Tag Archives: disc herniation

Leg Numbness?

August 26, 2013 Scott Calzaretta

drx9000 in san francisco — Spinal Decompression Therapy with DRX9000

We have been providing nonsurgical treatment for herniated discs in San Francisco for over 20 years. A not so common presentation is that of leg numbness only without low back pain or sciatica. There may or may not be associated leg weakness.

If the leg numbness is new and was brought on by a particular sequence of events such as participating in a run or walk with a new pair of shoes or doing a new workout or sitting in a new chair for extended periods or even using a new mattress, then there is a good chance you will recover quickly with chiropractic adjustments and therapy.

If your leg numbness is chronic (over 3 months duration) and ongoing, and especially if it is getting worse, you may have a herniated or bulging lumbar disc. This still may respond favorably to conservative chiropractic care or physical therapy.

However, if your leg numbness does not resolve with chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture or even medical care, you should probably have an MRI of the lumbar spine to rule out a herniated disc.

If you do have a herniated disc you may be a candidate for nonsurgical spinal decompression on the DRX9000. The DRX9000 is designed and built to treat disc herniations, bulges, stenosis and disc degeneration non-surgically. The treatment is gentle and safe and success rates are high.

Spinal decompression treatment programs are typically 20 sessions spread out over 6-8 weeks. The sessions are 1 hour long and include 30 minutes of decompression, 10 minutes of electrical muscle stimulation and 10 minutes of ice. There is some set-up involved which takes 5-10 minutes.

If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for the DRX9000 at our San Francisco Spinal Decompression Center, please call 415-392-2225 and ask for a complimentary consultation.

Scott Calzaretta

Chiro-Medical Group is an innovative collaboration of health care professionals who work together as a team to promote optimal health. Our group includes experts in the fields of medicine, chiropractic, physical therapy, massage, nutrition, and personal athletic training.

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Spinal Decompression or Chiropractic for a Disc Herniation?

July 22, 2012 Scott Calzaretta Leave a comment

We have been providing chiropractic in San Francisco for over 20 years now. About 8 years ago we began to incorporate spinal decompression with the DRX9000 into the mix.

In general, we always want to rule out chiropractic as a first choice for herniated discs in the neck or low back. Spinal decompression is more expensive and time consuming and is not covered by insurance. Actually, most insurance will cover re-exams, exercises, ice, muscle stimulation, and some of the ancillary services we provide to decompression patients.

If a patient presents with a new condition, even though it appears to be a herniated disc (it’s not hard to tell)…we still want to try conservative chiropractic care first if the patient can tolerate it…and most can because we start out very gentle and easy.

On the other hand…if a patient comes to us and has already tried chiropractic without much success, or we treat them ourselves without any change, say after a few weeks, then we consider decompression therapy and will usually order an MRI.

A few weeks ago we had a 28 year old male present with severe back and leg pain with no apparent cause. He was listing to one side (antalgia) which is common with a lumbar disc herniation, and had all the positive disc findings…another-words chances are he has a herniated disc…we would need MRI to confirm.

Our game plan was to treat with conservative chiropractic for a few weeks and see if we could stabilize him and get him back on track. He really wanted to avoid an MRI and the time and expense of spinal decompression.

The treatment started out slow with not much change…then after 4 chiropractic adjustments he started to come around, sleep better, stand straighter, feel better, and have hope that chiropractic can help.

As it stands he had to go on a work trip and will be back at the end of the week. This is not ideal so we will see.

I guess the point is this…We always want to try the more conservative, less expensive chiropractic adjustments first when it comes to treating bulging and herniated cervical and lumbar discs. But we have a Plan B if we need it, Nonsurgical spinal decompression with the DRX9000 or DRX9000c (cervical decompression system).

To find out if you are a candidate for spinal decompression in San Francisco, call 415-392-2225. Mention this blog post for a complimentary consultation.

Scott Calzaretta

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Why Spinal Decompression Therapy?

May 13, 2012 Scott Calzaretta Leave a comment

We have been providing spinal decompression therapy in San Francisco for over 8 years now. The machines we use are the DRX9000 and DRX9000c.

The DRX9000 and DRX9000c spinal decompression systems are designed and built to treat lumbar and cervical disc bulges, disc herniations, spinal stenosis, facet syndrome, and degenerative disc disease. These conditions are considered neurovascular compression syndromes.

Here is a list of some of the symptoms spinal decompression patients present with:

Low Back and Neck Pain, Sciatica (Leg Pain), Arm and Shoulder Pain, Arm and Leg Weakness,Night Pain
Numbness and Tingling in the Extremities
Abnormal Gait, Headaches, Dizziness

These are all symptoms associated (and there are more) with Pinched Nerves due to herniated or bulging discs, or one of the other listed compression pathologies.

