Expert: Dr. Timothy K. Durnin - 9/18/2007

Question
After MRI, I have been diagnosed with stenosis and a bulging disk at L5-SI.  Symptoms are "raw" nerve burning pain in buttocks and back & side of legs.  I've had one injection with no results.  I've taken Celebrex for over a month with minimal results.  Next recommendation is either another injection or surgical consult.  I'd prefer more conservative approach.  Can acupuncture and/or chiropractic adjustments get bulging disc back in place and/or release the pinced nerves?

Answer
Hi Jean,

No, Adjustments will do absolutely nothing for a herniated/bulging disc. The good news is that there is a proven effective non-surgical treatment effective for this called flexion/distraction.

Flexion-Distraction Therapy - What is it?


Flexion-Distraction, (F/D) is a gentle, chiropractic treatment procedure utilized for back and neck pain. Flexion-Distraction is a safe alternative to back surgery for those 95% of patients whose conditions do not demand surgical intervention. The doctor is in control of the treatment movements at all times.

Flexion-Distraction is utilized for many conditions such as:

Failed Back surgical Syndromes
Disc Herniation/Ruptured Disc / Bulging Disc / Herniated Disc
Sciatica / Leg pain
"Whiplash" injuries
Stenosis
Arm Pain
Neck Pain
Failed course of Steroid Injections
Chemical Radiculitis

Spondylolisthesis

Headache
Transitional segment
Many more conditions….
How does Flexion-Distraction Work?

For Disc related conditions:

Increases the intervertebral disc height to remove annular tension on the annular fibers and nerve by making more room and improving circulation.
Allows the nucleus pulposus, the center of the disc, to assume its central position within the annular fibers and relieves irritation of the spinal nerve.
Restores vertebral joints to their physiological relationships of motion.
Improves posture and locomotion while relieving pain, improving body functions, and creating a state of well-being.
For Non-Disc related conditions:

Patients with other conditions causing back pain (facet syndrome, spondylolisthesis, sprain/strain, scoliosis, transitional vertebra, sacroiliac restrictions and misalignment, certain types of spinal stenosis), Flexion/Distraction provides all of the above benefits plus the ability to place the spinal joints into normal, painless movements so as to restore spinal motion without pain:

The posterior disc space increases in height.
F/D decreases disc protrusion and reduces stenosis.
Flexion stretches the ligamentum flavum to reduce stenosis.
Flexion opens the vertebral canal by 2 mm (16%) or 3.5 to 6mm more than extension.
Flexion increases metabolite transport into the disc.
Flexion opens the apophyseal joints and reduces posterior disc stress
The nucleus pulposus does not move on flexion. Intradiscal pressure drops under distraction to below 100mm Hg. On extension the nucleus or annulus is seen to protrude posterior into the vertebral canal.
Intervertebral foraminal openings enlarge giving patency to the nerve.

Reference: Cox JM, Feller JA, Cox-Cid JA: Topics in clinical Chiropractic 1996; 3(3):45-59

Here is a link to the site.....

http://www.coxtechnic.com/homepage.asp#

Please read up on it, you should expect results in as little as two weeks. Call around to your local Chiropractors and ask if they have F/D tables, if they do not, keep checking. Approximately 40% of DC's have them, so it shouldn't take long to find what you need.


Good Luck!

Dr. Timothy Durnin