Dr Davis' Back & Wrist Pain Blog

When should you consider Spinal Decompression for a Herniated Disc?

San Francisco Spinal Decompression Doctor Comments:

We have helped hundreds of disc herniation patients return to more normal lives with spinal decompression. We treat both lumbar disc herniations and cervical disc herniations. Most of the patients we initiate spinal decompression programs with have been suffering with chronic back pain or chronic neck pain for years.

And most have tried just about everything under the sun...cortisone injections, pain pills, muscle relaxers, physical therapy, chiropractic, even surgery. 

Spinal decompression seems to always be a last resort...but should it be?  After-all...nonsurgical spinal decompression is safe, gentle, and effective. And disc decompression now has a 5-7 year track record of fabulous outcomes, with minimum adverse reactions.

The primary reason spinal decompression is not considered a "first choice" for herniated disc treatment or bulging discs, is that it is not covered by insurance. And it's not covered by insurance because there are no long term studies (YET) to support the claims of success spinal decompression doctors and patients are reporting worldwide.

There has been favorable preliminary research done on spinal decompression by John Hopkins University, Duke University, and the Mayo Clinic (see Spinal Decompression Special Report)...but no long term studies.

Because of this many medical doctors, physical therapist, and chiropractors, refuse to consider spinal disc decompression as a treatment option for their degenerative disc disease or disc herniation patients.

And, because insurance will not pay for it, many chronic low back pain or neck pain patients try all the covered therapies first...such as chiropractic, physical therapy, and medical care. Only if these back pain treatments fail do they consider paying out of pocket for decompression therapy.

But is this the right approach...why not consider spinal decompression for disc herniations first?

Well...some people are. There is enough information on-line now and enough people have actually done decompression therapy or know someone that has, that they are choosing spinal decompression first...research or not...even if they have to pay out of pocket.

Why?  Because life is short and they want their life back NOW!

Human beings are wired to be able to make decisions for themselves when given enough information.

At our spinal decompression clinic in San Francisco we encourage our decompression patients to tell others and to share their stories so that others may benefit...just like they did (see Spinal Decompression Reviews on our YouTube Channel).

I also answer every single on-line inquiry I receive from patients around the world on spinal decompression...and make appropriate referrals if possible.

Life is not much fun when you are crippled with back pain and sciatica...or neck pain radiating into the arm. Or leg or arm weakness. Heck...the worst case scenario is nonsurgical spinal decompression does not help you. Sure...you are out some time and money but you are still whole and can pursue other treatment options for your back or neck condition.

If you have been diagnosed with a herniated disc, bulging disc, degenerative disc disease, or facet syndrome, you may be a prime candidate for spinal decompression.

You can wait if you want to and try all the therapies covered by insurance. Or...you can find a doctor with a spinal decompression machine and start the process now (if you qualify medically)...the choice is yours.

The machine we use at Executive Express Chiropractic is the DRX9000 and the DRX9000c...but there are many spinal decompression machines. Just make sure the spinal decompression clinic you choose has lots of experience...there is an art to the process.

If you need help locating a spinal decompression doctor send me an email at ebendavis@yahoo.com.

To schedule an appointment at our San Francisco Spinal Decompression Center call 415-392-2225. Ask for a complimentary consultation. 

Spinal decompression reviews

Directions to our San Francisco Spinal Decompression Center

 

Herniated Disc Treatment with Spinal Decompression

San Francisco Spinal Decompression Doctor Comments:

We have been providing treatment for herniated discs in San Francisco for almost 20 years now at Executive Express Chiropractic (formerly Front Street Chiropractic).

About 6 years ago we began to incorporate Spinal Decompression into our herniated disc treatment protocols. First it was lumbar decompression with the DRX9000. Then cervical decompression with the DRX9000c. The results have been outstanding.

