Orthopedic back problems, including disc problems

 With respect to back problems, there are many therapies we would like to discuss, including swiming, yoga, osteopathy and chiropraction, Pilades, Feldenkreis, massage acupressure and more. If the sufferer can handle Bikram yoga, which is strenuous and done in a hot room, and swimming and combine these with other therapies, we can cite have achieved complete reversal of their problem with this approach. What we want to make clear is that, until the 90's, there was no AMA specialty for orthopedics, only surgeons, and that is why the field of non-surgical treatment has remained undeveloped. In JAMA (The Journal of the American Medical Association) a recent (about 2 yrs. ago) forum of top orthopedic doctors spoke to the issue of a patient whose back crisis had resolved after days of bedrest and muscle relaxers, but he still had neurological pain shooting down his leg when when he ran, his exercise of choice. Not one of the these eminent physicians recommended switching to other exercises, such as swimming, until the patient could run without pain.

Decades ago the AMA offered osteopaths the option to take up the role of internal orthopedics, as distinct from orthoedic surgeons --the equivalent of a neurologist, as distinct from a neurosurgeon. The osteopaths declined and orthopedics remained a sugical field until the nineties, when clinics that are often called "sports medicine and orthopedic rehabilitation" clinics, began to appear, using any methods worth trying, such as acupuncture. If these methods don't work these clinics often are run by surgeons who will operate if the patient agrees.

But even as these enlightened clinics appeared the orthopedic profession at large clung to the dark ages, denying, for instance that acupunture has any medical value.

We would like readers to send us discussions of therapies, including "limnoscopy", which uses a needle to partly drain a disc so it will not protrude. We would like to hear about different types of massage, and about results from seeing osteopaths. And we would like to hear about acupuncture as the main therapy, and as a secondary therapy, for back pain.

With respect to Bikram yoga, it has the ability to fix your spine more aggressively that regular yoga. The reason is the heat enables you to stretch better, and this includes stretching your spine. The problem is it can be dangerous for someone with a bad back and so one most go slow and cautiously. It may take other therapies to get an individual to the point where they are ready for Bikram. One such may be a hot room yoga that is not as physically challenging as Bikram. You must be careful with the "standing head to knee posture", including the preliminary position of just bending down and holding your foot. It is better to hold your knee at first.

Dancing on carpet, or on a hard floor, is good therapy as part of a larger program. Salsa, Meringue, Bach and Vivaldi, rock and hip hop -- theres lots of good music to dance to. As you dance it is good to stop and do some yoga stretches, like half-moon or triangle, or whatever kind of stretching.

Gravity boots. Can they be helpful?

Swimming is always good and we recommend it to every back patient. The water is gentle. If you can't do the crawl and breath both ways we recommend learning it. Swimming gives you a kind of neurological energy that is unique, it is great for the heart and lungs. (If you sing or play a wind instrument swimming is very beneficial.)

Coffee is bad for skeletomuscular. Don't drink it before you go to your therapy or exercise, and we advise not drinking it regularly, if you want to repair your back. Once it's in you your muscles get tight. An English type tea is better. Yes it has caffeine, but it's different caffeine and acids doesn't have the same bad effect on your muscles. We want to list and review the properties of lesser-known energizing teas that can serve as a substitute for coffee. Yerba Mate (Mate is pronounced Mahtay) is one. It is a different effect from coffee, but it is a strong energizer. Will readers please tell us about other teas. "Gorana" we would like to know about.

We would like to start a chat group on back pain and therapies. We would like to hear of paths to healing that individuals with herniated spinal discs and other orthopedic problems have taken.