Download PATIENT GUIDE TO HERNIATED DISC

PATIENT GUIDE TO
HERNIATED DISC TREATMENT
Avoid SURGERY for Your Herniated Disc
A Proven Path to Complete Healing
Learn how thousands of past disillusioned herniated disc sufferers
benefited by:
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Avoiding the 7 Most Common Misconceptions about Dealing
with and Treating Herniated Disc
Knowing the 9 Critical Questions you MUST ASK a Doctor
Before Starting Herniated Disc Treatment
Following the 4 Recommendations for Resolving Herniated
Disc
Provided as an educational service by
Dr. Douglas Husbands
San Carlos Chiropractic and Wellness Center
Specialist in Herniated Disc Treatment
(650) 394-7272
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Message from Dr. Douglas Husbands:
Hello! I'm a Doctor of Chiropractic and the owner
of San Carlos Chiropractic and Wellness Center.
I've been helping people resolve herniated discs
for over 20 years.
And in that time, I've seen so many people suffering from herniated
discs, and I know that dealing with a herniated disc isn’t easy.
Why? Because you’re in pain, in some cases very intense pain, and
you just want to get rid of the pain quickly and hope you can go back
to your life prior to getting a herniated disc.
However, there are misleading advertising, confusing claims and
simply bad information.
From being told “there is no cure” and “you just have to deal with
the pain for the rest of your life” – to surgery is your only option but
it may fail – how do you ever find a qualified and competent doctor
to successfully resolve your herniated disc?
You start by reading this Patient Guide. In this fact-filled booklet,
you’ll discover the seven common misconceptions about dealing
with herniated disc, the nine questions to ask when looking for a
doctor for herniated disc treatment, and four recommendations for
resolving your herniated disc.
We wrote this guide to help you better understand herniated disc
treatment. Now, with this information, you can make an informed,
intelligent decision.
And if you have any questions about herniated disc treatment, I
invite you to call me at (650) 394-7272. We’ve dedicated our
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business to educating patients. We’ll be happy to help you in every
way.
Cordially,
Dr. Douglas Husbands
San Carlos Chiropractic and Wellness Center
Specialist in Herniated Disc Treatment
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7 Misconceptions About Herniated Disc Treatment
Misconception #1: There is no cure for herniated disc so you just
have to manage the pain through anti-inflammatory and pain
medications.
Not true. First, there are several treatment options with one of
them being the most effective. I will address them later.
Second, the common type of anti-inflammatory drugs used for pain
relief from herniated discs are Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory
Drugs (NSAIDs). Common over the counter (OTC) NSAIDs contain
aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen. Among the popular ones are Advil,
which contains ibuprofen, and Aleve, which contains naproxen. If
any of these OTC drugs don’t alleviate pain, stronger prescription
NSAIDs are often prescribed. Some of the common prescription
NSAIDs are piroxicam, fenoprofen, meclofenamate and sulindac.
There are a number of problems with using NSAIDs. Some of the
commonly known side effects are upset stomach, ulcers and
gastrointestinal bleeding. Sensitivity to sunlight is another common
side effect of naproxen that many doctors fail to mention when
recommending this.
The most important thing you should know regarding the use of
NSAIDs for disc herniations is that NSAIDs hinder the repair of the
ligaments of the intervertebral disc and the gelatinous material at
the center of intervertebral discs. So, while decreasing pain and
inflammation, the ability of the tissues to repair is actually hindered,
leaving you susceptible to an ongoing, chronic problem.
Third, among pain medications, Tylenol, one of the most common
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pain medications, contains acetaminophen. The problem with
Tylenol is it is potentially very toxic to your liver. In fact, studies
have shown that even when Tylenol is taken at recommended doses,
there have been many instances of severe and lethal liver damage.
Last, and definitely not the least, there are natural and effective pain
alternatives. For the level of pain you are going through, you’ll need
to work with a professional such as a Clinical Nutritionist, Naturopath
or Functional Medicine doctor for what is appropriate for you. A
nutrition professional should be able to determine the appropriate
type and dosage, as well as check drug interactions, if you are on
other medications.
Having treated many patients with herniated disc, I understand the
necessity of pain relief, especially before you start getting relief from
an effective treatment. So for pain, I highly recommend natural
methods, so you won’t have to deal with the additional discomfort
and symptoms from the side effects.
In over 20 years of practice, I have used evidence-based natural
substances for pain and have seen them work every time as long as
the patient complies with the plan I formulate for him or her.
