How to Reduce Back Pain and Increase Comfort at Work

For patients who suffer from occasional back pain or discomfort, as well as those undergoing treatment for chronic back pain, there is a simple and effective solution to ensure comfort and stability while sitting for long periods.  Prolonged sitting can cause pain and further damage for patients experiencing subluxations, low back pain, and tailbone bruises or fractures.  One of the best tools available at our NYC physical rehabilitation and chiropractic facility is the Relaxo Bak™ cushion, also known as a “tush-cush”, which is a specially designed seat cushion that relieves pressure and provides comfort.

The tush-cush works by removing pressure from the tailbone (the end point of the spine), which is placed under extreme tension by the force created by continuous sitting, causing discomfort and pain that can extend to the rest of the spine.  The tush-cush’s design also creates a comfortable angle that allows for proper blood circulation and nerve signal transmission to the legs, reducing the incidence of cramps, numbness in the buttocks, legs, and feet, as well as pain in the lower back and hips.

In the case of bruising or a fracture to the tailbone, the tush-cush is a more effective healing aid that the traditional “doughnut” cushion because it provides support to the entire spine while keeping the tailbone off the chair.  Because of its light weight and built-in carrying strap, it is easy to take anywhere you might be sitting for extended periods of time, such as the office, concerts, sports games, airplanes, etc.

Relaxo Bak™ cushions also feature a removable case for easy cleaning and maintenance and are safe for use by patients of any age.  To order a tush-cush and learn about the services and products for back pain offered at our state-of-the-art NYC physical therapy and rehabilitation and chiropractic facility, please visit www.drshoshany.com. 

Leg pain or Sciatica-What is it and how to stop it.

Sciatica is a symptom of a problem-usually the result of a nerve being compressed.

Patients usually describe the pain as a Sharp, shooting leg pain, tingling or weakness that can travel all the way down either the front or the back of the leg.

Most of the time the cause is a disc in the lower lumbar spine  compressing a nerve-or a entrapment in the piriformis muscle

In our NYC  Sciatica practice we see patients that suffer with Chronic Sciatica or Acute Sciatica symptoms.

The first group of Chronic Sciatica patients have had medications, physical therapy and some have have had multiple spine injections. If they have not had any Chiropractic adjustments that is one the first things we want to start with, we usually want to start with gentle and effective Cox flexion distraction methods.

Understanding the source of the problem is paramount so if a patient does not already have a recent MRI we refer out to a local MRI facility. If it turns out the disc is herniated and placing pressure on the spinal cord and or nerve roots we would consider the patient for Spinal decompresion.
Spinal decompression is a highly effective treatment for patients that have herniated discs that are causing Sciatica symptoms.



Our practice was one of the first in NYC to offer Spinal decompression and we continue to provide Back pain and Sciatica patients with the most comprehensive non-surgical treatments available.

The Acute patient is a patient that has leg pain or buttocks pain and the pain is the only thing on the patients mind, it can brought on by a sudden movement and the symptoms will prevent the patient from doing simple things like putting on socks or brushing teeth.

When someone has Leg pain that is interfering with the way they walk it can be scary.
If you have had any previous experience with this symptom, you would know going to a New York City hospital would eat up 5-6 hours of your day and you would be lucky to walk out with a expensive aspirin.
We offer a Non-surgical, Non-invasive solution to those suffering with Sciatica and Chronic back pain.
to learn more about our NYC office visit www.drshoshany.com

Sciatica can be painful and difficult to treat-

We offer patients a permanent non surgical solution-

Treatments include Active Release technique, Spinal decompression, Cox flexion distraction

To make an appointment call (212) 645-8151

Chiropractor NYC

Understand Back Pain from Herniated Discs

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

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

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?

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

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.