Dr Davis' Back & Wrist Pain Blog

Cervical Spinal Decompression For Herniated Discs in the Neck

San Francisco Chiropractor Treats Disc Herniations Nonsurgically with the Axiom Worldwide DRX9000c

Herniated discs in the neck can cause all kinds of problems. Symptoms such as arm and hand pain, neck pain, weakness of grip, and severe night pain. In fact, sometimes there can be no neck pain at all, just upper extremity symptoms, such as numbness and tingling in the hands or finger pain.

Here's something interesting--It's not uncommon for cervical disc herniation sufferers to actually think they have carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Some are actually diagnosed with CTS, then the patient finds out later that there is a herniated disc in the cervical spine. I know it sounds funny, but the symptoms are actually the same. Both can be very challenging when it comes to treatment.

Over the past 15 years I have helped hundreds, if not thousands of patients with herniated discs and carpal tunnel syndrome at my San Francisco Back and Wrist Pain Center. Up until about 2 years ago my treatment was primarily done by hand, with adjunctive therapies such as cold laser, traction, massage, and exercise. Then I purchased a DRX9000c cervical spinal decompression system. This is a machine that actually treats disc herniations without surgery. Decompression therapy goes by many names. Here a a few:

• Nonsurgical cervical spinal decompression
• Cervical decompression therapy
• Chiropractic decompression
• Cervical spinal disc decompression
• Spinal decompression

Anyway, I was the first doctor in the SF Bay Area to purchase a DRX9000c cervical decompression system. I think I am still the only doctor in the city of San Francisco that offers cervical spinal decompression therapy. I can understand why. The machines are very expensive, cost a lot to maintain, require extra staff, and take up a lot of expensive floor space, as I am in the Financial District. But you know what...I don't care, because the DRX9000c is helping patients with herniated discs in the neck get back to  more normal lifestyles...and that's what matters most.

If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for non-surgical spinal decompression with the DRX9000c at my SF Financial District Decompression Center, please call 415-392-2225 and ask for a complimentary DRX9000 evaluation.

Chronic Back Pain. Are You Really Willing To Do What It Takes To Get Better?

San Francisco Chiropractor and Chronic Back Pain Doctor Comments:

I consult with hundreds of chronic back and neck pain sufferers every year at my SF Financial District Chiropractic Center. And just when I think I have seen it all when it comes to back and neck pain symptoms...something else comes along that blows me away. One thing for sure...we are durable and adaptable...and sometimes stubborn. I meet with back pain patients that can hardly get out of bed, yet they are 50lbs overweight and unwilling to exercise or diet.

I did a phone consult with the relative of a patient yesterday to try to see if we could help him. He told me he is unable sleep lying down because his back pain is so bad. So he sleeps sitting up. He goes to Vegas tomorrow for a week. He will be renting one of those scooters to get around the casinos. He also told me he doesn't want to quit smoking or lose weight...but he really did want to feel better. I wished him good luck in Las Vegas. The truth of the matter is...the odds are greater for him winning at the casino than they are for his back to get better if he does not modify his lifestyle.

I guess what's amazing about some of this stuff is...even though someone has crippling back or neck pain that is severely impacting their lifestyle...they are still not willing to change the way they eat, modify their lifestyle, or try any kind of new treatment methods unless their insurance will pay for it, or it does not require a whole lot of effort. This is why fad diets are so popular, and diet pills.

Florida Medical Doctor Incorporates DRX9000 Spinal Decompression Into Back Pain Practice

San Francisco Chiropractor and Spinal Decompression Doctor Comments:

My home state of Florida is actually the headquarters of Axiom Worldwide, manufacturer of the DRX9000 Spinal Decompression Systems. So it makes sense that Florida would be one of the first states to have medical doctors who have incorporated decompression therapy into their practices, in spite of the fact that there is really not a whole lot of research out there...YET.

The medical doctors I speak with here in San Francisco about the DRX9000, tell me they are waiting for the research (in progress) to be published so they can incorporate spinal decompression into their practices. Research will also be necessary before insurance companies will offer reimbursement, as spinal decompression in still considered experimental.

But, as Dr. Crespo says in his spinal decompression news story, patients will pay out of pocket for the DRX9000 because it makes sense. People pay for what they want. Anyway, my experience has been the same at my SF Financial District Decompression Center. The patients I am treating want decompression NOW. Sure, maybe somewhere down the road insurance will cover it...but life is short. So, check this video out and think about what you could be doing if your back was not in such bad shape. The person on the machine could be you.

If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for spinal decompression with the DRX9000, please call 415-392-2225 and ask for a complimentary consultation at my San Francisco DRX 9000 Center. 

