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| Extremity Pain |
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| Lower extremity (buttock, leg, calf) pain, which radiates from the low back, is usually the result of pressure on a nerve. The pain is in the same area as the distribution, which the nerve supplies. |
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Stenosis
This is the term used to reflect narrowing between the joints of the spine. The space in the spine joint is much smaller, or closed up. This narrowed condition, or closing up, causes "pinching" on the nerves within the spinal canal.
Spinal nerves supply movement, sensation and function of organs in the lower extremities. When these nerves are pinched within the canal, loss of function of the bowel, bladder and sexual activities as well as pain can be caused, radiating down to the lower extremities. The pain is generally worse when in a standing position or when walking due to the effects of gravity. When standing, there is more pressure on the nerves, but when bending over or sitting, the structures are opened, the ligament is stretched, resulting in decompression of the nerves |
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Spondylolisthesis
Simply means that one vertebra has slipped forward of another. It generally results from a "break" in the bone section that helps the vertebra to stay connected to each other (technically known as the pars interarticularis), but can also result from degenerative changes in the joints holding the bones together. This condition can cause low back pain, and can also cause lower extremity (buttocks, leg and calf) pain when the slipped vertebrae pinches the nerve(s). |
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Compression Fractures
There is a fracture called the compression fracture, which arises from constant pressure, build up or sudden pressure builds up. They are usually quite painful, can occur for a variety of reasons. First, and most obviously, trauma. Certainly, injuries such as motor vehicle accidents or falls can cause fractures. Osteoporosis, which is weakening of the bones due to loss of calcium, can predispose the bones to fracture. If the bones are weak, then it doesn't take much stress to fracture them. Cancer can also weaken the bones. Some types of tumors will actually eat away at the bone, causing mild or severe degrees of bone weakness. |
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Osteoporosis
This is an endemic problem in this country and one that is ever increasing. It is a disease with a very common cause of bone fractures. Roughly 28 million people in the United States are affected, and women are more significantly affected than men. 50 percent of women and 13 percent of men will suffer from fractures as a result of osteoporosis. When bone is weak, it doesn't take much pressure to cause it to fracture. Events of minor trauma, even picking up a heavy object the wrong way, may cause fractures of weak bone. This is the reason they are termed “compression” fractures. The fracture can occur from only mild pressure (compression), since then bone was already weak. |
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Arthritis (osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis)
This refers to degeneration of bones and joints and it can occur anywhere in the body, including the spine. Many believe that a certain degree of arthritis is part of the normal aging process. Degeneration of the joints, including any associated narrowing of the openings through which the nerves travel (foramina), is also thought by many to occur as a result of aging. However, with the effects of aging combined with other predispositions as being over weight, having heart or respiratory problem which keep people from exercising, inactivity, injury, accidents, overexertion, strenuous movement, dietary factors, predispositions as smaller canal shape and stress, it’s no wonder why we are a society suspect to back pain. That’s where decompression comes in to reverse all the physical effects of degeneration, disc bulge and hernia, stenosis, even arthritis and stress. |
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Oseomyelitis
This is the term used to describe an infection of the vertebra of the spine. The most common occurrence comes as a result of previous spinal surgery. An infection may also travel from other infected organs (such as kidneys or bladder) through the blood. While it is relatively uncommon, patients with diabetes, or other diseases affecting the immune system, are at a higher risk. |
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Diskitis
This is a term used to describe an infection of the disc. It is most often seen only in patients with immunodeficiencies. |
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Osteomalacia
This is the condition known as “softening” of the bones in the body. Its primary cause is a deficiency of calcium and phosphorus. This can be corrected by supplementation therapy, vitamin D, calcium and medication. |
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Cancer
When there is cancer of the spine, it is usually what is termed “metastases” or a cancer in the spine that has spread from other parts of the body (metastases). Common causes are breast and prostate cancers. Some cancers, such as multiple myeloma, can originate within the spine. Typically, lying down or bending forward does NOT relieve the low back pain associated with cancer of the spine. |
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Fibromyalgia
This is a relatively new condition, often a diagnosis given to some patients who experience low back pain and aching joints. It is characterized by a diffuse non-descript pain accompanied by fatigue and often presents difficulty with sleeping. Science is attempting to distinguish it from a syndrome, versus a specific disease. There is no standard radiographic evidence to define it and often it accompanies an emotional component. |
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Referred Organ Pain
Some organs as the gall bladder, kidneys, prostate or conditions thereof as kidney infections, ulcers, gallstones, prostate disease can cause pain in the low back that is referred from the organ sites. |
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Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)
RSD is an ill defined source of pain, experienced as both a painful and often burning sensation in an extremity, often minor in nature. While the exact cause is not clearly understood, it often responds to a selective nerve blockade of the sympathetic nervous system. RSD is usually brought on by a trauma of some sort, perhaps even contains an emotional component. |
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Claudication
There are two types of claudication that can be responsible for leg pain.
