QuestionTwo months ago I was diagnosed with DDD in the L5S1 disc. I am thirty years old, healthy and fit. I am currently in PT and do my stretches daily. My symptoms include slight low back stiffness, ache to the left of my back when sitting for prolonged periods and it is very uncomfortable to lay flat on my back. Based on your experience, how long does this take to heal. Supposedly, I am in the beginning stages of this. Can you recommend any techniques to expedite the healing process? thanks for your time.
Answerdegenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease, DDD, DJD, Staten Island Degenerative Disc Disease, osteoarthritis, osteoarthritic degeneration, misalignment causing degeneration, subluxation, vertebral subluxation complex, good health,
Hello Nicole,
I am sorry to hear of your DDD (degenerative disc disease) at L5/ S1 joint level (vertebral disc).
I guess you had lower back pain which led to an evaluation by your local Doctor of Chiropractic (the spine specialist). Examination would reveal stiffness, perhaps muscle spasm, perhaps sciatica, limited range of motion, perhaps palpable tenderness, local low back pain, perhaps referred or radicular pain. The Doctor did the correct thing in recommending stretches, exercise, perhaps nutritional supplementation (ie: read "The Arthritis Cure"- Theodosakis, MD), and of course- the CAUSE of the problem, the CAUSE of early or accelerated degeneration-----
misalignment, also known as Vertebral Subluxation Complex; corrected by re-aligning the joints through manual Adjustment Therapy.
Staten Island Degenerative Disc Disease patients are common in my office. I try to be comprehensive in the approach to this joint deterioration phenomena. While in pain, ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation, infrasound, interferential therapy, perhaps even a support belt can be utilized. As soon as tolerated chiropractic adjustment to correct the underlying cause, the misalignments and movement abberations are applied. Proper nutritional support to help the joint(s) repair themselves is also significant: Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM, SAMe, Calcium, Magnesium, Vit D, minerals, Vitamin C = your Chiropractic Doctor would certainly be well versed in these. Dose is of course dependent upon age/ weight/ severity of the condition.
You may be RELATIVELY healthy and fit,,, but your body is talking to you. Listen. Listen, try to interpret the signals you body is sending to you, listen, learn, react--- help your body repair or stop the progression of the problem (joint deterioration). Remember the definition of health: http://www.who.int/about/definition/en/print.html "....Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity...." ,
so to be truly healthy and fit (a dynamic process, not a stable state)- you must try to repair the early damage you have; stop the disease process from progressing.
In my Staten Island Chiropractic office I give MUCH information on DDD, DJD, OA and it's underlying cause VSC, perhaps these information handouts would be helpful to you:
#1-- be careful of medications which cover up the pain, but ACCELERATE joint degeneration:
PAIN
Pain is a 憆ed light on the dashboard?
Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong.
That RED LIGHT on the dashboard of your car-
-- do you ignore the red light until the car breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?
Pain,
pain in your body-
-- do you ignore your body talking (pain) until your body breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?
Pain,
do you cover up the pain by taking a painkiller?
Take a painkiller,
mask the pain,
and allow a problem to progress in your body?
NOTICE ON PAIN RELIEVERS:
Label changes ORDERED by FDA; the FDA announced proposed label changes for OTC over-the-counter pain relievers to include the potential for stomach bleeding and liver damage (FDA news 206- 207; 12-9-06) ;
The American Heart Association issued a scientific statement recommending medical doctors change the way they prescribe OTC pain relievers from a first choice to an alternate of recommending non-pharmacologic treatment (AHA statement 2-26-07).
NSAID Acceleration of ARTHRITIS; an important side effect of Aspirin and other NSAIDS is that it will inhibit cartilage repair and accelerate cartilage destruction ( Journal of Rheumatology, 1982; 9: 3- 5 ). Many times people take NSAIDS for the pain of Arthritis, not realizing these drugs may make the underlying condition worse. These medications cover up the pain, and cause the problem to worsen.
Pain can often be the result of the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Vertebral Subluxation ( 慥SC?, 憇ubluxation? )
Vertebral Subluxation is actually a quite common condition. Doctors of Chiropractic look for pathological conditions which may require referral to other specialties, and also look for 慡ubluxation? Other disciplines look for pathology, but overlook the importance of alignment and movement in the spine which affects our nervous system (the master control system- ALL health disciplines learn this). VSC- 慡ubluxation??can be the cause of many symptoms and conditions.
