Marc positioning for posterior torsion correction This is the last of our three-part series on the flexion-intolerant lower back. In this article, we explore in depth, hands-on therapy with mobilization and soft tissue that can help the disc patient. We emphasize the area above and below the disc that can be fixated, including [...]
Waiter's bow exercise Marc’s article is the second of a series on flexion-intolerant lower back pain. We emphasize the basic things the patient has to learn or re-learn in their own movement patterns, in order to heal a disc or flexion-intolerant lower back. I had a patient, who had moved away, and then [...]
Marc Heller, DC Yesterday, one of my patients, who has similar challenges to the ones I face with my back, asked me to write a blog about my own back pain issues. I thought, really. I obsessed about my friend who recently died 5 years after a failed back surgery. One of [...]
Waiter's bow exercise I have written several articles on this topic, but I keep learning more about this kind of back pain. This series, with help from Phillip Snell, DC, (www.fixyourownback.com) represent our current thinking on discogenic and/or flexion intolerant pain. We emphasize that you cannot recover from this without learning and using [...]
This detailed article began as a presentation to our monthly study group by Dr. Craig Thorsen, DC of Grants Pass OR. Exercise rehabilitation is often more effective, if combined with manipulation and soft tissue therapies. We've focused on the lower back with our examples. Marc
Here is the first of a 2 part article on sciatica and gluteal pain. Part 2 will be listed at the bottom of this blog. I want to thank many of my patients, who have helped me puzzle through all of the challenges associated with an ongoing “pain in the butt.” So many sufferers [...]
This abbreviated extract article from National Center for Biotechnology Information of a clinical study done in China is simple and fascinating. The goal of the study was to determine the natural path of proven discogenic pain, which in these patients was determined by discograms. This process is no longer routinely done in the US [...]
Another hidden source of lower back pain is irritation of the superior cluneal nerve, coming from dysfunction at the thoraco-lumbar junction. I have been working with the Maigne syndrome concept for at least 3 months, as of December 2011. It has made me see the integration of the thoraco-lumbar and the lower back and pelvis more clearly. If this concept is new to you, read my article first. Since writing the article, I have been observing my patients. Here are some thoughts. First, it is so wonderful to have a clear indicator. In this case, the clear indicator- Maigne’s gluteal point- is the hot spot, the knot, about 7-8 cm lateral to the midline, just below the iliac crest. If you don’t get rid of this knot, you have not succeeded.
A sixty-something-year-old male comes in with thoracic stiffness and lower back pain. The lower back pain would occur on various motions. He had previously been quite active, living on 3 acres and taking care of his property. He had been involved in a vehicle accident, rear ended, several months previous. His previous chiropractic care and massage had seemed to make him worse rather than better, he would spasm the day after the treatments. The key findings on exam included stiff hips, he couldn’t internally rotate beyond 10 degrees on both sides. He was very rigid throughout the thoracic spine. It was hard to elicit tenderness in the thoracic spine, as his muscles were so tight. His lumbar motion was fairly normal, with some pain at the extremes of motion.