Spinal decompression therapy is now considered the most advanced nonsurgical treatment for herniated and bulging discs in the marketplace. It’s the “Gold Standard”.

Machines such as the DRX9000 and DRX9000c like we use at our Spinal Decompression Center in San Francisco are widely accepted now in the medical community.

Spinal decompression is very safe and gentle. Most people actually fall asleep on the machine. Some get a little sore which is normal…and every once in a while someone will get real sore (rare).

Spinal decompression treatments take about an hour from start to finish. We reserve the machine for you. You are on the machine about 30 minutes. Then 10 minutes of muscle stimulation to teach the muscles to work with the spine in it’s new position. Then 10 minutes of ice to reduce inflammation, pain, and muscle spasms.

Spinal decompression works by enlarging the disc space, elongating the spine, stretching the spinal muscles, ligaments, and tendons, re-hydrating the spinal disc, and re-positioning the disc into a more normal position…away from the delicate nerve fibers, which is what pinches the nerves and causes the pain.

Spinal decompression machines like the DRX9000 are fully computerized and have a biofeedback mechanism built in. They are able to sense your muscle response and adjust the amount of “pull” accordingly. This is different than regular traction which pulls without regard to a patients tolerance. This can make the problem worse.

The spinal decompression machine creates what’s called a “negative pressure” which negates the negative forces of gravity and helps release the compressed state of the vertebrae on the spinal discs, allowing them to unlock and function in a more normal fashion.

Spinal decompression is a process…normally about 20-24 sessions depending on the patients condition. Sometimes relief comes right away…sometimes not until the end. And everything in between.

If you have been diagnosed with a herniated or bulging disc or any of the other conditions listed above…you should consider nonsurgical spinal decompression as a treatment option.

Some people try other forms of neck and low back pain treatment first…treatments like chiropractic, cortisone, physical therapy, acupuncture…and sometimes these help.

But too often, back or neck surgery is recommended and we don’t feel surgery makes sense without first trying spinal decompression. At least in most cases. Sometimes you have no choice…but that’s rare.

To find out if you are a candidate for spinal decompression in San Francisco, call 415-392-2225. Mention this article for a complimentary consultation and tour of the DRX9000 or DRX9000c.

Scott Calzaretta

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Lumbar Disc Bulge Treatment With Spinal Decompression

April 15, 2012 Scott Calzaretta Leave a comment

We have been providing low back pain treatment in San Francisco for over 20 years now. One of the more common conditions we treat is Lumbar Disc Bulge.

This is where the center of the disc (Nucleus Pulposus) has not yet herniated, but is still bulging through the outer containment walls of the disc (Anulus Fibrosis) and is causing nerve pressure…often times on the lumbar nerve roots that form the sciatic nerve. This can lead to sciatica (leg pain) as well as low back pain and dysfunction of varying degrees.

Bulging discs will often times become full blown disc herniations if left untreated.

Spinal Decompression machines are designed and built to reduce disc bulges and disc herniations. They do this by enlarging the disc space, stretching the spinal ligaments, elongating the spine, re-establishing nutrient exchange between the disc and blood stream, and creating a negative pressure in the disc.

The negative pressure pulls the bulging disc fragments, or herniated disc fragments back to the center of the disc where they belong and off of the spinal cord and nerves.

It really is quite amazing…but that’s how it works.

Does it work every single time? NO…just most of the time.

At our Spinal Decompression Clinic in San Francisco, we only accept cases that have a high probability of success. And the patient must be willing to do their part. The treatment protocol is for 20 hour long sessions over 4-6 weeks. There is quite a bit of home care also in the form of exercises, dietary recommendations, hydration, and do’s and dont’s.

The bulging disc patients that get the most from spinal decompression therapy, do their part, keep their appointments, and have a positive attitude about the treatment process…because it is a process.

Lumbar disc bulges can cause severe pain and loss of function…and often times nothing will help as far as medical care or even chiropractic or physical therapy. This is when spinal decompression makes the most sense.

So…if you have been diagnosed with a bulging lumbar disc or herniated disc, and feel you have no where to turn…disc decompression with a machine like the DRX9000 just might be a logical next step.

To find out if you are a candidate for the DRX9000 at our Spinal Decompression Center in San Francisco, call 415-392-2225 and ask for a complimentary consultation.

