Hey Doc; they fiiiiiiiiinally figured out what's wrong with me!  I got a "Disease" in my spine!

Yep.  I'll never forget the first time I hard this.  Now it's an almost daily occurrence.  About a decade ago, the medical community struck a blow of marketing genius, when they changed the name of this problem from Degenerative Arthritis of the Spine to Degenerative Disc ---- Disease.  Instead of simply having a DEGENERATIVE DISC, you now have a "Disease".  Brilliant!  Just convince people that they have a "disease" in their spine, and that nothing they do except DRUGS & INJECTIONS will help.  Their only hope is to take various medications and pray that someone dreams up a new-fangled surgery to help them.  The only problem is that SPINAL SURGERIES simply don't work, and medication covers symptoms without addressing underlying cause.

Discs degenerate because they have abnormal motion over time.  The longer the time, the more degeneration you will see.  This degeneration is in the form of loss of disc height, thin discs, bone spurs, and calcification (calcium deposits).  And while there are certainly things that contribute to Spinal Disc Degeneration (smoking, sedentary lifestyles, poor diets, etc), the truth is that Disc Degeneration is largely a mechanical problem caused by abnormal joint motion over time.  Let's take a look.

In both of these x-rays, you can see a substantial amount of Spinal Degeneration.  In the picture on the right, we have a side view of a neck.  Compare the disc height at the top to the disc height at the bottom.  Notice the thin discs, calcium deposits, and bone spurs.  The x-ray on the left is a low back.  The person is facing to the left.  Notice the extremely thin L5 disc at the bottom --- just above the tailbone (sacrum).  Compare it to the discs above. 

Although blaming disc degeneration on "Normal Aging Processes" is an absurdly common ploy, this cannot be the case.  How old is the thin disc compared to the non-degenerative discs above?  Let's be honest with each other.  Hey; by now you should realize that diseases are marketable.  Diseases sell products and services ---- including all sorts of really profitable drugs.  Diseases scare people into doing things they would not otherwise do.  Stop.  You do not have a disease!  But if you hope to ever slow down the progression of this problem, you are going to have to step outside of the medical box.  Treatment that does not address the "compressed " nature of these thin and progressively degenerative discs, is never going to make a long-term difference!

Call Tracy at (417) 934-6337 to set up a free, no-obligation consult with Dr. Schierling concerning Spinal Decompression Therapy for your Degenerative Discs.  Check out our TESTIMONIALS.  Look at the RESEARCH.   Schierling Chiropractic, LLC is centrally located in Mountain View, MO (South Highway 17 between the Kingdom Hall & Christian Church --- across from A-1 Storage).  Why drive to Springfield for Spinal Decompression Therapy when you can have it done locally?  Driving times from area towns include....

• WEST PLAINS: (30 minutes)
• WILLOW SPRINGS: (15 minutes)
• SUMMERSVILLE: (15 minutes)
• THAYER / MAMMOTH SPRINGS: (one hour)
• BIRCH TREE: (15 minutes)
• CABOOL: (30 minutes)
• MOUNTAIN GROVE: (40-45 minutes)
• WINONA: (30 minutes)
• EMINENCE: (40-45 minutes)
• VAN BUREN, MO: (45 minutes)

This is a question that I get all the time from people with really bad backs.  In fact, I got this specific question just a couple of days ago via email.  "My recent X-Ray shows the L1 Lumbar is crushed. An earlier MRI (September 2011) showed a degenerated L4 disc with some degree of pinched nerve........   I am about to start Spinal Decompression Therapy utilizing the Axiom DRX 9000. Which is most important? the L1 or the L4 problem?  Frank"

Firstly, remember that Spinal Decompression Therapy is all about the practitioner.  It's sort of like the fact that all mechanics basically utilize the same tools.  The thing that separates a good mechanic from an average (or poor) mechanic is not his tools ----- it is what he does with those tools.   It has been both scientifically (and legally) proven that DRX IS NO BETTER (OR WORSE) THAN ANY ONE OF A DOZEN OR SO OTHER BRANDS OF DECOMPRESSION EQUIPMENT, when it comes to effectively decompressing the spine in a non-surgical fashion.

Secondly, I am going to assume something here.  Although I could be wrong, my guess is that the "Crushed L1" is an old Compression Fracture and not a crushed disc.  Although a fracture of this sort is certainly not a contraindication to treatment (as long as the injury is an old one, and has had ample time to heal), the crushed or "compressed" vertebrae is not going to respond to Spinal Decompression Therapy in any visible sort of way. 

