Disc Disease Solutions, Inc.

Love your life without lower back and neck pain!

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Prepare For The End of Daylight Savings Time This Weekend

Prepare for the end of Daylight Savings Time this weekend with help from Time.com:

Don’t change your routine on November 1

The night before the time change, just go to bed when you usually do, sleep specialist and clinical psychologist Michael Breus, PhD, advises. “Most people are already sleep deprived, so in all likelihood you could use the extra hour of sleep you’ll get,”

Use it as a sleep hygiene checkup

You can use the time change to diagnose your sleep habits. Before bedtime on November 1, set your clock back an hour (cell phones will be updated automatically at 2am), and keep your alarm set for your regular wake up time. “If you find yourself sleeping for the entire extra hour in the morning, that’s a sign you’re sleep deprived,” Breus says.

If, on the other hand, you wake up before your alarm goes off, that’s your body telling you that you’re getting enough sleep.

After the time change, maximize your sun exposure…

Even after the fall back, it’s not uncommon to feel out of sorts the first few days of November. It doesn’t help that the sun will start setting close to 5pm. So what should you do?

While your afternoon mood might take a hit because of the looming darkness, Breus advises taking advantage of the extra sunlight in the morning, which can give you a mood boost to start the day. If you tend to work out in the evenings, switch your routine to the morning. At the very least, make an effort get outside during your lunch break, if only just to take a walk around the block.

…and maybe boost your indoor light

If you’re still feeling draggy in the afternoon after a few days, consider investing in a light therapy box, which can counteract your brain’s inclination to start producing melatonin when the sun goes down. Just be sure to look for one that provides alertness-promoting blue light. “Blue light mimics sunlight and tells the brain to stop producing melatonin, the chemical that starts your brain’s sleep engine,” Breus explains.

If you need a little burst to get over that 4pm hump at work, click on the light and let it shine for no more than 20 minutes. “That amount should be enough to make you feel more alert for a couple hours,” Breus explains. If you want to get to bed at a reasonable hour, be sure not to use the light after 7pm; any later than that can interfere with your sleep.

And if you have kids…

The downside to falling back is that small children, already allergic to spending extra time in bed, may actually start waking up an hour earlier.

Here’s how to get them to get with the program. “Starting about a week or so before the time change, every two days put your kids to bed 15 minutes later, in a stair-stepping pattern,” Breus says.

And if the bedtime rollback plan doesn’t take? Breus suggests making the morning of November 2 a special occasion. The night before, lay out books or games the kids can play with quietly when they wake up. Set an alarm in their room(s) for when you’ll wake up and tell them it’s bonus playtime and they don’t have to bother mom and dad!

If the thought of your kids quietly reading and biding their time until the sun comes up sounds preposterous, don’t hesitate to bring out the big guns. “Even setting your kids up to watch a video in the early morning is okay in this instance,” says Breus. “In all likelihood, the parents could use that extra hour of sleep, so do whatever it takes to take advantage of it.”

www.DiscDiseaseSolutions.com

www.DDSbelt.com

[email protected]

888.495.7440

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100 HEALTHCARE STATS

100 Healthcare Stats from Becker's Hospital Review

1. There are 5,723 hospitals in the U.S., according to the most recent American Hospital Association data available to the public.

2. There are 4,999 community hospitals in the U.S.

3. There are 1,326 critical access hospitals in the U.S., according to data from the Flex Monitoring Team.

4. Nonprofit hospitals spend the most on inpatient stays compared to other hospital ownership types, according to Kaiser State Health Facts. Hospital adjusted expenses per inpatient day by ownership is as follows: - Nonprofit hospitals: $2,088 - State/local government hospitals: $1,667 - For-profit hospitals: $1,628

5. There are 893,851 professionally active physicians in the United States, according to Kaiser State Health Facts.1

6. Of the professionally active physicians in the country, 425,032 are primary care physicians and 468,819 are specialty physicians.1

7. Approximately 32 percent of physicians are women.1

8. There are 48,806 physicians specializing in surgery.1

9. There are 46,089 physicians specializing in anesthesiology.1

10. There are 45,140 physicians specializing in emergency medicine.1

11. There are 43,822 physicians specializing in radiology.1

12. There are 28,700 physicians specializing in cardiology.1

13. There are 16,217 physicians specializing in oncology.1

14. There are 6,546 physicians specializing in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism.1

15. There are 50,416 physicians specializing in psychiatry.1

16. There are approximately 27,773 orthopedic surgeons in the United States, as of the 2012 Orthopaedic Surgeon Census by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

17. Across all specialties, approximately 21 percent of physicians are employed by a hospital.

18. The number of hospital medicine groups employing nurse practitioners and physician assistants has increased to 65.5 percent from 53.9 percent in 2012.

19. Family medicine is the most in-demand clinician specialty, according to a Merritt Hawkins report.

20. The United States is ranked 25th in regards to physician count per capita among international peers, with 2.5 physicians per 1,000 people, according to an Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development report.

21. By 2020, the U.S. is expected to be short more than 9,000 physicians and short 130,000 physicians by 2025, according to Association of Medical Colleges projections.

22. Sixty-seven percent of the 51.6 million hospital-based services in 2012 was provided by hospitalists as opposed to traditionalists (primary care physicians and others whose services primarily take place outside an acute-care facility), according to an analysis of Medicare payment data.

23. Physician assistants make up about 10 percent of the primary care workforce and represent 9 percent of clinicians in community health centers.

24. There are roughly 5,500 ambulatory surgical centers in the United States.

Hospital & Health System Compensation

25. Non-system hospital CEOs saw the largest base salary growth of all job categories at a 4.3 percent increase, according to the 2014 Hay Group Healthcare Compensation Study.

26. From January to July of 2014, less than half — 40 percent — of hospital C-suite hires were internal promotions, according to a Billian's HealthDATA report.

27. Since 2012, the median salary for non-academic adult hospitalists has increased 8.2 percent annually, from $233,855 to $252,996, according to the Society of Hospital Medicine's 2014 State of Hospital Medicine report.

