Posts Tagged ‘Range Of Motion’
Vax-d Results
Vertebral axial decompression therapy is a very useful tool for people who have horrible back problems because it is relatively inexpensive and it does not involve surgery. Data was collected from twenty-two medical centers for patients who received VAX-D therapy for low back pain, which was sometimes accompanied by referred leg pain. Only patients who received at least ten sessions and had a diagnosis of herniated disc, degenerative disc, or facet syndrome, which were confirmed by diagnostic imaging, were included in this study.
The data contained the patients’ quantitative assessments of their own pain, mobility, and ability to carry out the usual ‘activities of daily living’. The treatment was successful in 71% of the 778 cases, when success was defined as a reduction in pain to 0 or 1, on a 0 to 5 scale. Improvements in mobility and activities of daily living correlated strongly with pain reduction. The causes of back pain and their relationship to this therapy are also discussed.
Although imaging procedures, including CT and MRI, are able to accurately define structural pathology, the correlation of these anatomic findings with physiology, back pain, and other clinical complaints is imprecise. Although surgical decompression, epidural blocks, and spinal instrumentation can sometimes help patients suffering from back pain, these treatments do not completely take the biomechanical function of the disc into account, and may leave patients unrelieved of their suffering.
Low back pain is aggravated by activities that increase axial loading on the spine, such as sitting, standing, and lifting. Patients may describe some relief with walking, but more particularly, by lying down, which unloads the spine and reduces intradiscal pressure. The causes of mechanical low back pain may include degenerative disc disease, degenerative spondylosis with limitation of range of motion, facet arthropathy, relative lateral recess stenosis from a combination of the above, microenvironment presure changes affecting the thecal and epidural space from disc bulging, subligamentous and/or extruded herniation, and segmental instability.
A number of potential mechanisms are specifically addressed by the lumbar vertebral body separation achieved during therapy. With aging, disc desicction occurs, disc height is lost, and this process is accelerated with activities which produce high physical loading of the lumbar spine. Osteophytes develop along the anterolateral and posterior border of the vertebral bodies, and facet arthropathy increases as degenerative disc change advances . Normal vertebral body separation is lost as the disc degenerates. blood supply to the nerve roots of the cauda equina is sensitive to compression. Even at pressures of only 5-10 mmHg, the flow in over 20% of the venules was completely stopped. Flow in all the capillaries stopped at pressures between 20 and 50 mmHg. A pressure of 30 mmHg is slightly less than one pound per square inch, so solute transport is easily reduced. Even vertebral distractions of 1 or 2 mm per disc would reduce ligamental redundancy and help to restore canal/foraminal patency, reduce venous congestion and increase axoplasmic flow.
For greater resources on Vax-D and especially about spine or even about Lumbar please visit these links.
Groshan Fabiola
http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/vaxd-results-95693.html
Vertebral Axial Decompression or Vax-d and Their Results
Vertebral axial decompression therapy is a very useful tool for people who have horrible back problems because it is relatively inexpensive and it does not involve surgery. Data was collected from twenty-two medical centers for patients who received VAX-D therapy for low back pain, which was sometimes accompanied by referred leg pain. Only patients who received at least ten sessions and had a diagnosis of herniated disc, degenerative disc, or facet syndrome, which were confirmed by diagnostic imaging, were included in this study.
The data contained the patients’ quantitative assessments of their own pain, mobility, and ability to carry out the usual ‘activities of daily living’. The treatment was successful in 71% of the 778 cases, when success was defined as a reduction in pain to 0 or 1, on a 0 to 5 scale. Improvements in mobility and activities of daily living correlated strongly with pain reduction. The causes of back pain and their relationship to this therapy are also discussed.
Although imaging procedures, including CT and MRI, are able to accurately define structural pathology, the correlation of these anatomic findings with physiology, back pain, and other clinical complaints is imprecise. Although surgical decompression, epidural blocks, and spinal instrumentation can sometimes help patients suffering from back pain, these treatments do not completely take the biomechanical function of the disc into account, and may leave patients unrelieved of their suffering.
