Spinal Fusion Surgery Leads to Worse Long Term Outcomes. Naperville IL

Spinal fusion surgery in patients with chronic low back pain leads to worse long-term outcomes – including a lower rate of return to work – compared to non-surgical treatment.

Dr Richard Hagmeyer D.C

630-718-0554

A study* published in the February 15, 2011 issue of Spine, shows that spinal fusion surgery in patients with chronic low back pain leads to worse long-term outcomes – including a lower rate of return to work – compared to non-surgical treatment.

In this study the researchers compared 725 lumbar fusion cases to 725 randomly selected controls selected from a pool of workers’ compensation patients with chronic low back pain who underwent non-surgical conservative treatment such as physical therapy, exercises, etc. Final treatment outcomes included return to work, disability, and use of strong pain medications at two years follow-up.

In nearly all outcome categories it was worse for patients who had spinal fusion surgery. Only 26% of the spinal fusion patients returned to work after 2 years compared to 76%of those under conservative treatment. Also, 27% of patients in the surgical group had repeat surgery while 36% experienced some type of complication.

Eleven percent of the surgical patients had permanent disability, compared to 2% of the non-surgical patients. Most spinal fusion patients continued using opioid drugs after surgery with many taking higher doses. There were also more deaths in the spinal fusion group. The average days off work was greater for the surgical group compared to the non-surgical group (1,140 days off vs. 316 days off).
At a time of continued controversy over the role of spinal fusion surgery and the fact that this procedure has increased exponentially over the last decade despite lack of evidence that it improves patient outcomes, the results of this study raises questions about the long-term effectiveness of spinal fusion surgery.
Lead researcher Trang H. Nguyen, MD who practices occupational medicine in Cincinnati, Ohio, and his co-researchers write, “This [spinal fusion surgery] is offered to improve pain and function, yet objective outcomes showed increased permanent disability, poor return to work status, and higher doses of opioids.” They also note the lack of evidence supporting the use of spinal fusion for degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, of radiculopathy – the diagnoses present in most of the workers in the study. Their conclusion is that spinal fusion should be “cautiously considered” in workers’ compensation patients and then only for patients with diagnoses for which spinal fusion has proven specifically effective.

*Nuyen T, Randolph DC, Talmage J, et al. Long-term Outcomes of Lumbar Fusion Among Workers’ Compensation Sunjects: A Historical Cohort Study. Spine Feb 15, 2011; 36(4):320-331

The take away from this article to me again reinforces why its important to maintian the Health of Your spine through Regular Chiropractic checkups.

This doesnt mean getting adjusted when your back hurts or when your back "goes out" it means regular weekly or  biweekly checkups. 

Discs, Nerves, Joints, Rot and Decay if not properly maintained in good alignment.

Good alignment allows proper motion. Proper motion means good lubrication and nutrient uptake.

Its so easy to take care of your spine.

The choice is allway up to you!

Naperville's Dr. Hagmeyer Explains Why Chiropractic is Superior in Treatment for Neck Pain

What You Can Do for that Pain in the Neck

If you live in Naperville, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Aurora and you suffer with neck pain, Dr Hagmeyer offers advanced spinal care that will help you get rid of that pain in the neck and headaches. Neck pain is a fairly common condition. Most people will experience it at some point in their lives with women reporting slightly higher instances of chronic pain. Pain medication often is the first line of defense against neck pain but it doesn’t solve the problem and many drugs carry the risk of harmful side effects. Chiropractic treatment for neck pain, including spinal manipulation, spinal adjustments, and physical therapy, is a non-invasive and drug-free therapy that gets to the cause.

The first thing a chiropractor will want to know during your visit is the intensity and duration of your pain. Sometimes, the pain is merely a mild nuisance but severe neck pain can cause serious impairment of your daily activities. While mild to moderate pain is typically the temporary result of poor posture or carelessness when performing daily activities, severe neck pain can be a sign of a congenital defect such as scoliosis, an injury from a recent accident, or progressive age-related deterioration.

Although a chiropractor physician will use many of the same criteria as a orthopedist when diagnosing neck pain, a chiropractic medical history tends to place greater weight on the fact that the neck is merely one part of the integrated biomechanical system that is the human spine. Systems such as accompanying shoulder or arm pain are considered in context of the underlying issue of chiropractic neck pain.

