Pinched Nerves and Sciatica NYC

Back pain can take many forms, all of which are at least a disruption to your life and at worst a major obstacle to normal living. In many cases, the sciatic nerve has a close relationship with the symptoms that a pain sufferer exhibits, and it’s not uncommon to hear terms like ‘sciatica’ and ‘pinched nerve’ thrown around in connection to the pain. Sciatica is a set of symptoms that are displayed by a patient whose sciatic nerve is being compressed, or ‘pinched’ due any number of factors. At our comprehensive treatment center in NYC, Living Well Medical, we regularly treat patients who have debilitating pain related to a pinched nerve. We bring together a number of non-surgical treatments that include chiropractic adjustment, non-surgical spinal decompression with the DRX-9000 for herniated or bulging spinal discs, pain management with a Medical Doctor, cold laser therapy and physical therapy.

As mentioned above, there are several reasons that a nerve like the sciatic nerve can be pinched and compressed, leading to severe and chronic pain. Perhaps the most common, however, is a herniated or bulging spinal disc as a result of long-term wear or trauma.

When a weakness develops in the fibrous outer wall of a disc, the fluid from the interior of a disc can be forced out into contact with the sciatic nerve causing irritation, inflammation and general pain. This is typically referred to as nerve impingement, and severe nerve impingement of the lumbar nerve roots can cause the symptoms we know of as sciatica.

Sciatica often encompasses problems like leg pain, lower back pain, pain in the buttocks, numbness, tingling and even muscle weakness. Different people will experience different combinations of these symptoms, but the universal aspect is significant pain that makes an active life difficult. That’s where our office in NYC can help patients without the fears that go along with surgery or long-term pain medications.

Specifically intended for treatment of herniated discs and other conditions that cause severe low back pain, non-surgical spinal decompression with the DRX-9000 is an alternative to back surgery that has been safely helping patients stop the pain for years.

The DRX-9000 is a computer-controlled therapeutic device that applies specific amounts of force to targeted areas of the spine (based on where the herniated or bulging disc is located). By placing patients in a harness that helps directs the stretches to the lower back, malfunctioning discs can be ‘pumped’ and made to absorb more nutrients and fluids that will aid them in healing themselves. Because the discs are mostly avascular (having little blood supply), the nutrients are an important part of the healing process. Stretching through the DRX-9000 can also help create a pocket of negative pressure inside of the disc that can draw herniated material back to inside the disc over time. At Living Well Medical in NYC, our chiropractic physician, Dr. Steven Shoshany has been helping patients with his patented spinal decompression protocol for years.

If you suffer with sciatica and the pain of a pinched nerve due to a herniated disc in NYC, call Living Well Medical at 212-645-8151 or visit our website and find out more about non-surgical spinal decompression therapy with the DRX-9000.

Ergonomic tips for your workstation

A great article from SpineHealth-
looking for a great Physical therapist or a Chiropractor in Manhattan,NYC?
Visit us online www.livingwellnewyork.com
11 Ergonomic Tips for Synchronizing Your Workstation and Office Chair

October 29, 2009
by: Sylvia Marten



Having the best designed and most ergonomically-friendly office equipment may not necessarily mean much for preventing back pain, neck pain and other pain if such equipment is out of sync with your workstation, as confirmed in a recent study that provides a great forum for examining how you can adjust an office chair to your work environment.

Detailed in the October issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, a new study found that workers who received not only new ergonomic office furniture but professional set-up by an ergonomist had less symptoms of musculoskeletal pain and eyestrain 18 months later than those workers who had to set up their new furniture on their own based off instructions.

Now what if your employer can’t afford to hire a professional ergonomist to visit your office during these tough economic times? Well, there are still many ways to be proactive when setting up your office chair and desk just right to your needs and the principles of ergonomics.

Understand the Ultimate Goal



Having a special chair is often viewed as the be-all, end-all of correct office ergonomics. While an ergonomically-designed chair can certainly do wonders, remember that the ultimate goal is to achieve balance between finding a work chair that fits you, provides good support and minimizes stress on the back, and using it correctly in relation to your work environment.



Before providing instant analysis of your chair, examine other factors, including your optimal desk level, how you sit, and the height of your computer screen, and strive to improve on these areas.



Get Suited to Your Work Surface



Rather than just going out and buying a new chair, ask yourself “what type of chair will fit your work station?” Examine how long you sit all day and how you sit at your desk.



