How can I treat my Herniated Disc?

Treating a herniated or bulging disc, in some cases, can be relatively simple if you are willing to pursue treatment and work with your chiropractor diligently. Of course factors like the age of the patient, the presence of other diseases, the experience of the chiropractor and how active or inactive the patient is on a day to day basis will effect the recovery time.

Treating a herniated disc in Manhattan also presents its own unique challenges. The breakneck pace of life in NYC is not very conducive of rest and recovery, and short of surgery, your body will have to do the repair and healing itself. No pain medication can heal an injury for you, it simply alleviates pain and can also help reduce inflammation, but the repair process happens from within and must be monitored and addressed to ensure optimal recovery and reduce the chance of re-injury.

A good chiropractor can provide you with proven and safe options for treating your leg and/or back pain resulting from a herniated disc. A bulging or herniated disc can cause back pain, leg pain, and the pain can even shoot as far down as the foot. The herniated material from the nucleus of the disc can impinge and irritate a nerve, which is a common cause of the condition known as sciatica.

A chiropractor can treat a herniated disc using manual spinal manipulation techniques, and specialty equipment like the COX table, and spinal decompression. Rest and stretching/ strengthening exercises may also be prescribed along with recommendations for lifestyle modifications. Some chiropractors work along side physical therapists and pain management specialists so they can provide a broader spectrum of treatments and techniques and help the most people possible, and this multifaceted approach is often superior to visiting a single specialist.

So a herniated disc can be treated a number of ways but there is a reason most people turn to chiropractors for the best possible care for their back pain.

Can Spinal Decompression Help my Back Pain?

Living in New York City can be a pain, specifically back pain, and NYC residents are more likely to suffer form back pain and sciatica. Luckily Spinal Decompression is a safe, effective and a proven alternative to invasive back surgery. Spinal Decompression is also easily available in NYC.

Living in such a fast paced environment such as New York means more access to gyms and doctors and wellness specialists, dietitians, etc but for most people that chances of experiencing back pain is still fairly high since chronic back pain can be caused by more than just overdoing it in the gym or sitting in bad office chair. Even bad habits like neglecting sleep, and accumulating stress can leave you more prone to developing various forms of chronic pain.

Spinal Decompression
Spinal decompression allows the body to heal naturally, it creates negative pressure in the intervertebral disc which allows the disc to pull in nutrients, increase drainage and also allows herniated disc material to recede back inside the disc. The spine can be decompressed to a range of levels, for instance some people may find some relief from hanging upside down (inversion tables). Chiropractors that specialize in treating the cause of back pain over the long term may use powerful, cutting edge equipment like the specially developed DRX9000 decompression machine.

Spinal Decompression in New York
A reputable chiropractor may use chiropractic spinal adjustments along with a decompression machine that can provide long term relief by treating the underlying cause of the pain. Decompression is not only for back pain, since issues like sciatica can cause pain to radiate down the leg and a problem with a spinal disc can manifest as pain in the hamstring, knee, or even go as far as the ankle.

Waiting for the problem to go away, or taking pain medication may mask the symptoms for some time but working with a good chiropractor to find and treat the cause of the pain will result in less time, money, and energy wasted.

Preventing and Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common, preventable, and treatable condition that is commonly present in those who frequently use computers as well as all types of manual workers, athletes, drivers, and more.  The carpal tunnel is a narrow structure in the wrist area, and carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when a nerve in the tunnel is compressed, causing inflammation, which manifests as discomfort or pain.

Because the carpal tunnel contains and protects the nerve that is mainly responsible for sensation in the hand, as well as the muscles and tendons that control finger movement, trauma to the tunnel usually results in hand and finger numbness, tingling, weakness, stiffness, and pain.  These symptoms may also extend to the arm and are the signature indicators of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome can be easily prevented by avoiding conditions that may damage the wrist and may cause injury, such as unnatural positions, lifting heavy loads, and repetitive motions that may cause trauma.   Investing in ergonomically-sound equipment and devices and practicing safe exercises are also recommended.  If carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms are already present, they require immediate treatment, as this condition will continue to progress and worsen if left untreated.