28. Hospitalists at non-academic pediatric hospitals saw a median compensation increase of 9.5 percent, from $178,885 to $195,832, over the past two years.

29. On average, physician and surgeons earn a national estimated wage of $191,880, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

30. Registered nurses earn an average national estimated wage of $68,910.

31. Nurse practitioners earn an average national estimated wage of $95,070.

Health Coverage

32. Roughly 10.3 million adults in America gained health coverage between January 2012 and June 2014, according to a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

33. The number of uninsured Americans dropped by 3.8 million from January to March, which brought the average percentage of people without health insurance to 13.1 percent, according to a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics.

34. On average, healthcare cost nearly $9,000 per person in 2012, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

35. On average, healthcare for a typical family of four covered by an employer-sponsored preferred provider organization plan currently costs roughly $23,215. That cost is nearly twice what it was a decade ago but the year-over-year increase of 5.4 percent between 2013 and 2014 is the lowest growth rate recorded by the Milliman Medical Index since it was first calculated in 2002.

36. National healthcare spending is projected by CMS to increase 4.7 percent from 2013 to 2015.

Medicaid

37. As of Aug. 28, 28 states (including Washington, D.C.) have expanded Medicaid coverage, two states are in debate over the implementation of coverage expansion and 21 states are not moving forward with the decision at this time.

38. As of Aug. 28, there are approximately 14,466,000 uninsured adults and children living in the U.S. who are eligible for Medicaid under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, according to Kaiser State Health Facts.

39. Also as of Aug. 28, there are roughly 4,524,090 poor uninsured non-elderly adults that fall within the PPACA coverage gap, according to Kaiser State Health Facts.  

40. The number of uninsured patients seeking treatment from safety net hospitals is expected to drop to 13 million people this year due to the expansion of insurance.

41. Projections estimate Medicaid spending will increase 12.8 percent and private health insurance spending will increase 6.8 percent in 2014 due to the availability of more coverage options on the insurance marketplaces, according to a CMS report.  

42. In 2012, Medicaid costs totaled $432 billion, of which the non-federal share was about $180 billion.

43. States across the nation have increasingly relied on healthcare providers and local governments to finance the non-federal portion of Medicaid payments, rising by more than 21 percent from state fiscal year 2008 through 2012, according to a report from the Government Accountability Office.

44. Health centers in states that didn't extend Medicaid gave up a combined total of $569 million in federal funding in 2014, according to a report from The George Washington University.

45. Hospitals in states that expanded Medicaid coverage provided about $1.9 million in charity care during the first quarter of this 2014, 32 percent less than the $2.8 million of charity care spent during the same time frame in 2013, according to a report from the Colorado Hospital Association.2

46. Hospitals in states that did not expanded Medicaid coverage provided about $4.2 million in charity care during the first quarter of this 2014, 11 percent more than the $3.8 million of charity care spent during the same time frame in 2013.2

47. In expansion states, self-pay charges dropped from 4.7 percent of all charges in the first quarter of 2013 to 3.1 percent during the first three months of this year.2

48. In the non-expansion states, self-pay charges rose slightly year-over-year during the first quarter, from 4.8 percent in 2013 to 5 percent this year.2

Medicare

49. The Congressional Budget Office projects Medicare is spending approximately $11,328 per person in 2014.

50. Medicare spending on outpatient hospital care has increased 126 percent from 2003 to 2012, according to the June 2014 Data Book of Health Care Spending and the Medicare Program.

51. CMS projections estimate Medicare spending will grow 7.4 percent annually from 2015 to 2022.

52. Medicare spent as much as $8.5 billion (2.7 percent of total spending) on services deemed to have little or no clinical value in 2009, according to a 2014 JAMA Internal Medicine study.

53. Approximately 3,400 acute-care hospitals and 435 long-term care hospitals receive payments under CMS’ Inpatient Prospective Payment System.

54. More than 4,000 hospitals and 5,300 Medicare-certified ASCs receive reimbursement through Medicare's Outpatient Prospective Payment system.

55. Beneficiaries' coinsurance accounted for approximately $1.5 billion — 47 percent — of the reimbursements for outpatient services provided in 2012 that CAHs received, according to an HHS Office of Inspector General report. Coinsurance rates for Medicare beneficiaries accounted for an average of 22 percent of the OPPS rates for outpatient services at acute-care hospitals.

56. CMS' Open Payments website unveiled roughly 4.4 million payments were made to physicians and teaching hospitals from drug, medical device and biologics companies from August to December 2013, equaling approximately $3.5 billion.

57. Medicare penalized a record 2,610 hospitals this year under the Hospital Re-admissions Reduction Program for high readmission rates. Together, the total fines added up to roughly $428 million.

Hospital Construction

58. In the U.S., there are 37 relatively "firm" planned hospital construction projects that are estimated to cost $50 million or more, each, according to a report by Reed Construction Data.

59. Fifty-eight percent of the upcoming projects valued at $50 million or more each are considered new work, as opposed to hospital additions or alterations.

60. BJC Healthcare, a nonprofit organization based in St. Louis, is planning the largest dollar allocation for hospital construction in the country at $1.5 billion. The money will be dispersed in several St. Louis locations.

Accountable Care Organizations

61. As of May, the number of accountable care organizations in the United States exceeds 600, according to a May 2014 analysis from Leavitt Partners.

62. Approximately 20.5 million people are covered by ACOs, as of June, including the 5.3 million patients enrolled in the Medicare Shared Savings and Pioneer Programs.

63. Medicare ACOs represent roughly 60 percent of all ACOs in the country, according to CMS.

64. In a survey of 1,183 physician practices, 35 percent had already joined an ACO or planned to join one soon, while 60 percent had not joined an ACO and had no plans of joining one, according to a March 2014 study published in Health Services Research.

65. CMS and HHS estimated ACOs will save the Medicare program up to $940 million in the first four years.

66. There are 37 quality measures ACOs must meet to qualify for shared savings.

67. The Houston-based Memorial Hermann ACO had the most shared savings in performance year one of the Medicare Shared Savings Program, saving $28.34 million.

