Livonia Chiropractor - Kevin Venerus D.C.

Two new studies, from researchers at the University of California-San Francisco and the National Cancer Institute, suggest that hospitals may want to cut down on the volume of CT scans. One of the studies estimates that “about 29,000 future cancers could be related to CT scans performed in the United States in 2007 alone.” The researchers’ advice to patients: keep track of how many CT scans you receive, and discuss with your doctor if the CT scan is necessary.  Remember, CT scans are X-rays taken at multiple levels to give a better image of inside your body.  Some CT scans can give you as much radiation as 100 chest X-rays! 

An MRI does not have the radiation issues like a CT scan, but another recent study has shown when there is an increase MRI availability, there is a higher incidence of spinal surgery! This may be bad news for patients, since previous studies have found that increased surgery rates do not improve patient outcomes. “The worry is that many people will not benefit from the surgery, so heading in this direction is concerning,” said senior author Laurence Baker, Ph.D., professor of health research and policy at the Stanford University School of Medicine. 

While volunteering for the Salvation Army Bell Ringing yesterday, I was reminded of a common sign of lumbar stenosis.  I was standing outside of our local Kroger grocery store (it was very cold by the way!) and I noticed a few shoppers walking into the store with an empty shopping cart.  If you look carefully, you will notice their posture while pushing the carts.  They are flexed forward, and leaning on the cart.  This posture, flexion of the lumber spine opens up the spinal canal and allows the nerves that control the lower extremity to work better. 

Ironically, most shoppers that do this, do not even notice that it is their change in posture is what improves their gait.  They assume the cart acts as a "crutch" to help them walk.  

In new patient consults that I suspect lumbar stenosis, I always ask if they walk better with a shopping cart.  I usually get a surprised look of - yes it does, or they have to think about it before they realize that pushing the cart actually does help their gait. 

What we use in our office is a technique called Flexion Distraction which helps open up the spinal canal which is compressed by lumbar stenosis.  Studies have shown an increase of spinal canal area increase by 28%. 

Notice in the photo above, the shopper is not just pushing the shopping cart, she is leaning forward and putting some of her body weight on the cart.  This creates an increased flexion posture in the lumbar spine, allowing the nerves to work better in her legs.  This is a common sign of lumbar stenosis that can be helped with chiropractic care using Flexion Distraction technique. 

On a bipartisan, 30-4 vote, the Michigan Senate today approved Senate Bill 968, and its associated bills, legislation that would restore Michigan’s chiropractic scope of practice to the level enjoyed by doctors of chiropractic and their patients prior to the rewrite of the Public Health Code in the late 1970s.

The bill package now moves to the Michigan House of Representatives, which passed similar legislation last year. We are now closer than ever before to a scope that will allow Michigan DCs to practice as they are educated and trained.

Michigan currently has the most restrictive chiropractic scope of practice in the nation. Chiropractors in every other state are allowed to perform the services outlined in the bills. This restrictive scope doesn’t just affect DCs and their patients; it negatively affects Michigan’s economy, as well. There are numerous studies that make a compelling case for chiropractic as an effective and efficient way to control the skyrocketing costs of our healthcare system, by reducing the rates of surgery, inpatient hospital care, and advanced imaging, coupled with reduced lost work days and speedier patient recovery times. With the state’s growing fiscal crisis, any method of controlling these costs must be explored.

I just came across a study in the Journal of the American Medical Assoication from a few years ago showing that taking Acetaminophen daily causes liver damage in just two weeks! Most people understand that taking pain relievers for extended periods of time (years for example) would cause liver, and other organ damage. But I don't think anyone realized how soon liver damage can occur. So when ever you are having any type of back pain for more then just a couple of days, you need to have it checked by a chiropractor, and get the source of the pain fixed. Remember, the pain medication only masks the pain, and does nothing to solve the source of the problem. Do not take Acetaminophen for any extended periods of time to resolve your back pain - think of your liver! http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/296/1/87

My patient continues to improve. His pain has decreased to about a 5/10, and his reflexes and muscle strength continue to improve. (Signs that the nerve function is improving). He has been getting treatments daily this week, and hopefully next week we can reduce the treatment frequency as he improves.

I just had a patient come into my office telling me about their failure with Spinal Decompression. They responded to one of those "Free Report" advertisements in the local newspaper. He told me he tried the therapy for about 8 weeks and had some improvement in his pain, but not enough to justify the $5000 he paid. He was diagnosed with a L5 herniated disc with radiculopathy down the left leg. The MRI findings are consistent with my physical exam findings. I explained to him a technique I use in my office called Cox Flexion Distraction. I have had great success in treating patients with many low back pain conditions, including herniated discs. Since this technique is spinal manipulation, it is covered by most insurances, unlike spinal decompression. A gentle and specific contact is made in the lumbar spine as the lower portion of the table slowly drops which decreases the pressure within the disc. This motion also restores the normal biomechanics of the spinal segment. I just started his treatments today. He noticed some relief after the first visit, but has a ways to go before he is pain free. I plan to keep updates on his progress with a non-surgical treatment for his herniated disc! For more information on Cox Flexion Distraction visit www.AdvancedBackSolutions.com/hnp