Article: Can Chronic Low Back Pain Be Psychologically Harmful?

Posted on October 13, 2009 | Leave a comment

Chronic Back Pain: Psychologically Harmful?

By Mahsa Khalilifar (staff writer for Irvine Family Health Center – Spinal Decompression)

Can chronic back pain be causing people more than just physical harm?  It is a big possibility, according to new studies.  More and more medical studies are showing that the results of chronic back pain can have detrimental effects, not only on the body but also on the mind.

An article from HealthDay News featured on MedlinePlus.com, A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, reports a study which found a correlation between chronic pain and the brain.

The study found researchers in Chicago from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine using devices to track the pain symptoms with the brain’s activity.  According to the article, the researchers “used functional MRI to scan brain activity in people with chronic low back pain while they tracked a moving bar on a computer screen.”  They conducted the same procedure with another group of people; these subjects were known as the control group since they had no documented pain.

The study found that people with a lack of pain, had rather balanced brain functions.  People who had chronic pain had a brain that showed a variety of emotional symptoms.  Since the front region of the brain with the people who had chronic pain seemed to be on overdrive, the region can result in wearing out the brain neurons, according to Dante Chialvo, the study’s author; in turn, such findings show that there can be permanent damage done to the brain.

Chialvo, an associate research professor of psychology, also says that chronic pain patients deal with pain constantly — 24 hours a day.  The professor was quoted saying that, “that permanent perception of pain in your brain makes these areas in your brain continuously active. This continuous dysfunction in the equilibrium of the brain can change the wiring forever and could hurt the brain.”

Chronic back pain is usually said to be diagnosed after three months of pain, but can take months to heal.  This form of low back pain can cause people to be uncomfortable, and such pain can make it hard for people to get up in the morning and be productive at work.  The pain indirectly and directly hurts the individual with pain.

“Approximately 80% of Americans experience [low back pain] during their lifetime. An estimated 15-20% develop protracted pain, and approximately 2-8% have chronic pain.  Every year, 3-4% of the population is temporarily disabled, and 1% of the working-age population is disabled totally and permanently because of [low back pain],” according to eMedicine.com, an extension of WebMD.com.

“[Low Back Pain] is second only to the common cold as a cause of lost work time; it is the fifth most frequent cause for hospitalization and the third most common reason to undergo a surgical procedure. Productivity losses from chronic low back pain approach $28 billion annually in the United States,” eMedicine online reports.

The numbers are staggering, as people with pain in the low back are becoming more disabled due to the pain.  Becoming depressed, getting anxious, and having a low self-esteem view can result from chronic back pain.

So what can you do if you fear that you may have chronic back pain?  Seeing a specialist for your pain is the first step.  Once your pain is diagnosed the route to recovery may be a long one, but can happen at a faster pace when discovered at an early stage.  Contact your local DRX9000 Spinal Decompression or call (949) 857-1888 for more information.

On The Net

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_60971.html

http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/topic516.htm

http://www.OCSpinalDecompression.com

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Posted in DRX9000 Spinal Decompression, Low Back Pain, Spinal Decompression, Spinal Decompression Therapy (SDT)

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Announcement: 5 Stars from Yelp.com for Irvine Spinal Decompression Office

Posted on September 22, 2009 | Leave a comment

Irvine Family Health Center – Spinal Decompression:: 5 Stars on Yelp.com!

As of the writing of this post our office, Irvine Family Health Center – Spinal Decompression, has a total of 6 reviews from patients and a weighted rating (Yelp seems to favor certain reviewers over others) of 5 stars!

Here is the link if you want to check it out:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/irvine-family-health-center-spinal-decompression-irvine

Thanks to everyone who took the time to write about their experience in our office. You are the reason we love what we do!

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Posted in Commentary, DRX9000 Spinal Decompression, Patient Testimonials, Spinal Decompression, Spinal Decompression Therapy (SDT)

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Spinal Decompression Case Study with Before and After MRIs

Posted on September 22, 2009 | Leave a comment

Case Study: 12mm Herniated Disc with Extrusion with Pre- and Post-Spinal Decompression MRI Images

I have received quite a few requests for case studies showing before and after Spinal Decompression MRIs. This will be the first post of many such Spinal Decompression case studies. I would like to give a special thanks to Omega Imaging in Mission Viejo, CA. They have graciously offered to do post-Spinal Decompression MRIs on many of our patients that initially receive an MRI at their facility. This arrangement has made it possible for us to conduct these pre- and post-MRI case studies without needing a large clinical research budget! Thanks, Omega!