Spinal decompression machines are designed and built to treat cervical and lumbar disc herniations and related neurovascular compression syndromes without drugs or surgery. Here is a list of the conditions that spinal decompression can help:

• Lumbar disc herniations
• Cervical disc herniations
• Cervical disc bulges & Lumbar disc bulges
• Foraminal stenosis
• Spinal stenosis
• Disc degeneration
• Facet syndrome

I like to think of nonsurgical spinal decompression with the DRX9000 or DRX9000c (or many of the other fine decompression systems on the market) as a respirator for the spinal discs. The action of spinal decompression on an injured disc, helps the disc to function they way it would if it were healthy...which helps to make it healthy...to the extent this is possible. There are limitations of matter.

But now I know...hundreds of successfully treated disc patients later...that the body can do amazing things if given the chance. And spinal decompression gives the herniated disc a chance. A chance to repair itself...a chance to give back lost life.

Can spinal decompression help you? Maybe. The only way to find out for sure is to saddle-up and go through the entire decompression protocol, which can take 6-10 weeks.

You have to qualify medically though. Not all patients with a herniated disc qualify.

For instance, if you have surgical spinal fusion or any hardware in the spine you are disqualified from treatment. Or if you have an unstable spondylolisthesis...or a severe scolisosis.

The best thing to do is to find a spinal decompression doctor near you and find out if disc decompression makes sense for your condition.

If you live in the SF Bay Area, you can contact our San Francisco Spinal Decompression clinic at 415-392-2225. Ask for a complimentary consultation. Mention this blog post.

Directions to our SF Spinal Decompression Clinic

SF Spinal Decompression Testimonials

 

Spinal Decompression: There's more to it than just the machine!

San Francisco Spinal Decompression Doctor Comments:

We were the first to offer nonsurgical spinal decompression with the DRX9000 in San Francisco. That was about six years ago.  During this time we have helped hundreds of herniated disc patients return to more normal lives. We have also learned from each and every spinal decompression patient, how to make the treatment work even better.

Many herniated disc patients that are searching for a spinal decompression center in SF make the mistake of thinking that spinal decompression therapy is the same anywhere. After-all...it's a machine isn't it?

Sure, the DRX9000 (and any of the other fine decompression systems) is a machine designed and built to treat herniated discs and other neurovascular compression syndromes (bulging discs, spinal stenosis, disc degeneration, facet syndrome)...but somebody still needs to know how to use it and apply it to each individual patient. There is a learning curve.

I know...because our spinal decompression results are much better now than they were in the beginning. In fact...it's night and day.

We are better at determining how many drx9000 sessions a patient needs. We are better at knowing what other therapies to incorporate (such as deep tissue laser therapy) into the treatment. We are better at knowing when to begin exercises and which exercises work best for specific conditions. We are better at the actual set-up of the machine and putting the harness on the patient. We know when we should change the angle of pull or not. And, we know how to teach our patients what they need to do to make sure the results last. 

So please...when you are searching for a spinal decompression doctor in San Francisco...ask them how many herniated disc patients they have treated, and for how long. Why?...because it matters. Big Time!

Dr. Eben Davis is clinic director of Executive Express Chiropractic in San Francisco.

For a complimentary consultation at our San Francisco Spinal Decompression Center...please call 415-392-2225 and mention this blog post.

Read some SF Spinal Decompression Success Stories.

Executive Express Chiropractic on facebook

We also offer cervical spinal decompression with the DRX9000c

 

Spinal Decompression Just Makes Sense!

San Francisco Spinal Decompression Doctor Comments:

We purchased our first nonsurgical spinal decompression machine about 6 years ago. The machines we use are the DRX9000 lumbar decompression system, and the DRX9000c cervical decompression system...but there are many fine decompression systems in the marketplace.

I like to think of spinal decompression as a respirator for the spinal discs. A respirator helps the lungs to breath when they are unable to do so on their own until they can. Spinal decompression helps the discs to breath and heal until they can function in a more normal fashion.

When spinal discs are functioning properly they are constantly taking in fresh nutrients and oxygen from the blood and expelling waste products. When they are injured (disc bulge, disc herniation, disc degeneration) they are unable to do this and lose the ability to function properly.