Spinal manipulation and spinal adjustments are an important part of the treatment program for chiropractic neck pain. This drug-free therapy simply involves the chiropractor using his or her hands to treat subluxations. A subluxation occurs when one or more vertebrae move out of position, thus creating pressure and irritation near the spinal nerves. Spinal manipulation and spinal adjustments can fix the subluxation, relieve pain in the soft tissues, increase circulation, and stimulate the body’s nervous system.

Contrary to popular belief, spinal manipulation and spinal adjustments are not painful. When you seek chiropractic treatment for neck pain, the treatment is precise and gentle. Dr Hagmeyer is an expert in the spine and how to manually return motion to restricted spinal joints. They do not merely “pop” or “crack” bones until something “snaps” back into place.

Contact our office today and find out more about Dr. Hagmeyer's unique approach to Neck Pain and everything our office has to offer. (630) 718-0554

August Office Promotion

This August we are having a promotion for our patients: Refer a family member or friend to our office and when they become an established patient, you in turn will receive a Chiroflow Pillow completly free of charge. This is a $100 value, so we know these pillows will go by fast.

The Chiroflow Pillows are used by Dr. Hagmeyer, his family and his staff. They help with neck pain relief, it improves sleep and is extreamly comfortable.

Call our office to set up an appointment and when you refer a friend or family member and they become a patient this month, you too will be sleeping with one of these incredible pillows.

Naperville's Dr. Hagmeyer Gives You Four Resolutions For A Healthier Back

Eat more vegetables. Stress less. Take the kids out to the park more often. You may already have a long list of resolutions for the new year. This year, honor your spine, too. With the help of your doctor of chiropractic, these simple steps can promote a healthier back for the new year.

Consider replacing your pillow or mattress.

Do you wake up with aches and pains? It could be time to purchase a new mattress or pillow. The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) recommends finding a mattress that evenly supports your whole body. There should be no gaps between you and the mattress when you lie down. When choosing a pillow, select one that supports your head and neck in alignment with the rest of the spine, whether you sleep on your side or back. Keep in mind that what works for your partner may not work for you— there isn’t one mattress or pillow that fits everyone. Simple adjustments, such as adding foam padding, can help tremendously.

Re-evaluate your posture at work.

Americans spend an average of 44 hours at work every week— often behind a desk. To avoid poor posture that can lead to tension, back pain, and joint problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome, check that your chair is the right size and adjusted correctly, says the ACA. Do your feet rest comfortably on the ground? Does the chair offer lumbar support? Are you able to tilt or swivel easily while performing tasks at your desk? Also, be sure you have adequate light (so that you aren’t straining to see documents or a computer screen), adjust your computer monitor so that it is at eye level, and wear a headset for longer telephone conversations. And don’t forget to take frequent breaks and stretch throughout the day.

Learn how to lift correctly.
Many back injuries are caused by improper lifting of items such as luggage, backpacks or briefcases, storage boxes, or even groceries. But knowing how to lift properly can prevent serious injury. First and foremost, don’t bend from the waist. Keep your back straight, and squat to reach the item. Then, keep it close to your body as you lift, and avoid twisting motions. When traveling, check all bags that weigh more than 10 percent of your body weight.

Eat right and exercise well.

Eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise helps your body stay toned and tension-free— and promotes a healthy weight and a happier spine. Smart exercise and a good diet can also prevent osteoporosis, which affects over 20 million American women. To start, the ACA recommends eating out at restaurants less (to reduce the amount of unhealthful fats and sugars you consume) and adding more fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to your diet. Aim for a minimum of 20 to 30 minutes of exercise, three or four days a week.

Dr. Richard Hagmeyer of Naperville, IL Rids Stiff Necks and Headaches

Disorders of the spine cause more childhood disorders than most people acknowledge. For instance, children’s headaches would seem to be the least likely ailment to be corrected by chiropractic, however, a study has proven that out of 27 children suffering from headaches, chiropractic benefitted 24 of the children involved. Stiff necks would seem to be the least common childhood problem, but children do suffer from stiff necks.
Although headaches are one of the warning signs of a misalignment, many parents don’t realize that children can be suffering from a misalignment that could be adjusted by chiropractic. Many of the bumps and bruises received during the growing years can manifest into a problem if children are not examined for misalignments. One such problem that could arise is headaches.
Headaches are caused by a variety of conditions and these conditions have been triumphantly treated by chiropractic adjustments for over 85 years. Chiropractic is a uniquely successful method of correcting the causes of headaches without subjecting children to extensive testing and various medications. Two studies conducted in Texas in the 1970’s found that chiropractic adjustments can help with all types of childhood ailments.
Another such problem that could arise from a misalignment is a stiff neck. The neck is extremely flexible which makes it easily susceptible to injury. A neck injury can interfere with the function of the spinal cord and can result in a serious disturbance of the body’s network system.

