Physical Therapy for Low Back Pain
May 18, 2010
Numerous studies have estimated that approximately 80% of people in Western countries have experienced low back pain at some point in their lives. Most cases resolve within 2-4 weeks without any medical intervention. However, within 1 year following the first episode of low back pain, 60-80% of patients will have recurring pain. In most cases of low back pain, certain muscles of the back that stabilize the spine are reflexively inhibited (shutdown) after injury. These muscles do not spontaneously recover, even if patients are pain free and return to normal activity. Strengthening these specific muscles to support and stabilize the spine is the best approach to help prevent ongoing low back pain.
After an episode of low back pain has lasted between two and six weeks, or if there are frequent recurrences of low back pain, it is reasonable to consider back pain exercises and physical therapy for back treatment. If pain is severe, physical therapy may be recommended sooner. In general, the goals of back pain exercises and physical therapy are to decrease back pain, increase function, and provide education on a maintenance program to prevent further recurrences.
Physical therapists use passive and active therapies to treat patients. Passive therapies include heat/cold therapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, massage, and joint mobilization. Active therapies include carefully monitored stretching, strengthening and other therapeutic exercise.
Even patients with a very busy schedule should be able to maintain a moderate back pain exercise regimen that encompasses stretching, strengthening, and aerobic conditioning. Here are the types of exercises recommended for back pain relief:
- Stretching: Almost everyone who has suffered from low back pain should stretch their hamstring muscles once or twice daily. It doesn’t take much time, but can be difficult to remember, especially if there is little or no pain present. Developing a daily routine where you do the exercises at the same time and place each day, will help enforce the routine.
- Strengthening: To strengthen the back muscles, 15-20 minutes of dynamic lumbar stabilization or other prescribed exercises should be done every other day.
- Aerobic conditioning: Low impact aerobics (such as walking, bicycling or swimming) should be done for 30-40 minutes three times weekly, on alternate days from the strengthening exercises.
A well designed physical therapy treatment plan, which may also include other modalities such as chiropractic services, massage therapy, and/or spinal decompression, can help speed a spine patient’s recovery more so than one type of therapy alone.
Hudson Spinal Care offers all of these treatments, and designs custom treatment plans for the most effective spinal care under one roof.
To learn more about the services at Hudson Spinal Care, register for a free, in-office evaluation. If you are looking for faster service, call one of the two New Jersey locations. For Bayonne, NJ, call 201-339-8889, and for Scotch Plains, NJ call 908-490-1800. Just tell them that you read this article and you will receive the complimentary in-office evaluation (a $245 Value).
This information is solely advisory, and should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all health care concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a health care professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.
Dr. Chludzinski has been treating neuropathic conditions for the past 5 years. He is the founder of Hudson Center for Spinal Care located in Bayonne and Scotch Plains, New Jersey. In preparation for his career, Dr. Chludzinski attended St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, NJ, graduating in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Science. He continued his studies at Life University School of Chiropractic in Marietta, Georgia, graduating in the class of 2002 as a Doctor of Chiropractic. Dr. Chludzinski services all of Union and Hudson counties, including Bayonne, Jersey City, Hoboken, Harrison, Kearny, Newark, Elizabeth, Westfield, Clark, Fanwood, Plainfield, Watchung, Mountainside, Berkeley Heights and South Plainfield.Neck Pain – Non-Surgical Treatment Options
October 5, 2009
There are many treatment options for those suffering from neck pain. There is conventional medical care where the family doctor will usually prescribe a muscle relaxant, anti-inflammatory, and/or pain killer to help patients through episodes of acute neck pain. However, many patients with neck pain have been through the process of treatments associated with medications and simply cannot tolerate the adverse side effects of stomach pain common with anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin, Mediprin, etc.), Aleve (Naproxen), or aspirin. Others don’t like the groggy, drunk-like feelings associated with pain killers or the sleepiness associated with muscle relaxants. Therefore, these patients often turn to complementary / alternative care.
As noted in the May, 2009 issue of Consumer’s Report for low back pain, chiropractic was the most sought after form of treatment, but there has been no extensive review of neck pain regarding evidence-based treatment approaches – at least not until February, 2008. An international “team” representing 9 countries screened over 31,000 titles of articles published between 1980 and 2006, reviewed more than 1200 articles and eventually reported on 552 studies in their final report. Their findings included the following:
- In the US, 54% utilized complementary (alternative) treatment approaches compared to 37% that obtained conventional medical care.
