Johns Hopkins & Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
A group of researchers at Johns Hopkins set out to understand how clinicians are managing low back pain with non-surgical spinal decompression. They did this because approximately 25% of LBP in the past three months. Spine-related pain is the second most common reason for a visit to a physician. The current evidence-based guidelines recommend conservative […]
Physician News Network Update: New Hope for Chronic Back Pain
Learn how 1 Indiana doctor is relieving back pain without drugs or surgery! For lower back pain caused by over-exertion, strain, or sprain injuries, treatment for such chiropractic medications and injections may bring relief. But for those suffering from chronic and more severe back pain, there has been a little rescue until that. Dr. Michael […]
The Long-Term Effectiveness of Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
Patients often ask me, “Dr. Lea, what are the long-term effects of this treatment?” My answer depends on how many complicating factors they have or if they have any co-morbidities that may inhibit the healing process. Robert H. Odell, MD, Ph.D., and D. Boudreau, DO, conducted a study that was published in Anesthesiology News in […]
Harvard Medical School & Spinal Decompression
It is no secret that Harvard Medical School is among the top institutions in the United States for teaching the physicians of tomorrow and continuing research to solidify our understanding of health further. Norman Shealy, MD, PhD, is a graduate of Duke Medical School and was the head of the neurosurgery department at Harvard Medical […]
The Mayo Clinic & Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
John Leslie, MD, and his team at the Mayo Clinic sought to show the effectiveness and safety of non-surgical spinal decompression. This hallmark research study was first presented at the American Academy of Pain Management in 2007, followed by the New York Society of Anesiologists and the American Conference of Pain Medicine. The patients in […]
Spinal Fusion Side Effects
Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure used to join two or more vertebrae in the spine permanently. This typically occurs with metal screws and/or plates. There are certainly times when this type of surgical intervention is medically necessary, such as in extreme cases of spinal stenosis, spinal cord compression, or a failed trial of conservative […]
Class IV Laser Therapy: How It Works
There are different classes of non-surgical lasers used in outpatient procedures. Typically, these are used by providers specializing in non-invasive acute and chronic pain treatments. Class IV laser therapy, also known as high-power laser therapy, utilizes specific wavelengths of light to penetrate deep into tissues and stimulate cellular activity. When applied to areas of inflammation […]
Spine Surgery: Microdiscectomy
When a patient has confirmed disc pathology, many different surgical procedures may be recommended. This is often diagnosed through a battery of examinations performed by the doctor and/or diagnostic imaging such as an X-ray or MRI. A microdiscectomy is a surgical procedure to treat a herniated or bulging disc in the spine, either in the […]
Satisfaction & Spinal Decompression
In 2008, medical doctors from Stanford University and Johns Hopkins presented an article in the Journal of Medicine about satisfaction rates with non-surgical spinal decompression. This study showed an 8.98 out of 10 satisfaction rate among patients who completed a trial of non-surgical spinal decompression for chronic discogenic low back pain. In fact, 100% of […]
The 4 Stages of Degenerative Disc Disease
Introduction Degenerative disc disease is one of the most common diagnoses in spine care today. According to Columbia University, “most people’s spinal discs degenerate over time. By the age of 35, approximately 30% of people will show evidence of disc degeneration at one or more levels. By the age of 60, more than 90% of people will […]
