiropractor
Dr. Bruce Bell, Chula Vista Chiropractor
Dr. Cathy Hunter, Simi Valley Chiropractor
Dr. Andrea Mills, Lancaster, CA Chiropractor
Dr. Matthew Rivera, San Carlos, CA Chiropractor
Dr. David Livingston, Delray Beach, FL Chiropractor
Dr. Adam Jacobs, Best San Francisco Chiropractor
Dr. Scott Waddell, Laguna Niguel Chiropractor

Living Well Medical Welcomes Mila Mogilevsky, DO to Practice

2010-09-13T12:39:00.000-07:00

Starting this week, we’re welcoming another member to our staff, our new osteopathic physician, Dr. Mila Mogilevsky, DO. It’s pretty exciting because we’re able to add another dimension to our practice, Living Well Medical in SoHo; of course that translates into more people we can help with pain. As a doctor of osteopathy, treatments like trigger point injections and traditional pain management are only a small part of how she will help us take care of the people we serve. She can also write prescriptions in cases of extreme need.

Dr. Mogilevsky is Board Certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation; she received her doctorate of osteopathy from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. Before she earned her DO, she also worked as a physical therapist, so her skills cover a wide range of conditions and treatments. If you’re in pain, call our NYC office at 212-645-8151.

- Dr. Shoshany, NYC Chiropractor

Welcome Dr. Rolland Nemirovsky to our practice-Certified ART ( Active release technique)- Certified Graston technique NYC

2010-09-01T10:04:00.000-07:00

We are excited to announce that we have added a new Chiropractor to our NYC practice.
Dr. Rolland Nemirovsky is a Certified Active Release technique (ART) practitioner as well as a certified Graston technique practitioner.
Dr. Steven Shoshany DC will continue to provide Chiropractic care and spinal decompression
We are now able to provide care 6 days a week- Monday through Saturday.
If you a suffering with low back pain,neck pain, shooting arm pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, herniated discs or Sciatica be sure to visit our website to learn more about our practice or for an immediate appointment call (212)645-8151.

We combine Chiropractic care with Physical therapy and utilize cutting edge treatment like spinal decompression and cold laser therapy in conjunction with Kinesio taping and Medical massage and the graston technique.

We are conventienly located at 632 Broadway suite 303 NY,NY 10012
Most insurance are accepted as either full or partial payment
Partial list below:
Cigna Internationl
United healthcare
Aetna
Blue Cross Blue Shield

Neck pain caused by Roller Coaster in NYC

2010-08-09T09:08:00.000-07:00

Too Much Fun: Whiplash Caused by Roller Coasters

Throughout this summer I have seen countless patients complaining of neck and low back pain brought on by riding a roller coaster. Locally here in NYC the biggest producer of neck and back injuries has to be the "Cyclone" in Coney Island, Brooklyn,New York. This roller coaster is one the oldest wood roller coaster around. I seriously think a Chiropractor should hand out their cards and the end of the ride.
Our NYC Physical therapy practice treats neck and back injuries with a combination of Chiropractic,Physical therapy and Massage. Did you hurt your neck on a roller coaster? Give us a call today at (212) 645-8151.

Riding Rollercoasters Can Cause Whiplash
Whiplash. We usually associate this word with car accidents, sports accidents or blows to the head. But whiplash caused by roller coasters? Though this information may seem to dampen the fun of taking crazy roller coaster rides in your favorite theme park, it doesn’t make it less real.

How to Avoid Whiplash
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out. All those loops, dives, crazy turns and up and down acceleration can cause serious damage to one neck and spinal chords. There have even been some reports of blood vessels rupturing and hematoma caused by roller coaster rides.

A friend of mine told me a story concerning her twelve-year-old son. After a day at a theme park, her son was complaining about an aching neck. Thinking that the boy had just strained a muscle or was simply tired, she ignored his complaints. The next day, the boy was unable to move his neck. Upon bringing him to the hospital, the doctor confirmed that the boy sustained a whiplash injury.

According to doctors, head and neck injuries while riding roller coasters can happen to anyone, regardless of age. You can be a young, healthy and at the peak of your strength and still get whiplash and other injuries. Of course, the older one gets, the greater the risk of slip disks and whiplash caused by sudden movement.

Does this mean we must all boycott roller coasters? The answer still lies with you. If you’re confident enough to ride a roller coaster knowing full well what the consequences might be, then go ahead and knock your socks off. But if you’d rather not, then don’t. An ounce of prevention saves you a bucket of cures.

One technique that I like is to be prepared for the coaster ride, be sure to be aware and ready when the Coaster takes off, all to ofen injuries occur when someone is suprised and their head is whipped back or side to side.
Also be sure to keep your head firmly planted back against the head rest, this prevents the whiplash movement.
Read the signs before getting on a coaster, they warn you about boarding a ride with previous neck and back injuries.

But for the adventurous, the important thing is to seek medical attention immediately after you start experiencing headaches, neck pain, neck swelling, muscle spasms or difficulty in neck movement. As with other sicknesses or injuries, the earlier whiplash is detected and treated, the faster you can get better.
Ice your neck right away if you suspect you suffered a whiplash type injury. Seek out a Chiropractor.
If you are in The NYC area and are looking for a Chiropractor visit my website at
www.drshoshany.com
or call (212)645-8151

Neck Strain: Causes and Remedies-NYC

2010-07-20T07:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we had at least 5 patients come into our NYC physical therapy office office with neck pain caused my sleeping funny, so I felt todays blog post should be about neck pain and ways to prevent it.

There are many activities and triggers that can cause the sudden onset of neck pain due to muscle strain. By definition, a neck strain is not a serious injury. However, the pain and dysfunction that it causes can be significant. This article reviews both first aid approaches to alleviate the pain, as well as signs and symptoms that indicate when to see a doctor.

The anatomy of the cervical spine is a marvelous construct that houses and protects the delicate spinal cord, provides support for the head, and allows for a high degree of mobility and range of motion. But the same engineering that allows this area of the spine to be so flexible also leaves it vulnerable to injury.

Most episodes of neck muscle strain (or other soft tissue strain or sprain, such as ligaments or tendons) result in a stiff neck and/or pain in a shoulder muscle. Symptoms typically include difficulty moving or rotating the head or neck.

Causes of neck strain
Triggers for the onset of neck pain due to muscle strain can be traced to numerous activities, such as:

Too much time in an awkward position, such as hunched over a steering wheel while driving, hunched forward to view a computer monitor, or cradling a phone in the crook of the neck
Sleeping in a position that strains the neck, such as with a pillow that is too high or too firm
Carrying a heavy suitcase or other object on one side of the body
Any form of trauma that impacts the neck, such as from whiplash in a car accident, or from a fall in which one lands on the top of the head

Neck muscle strain remedies
Most minor strains of ligaments, tendons and muscles in the neck heal in a relatively short amount of time (one or two days). Until the symptoms subside, there are many self-care remedies that are effective in alleviating the pain and stiffness, such as:

Applying ice or cold packs. The cold helps reduce inflammation in the area, which in turn allows it to heal. The ice or cold pack should be applied in twenty-minute intervals during the initial 24 hours.

