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Hope For New Back Pain Sufferers! “The Severe Back, Sciatica, And Disk Pain Guide” While most people get over their back pain quickly, get back to work, and really get on with their lives, others (possibly like you) will continue to suffer, losing time at work, and missing precious moments with family and friends. Some will have severe back pain that is completely devastating and renders them disabled. If this describes you, then this “Severe Back, Sciatica, And Disk Pain Guide” is for you. Did you know…That many patients have told me that their doctors still believe that their back pain was not very serious, that it had little effect on their quality of life, and generally should go away in about a month without any or little treatment at all. Did you know…Some have even told me their doctors said they really had a psychological problem. Did you know…Most of the conventional wisdom about back pain…is inaccurate? Did you know...A 2005 article in the prestigious orthopedic journal “Spine” studied patients who suffered with lower back pain and/or sciatica. 99% of the patients were told that they would get either a moderate or great improvement in their quality of life after the surgery. But the study found that in reality 39% did not even have minimally important improvement. Did you know…One scientific study from 2004 showed that there was improvement in the short term with injections, but when the patients were checked two years later, over two thirds of these patients had undergone additional invasive procedures? So there was a 2/3 chance that you eventually end up with an invasive spinal surgery following injections. Did you know…There's a term that is used a lot in orthopedic and medical circles-"Failed Back Surgery Syndrome." The greatest risk factors for having a second back operation is having one in the first place. And the greatest risk factor for having a third operation is having two previous sessions under the knife. But I have to give a note of caution here… There ARE cases where surgery will be your only and best option but these are called emergencies, such as when a disk compresses the nerves so badly in your lower back that you lose bowel or bladder function; or when there is numbness where you sit on your backside-this is called saddle anesthesia or numbness and it's important to be aware of this type of emergency problem. But 99% will never experience these symptoms but suffer in a way that is not quite an emergency but feels like an emergency because the pain just never goes away. Hello, My name is Dr. Keith Turley, and I want to take a moment to explain the back and leg pain world for those who have not experienced it. I want to show you the research, the facts that demonstrate what a severe problem back pain is for many of those who suffer from it. And possibly why after so many failed treatments and months and years of suffering, you, like the thousands of fellow sufferers who’ve requested this report are still suffering in pain. This guide is about facts-not a bunch of hot air. You’ve gotten too much of that already-from caring friends with whatever "worked for them" and maybe even some doctors and therapists who assume that they are always the answer….like that saying, “If your only tool is a hammer sometimes everything looks like a nail”. I think this guide will be a breath of fresh air and hopefully guide to you to a potentially better solution for your severe back or leg pain, one you may not have even considered or even heard of - a treatment your doctor has probably never discussed or even known about and one that is used in a small percentage of clinics in the United States. A small fraction of the approximately 1,000,000 health care providers in the U.S. are using this technology. If You Dispute Any Of The Claims Made In This Guide, Then Just Look Up The References At The End …Or Discuss This Information With A Competent Doctor. Now Let’s Get Started… The Back Pain Epidemic Our government is looking for answers to this "epidemic" and starting "national strategies" and "campaigns" to combat back pain. About 40% of adults will have back pain in the past month and anywhere from 60 to 90% will have back pain at some point in their lives. These facts come from studies all over the world, The United States, Canada, Sweden and other countries are working overtime studying this back pain “epidemic”. There May Very Well Be A Solution For Your Back or Leg Pain… Just because something like back pain is so common, it doesn’t mean there aren’t potential solutions out there for you. Many back pain sufferers give up too early and believe that they will have a life of pain; that there is nothing that can be done. I understand. Severe back or leg pain can cause a bad attitude or perspective, which is very self-destructive for you and your life. This alone can be a serious