Decompression Fractures are like taking a vertebrae and crushing or flattening it like you would a coke can that you stood on end and stomped on.  If severe enough, these "Compressions" are actually referred to as "Pancake Vertebrae".   Discs, ligaments, and certain other soft tissues have the ability to respond to Spinal Decompression Therapy because they can be stretched (DEGENERATIVE DISCS, DISC HERNIATIONS, or SPINAL STENOSIS).   You cannot "stretch" out an old Compression Fracture --- it's a bony problem ---- although Spinal Decompression Therapy may very well help relieve the pain.

Lastly, the scientific research has shown conclusively that it is impossible to decompress a specific disc simply by pushing a button on the unit that changes the angle / height of the pull.  Here is what Dr James Edwards of the American Chiropractic Association wrote about this very topic nearly five years ago.  Dr. Jay Kennedy, one of the country's foremost experts in Spinal Decompression Therapy for the past two decades has repeatedly said the same thing (in fact, I believe that the highlighted quote below was probably taken from Dr. Kennedy's material).  Although DRX practitioners know this all too well (and would never tout this "fact" in a court of law), it continues to be widely propagated by many different companies.

"Angles are pure and exact math. The most differential thing you could ever hope to attach to a decompression table is a human being! As improbable as it sounds, there are still clinicians who believe that a specific angle can reach a specific level in the spine. Again, this is a biomechanical impossibility. For any angle to be accurate, EVERTHING must be consistent, including: exact patient position on the table, spinal height, disc height, ligamentous tension, curvature / lordosis angle, etc.

"In short, no two people are the same and the most we can know about angulation is that (supine) a steep angle will transmit more of the force higher in the spine. How much and how high is speculative at best. The best information comes from a 1968 traction study (Colachis and Strom) and Rene Cailliet, MD ... [the] authors suggest that acute pull angle create less flexion than obtuse angulation. It is hardly $100,000 information, and thus exact degree angles are best suited for a sales pitch not a viable treatment."  Dr James Edwards and Dr. Cynthia Vaughn

So, Frank, to answer your question; you will get hooked up to the DRX-9000 and it will pull on ALL of your lumbar discs --- as well as many of your thoracic discs as well.  The force will pull where it pulls, and contrary to what anyone might try and convince you of; you cannot change this fact if you wanted to.  The good news is that your series of non-surgical Spinal Decompression treatments is quite likely to help you.

_
I recently saw a great website for Spinal Decompression Therapy.  The site was not only very impressive, but claimed nearly miraculous results.  As I read through the website, I was impressed by their PATIENT TESTIMONIALS as well as their SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH showing how effective Spinal Decompression Therapy really is.   Their explanations concerning the way that Spinal Decompression Therapy could help heal DEGENERATIVE DISCS, HERNIATED DISCS, FACET SYNDROME, SPINAL STENOSIS, and SCIATICA, were frankly excellent.   In fact, I was rather tickled by nearly everything about this doctor's website ---- until I got to the end. 

FREE  FREE  FREE  FREE in big red letters.   It's all free!  FREE Evaluation.  First three weeks of treatment FREE.  No out of pocket expense.  FREE transportation to the clinic.  Just give us your insurance card, sit back, and enjoy the ride....... all for FREE!  I recently met a woman who had gone to this particular clinic for the free evaluation.  It seems that things were not quite so "free" as they had been made out to be.  But think about it....   How could they be?

Have you ever wondered what kind of costs are associated with a business simply keeping their doors open ---- let alone giving away FREE services?  Somebody is going to end up paying!  Stop and think about the actual cost of treating a patient.  Although I did not bother to check the cost of a webpage created by XYZ Design Company, I know it's definitely not "free".  What about the cost of four years of the doctor's undergraduate education?  You can more than triple that amount by adding in the cost of four years of Chiropractic College.  How about the cost of X-ray equipment?  What about the cost of the Decompression Equipment?  I can assure you it's not cheap!  What about the cost of the office itself?  The cost of staff members?  Three or four different kinds of insurance?  Three or four different computer programs?  Utilities?  Postage?  Upkeep?  Property Taxes?  On and on and on. If these costs are not recovered somewhere, the offices offering the "FREEBIES" would go out of business. How are these costs recovered? Go look in the mirror.

Although many insurances will cover at least part of a SPINAL DECOMPRESSION PROTOCOL, most do not bend over backwards in an effort to non-invasively help you with your back pain.  In fact, most Insurance Companies act like they could not care less about your health --- or saving you from UNWANTED SURGERIES --- surgeries that they seem more than willing to pay for!  Put them on DRUGS, give them some SHOTS and if we are lucky, maybe they will die before we have to pay out any real money for surgeries that we already know don't work! 