Applying heat. The heat helps bring nutrient-rich blood flow to the area to stimulate a healing response. Some people prefer moist heat, such as from a hot bath or shower. Others find more relief from applying continuous low level heat from a heat wrap (such as brand name Thermacare, or store brand heat wraps)

Over-the-counter medications. Taking anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (e.g. Advil) or naproxen (e.g. Aleve), will reduce the inflammation, which in turn will help reduce the pain. One can also take pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol), which reduces the perception of pain.

Massage. A gentle massage will to stimulate blood flow in the area, which helps it heal.
When to see a Doctor
For more severe pain and stiffness, if the symptoms last for more than a day or two, or if the pain is accompanied by arm pain, numbness or tingling, a visit to a health professional, such as a chiropractor or primary care physician, is generally advisable. Also if the symptoms started after any kind of trauma or accident it is a good idea to get a full examination from a health professional to diagnose or rule out any serious problems.

For most episodes of neck pain, self-care and avoiding any additional strain to the neck will usually suffice to manage the symptoms until the strain is healed.

For immediate relief of neck strain, muscle strain in New York City (NYC) see a Chiropractor
Chiropractor NYC
We utulize a combinations of treatments like Cold laser therapy, Ultrasound, Electric stimulation and the Graston technique to reduce your pain.
neck pain nyc,back pain nyc, sciatica nyc, slipped disc nyc,

Active Release technique for treatment of Pain, numbness and impaired movement-NYC soft tissue treatment

2010-06-16T10:33:00.000-07:00

A recent great article about Active Release technique from Health Alert, If you don't already subscribe you should, Dr. Bruce West has some very informative information in the newsletters.
I have found ART to a tremendously effective treatment protocol for dealing with soft tissue injuries. I use it daily in my NYC Physical therapy office

SECRET TREATMENT OF THE MONTH from Health Alert.

PAIN, NUMBNESS, AND IMPAIRED MOVEMENT -

ACTIVE RELEASE TECHNIQUE (ART)

There are more misdiagnoses, more wrong treatments and over-treatments, more useless surgical interventions, more powerful prescribed painkillers, more missed work and school, more waste of health care funds, and more chronic disabilities due to soft tissue problems than most all other pain syndromes combined.

The soft tissues that cause all this pain and suffering are the non-bony tissues of the body, usually associated with joints - such as muscles, muscle sheaths, tendons, and ligaments. Soft tissues are frequently damaged through injuries and accidents, repetitive motion, and constant pressure or tension. If they do not heal properly, they form scars, fibrosis (tough, fibrous tissue), or adhesions that can entrap nerves, blood vessels, and other tissues. These adhesions cause severe pain, numbness, joint dysfunctions, muscle impairment to near paralysis, movement problems, and even complete disability.

When you develop a soft tissue problem with adhesions, the first symptom is pain. It can be head, hand, wrist, arm, jaw, neck, back, hip, leg, knee, ankle, foot, rib, or other pain. Examples are headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, tendonitis of any joint, backaches of all kinds, and other diagnostic pain syndromes.

The trip to the doctor will usually begin with some painkillers to see if the pain goes away. This is usually followed by x0rays or scans. The abnormalities found on x-rays and scans (including MRIs) are often diagnosed as the cause of the problem when they are not. Almost everyone has abnormalities that show up on these tests, including spinal disk disease, herniated disk, arthritis, and the like. These are rarely the underlying cause of the problem. Rather, they are most frequently inconsequential joint abnormalities that are best left alone.

If the pain continues, you may end up headed for some form of surgery to treat the “abnormality” on your scan. With soft tissue injury and adhesions, this is an expensive, dangerous, and useless procedure - with the disappointing surgery results proving that your diagnosis was completely incorrect. In fact, scans are almost completely incapable of locating soft tissue adhesions that cause most of these chronic, agonizing problems. As with all things in health, the underlying cause of the problem must be addressed. And that means removing the adhesions or fibrosis. Enter the active release technique.

ACTIVE RELEASE TECHNIQUE (ART)

I suffered an injury to my heel that really laid me up. I simply could not walk well, and athletics were out of the question. For 6 months I pursued all types of treatment to no avail. Then I went to a chiropractor who was an expert in the active release technique. He quickly discovered that I had probably stepped on a rock on the beach, developed a soft tissue injury in the arch of my foot that did not heal properly, and then formed a scar. The scar was interfering with the nerves and tendons in the bottom of my foot, referring the pain into my heel. The ART treatment used pressure on the adhesion while I forcefully moved my foot through its range of motion - breaking free the tissues from the adhesion. After four treatments my pain was gone.

Although I am no longer in any pain, I now see an ART expert (Dr. Jay Cook, Monterey, CA) three times a week to determine if I have old soft tissue injuries that are impairing my physical performance. We have already cleared out adhesions in my legs and calves, resulting in my ability to jump higher. We will together be checking for and clearing out any adhesions throughout my back, neck, shoulders, and arms.

The type of soft tissue injury and resultant adhesion I had is extremely common - not always in the arch of the foot, but in any joint. And this could have easily resulted in $50,000 or more in drugs, surgical expenses, and more - all of which would have been completely useless. It could have resulted in disability, limping (which would have eventually affected my other joints), arthritis, and most important for me, a forced retirement from physical activity and athletics. In other words, this kind of injury could have ruined my life.

That is how serious soft tissue injuries are. And literally millions suffer from them - getting wrong diagnoses, wrong treatments, and over-treatments. Still very few doctors talk about these injuries. And why would they? Not one in 10,000 physicians understands these injuries. There are no diagnostic scans, x-rays, or images that can detect these injuries. And almost no orthopedic surgeon or neurosurgeon understands them. So unless you are lucky enough to run across an article like this, if you suffer a soft tissue injury with scarring or adhesions, you are up a creek without a paddle. You would be wasting your time on standard medical care, drugs, or even surgery.