68. As of April, 19 states have moved toward the formation of Medicaid ACOs, including Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Washington.

69. Oregon leads in Medicaid ACOs with a total of 16 Coordinated Care Organizations covering more than 750,000 lives, according to Leavitt Partners.

70. As of April 2014, more than two-thirds of Americans live in areas served by an ACO and more than 40 percent live in areas served by two or more ACOs, according to an Oliver Wyman report.

Health IT

71. The Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare estimates the healthcare industry can save about $8.1 billion annually, including $6.7 billion in savings for healthcare providers and $1.4 billion for health plans each year, through additional conversions from manual to electronic transactions.

72. In 2012, paper-based claims submissions cost the healthcare system $2.58 each while electronic claims submissions only cost the healthcare system $0.54 each.

73. In 2013, 59 percent of non-federal acute-care hospitals in the U.S. had adopted at least a basic EHR system, according to the ONC, a 34 percent increase over 2012.

74. A majority of physicians — 83 percent — report they are using EHRs, according to a Medscape survey.

75. Since 2011, CMS has paid out almost $25 billion in incentive payments for the adoption and use of EHRs to hospitals and physicians.

76. By 2013, 89 percent of critical access hospitals had installed full or partial EHRs, although many CAHs did not meet the meaningful use criteria.

77. The EHR market is estimated to reach $9.3 billion annually by the end of 2015, and will likely continue to grow until at least 2018, according to a report from Kalorama Information.

78. The number of jobs for EHR technicians is expected to grow 22 percent, from 186,300 to 227,400 positions, between 2012 and 2022, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Labor.

79. A recent survey found a majority of patients — 83 percent — expect hospitals to use EHRs, but only 53 percent said they trust the safety and security of the software.

80. The global mHealth market is expected to be worth approximately $49.1 billion by the year 2020.

81. The global mHealth market is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 49.7 percent over the next six years.

82. Nearly half of physicians — 48 percent — used mHealth to determine medication interactions, followed by 27 percent for diagnosis tools and 19 percent to access EHRs, according to a MedData group study.

83. More than one-third of physicians have reported recommending an mHealth app to patients within the last year, and 47 percent have used their own devices to show patients images, according to a Manhattan Research survey.

84. Almost two-thirds, 65 percent of the nurses, said they use a mobile devices, social media and online references for professional purposes, according to a Wolters Kluwer Health survey analysis.

85. Nearly 75 percent of adults do not use any mHealth apps and fitness tracking devices, according to a Technology Advice survey of more than 900 adults.

86. Out of 600 of the most commonly used mHealth apps, less than one-third (30.5 percent) have a privacy policy, according to a study in the Journal of American Medical Informatics Association.

87. Only 100 of the approximately 100,000 mHealth apps available — or 0.1 percent — are FDA-approved, according to a report in the New England Journal of Medicine.

88. The largest data breach in 2014 so far compromised Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems security and has affected roughly 4.5 million people.

Patient Care and Quality

89. Roughly $4.1 billion in healthcare costs has been saved by hospitals’ improvements in patient safety, according to an HHS data report.

90. One-day prevalence surveys conducted between May and September in 183 hospitals of 11,282 patients revealed that 49.9 percent were on at least one antimicrobial drug, according to a report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

91. More than 11 million antibiotic prescriptions written for children each year may actually be unnecessary, according to a study in Pediatrics.

92. A majority of hospitals — 78 percent — have evidence of unnecessary antibiotic combinations being administered for two or more days, resulting in potentially avoidable healthcare costs of nearly $13 million, according to research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Premier.

93. Of 63,418 total prescribed antibiotics, 7,876 (12.4 percent) were prescribed over the phone, according to a study in Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety. Additionally, the rate of telephone-based prescribing increased over the study period from 2.2 prescriptions per 100 patient-years to 4.2 prescriptions per patient years.

94. Prescription drug spending is expected to account for approximately $272.1 billion of health expenditures in 2013 and increase 6.8 percent in 2014, according to a CMS report.

95. Pneumonia is the most common of all healthcare-associated infections, with a 21.8 percent prevalence, according to a survey published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

96. Every year, approximately one in 20 Americans, or about 12 million people, receiving outpatient care are misdiagnosed, according to a new survey by SERMO.

Miscellaneous Healthcare Statistics

97. Between 2009 and 2020, healthcare spending on mental and substance abuse disorders is expected to fall from 7.4 percent to 6.5 percent, according to a study from Truven Health Analytics.

98. From 2009 through 2020, patent loss will allow generic products with prices assumed to be about 70 percent lower than the price of the brand-name equivalents to enter into the market.

99. The average amount of time patients spent in the emergency department before being admitted to the hospital as an inpatient is 274 minutes, according to HHS Hospital Compare data.

100. On average, 71 percent of patients said, yes, they would definitely recommend the hospital they attended to friends and family.

  Footnotes: 1 Kaiser State Health Facts, 2014. 2 Colorado Hospital Association, Center for Health Information and Data Analytics. "Impact of Medicaid Expansion on Hospital Volumes." June 2014. Available online at http://www.cha.com/Documents/Press-Releases/CHA-Medicaid-Expansion-Study-June-2014.aspx

Editor's Note: A previous version of the article ran that failed to mention that 5.4 percent growth between 2013 and 2014 was the lowest growth rate recorded by the Milliman Medical Index since 2002. The omission has since been remedied.

www.DDSbelt.com

www.DiscDiseaseSolutions.com

[email protected]

888-495-7440

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Painkillers Do More Harm Than Good

Time recently published an article outlining a new study, by the American Academy of Neurology, that shows that powerful painkillers do little to improve the daily functioning in a patient's life for chronic pain unrelated to cancer. 

With the potential for overdose and addiction, the Academy urges doctors to find other ways for patient's to manage their pain.