Fortunately, carpal tunnel syndrome can be corrected and reversed without the need for surgery in most cases.  In our NYC physical rehab and chiropractic facility, we have successfully treated many individuals suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome through a combination of customized physical therapy exercises and non-surgical adjustments to restore proper alignment to the carpal tunnel structure and relieve the nerve and soft tissues of pain-causing pressure.  Patients are educated in how to prevent future injury in order to stay pain-free and avoid future episodes of carpal tunnel syndrome.  We also offer medical massage therapy and acupuncture treatments that aid in obtaining long-term pain relief.  For more information on our carpal tunnel syndrome treatments, please visit www.drshoshany.com. 

Spinal Decompression and Chiropractic Care for a Herniated Disc

Herniated disc left lateral stenosis resolved with spinal decompression and Chiropractic care

 

I have been utilizing spinal decompression in my NYC practice for over seven years. I have seen countless patients avoid back surgery.

When  a patients come into our office with a MRI that shows a herniated disc and lateral stenosis that abuts the Left L4 nerve root they usually have a great deal of leg pain “Sciatica”. The term abuts is often in medical terms describes a disc that is “touching or leaning about” the nerve.

 

This was the case with the patient case that I am writing about.

A female patient initially came in over  6 months ago with a great deal of pain in her left leg which was accompanied by weakness. The symptoms kept her from doing the things that she enjoyed doing like exercise and walking, and sitting created a great deal of pain.

She did not want to take pain killers because they just made her unsteady and tired. This is a major reason some people avoid taking medication to ease pain. In the long run medication simply masks the symptoms of an underlying issue, it doesn't fix the root cause of the pain. 

 

When she presented with a MRI that clearly demonstrated a Herniated disc at the Lumbar 4-5  level that put pressure on L4 nerve root. We talked and discussed what we could do to help her and we concluded that, for her, spinal decompression on the DRX 9000 combined with Cox flexion distraction was very likely going to reduce her symptoms and would actually address the underlying problem.

She had already begun noticing a reduction in symptoms by the 6^th session.

 

We completed the 20 visit protocol in 5 weeks and had her continue with her core strengthening program which she had started with us so we could strengthen the muscles that lead to the structural weakness, which in turn allowed for an environment where injury was more likely.

The reason I wanted to write this case study was that I sent her for a Post MRI and compared the previous MRI results. I was happy to see that the Spinal disc was no longer resting on the nerve and the disc height was increased.

The patient has since returned to her life she now exercises without pain and is Pain free without the use of drugs or surgery. She is currently coming in for preventive Chiropractic care one to two times a month and works on her Core muscles strengthening daily.

If you are suffering with Sciatica or if you feel your leg is weaker or hurts it could be due to a “pinched nerve”.  If you want to learn more about  non-surgical treatments for herniated discs visit www.drshoshany.com

 

Back Pain, Women and Traveling: 4 Tips for Carrying your Laptop Around

We see all sorts of people, from athletes to soccer moms, who suffer from chronic back pain. One group that stands out is the often traveling businesswoman. Traveling and how it can lead to pain and discomfort quite easily has been covered extensively on this blog before, but we've come to see a correlation between businesswomen who have developed chronic back pain, and their most important piece of luggage: The Laptop.

Not paying attention to posture, and awkwardly carrying around luggage, and laptop bags can lead to chronic back pain, injuries to the muscles, and intervertebral discs. These issues can lead to sciatica, bulging, or herniated discs.

Women on average have smaller frames and less muscle mass than men, and a light laptop being carried around can be an entirely different load on a woman versus a man of the same type of occupation and travel routine. Even thin and light laptops can weigh between five and seven pounds. 

So think about it, better yet grab a light dumbbell, stick it in your pocket and walk around for a few hours. Sounds kind of nuts doesn't it? Well thats what its like to carry a laptop around, and most people have a separate laptop bag, which probably has a few pounds of stuff in in already aside from the computer, and most likely, a back up battery and a charger. 