What to Do

If you develop chronic pain, especially in the joints - and if standard, conservative, treatment, including chiropractic therapy, fails - you must:

Consider that you have a soft tissue injury.
Get to an ART expert. If you are recommended for surgery, get to an ART expert first, no matter how long you have suffered.
Find one of these experts by going to www.activereleasetechniques.com (techniques with an “s”). Click on “Find a Provider” to find experts near you.
If you are in NYC visit our office at Active release NYC You will see that each doctor has the courses he/she has taken displayed in emblems (with initials inside the emblem) after his/her name. You can click on each of these to see if this doctor is an expert in the problem that you have. If you absolutely cannot use a computer, call 1-888-396-2727 and ask to find a doctor who specializes in your problem.
The first treatment or two can be a little uncomfortable or even painful, but it is not unbearable. Treatments usually take 15 to 30 minutes each. Many people experience some relief after the first treatment. You will generally know if you can be helped within six treatments. Most people who are cured with ART have already been unsuccessfully treated by other health care providers.
Chronic soft tissue injury with adhesion and fibrosis can eventually cause bony problems as well. It is not unusual for arthritis to develop subsequent to these types of injuries simply because the joint can no longer function properly. In all chronic cases, you can get better results in you also incorporate nutrition for joints.
If you have chronic injuries, use the following Standard Process nutrition products while getting ART treatments: Calcified Wafers (6-12 daily) and Glucosamine Synergy (3-4 daily). Also be sure to take Blue Ice Fermented Cod Liver Oil (3 capsules daily) to get adequate vitamin D. And if you have arthritis, take X-Factor Gold High Vitamin Butter Oil (3-12 capsules daily 0 to ensure you get an adequate quantities for the anti-stiffness factor, also known as Activator X (or the Wulzen Factor).
Do not give up. You can be helped. Most individuals do not need surgery. Fin an expert near you, start treatments, use the proper nutrition, and start planning on your new, pain-free life. Now that is a real miracle treatment of the month.

West, Bruce “Then All Other Treatments Fail” Health Alert 27.5 (2010): 2-3

Dr. Steven Shoshany utulizes The Graston technique,ART,Spinal decompression,Cox flexion distraction technique and many other cutting adge techniques in NYC
If you are suffering and would like to schedule an appointment give us a call
at (212)645-8151 today.

Herniated disc and Sciatica-NYC -Best non-surgical treatments

2010-04-26T05:40:00.000-07:00

Herniated disc and Sciatica-NYC -Best non-surgical treatments
Call (212)-627-8149
Herniated disc and spinal decompression therapy offers a non-invasive therapy for people suffering from back pain. Traditional traction devices that were used in the past to treat back pain have been replaced by technologically advanced herniated disc and spinal decompression tables like the DRX 9000 that we utilize in our NYC Herniated disc/Sciatica treatment office.

What are the causes of a herniated disc?

In between the vertebrae in your spine can be found supple, spongy, spinal discs that are protected by a tougher outer layer. This layer surrounds the soft nucleus that allows for cushioning and the smooth movement of your spine, not unlike shock absorbers for your automobile. When one of the spinal discs becomes compressed between the bones in the spine it can make the spongy material of the disc become herniated. This bulging of the disc causes friction from direct contact with nerve endings. Herniated disc is also commonly called slipped or ruptured disc.

As the body grows older, especially if a person leads a sedentary lifestyle without much activity to keep the spine limber and flexible, the discs can degenerate and become flattened. The disc will eventually turn brittle if the degeneration is allowed to progress, which can make them more prone to injury.

A herniated disc can be caused by a strain from twisting the back rigorously. This injury can occur anywhere on the spine, but it most commonly happens in the lower spine or the neck. The patient will feel pain in the location where the disc has been ruptured or the corresponding nerve roots.

Symptoms of herniated disc

There are several tell-tale signs of a herniated disc. The patient begins to feel shooting pains from the back down into the legs. There may also be tingling and numb sensations in the legs and feet from the nerves being pressed down. The pain can vary from mild to intense depending on the location of the injured disc and degree of injury.Often referred to as "SCIATICA"-visit Sciatica treatment NYC
A MRI also can confirm the presence of a Herniated disc,if you do not have a MRI already contact us consultation and we can recommend several NYC MRI facilities that can preform the test. This requires a referral and may require authorization from you insurance company.

Spinal Decompression: a safe, non-surgical therapy

Non-surgical Spinal Decompression is a revolutionary new technology used primarily to treat herniated discs in the neck and low back. Spinal Decompression Therapy is designed to take the pressure off the herniated disc and compressed nerves by slowly and gently stretching the spine at a certain angle followed by cycles of partial relaxation. This pattern of distraction and relaxation creates a "vacuum effect" or negative intra-discal pressure.

The negative pressure may induce the retraction of the herniated or bulging disc back into the inside of the disc taking pressure off of the nerve. The cycle of decompression and partial relaxation, over a series of visits, promotes diffusion of water, oxygen, and nutrient-rich fluids into the disc. The nutrients enable the torn and degenerated disc fibers to begin to heal.

Spinal decompression therapy is a non-surgical treatment for specific back pain conditions, including:

• Degenerative disc disease
• Facet syndrome
• Herniated disc
• Lower back pain
• Neck pain
• Neuralgia
• Pinched nerve
• Sciatica
• Spinal stenosis

Is decompression a painful procedure?
Spinal decompression is a painless, non-invasive therapy that relieves back pain. The patient will be strapped in to the machine and the straps are connected to the computer, which gently separates the vertebrae with a precise stretching force. The treatment is so comfortable that many patients actually fall asleep. Spinal decompression machines are sensitive and can adjust the decompression rate in response to any pain the patient might experience during treatment.
To learn more about this treatment in NYC visit the herniated disc specialists at www.nycdisc.com
or visit www.livingwellnewyork.com

Extremity Pain (buttock,leg calf) pain treatment in NYC-Back pain NYC-Herniated disc NYC

2010-04-08T14:27:00.000-07:00

Back pain NYC?
Herniated disc NYC-Sciatica NYC

Treatment for shooting pain down the leg like SCIATICA in Manhattan,NYC call(212)645-8151
www.sciaticanyc.com

Lower extremity (buttock,leg, calf) pain, which radiates from the low back, is usually the result of pressure on a nerve.

The disc
The discs of the spine receive nourishment through blood vessels until approximately the age of 20. At this point,the disc has been filled with a lifetime supply of nourishment. However,the disc has to make that supply of nourishment last a lifetime, Through aging and with normal wear and tear, we use the nourishment and all experience a slow degeneration of the discs of the spine. This is normal aging.

The more "Stress" you put on the disc, the more you use up the nourishment, weaking and deteriorating the disc, creating a problem. One of the amazing benefits of spinal decompression is that it heightens the disc space, and is seen to return it to a more normal size and functional state.

The disc is the shock absorber that sits between two vertebras. It consists of a soft jelly-like material in the center, called the nucleus pulposis, and a firm outer band called the annulus fibrosis, like a rubber band surrounding the disc, holds it together. As we age and use the disc, the nourishment gets used and dries up, which causes it to shrink- or degenerate.
When the disc height collapses, the nearby spinal nerves can become compressed, leading to lower extremity (buttocks, leg and calf) pain.

