Question
QUESTION: I have a 12 years background of muscle pain, weakness and spasm which has been diagnosed as vision.

I also have cervical spondylosis from and Accident at work in 1990 and also Lumber problems with sciatica and which was from my pregnancy in 1982 and another more recent accident 3 years ago.
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12 months ago I started having a terrible imbalance problem [feeling of swaying and being pulled] with extreme spasms up my spine and into the back of the head. With this I also have a myriad of other symptoms - including double and blurred vision, breathing problems, headaches,brain symptoms, speech problems, spasm cough and some urinary leakage.

I have a hump at the base of my neck which throws my head forward and a mild to moderate curvature in my middleback [Scoliosis] and a loss of lordosis in the Lumber and Cervical region.

I was wondering if you had any ideas as to what could be causing so many symptoms as I feel it maybe that my spine is out of line in more than one place and causing my head to not be on straight!!


ANSWER: Hi Andrea,

You couldn't be a better candidate for Chiropractic care than anyone else alive on the planet. You need to see a DC that has F/D tables and get proper imaging such as a MRI of the brain and cervical spine. This needs to be addressed soon before things get out of hand and it becomes permanent.

For decades flexion/distraction has decompressed discs without invasive cutting.

http://www.coxtechnic.com/homepage.asp



Flexion-Distraction Therapy - What is it?


Flexion-Distraction, (F/D) is a gentle, chiropractic treatment procedure utilized for back and neck pain. Flexion-Distraction is a safe alternative to back surgery for those 95% of patients whose conditions do not demand surgical intervention. The doctor is in control of the treatment movements at all times.

Flexion-Distraction is utilized for many conditions such as:

Failed Back surgical Syndromes
Disc Herniation/Ruptured Disc / Bulging Disc / Herniated Disc
Sciatica / Leg pain
"Whiplash" injuries
Stenosis
Arm Pain
Neck Pain
Failed course of Steroid Injections
Chemical Radiculitis
Spondylolisthesis
Headache
Transitional segment
Many more conditions?
How does Flexion-Distraction Work?

For Disc related conditions:

Increases the intervertebral disc height to remove annular tension on the annular fibers and nerve by making more room and improving circulation.
Allows the nucleus pulposus, the center of the disc, to assume its central position within the annular fibers and relieves irritation of the spinal nerve.
Restores vertebral joints to their physiological relationships of motion.
Improves posture and locomotion while relieving pain, improving body functions, and creating a state of well-being.
For Non-Disc related conditions:

Patients with other conditions causing back pain (facet syndrome, spondylolisthesis, sprain/strain, scoliosis, transitional vertebra, sacroiliac restrictions and misalignment, certain types of spinal stenosis), Flexion/Distraction provides all of the above benefits plus the ability to place the spinal joints into normal, painless movements so as to restore spinal motion without pain:

The posterior disc space increases in height.
F/D decreases disc protrusion and reduces stenosis.
Flexion stretches the ligamentum flavum to reduce stenosis.
Flexion opens the vertebral canal by 2 mm (16%) or 3.5 to 6mm more than extension.
Flexion increases metabolite transport into the disc.
Flexion opens the apophyseal joints and reduces posterior disc stress
The nucleus pulposus does not move on flexion. Intradiscal pressure drops under distraction to below 100mm Hg. On extension the nucleus or annulus is seen to protrude posterior into the vertebral canal.
Intervertebral foraminal openings enlarge giving patency to the nerve.

Reference: Cox JM, Feller JA, Cox-Cid JA: Topics in clinical Chiropractic 1996; 3(3):45-59

You can call around the local area and ask if the DC has F/D tables. These are usually reduced in a few weeks. No way surgery is the first option, besides, scar tissue grows rapidly after surgery necessitating more surgeries. They usually fail anyway, get the F/D!

Massage won't hurt but it won't solve the problem either.


I ask only that you take a few seconds to rate my response. Your feedback helps me refine my expertise and helps to guide future questioners.


Thank you for your question Andrea and good Luck!

Dr. Timothy Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com

 


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your comprehensive reply....what do you think has actually happened?
The other concern I have is that these symptoms came on after seeing an Osteopath who used the tilting type tables and so I am pretty wary about using them again. Is this the same thing?

Answer
I think there is mechanical pressure on a nerve that needs decompression. I sincerely doubt a DO would have F/D tables but some do. Like 3 in the country, chances are high he didn't. Check out this site, it even shows the table, it will not lend to any complications, it is the safest form of treatment known to man, zero complications!


http://www.coxtechnic.com/homepage.asp


Thank you for your question Andrea and good Luck!

Dr. Timothy Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com