Dr Davis' Back & Wrist Pain Blog

Nonsurgical Disc Herniation Treatment with the DRX9000

San Francisco Chiropractor and Herniated Disc Doctor Comments:

We have been helping herniated disc patients in the SF Financial District for over 17 years now with chiropractic care. Overall, we've had pretty good success, but there was always a sub-set of patients with chronic back pain secondary to herniated discs, that chiropractic just could not help on it's own....and neither could anything else.

Well...about 3-4 years ago we began using the DRX9000 spinal decompression system. A state of the art machine that is designed and built to treat neurovascular compression syndromes such as disc herniations, disc bulges, spinal stenosis, and disc degeneration.

The machine we have treats both cervical disc herniations (DRX9000c) and lumbar disc herniations (DRX9000)...and costs around $150,000. Does it work? YES. Does it work on every single person that does it? NO...just most of them. And...we have been on an absolute roll lately with results. I think a lot of it has to do with experience. Over the years we have performed thousands of treatments...and every time we treat a herniated disc we learn how to do it better.

How often should we treat a herniated disc patient? How many lbs. of pull should we use?...for how long? How many DRX9000 sessions does this person need?

Does the patient also need something extra like Active Release Techniques (ART) or chiropractic adjustments? If so, when? What exercises? How often?  What about maintenance care? And on and on. We learn more every day.

They say spinal decompression will eventually be the gold standard for disc herniation treatment. We think it is already, but it has to pass all the double blind long-term studies that the medical profession needs to see...same with insurance companies.

But hey...the preliminary medical research on the DRX9000 is very promising. There is a DRX9000 Special Report that summarizes the research results from a study done by the Mayo Clinic, John Hopkins University, and Duke University...very encouraging.

Anyway, if you are suffering with chronic back pain, sciatica, neck pain, arm pain, weakness, numbness, tingling...that is just not responding to conventional therapies...the DRX9000 or DRX9000c just be might be the answer.

To find out if you are a candidate for care at our San Francisco Spinal Decompression Center...Executive Express Chiropractic...call 415-392-2225 or request an appointment online.

Read some San Francisco DRX9000 Patient Stories

New Sciatica Surgery No Better Than Old: Harvard Medical Review

San Francisco Chiropractor and Herniated Disk Doctor Comments:

I just read an interesting article from Harvard Medical School entitled:

News Review from Harvard Medical School-Study: Newer Surgery No Better For Sciatica

Doctors have been performing the same microdiskectomy surgery for years to cut herniated and bulging disc fragments off the sciatic nerve. Recently a more advanced surgery called tubular diskectomy as become popular as it is less invasive.  

But, according to Harvard Medical School the results are not any better than the original surgery...in fact the original disk surgery results were better.

Anyway, for those who don't want surgery, there is a nonsurgical option available in the marketplace called nonsurgical spinal decompression. Nonsurgical decompression machines are designed and built to specifically target herniated disks and bulging disks. The machine we use is the DRX9000.

The DRX9000 is actually able to enlarge the disk space and re-position the disk back into a more normal position. In doing so this removes the pressure from the sciatic nerve. Success rates are very high as demonstrated by research results from the Mayo Clinic, John Hopkins University, and Duke University (see DRX9000 Special Report).

So, there are other options for herniated lumbar disks. Our DRX9000 machines stay mostly full at our spinal decompression center in downtown San Francisco. And the results seem to last, which is nice.

If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for nonsurgical spinal decompression at Executive Express Chiropractic...please call 415-392-2225 or request an appointment online.

DRX9000 Success Stories San Francisco

Back Pain and Nurses

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

A very high percentage of nurses have disabling back pain according to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics. This has also been my experience as a back pain provider in downtown San Francisco.

The reason for such a high incidence of low back pain in nurses is because it is very hard work. Nurses are on their feet a lot on hard floors. Nurses are constantly assisting patients, often times having to lift them in awkward positions...the worst thing for the back. And nursing can be very stressful because you are dealing with life and death.