Dr. Gary Franklin, research professor in the departments of occupational and environmental health sciences and neurology, emphasizes the importance of this study, “This is the first position paper by a major American specialty society saying that there is a real problem here, and the risk might not be worth the benefit for certain conditions."

When dealing with back pain, most users of the DDS Decompression Belt felt immediate relief and were able to resume some of their daily activities.

65% of DDS Decompression Belt users were able to resume activities they previously had to discontinue due to their condition.  Some included running/jogging, driving, gardening and even something as simple as playing with grandchildren.

For more information please visit DDSbelt.com or DiscDiseaseSolutions.com

For the complete study: Neurology.org

[ddsbelt]

See You At Medtrade Fall 2014!

Medtrade Fall 2014 is less than 1 month away!  Are you attending? 

Disc Disease Solutions, Inc. will be at booth #2454.  Come visit us and try on our products and see the difference for yourself. 

We'll have our full line of products on hand including the DDS 500 and DDS DOUBLE Spinal-Air Lumbar Decompression Belts.

DDS Decompression Belts are entirely different than traditional pull-string/cinch-tight lumbar braces in that they can address the cause of the back pain. As DDS Braces inflate they expand vertically creating a powerful distractive force allowing the herniated, bulging or otherwise compromised disc to distract off nearby nerves. Our Decompression Belts provide discreet, ambulatory, drug-free pain relief.

We can tell you that 65% of DDS users reported pain relief within the first our or that 79% felt relief within the first day but there's no better way than to try it for yourself.  Come visit us at our booth!

See you there!

DDSBelt.com www.DiscDiseaseSolutions.com [email protected] 888.495.7440

We are the ORIGINAL and PATENTED Lumbar Decompression Brace that you inflate with air.

[ddsbelt]

Listen To What Patients Have To Say About DDS Decompression Belts

We regularly get unsolicited calls, letters and emails from patients who have tried and love our DDS Decompression Belts.  Here are some comments from recent users:

I have lost 3” in height in the last decade due to degenerating discs, and I was in constant pain.  I took pain medications everyday to just get through the day. I purchased my first DDS brace and I have to say I loved it from the first day.  It is remarkably comfortable and inconspicuous under clothing.  I am able to attain a more correct posture pain free (shoulders back, chest out, straight spine… etc) for the first time in a long time!  I am now able to do my favorite activity again – hike the rocky mountains with my dogs!      Love love love your product.

K. Shofner from Conifer, CO

Before getting my DDS brace I could hardly walk-drive; I was only able to walk with a walker and cane and on oxytocin hydrophodien regularly.  The DDS Decompression Brace has allowed me to do things I couldn’t do 2 years ago.  Since then my Pain meds were cut in half. Thanks again for the relief the DDS brace has given me.

D. Ferguson from Austin, TX

I’ve had my brace since NOV. 24, 2012 and my DDS lumbar support belt has truly been a blessing.  Since I’ve been wearing it I have not had to get cortisone injections to relieve the pain in my back thigh/leg. I can really see the difference when I don’t wear it daily from now on.  The brace supports greatly with prolonged sitting / standing.  Ordering it was one of best decision I’ve made.  When we travel to Eastman Georgia approx a 13 drive it gives me all the comforting support.   Thank you for this great product.

M. Jenkins from Escorse, MI

This belt has made my life 100% easier. Before this belt I could not even bend to put my pants on.  Since I started using my DDS belt things got easier. One word for this belt “Awesome.” It’s just great.   I never leave home without it and if I am going away this is the just thing I am packing.  Thanks to my dear Doctor Leyton and the great hands who made this belt.   Thanks DDS, Inc.

V. Logan from Virginia Beach, VA

To read more testimonials from patients or to find out more about our products please visit us at www.DiscDiseaseSolutions.com or www.DDSbelt.com, call us at 888-495-7440 or email us ta [email protected]

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UPDATE: Pain Relief Within 1st Hour with the DDS Decompression Belt

65% of 879 patients surveyed who used the DDS Spinal Air Lumbar Decompression Belt felt relief within the first hour!

27% felt relief immediately. 

Of the 44% of patients who tried the DDS Decompression Belt to avoid surgery, almost half were successful in avoiding surgery.

In total, 91% of users would recommend the DDS Decompression Belt to others.

The results are astonishing. Please find out more about our DDS Decompression Belt at www.DiscDiseaseSolutions.com or www.DDSbelt.com, email us at [email protected] or call us at 888.495.7440.

[ddsbelt]

Are Imaging Tests Really Necessary For Low Back Pain?

Cynthia Smith, MD, Medical associate for content development in the medical education division of the American College of Physicians, along with Patrick Alguire, MD, found that, after studying a 38-year old man with complaints of low back pain, with such a vague set of symptoms, imaging tests like radiography, computer tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) likely would not prove beneficial and may expose him to unnecessarily to radiation and the anxiety of findings that are clinically insignificant.

    The patient in question does not respond to naproxen. He has no history of trauma, malignancy, fever, weight loss, or bladder or bowel symptoms. He does not use intravenous drugs. On examination, he appears uncomfortable and stiff, protecting his back against motion. He has intact sensation, strength, and reflexes. The straight-leg-raising maneuver reproduces his lower back pain but does not cause radicular pain.

  Dr Smith continues, "imaging studies are often ordered inappropriately as part of the evaluation of back pain in patients such as this. Although lumbar magnetic resonance imaging does not carry the risk of radiation exposure, it may result in harm by detecting clinically insignificant abnormalities in more than 30% of patients. These incidental findings increase with age and may lead to additional and possibly unnecessary testing and invasive treatments."

    So when should imaging be used?

    Spine imaging should be considered only in patients who have a ‘red flag,’ such as advanced age, history of trauma, history of cancer, and prolonged corticosteroid use, all of which have been associated with an increased probably (from 9% to 33%) of either spinal fracture or malignancy,” they wrote. Other indications for whether spinal imaging is needed, according to the authors, are symptoms such as pain existing longer than 6 weeks, fever, weight loss, and, “progressive neurologic findings on examination."