Low back pain is aggravated by activities that increase axial loading on the spine, such as sitting, standing, and lifting. Patients may describe some relief with walking, but more particularly, by lying down, which unloads the spine and reduces intradiscal pressure. The causes of mechanical low back pain may include degenerative disc disease, degenerative spondylosis with limitation of range of motion, facet arthropathy, relative lateral recess stenosis from a combination of the above, microenvironment presure changes affecting the thecal and epidural space from disc bulging, subligamentous and/or extruded herniation, and segmental instability.
A number of potential mechanisms are specifically addressed by the lumbar vertebral body separation achieved during therapy. With aging, disc desicction occurs, disc height is lost, and this process is accelerated with activities which produce high physical loading of the lumbar spine. Osteophytes develop along the anterolateral and posterior border of the vertebral bodies, and facet arthropathy increases as degenerative disc change advances . Normal vertebral body separation is lost as the disc degenerates. blood supply to the nerve roots of the cauda equina is sensitive to compression. Even at pressures of only 5-10 mmHg, the flow in over 20% of the venules was completely stopped. Flow in all the capillaries stopped at pressures between 20 and 50 mmHg. A pressure of 30 mmHg is slightly less than one pound per square inch, so solute transport is easily reduced. Even vertebral distractions of 1 or 2 mm per disc would reduce ligamental redundancy and help to restore canal/foraminal patency, reduce venous congestion and increase axoplasmic flow.
For more resource about back pain or even about back pain Chicago and espcially about bulging disc please click these links.
Groshan Fabiola
http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/vertebral-axial-decompression-or-vaxd-and-their-results-106783.html
Common Car Accident Injuries
There is almost nothing worse than the hassle associated with car accidents. From dealing with insurance companies—both yours and the other driver’s—to addressing any health and injury issues that might have arisen as a result of the accident, these incidents can be complicated, tedious, costly and painful.
Back and Neck Injuries
A variety of injuries can result from automobile accidents, and back and neck strain are among the most common. Neck and back troubles arising from car accidents can take a variety of forms:
· pinched nerves – Often the trauma of an accident will squeeze nerves, causing muscle weakness and tingling and numbness of the skin.
· herniated disc – Sudden stops or an impact from behind can jolt discs out of their proper positioning. This condition is commonly known as a “slipped disc” or “ruptured disc.” To compare our anatomy to a jelly donut, in these injuries, the jelly gets squished out of the donut. When the injury is close to the spinal canal, the “jelly” presses against the spine, leading to a numb feeling and pain beside the nerve. Chemicals leaking from the ruptured disc can irritate the nerve and bring on more pain.
· Strained neck muscles – Muscles stretched or strained as a result of car accident trauma can also cause significant lingering pain.
· Neck sprains – When the tissue bands that connect bones (ligaments) are torn or stretched, sprains can occur. This leads to stiffness and a dull ache. Whiplash is the more common term for this type of injury.
Upper and Lower Limb Injuries
As one would guess limbs and extremities are vulnerable in car accidents. Fractures to hands, arms, shoulders, forearms, fingers and wrists often require splints or casts. Sometimes surgery is needed. Therapy may be essential after either of these to maximize strength and range of motion.
Rotator cuffs are also commonly injured in car accidents. MRI scanning procedures identify rotator cuff issues, but these tests are costly, so doctors often allow patients to finish their physical therapy before ordering an MRI. Reconstructive shoulder surgery is essential for severe shoulder injuries.
Hips, knees, heels, ankles, feet and legs are equally at risk and often damaged in car accidents. Ankle sprains, Achilles tendon injuries, ligament damage and stress fractures are common. Fractures often require a cast or surgery. Sometimes actual hip replacements or knee arthroplasty is needed.
Jennifer Kimberley
http://www.articlesbase.com/personal-injury-articles/common-car-accident-injuries-584262.html