- Neck pain was the 2nd most common reason Americans obtained chiropractic care.
- Chiropractic was found to be the most frequently reported form of treatment for upper back or neck pain (ahead of massage therapy, relaxation therapy, acupuncture).
- Those who obtained complementary AND conventional medical care were much more likely to perceive the complementary/alternative therapy as being helpful (61% vs. 6.4% for neck conditions and 39.1% vs. 19% for headaches).
- Women more commonly obtained care than men for neck/shoulder pain (29% vs. 18% men) over a 4-6 year time frame.
- Manual therapy (mobilization, manipulation, stretching) was associated with greater pain reduction in the short-term among patients with acute whiplash when compared with usual medical care, soft collars, passive modalities, or general advice.
- For non-whiplash neck pain (without arm radiating pain), manipulation or mobilization, exercise, low level laser therapy (LLLT), and “…perhaps acupuncture…” were reported as more effective than no treatment, sham, or other alternative interventions.
- For both whiplash and non-traumatic neck pain, supervised exercise with or without manual therapy was favored over usual medical care or no care.
What does all this mean? Simple! Everyone who is suffering from neck or upper back pain should seek chiropractic care which includes manipulation, mobilization, exercise training, and activity modifying advice, as these approaches have been found to be more effective than usual medical care! Why waste time with a “wait and watch” with or without drug intervention approach when the evidence favors chiropractic related interventions. If you, a friend, or a loved one is struggling with neck or upper back pain, we will properly assess your condition and administer the appropriate care that is required. We will coordinate care with other health care services when necessary. This recommendation may represent one of most significant acts of kindness you can offer those that you truly care about.
To learn more about Back Pain Relief, sign up for a free report, or click here to register for a Free, In- Office Evaluation. If you are looking for faster service, feel free to give us a call at one of our two New Jersey locations. For our Bayonne, NJ location, call 201-339-8889, and for our Scotch Plains, NJ location call us at 908-490-1800. Just tell them that you read this article and you will receive our complimentary in-office evaluation (a $245 Value).
Article by Dr. Eric Chludzinski, DC. Dr. Chludzinski is the founder of Hudson Center for Spinal Care located in Bayonne and Scotch Plains, New Jersey. In preparation for his career, Dr. Chludzinski attended St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, NJ graduating in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Science. He continued his studies at Life University School of Chiropractic in Marietta, GA graduating in the class of 2002 as a Doctor of Chiropractic. Dr. Chludzinski services all of Union County and Hudson County, including Jersey City, Hoboken, Harrison, Kearny, Newark, Elizabeth, Westfield, Clark, Fanwood, Plainfield, Watchung, Mountainside, Berkeley Heights, South Plainfield
Fibromyalgia and Cord Compression?
September 21, 2009
Bayonne and Scotch Plains Chiropractor Comments: Fibromyalgia is a difficult problem to diagnose or determine its cause. Since exercises, diet, and weight loss can be so helpful to fibromyalgia patients, we may think they can completely solve the problem.
Chiropractors recognize the importance of good spinal posture in affecting a variety of health problems, including fibromyalgia. It’s important to not think of the disease as having a single solution, but rather as a more complex entity, needing a comprehensive approach. But is there any research on the spine being involved in patients with fibromyalgia?
Recent research (Holman AJ. Positional cervical spinal cord compression and fibromyalgia: a novel comorbidity with important diagnostic and treatment implications. J Pain 2008; May 20 epub.) has looked into a specific problem seen in fibromyalgia patients: spinal cord compression. The scientist took MRIs of fibromyalgia patients with the neck in different positions such as max forward and backward bend. These positions can show the spinal cord is compressed/pinched where a neutrally positioned MRI or CT scan may not. In the study, 71% of patients with fibromyalgia had positional cervical spinal cord compression.
So what does this mean? It means if you have fibromyalgia there may be an undetected cervical compression problem that may also be affecting you.
Good neck posture and mobility are keys to good health. We can diagnose your condition and see if there is a spinal component to your problem that may have been overlooked. Sometimes it’s the low back pain that keeps us from exercising and ultimately getting rid of the fibromyalgia-inactivity-pain cycle. And, as the research above suggests, maybe the problem is in the neck and this needs to be addressed in a specific and comprehensive manner. Sometimes immobility in one area of the spine is compensated for in another, which can make your ability to heal somewhat lessened. Maybe the neck has been a concern of yours for a long time since the fibromyalgia symptoms came on following a neck trauma such as a whiplash. If you also suffer from headaches and have spinal pain, these are important clues that some of your symptoms may be spinally related.
