Question
QUESTION: My age 36 years old. I had mid and lower back pain form last 4 months. I am hyper acidity patient with ulcer at duodenum D2. My MRI of dorsal spine and screening gives impression
1)Posterior disc bulge at D9/D10 level compressing the thecal sac.
2)Disc desiccation in mid and lower dorsal spine.

Because of this, I didn't sit continuously, also not getting proper sleep due to pain like heavy object is put on my back.

Pls help in cure.

Thanks...
Shiva

ANSWER: Hi Shivanand,

I hope you live where they either have inversion tables or flexion/distraction tables. You have a very rare problem area but very common condition. Most discs don't herniate in the thoracic (dorsal) spine. What makes me think you do not live in the US is the report, we refer to the thoracic spine as such instead of dorsal or D9/10 it would be T9//10.

No way you need surgery or even a consult for a herniated disc. It is expensive, dangerous and unnecessary 95% of the time. 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.

Inversion tables can be risky if you have blood vessel problems, these are impossible to diagnose unless you have had an angiogram. People get upside down and stroke out or die immediately because they where unaware of having an aneurysm. This is very unlikely and if you stand on your head much, you will be fine. It does happen though so I have to warn you for your own safety. They can be purchased online fairly easily. I would go to a chiropractor first and get it fixed (cured) properly.

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 Shivanand and good Luck!

Dr. Timothy Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com

 


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

QUESTION: Thanks for your kind guidence.

I live in Mumbai, India. I don't think Flexion-Distraction Therapy is available here. I will search for the same in locally. Can you please tell me what precautions to be taken, what other alternative technique like exercises to be done. For what reason it had happen. How much time to cure it.
ANSWER: I believe India has it, but just in case, ice it down every chance you get and bending your knees to your chest one at a time 20X each side then both knees to the chest while on back before you get into bed and before you get out of bed. No active exercises indicated, this will only worsen condition, so will heat. Taking glucosamine sulfate 3000mg/day with MSM will strengthen and repair the connective tissue in the disc. A mail order inversion table is the next best thing but there is a slight chance of stroke depending on age and family history of brain aneurysm. This is all known scientific things that can be done without access to F/D tables.


Dr. Timothy Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com

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

QUESTION: Thanks once again for good guidence.

Tell me place in India where Flexion-Distraction Therapy is available. I am doing yoga(Pranayama +Light exercise about 1hour) for last 3 months. I am having hyper acidity with ulcer at duodenum D2, so taking glucosamine sulfate 3000mg/day with MSM will have any side effect.

Thanks..
Shivanand

Answer
Hi Shivanand,

I don't have a directory for India but there are many Chiropractors that should have this type of table. There are no known side effects of GS with MSM because without it you would die. It makes up cartilage and is made from cartilage. Some cheap brands are made from shell fish, if allergic, find a brand made from another source. It certainly will not have any adverse effects on any ulcer conditions. Antibiotics usually cure those.

If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask.

Dr. Timothy Durnin