I Have A Disc In My Back That’s Completely Degenerated!

This may be true. Over time and depending on your health, and previous injuries to your back may cause that degenerative process to take place.

That being said, we rarely see a disc that is completely flat to the point that there is nothing left. This would be when the spinal vertebrae surrounding that disc are “bone-on-bone”. A doctor or therapist may say this sometimes, but it can be an exaggeration. The only true way to know is to look at your x-rays of the back.

You won’t see the actual discs on an x-ray, you need an MRI for that … but you will see the space where the disc belongs. If there is no space and the bones appear to be fusing together then that is complete degeneration.

Most people we can catch the breakdown before it gets to this point. The spinal decompression is the best thing for it because it pulls hydration or water into that hardened and flattened disc, helping to expand it to take pressure off of vital nerves.

Other things that may help as well to do this are low back exercises as well as seeing your chiropractor for low back manipulations and mobilization.


CT Spine and Disc Center is located in Glastonbury Connecticut- Specializing in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call us at 860-633-8756 to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression

Additional Reading Resources:

• Chiropractic for back pain
  
• Miracle Back Pain Cure
  
• Treatments for Disc Degeneration
  
• Understanding Non Surgical Spinal Decompression: FAQ's
  
• Research about Non Surgical Spinal Decompression
  

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How Can Chiropractic Treatment Help My Disc Degeneration?

Disc degeneration is tough because it usually happens over years and years. Over time the discs dehydrate, flatten and bulge. Basically if I have a tire on my car with a slow leak, it’s similar to a lumbar disc with degeneration. Over time it gets flatter and flatter, bulging more so you can clearly tell.

The difference is that you’ll see the tire deflate much sooner, maybe days or weeks, where a disc, you won’t see and may degenerate over years. Just like a tire, wear and tear can cause this and one particular incident can start it off or make it a whole lot worse.

Let’s take my car for example – I’ve had a certain amount of construction being done close to where I park. I must have driven over a large industrial type staple of sorts. Of course I didn’t know this until I made a road trip (about three hours) and the next morning saw that particular tire very flat. I don’t know exactly when it happened, as a matter of fact it could have happened weeks earlier for all I knew, but I knew I came from the construction going on at the time.

Let’s take an example of a patient now – Fred lifts a large box, feels something funny in his back. He ignores it, keeps working and resumes his night as usual. Two days later he notices that same pain but it appears much worse. He knows he has some arthritis in his back (degeneration) because years ago he had an x-ray after a similar injury. Now he is in severe pain the next week and the medications don’t seem to help!


Chiropractic treatment may be able to help!

By putting the spine in as good of alignment as it could be will help. Normal, good alignment is when everything in the spine lines up so that pressure stays off of the nerves and the discs stay in position, healthy and hydrated.

Research has shown us that sometimes, if a problem has exited for years it could take many months or years to fix it. However with the advances in Chiropractic medicine the problem may be able to be fixed much sooner. Your chiropractor can advise you with recommendations to correct your problem, and help to eliminate your pain.


CT Spine and Disc Center is located in central Connecticut- Specializing in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call us at 860-633-8756 to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression

Additional Reading Resources:

• Glastonbry Chiropractor
  
• Chropractic Treatment In Glastonbury
  
• ctbackdr blog
  
• Non Surgical Spinal Decompression May Be Your Answer To Disc Degeneration
  

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Can Going To The Gym Help My Back Pain?

The answer to that question, is that it depends. Not only that, it may depend on a few factors.

First, does movement or light exercise make your back feel better? If so, going back to the workout routine may help. Getting your body moving, blood flowing, muscles loosened, etc. often will help. It really depends on the injury, however. Often I will see a patient who has really strained his back and needs some healing time before working out. If you work out too soon or too hard, you may risk re-injuring your low back; making things worse. This is why some of you reading this may have been sent to physical therapy immediately following an injury and felt like it made you worse. If things aren’t healing and you are pushed too hard or push yourself too hard with certain exercises, you run the risk of re-injury.

