Back Pain Stretches & Exercises for Lower Back Pain

October 3, 2009

Lower Back Pain relief Stretches and Exercises
Dr Barry Marks, Chiropractor, Orange, CA 92868

exercise_ball_abs2

Therapy Ball Abs

In order to keep your back healthy and strong, you need to keep the “front” of your back tight. That means your abdominal muscles (abs) must be firm.

Try this alternative to regular sit-ups or crunches.

  • Lie flat on your back with your legs resting on a large Swiss/Therapy ball.
  • Reach your arms out and curl your shoulders up off the floor, hold for 1 second.
  • Lower your shoulders and repeat.
  • As in all ab routines, go until you cannot do another. Rest for 10 seconds then repeat. 2-3 sets like this should be sufficient.

You may substitute a chair or the side of a sofa for the ball.

To really work your abs, try different exercises and mix things up to work all aspects of the abdominal wall. Try a set of Therapy Ball Abs, followed by a set of Regular Crunches then a set of Oblique Crunches.

For more information about back stretches and exercises check out Free Back Pain
Remedies Book


DRX9000 Spinal Decompression in Orange, CA 92868

July 15, 2009

Spinal Decompression Therapy for back pain & sciatica
Dr Barry L Marks, DC
Orange County, CA

Severe back pain sufferers who have been diagnosed with disc herniation, bulging discs or degenerative disc disease have a viable option besides shots and surgery. Spinal decompression with a DRX9000 is quickly becoming a popular alternative to traditional medical treatment for lower back pain.

But many potential patients wonder what spinal decompression is all about. Is it safe? Is it painful? Who can recieve this therapy? What does the machine look like?

Here is a brief introductory video into Spinal Decompression…

For more information on spinal decompression and to see if it is the therapy for you, visit http://orangespinaldecompression.com


Back Pain from Disc Dehydration with No Disc Bulge or Herniation and No Sciatica?

May 20, 2009

Lower Back Pain Diagnosis and Back Pain Treatment Information
Dr Barry L Marks, DC | Orange County Back Pain Specialist

A common question I get is “How can I have pain, when there is no disc bulge or herniated disc and there is no pressure on my nerves on the MRI? My doctor says I have no bulge so he doesn’t know why I hurt…”

spine_anatomy_ivfIt’s an excellent question really and one that often stumps doctors. The answer lies in the anatomy of the spine and disc in particular. Up until about 20 years ago doctors thought the discs and supporting ligaments of the spine had no nerve supply. We now know however that the outer layers of the disc called the annulus and the broad ligament that runs up and down the back of each spinal bone (posterior longitudinal ligament) are both supplied by the sinuvertebral nerve. This nerve carries pain impulses from these structures.

When you think of nerves, you may think of a sinlge wire leading from the spine to it’s intended target like wiring in your house or car. It’s a nice and neat way to think. The reality is however, that nerves are more like ivy. A main nerve may lead to the target, but once there the nerve divides into many tiny fibers that spread out over the area. So it is in your disc and posterior longitiduinal ligament. back-pain-disc

So when your disc is in trouble and beghins to become dehydrated and deteriorates (degenerative disc disease) it has been found that your nerves begin multiplying and cover the area even more densly. This leads to a disc that is hypersensitive and when the nerves are irritated they bombard your brain with pain messages.  The nerves that are embedded in your discs tell the brain to sense pain directly over the spine. Therefore, if you have degenerative disc disease of your last disc, your L5 disc, you will perceive pain in the midline of your lower back just above your tailbone.

The reason you do not experience sciatica is because the nerves that cause sciatic pain (pain down your butt to your legs and feet)  are further away from the disc in the hole between the spinal bones known as the foramen. To irritate these nerves, there needs to be pressure into the foramen by either a space that is diminished by the two bones coming closer together as the disc deteriorates or from a bulge or herniation poking into the foramen and onto the nerves.

So, if you are sufferifng from pain that is in the midline of your spine and you have a positive MRI for dehydration (desiccation) or degenerative disc disease, but no bulge or herniation it is likely you are suffering from disc disease that is affecting the sinuvertebrtal nerve.