The DDS Spinal-Air Lumbar Decompression Belt is a non-invasive/ non-surgical, ambulatory traction brace that allows the patient to be active and continue with his/her daily activities while treating their condition.

  To learn more about DDS Decompression Braces, view MRI images, Clinical Studies, and read Patient and Medical Professional Testimonials please visit www.DDSbrace.com or www.DiscDiseaseSolutions.com.

  source:  Cleveland Clinical Journal of Medicine

[ddsbelt]

Learn About Your Back

The back is an intricate structure of bones, muscles, and other tissues that form the posterior part of the body’s trunk, from the neck to the pelvis.

The centerpiece is the spinal column, which not only supports the upper body’s weight but houses and protects the spinal cord — the delicate nervous system structure that carries signals that control the body’s movements and convey its sensations. Stacked on top of one another are more than 30 bones — the vertebrae — that form the spinal column, also known as the spine. Each of these bones contains a roundish hole that, when stacked in register with all the others, creates a channel that surrounds the spinal cord.

The spinal cord descends from the base of the brain and extends in the adult to just below the rib cage. Small nerves ("roots") enter and emerge from the spinal cord through spaces between the vertebrae. Because the bones of the spinal column continue growing long after the spinal cord reaches its full length in early childhood, the nerve roots to the lower back and legs extend many inches down the spinal column before exiting. This large bundle of nerve roots was dubbed by early anatomists as the cauda equina, or horse’s tail. The spaces between the vertebrae are maintained by round, spongy pads of cartilage called intervertebral discs that allow for flexibility in the lower back and act much like shock absorbers throughout the spinal column to cushion the bones as the body moves. Bands of tissue known as ligaments and tendons hold the vertebrae in place and attach the muscles to the spinal column.

Starting at the top, the spine has four regions:

the seven cervical or neck vertebrae (labeled C1 - C7),

the 12 thoracic or upper back vertebrae (labeled T1 - T12),

the five lumbar vertebrae (labeled L1 - L5), which we know as the lower back, and

the sacrum and coccyx, a group of bones fused together at the base of the spine.

The lumbar region of the back, where most back pain is felt, supports the weight of the upper body.

Source: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

To find out how you and your back can benefit from our DDS Spinal-Air Lumbar Traction Brace please visit: www.DDSbelt.com or www.DiscDiseaseSolutions.com.

[ddsbelt]

5 Things to Question When Considering Back Treatments

1.  Don’t recommend advanced imaging (e.g., MRI) of the spine within the first six weeks in patients with non-specific acute low back pain in the absence of red flags.

In the absence of red flags, advanced imaging within the first six weeks has not been found to improve outcomes, but does increase costs. Red flags include, but are not limited to: trauma history, unintentional weight loss, immunosuppression, history of cancer, intravenous drug use, steroid use, osteoporosis, age > 50, focal neurologic deficit and progression of symptoms.

2. Don’t perform elective spinal injections without imaging guidance, unless contraindicated.

Elective spinal injections, such as epidural steroid injections, should be performed under imaging guidance using fluoroscopy or CT with contrast enhancement (unless contraindicated) to ensure correct placement of the needle and to maximize diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic efficacy. Failure to use appropriate imaging may result in inappropriate placement of the medication, thereby decreasing the efficacy of the procedure and increasing the need for additional care.

3. Don’t use Bone Morphogenetic Protein (rhBMP) for routine anterior cervical spine fusion surgery.

Bone Morphogenic Protein is a compound which stimulates bone formation and healing. Life-threatening complications have been reported in the routine use of recombinant human rhBMP in anterior cervical spine fusion surgery, due to swelling of the soft tissues. This may lead to difficulty swallowing or pressure on the airway.

4.  Don’t use electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) to determine the cause of axial lumbar, thoracic or cervical spine pain.

Electromyography and nerve conduction studies are measures of nerve and muscle function. They may be indicated when there is concern for a neurologic injury or disorder, such as the presence of leg or arm pain, numbness or weakness associated with compression of a spinal nerve. As spinal nerve injury is not a cause of neck, mid back or low back pain, EMG/NCS have not been found to be helpful in diagnosing the underlying causes of axial lumbar, thoracic and cervical spine pain.

5.  Don’t recommend bed rest for more than 48 hours when treating low back pain.

In patients with low back pain, bed rest exceeding 48 hours in duration has not been shown to be of benefit.

Please consider ALL of your options including the NON-INVASIVE, NON-SURGICAL DDS Spinal-Air Lumbar Decompression Brace.  Our Braces are covered by Medicare and private insurances.  The process is simple: by increasing the intervertebral disc space, pressure applied on the nerve root is relieved, thereby, eliminating pain while assisting active-rehabilitation.  Disc Disease Solutions can speed up your recovery and help you enjoy the daily activities that were once too difficult.

To find out more information please visit www.DDSbelt.com or www.DiscDiseaseSolutions.com or give us a call at 888-495-7440.

  These items are provided solely for informational purposes and are not intended as a substitute for consultation with a medical professional. Patients with any specific questions about the items on this list or their individual situation should consult their physician. THIS CHOOSING WISELY DOCUMENT DOES NOT REPRESENT A “STANDARD OF CARE,” nor is it intended as a fixed treatment protocol. It is anticipated that there will be patients who will require less or more treatment than the average. It is also acknowledged that in atypical cases, treatment falling outside this recommendation list will sometimes be necessary. This document should not be seen as prescribing the type, frequency or duration of intervention. Treatment should be based on the individual patient’s need and physician’s professional judgment. This document is designed to function as a guide and should not be used as the sole reason for denial of treatment and services. This document is not intended to expand or restrict a health care provider’s scope of practice or to supersede applicable ethical standards or provisions of law, but to encourage discussion of these issues between physician and patient, encourage active patient participation in health care decision-making, and foster greater mutual understanding.

