Previous 20 scientific studies were reviewed that tested various interventions for preventing back pain including exercise, patient education, training in safe lifting methods, stress management, and more.

The only intervention which tested consistently producing substantial relief was exercise.  In one study, active patients had 127 fewer sick days than inactive patients.  Most exercises focused on strengthening back and abdominal muscles.

It’s important that before starting any exercise program to be evaluated by a chiropractor that specializes in sports and exercise therapy.  Many people exercise, but they don’t realize they have joint and muscle imbalances.  When you exercise with these imbalances, your joints and muscles aren’t functioning optimally and you are further enhancing the misalignments or at best splinting the unstable areas.

Exercise is a critical component of chiropractic care.  A combination of chiropractic adjustments and exercise not only significantly relieves back pain for many patients but also helps preventing future problems from occurring.  The adjustments bring the joints to improved alignment and allow for optimal range of motion and more equal contraction of the muscles for best stabilization.

Dr. Russell Brokstein, Chiropractor and owner of Hometown Family Wellness Center helps his patients develop a safe, effective exercise program to prevent and reduce pain.  We start off with chiropractic adjustments and therapeutic stretching to provide for full range of motion before beginning strengthening exercises.  Here is a video of the basics in our home stretching routine for the low back:

This is just the starting point to preventing low back pain and helping those already suffering.  To learn more about natural back pain relief, go to our website www.chiropractorfreehold.com or contact our office at 732-780-0044 to get a full evaluation for spinal problems.

Bigos S, Holland J, Holland C, Webster J, Battie, Malmgren J. High-quality controlled trials on preventing episodes of back problems: systematic literature review in working-age adults. The Spine Journal 2009; 9: 147-168.

80 patients with chronic cervicogenic headaches took part in this study.  They received either chiropractic adjustments or light massage.

The patients that received the chiropractic care  improved substantially more than those that receive massage.  The chiropractic patients not only have better scores on pain and disability tests, they also experienced a 50% reduction in overall symptoms.  They also had a 33% reduction in medication usage by the end of the study.

The reason why chiropractic has such high success in helping patients suffering with headaches is in the goal of correcting the cause.  Chiropractic restores the normal flexibility and function of the spine to relieve cervicogenic head pain.  By aligning the spine, chiropractors remove the pressure from the nerves causing the pain.  If you suffer from headaches, chiropractic can be a safe and effective way to treat pain and improve your health.

We have been helping patients suffering with headaches for 14 years.  Patients in Freehold and the surrounding towns of Marlboro, Manalapan, Howell, Colts Neck, Jackson, Morganville and other communities in Monmouth and Ocean county are coming to our office on 9 Broadway in Freehold, NJ to obtain pain relief and optimal health and wellness without drugs or surgery.  If you would like to find out more information go to our website at www.chiropractorfreehold.com.

Haas M, Spegman A, Peterson D, Aickin M, Vavrek D. Dose response and efficacy of spinal manipulation for chronic cervicogenic headache: a pilot randomized controlled trial. The Spine Journal 2010; 10: 117-128.

When your back is not properly aligned, your body’s center of gravity shifts, putting more stress and load on your muscles, joints, and ligaments. Poor posture is a major cause of neck, back and joint pain. When you slouch, your internal organs may be compressed affecting bodily functions like digestion and even your ability to breathe clearly.

Poor posture can be traced to many activities from sitting in front of a computer for hours, carrying heavy pocketbooks or briefcases on one shoulder all the time, wearing high heals, laying on  a couch unsupported or sleeping improperly and exercising in poor form just to name a few. The muscles tire and the body shifts position, causing some muscle groups to become tight, stretched, and weak.

We are creatures of habit. When we have an injury, our body will move differently to avoid pain. Over time, the body will adapt. Our body will create new habits. The brain adapts and adopts new muscles and joint positions even in the absence of continued pain. We believe we are standing straight because our brain is being told by our senses that we are balanced, even though the mirror shows we are not.

To achieve the best posture when standing, the body should maintain a straight vertical alignment from the top of the head, through the center of the body, and down to the feet. Take a minute and go in front of a mirror in your house and check to see if one shoulder is higher than another, one hip is higher than another, if your shoulders are rotated forward.  From the side, look for an imaginary straight line from the ear, shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle. When sitting, the spine and head should remain upright, while maintaining the three natural curves in the back.  Also check these points on your children.  The earlier the spine is checked for imbalances, the easier they are to correct.