In my experience, when the patient deviates from the plan or does
not comply at all, that’s when natural methods don’t work.
A lesson to learn from is one case I had where a patient simply did
not comply. After the initial visit, he had our front desk schedule his
treatment appointments, but he didn’t show up to any of them. I
gave him postural instructions for standing, sitting, sleeping, lifting,
bending and twisting to relieve pain, but he didn’t follow them. He
received advice on inflammatory foods to avoid and antiPage 5
inflammatory foods to eat, and was given a nutritional supplement
plan for pain and inflammation. He ignored them. Consequently, he
needed pain medications. And last I heard, he had an unsuccessful
back surgery − he is living with ongoing back pain.
Misconception # 2: Epidural steroid injections decrease the
inflammation and pain from the herniated disc and resolve the
problem.
Not really! While epidural injections can temporarily decrease
inflammation and pain significantly, steroids actually hinder healing
of the connective tissue components of the disc. It is a fast-acting
temporary relief method, but it does not help your body to heal the
underlying problem of the disc herniation. In addition, the
procedure itself can be uncomfortable, and there are inherent risks
and potential complications that could occur during the procedure.
Another problem with anti-inflammatory steroid injections is that
they cause decreased bone density in the affected area.
Consequently, severe osteoporosis often occurs in those who have
had multiple anti-inflammatory steroid injections.
Misconception # 3: Besides managing the pain, the only other
option is surgery.
No. Today, there are several treatment options, including physical
therapy, various spinal decompression therapies and Cox Flexion
Distraction. They vary from being helpful (in relieving pain) to
completely correcting the herniated disc.
Misconception #4: If there really were an effective treatment for
fixing herniated discs, then it would be widely known -- publicized by
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the media and recommended by primary care doctors, orthopedic
specialists and physical therapists.
Unfortunately, the business side of health care keeps some very
effective treatment options from reaching the awareness of the
general public. Because Cox Flexion Distraction is a specialized
chiropractic procedure and protocol, it is under the “alternative
medicine” umbrella. Alternative medicine procedures are those
that are not taught in medical schools. Due to lack of awareness,
and possibly from preconceived assumptions against chiropractic
health care, many medical doctors and physical therapists do not
refer patients with disc herniations to chiropractors.
Though many people currently seek out alternative health care
practitioners, low back pain is still one of the top reasons people
visit their primary care medical doctor. Unfortunately, a vast
majority of primary care medical doctors are completely unaware of
the Cox Flexion Distraction protocol as the most effective treatment
for herniated discs. Also, not all chiropractors are trained and
experienced in the Cox Flexion Distraction protocol. More on this
later.
Misconception #5: Physical therapy can help heal a herniated disc.
No. Physical therapy can help relieve pain but it will not heal a
herniated disc.
Physical therapy procedures include exercises that help to
strengthen and balance muscles , as well as stabilize the spine
surrounding and at the level of the herniated disc. Physical therapy
can provide some helpful modalities, such as interferential and
microcurrent therapy, therapeutic ultrasound, cold laser therapy and
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others. But these procedures and modalities do not directly help the
structure of the intervertebral disc to heal.
Having worked as a physical therapy aide in one of the most
prestigious and well known Sports Medicine clinics in the early
1980s, as well as in various physical therapy settings between 1983
and 1987, I became discouraged by the many cases of disc
herniations that I assisted with, because while there were often
some improvement, the herniated discs were not corrected.
This experience plus hearing about Cox Flexion Distraction, which I’ll
discuss next, were my big reasons for subsequently choosing to
become a Doctor of Chiropractic.
Misconception #6: All chiropractic treatments can help heal a
herniated disc.
I wish this were true, but it isn't. There are several chiropractic
techniques used by chiropractors for herniated discs, such as Cox
Technic, Leander table mobilization and spinal decompression
therapies.
Since 1991, the one that I have been and still am impressed with is
Cox Flexion Distraction, also known as Cox Technic. In the same
year, I wrote and published an article about a case study on
treatment of herniated disc in the Journal of the American
Chiropractic Association.
In over 20 years in practice and continuing education, I have not
seen any other method that is better than the Cox Technic for
healing a herniated disc. It is very effective for resolving herniated
discs in the low back and neck within the typical 8-10 week
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treatment duration. Yes, I mean “resolve”, not “relieve”.
