The art of spinal manipulation has been around for thousands of years, dating back to medicine men called “bone setters” at the time Socrates lived. Spinal manipulation, also known as spinal adjusting, is one of the most popular forms of treatment for many forms of back and neck pain.

Many clinicians such as physical therapists, chiropractors and physicians use spinal manipulation as a first line treatment option for spine pain. But despite its commonplace in modern medicine, there is still a shroud of mystery surrounding the logic and physical effects of a spinal adjustment. Continue Reading »

Doctor Bastuba explains if men with spinal cord injuries can still have children.

A male spinal cord injured patient, a wonderful human being, in his early 30s with a wife who is 27, this male suffered an injury, like many young males do, a traumatic injury that left him paralyzed from the sort of the mid-waist down. Continue Reading »

Autonomic Dysreflexia (or hyperreflexia) is a dangerous condition that can occur with bed sore patients or patients with spinal cord injuries above the middle of the chest (usually above T-5). Autonomic dysreflexia occurs when an irritation or pain (frequently caused by bed sores) below the level of the spinal cord injury sends a signal that fails to reach the brain. Continue Reading »

Experts all agree that it is far easier to prevent bed sore than to treat them. However, easier does not necessarily mean easy. With the appropriate measures, patients and medical staff can significantly reduce the risk of developing pressure ulcers.

The Mayo Clinic, USA, recommends that patients and medical staff develop a plan that all can follow; this must include position changes, supportive devices, routine skin inspections and good diet. Continue Reading »

Treating pressure ulcers is not easy. If it is an open wound it most likely will not heal rapidly; even when healing does take place it may be patchy because the skin and other tissues have already been damaged. A multidisciplinary approach is required to deal with the many aspects of wound care. According to the National Health Service (NHS), UK, the MDT (multidisciplinary team) may consist of: Continue Reading »

A symptom is something the patient feels and reports, while a sign is something other people, such as the doctor detect. For example, pain may be a symptom while a rash may be a sign.

Parts of the body that are not covered by a high level of body fat and flesh (muscle) and are in direct contact with a supporting surface, such as a bed or wheelchair have the highest risk of developing pressure ulcers. Bedbound patients are most at risk of developing bed sores on their: Continue Reading »

Bed sores, also known as pressure ulcers, pressure sores or decubitus ulcers are skin lesions which can be caused by friction, humidity, temperature, continence, medication, shearing forces, age and unrelieved pressure. Any part of the body may be affected; bony or cartilaginous areas, such as the elbows, knees, ankles and sacrum are most commonly affected. The sacrum is a triangular bone at the base of the spine and the upper and back part of the pelvic cavity (like a wedge between the two hip bones). Continue Reading »

Garrett Riggs, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Neurology at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla., talks about whether retraining neurons can benefit patients with spinal cord injuries.

Garrett Riggs, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Neurology at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla., talks about whether retraining neurons can benefit patients with spinal cord injuries. Continue Reading »

Cervical myelopathy is a disorder most commonly seen in the elderly population due to spondylosis with resultant cord compression.1 There are many causes of myelopathy that include trauma, tumors, infection, vascular disease, degenerative conditions and demyelinating disorders.9 Myelopathy can be seen in younger patients when central disc herniations compress the spinal cord.1 Most typically, however, there are osteophytic changes and ligament thickening makes the canal stenotic. Patients will most typically present with weakness and clumsiness of the hands, paresthesias in the hand and gait disturbances. Continue Reading »

Physiotherapy, also known as physical therapy, is a health related field that strives to enable individuals who were physically injured or whose bodies have degenerated due to aging or disease to function as much as they can without assistance. This often involves an interaction with the medical practitioner and patient that incorporates physical therapy equipment or training exercises for muscles that may have been harmed for a number of medical reasons. Continue Reading »