The herniated disc fragments or a bulging disc can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves causing severe pain and loss of function.

Spinal decompression systems isolate on a specific spinal disc level...say L5 (the most common disc herniation) and help the disc to do what it would do if it could...until it is healthy enough to do it on it's own...just like a respirator does for the lungs.

How long this takes depends on the severity of the condition, whether or not there are multiple disc herniations, the age of the patient, the over-all health of the patient, and if there are any complications...such as scoliosis or advanced spinal degeneration.

Success rates are outstanding...and nonsurgical spinal decompression is very safe and gentle...most patients fall asleep during treatments.

So what's the downside? Well...it is possible to go through the entire spinal decompression program (which is 20-28 sessions at our clinic) and not get better. It's possible...it's just not likely.

In fact...I can't remember the last patient that did not respond favorably to lumbar decompression or cervical decompression at our San Francisco Decompression Center.

So anyway...will spinal decompression work for you? Only one way to find out...you have to try it!

If you would like to find out if you qualify for spinal decompression therapy at our San Francisco Spinal Decompression clinic, call 415-392-2225 and ask for a complimentary consultation.

Spinal Decompression Special Report

Spinal Decompression Reviews 

Spinal Decompression San Francisco

San Francisco Spinal Decompression Doctor Comments:

We have been helping patients with nonsurgical spinal decompression for over 5 years at Executive Express Chiropractic in downtown San Francisco.

Spinal decompression is a nonsurgical solution for patients suffering with neurovascular compression syndromes such as herniated discs, bulging discs, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and facet syndrome.

The system we use at our clinic is the DRX9000 lumbar decompression machine, which treats herniated discs in the low back, as well as bulging and degenerated discs.

We also have a DRX9000c cervical decompression machine which treats herniated discs and associated disorders in the neck.

Most herniated discs occur in the lumbar spine, so the majority of our spinal decompression patients undergo treatment on the DRX9000.

Our DRX9000c stays busy also because herniated discs in the neck are fairly common in high stress office workers.

Spinal decompression is not a magic bullet. Disc decompression only works when it is done multiple times (18-24 on the average) over a 2-3 month period. There is quite a bit of home care involved also in the form of exercises and nutrition.

Spinal decompression therapy sessions at our San Francisco Spinal Decompression Center take about an hour (a little longer in special situations). We reserve the DRX9000 or DRX9000c for you so it is ready when you arrive.

The DRX9000 requires about 10 minutes of harnessing so we can connect the machine to your body. The DRX9000c cervical decompression set-up is much quicker. Spinal disc decompression lasts about 30 minutes.

After spinal decompression therapy we apply electrical muscle stimulation to teach the spinal muscles to support the spine in it's new position. Then, we apply ice to reduce inflammation and muscle spasms.

One thing we do different than most decompression clinics in San Francisco, is we often times will incorporate Deep Tissue Laser Therapy and Active Release Technique (ART) into our spinal decompression protocols. Gentle chiropractic adjustments by hand or instrument are also performed if indicated.

The results we achieve are outstanding...often times when just about every other form of back pain or neck pain therapy has failed. Spinal decompression is also safe for patients with a failed surgery syndrome. As long as there is no hardware or surgical fusion, disc decompression may make sense.

About 10-15% of disc herniations result in chronic and severe pain and disability. It was once thought that back surgery was the only option. Well now there is nonsurgical spinal decompression...and from the looks of it, disc decompression is here to stay.

To find out if you are a candidate for spinal decompression therapy at Executive Express Chiropractic in the SF Financial District, call 415-392-2225. Or, you can fill-out our secure online appointment request form. Enter "DRX BLOG" into the referral source field for a Complimentary DRX9000 Assessment.

Click here to read some DRX9000 success stories and watch some videos

Read the Spinal Decompression Special Report

Checkout the Spinal Decompression Info Tour

 

Herniated Disc in the neck?