It’s important to view your fibromyalgia symptoms from a global perspective, and not just think of one isolated issue as the root cause, and the only place where treatment needs to be directed.
To learn more about Fibromyalgia, register for a Free, In- Office Evaluation. If you are looking for faster service, feel free to give us a call at one of our two New Jersey locations. For our Bayonne, NJ location, call 201-339-8889, and for our Scotch Plains, NJ location call us at 908-490-1800. Just tell them that you read this article and you will receive our complimentary in-office evaluation (a $245 Value).
Article by Dr. Eric Chludzinski, DC. Dr. Chludzinski is the founder of Hudson Center for Spinal Care located in Bayonne and Scotch Plains, New Jersey. In preparation for his career, Dr. Chludzinski attended St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, NJ graduating in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Science. He continued his studies at Life University School of Chiropractic in Marietta, GA graduating in the class of 2002 as a Doctor of Chiropractic. Dr. Chludzinski, DC services all of Union County and Hudson County in New Jersey
Neck and Arm Pain – The Herniated Disk?
September 14, 2009
Scotch Plains and Bayonne Chiropractor Comments: Patients that present with neck pain along with arm numbness, pain, and/or weakness, often ask, “…what’s causing this pain down my arm?” The condition is often caused from a bulging or herniated disk pinching a nerve in the neck. The cause of this complaint can include both trauma as well as non-traumatic events. In fact, sometimes, the patient has no idea what started their condition, as they cannot tie any specific event to the onset.
The classic presentation includes neck pain that radiates into the arm in a specific area as each nerve affects different parts of the arm and hand. Describing the exact location of the arm complaint such as, “I have numbness in the arm and hand that makes my 4th and pinky fingers feel half asleep,” tells us that you have a pinched C8 nerve. This nerve can also be pinched at the elbow and make the same two fingers numb. The difference between the two different conditions is when the nerve is pinched in the neck, the pain is located from the neck down the entire arm and into digits 4 & 5 of the hand. When the nerve is pinched at the elbow, the pain/numbness is located from the elbow down to the 4th & 5th digits, but no neck or upper arm pain exists.
Examination findings usually include limitations in certain cervical (neck) ranges of motion (ROMs) – usually in the direction that increases the pinch on the nerve. Another common finding is the arm is often held over the head because there is more stretching on the nerve when the arm is hanging down and pain in the neck and arm increases. Hence, raising the arm over the head reduces the neck/arm pain. To determine where the nerve is pinched, there are a number of different compression tests that can recreate or increase the symptoms. Some compression tests include placing downward pressure on the head with the head pointing straight ahead, bent or rotated to each side. Other compression tests are performed by pressing in areas where the nerve travels such as in the lower front aspect of the neck, in the front of the shoulder where the arm connects to the chest/trunk, at the elbow and at the wrist. If there is a pinched nerve, numbness, tingling and/or pain will be reproduced when pressure is applied to these regions. Other tests include testing reflexes and muscle strength in the arm. When a nerve is pinched, the reflexes will be sluggish or absent and certain movements in the arm are weak when compared to the opposite side. Another very practical test is called the cervical (neck) distraction test where a traction force is applied to the neck. When neck and/or arm pain is reduced, this means there is a pinched nerve. This test is particularly useful because when pain is reduced, the test supports the need for a treatment approach called cervical traction. It has been reported that the use of cervical traction when applied 3x/day for 15 minutes each, at 8-12 pounds, 78% of 81 patients reported a significant improvement in symptoms, which is very effective. Other forms of care that can be highly effective include spinal manipulation, spinal mobilization, certain exercises, physical therapy modalities, and certain medications.
To learn more about Neck and Back Pain Relief, sign up for a free report, or click here to register for a Free, In- Office Evaluation. If you are looking for faster service, feel free to give us a call at one of our two New Jersey locations. For our Bayonne, NJ location, call 201-339-8889, and for our Scotch Plains, NJ location call us at 908-490-1800. Just tell them that you read this article and you will receive our complimentary in-office evaluation (a $245 Value).