How bad is this problem of discriminating against Spinal Decompression Therapy?  Medicare has gone so far to declare Spinal Decompression Therapy to be "Experimental " (their word, not mine) and lacking in scientific evidence ("insufficient data to support the benefits of its use") --- a ridiculous assertion in light of THESE PATIENT'S RESULTS!  Under Federal Medicare Guidelines (I have them available for review in my clinic), the one and only reimbursable service offered by chiropractors is the CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENT ----- and only then if done on a specific treatment schedule (multiple times a week for multiple weeks), with a complete set of treatment goals in mind. 

Medicare never pays for examinations, x-rays, or therapy of any kind ---- if it is done in a chiropractic clinic.   And the truth of the matter is that most Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression is done in chiropractic clinics.  The medical community simply does not mess around with services that are non-reimbursable by insurance.  

The truth is, if another chiropractic clinic tells you that Medicare covers Spinal Decompression Therapy, they are engaging in something hinky.  It's kind of like cheating on your taxes.  It's not a problem until you get that little yellow envelope by certified mail telling you that you're the lucky winner of an IRS audit.

I am truly sorry that Medicare & most private insurance companies stink in regards to paying for Spinal Decompression Therapy (THE ACA'S ACTUAL DECOMPRESSION GUIDELINES), but unfortunately, it is not something that I can control or change.  However, I will sit down with you and go over any questions you might have, as well as covering different PAYMENT OPTIONS to make the cost as affordable as possible.    I will go out of my way to help you get the care that you need at a price you can afford.   When you actually look at what we offer in OUR DECOMPRESSION THERAPY PROTOCOL, you will realize what a bargain we are.In fact, I would guess that I am one of only a few doctors in America who offers a Money Back Guarantee for our Spinal Decompression Therapy Program (HERE).

I have been treating patients in Mountain View for over 20 years.  As you can tell from our PATIENT TESTIMONIALS, I have built Schierling Chiropractic's reputation one patient at a time. I truly believe in the value and effectiveness of Spinal Decompression Therapy, and offer it as a service to our patients who are looking not only to avoid RISKY SPINAL SURGERIES, but to those who would like to get their lives back. Our Decompression Equipment is manufactured locally (in Arkansas) by one of the largest manufacturers of rehab equipment in the world.  And, although our Decompression Table is every bit as effective as other versions by other manufacturers, the initial cost is far under the $120,000.00 that many practitioners paid for their DRX9000 or VAX-D UNITS just a few short years ago.

The benefit is that I pass the savings on to you ---- my patients.  No tricks.  No games.  No gimmicks.  No surprises.  No "FREE  FREE  FREE !".  Just the best value for you ---- my patients ---- my neighbors ---- my friends. 

I feel confident that if you shop around, you’ll discover that Schierling Chiropractic, LLC is your best choice for Spinal Decompression Therapy.  No one offers more services with their DECOMPRESSION PROGRAM for a better price!  So, isn't about time you made a plan to get your life back? 

FREE CONSULTATION
The one part of our Spinal Decompression Protocol that is free, is the evaluation.  Before we do anything, I have to SEE IF YOU ARE A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR SPINAL DECOMPRESSION THERAPY.  Unfortunately, people who are dealing with Chronic Pain get desperate.   I have to turn numerous people away for conditions that cannot be helped by Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression --- probably about 50% of the people who inquire.  Call us today at (417) 934-6337, and schedule an appointment with Dr. Schierling to see if Spinal Decompression Therapy might be a good option for you.  We will sit down, go over your history, your tests, your x-rays, and MRI findings.  I will tell you what I think and you can proceed from there.

_Spinal Decompression Therapy for chronic back and / or neck pain has PROVEN ITSELF an effective alternative to CORTICOSTERIOD INJECTIONS and DANGEROUS SURGERIES.  Because of this, there has been an incredible spike in the popularity of Spinal Decompression Therapy over the past decade or so --- and there is really only one reason for this.  It is because PATIENTS LIKE THESE know that it can relieve chronic back and leg pain (SCIATICA) caused by:

• DEGENERATIVE DISCS
• DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE
• DEGENERATIVE JOINT DISEASE OF THE SPINE
• DEGENERATIVE ARTHRITIS OF THE SPINE
• BULGING DISCS
• SEVERELY SLIPPED DISCS
• HERNIATED DISCS
• RUPTURED DISCS
• SCIATICA
• SPINAL STENOSIS
• FACET SYNDROME
• FAILED BACK SURGERY

The process itself is easy to understand.   A Spinal Decompression Table is used to gently stretch and release the spine in a computerized, logarithmic fashion.  This pumping action creates a NEGATIVE PRESSURE inside of the injured or degenerative discs that causes what many researchers refer to as the "Vacuum Effect ".  This Vacuum Effect actually sucks water from outside the disc to the inside of the disc where it is used to naturally replace the fluid that makes up the disc's central jelly (Nucleus Pulposus).
 