Herniated disc treatment in Manhattan NYC
Herniated disc
Herniated discs (also referred to as ruptured discs), often create confusion between herniated discs, so lets make it clear.
A disc can bulge without herniating. When the jelly-like nucleus pulposis is under pressure, it can bulge.
But, when the pressure is excessive, it ca herniate (rupture) through the outer band called the annulus fibrosis.
As the "herniated" disc materials spills out, a portion can press on a nerve, causing pain and accompanying radiation and weakness of the muscle involved.
The nerve can get "pinched" resulting in the condition of Sciatica, radiating pain to the buttocks and/or lower extremity (leg and calf).
Over 90% or herniated discs occur in the lowest two levels of the lumbar spine, between L4/L5 and L5/S1.
Spinal decompression-
The effect of decompression-
Spinal decompression takes pressure of the disc.
During treatment on the decompression therapy table, the disc heightens, the space opens up, pressure comes off the nerve, and jelly material that has herniated gets slowly drawn back into the disc. The other amazing feature is that the disc can once again receive nourishment when the jelly material (containing the nourishment) gets drawn back into the disc.

Manhattan herniated disc treatment

Dr. Steven Shoshany,Manhattan's non-surgical,non-invasive herniated disc treatment specialist, visit website to learn more www.drshoshany.com
A fantastic 3D tutorial on Herniated discs

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

2010-03-24T06:58:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-12T10:52:00.001-08:00

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

Neck pain prevention tips

2010-02-25T13:45:00.000-08:00

Dealing With A Pain In The Neck
By: Dr. Jasper Sidhu

HAVE YOU TRIED TRAINING YOUR DEEP NECK MUSCLES?
If you’re suffering from chronic neck pain you definitely know it: Chronic neck pain is consistent pain in the neck lasting for more than six months, and an estimated 7 in 10 adults develop it at some point in their lives. The big question, of course, is what can you do about it? Fortunately, neck pain is usually treated effectively by chiropractors. In fact, recent guidelines on neck pain point to spinal manipulation as a recommended treatment option. It’s also important to recognize that another recommendation is exercises, many of which can be performed at home. Let’s take a look at how the neck muscles relate to neck pain and what you can do about it.

What do you think of when I tell you i’m going to give you exercises for your neck pain? Do you expect advice on general stretches or instruction sheets with simple exercises Perhaps you have a vision of weights attached to your head like the weight-lifters you may have seen in an old movies. the reality is that neck exercises can be gentle and easy to do, and don’t usually require a lot of equipment or time. It begins by understanding why exercises are important for relieving neck pain in the first place.
In general, there is no one cause of neck pain that applies to every patient. If you have chronic neck pain, you may have received a diagnosis of disc herniation, whiplash, strain, sprain, or something else. Regardless, most of these conditions have one thin in common: Certain muscles are affected, and these are the muscles we need to target before progressing to more challenging exercises or activities.

There are certain muscles in the neck that are designed to help us maintain our normal and healthy curve of the spine. In addition, these muscles are designed to hold our head up all day. The technical names of these muscles are the longus capitus and longus colli, more commonly known as the deep neck flexors. They are the muscles that attach to the front of your spine. Because they’re located deep in the front of the neck, we often ignore them. As they say, “Out of sight, our of mind,” but they’re important muscles to consider whenever you’re suffering from neck pain.

In people with chronic neck pain, these muscles are often fatigued a lot quicker than in people without neck pain. That means other muscles pick up the slack and begin working harder. the muscles that begin working harder are the ones we generally end up stretching. Have you ever noticed that when you stretch stiff muscles, they feel good for a short period of time, only to get tight again? The thing is, if you don’t address the other muscles, the ones that get fatigued and gradually stop working, then your stretching program will not work as well. All these muscles need to be in “balance”.

the best way to see if your deep neck flexors fatigue is to try and lift your head off the ground when you are lying down. The technique is simple: Just tuck your chin in to your chest and lift your head off the ground, and then attempt to hold it there for 10 seconds. If the neck begins shaking, or your chin is unable to stay tucked in, then your deep flexors are fatigued and need to be addressed.
For most people with chronic neck pain, this can be a difficult exercise. That’s why you can begin your exercise program by doing simple chin tucks while sitting or standing. Simply tucking your chin in and holding in until you fatigue will help reactivate these muscles. You can start with 12 repetitions of this exercise, working your way up to three sets of 12 repetitions each. Ensure you get adequate rest (several minutes) in between each set.

Once you get comfortable with basic sitting/standing chin tucks, you can try doing the exercise lying down. The goal is to be able to do it 12 times, holding each one until you fatigue. The next goal is to work your way up to three sets of 12 repetitions, with rest in between each set. then work your way to three sets of 15 repetitions and then three sets of 20 repetitions. Remember, this is a marathon, not a race. The goal is to increase the endurance of your muscles rather than their strength. Your neck is designed to carry the weight of your head all day, not to lift trains or buses! that why building up endurance should be your first priority.

Remember, the neck muscles are like any other muscle in our body. With long-term pain or injury, the muscles get weak and get tired quicker. By first “balancing” the weak muscles and increasing their endurance, you will be prepared to progress to more challenging strengthening exercises. As a research and guidelines conclude, combining this with your chiropractic care will lead to the best outcomes and improvement in your chronic neck pain.

DO YOU HAVE CHRONIC NECK PAIN?
TEST YOUR NECK MUSCLES

The following exercises are a great way to test if your deep neck muscles are easily fatigued and thus contributing to your neck pain. they’re also a great way to train the muscles so they don’t fatigues as quickly, which can help relieve your chronic pain.

LYING CHIN TUCK :
Gently lift your head off the flow with your chin tucked in. You should be able to hold this position for 10 seconds. If your chin goes up, head tilts back, or your head begins to shake and you are unable to hold the position, this indicated fatigue of the deep neck muscles, which may be contributing to your pain.

SITTING CHIN TUCK :
Simply tuck the chin in. Make sure you don’t tilt your head forward. Keep chin tucked in and head back. This is a good exercise to start with if you’re suffering from chronic neck pain and are unable to perform lying chin tucks for a sustained period of time.

TAKE-HOME POINTS

In most cases, don’t expect anyone to find a single “cause” for your neck pain.
Stay as active as you can; simple exercises and reducing mental stress can help.
A combination of therapies, including chiropractic care, may be needed.

Source: The Bone and Joint Decade
2001-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain
and Its Associated Disorders

Neck pain treatment in NYC contact www.livingwellnewyork.com
We utilize Chiropractic care, Physical therapy and Medical massage
Neck pain treatment in Manhattan-Chiropractic care,Physical therapy.

Ice or Heat?: What's Good for my Injury?

2010-02-03T09:03:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had a sports injury but you weren't sure whether to use heat or cold for pain relief? You'd be surprised how often I hear this question at Living Well Medical in NYC, and with the big game coming up this weekend, it seemed like a good idea to talk about something geared more towards sports medicine and injuries.

So first let's start with the essentials for discussing heat or ice: the different types of pain/injuries. In medical lingo, we have two main categories for pain, acute and chronic. Acute pain is anything that comes on suddenly and lasts for shorter amounts of time. Chronic pain takes longer to develop and can tends to have a much longer duration. Although the amount of time ascribed to each term is sort of arbitrary, 3 or 6 months from the onset of pain are pretty normal markers for the term "chronic."