problem. Not because it's in your head. But because a bad attitude might keep you from learning about relatively new and little known advancements in back pain treatment. Or make you start to disengage from life. Inactivity will generally make chronic back problems worse. Considering Back Surgery? You might be thinking that severe chronic back pain can be fixed with surgery. It seems logical at first thought. Why can't the surgeon just remove the painful thing in my lower back-just get rid of it- like taking out a tumor? Unfortunately even surgeons today recognize that back pain alone is generally not a good indication for spinal surgery. No surgeon worth his salt would recommend surgery for someone with back pain. Let's explore this option more thoroughly, because you may be sitting on the fence with this or may have already scheduled yourself for elective spinal surgery. You probably have at least thought about spinal surgery, especially if you've had back pain for a long time, or the leg pain is just unbearable-but I do not want you to give up hope. Tackling back problems is difficult so you need to persevere-and give it time and effort. You need to at least have hope for a conservative option. Your determination to try everything possible, and give it a real chance before going under the knife, will mean everything to your chances for success. Anything less can lead to a downward spiral of pain and potentially lifetime disability. At best, spinal surgery should only be used by those who have tried everything else, have excruciating leg pain, or something called neurological deficits (like foot drop). Even in cases like these, surgery is no panacea (no cure-all). But you probably already know that-you've heard from friends about the results of their spinal surgery and you doubt that this is the best choice for you. But there's something between the option of drastic, unproven, and irreversible spinal surgery and just doing nothing at all-which is where you are probably sitting. But first, let’s discuss the 5 back pain myths… Five Back Pain Myths… 1. Back pain goes away quickly 2. Back Pain is a trivial problem 3. Pills (NSAIDs and muscle relaxers) are safe and effective for your back pain 4. Bed rest is good for you 5. The pain is the problem Myth #1: Back pain goes away quickly Medical doctors were thoroughly convinced of this myth. A patient would typically hurt his back, go see the doctor, get a prescription for some pain pills, and then never return. Physicians thought that if the patient never came back, then they must have been cured. But no one ever thought to ask the patient and follow-up on how they were doing. One study did just that, and found out that a whopping 75% of patients will still have back pain a year later. Many patients will also go to see other therapists and chiropractors, and never tell their family medical doctor about what they are doing about it, and how the pain still affects their life. Myth #2: Back Pain is a trivial problem I mean it's just an aching back right? Take two pills and call me in the morning-right? It's hard to get sympathy from your friends when you're not bleeding or bed-ridden. But there is research that shows just how serious back pain affects your quality of life. One study showed that physical functioning (how we live and move) in patients with back pain is very bad. Much worse in fact than people who have heart disease, stomach ulcers, and even emphysema. So if you think your life has been completely turned upside down by your back pain-there is a very good reason why you think this: IT HAS! Myth #3: Pills (NSAIDs and muscle relaxers) are safe and effective for your back pain… I wish it were this easy. "Take two pills and call me in the morning," as the doctor would say. There are a few reasons why this approach does not work and that in fact, taking this type of approach could lead to serious complications with your health. NSAIDs is an abbreviation for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They're not steroids (like cortisone) and are thought to be less toxic to the body. They are for the most part, but being less toxic doesn't mean something is safe especially if you take NSAIDs for a long time. These drugs can be purchased "over the counter" and by "prescription." The ones that are only available with a doctor's prescription are much more powerful in their effect and can cause more complications. People with back problems generally suffer over many years and even decades. NSAIDs can cause bleeding in your stomach and intestines and lead to ulcers. Kidney injury is another complication, which increases with the number of pills consumed. These complications are seen in those who consume them for many years. Check the information that comes with the prescription-you'll see it all there printed in black & white. If it's an "over the counter" product like ibuprofen you