Choosing a Chiropractor. What to Look For

San Francisco Chiropractor Dr. Eben Davis comments:

I am often asked if I can find someone a good chiropractor in another city or state. Of course this is easy if I happen to know someone there. But, if I don't it's really hard. You see, I like to actually meet a chiropractor before I recommend them. In addition, I like to visit their office and see how they run their clinic and manage their patients and staff.

For one thing...I find it hard to recommend a chiropractor that does not take really good care of themselves. I don't see how a chiropractic doctor can make recommendations to a patient about their health and well being if they do not practice what they preach. I also like to see a clinic that is very tidy, clean, and well organized. Chances are...if the clinic is a sloppy...so is the doctor...and so is the treatment.

So, if the doctor looks like he/she takes good care of themselves, and the clinic appears to be well run and organized, we move on to the next step. Now I want to know the chiropractors treatment philosophy and technique. There are hundreds of chiropractic techniques (most of them good), but there is really only one fundamental chiropractic philosophy. The philosophy of chiropractic is based on the major premise that the body is a self healing organism.

DRX 9000 Spinal Decompression Treatment Is Being Recommended By More and More Medical Doctors

San Francisco Chiropractor and Spinal Decompression Doctor Comments:

I am noticing that more spinal decompression patients are coming to me with the blessing of their medical doctors. This was not the case a few years ago. In fact, when I acquired my first DRX9000 decompression therapy machine about two and a half years ago, hardly anyone knew what nonsurgical spinal decompression was, including medical doctors. Well, it's a different story now.

There's still not any double blind, peer-reviewed studies to substantiate the results that are being obtained. But there is a tremendous amount of word-of-mouth testimony that is filtering back to doctors from patients that have tried nonsurgical spinal decompression. And for the most part, the satisfaction rate has been very good. And, spinal decompression therapy with the DRX9000 is very safe, I really think this plays into it as well.

I know I have been very proactive as far as educating our medical community on the benefits of nonsurgical spinal decompression. Not only have I personally treated several medical doctors at my San Francisco Spinal Decompression Center with the DRX 9000...I have also done co-care on many cases, as well as consulted with (my patients) primary doctors before and after decompression therapy.

Sure, there have been some patients that have not responded as we had hoped for with the DRX9000, but that's to be expected with any treatment method. But, I would have to say that all in all,  spinal decompression has been of great benefit to our health care system, and has resulted in many favorable outcomes. So, I think the word is out that spinal decompression therapy is a viable option that should be considered before surgery for many back and neck pain sufferers.

If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for nonsurgical spinal decompression with the DRX9000...then simply call my San Francisco Spinal Decompression Center at 415-392-2225 and ask for a complimentary DRX9000 evaluation.

Read some San Francisco DRX9000 Success Stories

      

The Best Diet For Chronic Back Pain

San Francisco Vegan Chiropractor comments:

I do quite a bit of nutritional counseling with those patients that are serious about making positive changes in their diet. Especially those interested in "the best diet for chronic back pain." Not everyone is ready to include food in their spinal health program. That's OK, we never want to force anything, so we just give special attention to the folks that are ready to learn.

Science, and my own personal and clinical experience, have convinced me that a diet centered around plant foods is what's best for us. And, the thing is...this is far removed from the way most Americans eat. Many of the patients I consult with think they are eating well if they remove the skin from their chicken and eat fish a few times a week. In addition, even though the research suggest otherwise, the majority still believe that we need milk and dairy products for calcium and strong bones, just like the dairy industry advertising has taught us.

So, it can be challenging sometimes. In reality, the diet that is best for chronic back pain, is the same diet that is best for everything...a plant based diet. I have written extensively on why a plant based diet should be the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle on this blog. In fact, there is an entire plant based diet and nutrition category. In addition, I recommend subscribing to the newsletter of Dr. John McDougall, M.D. and reading the book The China Study.

I am always available for consultations at my San Francisco Chronic Back Pain Center. Simply call 415-392-2225 and ask for a complimentary "back pain diet" consultation with Dr. Eben Davis. 

 

Spinal Decompression Therapy. When is it time to give it a shot?

San Francisco Chiropractor and Spinal Decompression Doctor comments:

Deciding when to pull the trigger and give DRX9000 non-surgical spinal decompression a try can be frustrating sometimes. Maybe you have a vacation coming up. Maybe it's just not a good time to be out of the office for an extra hour or two each day for 5 weeks. Maybe money is a little tight. And on and on. Hey...In reality there is never going to be a perfect time. YOU have to make the time and make your health and your spinal decompression treatment a priority. Five or six weeks goes by quick.

Heck, even if you are someone that travels a lot for your job, we can still make it work. I've had patients do half of the decompression therapy (10 sessions), go to Europe for two weeks, then come back and finish it out. And it worked out fine. Otherwise, you just keep putting it off. The patients that seem to do the best just do it. They make it happen. And we do whatever we can to support you through the entire process. We work as a team to get you better.