At Executive Express Chiropractic we have helped more nurses with nonsurgical spinal decompression (for chronic back pain) than any other profession. But we are mostly treating patients after the fact...after the damage has been done. There are studies underway right now to try to figure out how to keep nurses healthy and on the job so they don't miss so much work...then go out on disability. 

Exercise programs, regular chiropractic care, and nutrition therapy should all being considered....especially "Core Exercise" training...which totally makes sense. Prevention is the key. Nurses need to train like professional athletes...because that's how physically demanding it can be. 

Anyway...check out this article entitled: Resolving Back Pain In Nurses. It goes into great detail about the severity of the problem and offers some interesting solutions.

If you would like to make an appointment at Executive Express Chiropractic in downtown San Francisco please call 415-392-2225 or request an appointment online.

Does Discography Damage The Spinal Disc Making Disc Degeneration Worse?

San Francisco Chiropractor and Spinal Decompression Doctor Comments:

Discography is a diagnostic test widely used to diagnose painful disc degeneration and help select candidates for surgery and other therapies that target the degenerated disc as the source of the underlying symptoms (Lumbar Discography).

A contrast medium is injected into the disc and a radiographic examination is performed to try and recreate the symptoms. The objective is to identify the exact location of spinal disc involvement. The findings often lead to spinal fusion surgeries. 

The thing is...several discs are injected during the procedure which was thought to be relatively safe up until now. Of course...any time you are injecting stuff into the body, especially a spinal disc...while at the same time exposing it to radiation, it's probably not a good thing...at least in my opinion.

Anyway...an award winning discography study conducted at Stanford University appears to have enormous implications for the future use of spinal discography which is currently used over 200,000 times per year in the US. Here is an excerpt from The Back Letter, Volume 24, #7, 2009:

Now, a new study by Eugene Carragee,

MD, and colleagues from Stanford questions

the safety of discography. (See

Carragee et al., 2009.) Ironically, a diagnostic

procedure designed to identify

painful disc degeneration appears to contribute

to the progression of that disease.

The Stanford researchers found that

discography speeds disc degeneration over

a seven- to 10-year follow-up period.

“Modern discography techniques using

small-gauge needles and limited pressurization

resulted in accelerated disc degeneration,

disc herniation, loss of disc height

and signal—and the development of reactive

endplate changes...,” according to the

study.

“We showed that disc puncture, even

using modern discography techniques, led

to structural changes in the disc,” said

Carragee in presenting the study at the

annual meeting of the International Society

for the Study of the Lumbar Spine

(ISSLS) in Miami—-where it won the

ISSLS Award.

“Physicians should carefully consider

the risk and benefits of procedures involving

disc puncture,” said Dr. Carragee.

According to the 10 year follow-up study Discography actually damages the spinal disc and resulted in loss of disc height and signal, end plate (top and bottom of vertebrae) degenerative changes, and progression of degenerative disc disease (DDD)...the same problems Discography is supposed to help treat...Not Good.

 You can imagine the turmoil this is causing amongst spinal surgeons and radiologists...and some say there are holes in the study...I don't know...I'm not surprised. I've never been a fan of discography.

In fact, I have had many patients back out of the procedure and follow through with non-surgical spinal decompression at my San Francisco Chiropractic Center...and most were glad they did.

So...who knows how this will all turn out. Supposedly they are going to be slicing and dicing the research data to provide more answers...but in the meantime, caveat emptor.  

If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for nonsurgical spinal decompression with the DRX9000 at Executive Expresss Chiropractic in downtown San Francisco...call 415-392-2225.  

Can a Herniated Cervical Disc Cause Headaches?

San Francisco Chiropractor and Herniated Disc Doctor Comments:

I have been helping patients with headaches and herniated discs in the neck for almost 18 years now in downtown San Francisco. Of course...not everyone with a headache has a herniated disc...and not everyone with a herniated disc in the neck has a headache...but many have both.