Scott Calzaretta

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Spinal Decompression Therapy in San Francisco

March 11, 2012 Scott Calzaretta Leave a comment

We have been providing spinal decompression therapy in San Francisco for about 8 years now. The machine we use is the DRX9000, which treats the lumbar spine. We also have a DRX9000c cervical decompression system.

In addition to the DRX9000 systems, we also incorporate chiropractic adjustments by hand or with an instrument, deep tissue therapeutic laser, massage, core exercises, stretches, and lifestyle modifications as needed.

Our typical spinal decompression patient will have single or multiple level bulging or herniated discs which are evident on MRI. There is often times associated spinal and disc degeneration. Usually, the patient has already tried other forms of back or neck pain treatments such as cortisone, physical therapy, acupuncture, or even failed back surgery.

It is also not unusual for our San Francisco Spinal Decompression Clinic to be the first place a herniated disc patient comes for help. We have an MRI facility directly across the street from our Embarcadero Center location, so we are able to order MRI and have the findings within 24 hours.

The treatment protocol for spinal decompression is anywhere from 18-30 sessions depending on the nature and severity of the neck or low back condition. We are usually able to start right away and the sessions are about an hour long.

Insurance does not cover spinal decompression, but they will often cover some of the ancillary charges such as chiropractic, massage, ice/heat, exercises and exams. We have payment plans for those that need help.

If you have been diagnosed with a herniated disc or a bulging disc and are not finding the relief you need, you may be a candidate for nonsurgical spinal decompression with the DRX9000 or DRX9000c.

If you live or work near downtown San Francisco we would love to meet with you to discuss your treatment options. If you have an MRI please bring it with you. If not, we can order one if necessary.

To schedule a complimentary consultation at our San Francisco Spinal Decompression Center, call 415-392-2225 and mention this blog post.

Scott Calzaretta

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Spinal Decompression and Deep Tissue Laser Therapy for Herniated Discs

February 26, 2012 Scott Calzaretta Leave a comment

decompression therapy san francisco — Lumbar decompression with the DRX9000

We have been providing treatment for herniated discs in San Francisco for 20 years now. About 7 years ago we began to incorporate nonsurgical spinal decompression with the DRX9000 into the mix. A few years later we added cold laser therapy, and more recently, Class IV Deep Tissue Laser Therapy.

Both spinal decompression and deep tissue laser therapy are considered major advancements in the nonsurgical treatment of herniated and bulging discs. We often use both together to achieve favorable outcomes…even with the most difficult of cases.

Classic herniated disc symptoms such as sciatica, low back pain, leg pain, numbness and tingling, leg weakness, arm pain, loss of grip strength, neck pain, and numbness and tingling in the arms and hands, all, more often than not, respond favorably to decompression therapy and therapeutic pain laser or both.

The spinal decompression we use to treat disc herniations in the neck is the DRX9000c. It is actually connected to the DRX9000. The deep tissue laser we use is the LiteCure LCT-1000. A state-of-the-art medical device that is taking the world by storm.

The beauty of these technologies is they can be used on most people. They are very gentle and safe. Even when a patient is unable to handle exercise, chiropractic, or physical therapy…they can always handle laser, and often handle spinal decompression.

What this does is enable us to initiate treatment right away so we can start lowering pain and inflammation levels…often times when nothing is working…even pain medications.

Spinal decompression and deep tissue therapeutic laser with the LCT-1000 may just be the answer you are looking for.

If you live or work near downtown San Francisco you can visit us. If you don’t, I recommend you do a Google search for DRX9000, DRX9000c (if cervical) and LiteCure Deep Tissue Laser, in your area. Example “DRX9000 San Francisco”.

If you would like a complimentary consultation at our San Francisco Spinal Decompression Center…please call 415-392-2225 and mention this blog post.

Scott Calzaretta

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Can cervical decompression help prevent neck surgery?

January 29, 2012 Scott Calzaretta Leave a comment

drx9000c san francisco — DRX9000c Cervical Decompression

We have been treating neck pain in San Francisco for over 20 years now. About 7 years ago we began to include nonsurgical cervical decompression into our treatment protocols. The machine we use is the DRX9000c.

As chiropractors, when it comes to treating neck and back pain, we are always looking to achieve a favorable outcome with our hands…and for the most part this is what happens. However, there are times when “hands-on” does not work…or it doesn’t work good enough…or the patient is so sore and inflamed you can’t even lay your hands on them…what now…NECK SURGERY?

Well…that was our thought process 7 years ago. Now things are different…different because we have a next step…cervical decompression with the DRX9000c.

So cervical decompression can help prevent neck surgery?

YES!