San Francisco Spinal Decompression Doctor Comments:

We have been helping patients with herniated discs in the neck and related conditions for almost 20 years now in downtown San Francisco.

Herniated discs are actually fairly common...especially in the low back. In fact, many people have a herniated disc in the neck or low back and don't even know it.

However...there is a subset of cervical herniated disc patients that develop severe pain and dysfunction. Here is a partial list of symptoms of a herniated disc in the cervical spine:

• Neck pain
• Shoulder pain
• Arm Pain
• Hand Pain
• Numbness and Tingling in the arm and hand
• Weakness of the arm and hand
• Night Pain
• Headache
• Dizziness

So, what's the best treatment for a herniated disc in the neck? Well, it depends on what you consider best. "Best" to the herniated disc patients that visit Executive Express Chiropractic involves no-surgury, no-drugs, non-painful, quick, inexpensive, and long lasting.

Is this possible? Sure, most of the time. It just depends on the severity of the condition, the age and over-all health of the patient, and if there are any complications such as advanced spinal degeneration, scoliosis, or a previous failed surgery.

At Executive Express Chiropractic in downtown San Francisco use a very comprehensive treatment approach to treat cervical disc herniations. We use a combination of nonsurgical cervical spinal decompression, deep tissue laser therapy, Active Release Technique (ART), Graston Method, Exercise, home care, ergonomics, nutrition, and TLC.

A typical cervical disc decompression treatment program at our Embarcadero Center location will take 6-12 weeks. Some patients continue on with routine maintenance care of 1-2x per month.

We do not use a cookie cutter approach...we taylor make each treatment plan to the individual. We also address any other spinal ailments or extremity problems that may exist at the same time. Spinal decompression sessions last about an hour with everything.

The cost for spinal decompression and spinal rehabilitation at our spine center depends on many factors. How many disc herniations are there? Are there lumbar and cervical disc herniations or just cervical? How severe is the problem. What adjunctive therapies do we need to use and how long will the decompression program take?

If you have cervical disk herniations or lumbar disc herniations and have been told you need surgery, or other treatment is not working, you may want to find out if you qualify for disc decompression to the cervical spine. 

If you live in San Francisco or the SF Bay Area, you can visit Executive Express Chiropractic. 

If you are not able to visit our decompression center, you can send me an email and I will try to find a spinal decompression doctor near you.

I also have a list of recommended spinal decompression doctors on my website.

To find out if you are a candidate for nonsurgical spinal decompression in San Francisco, call 415-392-2225. Mention this blog post and request a complimentary consultation.

Reviews of Executive Express Chiropractic

Best Treatment for a Pinched Nerve in the Neck

San Francisco Chiropractor

Have you been diagnosed with a pinched nerve in the neck? If so, you most likely have pressure on a spinal nerve root as it is exiting from in between the cervical vertebrae. A pinched cervical nerve root is usually caused by a herniated disc or a bulging disc.

Sometimes degeneration of the spine or degeneration of the disc can cause bone spurs or bony growth that can encroach upon the environment of the nerve resulting in a condition called spinal stenosis or foraminal stenosis.

The symptoms of a pinched nerve in the neck vary from person to person and can include neck pain, headaches, shoulder pain, arm pain, hand pain, pain that radiates from the neck down the arm, numbness and tingling in the fingers, weakness of grip, and night pain.

In fact, you can have a pinched cervical nerve and have no symptoms in the neck at all, but have symptoms in the hand. This makes it tricky sometimes as the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) can mimic the symptoms of a pinched nerve in the neck. Some patients actually have both CTS and pinched nerves in the neck.

The good news is, we can treat most disc herniations and disc bulges, as well as spinal degeneration and CTS without drugs or surgery.

At our San Francisco Chiropractic facilities, as well as at other chiropractic clinics around the world, a combination of chiropractic care, nonsurgical spinal decompression, Active Release Technique (ART), and Deep Tissue Laser Therapy, is used to successfully treat most of the primary causes of  pinched nerves in both the neck and low back.

