What causes low back pain?
Low back pain can be caused by a number of factors ranging from injuries to the effects of aging. The spinal cord is protected by the vertebrae, which are made of bone. Between each vertebra are soft discs with a ligamentous outer layer. These discs function as shock absorbers to protect the vertebra and the spinal cord. Many of the problems that cause back pain are the result of herniation and degeneration of the intervertebral disc. Degeneration is a process where wear and tear causes deterioration of the disc. Herniations, or bulging of the disc are protrusions from the disc that press on surrounding nerves, causing pain or numbness.
If I undergo Spinal Decompression treatment, how long does it take to see results?
Many of our patients report a reduction in pain after the first few sessions. Typically, significant improvement is obtained by the end of the third week of treatment ( 70% of our patients report a reduction of pain by as much as 50% or greater by weeks 3-4). Most all of our patients are pain free at the end of their course of care.
How long does it take to complete Spinal Decompression treatment?
Treatment session times take between 30-45 minutes, and may be scheduled 3-4 times weekly for 6-8 weeks. Standard protocol calls for 24 treatments during this time.
Do I qualify for Spinal Decompression treatment?
Since adding Spinal Decompression Therapy to my spine care practice, I have been inundated with questions from both doctors and patients as to which cases it will best help. Obviously proper patient selection is essential to favorable outcomes, so let me describe the criteria that determines whether or not you are a candidate for treatment.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Pain due to herniated and bulging lumbar discs that is more than four weeks old
- Recurrent pain from a failed back surgery that is more than six months old
- Persistent pain from degenerated disc not responding to four weeks of therapy
- Pain due to facet syndrome
- Patient at least 18 years of age (certain exceptions may apply)
Exclusion Criteria:
- Appliances such as pedicle screws and rods
- Pregnancy
- Prior lumbar fusion less than six months old
- Metastatic cancer
- Severe osteoporosis
- Spondylolisthesis (unstable)
- Compression fracture of lumbar spine below L-1 (recent).
- Pars defect
- Pathologic aortic aneurysm.
- Pelvic or abdominal cancer
- Disc space infections
- Severe peripheral neuropathy
- Hemiplegia, paraplegia, or cognitive dysfunction.
Are there any side effects to the treatment?
Patients typically do not experience any side effects. On rare occasions, there may be mild muscle soreness following the first few treatments. The soreness is similar to that experienced after resuming exercise when having refrained for sometime.
How Do I Get Started?
Contact our office at 650-328-2104 to schedule a consultation and exam with Doctor Fulanovich to determine whether or not you are a candidate for the SpineMED protocol. He'll take a detailed history and examine you thoroughly (orthopedic, neurological and physical assesment, including computerized electromyography). He'll review or order an MRI and based on his findings let you know if he can help you. It's that simple. You're either a candidate for this treatment or you're not and he won't waste one second of your time or his. Call today and take the next step to a pain free life !!!
