Questionhello,i hope you could help me understand my mri,and give some feed back on other options to help my back.this is my second mri,i have had chronic back pain for over 5 years now,and trying to find other ways to help my situation.mri of my lumbar spine says at l5s1 there is advanced loss of height and signal of the disc.there is a mild retrolisthesis.there is a dorsal bony ridge and disc bulge effacing the ventral fat.there is a small right paracentral disc herination further indenting the thecal sac and slightly enroaching on the right lateral recess. impression> l5s1 there is advanced disc space narrowing with endplate spondylosis and retrolisthesis. there is a dorsal bony ridge and disc bulge with a more focal small right paracentral disc herination.my doctor said if i dont consider surgery i will end up in a wheel chair,i am 44 years old.and keeping my option open.i know you can only give advice,and that is all i am looking for.and if you can break down my mri for me and terms i can understand.my mri last year said i had a large disc herination in the same spot with spinal stenosis.and ddd was moderate.i have pain everyday all day with leg nerve pain all the way down to my feet.thank you for your time
Answerstaten island chiropractic, hnp, herniated nucleus pulposis, herniated disc, staten island herniated disc, regimen of chiropractic care, staten island chiropractor, spinal stenosis, spinal narrowing, retrolisthesis,
Hello Lisa,
Let me Thank You for your question. Let me also say, I am sorry for your continued pain.
There are many alternatives in treatment of most conditions. Everyone's complaint/ condition is truly different. For some people, surgery does work; for some people acupuncture; for some people nutrition; for some people chiropractic. A difficult part of practice (regardless of practice discipline) is selecting the right patient for the right treatment option, providing the most efficient and safe treatment for that particular patient. I think you are very smart to search out treatment alternatives!
In my Staten Island Chiropractic practice I have many patients with severe MRI findings. But, these findings are different in the different patients. Some people have relatively mild or no symptoms at all- even with severe radiological findings. Some people have severe pain and dysfunction with few radiological findings. You mention 'pain everyday', does this pain interfere with Activities of Daily Living? Can you control the pain with any intervention (exercise/ rest/ medication/ nutrition/ P.R.I.C.E. /acupuncture/ chiropractic)?
Now, we look at function. Are you able to function? If you are able to function, there may not be a need to proceed to complicated invasive procedures; if you cannot function- then invasive procedures such as surgery move up on the option list. Function and how you feel is just as important as the MRI findings in neuro-musculo-skeletal conditions. Again; some people run marathons with the most severe of MRIs, while some people cannot get out of bed with little or nothing found on the tests.
You say, "....i have had chronic back pain for over 5 years now,and trying to find other ways to help my situation....". What does your family Doctor of Chiropractic(DC) say? What techniques/ approaches has your doctor applied in your case? There are MANY different chiropractic techniques, MANY different chiropractic specialties (just as in medicine: there are many specialties, and then even specialists have their own treatment preferences). If you go to four different Medical Doctors (MD), you may find five different recommendations; ranging from simple OTCs (over the counter medications), to rest/exercise/weght loss, to prescription medications ("...and do not worry- if this one doesn't work,,, we can try a different one...."), to various different surgical approaches.
If you have only gone to one MD or one DC, I would recommend seeing other(s). If you have only had one approach, I would recommend trying the plethora of other approaches.
The Chiropractic Doctor (DC) has many choices, just as our Medical Doctor (MD) colleagues do. Sometimes lay-people think of chiropractic as a monolith. But if your current family doctor of chiropractic has not tried several different approaches over these last few YEARS- searching for the most efficient answer to your complaints: get a different doctor. Types of chiropractic techniques: http://www.chiro.org/LINKS/technique.shtml , http://www.logan.edu/future-students/academic-degrees-and-programs/doctor-of-chi . You may want to try a chiropractic orthopedist, or chiropractic neurologist: http://www.acatoday.org/userImages/File/Microsoft_Word_-_Approved_Chiropractic_S(1).pdf , http://www.acatoday.org/UserFiles/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Approved%20Chiropractic(1).pdf .
Before progressing towards surgery, I would recommend investigating chiropractic spinal manipulation under anesthesia, chiropractic nonsurgical decompression, and other approaches.
Talk with your local DC or contact others.
You say, "....mri of my lumbar spine says at l5s1 there is advanced loss of height and signal of the disc.....". Your L5/S1 is the lower part of your low back. This spot is a focus of much stress, weight/ movement all come to bear here. The disc narrows or 'shrinks' as problems continue. Chiropractic can usually be helpful here; perhaps decompression or flexion/distraction techniques.