This method has been perfected over the last 30 years, and has been
verified as safe and effective by hundreds of research studies. Peerreviewed research studies and statistical analysis of Cox Technic
show a success rate for resolving herniated disc to be between 86%
to 94%. In comparison, peer-reviewed research studies of spinal
decompression using a computer controlled table shows a success
rate of between 82% to 93%. Some practitioners of Cox FlexionDistraction have higher success rates...mine is 95% in over 20 years.
The procedure is very gentle and comfortable when performed by
an experienced doctor of chiropractic. Unlike Spinal Decompression
or Leander Table procedure, the Cox Technic does not utilize a
computer or motor to accomplish the stretching. The Cox Technic
certified chiropractor manually controls the movement of the table
themselves, so that there is a constant “hands on” personalized
treatment to each individual's tolerance. This allows interaction with
the patient, so the chiropractor can adjust his/her movements based
on immediate feedback from the patient. Patients appreciate having
a manually controlled procedure versus a computer or automated
motor controlled procedure, especially when in severe pain.
In case you have additional questions regarding Cox Flexion
Distraction, I have included a Frequently Asked Questions at the end
of this guide.
Throughout the years, I have received feedback from people that
have tried other chiropractic methods, before getting Cox treatment
from me. All of them say either the other treatment was helpful but
it did not completely heal the disc, or it made no improvement at all,
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or it made their condition worse. Unfortunately, some were very
turned off with chiropractic as a whole after the experience.
Misconception #7: Any chiropractor trained in Cox Flexion
Distraction will be able to resolve the herniated disc.
Unfortunately, no. As of 2012, a reported 63.7% of chiropractic
physicians are listed as using Cox Technic. However, as in all health
professions, there are varying levels of expertise. Some
chiropractors use it occasionally, and some use it almost exclusively
for disc herniations of the low back and neck and have a track record
of over 90% success in healing herniated discs.
Correcting a herniated disc requires the use of the Cox Technic by a
very skilled chiropractor.
If you're thinking about getting herniated disc treatment, I offer you
these
4 Recommendations for Herniated Disc Treatment
Recommendation #1: Make a commitment to yourself to work
towards resolving your herniated disc as soon as possible. Start the
path towards healing a disc herniation as soon as possible for the
best possible results. In addition, the longer you have to live with it,
the longer your body is in additional stress and the longer you have
to manage pain. Chronic stress on your body can lead to unwanted
consequences, such as weight gain and hormonal imbalances. I
know because I also treat patients with stress-related and hormonal
imbalances. Also, consider how this affects the quality of your life
and your ability to function at home and/or work.
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Recommendation #2: List your objectives. For pain and
inflammation, do you want to use NSAIDs and/or steriods, or do you
want to try natural alternatives? Do you want to manage the pain
and condition for life, or are you willing to do what it takes to correct
the problem? Are you willing to take a chance with surgery knowing
the potential irreversible damages, or are you willing to try other
methods first.
Recommendation #3: Ask questions. The way you can learn about a
practitioner is to ask specific questions and listen carefully to the
answers. Assuming you are looking for a chiropractor, here are the
questions I strongly suggest you ask:
1. Do you have specialized training in treating herniated disc?
2. If so, tell me about your training?
3. What particular concerns do you have to be careful of in treating
herniated discs of the:
a) Neck
b) low back
4. What chiropractic techniques do you use for treating herniated
disc?
5. What’s your success rate in resolving, not just improving,
herniated discs?
6. Besides the actual treatment, do you provide natural pain
management consultation?
7. How many visits or how long does it typically take to resolve a
herniated disc?
8. Under what condition will a patient with herniated disc need an
urgent neurosurgical consultation?
9. Do you have patient testimonials available online or on paper?
Recommendation #4: Once you're satisfied that you found a skilled
and experienced chiropractor, make a commitment to yourself to
make all your recommended appointments and follow the diet,
nutrition and lifestyle recommendations.
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By following these four recommendations, you'll be well informed
and assured that you have chosen the right doctor for you and are
taking the right course of treatment for resolving your disc
herniation.
But if you want your herniated disc completely resolved -- including
dealing with the pain and inflammation naturally -- then I invite you
to call me. I'll be happy to answer your questions or visit our clinic
without obligation of any kind. To reach me, call (650) 394-7272.
Or, if you prefer, just fill out our contact form online at
http://www.sancarloschiropractic.com/contact-us/ with your phone
number and the best time to call and I'll be glad to give you a call.