Over the years I have attracted headache and migraine patients to my clinics because I myself once suffered from debilitating headaches...so I can relate to their problems. However...sometimes chiropractic care would not work...or massage...or acupuncture...or pain pills...or anything for that matter. This was rare...but it would be very frustrating.

I would often times send my headache patients out for an MRI of the neck to rule out herniated discs or spinal stenosis when they were not responding to traditional therapies. What I started finding more often than not was a herniated disc in the neck. Well...up until about 4 years ago there was still nothing more I could do...but at least we knew what the problem was and I could refer out to a spine surgeon. This was not what patients wanted to hear.

Then came nonsurgical spinal decompression of the cervical spine with the DRX9000c. At first I was very skeptical that a machine could fix a disc herniation...but it did. It did not get 100% resolution on everyone it did help...but we experienced life changing results enough of the time for me to make cervical decompression a key component of my chiropractic practice.

We are the only clinic in downtown San Francisco to offer cervical spinal decompression with the DRX9000c. Sure more downtown SF chiropractic clinics will come along with the DRX9000c...but they will never have as much as experience as we do...and experience matters, believe me.

Since the beginning we have done thousands of spinal decompression sessions on hundreds of patients...and the outcomes are outstanding. There is an art to managing cervical disc herniation patients with the DRX9000c and we have become very comfortable with the process.  

So, YES there can be a connection between headaches and disc herniations...disc herniations can cause them. And...there is a potential solution to your disc herniation problem that does not require surgery...the DRX9000c.

Hey...regular chiropractic should be tried first..at least that's what we do at Executive Express Chiropractic. But the DRX9000c is our "Ace in the hole"...we now have a next step...and for that we are thankful...and so are our cervical disc patients.

To find out if you are a candidate for headaches treatment at our San Francisco Chiropractic and Decompression Center...call 415-392-2225 or request an appointment online.

Read some San Francisco DRX9000 success stories 

 

San Francisco Chiropractor Helps NFL Star Igor Olshansky Recover From Herniated Disc with the DRX9000

San Francisco Chiropractor and Spinal Decompression Doctor Comments:

We now have the privilege at Executive Express Chiropractic of treating newly signed Dallas Cowboy Igor Olshansky, one of the strongest men in the NFL. Igor has been playing Defensive End for the San Diego Chargers for the past 5 years. He is in San Francisco to visit his father for Fathers Day.

His play helped make the San Diego Chargers defensive line one of the best in the NFL. Recently, Igor signed a multi-million dollar contract to play for the Dallas Cowboys. Igor is 6' 6" tall and around 320 lbs.

His body takes a pounding day in and day out, either on the field or training (watch Training with Igor Olshansky), so he began using the DRX9000 to help relieve pain from a herniated disc in his low back (not that uncommon in the NFL). Traditional therapies and treatments just did not seem to help enough.

Igor travels a lot and is now in the process of completing a 25 visit DRX9000 treatment plan in three different cities...San Francisco (with us), San Diego, and Dallas. His sister is a chiropractor and Igor is a big proponent for chiropractic care and also Active Release Techniques (ART).

Igor frequently gets treated by a chiropractor in San Diego who does ART to help with back pain and stiffness. Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression with the DRX9000 and Active Release Techniques are two of the only treatments which offer him relief, which enables him to compete at the highest level in the NFL.

Igor Olshansky played high school football here in the San Francisco Bay Area at St. Ignatius High School (and college ball at Oregon)and often speaks to the student athletes about pursuing dreams through hard work and determination.

We can't wait to see Igor play for the Dallas Cowboys and do his thing. In the meantime we will do our part to make sure his back is ready to go...training camp starts soon (I love football).