Anyway, in general, cold or ice are best used for acute injuries because they reduce swelling and pain. Cold temperatures are vaso-constrictive, reducing the amount of blood that can enter a give area of the body. This can help stop muscle spasms by reducing nerve sensitivity.

Heat, on the other hand, is more suited to chronic injuries, for the most part, provided there is no swelling or inflammation. By heating a muscle before an exercise, the muscles become more elastic and have increased blood flow. In general, heat tends to relax muscles. It can also be effective in treating muscle spasms. Moist heat like in a hot towel often seems to do the most good.

There are, of course, some exceptions to these rules. For instance, if you have a chronic knee injury that gets worse after you run and becomes inflamed, cold temperatures are what you need to lower the temperature and swelling.

More importantly, if you have an injury that isn't responding to home treatment like ice or heat, be sure to consult a doctor. At Living Well Medical in NYC, we have years of experience helping athletes and sports enthusiasts get back to the things they love to do. Give us a call at 212-645-8151 if you need help.

- Dr. Shoshany

Herniated disc NYC-The new website!

2009-12-10T13:44:00.000-08:00

We recently added a new website www.herniateddiscnyc.com
along with our new blog that can be found under herniated disc nyc
We will continue to provide the latest information to treat the herniated disc with non surgical methods like spinal decompression, Chiropractic care, Cold laser therapy and other innovative treatments that we offer in our NYC Spinal decompression practice www.livingwellnewyork.com

Low-Level Laser therapy relieves neck pain NYC

2009-11-30T12:46:00.000-08:00

Low-Level Laser Therapy Relieves Neck Pain NYC
Review Supports LLLT as Short- and Mid-Term Treatment of Pain in Neck
By: Chris Maynard

Cold laser NYC

Nov 16, 2009 (Spine-Health) -- Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) provides effective pain relief of both acute and chronic neck pain, according to a recent review and analysis of various trials examining the efficacy of using wavelengths of light to treat pain in the neck.

The review headed by researchers in Australia and recently published in The Lancet studied 16 randomized, controlled trials including a total of 820 patients with neck pain that could not be linked to a specific cause. The researchers ultimately concluded that low-level laser therapy provides immediate relief of acute neck pain and mid-term relief of chronic neck pain.

Using a 100-point scale to account for and compare differences in the severity of neck pain after treatment involving either low-level laser therapy or a placebo, researchers found that 70 percent of patients with acute neck pain were more likely to experience reduced pain following LLLT. It should be noted that only 2 trials involving LLLT for acute neck pain were available for review.

The study also found that low-level laser therapy was beneficial for chronic neck pain sufferers, although the effects were not as quick when compared to acute sufferers. According to the review, it took up to 22 weeks for patients with chronic neck pain to experience relief from LLLT, although these patients were 4 times more likely to have reduced neck pain than those treated with a placebo. In the past one noted disadvantage of low-level laser therapy has been the required number of treatments, which can range from 8 to 30 sessions.

Also known as cold laser therapy, low-level laser therapy involves a clinician holding cold lasers over the injured area for 30 seconds to several minutes. These lasers emit photons of light that pass through the skin and are absorbed by the cells with the theoretical goal of reducing inflammation and pain and accelerating the body’s natural healing process. The exact ways in which cold laser therapy treats neck pain is still not fully understood, a point that the review noted as worthy of future study.

Based on their review, the researchers suggested using cold-laser therapy in conjunction with a regular program of exercising and stretching when treating neck pain.

In addition to neck pain, cold laser therapy is used by some chiropractors and pain management professionals to treat back pain, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, tendonitis and knee pain. When indicated, this procedure may be preferred by patients who have the above symptoms and/or conditions, and want to avoid medication or invasive treatments.

Related Article:
Cold Laser Therapy Pain Management Treatment
Sources: The Lancet, Medical News Today
To learn more about Cold laser therapy/Low-level laser therapy in NYC
visit us online @ http://drshoshany.com/cold_laser_therapy.php

NYC Chiropractor Adds New Therapy for Chronic Back, Neck and Joint Pain to Downtown Practice

2009-11-17T06:21:00.001-08:00

NYC Chiropractor Adds New Therapy for Chronic Back, Neck and Joint Pain to Downtown Practice

Posted using ShareThis

Low-Level Lasers Effective in Chronic Neck Pain

2009-11-16T06:32:00.000-08:00

I have used Low-level laser therapy or Cold laser therapy in my NYC practice for close to 7 years, I have found it to be extremely effective in reducing pain and dysfunction.
Cold laser therapy NYC

By John Gever, Senior Editor, MedPage Today
Published: November 13, 2009
Reviewed by Zalman S. Agus, MD; Emeritus Professor
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and
Dorothy Caputo, MA, RN, BC-ADM, CDE, Nurse Planner
Although no one is sure how it works, low-intensity laser therapy appeared to be effective in relieving chronic neck pain, researchers found in a meta-analysis.

Pooled data from 16 randomized, controlled trials indicated that most patients reported both short- and medium-term pain relief with the noninvasive treatment, according to Roberta T. Chow, MBBS, PhD, of the University of Sydney in Australia, and colleagues.

"The results of low-level laser therapy in this review compare favorably with other widely used therapies, and especially with pharmacological interventions, for which evidence is sparse and side effects are common," the researchers wrote online in The Lancet
The procedure involves shining low-intensity laser beams -- too weak to generate biologically significant heat -- usually at the back or side of the neck, targeting muscles, and vertebral joints. Wavelengths of 780, 810 to 830, or 904 nm are typically used. These beams are able to penetrate several centimeters of tissue.

Several possible mechanisms of action have been proposed. The radiation may have anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting prostaglandins and/or cytokines. Alternatively, it may reduce oxidative stress and muscle fatigue, with support from some animal studies and clinical experiments.

A third possibility is that the laser light alters nerve signalling at the neuromuscular junction or elicits overt nerve blockade.

Whatever the mechanism, however, the randomized, controlled studies included in the review showed a clear clinical benefit for the treatment.

None of the individual trials were very large -- the biggest (led by Chow herself) had 90 patients. In total, 820 patients participated in the 16 studies.

Five of the studies, with 122 patients, included the presence of global improvement, relative to sham treatment, as an outcome.

The relative likelihood of improvement with the laser treatment was 4.05 (95% CI 2.74 to 5.98), Chow and colleagues found.

In 11 trials with 333 patients, the weighted mean change in pain severity -- as reported by patients on a 100-mm analogue scale -- was 19.86 mm relative to controls (95% CI 10.04 to 29.68).

In four studies that measured pain severity 10 to 22 weeks after treatment ended, with a total of 86 patients, there was a weighted mean improvement from baseline of 23.44 mm at the end of follow-up (95% CI 17.11 to 29.77).

Overall, the researchers said, the trials "show moderate statistical evidence for efficacy of low-level laser therapy" for neck pain.

Limitations to the available evidence include the differences in laser treatments -- schedules and doses as well as wavelengths -- and in the varieties of neck pain with which patients had presented.