Here's one last point: I know that many are still skeptical about
chiropractic treatments. Before I got my first chiropractic
adjustment, I was skeptical too. That’s why I offer a FREE 10 minute
consultation before you commit to any treatment and to allow you
to ask questions. Call (650) 394-7272 and request for the FREE 10
minute consultation, or fill out our contact form at
http://www.sancarloschiropractic.com.
I hope you found this patient guide to be helpful. We look forward
to serving you.
One more thing, I have included a patient story and a couple of
testimonials below. The patient story is about one of my most
remarkable herniated disc cases. You will also find the Cox Flexion
Distraction Frequently Asked Questions at the end.
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A Patient’s Story
About 17 years ago, a young man in his early 30s was carried in to
my office by a couple of his friends. Due to intense pain, he was in a
fetal position. I took a brief history and performed a few orthopedic
tests. I had to be creative since he was curled up in pain. I
determined he had an acute disc herniation between the 4th and 5th
vertebrae in the low back. After positioning him on the Cox table in
a side-lying position, I began the Cox treatment.
After the treatment, he was able to walk out of the office on his own
with some difficulty, but he was at least able to walk. I provided him
with instructions for proper pain-prevention postures for walking,
sitting, bending, lifting and twisting. I showed him some
rehabilitation exercises to do at home. He was given some painrelief and anti-inflammatory nutrient supplements.
He diligently followed my instructions and came in for treatment a
few more times that week. Within just 5 days he was walking almost
completely normal. In just about 3 weeks, he was almost completely
pain free, and had almost no functional limitations. By 8 weeks all
signs and symptoms of his herniated disc were gone. He did not
require any medications, injections or surgical procedures, and about
10 years ago, the last I heard from him, he was doing fine.
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Testimonials
“I was referred to Dr. Husbands by a friend. I had stiffness in my neck,
pain going down my right arm and into my fingers. Dr. Husbands was
able to diagnose my problem and help free me from pain. I have had
many other problems in which he has helped me with. The one which
stands out the most was getting my hot flash problem under control. I
went to many doctors, but Dr. Husbands was the only one who helped
me. He is kind, caring and trustworthy.”
- Linda
“We will always remember the considerate way you cared for us and the
excellent treatment you always gave us. I tell the story all the time about
how you diagnosed my disk problem, identifying the exact spot, with just
an x-ray–something the doctors never did, until finally an MRI confirmed
what you had already found! And how you gave me such relief from
pain! Thank you very much.”
- James
…and last, but not the least, here’s a testimonial given by someone who
was happy to find us:
“Having been under various types of care for the herniated disc in my
back, I can say that Dr. Husbands has given a better effort and taken
more time in consultations than my other health providers have. He has
done a great job in explaining a rational & healthful approach to my
back wellness. His history of successful treatment using the Cox
Flexion/Distraction method gives me hope that my herniated disc can be
treated without reverting to surgery as well.”
- Bob
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Cox Flexion Distraction Frequently Asked Questions
How Does Cox Flexion-Distraction Work?
The patient is comfortably positioned lying on their stomach or their
side on the Cox table. The chiropractor manually and slowly moves a
section of the table so the patient's spine is gently stretched at the
level of the disc herniation. This stretching movement causes a slight
increase in space between the intervertebral disc affected, which
elicits a negative pressure with a “suctioning” effect of the
gelatinous-like center of the disc. The chiropractor then guides the
table so the stretching of the patient’s spine is decreased. This
gentle repetitive stretching and release of stretching causes a
pumping action at the disc herniation. The pumping action suctions
the gelatinous disc material back towards the center of the disc,
removing the irritation from the nerve.
How many treatments will it take to resolve a herniated disc?
Typically, during the first two weeks of treatment, the procedure is
done at a frequency of 4 to 5 times per week to quickly and
significantly reduce the disc herniation and the pain from it.
Treatment frequency is decreased to 3 times per week or less over
approximately 6 weeks. The treatment plan could be adjusted based
on signs and symptoms. This typically translates to between 20 to 24
treatments over an 8 week period. Each treatment takes about 10 to
20 minutes.
What is the cost per treatment?
Chiropractic clinics set their own prices. However, as of this year,
2012, most are under $60.00 per treatment. This is cheaper than
spinal decompression which is about $100 per treatment. Some
clinics, like ours, offer a discount when you prepay a series of
treatments.
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