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Stenosis is common diagnosis in back pain clinic,Stenosis of the spinal canal
is most often caused by a combination of loss of disc space, osteophytes and a
hypertrophic ligamentum flavum.
But Not all patients with narrowing develop symptoms and lumbar spinal
stenosis therefore refers to a clinical syndrome of lower extremity pain caused
by mechanical compression on the neural elements or their blood supply.(Quote
from Patent.co.uk)
Zak treated some "stensis"patient with zak acupuncture,most of them got
successful results,but their MRI scan still same as used be.so I think that
patient's back pain possibly are not due to "Spine channle narrowing". so we
also can say that NOT all stenosis will lead to back pain or numbness.
What's your opinion?
Acupuncture
Treatment for the Narrowing of the Spine By Hotaka Sutton
Any spinal problem is a serious health
issue and narrowing of the area is no different. Acupuncture can provide relief
to people suffering from such a condition.
The condition known as Spinal Stenosis
results from the narrowing of the spaces between the vertebras through which
the spinal cord passes. The condition can be present at birth or it can
sometimes be the result of undue strain on the back or traumatic injury. More
often it is caused by degenerative aging and is most common among men and women
over the age of 50. The one thing that is completely certain about the
condition is that it causes a great deal of pain and discomfort.
The treatment for the problem is mostly
based on the management of the pain and discomfort levels. The accepted view is
that there is not much that can be done about it other than relieving the
symptoms. The results and complications from invasive surgery procedures have
made this approach impractical and uncommon in dealing with it.
Whenever Orthodox Medicine is faced with a
problem that it really does not seem to have a good handle on, alternative
medicine is more likely to be suggested. Chiropractors approach the problem of
a narrowing spine from what is almost an engineering viewpoint. They use manual
manipulation to attempt to rearrange the way the spine, vertebra, and spinal
cord line up. Acupuncture is also a natural match. One reason for this is the
very high success rate of acupuncture in the relief of lower back pain.
When this high success rate is coupled with
the equally low success rate of dealing with chronic back pain by Western
Medicine, acupuncture becomes more than a simple alternative. In many clinics
in the West today, insurance will cover acupuncture treatments for the
treatment of back pain. This is true even though there is still so much
uncertainty about exactly why acupuncture success rates are so high in the
management of back pain.
Of course, the acupuncturist who is well
versed in the theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine understands the reasons
for the success of his treatments. It involves a complete understanding of the
underlying principles of acupuncture from the Chinese prospective to understand
exactly how the practitioner is approaching the treatment. The Western
researcher might be looking at the almost accidental release of chemicals into
the body via the acupuncture treatment, or even seeing it as a mental and
placebo type of reaction. To the sufferer of pain from narrow spinal spacing or
other forms of chronic lower back pain, this ongoing debate is not as important
as the relief they receive from acupuncture.
Any spinal problem is a serious health issue and spinal stenosis is no
different. Acupuncture can provide relief to spinal stenosis patients.
Spinal Stenosis and Acupuncture
The condition known as Spinal Stenosis results from the narrowing of the spaces
between the vertebras through which the spinal cord passes. The condition can
be present at birth or it can sometimes be the result of undue strain on the
back or traumatic injury. More often it is caused by degenerative aging and is
most common among men and women over the age of 50. The one thing that is
completely certain about the condition is that it causes a great deal of pain
and discomfort.
The treatment for Spinal Stenosis is mostly based on the management of the pain
and discomfort levels. The accepted view is that there is not much that can be
done about it other than relieving the symptoms. The results and complications
from invasive surgery procedures have made this approach impractical and
uncommon in dealing with Spinal Stenosis.
Whenever Orthodox Medicine is faced with a problem that it really does not seem
to have a good handle on, alternative medicine is more likely to be suggested.
Chiropractors approach the problem of Spinal Stenosis from what is almost an
engineering viewpoint. They use manual manipulation to attempt to rearrange the
way the spine, vertebra, and spinal cord line up. Spinal Stenosis and
acupuncture is also a natural match. One reason for this is the very high
success rate of acupuncture in the relief of lower back pain.