Are you semi-seated (similar to sitting on a bar stool) or do you sit straight up? Do you need to adjust your chair? Where is your computer in relation to your body?



Determine your appropriate work surface (which takes into account the position of your arms, elbows and hands in relation to your desk’s height and your laptop or desktop computer) and be sure to have a chair that allows you to attain this specific height.



The correct surface level can vary from profession to profession (for example, architects and draftsmen often prefer to sit higher), and the final decision as to what’s appropriate is thus determined by each individual.



Become a Series of Right Angles While Sitting and Typing



Sit down straight and as close and comfortable as possible to your desk, with your upper arms parallel to the spine and your hands rested on the work surface.



At this point, take a step back and examine whether your elbows are at a 90-degree angle. If they are not, adjust your office chair higher or lower as deemed fit.



Also make sure that your legs are bent at the knees at a 90 degree angle. Try to maintain this ideal sitting posture as much as possible, and if you find yourself slacking, give yourself a break by getting up and stretching.



Don’t Sit Too High Unless Necessary



Did you know that all of our ankles swell up anywhere from 6 to 8 percent by the end of the day, but for patients with back, leg or circulation problems, this swelling can jump from 10 to 15 percent, especially if sitting in a chair that is too high and leaves the feet dangling?



Generally speaking, a seat height ranging from 16 to 21 inches off the ground is suitable for most workers. To tell whether your chair is too high or at the right height for the desk surface, slide your finger underneath your thigh at the front end of the chair.



If this proves easy to do, your chair is likely at a good height. However, if this proves difficult, your chair is likely too high, which can put extra pressure on your feet and require you to proceed to the next tip.



Boost Your Feet in Certain Situations



In situations where you have to lift your feet off the ground because of a chair or even a desk that is too high, or where the chair height is right but you’re not that tall, consider using a foot stool to prop and rest your feet as opposed to leaving them hanging all day long.



Such action will reduce both pressure on the feet and the likelihood of foot pain at the end of the day.



Raise Your Work Surface When Applicable



Standard seats should allow for 2-4 inches between the back of the knees and chair.



However, if you’re a taller worker, you may be familiar with this problem: your chair seat is not long enough for your thighs, which have too much space underneath them. In these rarer situations, raising the work surface level may be necessary to ensure circulation at the back of the knee.



Make a Fist to Your Calf



Ensure that there is enough room between the front edge of your chair and calves by simply making a fist, bringing it to the edge of the chair and pushing it on the calf.



If you can fit your full fist between the front edge and your calf, you likely have enough space for circulation and pressure. If not, your chair is likely too deep.



Adjusting the backrest forward, inserting a cushion, pillow or rolled-up towel to support your lumbar spine (lower back), or purchasing a new office chair are some possible solutions to this problem.



Have the Support of Your Back



Back support is a main focus of many ergonomic chairs, but what makes a chair good in terms of supporting the back?



Ideally your work chair should do a couple of things: provide back support angling just past 90 degrees or up to 90 degrees, and include cushioning that pushes your back forward when sitting back in the chair.



Such low back support is essential in preventing slouching as you tire and minimizing the load or strain on your back. With this in mind, the backrest of an ideal ergonomic office chair is typically between 12 and 19 inches wide.



Sit Right



A lot of times, workers have chairs with great back support but don’t take advantage of these features because they sit on the edge of the chair.



Make a conscious effort to press your bottom against the back of the chair, and avoid slumping or slouching, which places extra stress on the lumbar discs and other structures of the lower back.



Apply A Different Kind of Eye Test



Once your chair has been adjusted to the height of the table, your legs have gotten comfortable and your back is supported, close your eyes and take a deep breath.



Casually look forward with your eyes closed, and then open your eyes, which should be aimed at the center of your computer screen. Depending on whether the computer screen is higher or lower than your gaze, you may need to raise or lower the monitor.



If you need to raise your laptop, consider using a stack of books or even a small box, which has personally helped me reduce the likelihood of neck strain at work.



Adjust Your Armrest



Armrests play an important role in reducing neck and shoulder strain and diminishing the likelihood of slouching forward in your chair.



Adjust the armrest to the point where your arms are slightly lifted at the shoulders. Doing so will allow the armrest to support just the elbow and take weight off the shoulders.



