Mehmet Oz, MD, host of The Dr. Oz Show, sorts out the best treatments for your aching back.

Chiropractic treatment: Even when the pain is in the lower back, the problem tends to be with the entire spine, says Victor Meir Nazarian, a Los Angeles–based chiropractor. Chiropractors employ manipulation—adjustment of the vertebrae— to help align a patient’s spine, and often prescribe regular visits. “People come in only when they’re in pain,” Nazarian says. “But we need to think of our spine the way we do our teeth, using preventive care to stay healthy.”

Physical therapy: The lower back must flex, extend, and rotate, says physical therapist Peggy Brill, author of two books on managing pain through exercise. Yet most of us sit immobile for hours at a time. That’s why physical therapists prescribe walking and other gentle exercise, such as stretching and core strengthening, following a flare-up of back pain. Usually, after 72 hours patients will begin to feel better, says Brill.

Stress relief: Stress is the source of most low back pain, according to John Sarno, MD, professor of clinical rehabilitation medicine at New York University. Though Sarno doesn’t dispute that the pain is real, he believes it stems from buried emotional issues that trigger tension in the body and ultimately deprive nerves and muscles of oxygen; relief comes through understanding this link and by learning to deal with negative emotions constructively.

Surgery: “Think of this as the last resort,” says Paul McCormick, MD, a professor of neurological surgery at Columbia University. Surgery may be necessary in some cases of curvature of the spine, narrowing of the cavity that surrounds spinal nerves, and nerve inflammation or disk degeneration—but these conditions are rare, McCormick says: “Ninety-nine out of one hundred patients will recover without surgery.”

My Recommendation: The research is positive on chiropractic treatment, physical therapy, and stress relief—they all help ease back pain. (As Paul McCormick says, with rare exceptions, surgery is unnecessary.) The key is to get moving again as soon as possible after the pain hits, and then make sure you take steps to prevent a return. I see low back pain as a warning about overall fitness: If you’re active, your hips and back are flexible, your core strength is good, and you’re coping well with the emotional challenges in your life, your back probably won’t bother you. Overlook one of those areas, however, and your back will let you know. And while the emotional link to back pain is controversial, there’s no question that stress can play a part in muscle tension, especially in the lower back and hips, leading to trouble.

Last week, a patient who is relatively new to our office, said to me, “Hey Doc, I want you to know I feel so much better since starting my spinal decompression treatments.”  As I am always excited to see progress, I smiled and said “FANTASTIC!” 

However, I also smiled and said, “Told you so.” 

Normally I am not that cheeky, however, 6 weeks before, that same patient asked me a VERY COMMON question that comes up OVER AND OVER. 

During the first 5 visits that same patient had asked me, “Why do I feel sore after my decompression treatments?” 

My response was, ”Hang in there… IT WILL IMPROVE.”

If you are going for your first workout in 20 years, you are going to feel it.  If you are getting the braces on your teeth tightened, you are going to feel it.  If you are doing your first cleanse, you are going to feel it.  When you start working on healing and stabilizing your spine, whether through spinal adjustments or decompression therapy, YOU WILL FEEL IT! 

Trust in the healing process.  It takes time, it takes commitment, and it takes an understanding of the process.

Get educated about your spine, take care of it now and for the long haul… It is the only one you have.

If anyone else would like to share their healing success story from a tough start through to a happy ending,  PLEASE SHARE.  You may end up inspiring others who are going through the same process.

Have a fantastic week!

Good morning everyone!

Did you know that eighty percent of the North Americans suffer from back pain?  If you fall into that category and are seeking the help of a chiropractor, follow these tips to get you on the fast track to a happier and healthier spine!

1.  AIM FOR A DOZEN CRUNCHES EVERY DAY.  Most lower back problems are exacerbated by weak abdominals.  When your abs are weak, the gluteal and hamstring muscles have to work harder to keep your spine stable.  Long term instability can lead to disc compression and early degeneration.

2.  CHANGE YOUR POSTURE FREQUENTLY.  By changing your posture you will vary the location of stress on your spine.  If you sit all day, try standing for periods of time.  If you always lean back on your chair, move forward to sit without support.

3.  TRADE YOUR OFFICE CHAIR FOR A SWISS BALL OR WOBBLE CHAIR.  Swap out your desk chair for 20 minutes every hour with a “swiss ball”, Sissel “sit fit” or a Pettibon “wobble chair”.  This will do two critical things; hydrate and revitalize your spinal discs and strengthen your core.

4.  ADJUST THE SEAT IN YOUR CAR.  If you recline your car seat too far back, you will have to crane your neck forward to see in front of you.  This will put dangerous strain on the lower neck and lead to a common condition called forward head syndrome – ultimately undoing any spinal corrections you have had.

5.  MAKE THE SWITCH TO A CONTOURED PILLOW.  With a properly fitted contoured pillow, you will have your neck perfectly cradled for 8 straight hours.  If you sleep on your side, draw your knees up toward your chest and place a pillow between your knees.  If you sleep on your back, place a pillow under your knees.  Adopting either of these postures will take tremendous stress off your lower back.  Check out the “Normalizer” – one of my favorites.

6.  LOSE THE WALLET.  Sitting on a 1 inch billfold will create a postural deviation and lead to excessive pressure on your discs and sciatic nerve.

7.  OPT FOR SPINAL MAINTENANCE.  Just like tartar builds up on your teeth, stress and pressure builds on your joints, discs and nerves- leading to serious problems.  By maintaining healthy alignment and using tools like decompression therapy, you can ward off excessive stress and maintain a healthy, pain-free back into the later years of your life.