You also state; "...there is a mild retrolisthesis.there is a dorsal bony ridge and disc bulge effacing the ventral fat....". Malalignments of the spine are common in the chiropractic office: retrolisthesis is a misalignment often managed in the DCs practice. Dorsal bony ridge is an osteoarthritic type degeneration: this shows that you have had a long time with spinal degeneration going on. Both of these point to: poor posture habits over time, perhaps someting traumatic: a slip/ trip/ fall/ motor vehicle accident/ lifting injury: some type of trauma. Disc bulge is also another sign of stress at the area: whether trauma or developed over time.
Your MRI reads: "....there is a small right paracentral disc herination further indenting the thecal sac and slightly enroaching on the right lateral recess.....". The GOOD thing here is that nice adjective: 'small' as in 'small right paracentral disc herniation'. Chiropractic techniques such as nonsurgical decompression, S.O.T., Cox flexion/ distraction- these techniques are often helpful for this type finding.
The last part, the summary or impression reads: :....impression> l5s1 there is advanced disc space narrowing with endplate spondylosis and retrolisthesis. there is a dorsal bony ridge and disc bulge with a more focal small right paracentral disc herination.....". Again, usually this type of finding does respond to conservative noninvasive chiropractic care. If you have not had success with your current doctor, I would find a different chiropractor. My Staten Island Chiropractic office has many similar MRI findings that return to function.
Interestingly enough, it sounds like last year's previous MRI was worse: "...my mri last year said i had a large disc herination in the same spot with spinal stenosis.and ddd was moderate...."; notice that different adjective- 'LARGE' and also talks about 'spinal stenosis'. Perhaps your treatment, whatever it is, is actually progressing in the right direction? Did last year's MRI mention 'retrolisthesis'. It is frustrating when doctors do not find the same things!
"....i have pain everyday all day with leg nerve pain all the way down to my feet....", you are describing 'Sciatica'. The Sciatic Nerve can be as thick as your thumb. Sciatica is the inflammation of that nerve. Sciatica can come about from spinal imbalances: such as disc herniation, subluxation, muscle spasm. Sciatica can also come about (although less likely) from cancers, tumors, infections; even trauma- nicked by a needle injection, bruised by a blow. An EMG/ncv can tell about the degree(extent) of damage (pathology) in the nerve.
My recommendations: See some other doctors in person. Have a history/ exam/ review of relevant testing performed- in person. Try some new/ different treatment approaches. Do not be discouraged by MRI findings- just look at your own; they do not agree with what they find. Function is a key: how do you function, how can you restore more full function?
In my Staten Island Chiropractic practice i utilize many information handout sheets, perhaps this will be helpful to you:
First, we start with 'pain':
PAIN
Pain is a 憆ed light on the dashboard?
RED LIGHT = Trouble !!
Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong.
Think you should listen??
That RED LIGHT on the dashboard of your car-
-- do you ignore it until the car breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?
Pain,
pain in your body-
-- do you ignore it until your body breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?
Pain,
do you cover up the pain by taking a painkiller?
Take a painkiller,
mask the pain,
and allow a problem to progress in your body?
Pain Killing medication??? = 16,000 deaths ( probably under-reported )
DEATH ! ? ! ? better watch out on those medications!!!
NOTICE ON PAIN RELIEVERS:
Label changes ORDERED by FDA; the FDA announced proposed label changes for OTC over-the-counter pain relievers to include the potential for stomach bleeding and liver damage (FDA news 206- 207; 12-9-06) ;
SIXTEEN THOUSAND DEATHS: "Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective medications for the treatment of many chronically painful medical conditions. However, it is estimated that 25% of all serious adverse drug reactions involve NSAIDs, with more than 100,000 hospitalizations and 16,000 deaths occurring annually due to NSAID-induced gastrointestinal (GI) events."----- http://hhc.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/13/6/468 Home Health Care Management & Practice, Vol. 13, No. 6, 468-475 (2001) Motrin, Advil = NSAIDS
The American Heart Association issued a scientific statement recommending medical doctors change the way they prescribe OTC pain relievers from a first choice to an alternate of recommending non-pharmacologic treatment (AHA statement 2-26-07).
NSAID Acceleration of ARTHRITIS; an important side effect of Aspirin and other NSAIDS is that it will inhibit cartilage repair and accelerate cartilage destruction ( Journal of Rheumatology, 1982; 9: 3- 5 ). Many times people take NSAIDS for the pain of Arthritis, not realizing these drugs may make the underlying condition worse. These medications cover up the pain, and cause the problem to worsen.
http://rinf.com/alt-news/business-news/prescription-drugs-kill-300-percent-more-
= An analysis of 168,900 autopsies conducted in Florida in 2007 found that three times as many people were killed by legal drugs as by cocaine, heroin and all methamphetamines put together. BE CAREFUL WITH THAT MEDICATION !!!