DISC HERNIATIONS can actually be seen shrinking on MRIs as the "bulging" Nucleus Pulposus retracts back inside the torn ligaments that make up the disc's outer shell, or Annulus Fibrosus (SEE HERE).  For most people struggling with lower back pain, the process of Non-Surgical Decompression actually feels good!  Although it is certainly not the norm in other clinics, we use many other therapies along with Spinal Decompression Therapy to help speed healing to problem discs.  Some of these include things like COLD LASER, OXYGEN, SCAR TISSUE REMODELING THERAPY, MICROCURRENT STIM, CEREBELLAR REHABILITATION, as well as certain nutritional supplements such as PGFO and LIGAPLEX.  Oh, and we always show you things that you can do at home to keep the healing process rolling along.

SPINAL DECOMPRESSION THERAPY IS EFFECTIVE
Many STUDIES show tremendous success rates using Spinal Decompression Therapy for lower back pain and sciatica caused by DISC HERNIATIONS, DISC DEGENERATION, and SPINAL STENOSIS.  But please do not take my word for it.  See what our patients say in these short VIDEO TESTIMONIALS.

WHAT IS PREVENTING ME FROM TRYING SPINAL DECOMPRESSION THERAPY?
Most people claim that there are three things that keep them from trying Spinal Decompression Therapy.  I will try to address these three things one at a time.


EXPENSE
With many clinics charging fees ranging from almost $5000.00 to well over $7,000.00, it makes it tough for many people to make the decision to do what has to be done to deal with their disc problem(s).  Add that to the fact that few insurance companies will cover the individual parts of an effective SPINAL DECOMPRESSION PROTOCOL, and it's even harder still. 

Although some insurances will cover at least part of a SPINAL DECOMPRESSION PROTOCOL, Medicare has declared Spinal Decompression Therapy to be "Experimental " (their word, not mine) and unfortunately, most private insurance companies follow Medicare's lead on these sorts of things (yeah, I know --- instead of coverage getting better, it's getting worse).    Under Federal Medicare Guidelines (I have them available for review in my clinic), chiropractors are only reimbursed for CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS when done on a specific treatment schedule (more than once a week for multiple weeks), and with specific clinical goals in mind.  Medicare never pays for examinations, x-rays, or therapy of any kind, when done in a chiropractic clinic.   So if another chiropractic clinic tells you that Medicare covers Spinal Decompression Therapy, they are not being completely honest with you.

I am not sure that there is another chiropractor in the country who has gone out of his way to provide SO MUCH FOR SO LITTLE.  But for those of you who need, we even offer financing.  It is an absurdly good deal because it is 18 months, same as cash.  The bottom line on cost is this; we provide an excellent service at a reasonable fee.  And nothing will be done without sitting down and completely going over your case first.  You want to go home and talk it over with your spouse?  I highly encourage it!  I never want you to make a hasty decision about something this important.

CREDIBILITY
The fact that we do Spinal Decompression Therapy in our office brings in lots and lots of desperate people who are willing to try anything in the hopes of having some pain relief.  The truth is, I have had to turn away numerous patients who were looking for Spinal Decompression Therapy TO DO SOMETHING IT SIMPLY COULD NOT DO. 

On top of that, many clinics press prospective patients to make an on-the-spot decision to begin care.  I encourage you to take as much time as you need to talk things over with a spouse, do some internet research, or simply turn the decision over in your mind a few times.  I would also suggest that you talk to people who have been through the program.  I do not want anyone to feel like they were "herded" into a quick decision that they will soon regret.  My credibility and reputation are based on good results.  It is my goal to weed out people who I know up front will not benefit from Spinal Decompression Therapy (i.e. PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME -vs- DISC HERNIATIONS). 

