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The cerebellum is in the back part of your brain and it controls ALL of your spinal musculature as well as your balance and coordinated movement. When the cerebellum is not firing correctly, the muscles will spasm, the vertebrae lock up and the disc will lose fluid and degenerate. When we get the cerebellum firing better, the spinal muscles will no longer be in spasm, the vertebrae will move better and your disc can heal. This can NOT be overlooked.

The discs of the spine are mostly dependent upon motion to keep them hydrated and also to help pump out the waste products of normal disc metabolism. When this does not happen, discs will start to weaken and become susceptible to a “bulging out” of the inner disc material. Eventually, because of the weakened outer discs, the bones of the joint that are above and below the weakened disc will come closer together, creating an unstable joint. Your body will try to compensate for this instability by laying down bone where it is not supposed to be in an effort to shore up the unstable joint. The result of this can be seen on an X-ray as the classical appearance of spinal arthritis, such as bone spurring and vertebral endplate sclerosis (thickened bone).

This instability at one level will also create fixations at levels above and below the instability – again, in an effort by your body to compensate for the original instability. So…you can see what a vicious cycle this can turn into!

A major key to keeping your spinal joints moving for good disc help is a healthy, well-functioning cerebellum.

Disc/Stenosis/Radiculopathy Success Secret #4: Decompression Therapy and traction are NOT the same.

There is a misconception that decompression therapy is the same as traction; it is not. There are many inherent problems with sustained traction of the spine, with muscle spasms and increased disc pressure at the top of the list. Traditional traction is unfocused and pulls strongly on both spine and muscles. Decompression is accomplished by a gentle pumping motion that is controlled by a computer.

In a limited number of cases, traction has its place.  However, decompression therapy is more complex, and therefore able to treat more complex cases.  For starters, patient selection is the number one important point to address.  We use this exam in conjunction with imaging studies to arrive at a diagnosis.  In reality, there are just some individuals that will not be ideal candidates for this form of care.  If you are accepted into care, knowing exactly how to position you on the table is vital to ensuring a favorable therapeutic outcome.

Decompression therapy involves intermittent pumping of the spine and discs. This is achieved by utilizing a specialized table that is equipped with a computer so that different parameters for the treatment can be set by the doctor for individual patients. Although many people have complaints of disc bulges, herniation, stenosis or radiculopathy, no two patients are identical in their presentation – although there are commonalities between most.

Disc decompression treatments are usually a very comfortable experience – in fact, sometimes you won’t even feel the pulling on your spine. This is because the controlled, intermittent pull being performed by the computer is done on a special sliding table. This is important, because due to the gentle pumping motion of the decompression unit, spinal muscles do not reflexively try to pull back. The treatment is also actually helping to re-train the faulty motor patterns that your muscles have developed as an adaptation to the damaged discs. But even though you don’t think you are feeling a strong pull on your spine, the decompression therapy is doing what it was designed to do: decompress your spinal joints and relieve the pressure on the spinal nerves.

Call 805-650-0495 schedule your Case Review with Dr. Kevala

Disc/Stenosis/Radiculopathy Success Secret #3: MRI Is A Great Diagnostic Tool…But It Won’t Tell The Whole Story.

MRI is the gold standard for evaluating soft tissues, especially the intervertebral discs.  However, an often-overlooked factor has to be considered when reading MRIs:  In most cases individuals with discogenic (caused by discs) low back pain will find that lying down gives them the most relief, and sitting, getting up from sitting and standing are most uncomfortable.  The main reason for this is that lying down tends to place the least amount of force on the discs.

Now, let’s say you have this scenario and get an MRI but it only shows minimal bulging and something called annular tears.  Annular tears are small tears in the outer cartilage ring of the disc that can be potential weak areas where the gel-like center of the disc can push out and consequently press on nerves, causing excruciating pain.  However, you are not in a gravitational position on the MRI table, you are in a position that gives you relief…this can result in missing what your disc looks like when it hurts…you know, when you are sitting, getting up from sitting or standing.

An important tool to use in the evaluation and diagnosis of spinal disc bulges and herniations, spinal stenosis and radiculopathy is the physical examination. A good neurological, orthopedic and spinal examination can tell a skilled doctor exactly what the problem is and where the root of the symptoms is. This is extremely important so that the doctor can formulate an appropriate, effective treatment plan.

So, even if your MRI shows minimal disc or spine changes while you have severe, radiating pain and/or other neurological symptoms, that MRI may not be telling the whole story. The MRI is a good tool, but all findings must be taken into account together to understand what is really going on.

Give Dr. Kevala a call today to schedule your case review. (805) 650-0495

Disc/Stenosis/Radiculopathy

 Success Secret #2:

Healing Takes Time

One of the most common misconceptions about back pain is that ‘no pain’ means ‘no problem.’  As one undergoes decompression therapy, reducing disc pressure can provide some very welcome relief.  However, according to Nicholas Bogduk – one of the world’s leading authorities on back pain – the damaged outer cartilage ring of a disc takes approximately 300 – 500 days to fully heal.  So why is this so important?  If you want to drastically reduce the recurrence of back pain once the pain is gone, follow your recommended prevention program for long-lasting results.

Fortunately, our program –  which includes non-surgical disc decompression therapy –  has been specifically designed to help maintain disc unloading so the healing process can fully take place.  In our next success secret, we will discuss MRI studies and why today’s success secret is so important.

 

Call 805-650-0495 schedule your Case Review with Dr. Kevala

Disc/Stenosis/Radiculopathy

 Success Secret #1:

Your Problems Started Long

Before You Felt Pain.

 

 

Damage can occur to your spinal discs long before you feel it, due to the way discs are constructed.  Let me explain.  When we look at a disc in the spine, we see it is made up of a gel-like substance in the centre called the nucleus pulposus.  It has the consistency of well-chewed gum.  Surrounding the nucleus pulposis (and containing it) is a ring of cartilage called the annulus fibrosis.  It is in this outer ring of cartilage where nerve fibers are found but the thing is, they are most abundant in the outer one-third.  Why do I mention this?  Because you can have a bulge in the disc where the gel center can push through the inner two-thirds of the cartilage before you know something is wrong.  It is only when the gel substance pushes all the way to the outer one-third that you will perceive pain.  By then, the disc damage has been done.  The good news however, is that our program is designed to safely and effectively care for this very condition.