So...If you have been considering non surgical spinal decompression on the DRX9000 or DRX9000c, the time is now. It's not next week, or next spring when the kids go away. It's not after you see your neurologist for the tenth time, or after you try another cortisone injection...It's NOW. Do it while you can...Not when you have to.  And you know what?  Chances are... you will be glad you did :)   

If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for the DRX9000 at our San Francisco Financial District Spinal Decompression Center, please call 415-392-2225 and ask for a complimentary DRX9000 evaluation.      

Read some SF Bay Area DRX9000 Success Stories

Are Chiropractic Adjustments Addictive? How Long Do I Have To Go?

San Francisco Chiropractor Dr. Eben Davis Comments:

One of the most common questions prospective chiropractic patients ask is:

Will I have to see the Chiropractor forever if I start care, that's what I hear?

Well, it's up to you. Some patients choose to have ongoing chiropractic maintenance and wellness care because it makes sense to them and they feel better because they do. In fact, most of my patients at Front Street Chiropractic actually pay for care out of their own pocket. They do this because they value the chiropractic treatment and what it does for them. Sure, if you want the benefits of chiropractic treatments you have to actually receive them. So, I guess if you wanted the health sustaining benefits of chiropractic adjustments forever, you would have to go to the chiropractor...Forever.

If you would like to find out if you a candidate for chiropractic care at our San Francisco Financial District Back and Wrist Pain Center, please call 415-392-2225 and ask for a complimentary chiropractic consultation. Chances are, you will be glad you did.

Don't Stop Your Chiropractic Care Because You Get A Little Sore!

San Francisco Chiropractor comments:

Sometimes when you start a chiropractic treatment program you get a little more sore than you already are. I guess it's to be expected. We tell our patients this when we give the first chiropractic adjustment. To reduce the likelihood of the soreness from being anything more than what you would feel if you did a new exercise, we recommend icing every couple of hours for 10-20 minutes for the first week. In fact, all of our new patients walk out the door with two ice packs and icing instructions. This is after a very thorough demonstration of exactly how to apply the ice.

The analogy I like to use when I explain to a new patient why they may get sore from the chiropractic sessions is... the person that goes to the gym to start a new exercise program. Sure, they may be going there to get in shape, and they may even hire a trainer. But, because exercise is physical, just like a chiropractic adjustment (even though our technique is very gentle), there is still potential to get a little sore. In actuality, it's expected that one will get sore from new exercises.

Here's what we do to minimize soreness...We start out with low intensity and build it up gradually as the body adapts to the chiropractic (or exercise). And, we have you ice as a preventative measure. In addition, we want you to keep all your appointments so we can scale up to the desired intensity in a timely manner.

I guess the moral of the story is...Don't let the soreness from your first few adjustments spook you...It's totally OK. Just do your ice at home, make your appointments, and let the process unfold. Chances are...you will be glad you did :)

If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for care at our San Francisco Financial District Chiropractic Center, please call 415-392-2225 and ask for a complimentary consultation.

Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression or Back Surgery? Who Decides...You Or Your Insurance Company?

San Francisco Chiropractor and Spinal Decompression Doctor comments:

Some people would choose to have back surgery instead of spinal decompression because their insurance will pay for it. That's pretty sad. Sure, decompression therapy with the DRX9000 or DRX9000c is not cheap, and for the most part it is an out of pocket expense. But is back surgery really the best choice?

Maybe...But, you don't know until you try nonsurgical decompression.

If it doesn't help, you can always have surgery. The thing is...Depending on the type of surgery you have, you may rule out spinal decompression treatment forever. Once you have surgical fusion of the lumbar or cervical spine, you can never have treatment with the DRX9000 or the DRX9000c. The same is true if there are any metal implants used. So, why not try cervical decompression or lumbar decompression therapy first, even if you have to pay for it. In reality, there's nothing more important than your health, especially the health of your spine. Once you lose your spinal health it can be really hard to have a good quality of life.

People spend tens of thousands of dollars on their teeth or on plastic surgery, but then they gripe and moan that the DRX9000 is not covered by their insurance. Well, that's they way it is...at least for now. There's just not enough research out their yet. This stuff takes years and years. Your problem is here NOW.

Hey, even if you pay out of pocket for the DRX treatment, there is still no guarantee it is going to help you...BUT AT LEAST YOU KNOW, and you will never have to second guess yourself.

Spinal decompression works and is helping thousands of patients every single day return to more normal lifestyles. And, most of the patients we treat are from "word of mouth" advertising, the best kind. Check out what some of our San Francisco DRX9000 patients have to say.

So, if you are SERIOUS about making a change for the better, and you want to find out if you are a candidate for nonsurgical spinal decompression at our SF Financial District Decompression Center, we have two easy choice for you:

1. Call 415-392-2225 and ask for a complimentary DRX9000 consultation.

2. Fill out our Free Online DRX9000 Consultation Form.