Only a Doctor of Chiropractic will evaluate and treat for VSC, as well as other pathology.
The course of VSC is highly variable. Some patients with VSC literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar test findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights. Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC, some patients take years to develop symptoms. Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months. Some people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position. When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition. Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.
Vertebral Subluxation cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone. Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction- - - a manipulation, best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.
This BioMechanical aberration, this misalignment, this movement dysfunction CANNOT be corrected by chemicals (medicine), stretching, physical therapy modalities, exercise, or massage.
This BioMechanical aberration can be reduced only through a bioMECHANICAL correction- realigning the joints to more proper position and more proper movement pathways = a Chiropractic Adjustment.
The joint that is deteriorating, the joint that is subluxated (if in the spine called a Vertebral Subluxation Complex) is vulnerable to re-injury, vulnerable to exacerbation and aggravation. As long as the joint is not moving properly, the joint will be prone to breaking down. Since the area is easily aggravated, my Staten Island Back Pain patients get the following info:
P.R.I.C.E. =
P protection. R rest. I ice. C compression. E elevation.
Hurt yourself ?? injury/ trauma/ bruise/ not even sure - - a broken bone ??
You should certainly get to the Doctor or trained health professional to be examined if you think it is bad enough. BUT in the meantime, some simple steps may help.
PRICE.
The PRICE protocol will usually help just about any musculoskeletal injury.
P = Protection; protect the area from further injury- stop what you are doing, can you
pad or bandage the area ? Tape the area? Do something to protect the area !
R = Rest; rest the area as much as possible, if a part is damaged, give the body time to
repair the area
I = Ice; ice is a potent anti-inflammatory; it will slow swelling, help with pain control
(ice is analgesic), place ice over cloth over the injured area for 5, 10 minutes, off the
injured area for 30 minutes; then back on again
C = Compression; to help prevent swelling compression may be helpful- for example
if it is an ankle, wrap the ankle with an ace bandage and ice the area. Many body
parts may not be applicable to compression.
E = Elevation; again to fight swelling and pain, raising the injured body part above the
heart may be helpful- ie raise an ankle or knee, you lay down, raise the injured part
PRICE may help : Sprains, Strains, musculo-skeletal injury, bruise, contusion
Sometimes a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, athletic injury, or a motor vehicle accident can cause a bump or bruise, sprain or strain. Sometimes also involved with the injury is a vertebral subluxation (or other joint subluxation) (subluxation is a mechanical problem- of any joint- and requires a mechanical correction). In the spine, a sprain/strain is a misalignment, a 慿ink?in the joint, a stretch of the muscles, tendons and/ or ligaments:- more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation. Sometimes symptoms can come immediately, sometimes days, weeks or even months later!- Well after the actual trauma !!!
Spinal = Vertebral Subluxation Complex (a.k.a. 憇ubluxation? ; ( subluxation COULD be any joint )
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
This is a serious condition identified by its five parts:
Spinal Kinesiopathology:
This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.
Neuropathophysiology:
Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.
Myopathology:
Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.
Histopathology:
A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.
Pathophysiology:
Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.
Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Vertebral Subluxation cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone. Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction- - - a manipulation, best performed with the chiropractic adjustment. For good health- Treat the Cause, not just the Symptoms. Sprain/ strain/ bump/ bruise?= may result in subluxation of the nearby joint. CORRECT the subluxation !!!!
Dr. Victor E. Dolan, Doctor of Chiropractic; Diplomate, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomate, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST Chief of Chiropractic in a Hospital in New York State (DHSI); As Seen in PREVENTION Magazine
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Back to the car analogy:
Ever drive a car in poor alignment? The car may drift to one side or another, you have to fight to keep the car in it's proper path- expend energy, experience stress. The front end, the tires, the car deteriorates faster, the tires degenerate faster. Out of alignment?= the parts wear out faster, just like our bodies! Proper alignment?= the car works better = the body works more efficiently! Proper alignment= tires go 50,000 miles, misalignment= tires can break down in as few as 5,000 miles ; same for our bodies.
My office gives the following information handout:
Degenerative Disk Disease
DDD = Degenerative Disc Disease; OsteoArthritis- THE most common Arthritis- the 憌ear and tear disease?. DJD = Degenerative Joint Disease; = similar/ same OsteoArthritis.
Degenerative Disc Disease (old term = DJD) is actually a quite common condition.