Here are some tips to help you reduce the risk of poor posture as you sit in the office:

• Take frequent breaks – about every 30 minutes.
• If you cannot get up, stretch your arms and legs as much as possible.
• Sit in an office chair with a comfortable height to maintain good posture and provide adequate support for your back.
• Keep desk items – phone, calendar, appointment book – within comfortable reach.
• Women: avoid wearing high heels. They change the center of gravity and put extra stress on the back”(1)

Chiropractors refer to posture as the “window to the spine.” And, since your spine protects the master control system of the body (your nervous system), you need to pay attention to your posture on a daily basis.

Spinal shifts, vertebral misalignments and structural instability can lead to arthritic changes. They can also cause other health and/or functional problems as well.  For example, did you know:

* Thoracic spine arthritis/spurs indicate accompanying coronary arteriosclerosis 85% of the time. Bone spurs and arthritic changes in the thoracic spine can mimic angina pectoris.(2)

* Upper Thoracic Spine – Children under chiropractic care showed a 96.5% non-occurrence rate of asthma, whereas children under medical care showed a 95% non-occurrence rate of asthma. The authors concluded that the immune systems of children under chiropractic care are better able to cope with allergens which may cause asthmatic conditions.(3)

              * Mid Thoracic Spine – Using radiography, Burchett examined sixty-one hospital patients and found that in 88% of patients with gallbladder disease there was lipping (arthritis) from T7-T10; spinal osteophytes (T9-T11) were found in 82% of those with stomach disease. Many sufferers of pancreatic dis-ease had segments T5-T7 involved and 31% of patients with duodenal disease had osteophytes at T9-L2.(4)

             * Lower Thoracic Spine – Subluxations (vertebral misalignments) of the T6 – T10 vertebrae can cause gall bladder symptoms.(5)

Every aspect of our lives affects posture: nutrition, stress, exercise, mental development, and body fat. Posture is one of the most overlooked keys to better health. “Research studies show the truth in what mothers have always known: standing up tall improves our health.”  May is the perfect time to celebrate a renewed commitment to health, longevity, and new habits.  

Every year in honor of National Correct Posture month in May, Dr. Russell Brokstein, chiropractor and owner of Hometown Family Wellness Center in Freehold, NJ, offers professional posture assessments. Dr. Brokstein will be examining the spines of children and adults using state of the art computerized spinal assessments.  These exams help prevent unnecessary muscle imbalance, structural instability, scoliosis and other health conditions related to poor posture.  We’ve been helping people of all ages in Freehold and the surrounding towns of Marlboro, Manalapan, Howell, Colts Neck, Jackson, Morganville and other towns in Monmouth and Ocean Counties in New Jersey.

To secure a complimentary Posture and Full Spinal Examination, call 732-780-0044 or go to www.ChiropractorFreehold.com for more information about Dr. Brokstein and Hometown Family Wellness Center.

1. By Marianne Favro for NBC11 News

2. J.A.O.A. 1983, 82, 93-94

3. van Breda WM; van Breda JM. A Comparative Study Of The Health Status Of The Health Status Of Children Raised Under The Health Care Models Of Chiropractic And Allopathic Medicine. J Chiro Res 1989; 5:101-3

4. Burchett GD J of the American Osteopathic Association 1968; 67(6): 675.
5. Grail McGinley, Newsday, Melville, NY

It is scientifically proven that internal and external stressors lead to these sensitivities.  Biofeedback stress reduction therapy is able to analyze your body for these stressors and sensitivities then through positive reconditioning it reduces the symptomatic response.  All of this without any medications and their harmful side effects.  Click here to find out more:  Biofeedback Stress Reduction Therapy

My name is Dr. Russell Brokstein, Chiropractor and Owner of Hometown Family Wellness Center in Freehold, NJ.  We began incorporating biofeedback stress reduction therapy in our practice 2 years ago and have experienced over 80% success rate in helping our patients with this state of the art technology.  I want to share with you one of our successful cases in helping a 6 year old male patient who had suffered with severe eczema since he was born.