For more information on treating this type of back pain go to: http://orangespinaldecompression.com and http://cureforlowerbackpain.com


Severe Back pain in 22 year old mother

March 2, 2009

Severe back pain treatment information by back pain specialist Dr Barry Marks, DC, Orange, CA 

This is in response to a question posted by Carmen…

 Hello,
My name is Alicia, but you may call me Carmen.

I am 22 years old, I have had back pain on and off ever since I had my son who is now 6. I recently went to the doctor for it and I was told it was a muscle spasm. I went through therapy which did seem to help but I don’t know if they diagnosed the pain correctly.

I don’t know what could be causing it but I am in pain again only this time there is a new pain with it.

In the past the lower back pain has been so severe that I had to walk at a right degree angle. this was when I was pregnant a second time.

Aside from then the pain has come unexpectedly, I could be getting up or walking when a sharp pain almost puts me on my knees. It felt like my spine was about to collapse.

Sometimes it was just instant and went away just as fast as it came and then sometimes, like when I went to the doctor, it last for weeks.

I am more concerned now because for the past couple of days the back of my leg has been aching along with my back. The pain is a little different than usual but not substantially.

All the pain is on the left side of my lower back/hip and the back of my thigh.

If there is anyone who can shed some light, I would appreciate it.

Sorry to hear about your back pain. Back pain during and after preganacy are very common no matter what age.

Recurring severe back pain in a 22 year old is not though. The symptoms  you describe could easily be severe muscle spasm, and/or spinal misalignment as diagnosed by your other doctor, but there is always an underlying cause for this. Spasm is always secondary to something else. It is not a primary condition.

Common causes of severe spasm:

  • Joint sprain and/or muscle strain which would require a physical action or injury preceding the spasm by hours or a few days
  • Congenital (born with it) anomaly such as a short leg, malshaped vertebra or other structural defect of the spine or pelvis
  • Disc disease such as degenerative disc disease,  a bulging disc or a herniated disc which commonly occur during pregancy and/or on delivery

Here’s what you need to do:

  1. A thorough examination by a low back specialist who deals with disc disease such as a chirorpactor, not just your family MD
  2. X-rays to rule out any structural anomalies of the bones and to look for tell-tale signs of disc disease
  3. MRI lumbar spine to rule out disc bulge, herniation, etc which cannot be detected on x-ray

Once this evaluation is completed, your specialist should have enough information to render a “working diagnosis” and commence some type of care. After a period of time a re-eval should be done to assess whether the treatment is working or not.

Carmen, once the evaluation is done, please feel free to send me the results and I will review them and give you my opinion on what your next steps should be.

Warmest regards,

Dr Barry L Marks, DC
http://www.orangespinaldecompression.com


To: Back Pain & Sciatica Sufferers From: A Concerned Leprechaun

February 26, 2009

Back pain treatment information in Orange County
By back pain and sciatica specialist Dr Barry Marks, DC Orange, CA

“An Imporant St. Patrick’s Day Message to Back Pain & Sciatica Sufferers from a Concerned Leprechaun…”

leprechaunHello,

Let me introduce myself. My name is Shamus and as you can plainly see, I am a Leprechaun.

I’m writing to you for purely selfish reasons. See, with the economy getting a little soft…okay, yeah it stinks for lots of people out there. Well because of that, you would not believe how many people have resorted to looking for pots o’ gold. Namely, my pots o’ gold!

Think about it. Every time you see a beautiful rainbow across the sky it’s a direct road map to my pot! Then every hooligan in Orange County comes snooping around. A few years ago, nobody bothered. But nowadays everyone’s looking for my gold!

I’m tired! It’s hard to lug around that pot, find a hiding place and then dance around trying to distract gold seekers. So I had a great idea.

I know Dr. Marks, you know, “The Professor of Back and Leg Pain” guy? Well he did me a favor a while back and his spinal decompression machine did wonders for my sciatica, so I owe him. I used to be all hunched over and had a limp; some people actually thought I was a troll! Embarrassing…after Dr. Marks fixed my back and leg I can run, jump, carry heavy pots and even play tricks again. It’s great, but with all the gold seekers out there these days, I don’t want a relapse, so…

I decided to do something that will pay him back, help you out of pain and most importantly, help me take it easier.

It’s a “win-win-win…”

So here’s the deal; I gave some of my gold to Dr. Marks so that he can give you a discount on spinal decompression. That way less people will be chasing me around, Dr. Marks will stay busy and you’ll get rid of your back pain or sciatica like I did.