I have actually had patients (many of them) that were scheduled for neck surgery, that decided to put it off and try spinal decompression first. Why?…to avoid neck surgery if possible. Did it work? YES…more often than not.

Here’s the deal…the DRX9000c is NOT a Magic Bullet. What it is is the most advanced medical technology available (that I know of) for the nonsurgical treatment of neurovascular compression syndromes in the neck. Conditions such as herniated and bulging cervical discs, spinal stenosis, facet syndrome, and degenerative disc disease.

But it doesn’t work every time…just most of the time…and if you ask me…that’s a good enough reason to try it…as long as you qualify medically…not everyone does.

So yes…cervical decompression can help prevent neck surgery…absolutely…that’s one of our primary goals…and it’s why herniated and bulging disc patients seek us out.

Listen…you can always have neck surgery. But if you have any kind of cervical fusion surgery you will never be able to try nonsurgical cervical decompression…and that is a bummer.

I have had patients cry in my office when I told them this. I have had herniated disc patients with neck fusion say they would have the screws removed and come back. They were stuck and living out a nightmare. heck…at least try spinal decompression first (if you qualify).

It’s what I would do…and it’s also what I would have a loved one do. In fact…a close family member went through spinal decompression at my clinic and still had to have low back surgery…it was that bad. But at least she knows she tried.

To schedule an appointment with one of our San Francisco Spinal Decompression Doctors, call 415-392-2225. Mention this blog post for a complimentary consultation and demonstration of the DRX9000c.

Scott Calzaretta

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The Best Spinal Decompression Diet

September 25, 2011 Scott Calzaretta Leave a comment

healthy eating for back pain — Plant Based Nutrition

We have helped thousands of herniated disc patients at our San Francisco Spinal Decompression Center. We try to do more than just let the DRX9000 work it’s magic…and sometimes it takes more.

In my opinion…the best diet for a patient that is undergoing spinal decompression treatment is a “Plant Based Diet”. WHY? Well…because a plant based diet is anti-inflammatory. The “Typical American Diet” is pro-inflammatory.

Do all our spinal decompression patients take our advise? NO

But in my experience…the ones that do give themselves an edge.

Chronic back pain due to herniated discs is often associated with chronic inflammation. And if you are also someone that is under a lot of mental stress at home or at work…this is also pro-inflammatory.

I want my spinal decompression patients to succeed. I feel like I am not doing my job if I do not address “plant based nutrition” and it’s anti-inflammation properties. It is also my personal diet…and I admit I am biased (check-out my vegan story).

Now my opinion is not well known or shared by most of my peers. But I will put my success rates up against anyone.

Anti-stress techniques must also be employed if a patient is under a lot of stress. At the very least,”Creative Visualization” meditations that are easy to learn and implement.

My best resources for plant based nutrition are Dr. John McDougall, MD and Jill Nussinow, aka “The Veggie Queen“.

Hey…if you are going to spend your hard earned money, and time on spinal decompression therapy…why not go all the way? It might just be the missing link.

At least commit to doing it for the 6-12 weeks it takes to work through the spinal decompression process.

And don’t forget to drink 1/2 your body-weight in ounces of H2O per day.

Fish Oil capsules can also help reduce inflammation.

Anyway…that’s my two cents. Anything worthwhile is always hard work…and repairing a herniated disc naturally is hard work. If there is a variable to adjust that can give you an edge…adjust it!

Dr. Eben Davis is founder and clinic director of San Francisco Spinal Decompression. To schedule an appointment with one of our spinal decompression doctors call 415-392-2225.

Scott Calzaretta

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What does spinal decompression do?

July 15, 2011 Scott Calzaretta Leave a comment

Nonsurgical spinal decompression is often times misunderstood…even by medical doctors and spine experts. Some say it’s just fancy traction. Others say it’s a complete waste of money.

Well…all I can say is “everyone is entitled to their own opinion”. But if you are going to give patients or friends advice about a chronic back pain treatment that could potentially change their lives forever…you better know what you are talking about.

So what exactly does spinal decompression do anyway and what makes so many herniated disc patients want to do it?

I like to refer to spinal decompression as a respirator for the spinal disc. A respirator for the lungs helps the lungs to breath when they are unable to do so on their own…until they can. Spinal decompression machines like the DRX9000 help the lumbar spinal discs (DRX9000c for cervical discs) to do what they would if they could.

So what is a spinal disc supposed to do?

A spinal disc has two primary functions:

1. The spinal disc acts as a ligament to hold the vertebrae above and below together and create separation of the bones so the spinal nerves can pass through to all all the muscles, glands, and organs. Spinal nerves are branches off the spinal cord.