Left MRI image: Before DRX9000 Spinal Decompression. Right MRI image: 1-Year After DRX9000 Spinal Decompression.
Left MRI image: Before DRX9000 Spinal Decompression. Right MRI image: 1-Year After DRX9000 Spinal Decompression.
Left MRI image: Before DRX9000 Spinal Decompression. Right MRI image: 1-Year After DRX9000 Spinal Decompression.
Left MRI image: Before DRX9000 Spinal Decompression. Right MRI image: 1-Year After DRX9000 Spinal Decompression.

The top set of MRI images should be fairly self-explanatory – before Spinal Decompression she had a large herniated disc and after Spinal Decompression the disc is almost completely retracted. The bottom set of MRI images are views from the top-down. The large, dark oval near the top of the images is the spinal disc. The white circle is the spinal cord and the light gray lines leading up and away from the spinal cord are the nerve roots. You can see on the BEFORE MRI image that the nerve root on the left side (this is technically the RIGHT S1 nerve root – left and right are always flipped on axial spinal MRI views) is wide and uninterrupted. The nerve root on the right side (the LEFT S1 nerve root) is severely compressed. In the AFTER MRI image you can see that both nerve roots are “wide open” and no longer impinged upon.

My intention is for these case studies to also answer the following questions that I have received:

  • “Is DRX9000 Spinal Decompression effective for treating a herniated lumbar disc?”
  • “Can Spinal Decompression treat a disc extrusion?”
  • “Are Spinal Decompression results only temporary or do they last a long time?”
  • “Where’s the proof that Spinal Decompression works?”

Sharon W. from Las Flores, CA presented to Irvine Spine and Rehab for an evaluation to determine if she was a candidate for DRX9000 Spinal Decompression.

She reported the following symptoms that began with horseback riding nearly 6 months prior to her evaluation in our office:

  1. Severe “Pinched Nerve” pain that radiated from her left low back to her left buttock, left posterior thigh and left lateral calf.
  2. Moderate difficulty standing up straight and walking.
  3. Moderate to severe pain driving.

Her MRI results were as follows (based on the radiologist report):

  1. Herniated L5/S1 lumbar spinal disc.
  2. Dimensions of the herniation (sometimes called a Herniated Nucleus Pulposus): 12mm x 9mm x 7mm.
  3. The herniated disc was further compounded by a small disc extrusion.
  4. The herniated disc significantly displaced the left S1 nerve root posterolaterally.
  5. Slight edema surrounding the S1 nerve root at the site of the nerve compression.

Sharon W. received twenty-eight (28) DRX9000 Spinal Decompression treatments over an 8-week period of time. Sharon required slightly more than our average disc herniation patient (usually requiring approximately 24 Spinal Decompression treatments) due to the disc extrusion adding to the severity of her condition. When she completed her treatment she reported experiencing an 85% reduction in buttock pain and a 100% reduction in thigh and calf pain. During a phone follow-up with Sharon approximately 3-months after completing treatment she reported a 98% reduction in all symptoms. She also reported returning to horseback riding which was the event that initially triggered her severe symptoms. The follow-up MRI images were taken at the same facility and read by the same radiologist that performed the initial lumbar spine MRI.

The MRI results showed that 1-year after completing DRX9000 Spinal Decompression her initial Herniated Disc with Extrusion of 12mm x 9mm x 7mm was reduced to a 3mm Disc Bulge. This means that she achieved a 98% reduction in total extruded material volume! She was also completely asymptomatic and had returned to all activities that she performed prior to her injury. Sharon was very pleased with her treatment. Her testimonial can be read on our website at http://www.OCSpinalDecompression.com/testimonials.htm.