Perhaps after making all these changes, you ultimately decide that you do need a new office chair.

If you find yourself in the market for a new chair, you’ll want to consider many factors, including the seat’s height, width, depth, materials, armrests, back rest, lumbar support and swivel.

For more information, view the following article: Choosing the Right Ergonomic Office Chair. or visit www.livingwellnewyork.com

Kinesio tape-What are those strips of tape all the athletes are wearing?

Those black strips on players' bodies?

It's Kinesio tape -- the latest cure for aches and pains


By: Chris Forsberg

Kinesio tape in NYCThe strips of black tape peeking out from the uniforms of Celtics stars Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen look more decorative than medical. But if you haven't been introduced to Kinesio tape before, get used to seeing it around professional sports.

"I actually have it on my back," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. "I don't know what the hell it does, but it makes me feel better. It's not just the tape, they put it on certain muscles. … Maybe it's mental. Just like this [magnetic bracelet] here. A lot of teams are doing it. … I know Kevin loves it; J.R. [Giddens] does it."

Kinesio, also known as elastic therapeutic tape, was invented by a Japanese chiropractor. The tape is typically made from cotton strips with an acrylic adhesive. When applied, it is supposed to simulate the quality of human skin.

The tape gained mainstream attention at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Summer Games, where American beach volleyball standout Kerri Walsh wore it on her right shoulder while competing after rotator cuff surgery.

Some wondered if Walsh was covering up a tattoo or adding some sort of flare to the typically bland volleyball uniforms. Turns out she was utilizing some of the 50,000 rolls of tape donated by Kinesio USA.

The tape also received national attention during the 2009 NCAA tournament when UConn's Hasheem Thabeet wore it on his left shoulder.

The tape is gaining support from the medical community, including the Celtics' training staff.

"[Head trainer] Eddie [Lacerte] would say it's not [mental], and Eddie's not a voodoo guy," said Rivers. "Eddie had to take a class for it this summer. Half the trainers in the league took the same class. It's amazing what it does."

But, as Rivers is fond of noting, "Doc" is just his nickname. Don't ask him to explain the tape or how it works.

"It stretches the -- I don't know what the hell it does," Rivers said with a smile. "I just use it because my back has been hurting."
Kinesio tape in NYC Dr. Steven Shoshany Certified kinesio taping practioner
www.drshoshany.com
The NYC marathon is coming up,Lance armstrong used it for shin splints.
This stuff works great!!

Graston technique for plantar fasciitis

Plantar fascitiis as seen on NYC Eyewitness News
This post has nothing to do with spinal decompression or back pain, but I wanted to post it here.
We have had such tremendous success with plantar fascitiis in our NYC practice,

NEW YORK (WABC) -- There is a way to get rid of pain without surgery or medication. The technique uses steel tools to loosen tissue, and it's been very successful.
Seven's On call with Dr. Jay Adlersberg.

It's a technique that has been patented and is used only by trained chiropractors and sports trainers. It involves specific tools, and it's a method that can relive some painful conditions. "I woke up one morning and could not put my foot down," she said.
She had plantar fasciitis, painful swelling of the tissue under the heel.
Sharon got no relief from anti-inflammatory injections.
"It just came back again," she said.
However, she did get relief from a treatment called the Graston Technique. Physical therapist Jamie Howard became a believer after nothing helped a nagging muscle injury.
"It was the only thing that would work out the tightness in my leg," she said.
When muscles, tendons or ligaments are injured, they can heal haphazardly, with random scar tissue forming. The area can be tight and painful.
The Graston Technique breaks up those fibers and smoothes the tissue underneath. Even though the stainless steel tools look more like torture devices, Howard says they are essential in finding and loosening scar tissue.
"You can feel things you just can't with your hands," she said.
There are different tools for different body parts.
There is one for the back or neck. There is another for carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger, or tendonitis of the thumb. The Graston Technique has become a staple for professional sports trainers. The Philadephia Flyers, Sixers and Eagles use it extensively.
Dr. Richard Goldberg, a rehabilitation specialist, has seen good results with his patients.
"I don't think there's much of a downside to the Graston Technique," he said.
Patients usually receive two treatments per week, for four to six weeks. On average, improvement comes after the third or fourth treatment. The technique developers say it's successful 60 to 90 percent of the time.
www.livingwellnewyork.com
We utulize the Graston technique in conjunction with Kinesio taping and cold laser therapy in our NYC practice. To learn more about our NYC practice visit us online www.livingwellnewyork.com

8 Back Pain Mistakes

8 Back Pain Mistakes

Which ones are you making that put you at risk?
Steven Shoshany DC CCEP

1. Continuing to do what does not work!
We can this "INSANITY!" Definition of insanity-doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result!