can read it on the side of the bottle. Important: If you like to have a few drinks during the week to relax- the two after dinner martini's, then liver problems can also occur. And when I say liver problems, the problem could be liver failure, which might mean a liver transplant for you. You may have seen ads on TV for various drugs (cholesterol drugs for example) with cautionary phrases such as "simple blood tests will be needed to see if you have liver problems." It's very deceptive to the public. Yes the blood test is "simple," but liver failure is not a simple problem. So that's safety. The other problem with NSAIDs is they have not been shown to be effective in good clinical trials. Given the amount of consumption of NSAIDs in society today (truckloads), for everything from back pain, to headaches, to painful periods, we should be in pain-free nirvana by now…but we aren't! I am sure you have already tried these pills and found them not to be effective. Myth #4: Bed rest is good for you I wish this were true, taking to bed for a week until the back pain heels up. It wasn't too long ago that medical doctors would prescribe two weeks of bed rest for back pain. It certainly seems logical at first glance. Maybe it hurts to move, to sit, stand, and resting an injured area seems like the right thing to do to protect it. But logic can be deceptive when it comes to back pain. What's more, logic doesn't stand a chance to scientific studies and there are plenty when it comes to bed rest. The jury is completely in on this question: inactivity will actually make back pain much, much worse. It will de-condition your spinal muscles and make them weaker-which will mean more pain and less function for you. You've heard of "placebo effects" right? - sugar pill (not the real thing) that the patient "believes" will work. This belief is very powerful and can make pain better. The mind has a powerful influence on the body. Bed rest is not considered a "placebo" treatment. Instead it's called a nocebo-meaning that it's not just ineffective, but it will actually make your pain much worse! Myth #5: The pain is the problem Pain is a signal that there is something wrong with your body. It tells you to "be careful" to "get attention." It's kind of like a fire alarm. It's not the fire. When a house is burning, do the firefighters just show up to cut the fire alarm and expect the inferno will stop? Of course not! But that's just how many people approach back pain-cut the fire alarm. A U.S. government guideline from back in 1994 attempted to dispel this myth. The guideline talks about low back problems not just low back pain. Problems can be how you function, how your spine moves, and the actual structure(s) in your back that are injured. Pain is in your head. The problem is the spine and it's important to have your problem(s) examined objectively. Sitting in a chair and getting handed a prescription for some pain pills after you tell your pain story is not a proper or thorough examination. Medical doctors have taken this approach for many years, simply because it was all they knew to do. If you want to begin to solve your back problem, you need to first have a comprehensive and thorough examination to figure out the diagnosis. Only then can treatment be directed to the problem vs. the pain. So what do I have to offer in my clinic for the severe back, sciatica, disk and leg pain sufferer? I am using a fairly new treatment in my office called spinal decompression. The device is called the DRX9000™ and is based on the theory that decompressing your spine is one way that disk spaces can be increased and disk protrusions may be reduced. Spinal Decompression is much different than conventional traction... Although traction has been around for thousands of years-the science has shown it just not be very effective. In fact, in some areas of the body, such as the neck, getting traction can be a risk factor for more severe problems down the road. In the case of the lower back, it has not been shown to reduce disk bulges, get you back to work, or lower your pain. One of the theories as to why this is the case, is the effect of your back muscles in resisting the pull when traction is applied. The distraction forces come on much differently with the DRX9000™. The machine is constantly sensing your muscles' resistance to the distraction forces. When your muscles contract, the machine backs off a bit-when they "let go" it pulls more. Also the forces are cycled, and ramped up and down in an attempt to "confuse" your muscles so that maximal decompression is achieved. The machine uses very sophisticated technology to achieve this. The DRX9000™ it is not your grandfather's traction! Or the same as hanging upside down or perhaps other devices you may have tried in the past. Here’s what the DRX9000™ it looks like at the top of this page. The DRX9000™ is also different from other