When this high success rate is coupled with the equally low success rate of
dealing with chronic back pain by Western Medicine, acupuncture becomes more
than a simple alternative. In many clinics in the West today, insurance will
cover acupuncture treatments for the treatment of back pain. This is true even
though there is still so much uncertainty about exactly why acupuncture success
rates are so high in the management of back pain.
Of course, the acupuncturist who is well versed in the theories of Traditional
Chinese Medicine understands the reasons for the success of his treatments. It
involves a complete understanding of the underlying principles of acupuncture
from the Chinese prospective to understand exactly how the practitioner is
approaching the treatment. The Western researcher might be looking at the
almost accidental release of chemicals into the body via the acupuncture
treatment, or even seeing it as a mental and placebo type of reaction. To the
sufferer from Spinal Stenosis or other forms of chronic lower back pain, this
ongoing debate is not as important as the relief they receive from acupuncture.
Pyloric
Stenosis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Methods
Pyloric stenosis is the narrowing of part of the stomach
(the pylorus) that leads into the small intestines. The true cause of pyloric
stenosis is unknown. It is believed to begin as the overworked muscle around the outside of the pyloric opening at the
bottom of the stomach grows too thick. Males are more commonly affected than
females, and there is a genetic predisposition for the disease. Most babies
with pyloric stenosis begin to vomit during the second to third week of life.
Babies begin with "spitting up" that turns into forceful projectile
vomiting. When an infant has pyloric stenosis, the muscles in the pylorus have
become enlarged to the point where food is prevented from emptying out of the
stomach. It is uncertain whether there is a real congenital narrowing or
whether there is a functional hypertrophy of the muscle which develops in the
first few weeks of life. Pyloric stenosis is an uncommon condition that affects
the pylorus, the opening at the lower end of the stomach that connects the
stomach and small intestine. Pyloric stenosis can run in families.
Pyloric stenosis is the second most common problem requiring
surgery in newborns. The condition is usually diagnosed by the time a
child is 6 months old. Also called infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis or
gastric outlet obstruction , pyloric stenosis is fairly common - it affects
about three out of 1,000 babies in the United
States. After the operation, the pyloric
muscle becomes completely normal. Approximately seven percent of infants with
pyloric stenosis are born with other medical problems. A narrowed or blocked
outlet from the stomach (pyloric stenosis) can lead to a serious illness unless
it is treated. The pylorus is the connection between the stomach and the first
part of the small intestine (duodenum). At first, pyloric stenosis may mimic
gastroesophageal reflux, milk allergy, or normal baby spitting, but the
vomiting becomes progressively more forceful. It is more common in some medical
syndromes, such as Turner syndrome and Cornelia de Lange syndrome.
Causes of Pyloric stenosis
The common causes and risk factor's of Pyloric stenosis
include the following:
Congenital pyloric muscle enlargement - for the congenital
form in infants.
Duodenal tumor.
Genetic and environmental factor's.
Pyloric ulcer.
A thickening of the muscles of the pylorus.
Symptoms of Pyloric stenosis
Some sign and symptoms related to Pyloric stenosis are as
follows:
Wave-like motion of the abdomen shortly after feeding and
just before vomiting occurs.
Treatment of Pyloric stenosis
Here is list of the methods for treating Pyloric stenosis:
A small operation done under a general anaesthetic usually
cures the problem.
The patient will be given intravenous fluids, usually prior
to surgery.
Before induction of anesthesia, aspirate the infant's
stomach with a large-caliber suction tube to remove any residual gastric fluid
or barium. Saline irrigation is occasionally necessary to remove a large
quantity of barium.
A surgical procedure called pyloromyotomy, which involves
cutting through the thickened muscles of the pylorus, is performed to relieve
the obstruction from pyloric stenosis.
Small, frequent feedings are usually well tolerated several
hours after the surgery.