EXPERIENCE & TRAINING
My training came from Dr. Jay Kennedy, whose nearly two decades of experience in Spinal Decompression Therapy has taught him many valuable lessons.  One of those lessons is that you do not need a $120,000 Decompression Table to get great results.  Dr. K always says that it is far more about the practitioner's knowledge and expertise than it is about the BRAND OF TABLE BEING USED.  Dr. Schierling has been in practice for more than 20 years, and has more experience with Spinal Decompression Therapy than anyone else in this region of the state.  And if you still doubt his ability to help even the most chronic of Chronic Pain patients, simply take three minutes and check out these VIDEO TESTIMONIALS from real patients just like you.  Feel free to call them and speak with them if you wish!

CAN YOU TRUST DOCTOR SCHIERLING?
If you have been searching the web, or read the "Full Page" ads in certain newspapers, you are already aware that there is a lot of hype that goes along with Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy.  So how in the world can you ever figure out who to trust?  Come in and talk to me.  Then take a little bit of time to review the RESEARCH, view some VIDEO TESTIMONIALS, and talk to people who have already gone through the program.   We think that after looking at the evidence, you'll choose us.

WHERE DO I GO FOR NON-SURGICAL SPINAL DECOMPRESSION THERAPY?
Wouldn't it be great if there were a facility offering Spinal Decompression locally so that you would not have to make trip after trip to Springfield?  Nothing against Dr. Phil Lloyd of Cherry Health Center ---- he has helped thousands of people with disc problems just like yours.  But my office is in Mountain View.  And although Mountain View is not a large town, we are centrally located within a half hour drive of West Plains, Winona, Willow Springs, Summersville, Cabool, Birch Tree, and Eminence; with Thayer / Mammoth Springs, Van Buren, Mountain Grove, and numerous others being less than an hour drive.  Doctor Schierling has both training and experience in Spinal Decompression Therapy --- not to mention an excellent reputation in the community over the past two-plus decades.  

If you go to Springfield, you will have the expense of gas, lodging, meals, time, etc.  By choosing Dr. Schierling, you get a great value right here close to home!

Our Spinal Decompression Therapy clinic is located in Schierling Chiropractic, LLC.   Built by Dr. Schierling in 1995, it is a nice, homey office whose wall-to-wall hardwoods, local artwork, and gospel bluegrass music music playing softly in the background, make it seem more like a home than a clinic.  And the icing on the cake is that you can.......... 

CALL TO SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION WITH DR. SCHIERLING
Are you sick of not being able to do the things that you love?  How long has it been since you made love to your spouse?  Worked in the garden?  Sat through church or a movie without pain?  Picked up your grand kids?  I see people just like you every day.  Most of you have been through so much pain, seen so many doctors, and had so many fruitless tests and miserably ineffective treatments, that you are afraid to even hope that Spinal Decompression Therapy could provide the answer you have been looking for.  If you do nothing else, just pick up the phone and call me.

Call (417) 934 6337 today to set up a completely free, no-obligation consultation with DOCTOR SCHIERLING.  I will sit down with you and go over your history, your MRI's, your exams, your x-rays, and your tests.  I will answer any questions you might have to the best of my ability.  If I think you are a candidate for Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression, I will tell you.  Just remember that NOT EVERYONE IS A GOOD CANDIDATE.  But isn't it about time you found out?  Living with Chronic Pain is a real bummer.  Especially when there are things out there THAT WORK!

_
Low back pain can originate in any one of several different locations in the spine (as well as combinations of these locations).  This always makes it interesting when a patient asks, "Hey Doc ---- where in my back is my pain coming from?”   Is the problem a Ruptured Disc?  Is it a muscle?  Do I have a nerve being irritated or pinched?  Is there a bone out of place back there?  Are the vertebrate or discs simply wearing out?   Often times my answer to this battery of questions is simply "yes". 

Our goal is that through taking detailed patient history and performing extensive examinations and neurological testing, we can reproduce your symptoms.  Our hope is that this gives some clues as to what tissue(s) may be the primary culprit in your pain.  It also lets us know when and how much your symptoms are abating in response to any treatment you might receive.

I truly think that most doctor's intent is to provide an accurate diagnosis of your problem as possible.  Unfortunately, the CURRENT RESEARCH tells us that there is only about a 15% accuracy rate when diagnosing your low back pain.  Much of this has to do with the fact that MRI's, while one of the better tests available, are NOT AS ACCURATE A TEST FOR DISC PROBLEMS as we have always been led to believe.  This is because much of the time, people's specific problems will not image on MRI.  And the things that do show up, are frequently not the things that are actually causing your pain. 