Pretty soon, that 5 or 6 pound laptop along with the bag and all the accessories is coming in at 10 to 12 pounds, often more. Since most people refuse to carry a backpack these days, their messenger style bags are mot built to load the spine properly. Thats also how you should think about it, your spine, not your shoulder is carrying that load and its only loading one side of the body. combine that uneven loading with ergonomically awful airplane seats, the lack of a consistent sleep cycle and the stress associated with travel, and not having back pain seems like an exception. 

Here are a few tips to avoid developing pain, wether its in the lower back, upper back, neck or shoulders. 

1. Flexibility

Being able to move a joint through its entire range of motion is very, very important. Not having any structural misalignments and postural deviations due to tight, or short muscles is going to go a long way in helping you avoid chronic pain and discomfort. 

Take some time to stretch once a day especially if you're traveling a lot. A good warm up before stretching is also recommended. 

2. Strength

Being strong is going to help you keep your body healthier and pain free longer. Make sure you are strength training properly, and find a qualified expert to help you identify and strengthen weak points. Women can benefit greatly from resistance training due to the resulting increase in bone density. The nervous system is also trained in addition to the muscles and that leads to better neuromuscular efficiency. 

3. Proper Loading

If carrying a messenger style bag is casing you to have bad posture and just plain adding to your discomfort, do yourself a favor, get a backpack. Get a good backpack. This will allow you to carry the weight across both shoulders and load your spine properly.

4. Carry your computer bag in your hand

Carry the bag in your hand and make sure you switch hands often. This way you can distribute the work involved to each side and not cause overuse injuries either spinal erector and oblique. 

As always, make sure you consult with a doctor before following any advice, and if you want to talk to a back pain expert, find a good chiropractor and/ or physical therapist and get consulted. 

Treating Ankle Pain

Physical Therapy NYC
Physical Therapist NYC

Common Running Injuries as We Approach the NYC Marathon

Now that the temperature is dropping, taking your morning jog in central park, the west side, or the Hudson river green-way or any other runner frequented pathways on Manhattan pavement seems like business as usual but with a few more layers for warmth. Especially now, with the New York City Marathon fast approaching, there are going to be a lot of people getting their last few days of training in. However, if every step on your outdoor run is making your shins, knees, and calves burn—even when exercising the same distance, Is running just hurting your body, and leading to injuries?

Running through Manhattan can be dangerous for your body especially if you’re used to running on a treadmill’s soft, shock-absorbing surface. Does pain shoot up through your shins with every step you take? Did you roll your ankle on an uneven surface? Maybe you find yourself limping on your run because of knee pains, or your lower back could be tight from a mechanical imbalance in your step. Whatever the source, your injury should be treated as soon as possible.

The sharp pain and soreness from running could be among numerous injuries, including:

- Medial tibial stress syndrome, compartment syndrome, and stress fractures (shin splints)

- Patellofemoral syndrome (runner’s knee)

- Iliotibial band syndrome (a thigh injury causing knee pain)

- Strained calves

- Ankle sprains

- Snapping hip syndrome

- Pulled hamstring

- Dislocating kneecap

- Plica syndrome (irritation and/or inflammation of the knee)

- Achilles tendonitis


This list might seem daunting, but with proper treatment, your days of outside running don’t have to end. Located in the heart of Soho, Living Well Medical provides patients treatments in massage therapy, physiotherapy, and chiropractic—all under the same roof.

Quick tips for injury prevention:

First, take preventative measures. Wear appropriate running shoes that can absorb shock from your feet hitting the pavement. Proper running shoes will prevent this impact making its way up to your shins. Over time, wearing improper shoes can add stress to your lower back.

If you sprain your ankle on a run, keep as much pressure off of the injured ankle as possible. Keep the ankle elevated while resting and icing in 1- -15-minute increments to decrease muscle inflammation. Rest and icing goes for other injuries, as well. Avoid putting strain on the muscle, and make an appointment to be treated by a professional at Living Well Medical.

Types of treatment for injuries:

Living Well Medical will assess your injury to give you the best treatment possible. By using our in-house x-ray machine, along with ultrasound, cold laser and early mobilization techniques the recovery time can be greatly reduced. Depending on the level and degree of your injury, the experts will use massage therapy and gentle manipulation to treat your ankle or knee injury and get you back to training, with a reduced chance for re-injury. 

