Question
I have suffered for a long time with lower back pain radiatin down right leg w/ weakness and tingling.  An MRI done 2 weeks ago showed I had bulging disc at L-4.  For months prior, I had neck pain with tingling and sharp pain in the right arm.  MRI of neck showed nothing and the nerve conduction only showed "no response" in right pelvic and right back area.  A week and a half ago, I started having severe pain in the mid-line back. The pain in mid-back is relentless, even worse than lower back, at least for now.  Could the symptoms with neck, arm, and now mid-back be thorasic disc bulge?

Answer
Hi Tina,

Absolutely your symptoms could arise from the spine and associated discs. These problems are readily treated noninvasively with spinal decompression, namely flexion/distraction therapy.


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


A Chiropractor is specifically trained for these exact problems. Nine years of college makes them the premier authorities for neuromuscular conditions. No other physicians have the extensive training necessary to deal with these problems noninvasively. The site below gives more detail on what the proven and researched therapy involves as well as certified physician locations.

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

If one isn't on the list near you, I will be happy to find you one that is.


Good Luck!

Dr. Timothy Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com