He had been seeing Dermatologists all these years with no change using cortisone and other steroid type treatments.  After just 8 treatments using biofeedback, his skin is crystal clear.  (See the pictures below)  The parents reported that he was able to swim in the ocean for the first time without a wetsuit and showering is no longer painful.

Added bonus the parents never reported before treatment about his peanut sensitivity and before going back to school, they tested him by rubbing peanut butter on his skin and he had no reaction to it.  (Note his allergy was not the anaphylaxis type)

Following are the before pictures!

After Just 8 Visits with the NRG Immune Enhancement System

Click this link if you would like to watch the father discuss the results: 6 Year old Suffering with Eczema and Allergies Helped by Freehold Chiropractor

If you or somebody you know suffers with allergies, headaches, digestive issues, arthritis, stress, anxiety, ADD or ADHD, Fibromyalgia, skin conditions, frequently fighting colds, depression or other symptoms share this article with them.  Most symptoms are related to stress and sensitivities and biofeedback stress reduction can be the answer! Contact our office to receive your complimentary biofeedback stress assessment.  This 6 year old patient has gained his life back by using this form of treatment.  We have been helping patients from Freehold and the surrounding towns of Marlboro, Howell, Colts Neck, Jackson, Morganville and Manalapan, NJ as well as other communities in Monmouth and Ocean Counties in New Jersey.  Some have driven as far as New York City and Philadelphia to experience biofeedback stress reduction therapy.

Call 732-780-0044 and find out more about our office by going to www.chiropractorfreehold.com

My name is Dr. Russell Brokstein, chiropractor and owner of Hometown Family Wellness Center located in Freehold, NJ.  I have been helping patients with Fibromyalgia for over 13 years.

Here are the facts: Diagnosis is difficult, the underlying cause of it is unknown, frequency, degree and location of pain vary from day to day, and treatment is focused on managing the symptoms. Many of the medications doctors are recommending (Lyrica, Cymbalta and Savella) have severe side effects and can be extremely dangerous.  At best they just give temporary relief, but the side effects prevent the patient from enjoying an active and healthy lifestyle.

Chiropractic has been shown to be an extremely effective way to manage symptoms by allowing the body to function normally after an adjustment. It all comes down to clearing the master system, the Nervous System! Did you know that chiropractic can help people with Fibromyalgia just by removing nervous system interference?

One common symptom found in Fibromyalgia sufferers are tender points.  These red dots represent tender points. “Tender points” refers to tenderness occurring in precise, localized areas, particularly the neck, spine, shoulders & hips

On top of the tender points there are several Syndromes that often appear with FM:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Allergies
• Headaches
• Arthritis
• PMS
• Hypothyroidism
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Lupus
• Restless Leg Syndrome
• MS
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)

Dr. Frederick Wolfe, a clinical professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, is a respected rheumatologist and a well-known investigator of Fibromyalgia.  Dr. Wolfe points out that chiropractic treatment helps FM patients

Source:  Frederick Wolfe, “The Fibromyalgia Problem,” Journal of Rheumatology 24,no.7(1997) 1247-49

Dr. Wolfe wrote “In our current series, we interviewed 81 FM patients and 81 control patients using a structured questionnaire. We asked patients to indicate if a drug or treatment had reduced their pain…Of interest is that chiropractic treatment scored among the most effective measures”

Source:  Wolfe F: The clinical syndrome of fibrositis. Am. J. Medicine 81 (suppl 3a):7-14, 1986

In our Freehold office, we not only analyze the traditional tender trigger points associated with Fibromyalgia, but we perform a state of the art computerized spinal exam that helps locate imbalances and pressure on the nerves and spinal cord.  This helps us locate the areas of the spine that are interfering with normal nerve impulses.  We take our analysis further by testing sensitivities and stress levels with biofeedback stress reduction.  Internal and external stress is known to cause many symptoms and illnesses including those syndromes common to Fibromyalgia.  The biofeedback technology measures the severity of the sensitivities, if they are acute or chronic, then using the treatment portion of the biofeedback uses positive reconditioning to balance the immune system.  Next we test the body for toxicity.  The more toxins and chemical build up in the body, the more sensitive the organs, muscles, tendons and ligaments.  Finally we examine the hormonal balance and with basic nutritional vitamin supplementation balance the adrenal glands.