Vascular claudication: Insufficient blood supply to the legs (arterial insufficiency). It is brought upon by walking.
Neurogenic claudication: Pain in the lower extremities brought upon by walking. This is often caused by pressure upon the spinal nerves within the spinal canal, usually the result of the gravity effects causing the disc and weakened ligaments to bulge into the nerves when standing.
Both types of pain must be distinguished from other causes of lower extremity pain. The major difference between these two is that merely standing (even without walking) causes neurogenic claudication but not vascular claudication. Vascular claudication can be brought on even when not standing. |
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The spine is designed as a magnificent architectural wonder to support our bodies, while maintaining the center of gravity over our feet. Any disturbance of the center of gravity causes stresses and torques on the spinal structures resulting in pain, and accelerated degeneration. |
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Kyphosis
Often causing people to "stoop over" and giving the humpback appearance, this occurs when the spine bends forward. This position can occur as a result of chronic poor posture, compression fractures, or birth defects. While it usually affects the upper back, low back pain can result from altered spinal mechanics and altered strains placed upon the rest of the spine. |
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Lordosis
Often referred to as the swayback stance, this can also result from poor posture, or as a result injury to the spine as in an accident or from postural corrections to compensate for overweight difficulties. It is also a source of low back pain. |
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Scoliosis
With a predilection for teenage girls, usually seen at the time of puberty, this is an “S” shaped spine seen from side to side. In its milder form, it can often by reduced by manipulative treatments, braces or exercises. In it’s severe form, it can change the chest cavity shape, affecting heart and lung function. |
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"We received a “couple’s” testimony from Dick and Dorothy Pierce on the relief SpinalAid gave to Dorothy after years of her suffering with back pain and being told she did not qualify for surgery.
Before her back condition began, Dorothy was a dance instructor and very active in the lives of her children and grandchildren. She and her husband traveled in their RV. But that all changed as the back condition became more severe. Dorothy said, “Even with medicine and injections I couldn’t do any basic house work or walk very far, so I spent most of my time in a wheel chair or my bed.
This left me so depressed. If it wasn’t for my husband, Dick, I don’t know what I would have done.”
Dick told us, “The pain killers could knock her out but not stop the pain. She would be asleep by medication but cry out in pain every time she moved. I hated seeing her suffer like that.
They tried injections only to find that the mild relief only lasted about one month although the injections can only be given every three months. Dick said, “When the problem was at its worst, the State revoked her driver’s license because of the level of pain medication she had to take just to manage the pain.” Dorothy relied on her husband for everything at that point .Dorothy said her biggest fear was, “That my husband or my children would not be able to maintain the demand of caring for me and that I would have to be committed to a facility like a nursing home.”
Dick and Dorothy made a decision to move from Arizona to Louisiana to be closer their children that live in Louisiana and Mississippi, because she could no longer endure long trips. “Even lying in bed in the RV was too uncomfortable for her”, Dick said. This way she could still see them. It was here that they found out about Bryant Spinal Aid through a free workshop they give.
Since her treatment Dick is happy to report, “Dorothy is not taking all of those pain medications anymore and sleeping all night without screaming when she moves. It is so nice to see her rest peacefully without pain” Dorothy is delighted to say, “I am actually cooking again and doing things for myself. I am able to do low impact exercise like swimming now! I feel that the treatment and the compassionate, professional staff Have brought me back to life! The Dr. and the staff at Bryant Spinal Aid explained everything so well while truly caring about my progress!”
Dick and Dorothy both smiled as they related a story of leaving the office to spend time at the home of one of their children. They all later went out to eat and enjoyed visiting and laughing. They arrived home some 7 hours after her treatment that day (Dorothy was neither in a wheel chair or her bed the whole time!). Dorothy said, “I can hardly tell you how amazing it is to go to bed tired from being INVOLVED instead of tired from being IN PAIN!! Thank You!” - Dorothy
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