2. Not dealing with back pain the first time!
Remember, back pain is the RESULT of weeks, months or years of improper body posture and muscle imbalance.

3. Thinking you are too fit to have back pain!
People who exercise regularly are just as likely - if not more so - to develop back pain. Cyclists, runners, swimmers, dancers, gymnasts, and bodybuilders are prime candidates. Why? Because their specific training creates muscle imbalance between the spinalis muscles of the back, core muscles, and other large muscle groups of the body.

4. Treating only the symptoms!
Cortizone shots, anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen, electrical stimulation, ice packs, heating pads, etc. are common treatments. you are in pain because of abnormal changes in your muscles, joints, and ligaments that are functioning under increased stress and strain. The problem is not likely to get better if you are only treating the symptoms. The end result could be HERNIATED DISCS!

5. Not understanding the back pain process!
Back pain, sciatica, and herniated discs take years to develop! PAIN is the result! What created the muscle imbalance that led to the pain? X rays, MRI'S, and CT Scan do not reveal MUSCLE IMBALANCES.

6. I've tried everything syndrome!
There is nothing more I can do. I either have to have surgery or just learn to live with the pain!

7. Not taking control!
Educate yourself. Patients who are knowledgeable get better and faster results!

8. Sitting passively for two hours or longer on a daily basis!
Passive sitting for long periods weakens the core muscles and spinalis muscles of your back. Over time this leads to muscle imbalance and increases your risk of back injury.

Do you live or work in NYC?
We are having a workshop next week September 23rd. from 7:30-8:00 - This workshop is free and we have 12 available slots.
In this half hour workshop you will learn how to prevent the most common types of back injuries and learn proper workplace ergonomics.
If you would like to attend please email me directly at drstevenshoshany@yahoo.com
or visit us online at www.livingwellnewyork.com

Headaches and Chiropractic care, in NYC

This post is about Headaches, I recently had a patient come in that worked in the NYC Philharmonic and she suffered with headaches for years.
She was taking antiseizure medications to manage the headaches with little results.
She never tried Chiropractic care. She had interest in Cold laser therapy.
We evaluated her and determined that she had no cervical curve and extremely tight trapezius muscles. We diagnosed her as having Cervicogenic headaches, a fancy way of saying that the headaches are coming from her neck misalignment.
So I treated her with a combination of Chiropractic care and Cold laser therapy. The release was much needed.
Today was her second visit and she stated that this was the first time in years that she was headache free for three days!
So the moral of my story is try Chiropractic care if you suffer with headaches.
If you live or work in NYC and want to learn more about Chiropractic care or Cold laser therapy Feel free to visit our website www.livingwellnewyork.com
Chiropractic and Headaches
or visit my website at www.drshoshany.com
Headaches are common pain events for many people, and they are often recurring. A variety of prescription and over-the-counter medications may control headache pain, but they only mask the pain without addressing the cause. Headache medications may also have side effects, especially with long use. Hoping to find a more natural and holistic solution to chronic headaches, many people turn to chiropractic.

What is a Headache?
A headache may arise from muscular tension, vascular changes, sinus congestion, eyestrain and many other underlying causes. They can start over the eyes, in the back of the head, on the sides or top of the head, or feel centered behind the eyes. The one thing all these headaches have in common is that they hurt, and sometimes they hurt a great deal. The amount of pain associated with a headache may range from a mild ache to a throbbing, nauseating, relentless pain.

It is a common misconception that some types of headaches hurt more than others. It is often said that, for example, migraine headaches are more painful than other headaches. It is also common to call any kind of severe headache a "migraine." In fact, almost any kind of headache can cause a great deal of pain. Three types of headaches are commonly seen in chiropractic offices: tension headaches, migraine headaches, and cervicogenic headaches. Cervicogenic headaches are caused by pain referred to the head from the bony or soft tissues of the neck.

