Do You Have a Slipped Disc?
A disc cannot “slip” since it is knitted into the vertebrae from both above and below. What sometimes
do slip are the vertebrae, which may stress the disc and contribute to its damage. Many “slipped
discs” would be more accurately called slipped vertebrae or subluxations.
Organic Disease
Disc degeneration may lead to irritation of spinal nerves and contribute to endometriosis, infections
(bladder, vaginal, kidney), urinary retention, prostate problems, miscarriage, sterility, sexual
impotence, cystitis, menstrual cramps and constipation. It is not uncommon for an individual who
has a chronic back condition to also suffer from one or more of the above problems.
Is Back Surgery Effective?
According to Robert Mendelsohn, MD, “I have seen more than one case in which spinal surgery was
avoided by individuals who decided, as a last resort before going under the knife, to see a
chiropractor…” His remark has been underlined by many medical doctors and others who find that
many patients who decide to pursue a non-operative approach towards disc herniation may avoid
the surgery.
Back surgery for herniation should only be attempted as a last resort. That is because back surgery
is a dangerous procedure with a high failure rate. One reason for the high failure rate may be that
there is much controversy over whether the disc is really the source of spinal pain. A certain
percentage of the population has spinal disc degeneration with no symptoms.
The Chiropractic Record
A proper alignment between the disc, the vertebrae and other structures in the spine is the goal of
chiropractic care. Chiropractic has been able to save people from spinal surgery. There are reports
of an MRI or other imaging device revealing a disc herniation or protrusion in the neck or low back
which was reduced or completely reabsorbed under chiropractic care. Had they not sought out
chiropractic, many of these individuals undoubtedly would have had surgery. For example, in one
study 27 patients documented with disc herniation were given chiropractic care. Post MRIs revealed
that 63% of the patients had a reduced or completely reabsorbed disc herniation. Seventy-eight
percent were able to return to work.
In another study of 21 patients with CT scan diagnosed lumbar disc herniation, their pain
disappeared after chiropractic. A follow-up CT scan at least 6 months later showed the herniation
reduced or disappeared in most patients.
In another study of 517 patients with protruded lumbar discs, 76.8% had satisfactory results under
chiropractic care without surgery.
Is Surgery Never Needed?
Surgery is sometimes necessary. But surgery is an extreme for of health care and it ahs many
dangers. Many times spinal surgery fails and must be repeated, sometimes more than once. It
should only be considered as a last resort after more natural, less invasive methods have been
given a fair chance.
A disc cannot “slip” since it is knitted into the vertebrae from both above and below. What sometimes
do slip are the vertebrae, which may stress the disc and contribute to its damage. Many “slipped
discs” would be more accurately called slipped vertebrae or subluxations.
Organic Disease
Disc degeneration may lead to irritation of spinal nerves and contribute to endometriosis, infections
(bladder, vaginal, kidney), urinary retention, prostate problems, miscarriage, sterility, sexual
impotence, cystitis, menstrual cramps and constipation. It is not uncommon for an individual who
has a chronic back condition to also suffer from one or more of the above problems.
Is Back Surgery Effective?
According to Robert Mendelsohn, MD, “I have seen more than one case in which spinal surgery was
avoided by individuals who decided, as a last resort before going under the knife, to see a
chiropractor…” His remark has been underlined by many medical doctors and others who find that
many patients who decide to pursue a non-operative approach towards disc herniation may avoid
the surgery.
Back surgery for herniation should only be attempted as a last resort. That is because back surgery
is a dangerous procedure with a high failure rate. One reason for the high failure rate may be that
there is much controversy over whether the disc is really the source of spinal pain. A certain
percentage of the population has spinal disc degeneration with no symptoms.
The Chiropractic Record
A proper alignment between the disc, the vertebrae and other structures in the spine is the goal of
chiropractic care. Chiropractic has been able to save people from spinal surgery. There are reports
of an MRI or other imaging device revealing a disc herniation or protrusion in the neck or low back
which was reduced or completely reabsorbed under chiropractic care. Had they not sought out
chiropractic, many of these individuals undoubtedly would have had surgery. For example, in one
study 27 patients documented with disc herniation were given chiropractic care. Post MRIs revealed
that 63% of the patients had a reduced or completely reabsorbed disc herniation. Seventy-eight
percent were able to return to work.
In another study of 21 patients with CT scan diagnosed lumbar disc herniation, their pain
disappeared after chiropractic. A follow-up CT scan at least 6 months later showed the herniation
reduced or disappeared in most patients.
In another study of 517 patients with protruded lumbar discs, 76.8% had satisfactory results under
chiropractic care without surgery.
Is Surgery Never Needed?