2. The spinal disc also acts as a shock absorber (like the shocks on your car) to prevent wear and tear on the joints and body parts. The discs give the spine flexibility.

When external physical, mental, or chemical stresses overcome internal resistance it can cause the bones of the spine and the spinal discs to lose their normal position. When this happens the discs wear abnormally (like the tires on your car when the front end is out of alignment). This can offend and irritate the nerves they are designed to protect when they are in alignment, which can lead to disc bulges, disc herniations, degenerative disc disease, pinched nerves, back or neck pain and sciatica.

The problem here is physical. The spine and spinal discs are not where they are supposed to be. To take a medication for this which is chemical, will only address the symptom. Hey…sometimes the back or neck pain is so bad you need a drug…but just understand…the problem is still there.

Spinal decompression machines are designed and built to isolate on a specific herniated spinal disc segment…say L5-S1 (the most common disc to herniate) and reverse the process that led to the herniation. Disc decompression separates the spinal bones and enlarges the disc space taking pressure off the nerves (which cause the pain).

Decompression therapy elongates the spine making it more flexible. Machines like the DRX9000 or DRX9000c help restore fluid exchange between the injured disc and the bloodstream by introducing a pumping action on the disc. This helps to get rid of toxins, inflammation, and waste products and bring in freshly oxygenated blood. This enlarges the disc and slows down the degenerative process.

Spinal decompression therapy strengthens the spinal ligaments, repositions the disc, and sucks herniated disc fragments back to the center of the disc and away from the spinal nerves….thereby reducing pain, inflammation, and spasms.

Like I said earlier…spinal decompression therapy is a respirator for the spinal discs.

Depending on how many disc herniations you have, your age, level of spinal degeneration, and any complications, the treatment process could be anywhere from 15-30 visits. But you have to qualify medically…not everyone does.

So what’s the next step if you want to try spinal decompression?

The next step is to find a spinal decompression doctor and see if you are a good candidate.

If you live or work near downtown San Francisco, you can visit our San Francisco Spinal Decompression Center in the Financial District. Simply call 415-392-2225 and mention this blog post for a complimentary consultation.

If you can’t see us in San Francisco you can check our list of The Best Spinal Decompression Doctors in America.

Or, you can send an email to me at [email protected] with your city and zip code and I will try to locate a spinal decompression doctor for you.

Check-out our Spinal Decompression Reviews

Scott Calzaretta

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How To Finally Get Rid Of Your Sciatica!

July 7, 2011 Scott Calzaretta Leave a comment

Sciatica, or pain down the leg, is a very common symptom of a pinched nerve in the low back (lumbar spine). There are varying degrees of sciatica from mild to severe. Other symptoms in the leg such as numbness and tingling or pins and needles can be considered sciatica also…as long as the source of the problem is sciatic nerve compression.

herniated disc treatment san francisco — Pinched Lumbar Nerve Root of Sciatic Nerve

The sciatic nerve originates in the low back and is formed by nerve roots that branch off the spinal cord, exit from in between the lumbar vertebra, then come together. Kind of like a four lane highway merging into one lane. The sciatic nerve travels from the low back down to the feet. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body….it can be the diameter of a quarter at it’s largest circumference.

The most likely cause of sciatica is a herniated or bulging disc in the lumbar spine. Other causes are facet syndrome, degenerative disc disease, DJD, and spinal stenosis. Usually there is a little bit of everything.

The good news is, there really is a way to “Finally Get Rid of Your Sciatica”…even when conventional treatments such as chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, and medicine fail to deliver. I’m talking about nonsurgical spinal decompression with the DRX9000.

The DRX9000 is a machine that is designed and built to treat disc herniations and disc bulges. That’s what it does…and it does it without drugs or surgery. And, the DRX9000 has very high success rates even when all else fails. In fact, spinal decompression therapy is now considered to be the “Gold Standard” for the nonsurgical treatment of chronic low back pain.

So there is hope for sciatica patients that are living in pain. I can’t tell you how many sciatica patients we meet with have been told “you either get back surgery or learn to live with the pain”. Nice Huh?

Well…most laugh about that now. Will the DRX9000 fix your sciatica? Maybe.

You first need to make sure you qualify medically as not everyone does. If you have had a previous surgical fusion in your spine you are disqualified. If you have severe scoliosis or severe osteoporosis decompression is not for you. There are more. Most qualify though.

The next step is to call our San Francisco Spinal Decompression Center at 415-392-2225 and ask for a complimentary consultation.

If you do not live or work near downtown San Francisco, you can check our list of the Best Spinal Decompression Doctors in America.