Living Well Medical also offers the Graston Technique, which is very effective for running-related injuries. As a Instrument Assisted treatment, the technique is useful for diagnosing and repairing skeletal and connective tissue, just like the injuries that you may develop by running outdoors. This technique can help reduce adhesions and scar tissue build up from years of training and help the body repair and rebuild itself.

Chronic Back Pain: Herniated Disc

If you have been suffering with chronic back pain and/or leg pain or if you are experiencing tingling, weakness, or numbness down the leg, you may be suffering from a  herniated or bulging disc in your spine. A herniated disc can be very painful depending on a few factors like age, the condition  of the disc, and the severity of the injury. 

For people that have severe, unrelenting pain in their back, leg, or shooting pains, it can turn every day chores and routine tasks in to a major obstacle. 

You can find fast, non-invasive pain relief from visiting a Chiropractor in NYC. Manhattan is, in fact, a hub of chiropractic practitioners, but you want fast relief, and unparalleled results you want to go to the best most reputable chiropractors in New York. Dr. Steven Shoshany has been helping people get out of pain for well over 10 years, and his spinal decompression center uses the latest technology, proven to get results and relieve pain. 

By decompressing the spine and letting the intervertebral disc heal naturally, you can naturally, safely start back on the road to recovery, without pain pills. For those  people in sever pain who can not undergo chiropractic treatment of physical therapy, he also offers interventional pain management solutions like epidurals or facet bloc injections, at his integrated practice on Broadway, in Manhattan. 

Usually bones in the spine (the vertebrae) have sufficient cushioning from intervertebral discs, these spinal discs are rubbery and contain a gel like fluid that acts as a shock absorber, and cushion between each vertebrae. Sometimes, as a result of acute trauma, or chronic postural issues, deconditioning, or general wear and tear, these discs can herniate or bulge, and impinge the nerves housed in the spine. This can result in an excruciating amount of pain, depending on the severity of the herniation. Some people who have herniated discs will show no symptoms at all because the herniation may not be severe enough to interfere with nerve activity. 

If you are currently experiencing back and leg pain, or may be concerned about your back health. You can schedule a free consultation and get all the answers that you are looking for. You don't have to suffer through pain for long periods of time or be pumped full of medication (often with awful side effects) just to function every day. Contacting a chiropractor or your doctor as soon as possible is very important so that if you already have a herniated disc, its not made worse by just waiting. 

Take action today, you don't have to be in pain, there are qualified healthcare professionals that specialize in getting people out of pain, and they help people with herniated discs every day. 

Chiropractic NYC-Chiropractic adjustments for Low Back pain

Chiropractor NYC, NY

A Recent study from the American Chiropractic Association

Chiropractic therapy for low back pain.


A review of 270 studies found that spinal manipulation works just as well as pain medication for reducing the intensity of low back pain. Practitioners apply a controlled force to a joint of the spine, pushing it beyond its normal range of motion to improve physical functioning.
Besides chiropractors, physical therapists, osteopaths and some conventional medical doctors practice spinal manipulation as well.
Chiropractor have always know that Chiropractic works, but its nice to see more and more studies validating Chiropractic.
If you are looking for a Chiropractor in NYC follow the link below.
We combine Chiropractic care, with Physical therapy and Osteopathy.

632 Broadway suite 303
NY,NY 10012
Call (212) 645-8151

Low back pain doesn't stand a chance in Manhattan

Chiropractor NYC

Treatment for a Bulging Disc

As far as problems with the back and neck go, pain related to the intervertebral discs is among the worst. It might feel like a fire running through your body, or like electricity shooting up and down your extremities. It more than likely is debilitating and causing you to live your life differently and without much enjoyment. Chronic and severe pain has a way of sapping the joy out of even the greatest moments.

Among the causes of major pain related to discs is the bulging disc; while in most instances, a bulging disc is not something to worry about, even occurring without a person knowing it, there are times when it can be a source of agony. Obviously, that’s when it’s time to seek treatment.

Treatment for a bulging disc can take several forms, and they vary from the completely non-invasive to surgical intervention in the most severe cases. As it related to my practice, Living Well Medical in NYC, there are a number of options available that can resolve pain to restore quality of life. Here I’ll be discussing a few of our approaches that we use in our office for treatment of conditions like bulging spinal discs.