Article by Dr. Eric Chludzinski, DC. Dr. Chludzinski is the founder of Hudson Center for Spinal Care located in Bayonne and Scotch Plains, New Jersey. In preparation for his career, Dr. Chludzinski attended St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, NJ graduating in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Science. He continued his studies at Life University School of Chiropractic in Marietta, GA graduating in the class of 2002 as a Doctor of Chiropractic. Dr. Chludzinski services both Hudson County and Union County in New Jersey
Hydromassage in my Bayonne Office- 20 minute massage on me!
August 12, 2009
So today I want to tell you about this great new product that we’ve just added to our Bayonne Chiropractic office. It’s called the Sidmar Hydromassage Table. This is a great new product that will blow your mind in terms of the massage it provides while still being safe and comfortable.
The hydromassage does wonders for a few reasons. We use it both pre and post adjustment in order to reduce tension and to help relax the muscles. When I first tried the bed out, I was feeling pretty tight from an afternoon of yard work, and let me tell you, 20 minutes on the bed did a great job of loosening my muscles and back up so that I could get an adjustment.
While we also have a massage therapist and offer physical therapy, I’d like to invite the first 17 callers to receive a complimentary 20 minute massage at our Bayonne NJ office. Believe me, you won’t regret it. If you’ve been living in pain, then this is a great way to loosen up…for free!
If you are interested, click here to register for a Free, In- Office Evaluation. If you are looking for faster service, feel free to give us a call at the 
Bayonne, NJ location, just call 201-339-8889. Just tell them that you read this article and you will receive our complimentary in-office evaluation (a $245 Value).
Article by Dr. Eric Chludzinski, DC. Dr. Chludzinski is the founder of Hudson Center for Spinal Care located in Bayonne and Scotch Plains, New Jersey. In preparation for his career, Dr. Chludzinski attended St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, NJ graduating in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Science. He continued his studies at Life University School of Chiropractic in Marietta, GA graduating in the class of 2002 as a Doctor of Chiropractic.
What is the best treatment for Spinal Stenosis?
July 15, 2009
For most patients, a combination of treatments will provide the most effective results for Spinal Stenosis. While every type of treatment has its purpose, combining chiropractic, physical therapy and spinal decompression is really the key. It is very rare in our office to only use one form of treatment because each modality will feed on the next to get the patient well quicker.
To explain why, let’s talk a bit more about what creates Spinal Stenosis. Stenosis means narrowing. So when the spine starts to narrow, it starts to choke off the nerve which typically causes a lot of decreased mobility and pain and weakness down into the legs.
Most cases of spinal stenosis are acquired as a result of degenerative changes in the spine. The main cause of spinal degeneration is osteoarthritis, an arthritic condition that affects the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in your joints. With time, the cartilage begins to deteriorate, and as it wears down, bone may rub painfully on bone. In an attempt to repair the damage, your body may produce bony growths called bone spurs. When these form on the facet joints in the spine, they narrow the spinal canal.
Another common factor that can cause a narrowing of the spinal canal is a herniated disc, which we see often in our office. A herniated disk can narrow your spinal canal and compress nerves in your lumbar spine, leading to pain that starts in your hip or buttocks and extends down the back of your leg. I often use an oreo cookie as an analogy. The cream in the middle represents the disc. If you press on one side of the cookie, the cream is going to come out the other side. It’s also going the make the area between the cookies smaller. So it actually has a flattening effect on the cream of the cookie. The cream coming out would represent a disc bulge or herniation. The flattening effect is creating closer contact to the nerve because it has narrowed the space. Anytime you have contact with the nerve, you have pain!
So it’s all about balancing on the disc. If there is abnormal pressure on one side or the other, it’s going to have its affect. With chiropractic treatment, we will work on aligning your spine to create that balance between discs. With spinal decompression, we are restoring some of the nutrient back into the disc, essentially rehydrating the disc. By building up the disc, you are making a bigger opening for the nerve to go through. We also may use traction to stretch the spine and mold it into a more curved alignment, which will create a bigger opening for the nerves. In my experience, all of these treatments, in combination with physical therapy to strengthen and help prevent reoccurrence, will provide the best long-term relief for Spinal Stenosis.
Why doesn’t insurance pay for spinal decompression when the results are so good?
June 17, 2009
For the majority of us, the economy has made things difficult, including our own healthcare. So when someone who comes in and has qualified as a candidate for spinal decompression asks me why it’s not covered by insurance, this is what I tell them.