Another reason that it is difficult to make an accurate diagnosis of spinal pain is the incredible number tissues having the same nerve supply.   If any of these tissues is damaged or injured, you get pain, and the pain can be very similar for a number of different conditions.  In order to improve the odds of being diagnosed accurately, the QUEBEC TASK FORCE published research back in 1995 reporting that accuracy could be improved to over 90% if we doctors simply utilized an approach where low back conditions are classified into 1 of 3 categories.  While I think that 90% is a bit on the optomistic side of things, following these guidelines definitely increases your chances!

• Red Flags:  These include dangerous conditions such as cancer, infection, fractures, CAUDA EQUINA SYNDROME (a severe neurological condition where bowel and bladder function fails). These conditions generally require emergency care due to the life threatening and / or surgical potential.
• Mechanical Back Pain:  These diagnoses include VERTEBRAL SUBLUXATIONS, FACET SYNDROMES, ligament and joint capsule sprains, MUSCLE PULLS OR STRAINS, DEGENERATIVE DISCS, or spondylolisthesis (one vertebrae slipping forward on another).  This is the most common of the three categories.
• Nerve Compression: These more severe conditions include pinching of the nerve roots --- or even the spinal cord itself.  Most frequently Nerve Compressions are caused by HERNIATED DISCS or SPINAL STENOSIS ----- or combinations of both.   However, I treat lots of people with CHRONIC SACROILLIAC PAIN and PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME.  Neither of these are problems that respond to Spinal Decompression Therapy, but both can likely be helped by what I do here.

BEAR IN MIND THAT THERE IS OVERLAP WITH MANY OF THESE VARIOUS PROBLEMS!


DOES IT REALLY MATTER?
As accurate a diagnosis as is humanly possible is a great thing.  But when it comes to some of these problems, does it really matter?  On some level it certainly matters.  If you have a PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME, I will not put you on Spinal Decompression until we address that (there is a high probability that it can be dealt with without a need for Spinal Decompression Therapy).  It is important to determine if your problem is simply a muscle spasm.  Although muscle spasms are frequently secondary to other problems that are helped by Spinal Decompression Therapy, they can be primary --- and if they are, Spinal Decompression could very well make you worse! 

And of course we need to rule out the really bad stuff as best we can.  Once we know we are not dealing with "Red Flags", I would have to say that it matters less than one might think, what the specific diagnosis is.  Allow me to explain using GEORGE LAWLER as my example.

George had been through practically every medical tests and treatment you could name ---- and some you can't.  Some of these were done more times than you can shake a stick at.  He had been through numerous MRI's, CT's, X-rays, and who knows what else.  He had suffered through RFA's, CORTICOSTEROID INJECTIONS, NARCOTICS, and more drugs than you can even imagine.  None of it really helped him. 

With George and other people in similar situations, the Radiology Reports read like a "Who's Who" of Spinal Problems ---- THE "BIG FOUR" ---- DISC HERNIATIONS, DEGENERATIVE DISCS, SPINAL STENOSIS, & FACET SYNDROME.  If you have more than one of these problems, is it important to differentiate between the symptoms of each?  Not only is it not important, The American Pain Foundation has reported research by Duke University saying that accurately identifying the exact tissue that is causing the pain is possible in less than 15% of Low Back Pain patients!

And think logically for a moment; if all four of these extremely common problems and their corresponding SCIATICA can be helped by doing roughly the same treatment ---- Spinal Decompression Therapy; it becomes less critical to determine exactly which problem is causing your pain.  Don't get me wrong; I will do all I can to make an accurate diagnosis.  But when you have 3 or 4 of The "Big Four" showing up on your MRI, it no longer matters.  The beautiful thing is that they all tend to respond to Spinal Decompression Therapy!


THE POINT OF THIS ARTICLE?
We already know that even though there are doctors out there who are KNIFE-HAPPY, there are a growing number of doctors telling patients to AVOID SPINAL SURGERY AT ALL COSTS!  The bottom line is this.....

• Rarely do the problems mentioned above need surgery.
  
• Spinal Decompression Therapy has been shown to help the majority of these problems.
• Spinal Decompression is not going to make these problems worse.
• Spinal Surgery for these problems carries a high probability of leaving the patient no better, or even worse than before their surgery (SEE HERE)!
  
• When compared to Spinal Surgery, Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy is the best deal in town!
  