Being a chiropractor, chiropractic techniques are one of the most common treatments performed at my office. In particular, when it comes to bulging discs, we use what is called the Cox Flexion Distraction Technique. Using this technique, a specialized table helps a chiropractor perform several precision adjustments while the patient keeps a comfortable position. Cox Flexion Distraction can also be used to treat herniated discs, sciatica and other back and neck issues.

Physical therapy is also an important part of treatment for a bulging disc because it helps patients to avoid relapse after treatment is complete and pain is relieved. Educating the muscles that support the back and neck can prevent re-injury by supporting the spine properly. We have a physical therapist on staff who sees to our PT patients.

Spinal disc decompression is a non-surgical technology that we incorporate that aims specifically at helping patients who suffer with disc problems. In a spinal decompression session, a patient is placed on a therapeutic table with a harness around their lower body (if used for lower back pain). A precise stretch is applied which creates more space between the targeted vertebrae in the spine. Over time, this can allow the bulging or herniated disc material to return to its original position which in turn reduces or eliminates pain. Although not for everyone and in no way a magic solution, spinal decompression can be extremely helpful to patients suffering with discogenic pains.

As you can see, we have a number of therapies available that are effective treatments for pain related to a bulging disc. If you need help, don’t hesitate to call Living Well Medical in NYC at 212-645-8151 and make your appointment today.

- Dr. Shoshany, NYC Chiropractor

NYC Chiropractor: Spinal Decompression Testimonial

What is Spinal Stenosis?

There are a world of conditions that can be the cause of back or neck pain. You hear a lot about pinched nerves, slipped discs, disc bulges, herniated discs, but there are a number of other serious conditions that can be the cause of back and neck pain. The main thing they all have in common is nerve compression and major pain. Today I’m going to go over a condition that is perhaps less well known than the others: spinal stenosis.

The word stenosis comes from the Greek for “narrowing.” As such, spinal stenosis is related to the narrowing of the spinal canal, the space in the center of vertebrae through which the dense bundle of nerves in the spinal cord travel as it provides information, sensation and motion to all parts of the body. As the space in the canal is decreases due to this narrowing, compression of the spinal nerves can lead to symptoms that are often very similar to that of a herniated disc like pain, numbness, muscular atrophy, paresthesia (pins & needles) and tingling.

Spinal stenosis can be caused by several factors, some of them genetic and some of them happening over time. In many cases, stenosis is related to aging and degeneration of the intervertebral discs which lose their capacity to retain fluid over time. This is completely normal but can contribute to the pain of spinal stenosis. In cases where disc problems are in any way responsible for stenosis, we generally recommend a multidisciplinary program that may include physical therapy, spinal decompression therapy (specifically aimed at restoring disc health), chiropractic and other non-surgical techniques like massage, acupuncture and manual therapies.

Other contributing factors that can cause spinal stenosis are displacement of a vertebra in relation to its neighboring vertebra. This in effect narrows the spinal canal at the “pinch point.” This is known as spondylolisthesis. Therapeutic exercises and manual therapies are often an effective treatment for this type of stenosis, but of course, each case is different and requires an individualized analysis.

If you are experiencing back or neck pain, come in to Living Well Medical in NYC today. Our experts are here to help eliminate pain like that of spinal stenosis. Call today - 212-645-8151.

- Dr. Shoshany, NYC Chiropractor

What Should I Do About My Back Pain?

Back pain is maybe the most common problem that keeps people out of work in the US; whether it’s caused by an injury, an accident, or a consequence of age, it can shut you down in an instant. Now, having said that, it’s certainly true that not all back pain is created equal. A muscle strain is a completely different animal than, say, a herniated disc. That’s what makes knowing what to do (and what not to do, for that matter) about certain kinds of back pain a bit confusing. Not to worry - I’m here to help! In general, the to-do’s (and to-don’t’s... ?) are pretty straight-forward, but for the sake of making sure, it never hurts to put it down in writing.

