Slipped Disk vs. Herniated Disk - RI Chiropractic

Cowesett Chiropractic: Dr Rick Jardon

401-515-4435
328 Cowesett Avenue
West Warwick, RI 02893

Visit me on Facebook

Are you confused about the difference between a slipped disc and herniated disc? Read this to help clear things up.

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/what-s-slipped-disc

 Below is a video on chiropractic adjustment of the cervical spine (neck).

http://www.spine-health.com/video/chiropractic-adjustment-cervical-spine-neck-video

Spinal Disk Pain

When back pain is caused by a spinal disc problem, the source of the pain is either from a nerve being irritated by a protruding disc, or it is from the disc space itself.

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/my-back-pain-caused-pinched-nerve-or-degenerated-disc

A chiropractic adjustment, also known as chiropractic manipulation, manual manipulation, or spinal manipulation, is a common therapeutic treatment for lower back pain.

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/chiropractic-adjustment

Chiropractic Reactions & Care

In the course of being treated by a doctor of chiropractic for spinal derangement or subluxations, certain reactions may be experienced by the patient receiving the chiropractic adjustment. Read all about the possibilities here:

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/reactions-following-a-chiropractic-adjustment

VIDEO: Chiropractic Lower Back Adjustments

Chiropractic can be an effective nonsurgical treatment option for many types of low back pain, including those associated with facet joint or sacroiliac joint dysfunction and disc problems. Chiropractic manipulation is a common therapeutic treatment designed to increase function and decrease pain and nerve irritability. Here's a video explaining what it looks like and how it works.

http://www.spine-health.com/video/chiropractic-adjustment-lumbar-spine-low-back-video

Exercise can be difficult while in pain, but it is a key aspect in healing from the injury and preventing future episodes of pain. Muscle pain and aches can be normal, but flaring joint pain should be a warning to avoid certain exercises. Check out this video from Spine-Health.com for information.

http://www.spine-health.com/video/video-if-my-back-or-joints-hurt-should-i-work-through-pain

About that cracking sound...

Sometimes joint cavitation or cracking does not occur during a chiropractic adjustment. Why not? And what are the chiropractors next steps?

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/chiropractic-adjustment

Chiro Refresher: Chiropractic Manipulation

Chiropractic manipulation refers to a chiropractor applying manipulation to the vertebrae that have abnormal movement patterns or fail to function normally. Chiropractic manipulation (also known as chiropractic adjustment or spinal manipulation), is a common therapeutic treatment for lower back pain.

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/chiropractic-manipulation

Sacroiliac Joint Issues

Sacroiliac joint problems can cause lower back pain and/or leg pain and is often treated first with chiropractic care.

http://www.spine-health.com/video/chiropractic-adjustment-sacroiliac-joint-video

Chiropractic Manipulation under Anesthesia

Some patients may experience high levels of pain with any movement of their spine, so that manipulations are not tolerable unless done under anesthesia.

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/manipulation-under-anesthesia-pain

Stay Active in Spring!

For the millions of people who have chronic, long-standing low back pain, golf can still be an enjoyable sport. However, a regular routine of stretching and low-impact exercise is critical to maintain the ability to play golf.

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/sports-and-spine-injuries/playing-golf-low-back-pain

Biking is a popular form of aerobic exercise, and is often a favored form of exercise by people with low back pain conditions. Biking may be a good exercise option for many reasons:

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/sports-and-spine-injuries/bicycling-and-back-pain

Chiropractic manipulation refers to a chiropractor applying manipulation to the vertebrae that have abnormal movement patterns or fail to function normally. Chiropractic manipulation (also known as chiropractic adjustment or spinal manipulation), is a common therapeutic treatment for lower back pain.

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/chiropractic-manipulation

Could Your Lower Back Pain Be Caused by SI Joint Dysfunction?

Dysfunction in the sacroiliac joint, or SI joint, is thought to cause low back and/or leg pain. The leg pain can be particularly difficult, and may feel similar to sciatica or pain caused by a lumbar disc herniation. While it is not clear how the pain is caused, it is thought that an alteration in the normal joint motion may be the culprit that causes sacroiliac pain.

Featured Article:
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction (SI Joint Pain)

Treatment Options for Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
Treatments for SI joint dysfunction are usually non-surgical and focus on trying to restore normal joint motion. For severe cases of pain that are not improved by several weeks or months of conservative treatments, surgery may be an option. Learn more...

Chiropractic Procedures for the Sacroiliac Joint
Chiropractic adjustment is often the first line of treatment for sacroiliac joint pain. Learn the two primary types of adjustment chiropractors use for SI joint pain treatment and what patients can expect. Learn more...

Sacroiliac Joint Exercises for Sciatic Pain
Range of motion exercises directed at the SI joint can often restore normal movement and alleviate sciatic nerve irritation and pain. Review the steps for three helpful exercises to complement conservative treatment. Learn more...

Can't Relax? Dislike Normal Adjustments? There's Gentler Chiropractic Options

If you cannot relax, dislike the cracking feeling/sound, or have other concerns, a gentle form of chiropractic adjustment may be utilized rather than the more traditional techniques.

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/gentle-chiropractic-techniques-neck-pain

Spinal Manipulations More Effective than Meds for Lower Back Pain?

A study shows that spinal manipulation is more effective than medication for low back pain relief:

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/chiropractic-manipulation-or-medication-low-back-pain

Article: Chiropractic aids muscle recovery, helps prevent fatigue

Study: Chiropractic aids muscle recovery, helps prevent fatigue 

A New Zealand study found a 60% increase in muscle electrical activity readings and 45% increase in "drive" between the brain and muscle after a full spine chiropractic adjustment session. The findings were published in the journal Experimental Brain Research. PRWire (Australia)

Sciatica and Your First Time Visit - With Dr. Rick Jardon - VIDEO!