Current diagnostic terms "suggest distinct clinical entities; however, there is strong evidence that a definitive diagnosis of the causes of neck pain is not possible in a clinical setting," the researchers wrote.

They said adverse effects from treatment were minimal. Several studies reported increased tiredness.

The primary safety concern with the treatment is the possibility of inadvertently directing the laser into patients' eyes, Chow and colleagues said. Safety glasses would be required in all studies.

In an accompanying commentary, Jaime Guzman, MD, of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, B.C., said the existing evidence on low-level laser therapy still leaves many questions unanswered, especially on the mechanism of action.

Nevertheless, he said, "this evidence is more solid than that for many current interventions."

"Although mechanisms of action and effects on function and occupational outcomes are not clearly understood and warrant further impartial study, low-level laser therapy is an option worthy of consideration for management of nonspecific neck pain," Guzman wrote.

External funding for the study was not reported.

Chow and some co-authors reported relationships with the World Association for Laser Therapy and healthcare professional societies. No authors reported relationships with manufacturers of laser therapy devices.

Guzman declared he had no conflicts of interest.

Primary source: The Lancet
Source reference:
Chow R, et al "Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in the management of neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo or active-treatment controlled trials" Lancet 2009; DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(09)61522-1.

Additional source: The Lancet
Source reference:
Guzman J "Neck pain and low-level laser: Does it work and how?" Lancet 2009; DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(09)61837-7.
Cold Laser therapy, Low-level laser therapy NYC
www.livingwellnewyork.com

Herniated disc at L5-S-1, what should I do?

2009-10-26T09:08:00.000-07:00

Herniated disc NYC?
I recieved a email from someone yesterday I wanted to post the question and answer. I hope this helps.
If you suffer with a Herniated disc in NYC visit the NYC herniated disc specialists at http://www.livingwellnewyork.com/

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

Answer-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 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. Visit www.truespinaldecompression.com

If you live or work in NYC and are currently suffering with Chronic low back pain,Sciatica, or pain due to a herniated disc feel free to visit my website to learn more about spinal decompression and our properiatry non-surgical treatment protocols.
http://www.drshoshany.com/

An Athlete's best Friend -

2009-10-12T10:32:00.000-07:00

Tiger Woods - The World's Greatest Golfer

"I've been going to the chiropractor for as long as I remember. It's as important to my game as practicing my swing!"

An Athlete’s Best Friend-

It doesn’t matter if you are a professional or a weekend athlete, your best friend is your chiropractor. Chiropractors are some of the most actively involved health-care professionals in the sports-related conditioning, injury prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. The most typical injury involves the back, neck or shoulder, caused by over the head movements found in sports like tennis, softball, pitching, hockey, and even golf leading to pain and restriction mobility. Chiropractic adjustments are vital in restoring the biomechanics of shoulders, neck, upper back, and hips. Many professional sports teams employ chiropractors to prevent and treat sport-related injuries.

A sports injury can take up to eight weeks to heal depending on the particular injury. Shoulder and knee injuries take the longest as those joints are the least stable. Once the injury has healed, it is a good idea to continue with regular chiropractic adjustments to keep the body balanced properly and functioning at its peak. Do not wait until you are injured. Preventative chiropractic treatments are the place to start your athletic endeavors.
If you seeking a Chiropractor in NYC visit my website www.drshoshany.com
If you suffer with a Herniated disc it can prevent you from enjoying recreational activities.
If you live or work in NYC and suffer with a Herniated disc you should know, that Non
Surgical spinal decompression has been tremendously successful in not only eliminating the pain associated with a herniated disc but reducing the size of the herniation and ending the Sciatica.
To learn more about Chiropractic care and or Spinal decompression treatment in NYC visit us online at
www.livingwellnewyork.com

DRX 9000 NYC for treatment of Sciatica due to a herniated disc

2009-10-07T09:57:00.000-07:00

DRX 9000 NYC.
Herniated disc NYC Spinal decompression for treatment of Sciatica due to a herniated disc- consult the herniated disc specialists at www.livingwellnewyork.com

Sciatica (or sciatic neuritis) is a set of symptoms including pain that may be caused by general compression and/or irritation of one of five nerve roots that give rise to the sciatic nerve, or by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve itself. The pain is felt in the lower back, buttock, and/or various parts of the leg and foot. In addition to pain, which is sometimes severe, there may be numbness, muscular weakness, pins and needles or tingling and difficulty in moving or controlling the leg. Typically, the symptoms are only felt on one side of the body. Some patients describe the pain as a pinched nerve down the leg.

Although sciatica is a relatively common form of low back pain and leg pain, the true meaning of the term is often misunderstood. Sciatica is a set of symptoms rather than a diagnosis for what is irritating the root of the nerve, causing the pain. This point is important, because treatment for sciatica or sciatic symptoms will often be different, depending upon the underlying cause of the symptoms. Instead of over medicating and masking the pain get the root of the problem.

One of the possible causes of sciatica is a spinal disc herniation pressing on one of the sciatic nerve roots. The spinal discs are composed of a tough spongiform ring of cartilage (annulus fibrosus) with a more malleable center (nucleus pulposis). The discs separate the vertebrae, thereby allowing room for the nerve roots to properly exit through the spaces between the L4, L5, and sacral vertebrae. The discs cushion the spine from compressive forces, but are weak to pressure applied during rotational movements. That is why a person who bends to one side, at a bad angle to pick something up, may more likely herniate a spinal disc than a person jumping from a ladder and landing on his or her feet.
All to often patient that come to our herniated disc practice in NYC simply bend for a pen and slip their disc.

Herniation of a disc occurs when the liquid center of the disc bulges outwards, tearing the external ring of fibers, extrudes into the spinal canal, and compresses a nerve root against the lamina or pedicle of a vertebra, thus causing sciatica. This extruded liquid from the nucleus pulposus may cause inflammation and swelling of surrounding tissue which may cause further compression of the nerve root in the confined space in the spinal canal. In our Manhattan practice we focus on the herniated disc and utilize non-surgical methods like the DRX 9000 spinal decompression to not only alleviate the symptoms but reduce the disc herniation and prevent any further injury by strengthening the disc and surrounding structures.
If you suffer with a herniated disc this can lead to Sciatica- stop suffering!
If you live in NYC and are interested in ending the Sciatica call us today at (212)645-8151 Dr. Steven Shoshany will evaluate your MRI or nerve tests at no charge to determine if you are a candidate for Spinal decompression.
www.drshoshany.com

Benefits of Chiropractic Care-NYC Chiropractic care

2009-09-28T08:10:00.000-07:00

Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Regular chiropractic care can help you in many ways:

Restore normal nerve supply
Improve athletic performance
Restore normal joint mobility
Counteracts the effects of gravity
Improves spinal structure
May provide instant pain relief
Natural with no drugs or needles
Often reduces the need for surgery
May get you back to work faster after an injury
Deals with the cause of the problem rather than treating symptoms
Provides more energy
Allows for better sleep
Help improve posture
Slows spinal degeneration
Allows for quicker recovery
Is helpful to all ages
Relieves stress and tension
Improves the quality of life
This are just some of the benefits of Chiropractic care- for Chiropractic care in NYC visit www.drshoshany.com