NASS is a multidisciplinary medical organization dedicated to fostering the highest quality, evidence-based and ethical spine care by promoting education, research and advocacy. NASS is comprised of more than 7,500 members from several disciplines including orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, physiatry, neurology, radiology, anesthesiology, research, physical therapy and other spine care professionals.

How this list was created: The North American Spine Society (NASS) appointed a multidisciplinary task force to identify five areas in which to make recommendations. Based on the scientific evidence, existing clinical practice recommendations and expert opinion, the task force collaboratively identified a draft list of nine recommendations that was subsequently submitted to the NASS Board of Directors for review and ranking. After further refinement, the final list was reviewed and approved by the NASS Board of Directors.

NASS’ disclosure and conflict of interest policy can be found at: www.spine.org/Pages/PracticePolicy/EthicsProfConduct/NASSDisclosurePolicy.aspx.

Sources

1.  Chou R, Qaseem A, Snow V, Casey D, Cross JT Jr, Shekelle P, Owens DK; Clinical Efficacy Assessment Subcommittee of the American College of Physicians; American College of Physicians; American Pain Society Low Back Pain Guidelines Panel. Diagnosis and treatment of low back pain: a joint clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society. Ann Intern Med. 2007 Oct 2;147(7):478-91.

Forseen S, Corey A. Clinical decision support and acute low back pain: evidence-based order sets. J Am Coll Radiol. 2012 Oct;9(10):704-12.

2.  NASS Evidence-Based Guideline: North American Spine Society (NASS). Diagnosis and treatment of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. Burr Ridge (IL): North American Spine Society (NASS); 2011. 104 p.

  3.  U.S. Food & Drug Administration. FDA public health notification: life-threatening complications associated with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein in cervical spine fusion [Internet]. Silver Spring (MD): U.S. Food and Drug Administration; 2008 Jul 1 [updated 2013 Mar 21; cited 2013 Jul 19]. Available from: http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/PublicHealthNotifications/ucm062000.htm.

Woo EJ. Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2: adverse events reported to the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience database. Spine J. 2012 Oct;12(10):894-9.

4.  Sandoval AE. Electrodiagnostics for low back pain. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2010 Nov; 21(4):767-76.

NASS Evidence-Based Guideline: North American Spine Society (NASS). Diagnosis and treatment of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. Burr Ridge (IL): North American Spine Society (NASS); 2011. 104 p.

5.  Dahm KT, Brurberg KG, Jamtvedt G, Hagen KB. Advice to rest in bed versus advice to stay active for acute low-back pain and sciatica. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Jun 16;(6):CD007612.

North American Spine Society. Acute low back pain [Internet]. Blue Ridge (IL): North American Spine Society; 2009. [cited 2012 November 7]. Available from: http://www.knowyourback.org/Pages/SpinalConditions/LowBackPain/Acute.aspx.

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Self-Massage Moves for Back and Neck Pain

Yahoo.com recently posted helpful self-massage moves for back and neck pain in their Health section:

By Michele Bender Photos by Itzy Ramirez 

You don’t need an appointment, a spa or even another person to reap the benefits of a massage. “When it’s not possible to get a professional treatment, you can relieve everyday aches and tension on your own,” explains Elizabeth Bryan Bragg, a licensed massage therapist at Shift PT in New York City.

“Massage assistance equipment such as Theracane, Backnobber and foam rollers are great tools to use for myofascial release and relaxation of tired, knotted muscles,” adds Scott Danberg, director of fitness at the Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa in Miami. However, often all you really need are your own hands and in some cases, a tennis ball, to help release the pain in your neck, shoulders and back. “Just note that you should never put direct pressure on your spine,” adds Bragg.

Related: 5 More Moves to Send Back Pain Packing

Try these five self-massage techniques to beat neck and back pain.

Soothe: Back of the neck pain

Twist two or three scarves into a thick braid-like shape, suggests holistic psychotherapist Patty Schein.Stretch the braided scarves and place them behind your neck, holding one end in each hand. Slowly rub the scarf band up and down your neck to release tension.

Soothe: Upper back pain

Stand against a wall and place a tennis ball between your left shoulder blade and your spine. Pressing your back into the ball, move up and down or back and forth on it, keeping it in the same general area. Be careful not to roll over and press your spine into the tennis ball. Repeat with the ball between your right shoulder blade and spine.

Soothe: Side of the neck pain

Grasp the back of your neck with one hand placing the heel of your hand into the space just behind your ear at the base of your skull and your fingers wrapped around the opposite side of your neck. Squeeze, applying pressure with the heel of your hand only (using fingers just for leverage). Work your way down your neck to where it meets your shoulder. Repeat several times. End with some gentle neck stretches, tilting and rotating your head from side to side.

Soothe: Shoulder pain

Hook the fingers of your left hand over your left shoulder. Your upper trapezius muscle will be beneath the palm of your hand. Give it several good squeezes. You can also roll or rake your fingers over the muscle, working from the outside in towards the base of your neck. Repeat on the right shoulder with the right hand.

Soothe: Low back pain

Lie on your back on the floor with your legs straight out and place a tennis ball just left of the corner where your pelvis and spine meet. Do not place the tennis ball directly on your spine. Roll horizontally on the tennis ball out toward your hip and back again a few times. Roll vertically on the tennis ball from your pelvis up to your rib cage and back down again a few times. Repeat, beginning with tennis ball at the corner where your pelvis and spine meet on the right side of your spine.

https://www.yahoo.com/health/5-self-massage-moves-for-back-and-neck-pain-91128505442.html

For more information about low back or neck pain or to find out about our decompression belts please visit us at www.DiscDiseaseSolutions.com or www.DDSbelt.com.

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Acetaminophen May Not Help Against Back Pain

SOURCE: WebMD News from HealthDay By HealthDay Reporter Mary Elizabeth Dallas

Even though its use is often advised by doctors, the painkiller acetaminophen -- best known as Tylenol -- does not help treat lower back pain, according to a new Australian study.

The researchers found the drug was no more effective than a dummy pill for more than 1,600 people suffering from acute lower back pain.