What I would recommend is to get things healed first, then slowly start with light exercise, then work up to your usual routine. For a disc issue I would recommend a spinal decompression consultation.

During any particular treatment in our office, whether it's spinal decompression, chiropractic, muscle work, etc. our doctors will advise you on proper exercising for maximum benefit.


CT Spine and Disc Center is located in Glastonbury Connecticut- Specializing in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call us at 860-633-8756 to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression.

Additional Reading Resources:

• Back Pain Exercise Program
  
• Our best lower back support products.
  
• Glastonbury Chiropractor
  
• Understanding Non Surgical Spinal Decompression: FAQ's
  
• Research about Non Surgical Spinal Decompression
  

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Back Pain Answers: Alternative To Pain Medication

An article in the Denver Post today talks about alternatives to medication for back pain. I am seeing it more and more lately; patients are often on more medications these days, and not only that the medications seem to be stronger ones too.

“Rather than masking the complaint with painkillers, professional treatments and prescribed exercises provide alternatives that can offer longterm relief.”

--Read More Here--



CT Spine and Disc Center is located in central Connecticut- Specializing in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call us at 860-633-8756 to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression

Additional Reading Resources:

• Chiropractic care helps back pain
  
• Glastonbury Chiropractors Dr Bellinger and Dr Gill
  
• Chiropractor Glastonbury
  
• Understanding Non Surgical Spinal Decompression: FAQ's
  
• Research about Non Surgical Spinal Decompression
  

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Can My Neck Be Causing My Low Back Pain?

The short answer is YES! And here’s the reason… The brain sits at the top of the head, it’s our control center. Messages from the brain travel down the spinal cord, out the nerves, to every body cell, tissue, organ, and system.

A severed spinal cord in the neck can cause you paralysis or your arms and legs.

Now this would be a severe case that I don’t wish on anyone, but a neck injury that’s to much a lesser extent could affect nerve pathways that control lower body functions as well.

Another interesting fact…

Your brainstem travels down past your first, second, even third vertebrae. This is another reason the neck region is so powerful. At all times there are thousands of nerve impulses taking place in and around the spine. In the brain there are even more. The brainstem is an extension of the brain. Because of this, if there is additional pressure in the neck it can actually inhibit brain impulses.

So, when dealing with pain, whether it’s arm pain, headaches, or lower back pain, we must often look to the neck as well. The neck can often be a hidden cause of various aches and pains, or even more serious health issues.


CT Spine and Disc Center is located in central Connecticut- Specializing in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call us at 860-633-8756 to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression

Additional Reading Resources:

• Back Support Belt Video
  
• Lose the back pain system
  
• Lose the neck pain
  

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Our Discs Are Made Of Water, Don’t Keep Them Thirsty!

Water is essential to keep our discs healthy. Our disc is made up of an inner nucleus and an outer annulus. The inner part is more fluid filled. It was made this way to support the body weight and also to support you against the forces of gravity.

These discs also function to allow us to twist, move, lift, and so on. Dehydrated discs will not only have limited support, but also decreased tensile strength.

Also, muscles put pressure and tension on the spine and discs. Muscles that are not properly hydrated often cramp or spasm easier. Muscle spasms put unwanted stress on our structure and therefore our nerves and spine are irritated.

It tends to be a downward spiral … As one area gets aggravated, it tends to cause problems in other areas. For example: muscle alignment problems may cause disc problems, and disc issues may cause more serious nerve problems … The point is- keep your body hydrated, it will not only keep your muscles happy, but it will keep your discs healthy.

Keep in mind too, that the discs are the whole way up the spine. The spine has 24 vertebrae or spinal bones and there is a disc between each one with exeption of the 1st and 2nd cervical bones which is a slightly different joint. There is also one between L5 (your 5th lumbar) and S1 (the sacrum - basically the tailbone). We typically find that L5 and then L4 take the most amount of stress but every disc must remain healthy to keep your spine healthy.

