what's up with low back pain?
by Dave Harney
February 2007
Low back pain, or disc herniation, is one of the most
common disorders in the US population. It is estimated
that almost 80% of Americans will suffer some form of
it during their lifetime. A major study published in the
Journal of the American Medical Association recently
documented the success rates of various treatments for
this ailment. 1,244 patients were followed to determine
whether surgery, or other treatment options such as
education, physical therapy, and pain medications, were
the better treatment choice for low back pain. About 33%
of the patients elected to have surgery and about 40%
decided to pursue other treatment options. The result:
After nearly two years almost all the patients were doing
better. No one who waited had any serious consequences
as a result of the waiting period, and no one who had
surgery had a disastrous result. The study suggests that
surgery can be an option but is usually not necessary or
more effective than conservative approaches.
While the study documented the treatments that
physicians offer for low back pain, it did not review the
solutions and treatments a chiropractor might provide. Dr.
Stephen Divito of Empire Chiropractic Care in Irondequoit
thinks that’s unfortunate, because many chiropractic
treatments could be considered before surgery, he says.
According to Dr. Divito, low back pain can be caused by
a variety of factors. Injury, accident, repetitive stress,
aging, and activities like raking leaves are the most
common. The first step in chiropractic treatment is
simple; give it time to heal. If the pain does not subside
within a few weeks additional steps may be required.
The chiropractor will do a thorough consultation,
history, and examination including orthopedic and
neurological testing to determine the cause of the
pain. Often times, a protrusion will be found in one of
the spine’s discs. If so, a number of therapies can be
applied to relieve pain and help healing. These include
chiropractic manipulation, flexion-distraction, ice, or
heat, along with stretches and exercises to relieve the
pain and stabilize the low back. Not so different from
the therapies documented in the spine study.
Where chiropractic treatment of low back pain differs,
however, is in the next steps. Dr. Divito believes
surgery is probably not the best answer. He says, “depending on the studies you consult, 50 to 70% of
surgeries for this condition will not be successful.”
One technique proven highly successful in his practice
is the use of a device that provides a non-surgical
procedure to enlarge the space between the affected
discs. This reduces the herniation and allows fluid back
into the disc to re-hydrate the disc. The pressure will then drop inside the disc so the herniated material can
move back into place. This specialized device is called
the DRX9000 and the procedure is called non-surgical
spinal decompression. Dr. Divito says clinical research
shows this procedure has an 86% success rate at fixing
disc problems. “There’s no painful recovery, no negative
side effects, and no need to recuperate for weeks as
with surgery,” he says.
Although the vast majority of us will experience low
back pain in our futures, there are steps we can take to
try to avoid it. Proper posture and lifting techniques,
stretching, careful exercise, maintaining a proper
weight, and building good muscle strength, especially
in your abs and low back, are good tips to follow. But
if the worst happens, seeing a chiropractor to diagnose
and help relieve the pain may be a good option.
ROCHESTER RESOURCE
Empire Chiropractic Care
572 Titus Ave # C, Rochester, NY 14617
(585) 544-4077 |