It was reported in 2000, that 700,000 U.S. citizens die as a result from medical causes (iatrogenics). Of course, other records and statistics had the number above the one million mark. Whether 700,000 or one million people, that's a lot of innocent people dying from visiting a hospital and trusting a medical doctor.= http://www.dherbs.com/articles/iatrogenics-99.html
Pain can often be the result of the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Vertebral Subluxation is actually a quite common condition. Doctors of Chiropractic look for pathological conditions which may require referral to other specialties, and also look for 慡ubluxation? Other disciplines look for pathology, but overlook the importance of alignment and movement in the spine which affects our nervous system (the master control system- ALL health disciplines learn this). VSC- 慡ubluxation??can be the cause of many symptoms and conditions.
Only a Doctor of Chiropractic will evaluate and treat for VSC, as well as other pathology.
The course of VSC is highly variable. Some patients with VSC literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar test findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights. Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC, some patients take years to develop symptoms. Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months. Some people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position. When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition. Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.
Vertebral Subluxation cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone. Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction- - - a manipulation, best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.
Dr. Victor E. Dolan, Doctor of Chiropractic; Diplomate, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomate, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST Chief of Chiropractic in a Hospital in New York State (DHSI); As Seen in PREVENTION Magazine , Invited to Colorado Springs (Olympic Training Center) to Care for USA Olympic Athletes 2010 , Chiropractor to the Championship NYPD Football Team, and the PSAL High School Football Champions (Curtis) , Staten Island SPORTS Hall of Fame- Unsung Hero 2011 , Selected to the Medical Staff of the 2011 Pan American Games, Guadalajara Mexico
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A safe way to treat pain:
P.R.I.C.E. = P protection. R rest. I ice. C compression. E elevation.
Hurt yourself ??
injury/ trauma/ bruise/ not even sure - - a broken bone ??
You should certainly get to the Doctor or trained health professional to be examined if you think it is bad enough. BUT in the meantime, some simple steps may help. PRICE.
The PRICE protocol will usually help just about any musculoskeletal injury.
P = Protection; protect the area from further injury- stop what you are doing, can you
pad or bandage the area ? Tape the area? Do something to protect the area !
R = Rest; rest the area as much as possible, if a part is damaged, give the body time to
repair the area
I = Ice; ice is a potent anti-inflammatory; it will slow swelling, help with pain control
(ice is analgesic), place ice over cloth over the injured area for 5, 10 minutes, off the
injured area for 30 minutes; then back on again ( please do NOT use heat, heat adds to edema->
heat feels good while it is on,,,, and often makes the condition WORSE after you take heat off )
C = Compression; to help prevent swelling compression may be helpful- for example
if it is an ankle, wrap the ankle with an ace bandage and ice the area. Many body
parts may not be applicable to compression.
E = Elevation; again to fight swelling and pain, raising the injured body part above the
heart may be helpful- ie raise an ankle or knee, you lay down, raise the injured part
PRICE may help : Sprains, Strains, musculo-skeletal injury, bruise, contusion
Sometimes a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, athletic injury, or a motor vehicle accident can cause a bump or bruise, sprain or strain. Sometimes also involved with the injury is a vertebral subluxation (or other joint subluxation) (subluxation is a mechanical problem- of any joint- and requires a mechanical correction). In the spine, a sprain/strain is a misalignment, a 慿ink?in the joint, a stretch of the muscles, tendons and/ or ligaments:- more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation. Sometimes symptoms can come immediately, sometimes days, weeks or even months later!- Well after the actual trauma !!!
Spinal = Vertebral Subluxation Complex (a.k.a. 憇ubluxation? ; ( subluxation COULD be any joint )
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
This is a serious condition identified by its five parts:
Spinal Kinesiopathology:
This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.
Neuropathophysiology:
Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.
Myopathology:
Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.
Histopathology:
A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.
Pathophysiology:
Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.
Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Vertebral Subluxation cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone. Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction- - - a manipulation, best performed with the chiropractic adjustment. For good health- Treat the Cause, not just the Symptoms. Sprain/ strain/ bump/ bruise?= may result in subluxation of the nearby joint. CORRECT the subluxation !!!!
Sometimes using a CHEMICAL medication to correct an underlying MECHANICAL condition delays proper treatment and allows CHRONICITY to settle in. Chronicity makes it more difficult for the body to heal completely. Using CHEMICAL answers to a MECHANICAL problem is like putting expensive gasoline in a car, and hoping the gasoline helps correct the front end alignment (it just does not work....).