decompression technologies. On the DRX9000™ the patient always lays face up with the knees bent with support rests underneath the shoulders. You do not grip onto anything with your hands during the treatments, which can be tiring for some patients. With the DRX9000™ the angle of decompression can be adjusted to affect different lumbar levels in your lower spine. What is the theory behind decompression? How does it work? An experimental study has shown than in non-degenerated, but bulging disks (something your MRI or CT scan would show), decompression can lower the pressure inside the disk. This negative pressure may then draw or suck the displaced disk material more towards the center of the disk and away from your nerves. For many patients this can mean pain relief because a compressed nerve is a painful nerve. If the pressure on the nerve is released, it can begin to heal. The DRX9000™ is designed to assist the body's natural tendency to heal itself because Mother Nature sometimes needs a little help. If the disk can be moved even a small amount away from the nerve, this can be enough to decrease inflammation and irritation. We need more studies to fully understand why patients can improve when they receive this type of treatment and which types of disk problems respond the most. What about the evidence or research behind Spinal Decompression? One study with a decompression machine showed a marked reduction in disk herniations or protrusions of patients. Not everyone was helped, but remember, these were patients with chronic long-term problems. When a treatment may help even a fraction of the patients with these types of back and leg pain-where nothing else has worked-you should take notice. The protrusions were shown to change and were measured using MRI technology. The study I have looked which specifically used the DRX9000™ was published in the Orthopedic Technology Review. It is a study of 219 patients, which is a large number of patients as far as studies go. The patients had a variety of different problems. Some had single level disc herniations, and others had multiple levels that were bulging. Some had more back than leg pain and others had mostly sciatica. The patients encompassed a large spectrum of different kinds of problems, and levels of pain: 1. single lateral herniation.................67 cases 2. single central herniation................22 cases 3. single lateral herniation with disc degeneration......................32 cases 4. single central herniation with disc degeneration.......................24 cases 5. more than one herniation with disc degeneration.......................17 cases 6. more than one herniation without disc degeneration..................57 cases None of the patients had previous back surgery and 73 of them had received epidural injections for back problems. The study looked at how they responded to the DRX9000™ in terms of pain, disability, and physical findings including range of motion, and neurological function. The results were that a very large percentage of the patients obtained substantial relief. The study was blinded so that the researchers didn't have certain knowledge about some aspects of the patient care. However, the study does not have a control group, so I cannot make strong statements about how this treatment may affect you. There are currently studies ongoing to more fully evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the DRX9000™. As is usually the case in health care, evidence is somewhat limited, but I think the DRX9000™ is worth considering for a couple of reasons: First, there are virtually no treatments in back care today that are supported by large-scale, controlled, double blinded, randomized clinical trials. That may come as a shock to you but most doctors, medical or chiropractic, really cannot cite great evidence for things they do day in and day out. Physical therapists, acupuncturists, massage therapists-all who treat back problems- are pretty much in the same evidence boat, so to speak. Maybe that's why there are as many different treatments available as there are doctors. Or why you sometimes feel like you're going through a maze looking for some cheese when trying to deal with this very common problem. The second reason you should carefully weigh the evidence for spinal decompression is because of the well-established scientific facts on the risks of spinal surgery. If there's one thing research has shown, is that surgery, except in extremely rare emergency situations, simply does not work unless you have: 1. numbness where you sit down 2. bowel and bladder problems, or 3. severe neurological deficits (such as foot drop or loss of muscle control) Without the symptoms listed above, your decision to have back surgery is considered an elective procedure and may not be necessarily needed. That is why it is important that you exhaust your conservative options