Listen to me.  Even if you decide you do not want to visit with Dr. Schierling about your pain, DO NOT have a spinal surgery without at least talking to someone about Spinal Decompression Therapy first!  It could save you a lifetime of grief and REPEATED BACK SURGERIES.  If you do decide you want to talk to me, you are under no obligation to begin care.  We will sit down face to face, talk about your condition, and look at your tests. Talking to me never costs anything.  If I think I can help you, we will move forward from there (NOT EVERYONE IS A CANDIDATE FOR NON-SURGICAL DECOMPRESSION).  If I do not think I can help you, I will let you know.  If fiances are the thing holding you back, we will discuss some of the FINANCING OPTIONS AVAILABLE.  Some Health Insurances will even cover a portion of the TREATMENT PROTOCOL.

But to get the ball rolling, you must make make the call.  Simply dial (417) 934-6337 and talk with Tracy to set up a Free Consultation.  Just look at THESE VIDEO TESTIMONIALS.  It could be the best decision of your life!

WHAT IS THE CAUDA EQUINA?
The Cauda Equina (Latin for "Horse's Tail") is a bundle of nerves and nerve roots that occupies the spinal canal below the end of the spinal cord.  These are the nerves that control the legs.

Because the Spinal Vertebrates continue to grow into early adulthood while the spinal cord stops growing in infancy, the adult spinal cord ends at the top part of the low back (L1 - L2).  Individual spinal nerve roots come from the spinal cord as they do closer to the head, but as the differential growth occurs, the top end of the nerve stays attached to the spinal cord and the lower end of the nerve exits the spinal column at its proper level, this results in a "bundle"-like structure of nerve fibers that extend downward from the end of the spinal cord.  As nerve pairs leave exit the spinal cord from the INTERVERTEBRAL FORAMEN, this bundle of nerves that makes up the Cauda Equina gets smaller and smaller.

If you look at the picture above, you will see the end of the Spinal Cord (the Conus Medularis), with lots of nerves making up the Cauda Equina.  And yes, it really does look like a horse's tail.

SIGNS OF CAUDA EQUINA SYNDROME
The key thing to remember when diagnosing a suspected Cauda Equina Syndrome is that while it can present with terrible pain, it sometimes presents with NO pain.  The signs include many of the things that we see with traditional DISC HERNIATIONS:

• Weakness of Leg Muscles (often bilaterally)
• Paralysis of Legs (often bilaterally)
• Bilateral loss of Ankle Reflexes (Achilles / Tibialis Anterior)
• An Inability to Heel or Toe Walk
• Urine Retention
• Sexual Dysfunction
• Loss of Ability to Control the Bowel
• No Pain
  

However, the classic sign of Cauda Equina Syndrome is Saddle Anesthesia.  Saddle Anesthesia simply means that you have no feeling (or abnormal sensation) in the area a saddle would touch your lower body ---- your inner thighs / legs, buttocks, and perineum.  If you have Saddle Anesthesia & an Inability to Urinate, seek immediate Emergency Care!

WHAT CAUSES CAUDA EQUINA SYNDROME? 
Although rare, many of the same problems that are effectively treated by Spinal Decompression Therapy (SPINAL STENOSIS, LUMBAR DISC HERNIATION, or SEVERLY DEGENERATING DISCS) can cause Cauda Equina Syndrome.  But like I said, fortunately, CES is rare.  Research tells us that slightly under 1 in 50 of the most invasive Spinal Surgeries (Laminectomies and Spinal Fusions) are done because of Cauda Equina Syndrome.

WHAT DO I DO IF I AM DIAGNOSED WITH CAUDA EQUINA SYNDROME?
Cauda Equina Syndrome is a rare, but highly serious Medical Emergency.  Although some degree of bowel dysfunction is common with all sorts of back problems including SUBLUXTION, DISC DEGENERATION, DISC HERNIATION, and SPINAL STENOSIS, it is usually diarrhea or constipation (more often than not it's the latter).  If you have this and any of the group of symptoms listed above in red, it is imperative that you contact your nearest Emergency Room immediately.   The quicker you get to a surgeon, the better chance you have of not being left with permanent nerve damage!

Cauda Equina Syndrome is just one of the many problems we screen for before starting a SPINAL DECOMPRESSION PROTOCOL.  Like I have said before; NOT ALL PATIENTS WITH SPINAL PROBLEMS ARE CANDIDATES for Spinal Decompression Therapy.  Once it has been determined that this rare problem is not the cause of your back pain, it's important to figure out what is. 

Rather than opting for Spinal Surgeries and their POOR TRACK RECORD, call us at (417) 934-6337 to see set up a free, no-obligation consult.  We will review your history and diagnostic imaging (X-rays, CT Scans, MRI's, Discograms, Meylograms, etc), and determine whether moving forward to an examination is even an option. 