However, the course of the condition is highly variable. Some patients with DJD literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar X-ray/ MRI findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights. Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months. Although the course is highly variable, there are certain steps that are always helpful to follow: Ice the area when painful- 10/ 15minutes on, 30/ 45 minutes off; avoid certain postures and movements; bend the knees when coughing or sneezing; bend the knees when lifting anything; do not extend legs straight out when sitting, laying down, lifting, or driving. Avoiding certain movements and postures will prevent aggravation of the condition. Practicing good postures and movement patterns will help the condition heal and be less painful.
DDD, DJD, OsteoArthritis, - deteriorating discs (disk) is/ are often caused by, or often concurrent with the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
VSC is a misalignment which hastens deterioration of the joints involved.
Misalignment/ improper motion patterns CAUSE/ HASTEN OsteoArthritic degeneration.
Vertebral Subluxation Complex (a.k.a. 憇ubluxation?
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of joints, and can cause osteo-arthritic degeneration, Degenerative Disk Disease, degenerative joint disease, etc.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
Subluxation is a serious condition identified by its five parts:
Spinal Kinesiopathology:
This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.
Neuropathophysiology:
Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.
Myopathology:
Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.
Histopathology:
A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Inflammed Discs can easily bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may also suffer permanent damage.
Pathophysiology:
The VSC contributes to OsteoArthritic degeneration. Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position. When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition. Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, Disk Degeneration, or aggravate such conditions.
Vertebral Subluxation cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone. Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction- - - a manipulation, best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.
Dr. Victor E. Dolan, Doctor of Chiropractic; Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST Chief of Chiropractic in a Hospital in New York State (DHSI); As Seen in PREVENTION Magazine
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I agree with your Doctor that stretching, exercise, massage, physical therapy modalities are helpful in controlling pain, restoring motion to the GENERAL area. But to get to the CAUSE of the problem, your Doctor should be applying the Chiropractic Adjustment as well. If your Chiropractic Doctor is not adjusting you manually, ask why not.
"....Two months ago I was diagnosed with DDD in the L5S1 disc......", I assume PAIN, your body talking to you put you in the Doctor's office to get a reason WHY.
"....Two months ago I was diagnosed with DDD in the L5S1 disc.....", I assume an Xray and/or an MRI was performed to reach this diagnosis.
"....I am thirty years old, healthy and fit.....", relatively speaking, but see the World Health Organization definition of health. You are (were) in pain, your body has a damaged part. You should try to slow/ stop/ repair the damaged part to improve your health.
"...I am currently in PT and do my stretches daily....", nice enough to control pain, loosen the general area. Is your DC (Doctor of Chiropractic) adjusting the area to reduce the misalignment, restore more proper motion, prevent further deterioration?
".....My symptoms include slight low back stiffness, ache to the left of my back when sitting for prolonged periods and it is very uncomfortable to lay flat on my back. ....", your body is talking to you. Time to correct the problem while it is early and easy.
"....Based on your experience, how long does this take to heal....", someone with your described symptoms, DDD upon Xray or MRI without other complicating factors, without repetitive postures or movements; within a couple of weeks pain should be greatly reduced, motion greatly restored.
Certainly within a month great improvement should be felt.
"....Can you recommend any techniques to expedite the healing process?....", Chiropractic includes a thousand different adjustive techniques, and when that thousand different technique choice is given through 50,000 different Doctors,,,, any- many adjustive techniques would be acceptable to me. In my office?= perhaps start with S.O.T. - http://www.sorsi.com/ - technique, then move to a diversified --- http://www.acatoday.org/pdf/PDR/H-Chiropractic%20Techniques.pdf --- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversified_technique (palmer package) - http://www.palmer.edu/ - lumbar roll type adjustment depending upon your findings.
You state you are healthy and fit: 'I am thirty years old, healthy and fit.', perhaps if you are an athlete or competitive, the following would be interesting to you:
Athletic Performance Improvement, Accelerated Recovery
Chiropractic is well known to improve athletic performance, prevent sport injury, and accelerate recovery from injury or hard training. With Doctors of Chiropractic serving on almost every nation抯 Olympic Team, with Chiropractic holding official status with the USOC and serving almost every US Olympic Athlete: the results of chiropractic cannot be denied. Coaches and athletes are aware of terms such as
enhanced performance, performance improvement, .
accelerated recovery, restoration and regeneration. .
Many coaching conferences discuss strategies on these aspects of exercise, competition, sports and athleticism.