Our unique, natural multi-pronged approach to health and wellness has helped many Fibromyalgia sufferers that no other doctors have been able to achieve results with.  We have been helping residents in Freehold, the surrounding towns of Marlboro, Morganville, Colts Neck, Manalapan, Howell, Jackson and other communities of Monmouth and Ocean County, New Jersey.  For more information on Dr. Russell Brokstein, go to our website at www.ChiropractorFreehold.com

Share this blog post with anybody you know who is suffering with Fibromyalgia.

When do you start going to the eye doctor?  Do you wait until your eyes deteriorate?  Do you wait until you have glaucoma and cataracts or do you do preventative measures?

How about your car?  Do you wait until it breaks down or do you bring it in for periodic maintenance?  How about an oil, lube and filter?

The biggest and most important question is when should you start to go to the chiropractor?

The saying “there is no time like the present,” is very true when applied to preventative health care.  Many people incorporate that with the other disciplines, but we neglect the most important system of the body:  The Nervous System.

It is this system that the chiropractor helps you with, and it is the nervous system that controls all functions of your body.  The power that goes from the brain to the rest of the body allows it to heal itself and be healthy.  Your heart beats, your lungs breath, your stomach digests in conjunction with the intestines, your eyes can see, your ears can hear, your muscles can contract, you can move all without having to think about it.

This nervous system is so important that we have the spinal bones protecting it.  Unfortunately the daily stresses that occur from the time of birth and throughout life cause VERTEBRAL SUBLUXATIONS:  the bones move out of place, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerves and interfering with the functions of our body.

The first subluxations develop during the birth process as the medical doctor pulls and twists on the baby’s neck and if uncorrected at this early stage, will only add further neurological stress to the growth and the adaptive demands of a new life.  Children need chiropractic care.  They receive the best care and the most profound results for ear infections and colds, respiratory conditions, digestive issues, and so much more.

Subluxations continue to occur as children learn to walk they fall several times, they sit in classes with poor posture, carry heavy books and backpacks, play sports, play fight and wrestle, numerous accidents and falls from a bike, then auto accidents and other injuries as we get older through teenage and adult years, and general stress, poor nutrition, lack of exercise can all add to the subluxations.  Regular chiropractic exams and adjustments allow for you and your children to have nervous systems that are functioning optimally.

The majority of  society reaches for medicine when “sick,” but the fact is the relief is from masking symptoms with a pill or injection, while the causes were never fully corrected.  These medications then lead to many other side effects.  Everybody seeks Relief, but why not find the cause and correct it.  The earlier you and your family are monitored and corrected for subluxations, the more optimally healthy you will be without drugs and or surgery.  The longer you wait to get your spine checked, the bones start to degenerate and the joints become more arthritic…  Your growing family and neighbors need chiropractic care.

There is no age, size, gender, color or financial limit for who deserves excellent health!  You were born with  health and deserve it throughout life!  It is Natural To Be Healthy! An optimally functioning nervous system is necessary to maintain and preserve your health.  EVERYBODY needs chiropractic care!

If you are ready to have an optimally functioning nervous system to be healthy naturally without drugs and surgery, contact our office to get you and your family back to health!  Dr. Russell Brokstein has been helping patients in Freehold and the surrounding towns of Marlboro, Howell, Colts Neck, Jackson, Morganville and Manalapan, NJ as well as other communities in Monmouth and Ocean Counties in New Jersey.  Find out more about our office by going to www.chiropractorfreehold.com.

Now, a new award-winning study further confirmed previous studies that chiropractic can also improve athletic performance.  Chiropractic is giving a natural edge to the athletes.

Researchers examined 18 professional Brazilian judo competitors while under chiropractic care.  Half of the athletes received chiropractic adjustments while the other received sham treatment.  Researchers then evaluated athletes’ grip strength using a device that measures muscle force.

Throughout the study both groups maintained their regular workout schedule, but the chiropractic group had substantial improvements in their scores.  After just three treatments, the chiropractic group improved their grip strength by 11% on the left side and 17% on their right, while athletes in the sham treatment group had only improved by 4-6%.