1. Rest!
It’s sad, but so many people aggravate their condition by continuing the strenuous activity that caused the back pain in the first place! Give yourself some time to recover and you’ll be thankful for it.

2. Eat well!
Nutrition can play a big role in healing and overall health. Try and eat balanced meals, and do like your parents told you and eat your fruits and veggies, kids.

3. Drink up!
And we’re not talking soda or beer, folks. Make sure you get your eight glasses of water every single day! Water is about as vital as it gets for maintenance and good health. keep your whistle wet, and you’ll be thankful for it.

4. See a doctor!
Is the pain persisting after a week or more of the above? A doctor should probably be consulted. As frustrating as it is, there are some things that you simply can’t fix on your own. Talk to an expert and find out what’s going on. Knowledge really is power (hokey but true!).

These are just the simple rules. A doctor will likely have more like specific activities to avoid and specific foods to eat more/less of. If you need advice, call my office, Living Well Medical, in NYC at 212-645-8151. We’re here to help!

- Dr. Shoshany, NYC Chiropractor

The Importance of Staying Pain Free

People suffer from pain all the time, sleeping the wrong way, or in an awkward position can cause neck pain all day (a stiff neck), sitting for two long can cause back pain, etc. On the other hand if you like to run, or exercise a lot to avoid problems like back pain, be ready for knee or ankle pain, or shin splints. You want to just keep going and "run through" it, be ready for the shin splints to degrade in to stress fractures.

Living in New York City is great but it also takes a toll on your health - not even going to start about the usual "unhealthy air" and "overcrowded subways" bit, that's going to have to wait for a different time. The physical demand on top of a hectic lifestyle that requires you to keep a break neck pace, combined with long bouts of inactivity, which in turn leads to exhaustion and further disdain for energy requiring activity, i.e: exercise can just pound on the stress. Feel like managing your physical health is a losing battle yet?

Truth is, its not all that complicated to take care of your body. Its not always "sound mind, sound body", in recent years and especially in cities like Manhattan its really become clear that its often the other way around. Being in a physical state of well being, peace, and pain free has a great carry over to the mental state, in a big part because you aren't constantly reminded, via physical stimulus (pain) that something is wrong.

Step back and take a look at whole picture.
When you're hungry, you eat
When you're exhausted, you fall asleep (sometimes at work)
When you're bored, you seek out fun and companionship
So how is it that when you're in pain you simply ignore it in favor of "more important" matters, even if its just sitting back to watch TV or play Xbox.

Exercise can create an environment for some serous stress relief as well as help strengthen muscles. That said, an injury can be compounded by just trying to train it away. People have a tendency of addressing their common biological needs and processes, but often when it comes to pain we ignore it, take a few pills and hope for the best.

So what happens when you ignore chronic pain?
Letting chronic pain, even when its minimal, can lead to degenerative conditions like:
Radiculopahty, which causes symptoms like Sciatica.
Bulging Discs, when the Annular swells and bulges out interfering with spinal nerves
Herniated Discs, when the internal disc material leaks out past the annulus.

Furthermore, untreated problems of the spine can lead to the discs becoming dessicated and the longer you wait to get treated, usually, the longer it may take to correct the problem. However some patients at Living Well Medical have felt relief almost immediately and a remission of symptoms after only a handful of treatments. Getting rid of pain can relieve a lot of mental stress as well. Knowing that you're physically capable of anything, can help you feel mentally more capable and happier as well.

A Safe Alternative to Back Surgery

So you have had chronic back pain and its only gotten worst...

Over the past 50 years, our natural movement patterns and have deviated from what we are actually built to do. We have evolved to walk upright, perform physical work, stand, and lie down to sleep. We aren't necessarily built to sit for long periods of time. Sitting loads the lumbar spine directly instead of the big bones and muscles carrying most of the weight through to the ground, it is instead loaded directly on to the lumbar spine, which is further deviated form its natural position by rounding and over arching.

Loading the spine properly involvers standing with feet apart, chest up head up, and allowing the natural curve in your back to curve normally. Sitting not only makes it easier slouch, or round, it makes it desirable to do so. This not only impacts your posture, it also makes you fatigue faster because the body is in a state of rest and anticipates sleep, which is why we are a huge coffee drinking culture.