Headaches can be either primary, those that start independently, or secondary, those that begin as a side effect of another disease process. Headaches arising from muscular tension (generally arising from stress) and migraine headaches (vascular headaches) are two of the most common types of headache; both of these headache types are considered primary headaches. A large body of research suggests that chiropractic can effectively treat primary headaches, and many patients have found lasting relief from headache pain through chiropractic care.

Chiropractic and Tension Headaches
Tension headaches are caused by muscular tension and contraction involving the muscles of the shoulders, neck and head. Often this tension is a result of emotional stress, though injuries can also set a pattern of muscle contraction into play. It is normal for muscles to contract when we are threatened, irritated or angry, a reaction known as the fight or flight response. Over time, though, if work or home life creates a constant source of stress from which we can neither fight nor flee, the muscular tension can become chronic. This, in turn, leads to uneven stresses on the skeletal structure of the body, and changes in normal posture and movement to compensate. These misalignments lead to more muscular tension and contraction. This can become a vicious cycle that eventually results in pain, often as headache pain.

Chiropractic adjustments, combined with other therapies such as trigger point therapy and massage, can release muscular tension and realign the skeleton to break the cycle of pain. Often patients with chronic headaches will find relief through chiropractic in just a few treatments, as muscles relax and nerve irritation is reduced.

Chiropractic and Migraine Headaches
Migraine headaches are vascular headaches, arising from sudden dilation of the blood vessels of the head. No one knows exactly what causes migraine headaches, though the basic mechanism, involving both the nervous and vascular systems, is well studied. Migraines can be triggered by hormonal changes, foods, smells, weather changes, stress, and many other triggers. The headaches often begin with symptoms other than pain, such as visual auras, nausea or sensitivity to light and sound. The headache that follows can vary in intensity, but is often severe. Many migraine sufferers have found over-the-counter pain medications to be ineffective, and resign themselves to wait out the migraine event in a dark, quiet room. A variety of pharmaceutical drugs have been developed to treat migraines, but none of them work for everyone, and many have unwanted side effects.

Chiropractic can play an important role in treating migraines. Clinical studies, though still preliminary, suggest that chiropractic may have a measurable role in the prevention of migraines. Through manipulation and adjustments of the spine and neck, migraines can often be reduced or prevented. Nerves control vascular system tension, and chiropractic adjustments reduce irritation of the nervous system beginning with its roots in the spine, also improving vascular flow.

How Will a Doctor of Chiropractic Treat Headaches?
The fundamental technique of chiropractic, spinal manipulation, is used improve spinal alignment, reduce nerve irritation, relax muscle tension and improve vascular flow. Trigger point therapy, massage and other adjunct therapies may also be employed to broaden the treatment plan. Finally, the chiropractor will often recommend exercise, stretching and changes in posture, or teach relaxation techniques.


For preventive care, most chiropractors will also provide advice on nutritional supplements, vitamins, herbs, and diet toward the development of a long-term wellness plan to prevent future headaches.


Chiropractic care can provide a holistic, comprehensive treatment plan for chronic headaches, giving patients an opportunity to put an end to what can be a very stubborn type of pain and a considerable improvement in quality of life.

If you suffer with headaches in NYC and are looking for a solution visit our website www.livingwellnewyork.com or call us (212) 645-8151

Back pain and Herniated disc treatment in NYC

Back pain and Herniated disc treatment in NYC- review
by Sandra C. Brooklyn, NY

I posted a recent review,

After a very scary MRI and dire verdict from another chiropractor who will remain nameless, I researched spinal decompression. I originally investigated an office in Brooklyn, but despite my interest, they never contacted me with anything but junk mail. Thankfully, Dr. Shoshany, on the other hand, called me the very next morning after I wrote an email inquiry, and spoke with me personally. He was able to get me an appointment the very same day, and I began sessions on the DRX-9000. I have to say that it has transformed my life--I can travel on trains and planes without excruciating pain and have finally started wearing heels again! Dr. Shoshany cares about providing cutting-edge care and his office involves a holistic approach to health. I made a huge commitment to this alternative therapy and am happy to say that it was one of the best decisions of my life--not only have I avoided painful and expensive surgery, but I have begun dancing again and can now do pilates & yoga exercises that were impossible for years. I have also been adjusted by Dr. Shoshany and he has a gift for gentle and effective chiropractic care. I truly believe that Dr S has given me back ten years of youth and happiness!
Visit Dr.Steven Shoshany online at www.drshoshany.com