One fact also to remember is that, if you feel thirsty your body has already been dehydrated for some time. So, keep yourself hydrated and drink more water.


CT Spine and Disc Center is located in central Connecticut- Specializing in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call us at 860-633-8756 to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression

Additional Reading Resources:

• Various Lumbar Disc Conditions
  
• Video showing decompression and how it pulls nutrients and H20 in the discs.
  
• Decompression helps hydrate disc
  
• Discover How To Achieve Radiant Health By Naturally And Effectively Eliminating Toxins And Fat Everyday, Using Only Water.
  

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The Differences In Various Lumber Disc Conditions…

I often have patients that bring in their MRI report page with a very confused look on their face. Doctor- can you tell me what this word means?

The lumbar spine consists of five vertebrae or spinal segments. Between each segment is a disc. This disc acts as a shock absorber so we can do things like: run, jump, twist, and lift. It also acts as a spacer between segments forming a hole between spinal vertebrae. L1 refers to Lumbar 1, L2- Lumbar2, and so on. There is an L1 to L5, then you hit the sacrum which is often referred to as S1.

Disc problems are often classified into one or more of the following conditions:

• Disc Degeneration- this is age related breakdown of the disc. This is often synonymous with disc desiccation and is accompanied with fibrosis and osteophyte formation of adjacent vertebrae.
  
  
• Disc Desiccation- a disc that has fibrosed or hardened due to loss of water content. You see the disc is made up of an annulus (outer fibers which are slightly harder), then the inner nucleus which is more of a gel-like material.
  
  
  
• An annular tear refers to any disruption in the outer disc fibers. Besides a tear you can also have a rupture of the annulus fibrosis. The annulus is the outer ring of the disc.
  
  
• When someone has a herniated disc they have disc material that has broken out through the annulus. The nucleus pulposis is displaced beyond the margins of the vertebrae.
  
  
• Next is a Disc Protrusion- It is basically another name for a herniated disc. There are two types; focal disc protrusions or broad based disc protrusions. Focal is when the disc protrusion is less than 25% of the disc circumference. A broad based protrusion is when the disk protrusion encompasses 25-50% of the disc circumference.
  
  
  
• When the disc that has herniated out is more wide than it is long (meaning how far it is reaching outward) it is a Protruding Disc vs. the next definition.
  
  
  
• Extruded Disc- this means the disc has come outward further than it is wide. Extruded discs can also be classified as sequestered or migrated discs.
  
  
  
• Sequestered disc- Also called a migrated disc, is when that extrusion breaks free from its connection to the rest of the disc material and is now a free fragment or “fragmented disc.”
  

Additional Reading Resources

• The Most Common Disc Herniation in the Neck
  
• Understanding A Disc Problem with a Jelly Donut: Herniated Disc or Slipped Disc?
  
• Understanding Non Surgical Spinal Decompression: FAQ's
  
• Research about Non Surgical Spinal Decompression

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CT Spine and Disc Center is located in central Connecticut- Specializing in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call us at 860-633-8756 to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression

Are you Afraid of the H1N1 Virus....

Is This Plentiful And Inexpensive Berry The Answer To Swine Flu?

More you should know: If you want to kill germs - Is it better to wash your hands in hot or cold water?

Are you afraid of the H1N1 virus… or what is commonly know as “swine flu?” If you are – you are not alone.

Everywhere you look H1N1 is the hot topic. It’s all over the news – every day. It’s the talk at the water cooler and public schools. Even the President of the United States, Barack Obama, and his staff have made several speeches and announcements about the possible dangers and implications of this virus.

Some say H1N1 is extremely dangerous… while others say it is over-hyped and no more harmful than the seasonal flu.