Unfortunately, Spinal Decompression is a relatively new procedure. Health insurance companies calculate how they pay by looking at statistics that have been tabulated over a long period of time. Since the data and research have only been going on for a decade or so on spinal decompression, they have decided not to cover it at the moment. Thus, much like cosmetic surgery, spinal decompression is termed an elective procedure.
This is even more frustrating knowing that the insurance companies will cover back surgery, which as you may or may not know, has an extremely low rate of success. I wrote another article called Is back surgery really needed anymore? In this article I explored why back surgery can be avoided. Hopefully in the near future insurance companies will embrace what so many of my patients are talking about when they say the results have been phenomenal for them. Check out what they’ve been saying here.
Does Spinal Decompression really work?
May 27, 2009
In my last post, about whether or not back surgery still needed, I discussed the issue of whether or not back surgery was really the most effective solution for chronic back pain issues. Today I want to discuss the effectiveness of spinal decompression as a non surgical alternative for chronic back pain conditions like herniated or bulging discs, spinal stenosis, or even degenerative disc disease.
A lot of times, people come in complaining about back pain, and more often than not, its neither surgery nor spinal decompression that they need to help their back pain. Typically, a lot of the less severe issues can be helped with focused chiropractic adjustments. However, for those who come with those severe conditions that I mentioned above, then spinal decompression is the best options that they can take to help relieve their pain and avoid surgery. For the patients who truly are candidates for spinal decompression, there has been a much greater success rate in relieving their pain than that of spinal surgery without the long recovery period. In some instances, the patient is beyond what we can do to help them and need surgery. But with about 90% of the patients I see, that is not the case and spinal decompression can help them relieve their pain.
The bottom line here is that it really does work in the majority of cases that we accept for the treatment. Don’t just take my word on this, hear what some of our patients have to say about this:
“MY WHOLE LIFE CHANGED, NOT BEING ABLE TO ESCAPE THE DISABLING PAIN.”
I have been in pain for about 6 years and I have been going to different doctors and therapy. After having an MRI on my back, I was diagnosed with having three herniated discs. The pain was like a knife jabbing me in my buttocks down to my leg. My whole life changed, not being able to escape the disabling pain. Then I found a doctor with the Spinal Decompression. After going through treatments, painless treatments for about a year the pain had gone away 90%. Thank you to Hudson Center for Spinal Care!
Cecilia Pangilinan ~ Hoboken Accountant
“…THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE FOR RELIEF WITH EACH SURGERY OR INJECTIONS…”
Over three years ago, I fell and fractured my pelvis in two places, also herniated a disc, needless to say, the fracture healed but the herniated disc gave me constant pain. The orthopedic surgeon told me that there was no guarantee for relief with each surgery or injections. When I heard about the DRX9000 Machine, I came to see Dr. Chuldzinski who examined me and told me that I would get 70-75% relief. I had my 20 treatments and 1 year of maintenance and I must say that I feel 80% better.
Mary Papadeas ~ Springfield Housewife
Is back surgery really needed anymore?
May 20, 2009
More often than not, patients with chronic back pain issues come into my office concerned about a recommendation that they’ve been given by their doctor to have spinal surgery. To be honest with you, I can really understand where these patient’s concern lies. Back surgery is an extremely intensive procedure, that more often than not does not work in the long run. Patients who receive this treatment go through extreme pain as well as an extremely long recovery period.
There are plenty of conservative options available today for prospective patients before they take the leap into spinal surgery, and I think the biggest problem is a lack of awareness. One of the things we are finding is that we are able to restore normal spinal function and decrease pain by using non-surgical spinal decompression.
People are familiar with surgery as a cure, and less familiar with spinal decompression. Spinal decompression is different than spinal surgery because there are no cuts or incisions. Here is basically how it works: a patient is placed on a spinal decompression machine, in our office for example, we use the DRX 9000, for maximum spinal elongation. We are able to configure the machine for each case in order to lowers pressure in the specific disc that is causing the pain. In many cases, this creates a retraction of the disc. The best part for those suffering with herniated/bulging discs is that spinal decompression focuses on the damaged area, and not the whole spine. There is no pain and it is non-invasive.
In my opinion, this has been the #1 choice in relieving back pain and avoiding back surgery. We couple spinal decompression with rehabilitation to help aid the decompression machine to get the maximum benefits.
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