Side Note: It sure would make sense for NFL teams to contract with local chiropractors to have all players go through DRX9000 treatments as a cautionary measure to reduce the likelihood of ongoing lumbar and cervical disc disorders from becoming chronic and interfering with play. 

NFL decision makers please contact Dr. Eben Davis at ebendavis@yahoo.com

For more information on the DRX9000 or to schedule an appointment at Executive Express Chiropractic at the SF Embarcadero Center...call 415-392-2225 or request an appointment online.  

San Francisco Spinal Decompression Success Stories

Nonsurgical Spinal Decompresion Treatment Protocols for Herniated Discs

San Francisco Chiropractor and Spinal Decompression Doctor Comments:

It's been about 4 years now since we purchased our first spinal decompression machine...the DRX9000. 

The DRX9000 is a very expensive machine that is designed and built to treat neurovascular conditions such as disc bulges, disc herniations, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease nonsurgically.

In the beginning we were very strict with the manufacturers protocol of 20 sessions...5x for 2 weeks, 3x for 2 weeks, and 2x for 2 weeks.

It did not take us long to realize that all back pain and neck pain presentations...as well as patient schedules, are different. So we began to tweak the protocols and work with patients so that they could get the decompression therapy that they needed...even those with heavy work/travel schedules. It's been a great decision so far.

What we found was...as long as there were multiple sessions over a short period of time, spinal decompression therapy seemed to work.  

So sure...if we think it makes sense clinically...and the patient has the time...we do it by the book. 

But...if we think daily sessions are too many (some patients are pretty sore when they start)...or we think 20 sessions is not enough (some need more)...or if the patient just can't commit to more than 2-3 sessions per week (busy work or family schedules)...we adjust the protocol.

There are many other things we have learned also about treating chronic disc pain patients with the DRX9000 (lumbar decompression system) and the DRX9000c (cervical decompression system). For instance...we have mastered the harnessing process...which is key...as well as knowing when to increase or lower the lbs. of pull...or when to start rehabilitation exercises or refer out for medical care...this all comes with experience.

So if you live or work near downtown San Francisco,and have been considering nonsurgical spinal decompression with the DRX9000...but you are worried because your schedule is so erratic...give us a call...we can probably make it work.

We also run on time so you will never wait.

To schedule an appointment at Executive Express Chiropractic for a DRX9000 consultation...call 415-392-2225 or request an appointment online. 

Check out our San Francisco DRX9000 Success Stories

San Francisco Spinal Decompression Patient Testimonial: Cervical Spine

Executive Express Chiropractic Cervical Disc Herniation Patient David Bain talks about his experience on the DRX9000c:

To schedule an appointment to find out in you are a candidate for nonsurgical spinal decompression with the DRX9000c...call 415-392-2225 or request an appointment online.   

San Francisco Chiropractor

Executive Express Chiropractic (formerly Front Street Chiropractic) is located at the downtown SF Embarcadero Center near the Ferry building. We offer walk-in, no-waiting, no hassles service.

Dr. Eben Davis is the clinic director. Dr. Davis has 18 years experience running one of the most successful chiropractic clinics in the country and writes daily on his award winning Back & Wrist Pain blog. 

Some of the conditions that Executive Express Chiropractic can help are:

• Low back pain
• Neck Pain
• Headaches
• Shoulder, arm and wrist pain
• Sports Injuries
• Whiplash
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Herniated cervical and lumbar discs

Clinic supervisor Dr. Adam Jacobs, DC is full body certified in Active Release Techniques (ART)...which is a high-tech method of isloted deep tissue massage with active participation by the patient.

 Executive Express also has a DRX9000 (lumbar decompression) and DRX9000c (cervical decompression) combo-machine which costs around $150,000. The DRX machines are used to help treat conditions such as herniated discs, bulging discs, spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease (DDD).