Dr. Richard Hagmeyer of Naperville, IL Brings You Back Pain Statistics

2006 figures released by the National Center for Health Statistics state that over one in four Americans, or about 76.5 million of them, reported having some sort of pain which lasted for over 24 hours (this figure excludes acute pain). Among these chronic pain sufferers, by far the largest proportion are hit by back pain, with face pain, neck pain, severe headaches and migraines completing the top of the charts.

Although estimates differ, as many as 31 million Americans could be having lower back pain at any point in time. Annually, at least 50 billion American health care dollars are attributed to the condition - and that only takes into account the more obvious costs. Further, back pain is said to be the number one reason of disability for Americans aged below 45.

Naperville's Dr. Hagmeyer Discusses the Causes of Headaches

Checking the symptoms and causes of headaches

It’s generally a migraine when the head feels like it’s going to burst. There’s a deep, throbbing pain, localized either on one the side of the head or the other. The patient usually can’t stand light or noise. Nausea and impaired vision are common. Attacks come frequently and can last as long as a few hours to a few days. They are often set-off by menstruation, too much alcohol, caffeine, or smoking.
The pain of a tension headache is distinctly different. It’s a dull, steady pain that grips the entire head. There is usually stiffness in the neck and tension between the shoulder blades. Attacks are often triggered by stress or fatigue. They occur frequently and can last hours.
What causes headaches?
When a misalignment causes migraines, the out of position vertebra puts pressure on one or more spinal nerves. As a result, the blood flow to the head is reduced. To compensate, blood vessels in the head expand and irritate surrounding nerves.
Result: the throbbing pain of a migraine.
The situation with a tension headache is different. Here the pressure of the spinal nerves is not severe enough to affect blood flow. However, contraction of neck muscles and tearing of muscle fibers irritate the underlying nerves within the neck. The irritated nerves signal for muscles to tighten resulting in a cycle of spasm and pain throughout the head.
Result: the dull pain of a tension headache.
Don’t let headache pain ruin your life. Dr. Hagemeyer has treated hundreds of people just like you and may be able to help.

Naperville's Dr. Hagmeyer Corrects Pain in Back, Neck, Arms, Legs and Joints

Chiropractic Health — Pain in Neck, back, Arms, Legs and/or Joints

Pain in the spine (neck, upper back, mid back, low back), limbs (arms, legs), and joints (shoulders, knees, hips, ankles) is frequently linked to spinal trauma in medical literature. Often, trauma is directed at the neck during auto accidents, head injuries, sports accidents, and falls. When the upper cervical spine is misaligned due to trauma, the head moves off center, and can sit tilted upon the injured neck. This creates imbalance from head to toe as more weight shifts to one side of the body compared to the other, and can lead to joint pain.

Rotation of the upper neck can cause twisting of the entire spinal structure, including the pelvis, so that one leg becomes shorter than the other, and can lead to pain in the low back, pelvis, and knees. Because the brain stem contains the control center for the postural muscles of the spine, an injury at the upper neck can interfere with the brain’s normal control over the postural muscles, leading to muscular weakness, imbalance, atrophy and spasm throughout the neck and back. Spasm of the spinal muscles can lead to compression of the spinal vertebrae, to compression of the cervical, thoracic, and/or lumbar intervertebral discs, and to pain throughout the limbs and joints.

While many pain sufferers recall specific traumas such as head injuries, auto accidents or falls, which could have injured their spines, some do not. An upper cervical examination utilizing Digital Infrared Imaging is necessary in each individual’s case to assess whether an upper cervical injury is present and whether benefit from upper cervical care can be achieved.

Naperville Chiropractic Expert Dr. Richard Hagmeyer Discusses Lower Back Pain

Eighty percent of people suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. Back pain is the second most common reason for visits to the doctor's office, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. In fact, it is estimated that low back pain affects more than half of the adult population each year and more than 10% of all people experience frequent bouts of low back pain.