What is sciatica? The term sciatica describes the symptoms of leg pain and possibly tingling, numbness or weakness that originates in the lower back and travels through the buttock and down the large sciatic nerve in the back of the leg. Get the details in this link or watch Dr. Jardon's video below as he demonstrates on a real patient.

Additional info:

How is a patient evaluated to determine chiropractic treatment? Read it all here:
http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/evaluation-patient

What reactions are possible following chiropractic adjustments?
In the course of being treated by a doctor of chiropractic for spinal derangement or subluxations, certain reactions may be experienced by the patient receiving the chiropractic adjustment. Read all about the possibilities here:
http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/reactions-following-a-chiropractic-adjustment

READ! Article: Chiropractic More Effective than Standard Medical Care Alone

Patient Outcomes Proves More Effective with Chiropractic Combined with Standard Medical Care Than Standard Medical Care Alone in the Military

 

BY: D. Scott Ferguson

DC, William J. Owens DC, DAAMLP

 Mark Studin DC, FASBE(c), DAAMLP, DAAPM

Many people suffer from lower back pain at some point in their lives.  Most will seek the advice of a healthcare professional. However, many times this care is fragmented and not based on current evidence and can result in poorer outcomes. When considering outcomes, all doctors must consider creating a diagnosis, prognosis and then conclude a treatment plan. It is that treatment plan, which then determines the outcome after an accurate diagnosis. Many times, low back pain patients seek solely standard medical care and bypass a more effective chiropractic solution. This type of self-referral and physician triage has also been prevalent in the military and asks the question based upon outcome studies, is that in the best interest of both the military and the general public?  

In a recent paper by Goertz et al. (2013), the objective was, “To assess changes in pain levels and physical functioning in response to standard medical care (SMC) versus SMC plus chiropractic manipulative therapy (chiropractic adjustments) for the treatment of low back pain  among 18 to 35-year-old active-duty military personnel” (p. 627).  The authors stated, “Lifetime prevalence of low back pain has been estimated to be as high as 84%, with a median cost per quality-adjusted life year of $13,015” (p. 627).  The fact that lower back pain is a major source of disability and abuse of pain medication makes providing the best care possible a priority based upon outcome studies.  In this paper, it was reported that, “The majority of systematic reviews find that chiropractic manipulative therapy (adjustments) seems to reduce pain and disability at least moderately for many patients with low back pain” (p. 627).  Therefore, the questions are, “Should chiropractic care be part of your treatment plan and should it be included with standard medical treatment for lower back pain?” 

In the Goertz et al. (2013) study, the patients were allowed to seek standard medical care in an unrestricted fashion which meant they could go to their medical doctors as they normally would for lower back pain.  “Standard care included any or all of the following: a focused history and physical examination, diagnostic imaging as indicated, education about self-management including maintaining activity levels as tolerated, pharmacological (drug) management with the use of analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents, and physical therapy and modalities such as heat/ice and referral to a pain clinic” (p. 628).  On the chiropractic side, the authors stated “Treatments consisted of HVLA [high velocity low amplitude a.k.a. chiropractic adjustment] manipulation as the primary approach in all cases, with ancillary treatments at the doctor’s discretion, including brief massage, the use of ice or heat in the lumbar area, stretching exercises, McKenzie exercises, advice on activities of daily living, postural/ergonomic advice; and mobilization” (p. 628).  This is important since chiropractors view the spine as an entire system and the approach to patients is different as well as the therapeutic intervention.

In conclusion, the authors reported, “The results of our pragmatic pilot study indicate a statistically and clinically significant benefit to those receiving chiropractic manipulative therapy (adjustments) in addition to standard medical care” (p. 631).  Finally, they report, “The results of this trial suggest that chiropractic, in conjunction with standard medical care, offers a significant advantage for decreasing pain and improving physical functioning compared with only standard medical care, for active-duty men and women between 18 and 35 years of age with acute low back pain when delivered in a pragmatic treatment setting” (p. 633).

This study concurs with a previous study by Liliedahl et al. (2010) who studied 85,402 patients and adds to the growing body of evidence in diverse forums that chiropractic for mechanical back pain is more effective and cost-effective than standard medical care. Evidence such as this helps to dispel the partial truths and overcome the prejudices to help the public make informed choices.

References:

1. Goertz, C. M., Long, C. R., Hondras, M. A., Petri, R., Delgado, R., Lawrence, D. J.,…Meeker, W. C. (2013). Adding chiropractic manipulative therapy to standard medical care for patients with acute low back pain: Results of a pragmatic randomized comparative effectiveness study. Spine, 38(8), 627-634.

2. Liliedahl, R. L., Finch, M. D., Axene, D. V., & Goertz C. M. (2010). Cost of care for common back pain conditions initiated with chiropractic doctor vs. medical doctor/doctor of osteopathy as first physician: Experience of one Tennessee-based general health insurer. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 33(9), 640-643.

NEW RESEARCH: Chiropractic Proves More Effective than Standard Medical Care in the Military

NEW RESEARCH
Chiropractic Proves More Effective than Standard Medical Care in the Military

This study compares standards medical care and the addition of chiropractic to low back pain patients. The results conclude that adding chiropractic renders statistically and clinically significant benefit to receiving chiropractic care and adds to the body of evidence in diverse forums that chiropractic for mechanical back pain is more effective and cost-effective than standard medical care.

To access the article: CLICK HERE

 

This research is offered as a community service from our office.

Dr. Jardon - Have You Experienced Sciatica?

Dr. Rick Jardon on Sciatica