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Posted in Disc Extrusion / Extruded Disc, Herniated Disc / Disc Herniation, Patient Testimonials, Pinched Nerve, Spinal Decompression, Spinal Decompression Therapy (SDT)

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Announcement: Orange County Spinal Decompression Rated ‘Top Blog’

Posted on September 22, 2009 | 1 Comment

Orange County Spinal Decompression’s Weblog (OrangeCountySpinalDecompression.wordpress.com) Rated ‘Top Blog’ by The Daily Reviewer

Check it out here: http://thedailyreviewer.com/top/physical-therapy

Top 100 Blogs Award

This could only be possible with all the great questions that have been submitted by readers like you! Thanks!

Reminder: Submit questions that you would like to have answered to KenEricksonDC@gmail.com or post a comment on one of the posts.

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Posted in Commentary, Physical Therapy, Spinal Decompression

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Announcement: Most Viewed Spinal Decompression Videos on YouTube.com

Posted on September 19, 2009 | Leave a comment

Irvine Spine and Rehab’s Spinal Decompression Videos are Among the Most Viewed and Highest Rated on YouTube.com!


Check out the videos (filtered by search term “DRX9000 Spinal Decompression” and sorted by average rating):

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=videos&search_query=%22drx9000+spinal+decompression%22&search_sort=video_avg_rating

One of our happy patients actually did the voice-over work for these Spinal Decompression Videos!

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Posted in DRX9000 Spinal Decompression, Spinal Decompression, Spinal Decompression Therapy (SDT), Spinal Decompression Videos

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I Did Great with Spinal Decompression! What Can I Do to Keep it that Way?

Posted on September 18, 2009 | Leave a comment

“I did great with Spinal Decompression. What can I do to make sure my spinal disc problem doesn’t come back?”

Before I started this blog I would say that I received this question very rarely. I believe the main reason for this is that we devote a great deal of time teaching our patients just what they need to do to stay healthy for the long-term. In fact, we often discuss this exact subject during the Spinal Decompression consultation.

Why Maintenance Exercises Are Important Following Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression

During the consultation I do a complete review of the MRI images with the patient with an emphasis on identifying the source of the disc problem. Spinal Decompression is a powerfully effective treatment for spinal disc problems like Disc Bulges, Herniated Disc, Disc Extrusions, Degenerative Disc Disease and Sciatica. However, as with any other treatment, if the source of the original problem is not addressed then the issue could return in the future. MRIs are fantastic tools for identifying some of the most common causes that patients with spinal disc problems face.

Good Curves and Bad Curves

One of the most common problems that we will see on the MRI of a patient with a degenerative spinal disc is a decreased spinal curve. Normally the neck and low back curve should be shaped like the letter-C (when viewed from the side). The curve (called cervical lordosis or lumbar lordosis) acts like a spring that absorbs shock. The constant bouncing motion that such a ‘spring’ allows is also vitally important in spinal disc respiration – the exchange of fluid depleted of oxygen and nutrients with fluid rich in such nutrients. When the curve is lost the ‘spring’ becomes a ‘jack-hammer’ and tends to force the fluid out of the bottommost disc first (called L5/S1) followed by the other discs higher in the spine. This is why the majority of patients with spinal disc problems have a disc bulge or herniated disc at L5/S1 more than any other disc of the spine. Combining comprehensive spinal rehabilitation with the Spinal Decompression is key to returning this critical spinal curve to normal.

How to Maintain Your Great Spinal Decompression Results

Once a Spinal Decompression patent has completed his or her treatment the job of  correcting this spinal lordosis (if no rehabilitation was done along with the Spinal Decompression Therapy) or maintaining the curvature (if spinal rehab was performed along with the Spinal Decompression treatment) begins. The best self-treatment for accomplishing this is a home exercise called ‘prolonged loading of the lumbar spine in  extension’ – otherwise called McKenzie extension or the McKenzie protocol. The McKenzie protocol is a form of treatment that is best delivered by a trained professional, but can be implemented as a self-care exercise in healthy individuals. In other words, only do this AFTER you have fixed the underlying disc degeneration with Spinal Decompression. It is performed by lying face down on a firm surface (carpeted or tile floor). Beware: the bed is too soft to perform this. Place your hands on the ground at the level of your shoulders and about shoulder-width apart. Push up as if performing a push-up, BUT do not allow you pelvis to lift off the ground. Instead, the lower back will arch backwards. Be sure to keep your lower back and buttock muscles relaxed. Hold this position for about 10 seconds and repeat the entire procedure 10 times. It is best to perform this twice per day – once in the morning when you wake up and again in the evening before you go to bed.