Many patients end up on a wild goose chase trying to figure out the right kind of treatment for a pinched nerve or carpal tunnel syndrome, which can often times lead to cortisone shots, pain meds, and unnecessary surgery.

So, how would you know if you qualify for nonsurgical treatment for your herniated disc in the neck, bulging disc, or spinal stenosis? Well, the best way to find out is to get checked by a doctor that specializes in treating herniated discs without surgery.

We are one of the only clinics in the SF Bay Area to offer cervical decompression therapy with the DRX9000c...a very expensive machine that is designed and built to treat herniated and bulging discs in the neck.

If you live or work near the San Francisco Financial District you can visit Executive Express Chiropractic at the Embarcadero Center. Call 415-392-2225. 

Or, you can check my recommended list for chiropractors at various locations around the US who do something similar.

You can always send me an email to ebendavis@yahoo.com and I will try to make my best recommendation for a doctor near you.

Please do not think that there is no hope for you or that surgery is your only option. Take the time to educate yourself and find a doctor that has the skills and advanced technology to help you get better.

Reviews and directions to Executive Express Chiropractic San Francisco

Lumbar Disc Decompression Without Surgery

San Francisco Spinal Decompression Doctor Comments:

Up until recently, lumbar disc decompression referred to a surgical procedure whereby part of the spine was cut-out to remove pressure off the spinal cord or lumbar nerve roots.

Now, the lumbar disc decompression or spinal disc decompression terms refer to procedures that can be either surgical or nonsurgical.

At Executive Express Chiropractic in the SF Financial District, we perform nonsurgical spinal decompression with a machine called the DRX9000. The DRX9000 was designed and built to treat neurovascular compression syndromes such as herniated discs, bulging discs, facet syndrome, and disc degeneration....without surgery (watch this spinal decompression success story video).

Nonsurgical disc decompression helps many patients avoid back surgery, but you have to qualify medically (How does spinal decompression work?).

If you do qualify for natural disc decompression then there is a very good chance it will help you.

Will you get completely better? Sometimes...but in most cases (at Executive Express Chiropractic) you simply become much better than you were. It just depends what we are starting with, your age, your over-all physical condition, how much spinal degeneration there is, how many disc herniations you have,  and your level of commitment to get better. 

Nonsurgical spinal decompression with the DRX9000 or one of the other excellent spinal decompression machines on the market might just be the answer you are looking for. And let me give you a piece of advice...Don't listen to the naysayers.

Nonsurgical spinal decompression is helping thousands of patients every day return to more normal lives and avoid surgery. And the only way to find out if it will work for YOU is to try it (but you must qualify).

Here's the deal...Spinal decompression is very safe...and it's gentle too. Sure there have been some rare cases where patients get really sore or think the machine made them worse...but it's extremely rare. In fact, we can count on one hand the amount of times this has happened and we have performed thousands of decompression sessions for herniated lumbar discs (and cervical discs).

Either spinal disc decompression works (which is most likely) or it doesn't. We don't cut anything out or inject anything in (to your body). If decompression therapy does not work you are still left whole, and you can pursue other options.

If you have certain kinds of back surgery such as a surgical fusion, you are disqualified from ever trying nonsurgical spinal decompression. It's something to think about.

My Take: If you have a condition such as a herniated lumbar disc, bulging disc, spinal stenosis, degenerated disc, facet syndrome, sciatica, back pain, leg pain...or any other lumbar or cervical spine disorder that is not responding to conventional back pain therapies (including chiropractic)...natural disc decompression is worth a look. You can always have surgery. But if you have surgery....you may not be able to try nonsurgical spinal decompression...ever.

To find out if you qualify for spinal disc decompression at Executive Express Chiropractic in San Francisco call 415-392-2225 and mention this blog post for a complimentary consultation.  

