I often get questions emailed to from people all over the world concerned about their back pain. These people are looking for alternatives to surgery:
When I have permission I post questions and answers:
The first person is from Egypt
Question on lower back pain
Question: I am very worried about the MRI result i recently received and would like an insight on what courses of treatment may be available for this condition. I would also like to know how serious this condition is. The accident referred to in the findings took place more than 10 years ago.
Thanks,
Findings:
- Status post motor car accident, the current study reveals:
- L4-L5 and L5-S1 discs are degenerated and show diffuse bulges
with associated small posterior central component at L5-S1 level
indenting the ventral thecal sac and attenuate the inlets of both
neural foramina at both levels, being slightly more on the left at
L5-S1.
- Buckling of ligamenta flava at L4-L5 level which augments the
discogenic canal stenosis.
- Rest of imaged discs are unremarkable.
- Intact vertebral bodies and neural arches with normal MR signal
intensity of their bone marrow.
- Noligamentum flavum hypertrophy.
- No facet joint arthropathy.
- Noprimary spinal canal stenosis.
- Normal MRI structural appearance and signal intensity of the
conus medullaris.
- Normal MRI appearance of retro and para spinal soft tissue
structures.
OPINION:-
L4-L5 and L5-S1 degenerative disc lesions with neural effects
described above.
This is just one piece of picture, Do you have pain or dysfunction?
Are you able to function without pain? The MRI report does indicate that your lower lumbar spine has degenerative changes and the disc has bulges.
When a patient presents with similar findings in our office. NYC Herniated disc Center. we conduct a thorough exam and run diagnostics to understand the extent of the degeneration, dysfunction and/or disability. We utilize a Non-surgical treatment called Spinal Decompression in conjunction with Physical therapy and Chiropractic care . We also find that the more chronic the condition the more emphasis needs to be placed on soft tissue techniques like the Graston technique or Active Release technique(ART). Chronic soft tissue problems respond well to these therapies and have great benefit in restoring normal pain free function.
What treatments have you tried?
Treatment like Chiropractic and traditional Physical therapy should help you with your alignment and core strength.Good luck with your lower back pain treatment and if you have any more questions please email me.
Spinal Decompression Subject: L5/S1 disc protrusion Question: My MRI report reads: Degenerative lateral canal stenosis and medium size posterocentral protrusion at L5/S1.
I have seen an orthopaedic surgeon who recommended surgery as the only option and that too, by having screws fitted in.
I read about spinal decompression which is unfortunately unavailable in my country. Is my condition a permanent deformation that I need to live with or is it a condition that can be healed. I read that through spinal decompression, the bulged disc repairs itself by taking it's original place.
Just because you have a herniated disc or in your case a disc protrusion doesn't mean you need to rush out and get a surgery.Be sure to get at least two more opinions.
There is a time and place for back surgery but when it comes to a herniated disc be sure to exhaust all non-surgical methods first.Chiropractic care,Physical therapy, and if you can handle Pilates, Yoga and spinal strengthening exercises are all great options.
But to answer your question about spinal decompression,it is a excellent treatment for herniated disc and it does help heal the disc.
I have seen hundreds of patients that have been told they need surgery get better with spinal decompression treatment. These people that undergo this treatment not only get symptom relief but when we order a second MRI 2-3 months after the last visit we see a increase in their disc height and reduction of the herniation.
- Dr. Shoshany is a recognised expert in the field of spinal rehabilitation and pain management. He has been a featured guest on the "Today Show", and his articles on spinal rehabilitation and pain management have been published widely.
- Living Well Medical is a state of the art pain management and treatment center, pioneering an integrated approach to healing, and pain relief. It is located in the SOHO/ Tribeca area in the heart of New York City at 632 Broadway.