Ideally, this should be performed every day to prevent a future recurrence of a Disc Bulge, Herniated Disc, Disc Extrusion or Degenerative Disc Disease. Even without this daily exercise the results of Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression are long-lasting, but why not make a 4-minute per day investment to make sure the results are permanent!

Remember: A back stretch a day keeps the spine surgeon away!

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Posted in Back Surgery, Degenerative Disc Disease, Disc Bulge / Bulging Disc, Disc Extrusion / Extruded Disc, DRX9000 Spinal Decompression, Herniated Disc / Disc Herniation, Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Spinal Decompression, Spinal Decompression Therapy (SDT)

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Which Code Should Be Billed for Spinal Decompression?

Posted on September 16, 2009 | 8 Comments

“Which code should be billed for Spinal Decompression to get it paid by insurance?” is a common question asked by many patients seeking Spinal Decompression Therapy.

Unfortunately, the answer is both simple and complex at the exact same time!

Simple Answer:

The ONLY codes that can be billed to the insurance company are the CPT codes of the services that the doctor performed on the patient. Unfortunately, the only appropriate codes for Spinal Decompression reimburse little to nothing.

The Slightly More Complex Answer:

The two most commonly billed codes for Spinal Decompression are S9090 and 97012. These are referred to as CPT codes and are used to code (describe the service performed) and bill the insurance company.

S9090: “Vertebral Axial Distraction” (this is where the – now horribly outdated – Vax-D got its name)

97012: “Application of a modality to one or more areas, traction, mechanical”. Spinal Decompression is NOT traction, but some insurance companies view it that way.

S9090 seems to be the code that most private insurance companies prefer (although there are exceptions) while Medicare seems to prefer 97012.

Guess how much the average insurance company pays for either of these codes. That’s right. Little to nothing. The range is usually $0 to $20 per visit. At best an insurance company can be expected to pay for just a few hundred dollars of a $5,000 or more course of Spinal Decompression.

This is why most Spinal Decompression doctors tell you that there is “no insurance coverage for Spinal Decompression”. Essentially, this is true. If the only service that the doctor performed on the patient was Spinal Decompression then the only code that can legally be billed is a code that accurately represent Spinal Decompression (i.e., S9090 – Vax-D, 97012 Mechanical Traction).

The Irvine Spine and Rehab Answer:

Doctors can only bill for services that they perform. As we saw above the services called “Spinal Decompression” or “Vertebral Axial Distraction” or “Mechanical Traction” are either not paid for by most insurance companies or are paid at levels far too low to keep Spinal Decompression offices in business – the tables are hundreds of thousands of dollars each (and we have 5 of them).

So how can we bill (and get paid by) insurance companies for Spinal Decompression?

The answer is in our name: Irvine Spine and Rehab. We don’t just throw a person on a fancy Spinal Decompression table, cross our fingers and hope for the best. I hate to admit it, but we used to do that and we didn’t like it very much nor did our patients!

Only 1/3 of our Complete Spinal Rehabilitation Program is based on using the DRX9000 Spinal Decompression technology. The remaining 2/3 of the treatment is direct hands-on therapy by one of our highly trained rehabilitation staff. The benefit to the patient is two-fold: 1) much higher quality of care, and 2) much lower out-of-pocket cost to the patient (an average patient with a mid-level PPO insurance plan will pay less than half what they would at an office that does not accept insurance!).

Why don’t other offices do something similar? Easy: It’s really expensive. We currently have a staff that consists of four doctors, three assistants and one tech. If we weren’t providing direct hands-on rehabilitation treatment to every patient we could EASILY reduce our staffing down to just ONE DOCTOR and maybe ONE or TWO UNTRAINED TECHS. We could, but, of course, we wouldn’t be able to offer “Covered by Insurance” to our patients and the quality of care would suffer dramatically.

I hope this answers the question.

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Posted in Accu-Spina Traction, DRX9000 Spinal Decompression, Insurance Coverage for Spinal Decompression, Mechanical Traction, Vertebral Axial Decompression (Vax-D)

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