Chiropractic is safe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11VN2sGMdbI
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
揚inched Nerve?
( Also Known As- neuritis, neuralgia, brachial-neuritis, sciatica )
損inched nerve??is only ?a diagnosis,
WHAT is causing the 憄inch?
"SCIATICA" is only 1/2 a diagnosis,,,, WHAT is causing the Sciatica? VSC?, HNP?, spasm?
Your Doctor of Chiropractic will examine and evaluate you to make sure you are not showing signs of neurological damage or disease, tumors, cancers, severe pathology, perhaps a Herniated Disc, or a Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Sometimes we can wake up with a 憄inched nerve? or a muscle spasm.... sometimes a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, or even a motor vehicle accident can cause a 憄inched nerve?
Very often - the true c a u s e of the pinched nerve, painor numbness in the: neck and/ or shoulder and/ or arm and/ or hand; pain in the back and/ or buttock/ hip/ leg/ knee/ foot - is a misalignment, a 慿ink?in the neck or back - more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation.
Vertebral Subluxation Complex (a.k.a. 憇ubluxation?
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
This is a serious condition identified by its five parts:
Spinal Kinesiopathology:
This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.
Neuropathophysiology:
Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.
Myopathology:
Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.
Histopathology:
A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.
Pathophysiology:
The VSC contributes to OsteoArthritic degeneration. Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position and the resulting dysfunction(s).
Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Vertebral Subluxation cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone. Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction- - - a manipulation, best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.
For good health-
Treat the Cause, not just the Symptoms.
揚inched Nerve? ( Also Known As- neuritis, neuralgia, brachial-neuritis, sciatica )
損inched nerve??is only ?a diagnosis, WHAT is causing the 憄inch? ?That 損inch?has to be taken care of FIRST!
As the 損inch??the MECHANICAL component of the problem, the CAUSE of the problem is being taken care of through Chiropractic treatment, perhaps additional help would speed your return to health:
Nerve Health Support:
-----B complex containing thiamine, folic acid, B-12 and niacin is highly suggested for nerve support. High dose
B-vitamins should only be taken at the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.
-----B-6 is lower in patients with neuropathy. Vitamin B-6 reduces the glycosylation that can cause nerve damage. Amounts greater than 200mg/day can cause neuropathy symptoms.
-----Calcium and magnesium are important for nerve conduction and as muscle relaxants.
-----A multi-vitamin/mineral supplement is suggested for comprehensive support.
-----Essential fatty acids are necessary for nerve health. Essential fatty acids include omega-3 fatty acids (fish and flax oil) and omega-6 fatty acids (black currant seed oil, borage oil and evening primrose oil).
-----Proteolytic enzymes may be beneficial in neuritis for the inflammation.
-----Lecithin aids in nerve support.
-----Natural herbal remedies including passion flower, valerian, chamomile, scullcap and white willow bark may be helpful.
-----Eat a healthy diet. Avoid foods that stimulate the nervous system such as caffeine, chocolate, refined sugars, soda pop and cigarettes.
-----Drink plenty of filtered water.
-----Chiropractic care is imperative to remove nerve irritation.
Joint Support:
-----Glucosamine sulfate helps strengthen joint integrity. Glucosamine is effective in relieving joint pain associated with osteoarthritis. Glucosamine's pain-relieving effects may be due to its cartilage-rebuilding properties. These disease-modifying effects are not seen with simple analgesics and are of particular benefit.
-----MSM is known for its pain-relieving properties in such conditions as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, back pain and muscle soreness. Not many clinical trials have been done using MSM, but clinical observations support the theory that MSM is beneficial in pain managment.
-----White willow is an antiinflammatory and analgesic agent. White willow was used as far back as the Middle Ages to reduce pain and fevers. The salicylates found in the white willow bark are responsible for the anti-inflammatory and anti-fever effects. Acetylsalicylic acid, otherwise known as aspirin, is chemically similar to the salicylates.
-----Boswellia and turmeric (curcumin) are potent antiinflammatory herbs. Curcumin may have similar action to aspirin.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I would continue to look at alternatives. I know you have had pain for years; I do not know if you have actually utilized these alternative methods- given them time to work.
I hope this information helps, if you need further information, have more questions; do not hesitate to REcontact your Staten Island Chiropractor friend here at AllExperts.com :
http://www.allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm
Thanks for the question, good luck in returning to good health naturally!
Dr. Victor Dolan
Staten Island Chiropractor
drvictordolan.net