How much gold you ask? …

  • First, he’ll throw in his Complete Spinal Decompression Qualification Evaluation valued at over $250 for FREE to see if you qualify for care.
     
  • Then, $500 for each of you! That’s right; he’ll take $500 off any decompression program thanks to my generous donation.

But there is a catch…or two….hey what did you expect? I’m a Leprechaun!

Here they are:

  • The offer expires on St Patrick’s Day, March 17th at 6:00 pm. After that, poof! It goes away like a rainbow on a hot dry day.
     
  • And oh yeah, it is limited to only 7 patients. Number 8 goes home empty handed just like all those gold seekers.

So if you’d like some sage advice from a little green guy who knows what to do with money, I’d call Anna or Cecilia at Dr. Marks’ office right now at (714) 938-0575 and cash in on this offer before it goes away.  Just tell them Shamus sent you.

Maybe now I can get some rest… hey you kids get away from there, those are my Lucky Charms!!!

Shamus

P.S. Call (714) 938-0575 for your Free Evaluation and to redeem your $500 Discount


Common Questions Asked by Disc Herniation Sufferers

September 22, 2008

Dr. Barry L. Marks Chiropractor
Orange County Spinal Decompression Specialist

Here are some common questions by disc herniation and degenerative disc sufferers prior to spinal decompression therapy:

How Bad Is It?
Any degree of disc dehydration and/or degeneration is very bad. When discs begin to fail, they rapidly deteriorate and compromise the function of your spinal nerves. The worse a disc gets, the more quickly it deteriorates causing more nerve problems. Permanent neurologic damage may result if nerves are compressed long enough.

Can It Be Fixed?
Not all disc problems are fixable. Some people have let their discs get too bad before seeking an answer. The good news is that even patients with very severe disc degeneration have gotten relief from DRX therapy. If we accept your case, you have at least an 86% chance of getting better. You have a 0% chance of recovery if you do nothing.

What Will Happen If I Don’t Fix It Now?
As stated previously, discs problems tend to accelerate with time. If you wait too long, you may not be a candidate for non-surgical spinal decompression. Wait longer and you will no longer be a surgical candidate and have to live with permanent nerve damage, excruciating pain and disability.

Why Should I Choose Your Office for Spinal Decompression therapy?

Experience: We have been doing DRX therapy longer than anyone in Orange County. Dr. Marks has over 20 years experience as a doctor of chiropractic and is a former Associate Clinical Professor. He has taken years of post-doctorate training to become known as a specialist in spinal orthopedics.

Trust: Many doctors, chiropractic and medical, refer their cases to Dr. Marks. They understand that they will get an honest and accurate diagnosis and the best possible care for their patient’s problem.

Results: Many of our patients have already been through other supposed “spinal decompression” programs and failed. Our unique treatment system using the InsightSystem computer spinal analysis, DRX non-surgical spinal decompression and the Erchonia Cold Laser has been proven to work even when all other methods have failed.

I’m sure if you have suffered from back pain or sciatica and it has not responded to acupuncture, chiropractic, physical therapy or shots and you are looking for an alternative to surgery, you may have had these same questions mulling over in your mind.

For a Free Back Pain report explaining why your back hurts, why other treatments have failed, and whether spinal decompression is the answer for you, follow this link


“Pain in Low Back?”

September 8, 2008

Dr Barry L Marks
Chiropractor, Orange County, CA
Back Pain & Spinal Decompression Specialist

Pain in Low Back…?

If you are suffering from pain in low back, the most obvious question is why?

Here are the most common causes of lower back pain:

To see what might be causing your back pain or sciatica, review this article.

Okay, so now you’ve identitifed what could possibly cause your pain in low back, now what?

Best treatments for lower back pain from strain, misalignment, mild to moderate arthritis or facet syndrome: (In order)

  1. Chiropractic with physiotherapy modalities and rehabilitative exercises
  2. Physical therapy
  3. Acupuncture

Best treatment for back pain or sciatica caused by disc bulge, disc herniation or stenosis:

  • DRX9000 Spinal Decompression
  • No other treatment method has been proven to reduce disc herniation size, rehydrate the disc or repair the disc.