This study is more evidence that chiropractic improves nervous system functioning, which in turn strengthens muscles.  Other studies and researchers report improved reflexes, flexibility, range of motion, breathing capacity, postural strength and coordination.

Chiropractic keeps your nervous system working efficiently and that is what plays the vital role in all the edges it provides the athletes in improving peak performance, injury prevention and facilitating recovery.

Many pro athletes are speaking about the benefits of chiropractic:

Lance Armstrong said “The Chiropractor is the most important person on the team staff.”

One of the greatest boxers of all time, Holyfield remarks, “I have to have an adjustment before I go into the ring.  The majority of boxers go to get that edge.”

Recently NBA MVP Derrick Rose credited chiropractic for getting him back on the court after suffering with back spasms.

From the worlds fastest man, Usain Bolt, to Roger Craig, Jerry Rice, Emmit Smith, Tiger Woods, Aaron Rodgers, Olympian Dan O’Brien, Mark McGwire, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roy Jones Jr, Wayne Gretzky, Billy Jean King, John McEnroe, Mary Lou Retton, Bruce Jennor, Jimmy Connors, Dan Marino, Warren Moon, Jack Dempsey to Michael Jordan just to name a few have all been under regular chiropractic care.

You do not have to be a professional athlete to benefit from the edge it can provide you too.  Chiropractic is great to improve your work outs, athletic performance, injury recovery and promoting healthy lifestyles and habits.  If you are ready to receive the best care that pro athletes utilize, contact a local chiropractor.

Dr. Russell Brokstein, DC is owner of Hometown Family Wellness Center in Freehold, NJ.  He has been in practice for 13 years and has worked on all levels of athletes from grade school to professional level and retirees who still get to enjoy their recreational sports while under chiropractic care.  Call our office today to see how we can help you at 732-780-0044.  Find out more information about chiropractic by clicking here:  www.chiropractorfreehold.com

Botelho MB, Andrade BB. Effect of cervical spine manipulative therapy on judo athletes’ grip strength. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2012;35(11):38-44.

British Medical Journal

23 studies  were reviewed by researchers comparing placebo pills to various drugs typically prescribed for sciatica.  In every study, there was no proof that the prescription drugs gave any more pain relief than the placebos.  Also, the radiating pain many times associated with sciatica was not significantly reduced.  Two of the drugs may have reduced overall pain but the long term effects were unclear.  The important fact one must note is that any pain medication that might provide temporary relief is just masking the symptoms of the pain and is not correcting what is actually causing the pain.  On top of that, every medication has serious side effects that a patient should look into before taking them.  Wouldn’t it make more sense to do something that corrects the cause of the pain naturally?

In this research, it was concluded there is no proof showing pain medications commonly prescribed for sciatica were affective.

There is a much more affective approach to helping a patient suffering with sciatica:  CHIROPRACTIC!!!  Another study done in 2010 shows that chiropractic is just as effective as surgery, but is much less risky than surgery and extremely more cost effective.

Dr. Russell Brokstein, the chiropractor at Hometown Family Wellness Center in Freehold, NJ has been treating sciatica patients effectively with chiropractic for over 13 years.  If you or somebody you know has been suffering with sciatica, wouldn’t you like to finally get the cause of the pain corrected, rather than taking pain medications with numerous side effects and proven not affective in the treatment of sciatica?  Call our office at 732-780-0044 and find out more information on our website at www.chiropractorfreehold.com
McMorland G, Suter E, Casha S, du Plessis SJ, Hurlbert RJ. Manipulation or microdiskectomy for sciatica? A prospective randomized clinical study. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2010; 33(8): 576-584.
Pinto,Rafael Zambelli. Chris G Maher, Manuela L Ferreira, Paulo H Ferreira, Mark Hancock, Vinicius C Oliveira, Andrew J McLachlan, Bart Koes.Drugs for relief of pain in patients with sciatica: systematic review and meta-analysis. British Medical Journal. 2012, February; 344:e497 doi: 10.1136/bmj.e497.

