Practitioner

 Zak.Han

Chinese Acupuncture practitioner,Chinese

exarmy doctor,worked

in army hospital 20 years.He specialises in

  back pain relief

This website does not provide specific medical advice and the information provided should not be used as a substitute for seeking medical advice from a registered health practitioner.

 Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis, a condition that can affect athletes in all sports that require a wide range of movement and flexibility, is a degeneration of the exterior portion of the vertabrae in the spine, reducing not only its integrity, but support, flexibility, and strength.

No matter how severe the condition, a patient may experience extreme discomfort, lack of mobility, or even the loss of sensation in an extremity, typically the leg. Adolescents suffering from this condition may often exhibit few symptoms or no symptoms at all.

Spondylolisthesis tends to cause great discomfort in patients and is usually brought on by physical accidents, such as falls or even automobile accidents. While it can occasionally be a pre-existing condition, but it is often worsened because of the accident.

In the highest levels of discomfort, it may be necessary to treat with what is known as spinal fusion, a treatment in which the lower vertebrae of the spine is fused to the affected vertebrae and held in place with titanium screws and rods or, at times, a plate. This surgery can take a maximum of four hours and can be extremely painful for the patient. While recovering, the pain can be terribly severe and requires mobility assistance and physical therapy.

While spinal fusion is painful and can take up to twelve months for recovery to take place, the success rate of this form of surgery is eighty percent, making spinal fusion the prime option of treatment for both patients and their doctors. When paired with special exercise, physical therapy, and changes in daily routine, spinal fusion can assist in alleviating Spondylolisthesis effectively.

This condition is curable and can be treated if detected early enough. Speaking to your physician and an orthopedic surgeon is key, as left untreated, Spondylolisthesis can lead to loss of sensation and bone degeneration. Your health is important and if you find yourself experiencing discomfort in the back, especially the lower back, after an accident or a fall, you should speak to an orthopedic surgeon immediately about testing and possible treatment.

Early detection can save both your health and your bones. Leaving it untreated is risky - a risk you should not be willing to take.

Amanda Baker writes for http://tobeinformed.com

 Back Pain Solutions Without Surgery

Author: Hemant Yagnick, M.D.

Acute back pain may begin suddenly and usually lasts around 3 months. Chronic back pain sometimes lasts throughout life.

The most common back pain is low back pain (LBP). It is is often described as sudden, sharp, persistent, or dull pain felt below the waist. LBP is very common and affects the majority of people at some point during their life. Up to 70%--85% of all people have back pain at some time in their lives. LBP is the most common cause of a limitation of activity in people younger than 45 years of age. It is the second most frequent reason for visits to a physician, and the third most common indication for surgery. It is the fifth-ranking cause of hospital admissions and is one of the leading causes of disability.

Low back pain is most commonly caused by muscle strain associated with heavy physical work, lifting or forceful movement, bending or twisting, awkward positions, or standing in one position too long. Any of these movements can exacerbate a prior or existing back disorder. Other conditions that can cause low back pain include spinal stenosis, arthritis (osteoarthritis), spinal infection (osteomyelitis), spinal tumors (benign and malignant), spondylolisthesis, and vertebral fractures (e.g. burst fracture).

Low back pain is either acute or chronic. Acute LBP may begin suddenly with intense pain usually lasting fewer than three months. Chronic pain is persistent long-term pain, sometimes lasting throughout life. Even chronic pain may present episodes of acute pain. Other symptoms include localized pain in a specific area of the low back, general aching, and/or pain that radiates into the low back, general aching, and/or pain that radiates into the low back, buttocks and leg(s). Sometimes pain is accompanied by neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or weakness. Neurological symptoms requiring immediate medical attention include bowel or bladder dysfunction, groin or leg weakness or numbness, severe symptoms that do not subside after a few days, or pain prohibiting everyday activities.

Pain felt in the low back is not always indicative of a spinal problem. A thorough physical and neurological assessment may reveal the cause of the low back pain. The physical examination begins with the patient’s current condition and medical history. Examination of a patient with low back pain involves examining the patient’s range of spinal motion while standing straight, bending forward, and to the side. Asymmetry, posture, and leg length is noted. Methodical palpation of the spine can reveal muscle spasm, possible bony displacement, and tender points. Abdominal palpation is performed to determine if the cause of low back pain is possibly organ related (e.g. pancreas). The neurological assessment evaluates weakness, absence of reflexes, tingling, burning, pain, diminished function, and other signs that may indicate nerve involvement.