There are many places you can go on the internet to read about it; however, it is not the purpose of this newsletter to try to convince you one way or another about it.
But, one thing is clear: Whether H1N1 is deadly… or just makes you miserable for a week or two or three…

Chances Are, You Don’t Want To
Deal With It… PERIOD!!!

Right? Seriously – who even wants a little head cold for a day or two – much less “the swine?”

So, if there was a way to make sure you and your family doesn’t get H1N1… would you be interested?

Better yet: if this prevention were easy to get, inexpensive, and had absolutely NO SIDE EFFECTS… wouldn’t that be great?

Well, there is no “perfect” way to avoid H1N1. No one knows how effective the vaccine is going to be… yet. Or what the side effects will be. Only time and research will tell.

Your choice to vaccinate yourself and your family is a personal one and should come with some education on the issue. The purpose of this newsletter is not to make that decision for you or sway you in any way. Instead, it is to inform you about H1N1.

For example, did you know that there is an inexpensive and plentiful berry that has been shown to be helpful in treating Influenza A and Influenza B?

This berry is the elderberry. The extract of the black elderberry is called “sambucol.”

A small study published in 2004 showed 93% of flu patients given Sambucol were completely symptom-free within two days, while those taking a placebo recovered in about six days. This study treated people who had Influenza B.

H1N1 is subtype of Influenza A and now a study shows that it works for Influenza A as well.

Ering Thom with the University of Oslo in Norway reported the findings at the 15th Annual Conference on Antiviral Research.

Here are the findings according to WebMD and Wikipedia: There were 60 patients who had been suffering with flu symptoms for 48 hours or less. Ninety percent were infected with the A strain of the virus and 10% were infected with type B.
Fifty percent of the infected group took 15 milliliters of Sambucol (Elderberry extract). The other 50% took a placebo four times a day for five days.

Patients who took 15 milliliters of Sambucol had "pronounced improvements" in flu symptoms after three days. “Nearly 90% of patients had complete cure within two to three days. Also, the Sambucol group had no drowsiness, the downside of many flu treatments.”

The placebo group didn't do nearly as well. Without the elderberry extract, they did not recover until at least day six. They also took more medications such as painkillers and nasal sprays.

Erin Thom said Elderberry extract could be an "efficient and safe treatment" for flu symptoms in otherwise healthy people and for those with compromised immune systems, such as the elderly.

Russell Greenfield, MD, a leading practitioner of integrative medicine and Medical Director of Carolinas Integrative Health, is quoted on WebMD as saying: "It can be given to children and adults with no known side effects or negative interactions."

Is It A “Cure-All”?

Is Elderberry a “cure-all” for Influenza A (like H1N1) or Influenza B? Not even close. But, it is obviously something that should be further researched and the facts should be known so you can make an educated decision based on fact and not just clever marketing, hysteria or fear.

It is important to look into your options BEFORE you get sick. No matter what route you choose. Being informed early is the key.

Is It Better To Wash Your Hands In
Hot Or Cold Water To Kill Germs?

One last tip about staying “swine flu” free…

It is commonly known that one of the best ways to not get sick with common colds or the flu is to keep your hands away from your mouth and eyes and wash them with soap and water frequently. But, is it better to wash your hands in hot or cold water?

Hot… right? Even the FDA, in its literature, recommends hot over cold because it removes bacteria harboring oils. Not according to a recent study. In a 2005 report in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, scientists found NO DIFFERENCE in bacterial reduction between the use of hot or cold water.

Bottom line:
wash your hands in water that is comfortable.

CT Spine and Disc Center is located in central Connecticut- Specializing in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call us at 860-633-8756 to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression

Additional Reading Resources:

• Swine/Seasonal Flu-Homeopathic/Herbal Prevention And Cure
  
• Dr.Oz Talks about Prescription Pain Medication
  
• How Chiropractic Can Help you Stay Healthy
  
• Understanding Non Surgical Spinal Decompression: FAQ's
  
• Research about Non Surgical Spinal Decompression
  

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Do I Have Spinal Stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is diagnosed typically from looking at an MRI along with the usual medical history and physical exam. Spinal stenosis is a closure of the spinal canal. This can result from inflammation of certain ligaments, spinal degeneration, disc bulging and/or disc herniations, spinal deformities, or possibly a tumor.