When most people hear or think about chiropractic, they think of pain relief.  This is what the medical profession would like everybody to think, but it is the furthest thing from the facts.  Yes, people go to the chiropractor and get relief of their back pain, their neck pain, headaches and migraines, Fibromyalgia, sciatica, numbness and tingling just to name a few.  Research is constantly coming out showing the effectiveness of chiropractic with all of these conditions.  You can view many of them on my blog by clicking:  Hometown Family Wellness Center’s Blog.

More importantly is that if everybody would understand how the body works and what chiropractors actually do, YOU TOO would experience what true health care is all about.

Chiropractic was founded in 1895 and is based off the natural functioning of the body.  We all know the nervous system controls all organs, systems, cells, tissues and functions of the body.  Your brain sends messages to all of these areas and as long as the nerve impulses reach the intended destination, your overall health will be optimal.  Because this system is so important, we were created with a protective boney spine that not only is hard, but we have multiple joints that allow us to move.  Now, for a second, just imagine if the spine was just one long bone.. that wouldn’t work too well would it?

The only problem with our spine consisting of 24 moving vertebrae or bones is that with all the daily stresses we encounter, they can easily move out of place, putting pressure on the nerves.  When this occurs, there is interference of the messages the brain is trying to send through the nerves.

You already probably have experienced numbness and tingling in your arms,  hands, legs or feet and know it’s because there is pressure on the nerves in your neck or low back that go down the extremities.  But what do you think would happen to the nerves that are between your shoulder blades that go to your heart and your lungs?  Do you think you’d get numbness and tingling of the heart or lungs?  What about the nerves in your mid back that help control the stomach, intestines and kidneys… would they start tingling?  What if only 80% of the nerve message gets through the nerve that goes to the heart?  Do you think the heart will work at 100%?  of course not, it can only function at best 80%!!!  Is this a healthy heart?  Do you think your blood pressure can be normal with the heart only receiving 80% of the nerve impulses it’s supposed to be getting?  What about all the other organs getting less than 100% of the nerve impulses?  Is less than 100% going to bring you optimal health?

Another analogy that might make this more clear to you is thinking of your house.  There is a circuit breaker that is the control center of the house and all the wires (nerves) leave it to go to every room in the house.  Each room has multiple outlets that you plug different appliances, electronics, lights, etc.  What happens if the circuit trips?  Whatever is plugged into that outlet from that circuit is going to shut off or malfunction.

This is how basic your body works.. I know, I made it look very simple.  Your body short circuits from the time you are born to current.  We have stress that accumulates in the body, that cause the spinal segments to misalign, thereby putting pressure on the nerves.  At birth the medical doctors are pulling on the baby, twisting his or her neck, misaligning the bones in the neck.  As a child, how many times did you trip and fall, play fight with friends, have accidents playing sports.  All the years sitting in chairs at school that are hard to sit with proper posture.  Carrying heavy book bags, then purses or briefcases on one shoulder.  Just walking and missing the curb can cause the bones to misalign.  Ever have an auto accident?  Just think of all the small traumas that you never considered can be doing damage to not only your body but your entire health.

It is so important that everybody gets their spines checked.  We all experience stress that causes the bones to misalign on a daily basis that puts pressure on the nerves and decreases the overall function and health of our bodies.  These misalignments are called subluxations by chiropractors.  A chiropractor can evaluate anybody to detect and correct these subluxations, bringing about optimal nerve function and get your body as close to optimal health as possible.

Imagine everybody being more healthy with a drug-free, hands on approach with chiropractic.  Research shows that chiropractic saves money in healthcare.  Less hospital admissions, less surgeries and procedures, less prescription drugs.

Why wouldn’t  you want to be a part of the growing trend of patients who want to be healthy naturally?  Are you ready to be able to enjoy a normal active lifestyle, reduce your health care costs, improve the functioning of your body, reduce your need for harmful medications and surgeries?

Dr. Russell Brokstein, is the owner and chiropractor of Hometown Family Wellness Center in Freehold, NJ.  He has been helping patients for over 13 years in Freehold and the surrounding towns of Marlboro, Manalapan, Howell, Colts Neck, Jackson, Morganville and other communities in Monmouth and Ocean Counties.  Watch what other patients say about their care by clicking:  Patient Reviews and Testimonials.  Call our office at 732-780-0044 to get yourself back on the road to health and wellness!