Besides showing no effect in easing discomfort, the study also found the drug was no help in improving sleep woes tied to back pain, nor did it improve patients' overall quality of life.

The research team said the findings call into question the belief that acetaminophen should be the first choice when treating this common form of back pain.

The drug "might not be of primary importance in the management of acute lower back pain," study lead author Dr. Christopher Williams from the George Institute for Global Health at the University of Sydney in Australia, said in a news release from the journal The Lancet.

The study was published online in the July 23 issue of the journal.

However, one expert said it's probably too early to abandon acetaminophen for lower back pain.

"While this is a fascinating study, it is only one study and shouldn't change clinical behavior," said Dr. Houman Danesh, director of Integrative Pain Management and assistant professor of anesthesiology at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

For its part, McNeil Consumer Healthcare, which makes Tylenol, said doctors need to consider "the entire body of scientific evidence when making recommendations or changing guidelines." The company said that "the safety and efficacy profile of acetaminophen is supported by more than 150 studies over the past 50 years."

The new study involved more than 1,650 people averaging 45 years of age. All had suffered lower back pain and were treated at 235 different primary care facilities throughout Sydney. Each person was randomly assigned to take either three doses of acetaminophen daily (a total of 3,990 milligrams) for up to four weeks, or a placebo pill.

The researchers pointed out the maximum daily dose of the drug is 4,000 milligrams (mg).

All of the patients received follow-up "reassurance and advice" from a doctor for three months.

According to the study, there were no differences in the amount of time it took any of the patients involved in the study to feel better. The median time to recovery for those taking acetaminophen was 17 days, compared to 16 days for patients in the placebo group.

The drug also appeared to have no effect on the patients' level of pain, compared to people who took the dummy pill, the researchers noted. Acetaminophen also did not improve patients' level of disability, sleep quality or quality of life. About the same number of patients in each group experienced negative health issues, the study found.

The researchers suggested that the medical reassurance the patients received during the study -- something many won't get in a "real world" setting -- could have had a more significant effect on their lower back pain than the medication.

"It would be interesting to see whether advice and reassurance [as provided in our trial] might be more effective than pharmacological strategies for acute episodes of low-back pain," Williams said.

Another expert agreed that encouragement and counseling can be key.

Everyone involved in the study received ongoing " 'good-quality advice and reassurance,' which appears to be a big factor in recovery," said Dr. Michael Mizhiritsky, a physiatrist and specialist in pain relief at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

"In my opinion, positive reinforcement about treatments -- including medications and physical therapy -- in the management of low back pain is vital to a quicker and successful recovery," he added.

Both Danesh and Mizhiritsky also took issue with some of the study's methods.

"The drawback I see is there was no group that did not receive any treatment -- meaning there could be a placebo effect" at work, Mizhiritsky said.

And Danesh said people could still get relief from acetaminophen/Tylenol -- just not the kind of relief outlined in the study.

"The criteria was to be pain-free for seven continuous days when using Tylenol," he pointed out. "It does not address if Tylenol will give you a few hours of relief or a few days."

In the meantime, the prognosis for most people with lower back pain is actually quite good, Danesh stressed.

"Most back pain patients improve in 6-8 weeks," he said. "It is important to note that the best treatment of back pain involves not only pain medication, but also physical therapy to address muscle imbalances. Acupuncture for back pain has also been researched by the U.S. National Institute of Health, and after reviewing the literature they state that there is evidence to support the use of acupuncture for back pain."

The study was partially funded by drug maker GlaxoSmithKline Australia.

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"Movement is Medicine"

Dr. John Henning Schumann on NPR.org outlined a scenario he recently experienced when a patient walked into his office with low back pain.  From his experience he was confident that her back pain wasn't serious. "A minor injury was the clear cause. And nearly all back pain like hers from a simple mechanical strain gets better on its own."

According to Dr. Schumann, "Back pain is common. I see someone with back pain almost every day. Nearly all of us have at least one episode in our lives, and two-thirds of us will have it repeatedly. If you've somehow lived into your 40s and never suffered low back pain, congratulations! You're what doctors like me call an outlier."

What was his professional recommendation?  Regular exercise.  The most common mistake with low back pain is to stop being active.

DDS Lumbar Decompression Belts are all fully flexible when applied and inflated with air.  They do NOT promote muscle atrophy and require the patient to use their core muscles while providing decompression to the affected area.  They allow patients to exercise and provide freedom from the pain to continue with their daily routine.

To find out more information please visit www.DiscDiseaseSolutions.com or www.DDSbelt.com.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/07/20/328273003/a-youtube-video-is-doctors-secret-weapon-against-back-pain

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Does Weather Cause Low Back Pain?

According to a new study from Australia, it's not the rain, nor the temperature, humidity, barometric pressure or wind direction that causes low back pain.

"Many patients believe that weather impacts their pain symptoms," says Dr. Daniel Steffens with the George Institute for Global Health at the University of Sydney, Australia. "However, there are few robust studies investigating weather and pain, specifically research that does not rely on patient recall of the weather."

Past studies have pointed to a link between cold or humid weather and increasing symptoms for patients with chronic pain conditions.

The Australian case-crossover study in question, however, examined 993 patients in Sydney, from October 2011 to November 2012, and sourced data from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology throughout the year-long study.

Researchers logged weather conditions at the time when patients initially felt their back pain and compared them during 2 control time windows (same time duration, 1 week and 1 month before the case window).

Although high winds and gusts showed a negligible increase in lower back pain, overall results suggest no association exists between the latter and temperature, humidity, air pressure, wind direction or even precipitation.

"Our findings refute previously held beliefs that certain common weather conditions increase risk of lower back pain," says Dr. Steffens. "Further investigation of the influence of weather parameters on symptoms associated with specific diseases such as fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis are needed."

Sunny days might help to elevate your spirits but it will never do what our Spinal Air Decompression Belts can.  If you suffer from low back pain please visit our website at www.DiscDiseaseSolutions.com or www.DDSbelt.com.