Surgery is sometimes necessary. But surgery is an extreme for of health care and it ahs many
dangers. Many times spinal surgery fails and must be repeated, sometimes more than once. It
should only be considered as a last resort after more natural, less invasive methods have been
given a fair chance.
Back Surgery - What Should Know
What are Discs and What Do They Do?
Between your spinal bones (vertebrae) are flexible, gel-like pads called intervertebral discs (“discs”)
for short). Your discs help give your spine its curves and flexibility (a curved, flexible spine is stronger
than a straight, rigid one); they also separate and join your vertebrae together. Without them your
spinal bones would crash together whenever you walked—a very painful occurrence. Discs affect your
height too—you are about ¼” – ½” taller when you wake up then when you go to sleep. Why is that?
Because gravity makes your discs thin a little when you walk and sit during the day and expand a little
while you lie in bed (astronauts gain about 1” in height due to weightlessness).
Spinal discs are being studied by many researchers trying to understand how discs are involved in
lower back pain.
What are Discs and What Do They Do?
Between your spinal bones (vertebrae) are flexible, gel-like pads called intervertebral discs (“discs”)
for short). Your discs help give your spine its curves and flexibility (a curved, flexible spine is stronger
than a straight, rigid one); they also separate and join your vertebrae together. Without them your
spinal bones would crash together whenever you walked—a very painful occurrence. Discs affect your
height too—you are about ¼” – ½” taller when you wake up then when you go to sleep. Why is that?
Because gravity makes your discs thin a little when you walk and sit during the day and expand a little
while you lie in bed (astronauts gain about 1” in height due to weightlessness).
Spinal discs are being studied by many researchers trying to understand how discs are involved in
lower back pain.
Disc Protrusion and Prolapse
As we age, our discs may lose fluid and
small cracks or lesions may form in the outer
walls. This damage may also be caused or
accelerated by the vertebral subluxation
complex, a spinal distortion chiropractors
correct. Your disc may bulge, irritate nerves
and cause a lot of pain and discomfort. In
severe cases disc damage may affect sitting,
standing, walking or lifting and cause pain
when urinating, defecating, sneezing and
coughing. Numbness of the leg or foot or a
loss of muscular control may also occur.
As we age, our discs may lose fluid and
small cracks or lesions may form in the outer
walls. This damage may also be caused or
accelerated by the vertebral subluxation
complex, a spinal distortion chiropractors
correct. Your disc may bulge, irritate nerves
and cause a lot of pain and discomfort. In
severe cases disc damage may affect sitting,
standing, walking or lifting and cause pain
when urinating, defecating, sneezing and
coughing. Numbness of the leg or foot or a
loss of muscular control may also occur.
An x-ray of a spine from the right side
showing three normal discs and one
prolapsed or herniated disc, where the
nucleus pulposus has burst through the hard
outer rim, rather like toothpaste from a tube,
and is pressing against the nerve running
just behind it
showing three normal discs and one
prolapsed or herniated disc, where the
nucleus pulposus has burst through the hard
outer rim, rather like toothpaste from a tube,
and is pressing against the nerve running
just behind it
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Information and appointments: call (703) 757 - 5817
If you have a spinal disc injury or spinal trauma - schedule a consultation with Dr. Loebig
because it will give you the information you need to properly evaluate treatment alternatives to
surgery. As you can see from the data below, back surgery is rarely the best treatment protocol long
term relief.
Dr. Glenn Loebig specializes in difficult spinal disc and spinal trauma cases. He has saved
countless patients from the pain and uncertainty of back surgery.
While alternatives to surgery often produce the best results, there are specific instances where
surgery is recommended (for example in the case of free floating disk fragments where a piece of
spinal disk has actually broken free and is floating, unattached, in the spinal column.
Dr. Loebig works in close corroboration with the Washington D.C. Metro area's leading spinal and
orthopedic surgeons. In instances where Dr. Loebig feels back surgery is indeed the best course
of action he consults with, and refers to, the selected surgeon.
because it will give you the information you need to properly evaluate treatment alternatives to
surgery. As you can see from the data below, back surgery is rarely the best treatment protocol long
term relief.
Dr. Glenn Loebig specializes in difficult spinal disc and spinal trauma cases. He has saved
countless patients from the pain and uncertainty of back surgery.
While alternatives to surgery often produce the best results, there are specific instances where
surgery is recommended (for example in the case of free floating disk fragments where a piece of
spinal disk has actually broken free and is floating, unattached, in the spinal column.
Dr. Loebig works in close corroboration with the Washington D.C. Metro area's leading spinal and
orthopedic surgeons. In instances where Dr. Loebig feels back surgery is indeed the best course
of action he consults with, and refers to, the selected surgeon.
| Spinal Disc Injury - what Loebig Chiropractic does for patients with spinal disc injury and trauma |
| Loebig Chiropractic |
Because you don't have to learn to live with the pain