The study reviewed the records of 1450 patient records in the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation database.  These patients were suffering with conditions from disc degeneration, disc herniation or radiculopathy, a nerve condition that causes numbness or tingling and weakness of the limbs.  The patients were split equally into 2 groups:  those that had fusion surgery vs those that had no surgery at all.

In the 2 year follow up with these patients, only 26% returned to work in the surgery group, yet 67% in the NON surgical group returned to work.  What is more alarming is that the surgical group had a 41% increase in the use of dangerous pain killers, putting them at risk of further side effects and addictions.

“The study [1] provides clear evidence that for many patients, fusion surgeries designed to alleviate pain from degenerating discs don’t work”, Dr. Trang Nguyen, lead author and a researcher at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. [2]

Many patients report increase in excruciating pain post surgery and the increase prescription of medications rarely helps.  One patient, Nancy Scatena, reported “I was suicidal” due to the excruciating pain.  She went for another opinion from another surgery that was described as a “miracle worker”.  The doctor assured her he would fix everything and after a brief period of relief, the pain came back with vengeance.

Many pain management doctors and some surgeons state surgery is an empty promise, yet due to the suggestion of the medical doctors around 600,000 people opt for surgery which has such a low rate of success.  Many times the surgeries back fire, resulting in more pain and prescribed medications.

These surgeries aren’t simple procedures either.  There are many risks that come along with them, including paralysis and even death.  There is a huge concern because in just the last 15 years, there was an 8 time increase in these complicated surgeries.  In 2007 alone, there were a 27 million reported back problems with over $30 billion spent on relieving the pain.. the biggest portion of which was spent on these dangerous spine surgeries that have a low success rate.

Two other studies further confirm findings:

1) Surgery should not be recommended until a patient has 2 years of all other conservative approaches have failed.

2) Adjustments (chiropractic treatments) with or without exercise therapy have a higher success rate than medical care alone over 3 and 12 month periods.  To top if off, the more successful chiropractic approach shows better value over not only the medical care but also better than manipulation along with exericse.

I’m a chiropractor in Freehold, NJ and at my office, Hometown Family Wellness Center, I have seen patients for over 13 years with many sources of back pain.  I take a conservative approach with your condition, and upon a full evaluation, I show you what is the cause of the problem.  If you are one of the rare instances that you won’t benefit from chiropractic, I refer you to a local specialist who can further help you with your lower back pain.  With over 80% success rate, chiropractic is the best option.  Before any thought of looking into back surgery, I always suggest you look into any alternative options first.  I have seen many patients over the years who have suffered through the surgery with little to no results.  Some have had spinal fusions where they are so restricted in their daily activities now and can’t enjoy life, others had temporary relief then the pain gradually returned to beyond levels prior to the surgery, and one of my mother’s friends was even paralyzed from her waist down to her feet.  I have seen many scenarios and most of these patients were told there was no other option.  Just remember, this is your body and there are always better and more safe alternatives before trying surgery.  Yes, you might have heard or nobody who had a successful spinal surgery, but those are the rare cases.  Is it worth the risk?

If you or somebody you know suffers with low back pain and have considered surgery, please share this blog and research as much as you can before taking the leap to surgery.  If you are in Freehold or the surrounding towns of Marlboro, Manalapan, Howell, Colts Neck, Jackson, Morganville or other areas of Monmouth County, NJ, give our office a call at 732-780-0044 and go to our website:  www.chiropractorfreehold.com

REFERENCES:

1.   Long-term Outcomes of Lumbar Fusion Among Workers’ Compensation Subjects: An Historical Cohort Study
SPINE (Phila Pa 1976) 2011 (Feb 15);   36 (4):   320–331

2.   Study Says Back Surgery Often Makes Things Worse
The Daily Hit ~ Oct 14, 2010

3.   Back Surgery May Backfire On Patients In Pain
MSNBC.com ~ Oct 14, 2010

4.   Why Do Spinal Surgery Rates Continue To Rise?
Chiro.Org Blog Editorial ~ April 10th, 2010

5.   Findings from the: “United Kingdom Back Pain Exercise and Manipulation (UK BEAM) Randomised Trial”
British Medical Journal 2004 (Dec 11); 329 (7479)