Read some of our San Francisco Spinal Decompression Testimonials

Reviews and directions to Executive Express Chiropractic

Executive Express Chiropractic on facebook

We recommend the following spinal decompression centers around the Country:

Spinal decompression NYC

Spinal Decompression Denver

Spinal Decompression San Diego

Spinal Decompression Newport Beach

Spinal Decompression Simi Valley

What is a Herniated Disc? Is it the same as a Ruptured Disc? Will I need Surgery?

San Francisco Herniated Disc Doctor Comments:

 

August is Herniated Disc Awareness Month at Executive Express Chiropractic in San Francisco.

Many back and neck pain sufferers fear they may have a disc herniation and require surgery...but they really don't know what a herniated disc is. And what about all the other terms that are used to describe problems with the spinal disc and nerves...it can be very confusing?

Anyway, here is an excerpt from an excellent article we often refer patients to at www.Spine-health.com (the worlds #1 spine information website) entitled What's a Herniated Disc, Pinched Nerve, Bulging Disc...?:

There are many different terms used to describe spinal disc pathology and associated pain, such as “herniated disc”, “pinched nerve”, and “bulging disc”, and all are used differently by doctors.

Unfortunately, there is no agreement in the health care field as to the precise definition of any of these terms, and patients are often frustrated when they hear their diagnosis referred to in different terms by health care practitioners. A variety of additional terms such as ruptured disc, torn disc (or disc tear), slipped disc, collapsed disc, disc protrusion, disc disease, and black disc often add to a patient's confusion.

Click here for full story

My Take: Herniated disc, Slipped disc, Ruptured disc, Prolapsed disc, Bulging disc, blah, blah, blah. Is it really going to make you feel better if we give your herniated disc related condition the right name?

Heck...we could have 10 experts looking at the same x-rays, MRI, or cat scan, and come-up with 10 different opinions and treatment recommendations.

What's going to make you feel better is the right kind of treatment. Treatment that reduces your pain levels and improves your quality of life without drugs or surgery with no side effects. Treatment that also shows measurable improvements of function such as increased range of motion, increased strength, better posture, improved sensation, decreased muscle spasms, better gait, etc.

Do you need back surgery to accomplish this? In my experience, rarely.

Sure, all disc herniation cases are different, and as we get older it changes everything, but even elderly patients can often avoid back surgery or neck surgery for disc herniations and related disorders with nonsurgical treatment options. 

At our San Francisco Herniated Disc Center (Executive Express Chiropractic), we treat herniated discs with a combination of nonsurgical spinal decompression, deep tissue laser therapy, chiropractic (if indicated), Active Release Technique (ART), exercise and nutrition therapy, and stress reduction...along with plenty of TLC.

We have a lumbar decompression machine, and a cervical decompression machine.

We can't remember the last time one of our herniated disc patients went on to have surgery...but it does happen...just not very often.

So don't get spooked if you are told you have a herniated disc, or a bulging disc, or a pinched nerve. Find yourself a doctor that specializes in nonsurgical disc repair. Heck...you can always have surgery. The worst thing that happens is spinal disc decompression does not work. You are still left whole and can pursue other options.

If you have a fusion surgery...you will be disqualified from spinal disc decompression and will never be able to find out if it would have helped.

So that's my two cents.

If you would like to find out if spinal disc decompression makes sense for you and you live in the SF Bay Area...or are willing to spend 4-6 weeks here...you can call 415-392-2225 and schedule a complimentary consultation (mention this blog post) at Executive Express Chiropractic.

Here is a list of spinal decompression clinics around the US I know personally that do herniated disc treatment that is very similar to ours:

Herniated disc treatment NYC

Herniated disc treatment Denver

Herniated disc treatment Newport Beach, CA

Herniated disc treatment Simi Valley, CA 

Herniated disc treatment San Diego, CA

Map to Executive Express Chiropractic and spinal decompression

Cervical Disc Decompression San Francisco

To find out if you are a candidate for care at our San Francisco Spinal Decompression Center call 415-392-2225. Mention this video for a complimentary consultation.

Reviews and directions to our Spinal Decompression Center in San Francisco

San Francisco Chiropractic microsite

Cervical Disc Decompression in NYC