Imagine a hose, water can travel through it with no difficulty. Now put a bunch of crud at one pint in the hose, or kink the hose and you start to get problems. Your spinal cord carrying important nerve impulses travels down this canal; any blockage inhibits the flow of this information.

Due to low back stenosis, you can get pressure causing back pain, leg numbness, or something even worse. Typically the pressure from stenosis is gradual. The scary thing is that this pressure can be building and you don’t necessarily know it. Then eventually when the stenosis becomes sever and the pressure on the nerves is more severe or more continuous, then you get symptoms. Symptoms like back pain, sciatica, leg numbness, or something similar.



Surgery may be recommended if bowel or bladder control is lost, or if there is a tumor, or severe stenosis is discovered. Mild-moderate, and even in some cases of severe lumbar stenosis, the following treatments may provide significant relief:
1. Chiropractic care- which has been proven to be the most effective and safest treatment for lower back issues.
2. Physical Therapy or specific lower back exercises- this helps restore ranges of motion and strengthens lower back muscles needed to heal the back.
3. Lumbar Inversion- a form of lumbar traction that’s cheap, effective, and easy to do.
4. Lumbar Spinal Decompression- (Non-Surgical Decompression with the DRX9000). This is my favorite option because it has an extremely high success rate with very low recurrence rate of back pain or leg pain. Much more effective than simple traction or inversion, but you have to find a medical doctor or chiropractor that provides this service.


CT Spine and Disc Center is located in central Connecticut- Specializing in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call us at 860-633-8756 to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression

Additional Reading Resources:

• Glossary of terms like stenosis
  
• Lose the Back Pain System
  
• Information on Neck Pain
  
• Understanding Non Surgical Spinal Decompression: FAQ's
  
• Research about Non Surgical Spinal Decompression
  

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Dr. Bellinger’s Favorite Neck Pillow- The Cervical Traction Neck Pillow

My Cervical traction neck pillow dilemma...

Not to worry, there’s no actual problem with the pillow itself, just not enough of them to go around. Here’s what happened. My parents traveled here to Connecticut from Florida for the Thanksgiving holiday. I completely forgot that my mother uses a traction pillow and loves it. The problem was I use one too and I only had one upstairs. There was not one in the guest room.

We always have a supply of the pillows at the office but I didn’t want to go get on because it was late; plus, this time of year especially we get extra orders so I din’t want to disturb the supply.

I gave my mother mine and I used one of my other pillows. Needless to say, my mother slept like a baby while I missed my favorite pillow. I’ve learned my lesson. Now I have ones for my wife and I as well as one in the guest room.

I can honestly say, sleeping without it for a couple of nights, combined with trying to catch a cold, I woke up with an achy neck for the 1st time in a year.

There are a lot of great benefits from using this neck pillow but just having a pillow that you like, that’s comfortable, and helps give you a good night’s sleep is worth much much more that the pillow actually costs. Its really a win win win – correct neck posture, reduce neck pain and sleep comfortably. Do yourself a favor and get one if you don’t already have one and get one for a loved one. Tell them Dr.B sent you !


CT Spine and Disc Center is located in central Connecticut- Specializing in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call us at 860-633-8756 to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression

Additional Reading Resources:

• How to Use the Traction Side of the Cervical Traction Neck Pillow for Maximum Pain Relief and Better Sleep
  
• More information about the cervical linear traction neck pillow
  
• Back Pain Relief with the Right Back Support Pillow
  
• The Neck Pain Support Blog
  
• Understanding Non Surgical Spinal Decompression: FAQ's
  
• Research about Non Surgical Spinal Decompression
  

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