An interesting study was performed and published way back in 1991. The January 1991 issue of the Journal of Chiropractic Research and Clinical Investigation published findings that demonstrate significant increases in athletic performance after a twelve week program of Chiropractic treatment.
Athletic Ability Research:
Male and female athletes between the ages of 18 and 42, representing a variety of sports backgrounds, were recruited to participate in this study. None had ever before been under chiropractic care. Each of these participants underwent eleven separate tests, each test designed to measure a specific aspect of athletic performance. Then, half the participants were evaluated through chiropractic analysis and placed on a twelve week program of chiropractic treatment ( consistent regimen of chiropractic, similar to a consistent regimen of physical athletic training/ exercise ). ( measured aspects: side step test, dodging run, right boomerang run, modified bass tests of dynamic balance, vertical power jump, standing broad jump, distance perception jump, horizontal linear space test, nelson hand reaction test, nelson speed of movement test, nelson choice of response-movement test )
All subjects continued to train and practice as usual in their sports. At the half-way point of six weeks, they were all reevaluated and changes in scores for each group were compared. All increases in performances by each group were measured by the average percent of change in all eleven tests combined.
The control group, those not receiving chiropractic care, showed slight improvement in eight of eleven tests ( this group had been training 慳s usual?for the time period ). By combining the average percentages of change on each test it was found that the control group showed an overall improvement of 4.5%.
Those receiving chiropractic treatment (along with their 憉sual training?, the test group, had dramatically different results. They showed improvement on all eleven tests for a total 10.7% average increase after six weeks. And when retested again after the second six week period of care this test group demonstrated a remarkable 16.7% average increase in athletic ability.
( consider that one/ onehundredth of a second ( 1/100th ) is the difference between win ?lose,,, 16.7% is HUGE )
What Do Chiropractors Do?
Chiropractors analyze the structure of the body, looking for misalignments, primarily in the spine, and also the extremities. Spinal misalignments, termed vertebral subluxations, irritate the nerves which in turn inhibits the body抯 ability to function optimally. Like a high performance automobile, the human structure must be balanced and in alignment to be at it抯 best. A Ferrari with pistons that don抰 fire in sequence, wheels that are out of balance or alignment, and high performance specifications that are improperly set will not only have it抯 performance compromised but will also have dramatically increased potential for parts to wear out and breakdown. The human body, far more delicate and complicated than even the most advanced automobile is similar. If the framework, particularly the spine, isn抰 properly aligned and balanced- the body cannot perform to it抯 potential and is more susceptible to illness and injury, with slower recovery when injury does occur.
What Do Vertebral Subluxations Do?
Vertebral subluxations cause nerve conduction interference. This inhibits millions of messages from the brain from flowing smoothly along the nerves and in this in turn interferes with the coordination of the actions of the body. The only health care provider trained to diagnose and correct vertebral subluxations is the Doctor of Chiropractic. Like a properly tuned Ferrari, the chiropractic patient athlete, when properly aligned, functions at a level of peak performance.
Famous Athletes Utilize Chiropractics.
Many athletes have discovered the relationship between proper spinal alignment and their own level of achievement. San Francisco Forty-Niner Greats Joe Montana and Roger Craig as well as heavy weight champion Evander Holyfield are examples of professional and world-class athletes who realize(d) the value of proper structural alignment and balance in their bodies. They have learned through their own experiences what research has shown; that through chiropractic care - one can demonstrate faster reaction time, better balance, improved coordination, increased muscular power; and when injured- accelerated recovery and regeneration.
The Competitive Edge.
Emphasis on athletic excellence continues to escalate in this country in terms of both dollars and extremes in personal sacrifice. Though the dangers of taking anabolic steroids have been widely publicized for years, the number of athletes who suffer serious health problems caused steroids continues to grow. Now, however, the athlete looking for the competitive edge need not look beyond the framework of his(her) own body. Increased public awareness is leading many to realize that a natural method is available in achieving performance enhancement. The method is Chiropractic!
Dr. Victor E. Dolan, Doctor of Chiropractic; Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST Chief of Chiropractic in a Hospital in New York State (DHSI); As Seen in PREVENTION Magazine
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I have given you a lot of information. I hope it is helpful to you. If you need more info, want to clarify something for me, comments---- please do not hesitate to REcontact me here at ALLexperts.com:
http://www.allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm
Thank you for your question. Good luck in restoring your good health - NATURALLY !
Your Staten Island Chiropractor friend,
Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP
Email Newsletter:. . . . . http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com