Along with consuming vast quantities of natural, and now, ever increasingly, synthetic stimulants with harmful concentration of certain acids and sugars, we also are becoming de-conditioned faster, and for longer. Being "out" of shape doesn't only contribute to back problems, it accelerates them, making them an eventuality. You don't have to be out of shape to experience back problems, you can even be a well trained, and well conditioned athlete, and still experience chronic pain.

Exercise Exercise Exercise
Doctors have been saying it for years - that a steady exercise regimen that elevates your heart rate and challenges you physically is essential to maintaining a healthy weight and a healthy cardiovascular system. Recently many studies have shown that weight training has a range of benefits from increasing cardiovascular health and efficency, to increasing bone density, fighting osteoporosis. There is no substitute or pill for good old fashioned exercise.

Getting the right type of treatment


Making sure that you have the proper people working for your benefit is essential to getting back on the path to healing, and getting back to doing what you love. An integrated approach combining multiple disciplines under the same roof, like medical care, chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, massage, and other soft tissue treatment methods, can produce fast and effective treatment protocol that can speed up the healing process and eliminate the need for surgical intervention.
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Free Herniated Disc and Sciatica Seminar in NYC

Free Herniated Disc and Sciatica Seminar in NYC

At the end of April, there is a very informative and useful, free, seminar on back pain, including herniated discs and sciatica treatment, focusing on non surgical spinal decompression. If you live in or around NYC and are suffering from chronic back pain, or even looking for a second opinion or non surgical pain treatment option, check out the seminar.

Do I Have Sciatica?

When it comes to lower back pain, there a couple of “buzz words” that you often hear in connection (I hesitate to use the expression “buzz words” because it sounds sort of dismissive). Sciatica is definitely one of those words. It feels like one of those words you might hear in a movie like Grumpy Old Men - “I got a pinched sciatica that’d make your lumbago look like eye strain,” says Jack Lemon to Walter Matthau. It’s a great line, but guess what? it’s not very medically accurate. I know, surprise, surprise, Hollywood gets it wrong, but in this case it’s important to make it clear what exactly sciatica is so you can figure out what’s causing your back, leg or hip pain.

So back to the quote, let’s take it apart a little. First, you can’t pinch your sciatica. Sciatica isn’t a thing - it’s a set of symptoms. Basically, that means that you can’t “have” sciatica, but you can display sciatica symptoms. Sciatica is really a word used to describe a set of symptoms such as:

• lower back pain


• leg pain


• burning sensation


• loss of sensation


• tingling


• numbness


• muscle weakness

The quote also mentions “lumbago” which is another broad term that essentially just means lower back pain, so in fact, that “pinched sciatica” could also have had lumbago as one of its symptoms!

Now that we know what sciatica really is, we can move on. If you experience some of the symptoms that fall under sciatica, it’s commonly associated with spinal disc related problems like herniation (also called prolapse) or bulges. The spinal discs that separate the vertebrae in the lower back tend to weaken with age and, when out of place, can press on the nerve roots as they exit the spinal canal. This compression leads to inflammation, irritation and potentially significant pain. In severe cases, loss of sensation and muscle wasting can occur. Basically, sciatica is pretty serious and requires a long term approach because discs have very little blood supply with which to heal.

For problems like sciatica, Living Well Medical in NYC focuses on the non-surgical side of care; spinal decompression, chiropractic adjustment, acupuncture, massage therapy, Active Release Technique and a number of other treatments are available at our office, and by combining them, getting the right kind of help for chronic back pain is within reach. We can help you stop the pain if you need help - call today at 212-645-8151.

- Dr. Shoshany, NYC Chiropractor

Can Cervical Stenosis Occour Alongside Lumbar Stenosis

Stenosis simply means "narrowing of", specifically "Spinal Stenosis" is the narrowing of the middle spinal column, which runs vertically, holding the central nervous system inside it, providing protection to this vital sensory system. "Foreaminal Spinal Stenosis" is the narrowing of the horizontal openings in the spine, through which the peripheral nervous system branches out. In either case, spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal columns, which puts pressure on the nervous system and causes interference, which often results in pain.