first. There is a dismal lack of evidence that surgery is effective, and surgery will create permanent changes in your spine. What's more, several studies have shown that doing nothing at all, works just as well, and sometimes even better, than doing spinal surgery…and taking pain pills for the rest of your life doesn't seem like a good option either-since there are major bleeding risks and kidney problems associated with their long-term use. Your disc must be damaged for the DRX9000™ treatment to be indicated. Right now, I don't even know if you're a good candidate for the DRX9000. If you have severe osteoporosis, this treatment should not be used. Other patients may have rare problems, such as cancer, that is causing the back and leg pain. These rare diseases have to be ruled out before undergoing the DRX- 9000™ treatment. Pregnant women are also not good candidates for decompression because they will have laxity of their ligaments in the third trimester. The only way I can know if you're a good candidate is do… A Complimentary DRX9000™ Candidate Assessment In my office I use all the tools necessary to thoroughly diagnose your problem. I analyze your nervous system with conventional techniques, checking to see if you have muscle problems (motor), changes in your reflexes, and whether your nerves are so injured, you're losing sensations in your legs and feet. I will check your range of motion because movement dysfunction is so common in patients with back problems. This will help me determine just how much function has been lost and give me important goals for your treatment. I will also palpate your back to see where the tenderness and swelling is located. It is important that I find the actual level in your spine that is causing the problems, because if you are a candidate, the DRX9000™ will then be used at the affected disc(s). I will review your MRI or CT scans and x-rays, or if necessary refer you to an imaging center to get them, because the DRX9000™ is designed to reduce disc bulges. Your quality of life is important to you and me, and so I will measure just how your back and leg pain has affected your daily life. Quality of life is very important to patients and cannot be measured with a simple pain scale (1-10). It has been found that many of these issues are affected by back problems even more so than disease of the heart and respiratory systems. This DRX9000™ CANDIDATE ASSESSMENT normally costs $245.00. As an incentive for you to determine if you are a candidate for the DRX9000™, I will waive this fee. That way you can at least find out if you're a candidate for the treatment without risking any money. I just need some of your time-about an hour, to do the examinations necessary to see if the DRX9000™ might work for you. What have you got to lose, except maybe your pain? Sincerely, Keith P. Turley, D.C. P.S.- Give my office a call today at 210-734-5815 and see if the DRX9000™ is the potential solution for your back, sciatica, disc and leg pain. Call now! Scientific References 1. Gionis TA, Groteke E. The outcome of a clinical study evaluating the effect of nonsurgical intervention on symptoms of spine patients with herniated and degenerative disk disease is presented. Spinal Decompression, Orthopedic Technological Review. 2003; 5(6)[Nov/Dec]:36-39. 2. Ramos G, Martin W. Effects of vertebral axial decompression on intradiskal pressure. J neurosurg 1994;81:350-353. 3. Sherry E, Kitchener P, Smart R. A prospective controlled study of VAX-D and TENS for the treatment of chronic low back pain. Neurol Res 2001;23:780-784. 4. Guehring T, Unglaub F, Lorenz H, et. al. Intradiscal pressure measurements in normal disks, compressed disks and compressed disks treated with axial posterior distraction: an experimental study on the rabbit lumbar spine model. Eur Spine J 2006;15:597-604. 5. Bigos S, et al. Acute Low Back Problems in Adults, Clinical Practice Guideline No. 14. Rockville, MD: U.S. Public Health Service, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, AHCPR pub. No 95-0642, Dec.1994. 6. LeBlanc AD, Evans HJ, Schneider VS, Wendt RE, Hedrick TD. Changes in intervertebral disc cross-sectional area with bed rest and space flight. Spine 1991;19:812-817. 7. Naguszewaki WK, Naguszewaki RK, Gose EE. Dermatomal somatosensory evoked potiential demonstration of nerve root decompression after VAX-D therapy. Neurol Res 2001 Oct;23(7):706-14 8. Gose EE, Naguszewski WK, Naguszewski RK. Vertebral axial decompression therapy for pain associated with herniated or degenerated discs or facet syndrome: an outcome study. Neurol Res 1998;20:186-90 9. Gay RE, Bronfort G, Evans RL. Distraction manipulation of the lumbar spine: a review of the literature. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2005;28:266-73. 10. Graz B, Wietlisbach V, Porchet F, Vader JP. Prognosis or "curabo effect?" physician prediction and patient outcome of surgery for low back pain and sciatica. Spine. 