Question
MRI revealed facet hypertrophy L/4&5, DDD L/2,3,4,5, disc touching, effacing and deforming thecal sac at L/4,5. C6,7 osteophyte formations, T10,11 bulging discs.  I have constant pain in left leg (back and top of thigh).  Muscle spasm (constant) in mid back to the right of shoulder  blade, migraines and recently having problems with weak ankle on right side.  Currently undergoing PT and pain management.  I am in pain ALL the time.  Any suggestions to end the pain?

Answer
Yes Beverly,

I do have some suggestions to not only end the pain but permanently fix the problem. For decades your exact problem has been successfully cured with flexion/distraction and most recently spinal decompression. No one should suffer anymore with physical therapy when these breakthroughs have been proven and around for so many years.

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-


Here is a link that points to doctors that are certified plus goes into detail on the procedure.

You should be near pain free in a few weeks, try it and you won't look back.

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

Let me know if you need a referral.

Dr. Timothy Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com