I've heard it about a million times in my twenty plus years of treating patients.  "My sackariliyack is killin me doc!  Kin ya fix it ?"  If any of you have ever experienced a Sacro-Illiac problem before, you know all too well just how miserable it can be.  And yes, contrary to what you may have experienced, most of the time Sacroilliac problems can be effectively dealt with without DANGEROUS AND DEGENERATIVE INJECTIONS or SPINAL SURGERY!  But it's not always as easy as a few CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS.

The Sacroilliac Joint is just that ---- an articulation between the Sacrum (tailbone) and the Illiacus or Illium (the bone you put your hands on when you put your hands on your "hips").   The SI Joint looks like an earthquake fault-line on either side of the Sacrum.  Here are two pictures of Pelvis / Sacroilliac Joints and a corresponding x-ray.

If you stand up and feel at your belt line just above and lateral to the very tip top of the crack of your rear end, you will notice a bony bump on either side.  These are the Sacroilliac Joints (SI's), and these bony bumps are called the PSIS's (Posterior Superior Illiac Spine's).  Sacroilliac Joints are incredibly strong because they are held together with lots and lots of heavy duty ligaments that cover both the front and back of the SI Joint, as well as the inside of the joint.  Because of the great number of ligaments, sprains and strains of the SI is a fairly common problem.

Pictured below are the ligaments that cover the SI Joints.  Understand that the huge ligament at the lower portion of the sacrum (the Sacro-Tuberous Ligament ---- it runs from the Sacrum to the Ischial Tuberosity or "butt bone") is so strong that in over 50% of the population, there are actually large muscle groups that anchor themselves to it --- namely the long head of the hamstring muscle (pictured below in red).  This means that chronic hamstring problems can contribute to chronic pelvis or Sacroilliac problems, and vicea versa.

Due to abnormal gait patterns, old injuries, falls, pulled hamstring muscles, obesity, sedentary lifestyles, hormonal changes, poor posture, pregnancies, or just being female, the Sacroilliac Joints can begin moving and functioning improperly.  Bear in mind that there are several disease process that can also result in Sacroilliac Dysfunction (Gout, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, etc).  These are not the thrust of this article.

Although there are plenty of people whose SI problem creates a sharp and severe type of pain, a far more common scenario is having a dull, nagging ache in the area of the buttock and PSIS.  In my experience, the majority of these cases are actually relieved with activity and movement (walking, stretching, horseback riding, etc) ----- while sitting or lying down often seems to trigger it and make it worse.  As is the case with virtually any Joint Dysfunction, the longer it goes on, the greater the chances of wearing the joint and developing JOINT DEGENERATION.  Loss of normal joint function causes deterioration, and deterioration causes loss of normal joint function.

Just like PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME that we dealt with in the last blog article, Sacroilliac problems DO NOT respond to Spinal Decompression Therapy.  I bring this up because SI problems are frequently mistaken for various Spinal Disc Issues and then treated with Corticosteroids by MD's, or Spinal Decompression Therapy by chiropractors. 


DIAGNOSIS:
The medical community's "Gold Standard" for diagnosing a Sacroilliac Problem is to put either one or two injections into the Sacroilliac Joint (often guided in under a CT scan) and see if it relieves the pain.  If so, you can officially say that you have an SI problem.  At Schierling Chiropractic, LLC, we rely on Physical / Neurological Examination Findings, Patient History, as well as imaging (SIDE NOTE:  I will warn you that hundreds of scientific studies have conclusively shown that with these types of problems, Diagnostic Imaging does not correlate well to patient symptoms, and I would have to concur). 

_If you look at the x-ray below, notice the amount of "torque" in the pelvis.  This pelvic torque puts an incredible amount of mechanical stress on the lumbar spine as well as the pelvis and SI Joints.  Mechanical Dysfunction always leads to DEGENERATIVE CHANGES.

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Not sure what is going on with your hip / back / buttock / leg?  Why not visit Dr. Schierling?  Chronic Sacroilliac problems and associated PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME are just two of dozens of reasons that he will not begin a DISC PROTOCOL without first making the DETERMINATION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE A GOOD CANDIDATE TO DO SO.   If there is a better way to deal with your particular problem, he will tell you.  If you take a look at our corresponding VIDEO TESTIMONIAL PAGE, you quickly notice that many people who have been struggling for decades with Chronic SI / Piriformis issues, get relief quickly ----- once the problem is addressed in a logical manner.  Call (417) 934 6337 today to set up a Free, No-Obligation consult with Dr. Schierling.