2005;15;30:1448-52. 11. Guyer RD,Patterson M, Ohnmeiss DD. Failed back surgery syndrome: diagnostic evaluation. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2006;14(9):534-43. 12.. Buttermann GR. The effect of spinal steroid injections for degenerative disk disease Spine J. 2004;4:495-505. 13. Hazard RG. Failed back surgery syndrome: surgical and nonsurgical approaches. Clin Orthop 2006;443:228-32. 14. Croft PR, Macfarlane GJ, Papageorgiou AC, Thomas E, Silman AJ. Outc ome of low back pain in general practice: a prospective study. BMJ 1998;316:1356-1359. 15. Reginster JY. The prevalence and burden of arthritis. Rheumatology [Oxford] 2002;41(suppl.]:3-6. A Brief History Of Chiropractic and Chiropractic Philosophy The first recorded chiropractic adjustment was performed on September 18, 1895, by Dr. Daniel David Palmer, a Canadian-born teacher and healer. Dr. Palmer was, at the time, studying the cause and effect of disease. His patient was Harvey Lillard, a janitor working in the same building as Dr. Palmer in Davenport, Iowa. Mr. Lillard, who had complained of hearing problems for over 17 years, allowed Dr. Palmer to examine his spine. Dr. Palmer discovered a "lump" on Mr. Lillard's back and suspected that a vertebra might be out of place, which he then repositioned the vertebra with a gentle thrust. After several such treatments, much of Mr. Lillard's hearing was restored. Since Dr. Palmer's first chiropractic adjustment, the art and science of chiropractic has progressed significantly. Today, advanced diagnostic procedures, sophisticated equipment, scientific research, and the growing acceptance among other health care professionals makes chiropractic a popular health care choice. The chiropractic perspective on health and disease emphasizes two fundamental concepts: 1) the structure and condition of the body influences how the body functions and its ability to heal itself; and 2) the mind-body relationship is instrumental in maintaining health and in the healing processes. Although chiropractic shares much with other health professions, its emphasis and application of philosophy distinguishes it from modern medicine. Chiropractic philosophy gravitates toward a holistic ("total person") approach to healing which combines elements of the mind, body and spirit and maintains that health depends on obedience to natural laws, and that deviation from such laws can result in illness. Widespread Use of Chiropractic Care The increasing interest in alternative forms of care has caught the attention of several health associations and government agencies. A 1993 study in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that "The estimated number of visits made in 1990 to providers of unconventional therapy was greater than the number of visits to all primary care medical nationwide," and chiropractic was among the most frequently used non-medical therapies. A followup report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1998 found that the use of non-medical treatments had increased significantly since the 1990 survey, with "overall prevalence of use increased by 25%, total visits by an estimated 47%, and expenditures on services provided by practitioners of alternative therapies by an estimated 45%." Of the survey respondents, one in nine (11%) had used chiropractic care within the previous year. Healthy Tips for a Healthy Spine The following tips can help you take better care of your spine: 1) Make sure you have a firm mattress that keeps the spine aligned and supports the spine's natural curve. The best sleeping positions are on your back or side. 2) When standing for extended periods, rest one foot on a small stool to maintain spinal curvature and relieve pressure. The knees should be bent when bending forward. Low-heeled shoes may help by maintaining spinal curvatures and cushioning your weight. 3) Use chairs that promote good posture and support your back. Placing a lumbar support in the lower portion of your back may help support your spine's natural curve. Readjust the seat of your car so that your knees are level with your hips. 4) When bending forward, bend at the knees and hips, but keep your back straight. This will help to keep your spine's curvature in proper alignment. When lifting, keep your spine straight while using your legs to do most of the work. Hold the objects being lifted close to your body to keep the weight on your spine to a minimum. The ABCs of Subluxations Vertebral subluxations are displacements of the spinal bones (vertebrae) that can cause stress to your spinal cord and nervous system. Subluxations may be caused by poor sleeping habits, poor posture, strenuous exercise, injuries, auto accidents, sports, slips or falls, and in some cases, the birthing process itself. Chiropractic adjustments are very helpful in correcting subluxations and restoring optimal health.