Case Studies - Spinal Stenosis
Case Study: Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Treatment of: Low back pain to left hip with Non Surgical Spinal Decompression
Condition: Lumbar Bulging Disc
Patient: J.S. is a 41-year-old female with complaints of constant lower back pain to the left glute for over 2 years. The pain has been increasingly worsening for the past 2 years. The pain feels as though a knife is being stabbed into the glute.
Objective Finding: MRI of the lumbar spine revealed multilevel moderate degenerative disc changes L1-L5. L4-L5 has a circumferential disc bulge with moderate left and mild to moderate right foraminal stenosis contacting the L4 nerve root.
Prior Treatment: Physical Therapy, Chiropractic care, massage, pain management, heat, tens unit. All prior treatment only provided temporary relief. (1-2 days of relief) Surgery was recommended as the next course of action.
Initial Disability level: 52% disability as per revised Oswestry Scale.
Initial Pain level: Constant 7 out of 10 low back pain, with 10 considered the worst. Daily glute pain described as sharp and rated 7/10. All social activities and prolonged sitting caused the sharp pain to magnify.
Course of Care: 20 sessions of Non Surgical Spinal Decompression
Outcome: The patient has achieved 70% relief of pain by the 12th Non Surgical Spinal Decompression treatment. Disability at discharge was 0% on the revised oswestry scale. Able to walk and perform daily activities with no pain. Able to finally dance again!
Patient Comments: “It really locates/ pinpoints the pain and it is AMAZING! With 3 visits my pain level went from 7 to a 3! I’ve had chronic low back pain for over 7 years and have never had so much relief. Thanks to all the staff. Would recommend!”
Case Study: Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Treatment of: Low back pain to left hip with Non Surgical Spinal Decompression
Condition: Lumbar Disc Protrusion
Patient: B.V. is a 51-year-old female with complaints of constant lower back pain that radiates down her right leg to the toes. This pain has been off and on for the past 5 years, increasing in intensity and duration.
Objective Findings: MRI of the lumbar spine revealed a moderate disc bulge and protrusion at L5/S1, which is causing moderate central spinal canal stenosis. Unable to be active, ride dirt bikes, and off road ride without severe pain.
Prior Treatment: Ibuprofen, Gabapentin, muscle relaxers, acupuncture. Cortisone injections were recommended.
Initial Disability Level: 42% disability as per revised Oswestry Scale.
Initial Pain Level: Constant 9 out of 10 low back pain, with 10 considered the worst pain. Sciatica that feels like electricity to the right foot experienced daily, rated at a 9/10. Being active, ride dirt bikes, off road riding caused severe electrical pain.
Course of Care: 20 sessions of Non Surgical Spinal Decompression
Outcome: The patient achieved 100% relief of all pain by the 9th Non Surgical Spinal Decompression treatment. Disability at discharge was 0% on the reviewed Oswestry Scale.
Patient Comments: “When I started I was using a walker, very much in pain. In two weeks I am walking without the walker and a 1 on the pain scale. I get better and better every day.”
Cervical Spinal Stenosis
Treatment of: Neck pain to Left Hand with Non Surgical Spinal Decompression
Condition: Cervical Canal Stenosis
Patient: S.C. is a 32-year-old female with complaints of constant neck pain associated with left arm and hand pain. She has been experiencing this pain for the last 8 years but has noticed it worsening over the past 6 months.
Objective Finding: MRI of the cervical spine revealed a moderate 4mm disc protrusion causing severe canal stenosis at the C4 and C5 level.
Prior Treatment: Physical therapy, Epidural injections (with temporary relief), Orthopedic recommendation of surgery.
Initial Disability Level: Pain, Enjoyment of life, and General activity Scale (PEG) score of 6.33.
Initial Pain Level: Constant 6 out of 10 neck pain, with ten considered the worst. Daily numbness to the left hand rated at 6/10. After a full day of tending to her newborn child, the pain reaches 9/10.
Course of Care: 20 sessions Non Surgical Spinal Decompression
Outcome: By the end of 20 Non Surgical Spinal Decompression treatment, the patient only experiences 2/10 pain after taking care of her child all day. PEG score after treatment was significantly decreased to 1.24.
Patient Quote if you have it: 5 Star Review
Case Review: Low Back Pain
Treatment of: Canal Stenosis and L5 Nerve Root Impingement with Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
Condition: Constant moderate to severe low back pain, the result of a one year old unresolved work related lifting injury. At the onset of axial decompression treatment, the patient was on a steady diet of Motrin, Vicodin and Celebrex.
Patient: 48 year old, 260 pound male.
Objective findings: Discogenic disease L4-5 and L5-S1. Moderate canal Stenosis L4-5 and L5-S1. Impingement of the L5 nerve roots bilaterally.
Initial Disability Level: Patient was unable to work and was considered TTD.
Initial Pain Level: The patient described the pain as often sharp and 5-7 out of 10, with ten considered the worst possible pain.
Course of Care: 20 sessions of axial decompression over 6 weeks.
Short Term Outcome: Patient achieved 100 percent reduction of pain or a pain level of ‘0’ on the 15th treatment. Patient has stopped all medication.
Discharge Disability Level: Patient returned to work.
Case Study: Radiating Low Back Pain
Treatment of: Central Spinal Stenosis with Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
Condition: Constant Low Back Pain, radiating to both legs, mostly on the right. Low Back Tenderness and Morning Stiffness. Intermittent Right Leg Weakness.
Patient: S.H is a 47 year old female with history of an injury 3/03 resulting in the above persistent complaints.
Objective findings: Limited Lumbar Range of Motion. Right leg strength: 2/5; Left leg strength: 4/5. MRI of Lumbar Spine: Congenitally short pedicles which worsen any amount of degenerative changes; central canal stenosis, multifactorial, L4-5; neural foraminal canal stenosis, multifactorial, bilaterally at L3-4, L4-5 and L5-S1.
Prior Treatment: treatment and massage. Patient’s pain partly relieved with Darvocet, Soma and Celebrex.
Initial Disability Level: Patient had difficulty or was unable to: bend, twist, lift greater than 10 pounds, sit for more than seven minutes or stand for more than seven minutes.
Initial Pain Level: 8 out of 10, with ten considered the worst.
Course of Care: 20 sessions of axial decompression over 6 weeks.
Short Term Outcome: Patient achieved 100% relief or a pain level of ‘0’ by the 13th Axial Decompression treatment.
Discharge Disability Level: Low Back Range of Motion within normal limits.
Patient Comments: Low back is “great”.
Case Study: Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Treatment of: Leg Pain, Numbness and Tingling with Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
Condition: Severe degenerative disc disease with mild central canal stenosis
Patient: H.M. is a 61 year old male with complaint of bilateral leg tingling, numbness and pain. He denies back pain.
Objective findings: MRI of lumbar spine reportedly reveals severe degenerative disc disease at L4-5 with central canal stenosis and bilateral impingement of the exiting L4 nerve roots; mild central canal stenosis at L5-S1 with impingement on the exiting L5 nerve roots and minimal to mild degenerative disc disease at L3-4. Osteoarthritic changes also noted.
Prior Treatment: Celebrex, home exercises (stretches, bending)
Initial Disability Level: Pain limits walking and standing.
Course of Care: 20 sessions of axial decompression over 6 weeks.
Short Term Outcome: Patient achieved 100% relief of Numbness.
Patient Comments: ” I admit I was skeptical, but I can say it really has helped.”