Patients who suffer from cervical spondylititic myelopathy, complain of neck pain, unsteadiness on their feet, difficulty walking, numbness paresthesias, and a loss of dexterity in the upper extremities are common. Radicular symptoms can also be caused by coexisting compression of nerve roots in the cervical spine. Bladder control can also be an issue, but it is less prominent.

It can be common to have lumbar stenosis along with cervical spondylitic myleopathy, so there should be a careful evaluation of the patient to rule out the coexistence of both conditions.

At Living Well Medical, we have treated many cases of spinal stenosis, it is very important for long term quality of life for the patient that coexisting conditions be ruled out and an integrated, individualized treatment plan be implemented to speed recovery and cause minimal disruption to the patient's lifestyle and hobbies.

“I Have Back Pain...What Should I Do?”

When something is wrong with us, we tend to panic a little - it’s a very natural reaction, especially when the problem or pain is severe. Back pain is one of those issues that, again and again, leaves people searching, clamoring really, for an answer and a solution. And it’s no wonder. People who suffer with back pain go through a lot just to feel like themselves, to get a little shred of normal back. All of those feelings get summed up in the question, “what should I do?” It’s one of the more common questions I hear, and at Living Well Medical, back pain and other serious issues like it are a big part of our daily work. So then, let’s start by trying to get some basic answers.

First - Take a day or two of rest. If the issue is related to the muscles, it should start to feel better after a little rest. If the problem persists, start looking at options for clinics and doctors to see. Chiropractors and physical therapists are often excellent first choices.

Second - Understand that if you do nothing, there is no way of knowing what the result will be. Many people “work through the pain” and end up all the worse in the end. Do yourself a favor and take action. At the very least, you can learn what you are up against and make a plan. In the best case scenario, doctors and therapists can get you back on track. The main thing is to take action.

Third - After you choose a place for treatment, listen to your doctor. It sounds simple, but so often, patients who need back rehabilitation to prevent future injury don’t follow through and end up re-injuring themselves or even worsening the problem. Do yourself a favor by taking your treatment seriously, even after pain has been reduced.

If you are in serious pain, make sure to call a doctor. The best way to deal with pain quickly and effectively is to consult an expert. Call us today for a consultation at 212-645-8151.

- Dr. Shoshany, NYC Chiropractor

Ringing in the New Year...without Neck Pain

It’s the New Year, and we’ve probably all made our resolutions for things we want to change in our lives. It might be a habit you want to stop. It might be a goal you want to achieve. But for some, the resolution might reflect more of a hope for the future, and if you are someone who suffers with severe pain, you probably know what I mean. You’d give anything to feel like yourself again. At Living Well Medical in NYC, that’s our job - helping people live better lives and find relief - and every one of us works hard at it.

Among the worst types of chronic and severe pain is neck pain. Whiplash injuries, herniated discs, and pinched nerves can be nightmarish when they don’t get resolved; it’s common to find patients who have had pain for years, some off and on, some always on. The major effect it can have on how you live your life is unreal - a complete halt to physical activities is sometimes warranted. At the very least, sufferers aren’t able to do the things they used to enjoy. Even sitting, standing, and lying down can be a problem. And so for the new year, a sort of prayer for relief is understandable.

To relieve neck pain, Living Well Medical in the SoHo/NoHo area of New York City has a wide variety of treatments available. All of them focus on non-surgical pain relief and the vast majority are also completely non-invasive. Chiropractic adjustment using the Cox Flexion technique has been known to help reduce the pain of herniated discs and shorten recovery times. Spinal decompression therapy is another potent treatment option that works particularly with discogenic (originating in the spinal disc) pain. Manual therapies like Active Release Technique and the Graston Technique can be effective for chronic myofascial problems like tendonitis or muscle strain. In cases of acute pain, management techniques like injections and medications can provide near-immediate relief. Our NYC office is outfitted to be able to help a wide spectrum of aches and pains.

So why start off the New Year on a bad note? If neck pain is wearing you down and changing the way you live your life, take action. Give us a call at 212-645-8151 and learn more about what Living Well in New York can do for you. Happy New Year to all!

- Dr. Shoshany, NYC Chiropractor