I was working long through a Saturday, and low and behold there was an informercial for a local group of chiropractors advertising their spinal decompression treatments. They featured an orthopedic surgeon from Georgia. I looked him up, and found that he had been stripped of his board certification because of a felony fraud conviction related to a spinal decompression device. [Read more…] about Spinal Decompression Update
Spine
Evaluation and Management of Back and Neck Pain – Divide and Conquer, Part 3
The last post (#2 in this series) explained how classification of spinal pain by position or anatomic abnormality has generally failed to yield tangible results when linked to conservative (non-surgical) treatment. Through classifications based on cyclical loading (as well as some other factors) better rates of success have been achieved (both anecdotally and through research trials) in treating spinal pain. [Read more…] about Evaluation and Management of Back and Neck Pain – Divide and Conquer, Part 3
Evaluation and Management of Back and Neck Pain – Divide and Conquer, Part 2
Early methods of classification for low back pain were based on either anatomical findings, restrictions of movement, or assessing alignment of body landmarks. Many of these classification still are in use today. [Read more…] about Evaluation and Management of Back and Neck Pain – Divide and Conquer, Part 2
Evaluation and Management of Back and Neck Pain – Divide and Conquer, Part 1
How do we treat back pain? That question, as simple as it sounds, can be one of the most controversial and divisive questions that anyone could ask a physical therapist. There are millions of people out there with low back pain (about 80% of adults have an episode of significant low back pain during their lifetime) and, it seems, a million different ways to treat it. Published research over the past 15 years or so (I’m speaking of serious research, peer-reviewed by experts in content and statistical analysis) has trended in a few general directions: [Read more…] about Evaluation and Management of Back and Neck Pain – Divide and Conquer, Part 1
Spinal Decompression – What Is It?
This is a big question these days! Everywhere me and my patients look (or listen) we hear about “Spinal Decompression” and it’s 85% to 95% (the number varies from commercial to commercial) success rate. I thought I knew what it was all about, but decided to do some research over the past couple of days.Spinal Decompression mostly refers to a type of spinal traction device called the DRX 9000, but can refer to other devices such as the Vax-D, DRS, and even the Chattanooga Triton Spinal Traction machine. [Read more…] about Spinal Decompression – What Is It?
The Role of Posture in Shoulder Impingement
Subacromial impingement (SAI – aka shoulder bursitis) like most other orthopedic problems is influenced a number of factors. Some are structural – like the presence of a “hook” acromion – while others are related to lifestyle and body mechanics. Specifically, sedentary individuals seem to suffer far more from SAI than those who are not sedentary. One of the reasons may be related to posture. [Read more…] about The Role of Posture in Shoulder Impingement