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Managing Low Back Pain With Yoga

Those who have experienced low back pain are all too familiar with the feeling of desperation in the search for a cure.  At a time when seemingly nothing can help your condition everything is a option.

Claire Diab, the director of the Yoga Program for the Chopra Center, along with retired firefighter, Dennis Boyle have outlined a simple yoga practice that includes breathing exercises, gentle stretching, and strengthening that can move you toward a healthier body and spine.

The simple practice of Tadasana (mountain pose) throughout the day is something quite useful for all.

Begin standing with your feet hips width apart, toes facing forward.

Notice your feet on the ground, spread your toes, lift your arch, and balance your weight on all four corners of your feet

Draw energy up through your feet, into your legs, and notice your knees.  Stand with your knees straight but not locked.  Soften the muscles to unlock the knees while keeping the knee joints straight and stacked.

Next, bring your attention to your low back.  Draw your belly up and in toward your spine, and imagine that you are making your spine longer.  Be sure you didn’t lock your knees in the meantime.

Maintain the stability of your lower spine, and lift up through your chest and open your shoulders without loading or collapsing backward in the low back.

Tuck your chin to lengthen the back of your neck, aligning your head on top of your beautifully balanced spine.

Relax your arms at your sides, palms facing forward.

Breathe deeply in and out as you attempt to hold the pose for 20-30 seconds.  Repeat several times per day, particularly if you have a sedentary job.  Posture interruption/changing positions is extremely important for sedentary workers.  If you want to challenge yourself and it is pain free, you can stretch the arms up overhead as you maintain the posture, inhaling as you reach up and exhaling as your release the hands to your side. 

Photo "The Key Muscles of Yoga" by Ray Long, MD

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3 Stretches to Relieve Tension in Neck and Shoulders

Fitness guru Nora Tobin and Huffington Post recently highlighted 3 simple stretches to relieve tension in the neck and shoulders.

Perform each stretch for 30 seconds to one minute. Repeat the series three times.

Lunge With Chest Expansion

1. Step right foot forward and left foot back. Deeply bend front knee so it comes directly above the ankle. Clasp your hands behind your back and lift your chest. 2. Slowly fall forward over your right thigh, keeping your hands clasped behind your back. Maintain a neutral spine by keeping your gaze down toward the floor. Draw shoulder blades together and keep core engaged the entire time. 3. Hold position for 30 seconds to one minute on each side.

Straddle with Shoulder Opener

1. Stand with feet wider than hip-width. Deeply bend both knees and shift your hips back. Place hands on your thighs with fingers pointed inward. 2. Drop right shoulder to the midline of your body pressing into your thigh for leverage. Come back to center and drop left shoulder to the midline of your body. Maintain a strong core and keep glutes engaged the entire time for additional support. 3. Continue to alternate for 30 seconds to one minute.

Triangle

1. Stand with feet wider than hip-width. Turn right toes out and left toes inward. Extend arms up to shoulder height. 2. Begin to shift torso forward over right leg until torso is parallel with the ground. Place hand above or below your knee. Extend left arm up toward the sky. 3. Hold for 30 seconds to one minute each side. * You can always gaze at the floor to release all tension in the neck.

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Back Brace + Regular Exercise = Low Back Pain Improvement

Frequent exercising and bracing seems effective for long-term prevention of recurrent low back pain (LBP), according to a 10-year long study published in the June 1 issue of Spine.

Assen Romanov Aleksiev, MD, PhD, from the University Hospital Aleksandrovska in Sofia, Bulgaria, randomized 600 patients with recurrent LBP to strengthening exercises (150 patients; age, 42.5); flexibility exercises (150 patients; age, 41.3); strengthening exercises and abdominal bracing in daily activities/exercises (150 patients; age, 41.0); and flexibility exercises and abdominal bracing in daily activities/exercises (150 patients; age, 40.6).

Aleksiev found that all four groups showed improvement from the beginning to the second year, but worsening from the second to the 10th year. Results were similar between the strengthening and flexibility groups, but bracing groups showed better results versus nonbracing groups. Pain intensity, frequency, and duration correlated with each other and with frequency of the exercises, but not with exercise duration or intensity.

Here's her conclusion from the study:

"The exercise frequency is more important than the type, duration, or intensity of the exercise.  Abdominal bracing adds to the exercise effect.  It could be considered as a "preliminary muscle back belt on demand" increasing the trunk stiffness and the frequency of the trunk muscle contractions/co-contractions without interruption of daily activities, which may remind/convince the patients to exercise more frequently.  Frequent exercising and bracing seems effective for long-term prevention."

The DDS Spinal Air Lumbar Brace is the perfect solution for those who need a brace to assist them with exercise and general mobility.

To find out more about our Decompression Belt please visit us at www.DDSBelt.com or www.DiscDiseaseSolutions.com.

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Identify and Relieve Your Neck Pain

Dr. Daniel J. Leizman, a specialist in Cleveland Clinic’s Department of Pain Management, suggests some common ways to relieve neck pain:

Rub it out. Massage the trigger point and try to loosen up those taught muscle fibers.

Soothe the hurt. Anti-inflammatories can help wipe out muscle pain. So can a heating pad or ice pack. Yes, either temperature variation may work.

Find the root. Try to identify what’s “stressing out” your muscle. Then correct it so the knot in your muscle can “unwind.” Maybe it’s poor posture or an awkward workspace or falling asleep in the lounge chair. “Repetitive strain can make muscle fibers seize up,” says Dr. Leizman. “Even mental stress can cause muscle tension and trigger points.”

Get moving. Aerobic exercise is very effective at combating trigger points, says Dr. Leizman. Try jumping jacks, swimming or other arm movements that engage the muscles in your shoulders and neck. “Not only are you stretching the muscles, you’re increasing their blood supply, pumping in good nutrients and filtering out toxins,” says Dr. Leizman.

For information about how you can benefit from Disc Disease Solutions' Cervical Traction Collar please visit us at www.DiscDiseaseSolutions.com or www.DDSBelt.com.