As you have just learned, pain in low back has many causes and treatment depends on what is at the root of your problem. It’s important to remember that everyone is different, some people respond well to one method while others do not. The key is to keep trying until you find the solution that is right for your particular condition. Your health and your life are too important to just give up on.

More information on DRX9000 spinal decompression and how it might help your pain in low back here

Free Back Pain book offer here


Treatment for Bulging Discs, Disk Herniation, Degenerative Disc Disease

August 29, 2008

Dr Barry L Marks
Chiropractor, Orange County Spinal Decompression Specialist

Fair warning before reading this article…it may offend certain people with pet causes and who cling to their beliefs no matter what the facts tell them.

Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Drugs, Exercise, Physical Therapy and Surgery CANNOT cure disc disease.

Let that sink in for a few seconds longer before moving on…

I have been a practicing chiropractor for over 22 years. I truly believe in my soul that every spine should be regularly adjusted by a chiropractor. My family and friends all receive regular chiropractic care. I believe that a properly functioning spine increases the immune response and therefore will help resist disease.

But, I know my limitations.

Same goes for acupuncture, drugs, therapy, etc. Tremendous relief can be experienced at the hands of these practitioners, but they have limitations as well.

All of the therapies listed above can help reduce inflammation, spasm and pain. They might be able to improve mobility and get you to walk a little better.

But not one of them can repair a degenerative disc. All they can hope for is, at best, is to slow down the deterioration.

If you think surgery can repair a disk herniation, consider this sobering fact. Surgical intervention in disc disease involves cutting or burning away of the bulge. In other words, the disc material is being removed and the disc fibers that are left behind are damaged and repair themselves with scar tissue. Scar tissue is not like disc tissue. It is less flexible, weaker and prone to inflammation. And that is why within 5 years of a first surgery, approximately 70% of patients require a second surgery.

Okay, so is all hope lost? Is there no treatment out there that can repair a damaged disc?

Yes and No.

First the “yes.”

A fairly new computerized medical technology called spinal decompression CAN repair a disc. It has been proven in several studies and more importantly in my own office, that DRX9000 spinal decompression DOES increase disc hydration levels (puts water back into the disc). Spinal decompression DOES reduce the size of disc bulges and herniations. Read this for proof. Thousands of patients each year are now finding relief of their disc related back pain without chiropractic, shots, therapy or surgery.

But it’s not a cure-all.

Sorry to rain on your parade. Before you run out to your car and drive over to the nearest DRX machine and jump on, you must realize that like every other medical treatment out there, there are limitations. Many patients cannot undergo spinal decompression due to physical problems and limitations. Others are so bad that the procedure cannot make up for the many decades of spinal neglect and abuse that some patients endure before finding this treatment.

But for the people that are good candidates, for those who have not allowed their spine to totally deteriorate, the DRX9000 spinal decompression unit can be a God send. I have personally seen patients who could not walk go back to exercising within weeks. I’ve seen people suffering from debilitating leg pain for many years find relief within days.

Spinal decompression with the DRX9000 gives back pain and sciatica sufferers their best chance for repairing a damaged disc and finding relief.

To learn more, order a Free Consumer’s Guide to Severe Back and Leg pain.

You may also learn more online at Orange Spinal Decompression.


Traction vs. Spinal Decompression for Back Pain

August 28, 2008

Dr Barry L Marks DC
Spinal Decompression Specialist in Orange County, CA

I am often asked what the difference between Traction and Spinal Decompression is. Here is my 5 minute answer as opposed to my “90 minute all you can ever care to know about spinal decompression” seminar answer. 

Traction
Traditional traction which has been used for decades uses force to pull on the spine. The simple traction table at right uses a cheap electric winch with a rope to pull the spine. Others are more cleverly disguised. No matter how sophisticated the machine may look, traction machines mechanically pull on the spine in only one direction. 

The problem with traction is that it just pulls and after a few minutes your body says “hey, I’m being stretched!” and reacts by tightening up the muscles. This prevents the disc spaces from opening and staying open. No traction manufacturer has been able to show before and after MRI’s where traction was able to increase hydration to the disc or reduce disc size.

Spinal Decompression
Spinal Decompression is an evolution of traction. True Spinal Decompression like a DRX9000, not only pulls the spine, but it also “senses” how much force the body is pulling back and is able to lessen the pull when needed.