Stenosis back pain originates
in the spinal canal itself. Stenosis occurs when the spinal canal narrows, and
compresses the nerves inside it. This compression of the nerves can lead to
stenosis back pain, numbness in the legs, and the loss of bladder or bowel
control. If left untreated, stenosis back pain can eventually become paralysis.
It is estimated that approximately 400,000 Americans currently have spinal
stenosis back pain. That number is expected to increase as Baby Boomers age.
Defining Stenosis Back Pain
You probably know that the spinal column protects your spinal cord, a bundle of
nerves, from being injured. In spinal stenosis, the spine narrows in one or
more of three places: space at the center of the spine; canals where nerves branch
outward from the spine itself; a space between the spine's bones (vertebrae).
Stenosis back pain occurs when the narrowing puts pressure on the nerves inside
the spinal column. Although this can occur in younger people, it is most often
a complaint of those over 50 years of age.
Causes of Stenosis Back Pain
Spinal stenosis back pain can be caused by a number of factors.
1. Age is a primary factor. As we age, bands of supportive tissue in the spine
may harden and thicken. Our bones and joints may enlarge as they age. We may
get bone spurs on the spine - places where bone surfaces bulge outward.
2. Arthritis is another cause of spinal stenosis and accompanying stenosis back
pain. Either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis may be to blame. Osteoarthritis
is the more common of the two. This type of arthritis usually is seen in
middle-aged and older people, and does not go away. Osteoarthritis can cause
the bone spurs described above. Rheumatoid arthritis is usually seen in younger
people, and is not usually a cause of spinal stenosis back pain.
3. Inherited factors may also lead to stenosis and stenosis back pain. Some
genetic conditions, such as a small spinal canal or curved spine, can cause
spinal stenosis.
4. Other causes for your stenosis back pain could include calcium deposits,
fluoride accumulation, or injuries.
Symptoms of Stenosis Back Pain
Stenosis back pain usually occurs in the neck or back. In addition to the
stenosis back pain, you may feel pain down one leg, or numbness, weakness, cramping,
and pain in legs or arms as the nerves are compressed.
Stenosis Back Pain Test Problem
The problem with tests for spinal stenosis is that the conditions shares
symptoms with so many other disease. The result has too often been costly
misdiagnoses and unnecessary back surgery, according to Andrew Haig, M.D.,
associate professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
at the University of Michigan Medical School.
The following 3 tests are used to diagnose the cause of stenosis back pain.
1. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) -radio waves to picture the spine
2. Computerized axial tomography (CAT) - X-ray series to picture the spine
3. Electromyogram (EMG)- a test that not only gives a picture of nerves, but
also tests nerve function, showing if there is actual nerve damage
Best Stenosis Back Pain Test
Of the three, the oldest, Electromyogram (EMG) has been found to be the best.
This test has been around as long as, or longer than the Baby Boomers
themselves, but a study published in the January 2006 issue of
"Spine" shows that it is by far the best of the three tests.
That study, done by the University
of Michigan Health System,
shows that the EMG test accurately determines the cause of stenosis back pain.
As a result, low back pain is less likely to be misdiagnosed, as are other
common neuromuscular conditions with similar symptoms. Back surgery undertaken
to cure misdiagnosed stenosis back pain can be avoided with this stenosis back
pain test.
Tests done in the U of M study by Dr. Andrew Haig and his colleagues showed a
substantial difference between those who have spinal stenosis and those with
other types of back pain. It showed that use of the EMG allows experts to
clearly distinguish between spinal stenosis and low back pain.
"Most doctors think of EMG as a simple test and incorrectly believe that
it is sensitive for nerve damage, but cannot differentiate spinal stenosis form
neuromuscular disease," explains Haig. "But as this study shows,
that's not the case. In fact, EMG is an excellent test for spinal stenosis and
other neuromuscular disorders using strict evidence-based criteria."
(Spine, Vol. 30, No. 23)
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