This San Francisco Chiropractor clearly has an eye for flair (Executive Express Chiropractic photos) . The clinic is a remarkable combination of 100% eco-friendly building materials such as real leather scraps from shoes and furniture used for the curved leather entry wall, recycled marble chips for the countertop and shelves, and recycled resin materials (and silkworms from families in Nepal) for the dramatic privacy dividers between the chiropractic tables. 

Dr. Davis said "no expense was spared...we wanted to create a masterpiece that patients would talk about to their friends...but at the same time would be healthy for them, our staff...and our planet...even our patient processing, appointment making,  and record keeping systems are paperless.  And...our architects are the best in San Francisco...Martinkovic Milford Architects." 

To schedule an appointment at Executive Express Chiropractic...call 415-393-2225 or request an appointment online.    

   

    

San Francisco Lumbar Disc Herniation Treatment

San Francisco Chiropractor Discusses Disc Herniations, Hurricanes, and the DRX9000:

Some experts consider lumbar disc herniationsto be a variation of normal because they are so common...I guess there is some truth to this. After-all, if we were to pull 10 random people off the street and perform a lumbar MRI (the gold standard for disc herniation detection)...3 of them or more would probably have lumbar disc herniations.

In fact, many of the patients we have seen at our San Francisco Chiropractic clinics have probably had herniated discs in the low back...but we will never know for sure because chiropractic care makes them feel and function better...so no need for an MRI.

And of course there are many that had MRI also (before they came to us).

However...there is a sub-set of lumbar disc patients that do not respond to any treatment methods...including chiropractic. Some patients get progressively worse and become chronic and severe. The intensity just keeps building until the symptoms are unbearable.   I guess it's kind of like a hurricane...only a small percentage of them turn in to a category 4 or 5 that can cause mass destruction.

In order for that to happen certain conditions need to be in place...warm tropical oceans, moisture, and light winds. If these conditions stay in place long enough a hurricane can form. Then a whole bunch of other stuff needs to happen in order for the hurricane to reach catastrophic intensity...same with disc herniations.

When certain conditions exists whereby stress overcomes resistance, the center of the disc (nucleus pulposus) can burst through the outer containment walls of the spinal disc (annulus fibrosus) and put pressure on the nerve root or spinal cord. The severity of the problem just depends how much disc is on nerve and where.

It's my professional opinion that disc herniations happen quite a bit...more when we are out of shape, obese, or toxic from poor diet and lifestyle. Poor posture and sports/work/auto injuries can also create the right conditions for a disc herniation. And sometimes they just seem to happen for no reason at all (even though there really is one).

The body repairs most of them...just like most hurricanes fizzle out quick. But some lumbar disc herniations become category 2, some category 3, some 4...and yes, some lumbar disc herniations become category 5 storms that can literally wreck a persons life.  All of this happens because the conditions were right...just like a hurricane.

My experience has been that only about 10-15% of the patients with lumbar disc herniations become chronic and severe...but it's still a big number.

So...then the question becomes what do we do for a category 4 or 5 disc herniation that is unresponsive to conventional therapies? Well...there is back surgery. 

What if I don't want back surgery? Then there is nonsurgical decompression with the DRX9000. The DRX9000 is a very expensive machine that is designed and built to repair lumbar disc herniations. 

We have a DRX9000 at my San Francisco Chiropractic/Spinal Decompression clinic so I know how life changing the results can be. 

Will the DRX9000 spinal decompression help anyone with a disc herniation? NO...it does not work every time...just most of the time (check out DRX9000 Special Report).  Up until 4 years ago when I purchased my first DRX9000, we would have to refer patients out that did not respond to chiropractic...now we have a next step...and for that we are thankful...and so are our San Francisco DRX 9000 Alumni.

And...you don't have to wait until your category 2 or 3 becomes a 4 or 5...you can fix your disc herniation now before it's too late...this is what most of our successful SF disc patients did...and so can you.

So give our San Francisco Spinal Decompression Center a call at 415-392-2225 or request an appointment online.