Understanding Inflammation in a Disc Herniation
As a conservative spine care doctor, I often encounter patients with both lumbar and cervical disc herniations. These patients usually have an MRI, which is how they find out they have a disc herniation. Currently, the standard of care for a disc herniation is a trial of physical therapy, which lasts 6-8 weeks. In many […]
Pros and Cons of Back Surgery
Spine surgery is, from what my patients tell me, two of the most feared words in their vocabulary. So many patients have dealt with debilitating spine issues for years and are desperate for any relief. Often, the patients who come to my clinic have already been to the chiropractor, physical therapist, and massage therapist. They’ve […]
Can Herniated Discs Heal?
Herniated discs can cause debilitating pain and significantly impact quality of life. While traditional treatments often involve addictive opioids, risky epidural injections, or invasive surgeries, non-surgical spinal decompression therapy using the DRX-9000 offers a safer and more effective alternative[1][2]. How the DRX-9000 Works The DRX-9000 True Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression System is designed to provide pain […]
Peripheral Neuropathy: A Difficult Diagnosis
As a specialist in conservative treatment of spine pain, I often encounter patients struggling with peripheral neuropathy. There are a couple of causes of peripheral neuropathy. Frequently, it can be correlated with uncontrolled diabetes. Evidence in medical research shows that spinal pathology can have the sequela of peripheral neuropathy. Though the mechanism of action is […]
Understanding the Impact of Craniocervical Junction Misalignment on Spinal Health
The upper cervical spine, consisting of the atlas (C1) and the axis (C2), plays a pivotal role in supporting the head and enabling a wide range of head movements. The underlying nerves and blood vessels provide nutrition to the spine, including ligaments, muscles, and intervertebral discs. A misalignment at the craniocervical junction (CCJ) can negatively […]
Traction vs Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
Do you have a bulging or herniated disc? Do you have sciatica? Do you have numbness, burning, or tingling going down your arm and into your hands? Have you been told you have a slipped disc or pinched nerve? If you or someone you know answered yes to any of these questions, this article is […]
Nitric Oxide: The Missing Link?
Introduction I am always hesitant to recommend supplementation to my patients for several reasons. My primary reason is that I myself don’t prefer taking supplements EVERY SINGLE DAY. Reason #1: It gets old taking an assortment of supplements day in and day out. Reason #2: It’s expensive! I spent two years of bodybuilding in college. […]
Insurance Coverage & Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
As a doctor in private practice, I understand that managing spine pain can be physically and financially challenging. One key consideration is that insurance often does not cover 100% of medical costs, particularly for out-of-network care. However, investing in noninvasive, nonsurgical treatments can offer significant long-term benefits despite the initial out-of-pocket expenses. Non-invasive treatment options […]
Mayo Clinic & Spinal Decompression Success
The following is a hallmark spinal decompression study conducted by John Leslie, MD, and published by the Mayo Clinic. This is a prospective, multicenter, phase II, non-randomized clinical study to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of non-surgical spinal decompression for active treatment of chronic lower back pain utilizing a standardized clinical research multimodal protocol. This […]
Understanding the Craniocervical Junction: Anatomy, Safety, and Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care
As a PhD anatomist, I approach chiropractic care with a healthy skepticism, particularly concerning its safety around the craniocervical junction. The risk of stroke associated with cervical manipulations has been a topic of significant debate. However, it’s crucial to understand the anatomy of the blood vessels in this region and to recognize the safety protocols […]