If infection, malignancy, fracture, or other risk factors are suspected, routine lab tests may be ordered. These tests may include complete blood count (CBC), erythrocyte sedimentation (ESR), and urinalysis. In some cases electrodiagnostic studies such as electromyography (EMG) or nerve condition velocity (NCV) are performed to confirm a diagnosis or localize the site of nerve injury. Plain radiographs (x-rays), CT Scan, and/or MRI studies are performed when fracture or neurological dysfunction is suspected. A MRI represents the gold standard in imaging today. A MRI renders high-resolution images of spinal tissues such as the spinal cord and intervertebral discs. X-rays are still the imaging methods of choice to study the bony elements in the low back. The results of the physical and neurological examinations combines with test results are carefully evaluated to confirm a diagnosis.

Most patients with low back pain are treated without surgery. A conventional treatment plan may include bed rest for a day or two combines with medication to reduce inflammation and pain. Medications recommended by the physician are based on the patient’s medical condition, age, other drugs the patient currently takes, and safety. The first choice for pain relief is often nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs should be taken with food to prevent stomach upset and stomach bleeding. Muscle relaxants may provide relief from muscle spasm but are actually benign sedatives, which often cause drowsiness. Narcotic pain relievers are prescribed for use during the acute phase and often for chronic pain management in appropriate patients.

Other modalities to treat low back pain might include physical therapy (PT), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) trial, ultrasound therapy, acupuncture and massage therapy. A managed PT program can help build muscle strength and flexibility, improve mobility, coordination, stability and balance, and promote relaxation. Patients who participate in a structured physical therapy program often progress to wellness more rapidly than those who do not. This includes low back maintenance through a home exercise program developed for the patient by the physical therapist.

Although the number of spinal surgeries done every year is on the rise, it is rarely required to treat low back pain. Surgery may be considered if the patient is experiencing bowel or bladder dysfunction, increased nerve impairment, progressive weakness, incapacitating pain, or spinal instability. The surgical procedure depends on the diagnosis or the cause of low back pain. To prevent low back pain, first and foremost, follow the treatment plan outlined by the physician. To enhance recovery from an episode of low back pain, or to help prevent future exacerbation, try to maintain good posture, be consistent in a home exercise program, and eat sensibly to maintain proper body weight.

About Walton Rehabilitation Health System:

Walton Rehabilitation Health Systems (WRHS) is a leading not-for-profit comprehensive, multi-specialty, dedicated provider of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Our mission is to be an advocate for wellness by providing a continuum of services to treat the whole person. WRHS, whose reputation extends throughout the south, is a trusted partner with just the right expertise and treatments to help people with disabling injuries and illnesses return to work and to a fulfilling life. By pursuing its mission, WRHS has grown to include Walton Pain and Headache Centers, Walton Community Services, Walton Options for Independent Living, Walton Foundation for Independence, and Walton Technologies. We are located at: 1355 Independence Drive, Augusta, GA 30901-1037. For more information visit www.wrh.org or call 866-4-WALTON.

 What is Spondylolisthesis and Do You Have It?

By David Maillie

The spine has many vertabrae and spondylolisthesis is a degeneration of a articulating (exterior) part of the vertabrae that reduces its integrity, strength, support and flexibility. The articulating part that is affected is in the rear of the vertabrae and tends to be located in L5 or L4 of the lumbar (lower back). It can range from a rating of 1-5,5 being the most severe and 1 the least.

Spondylolisthesis affects athletes in sports that require a wide range of movement and flexability. Adolescents may have this condition and not exhibit any symptoms. Whether the condition is a rating of 1 or 5, the patient may exhibit extreme discomfort, lack of mobility, even loss of sensation in an extremity (usually the left leg).

In cases of high levels of discomfort spinal fusion is the best course of treatment. Usually the lower vertebrae is fused to the affected vertabrae and held in place with titanium screws and either rods or a plate. The spinal fusion can take 6-12 months for recovery. The pain associated with the 1st month of recovery is quite extreme and will require mobility assistance, physical therapy and the use of a walker. It is important to note that no surgical procedure is 100% successful in releaving all of the patients symptoms. This fusion procedure is documented to have an 80% success rate in alleviating all of the patients complaints and symptoms.

Spondylolisthesis can cause great discomfort and tends to be brought on by physical accidents - falls, automotive accidents, etc... It can be a preexisting condition but is usually worsened due to the physical accident. Spinal fusion, therapy, and special exercises along with changes in routine can help to alleviate this condition.

Source: http://www.healthguidance.org/authors/138/David-Maillie
 

David Maillie

David Maillie is a chemist with over 12 years experience in biochemical research and clynical analysis. He is an alumni of Cornell University and specializes in biochemical synthesis for public, private, and governmental interests. He has received numerous patents and awards for his research. He can be reached at M.D. Wholesale: http://www.bestskinpeel.com. 

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