The Back Dr's Blog- Better Posture, Better Sleep & Pain Relief: November 2012

Monday, November 26, 2012

Steroid Injections Offer Short Term Relief, study shows

The pain associated with sciatica can be intense, often shooting pains down one leg due to pressure being put on the sciatic nerve. It can also involve numbness, tingling and weakness.

Study Shows that Steroid Injections
Offer Only Short Term Relief

One of the treatments that an Orthopedic Doctor may recommend for sciatica is an epidural. This involves the injection of a steroid into the joint spaces of the spine.

A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine on Nov 13, showed that these steroid injections often only provide short term pain relief. This study involved 3100 patients who were followed for over a year. 23 Clinical trials were measured.

"The review showed that [epidural injections] offered only small, short-term improvement in pain and disability for people with sciatica and had no long-term effect," said Dr. Chris Maher, a professor of physiotherapy at the School of Public Health at the University of Sydney in Australia (co author).

The results showed that at 2 weeks and 3 months after treatment, 10 trials showed leg-pain relief and 14 reported improvements in disability. But after a year or more, no differences were found in leg pain, back pain or disability for those given injections compared to those given a placebo.

"Given that the treatment effect is likely to be small and short term, patients with sciatica should discuss the potential risks involved in [steroid injections] with their doctor before agreeing to the procedure" said Maher, who also is director of the George Institute for Global Health, in Sydney.

These findings are very similar to an earlier study that showed that the steroid injections are no better than anti inflammatory medications.

At our Glastonbury chiropractic Office we offer non surgical spinal decompression treatments for patients with sciatica and leg pain. Call our office to see if you are candidate for this treatment.

The Glastonbury Chiropractor is located in central Connecticut- CT Spine and Disc Center specializes in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call our chiropractic office at 860-633-8756 to schedule an appointment and to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression

Source: Steroid Shots for Sciatica: Benefits only Brief, Analysis Finds US News 11/12/2012

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Friday, November 16, 2012

Tips On Having A Healthy, Pain-Free Day

Most of us lead a pretty full and busy life. Staying healthy and pain free will help us to keep going and to enjoy those sometimes hectic days. Here are some tips to maintain our health and stay pain free:

Let's start with getting up in the morning. A few minutes of simple stretches is helps loosen us up.
A few minutes of walking on the treadmill is great too. Get moving and getting the blood flowing is a big help for many reasons.
A Healthy Breakfast. I just recently read online how they are showing that one of the worst things to do is skip this meal.
Maintain good posture at work. Make sure you work station is ergonomically friendly.
Drink water throughout the day
Take Breaks. For most, we sit at a computer all day; get up and move around a bit. Kick off the heels, eat some fruit.
Make sure your vehicle is posture friendly too. We end up spending alot of time in our cars, so make sure that isn't a source of pain.
Sleep with a good pillow

The Glastonbury Chiropractor is located in central Connecticut- CT Spine and Disc Center specializes in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call our chiropractic office at 860-633-8756 to schedule an appointment and to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression

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there are no surgical procedures that could be performed...

"I have had low back pain with radiation down the left leg due to three herniated discs and a ruptured disc above the herniated discs. After having an MRI and a surgical consult, it was determined that there are no surgical procedures that could be performed. I was left with using medication with minimal results. My sister heard about spinal decompression and passed on information downloaded from the CT Spine and Disc Center from their website. After reading all about spinal decompression there was no doubt in my mind that this was the treatment I was looking for. After making an appointment and talking with Dr. Bellinger, I was even more convinced this treatment was for me. Everyone in the office is very personable and the treatments were painless. After 15 treatments, I am more pain free and no longer have to rely on medication for relief. I’m now able to walk longer distances and climb stairs again, I am just so happy, I’m smiling again and I would not hesitate to recommend this treatment to anyone! Thank you so much for giving me a new lease on life!”
Judy.B (Coventry, Connecticut)

At the end of this treatment, I no longer need assistance of a walker or a cane to get around..

"After abeing told surgery was my only option I was put in touch with another treatment called the DRX 9000. My pain was so bad, I could not do anything. After four treatments, I was able to stand up straight and walk again. I am now able to do almost everything I did before, and am enjoying the freedom I had before. At the end of this treatment, I no longer need assistance of a walker or a cane to get around. I am so thankful I had another option. Thanks to the Doctors and staff at CT Spine and Disc Center. I am doing very well.
Anne. B (Tolland, Connecticut)

...my pain level is now almost zero

I must admit that, that given the pain level (10+) that I was enduring when I first came to your office, I was highly skeptical of a positive outcome with the DRX9000. Following the regimen of treatments that you prescribed, my pain level is now almost zero. Before coming to you, I knew that the road to recovery was slow, but thank God for this machine and your professional care. Very seldom will I endorse a product. In this case, however, not only do I endorse it, but I offer to any person who may be looking for help, the opportunity to speak with me in order to give them my first hand opinion of this "Miracle Machine" and your miracle skills. Thank you for that you both have done and I look forward to continuing the maintenance sessions. "
Greg Zlotnick (Mansfield, Connecticut)

This is your light at the end of the tunnel...

"Approximately two years ago, May 2005, I was diagnosed with polymyositis. At which time I was put on steroids. It helped the pain some but I did not like the side effects, so I tried Physical therapy which only made me feel worse. After three emergency trips to the hospital and with xrays and MRI's I was told I had 3 herniated disks pressing on my sciatic nerve. I was not ready to take on surgery if there was an alternative and thats where the procedure at the Spine and Disc Center with Dr. Bellinger and Dr. Gill made all the difference in the world. On my first visit on Febuary 28th 2007- I needed a walker, my husbands arm just to get in the building. After the first two treatments I felt immediate results. The treatments were gentle and painless. For close to two years, I have had difficulty in walking, sitting or standing. Thanks to the technology and exceptional care from Dr. Bellinger and Dr. Gill- I no longer need my walker and my pain level has gone from a ten to a zero!! And I don't cry as much either. I highly recommend this procedure. A friend of my daughters suggested that I try this as he had wonderful results also. I would also like to compliment the receptionist Jessica for her efficiency and kindness. I mentioned to her, the Doctors should hang another sign outside the door saying "This is your light at the end of the tunnel"
Rochelle. A (Cromwell, Connecticut )

The Back Dr's Blog- Better Posture, Better Sleep & Pain Relief

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Monday, November 26, 2012

Steroid Injections Offer Short Term Relief, study shows

Friday, November 16, 2012

Tips On Having A Healthy, Pain-Free Day

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