Herniated disc NYC-review

2009-08-26T06:38:00.000-07:00

Spinal decompression and Chiropractic in NYC

After a very scary MRI and dire verdict from another chiropractor who will remain nameless, I researched spinal decompression. I originally investigated an office in Brooklyn, but despite my interest, they never contacted me with anything but junk mail. Thankfully, Dr. Shoshany, on the other hand, called me the very next morning after I wrote an email inquiry, and spoke with me personally. He was able to get me an appointment the very same day, and I began sessions on the DRX-9000. I have to say that it has transformed my life--I can travel on trains and planes without excruciating pain and have finally started wearing heels again! Dr. Shoshany cares about providing cutting-edge care and his office involves a holistic approach to health. I made a huge commitment to this alternative therapy and am happy to say that it was one of the best decisions of my life--not only have I avoided painful and expensive surgery, but I have begun dancing again and can now do pilates & yoga exercises that were impossible for years. I have also been adjusted by Dr. Shoshany and he has a gift for gentle and effective chiropractic care. I truly believe that Dr Shoshany has given me back ten years of youth and happiness!
Visit www.drshoshany.com

Sciatica from a Herniated Disc-Non Surgical treatment in Manhattan, NYC

2009-07-29T08:10:00.000-07:00

I like to give credit when credit is due. Several Chiropractors have written excellent article on how spinal decompression can help someone with Sciatica due to a herniated disc.
I have posted it below.
IF you have a herniated disc and suffer with Sciatica in Manhattan, NYC contact us directly at (212) 645-8151 or visit us online at www.livingwellnewyork.com

Sciatica From A Herniated Disc

by Randall Pruitt, DC, DACNB, DAAPM, MUAC

The pain from a herniated disc can be quite excruciating. Not only can you have back pain but you can also experience sciatica. This can be a doubly painful situation.

A herniated disc is the end product of a weakened out disc called the annulus fibrosis allowing the softer more pliable central portion of the disc the nucleus pulposis to migrate it’s way through.

In research studies only the outer 1/3 of the disc has been shown to contain pain sensitive fibers. Therefore damage can accumulate over time before the person ever feels any pain.

Usually the beginnings of a disc problem come in the form of repetitive stress or activities, trauma or poor sitting posture. Once the outer fibers weaken then migration of the disc material may take some time.

Local back pain is usually the first sign of a disc problem. As the nucleus moves it’s way out it begins to contact the outer fibers irritating their pain sensitive nerve fibers.

Once the back pain begins the usual progression my be a short reprieve from the pain as the offending activities are stopped or altered.

Many people make the false assumption that the pain is gone for good, however the medical literature shows a very different scenario. People are almost always destined to have another bout of back pain within a year, unless proper treatment is applied.

Once the pain returns it is usually worse and as the pain returns over and over again it usually starts with move it’s way down the leg or arm as the nerves become affected.

Once pain begins to move into the leg it is often called sciatica. This condition is associated with involvement of the sciatic nerve.

The pain from sciatica can be a consequence of either pressure from the disc itself on the nerve or from inflammation caused by the injured disc irritating the sciatic nerve.

If the problem causing sciatica is chemical or compressive it really doesn’t matter. The disc has to be treated properly for a long term solution. This is best accomplished with spinal decompression.

The outer fibers of the disc are able to scar over due to the negative pressures inside the disc, created with spinal decompression pulling back in the herniated material

This really is the best solution for sciatica caused by a herniated disc.

Spinal decompression with the DRX 9000 is available in our Manhattan Medical practice
Visit us online at www.livingwellnewyork.com

Carpal tunnel syndrome NYC- Cold laser treatment-non surgical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome in Manhattan, NYC

2009-07-08T08:31:00.000-07:00

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in NYC? visit our website www.livingwellnewyork.com

Important News If You've Got Tingling, Numbness or Pain in the Hands, Wrist... and You're Desperately Seeking Answers...

You May NOT Have a Wrist Problem at All!

Discover the Blazingly Obvious Area of Your Body That Doctors May Miss When Diagnosing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

In our NYC Physical therapy practice we see patients getting better everyday.

The U.S. Department of Labor called Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) the “chief occupational hazard of the 90’s”… disabling workers in epidemic proportions. “Carpal Tunnel Syndrome” affects over 8 million Americans.
It’s also the #1 reported medical problem, accounting for about 50% of all work related injuries. And while over 200,000 surgeries are performed annually, reports have revealed only about 25% of all patients are able to return to their previous professions following surgery…and up to 36% of carpal tunnel syndrome patients require unlimited medical treatment. Hmm…

Could it be that carpal tunnel surgery is something to be questioned more carefully?
Carpal tunnel syndrome isn't like a broken bone or a cut. It develops slowly; it's barely noticeable. One might not even take it seriously at first. But the symptoms slowly build and build. It could start with some numbness and tingling... then it might become more difficult to type at the computer.
So you give your family doctor a visit. If you're like many people, here's what you've been told: "You’ve got carpal tunnel syndrome. Take this medicine and wear these wrist braces... come back if it doesn't work."

The problem here is that the exact same symptoms of "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome” can have several different causes... many of which are NOT even near your wrist!
FACT: If your doctor doesn't examine or consider those other areas...you have NOT been given a thorough examination for your condition. Any doctor that assumes you have true carpal tunnel syndrome, simply because you have wrist or hand pain, tingling, numbness or weakness is...
Missing the Boat!
If your doctor assumes that your wrist is the ONLY cause of the symptoms, and focuses treatment only on that, the same criticism applies.

Myth: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is Caused by Computer Usage.
Reality: A 2005 Harvard medical study reports that Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is simply NOT caused by computer usage! A 2001 Mayo Clinic neurology study reported the same. You’ll soon understand why!
Why treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome may fail
Fortunately for you, if your doctor's treatments fail it doesn’t mean you're incurable. It may simply be that nobody was looking in the RIGHT place, or places.

If the diagnosis is WRONG; the treatment is likely to be WRONG too

Again, focusing exclusively on the WRIST is a huge mistake when considering the symptoms of pain, tingling, numbness and weakness in the wrist and hand.
Here's why:

Wrist pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness are symptoms of NERVE entrapment. In other words, the nerves that travel from your brain to your fingers must be "pinched" or compressed somewhere along that pathway. The amazing thing about your nervous system is that interference in one place can give you symptoms in other places…far away from the interference.
Because of the complexity of the nerve pathways from your BRAIN, down and out through your NECK... through your SHOULDER area... down your ARM... and finally... through your wrist... It is possible that...
You May NOT Even Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome!
If you think that all cases of wrist or hand pain, tingling, numbness or weakness are caused by Carpal Tunnel Syndrome... Think again!
The TRUTH: solid scientific evidence reveals that many cases of so-called “carpal tunnel syndrome” have little or nothing to do with the wrist at all! Let's explore this by first answering the "burning question"...