DRX spinal decompression has a feedback sense so that when your body begins to tighten up, the machine backs off a bit. This occurs several times each second. So essentially your body does not know it is being pulled and does not spasm. That is why comparison MRI’s do show improvements in disc hydration, reductions of disc bulge and reduced nerve impingement after DRX9000 use. See this post for dramatic before and after MRI results of one of my patients.

Back pain sufferers beware:
“Spinal decompression” has become very popular due to the fact that “true spinal decompression” like with the DRX9000, works. This technology has spared many people from dangerous spinal surgery. Because of this, there are a lot of manufacturers and doctors who have jumped on the bandwagon to scoop up “easy money.”

Most “decompression” machines today are just traction machines in disguise. Machines that 3 or 4 years ago were proudly called “traction” machines have suddenly become re-badged as “Decompression units.” Roller massage tables that do no more than heat, massage, vibrate and lightly press on your spine are being sold as “decompression tables.” Devices that hang you upside down are no longer “gravity traction” units but are now “decompression” swings. It’s endless.

None of these machines use a computerized feedback sensor. None of them have research behind them proving they work. 

Why the DRX9000?
As a practitioner for over 22 years specializing in spinal orthopedics, I have seen fads come and go. I have used traction extensively in the past. I even illustrated the user manual for a leading traction machine in the 1980’s. I never saw the kinds of results I routinely see now with the DRX9000. There’s no comparison.

When I looked at other machines, I found that I could buy 2 or 3 competing machines for the price of just 1 DRX. I chose the DRX because I realized the others paled in comparison when considering build quality, patented features, patient comfort features and the research behind it proving it worked.

Traction vs. Spinal Decompression is very simple: From the 12th Century up through the 20th Century we had traction. In the 21st Century we have Spinal Decompression and current medical research indicates that Spinal Decompression works.

More about DRX9000 Spinal Decompression in Orange County can be found here.


Disc Disease Doesn’t Occur Overnight…

August 27, 2008

Dr Barry L Marks, Chiropractor
Spinal Decompression Specialist
Orange County, CA

Did your back suddenly “go out”?
Were you fine one day, then practically bed ridden the very next day?

Many severe back pain sufferers seemingly have no warning then BAM! Back pain. And I’m not talking about a sudden injury like lifting or twisting. That’s understandable.

Out of Nowhere…?
What I hear often from patients in my Orange County Spinal Decompression center is that they were fine until they bent over to pick up a paper clip or turned to grab their seat belt or slightly bent forward to brush their teeth when their back suddenly became severely painful.

Then when they see their family physician or chiropractor they are shocked to find they have a serious disc problem like a bulging disc or disk herniation. From picking up a paper clip!

The Surprising Truth…
You may be surprised to learn, as many of my patients in similar situations usually are, that your disc problem did not just suddenly happen. The mundane activity that seemed to precipitate your back or leg pain was only the proverbial “last straw.”

You might be even more surprised to learn that your back problem has probably been slowly festering for 10, 15 even 20 years or more before it suddenly “gave out.”

You see, disc disease is a slowly evolving and progressive condition. It all begins with one large injury, a few lesser injuries or repeated “micro” injuries that cause the spinal bones to become locked up or misaligned. The biomechanical stress of misalignment can then lead to defects within the disc’s outer annular fibers. The weakened disc begins to lose water (desiccation) and shrink. In time (usually several years) the disc will bulge, which may protrude out near a spinal nerve.

At this point it is entirely possible to feel no pain. People often go for years with no pain while their disc is slowly deteriorating.

D-Day
With years of deterioration under your belt (figuratively and literally!) your disc is a time bomb. Tic, tock, tic… Your disc can hold out no longer.  Tic, tock…then you make the wrong move and Kaboom! It explodes. Depending on how severe the disc deterioration is and where it is located will dictate if you will have just back pain or back and leg pain (sciatica).

Severe back pain and leg pain due to a bulging disc, disk herniation or degenerative disc disease is a long-term process that slowly erodes until it finally fails and produces acute pain.

If you are suffering from sever back or leg pain due to a disc problem, you need to learn more about how your problem may be helped without chiropractic, shots or surgery. Learn more here: OrangeSpinalDecompression.com