What Exactly IS Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The term "carpal" simply means WRIST.
The Carpal Tunnel is: a small tunnel or canal inside the wrist. It's formed by the bones of the wrist, which are of course called: CARPALS. The other part that makes up the Carpal Tunnel is a ligament - a tough band between some of the bones.
There Are 3 Structures
Inside The Carpal Tunnel:

1. The Median Nerve – controls some hand movement and sensation
2. Nine Flexor Tendons that enable you to curl your wrist and fingers
3. Blood vessels

"True Blue" Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is when the MEDIAN NERVE is compressed or entrapped within the CARPAL TUNNEL.
What few people seem to understand is that the MEDIAN NERVE originates in the NECK. Then it travels under your collarbone, down the center of your forearm and finally through the carpal tunnel to the hand muscles.
Why is this SO important?
There Are 8 Possible Areas Where the Nerve Can Be Compressed!

Consider some of the symptoms of MEDIAN NERVE Compression (not necessarily Carpal Tunnel Syndrome): Pain in the Wrist… Numbness in the fingers… Tingling or other abnormal hand sensations…Weakness of hands… Neck Pain… Swelling
These are ALL symptoms commonly misdiagnosed as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome…when in fact…they are caused by Median Nerve compression in ANY or ALL of the 8 areas!!

How Does The Median Nerve Become Compressed?
The Median Nerve comes straight out between the bones of your NECK

If your doctor does not properly examine your neck, as well as all possible “crush sites” he/she is missing the boat and should not (in my opinion) be treating you for "carpal tunnel syndrome! See in the Gray's Anatomy diagram to the left how the nerves depicted in yellow,
travel down the arm to the hand?
This means that a problem anywhere from the NECK to the actual carpal tunnel can cause nerve
compression.
Misaligned bones in the neck, bulging discs, tight neck muscles, an extra rib (some people are born with them), shoulder or elbow injuries, inflamed tendons, and misaligned wrist bones can ALL compress the Median Nerve, causing in the SAME SYMPTOMS!
Since you're aware that most doctors are trained to treat symptoms, you can understand how they might miss the neck and the other zones when treating “carpal tunnel syndrome?”

Treatment for "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome" and other sources of Median Nerve Compression:
The proper treatment is determined through proper diagnosis. For example, if the cause of symptoms of hand tingling, numbness, weakness and/or pain is coming from the neck, the primary treatment could be Atlas Orthogonal, manual therapies, Cold Laser therapy , and/or home traction devices.

If the wrist is indeed the culprit, Cold Laser therapy would be my first choice, and/or Kinesio-taping. These have all been outstanding treatments for median nerve compression syndromes.
If you have TRUE Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (Median Nerve compression at the wrist, or carpal tunnel), Cold Laser therapy is an outstanding treatment method which is painless and non-surgical. It has been effective even for patients who have had failed wrist or neck surgery.
To learn more about cold laser therapy in Manhattan, New York City(NYC) visit my website at www.drshoshany.com or our physical therapy/pain management site which offers the most comprehensive treatment for cervical and lumbar herniated discs in NYC www.livingwellnewyork.com we offer a comprehensive approach which includes Chiropractic, Physical therapy pain management, Cold laser therapy, Kinesio-taping,Graston technique, Spinal decompression using the DRX9000, Core stabilization using the SpineForce and Powerplate.

DRX9000 Manhattan Chiropractor: Information and relief of low back pain, neck pain, sciatica, slipped, bulged and herniated disc pain in manahattan

2009-06-26T06:37:00.001-07:00

DRX9000 Manhattan Chiropractor: Information and relief of low back pain, neck pain, sciatica, slipped, bulged and herniated disc pain in manahattan, new york city. DRX9000 Manhattan Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression, SpineForce, Chiropractor Manhattan, New York City, Physical Therapy, Rehabiliation Manhattan, New York City, NYC.
Stop Suffering with the pain of a herniated disc?
Get a second opinion about your MRI report, fax it to (212) 777-1653, I will review your MRI and get back to you within 12 hours.
I will let you know if you are a candidate for Non-surgical spinal decompression.Learn more about this technique visit www.drshoshany.com

Herniated disc NYC, New York City Herniated disc treatment, DRX 9000

2009-06-25T09:32:00.000-07:00

Herniated disc (NYC) New York City

Herniated Disc Manhattan-Herniated disc doctor visit www.drshoshany.com

What is a herniated disc?

The bones (vertebrae) that form the spine in your back are cushioned by small, spongy discs. When these discs are healthy, they act as shock absorbers for the spine and keep the spine flexible. But when a disc is damaged, it may bulge or break open. This is called a herniated disc. It may also be called a slipped or ruptured disc.

You can have a herniated disc in any part of your spine. But most herniated discs affect the lower back (lumbar spine). Some happen in the neck (cervical spine) and, more rarely, in the upper back (thoracic spine).
What causes a herniated disc?

A herniated disc may be caused by:

Wear and tear of the disc. As you age, your discs dry out and aren't as flexible.
Injury to the spine. This may cause tiny tears or cracks in the hard outer layer of the disc. When this happens, the gel inside the disc can be forced out through the tears or cracks in the outer layer of the disc. This causes the disc to bulge, break open, or break into pieces.

What are the symptoms?

When a herniated disc presses on nerve roots, it can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the area of the body where the nerve travels. A herniated disc in the lower back can cause pain and numbness in the buttock and down the leg. This is called sciatica (say "sy-AT-ih-kuh"). Sciatica is the most common symptom of a herniated disc in the low back.

If a herniated disc is not pressing on a nerve, you may have a backache or no pain at all.Some patients have extreme leg pain and altered sensation in the leg.

If you have weakness or numbness in both legs, along with loss of bladder or bowel control, seek medical care right away. This could be a sign of a rare but serious problem called cauda equina syndrome.

How is a herniated disc diagnosed?

Your doctor may diagnose a herniated disc by asking questions about your symptoms and examining you. If your symptoms clearly point to a herniated disc, you may not need tests.

Sometimes a doctor will do tests such as an MRI or a CT scan to confirm a herniated disc or rule out other health problems.

Herniated Disc

Can a herniated disc be prevented?

After you have hurt your back, you are more likely to have back problems in the future. To help keep your back healthy:

Protect your back when you lift. For example, lift with your legs, not your back. Don't bend forward at the waist when you lift. Bend your knees and squat.
Use good posture. When you stand or walk, keep your shoulders back and down, your chin back, and your belly in. This will help support your lower back.
Get regular exercise.Core muscle strength is crucial.
Stay at a healthy weight. This may reduce the load on your lower back.
Don't smoke. Smoking increases the risk of a disc injury because it cuts of the blood flow to the discs and speeds tissue breakdown.

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