The susceptibility of the low back to injury and pain is due to the fact that the low back, like the neck, is a very unstable part of the spine. Unlike the thoracic spine, which is supported and stabilized by the rib cage. This instability allows us to have a great deal of mobility to touch our toes, tie our shoes or pick something up from the ground, but at the cost of increased risk of injury.

As long as it is healthy and functioning correctly, the low back can withstand tremendous forces without injury. Professional powerlifters can pick up several hundred pounds off the floor without injuring their low back. However, if the low back is out of adjustment or has weakened supporting muscles, something as simple as taking a bag of groceries out of the trunk of their car, picking something up off the floor, or even simply bending down to pet the cat can cause a low back injury.

Until recently, researchers believed that back pain would heal on its own. We have learned, however, that this is not true. Recent studies showed that when back pain is not treated, it may go away temporarily, but will most likely return. It is important to take low back pain seriously and seek professional chiropractic care. This is especially true with pain that recurs over and over again. Contact our office...we can help!

The Causes of Low Back Pain

There are many different conditions that can result in low back pain, including: sprained ligaments, strained muscles, ruptured disks, trigger points and inflamed joints. While sports injuries or accidents can lead to injury and pain, sometimes even the simplest movements, like picking up a pencil from the floor, can have painful results. In addition, conditions such as arthritis, poor posture, obesity, psychological stress and even kidney stones, kidney infections, blood clots, or bone loss can lead to pain.
Due to the fact that there are a whole lot of things that can cause low back pain, and some of those things can be quite serious if left untreated, it is important to seek professional help. Chiropractors are the experts at diagnosing the cause and determining the proper treatment for low back pain. Here are some of the most common causes I see:

Subluxations

Whenever there is a disruption in the normal movement or position of the vertebrae, the result is pain and inflammation. In the lumbar spine, these usually occur at the transition between the lower spine and the sacrum. Subluxations can lead to debilitating low back pain. Fortunately, subluxations are easily treatable and often times a significant reduction in pain is experienced almost immediately after treatment.

Disc Herniations

Contrary to popular belief, a herniated disc does not automatically mean that you are going to suffer from low back pain. In fact, one study found that almost half of all adults had at least one bulging or herniated disc, even though they did not suffer any back pain from it. On the other hand, herniated discs can be a source of intense and debilitating pain that frequently radiates to other areas of the body. Unfortunately, once a disc herniates, they rarely, if ever, completely heal. Further deterioration can often be avoided through regular chiropractic care, but a complete recovery is much less common.

Sprains, Strains and Spasms

This is commonly the source of low back pain among the weekend warriors. You know, the type who have very little physical activity during the week, but once the weekend arrives, they push themselves way too much. By the end of the weekend, they are lying flat on their back counting down the hours before they can get in to see their chiropractor. Overworking the muscles or ligaments of the low back can lead to small tears in the tissues, which then become painful, swollen and tight.

Treating Low Back Pain With Chiropractic

Chiropractic for the low back has been repeatedly shown to be the most effective treatment for low back pain. In fact, major studies have shown that chiropractic care is more effective, less expensive and has better long-term outcomes than any other treatment. This makes sense because chiropractic care is the only method of treatment that serves to re-establish normal vertebral motion and position in the spine. All other treatments, such as muscle relaxants, pain killers and bed rest, only serve to decrease the symptoms of the problem and do not correct the problem itself.



Dr. Richard Hagmeyer D.C.

Naperville Institute For Neuro Metabolic Solutions

1020 104th St. Suite 100

Naperville, IL 60564

(630) 718-0555

Naperville's Dr. Hagmeyer Explains The Most Common Cause of Neck Pain

A disc is made up of connective tissue, which wears normally as we age. However, many of the problems that cause neck pain are from abnormal wear and tear. This process is called degeneration of the intervertebral disc. Degeneration often results from small injuries that may not cause pain at the time the injuries actually occur. Over time, these injuries add up and the abnormal wear and tear can weaken the connective tissue that makes up the disc. Once the connective tissue is weak, sudden stress, such as a whiplash type movement, may injure the disc more easily. The entire process of disc degeneration is sometimes referred to as spondylolysis. You may hear your doctor refer to your neck problem as spondylolysis of the cervical spine.

To really understand neck pain, you need an understanding of the wear and tear process, called disc degeneration. This will also help you later understand what can happen to the neck when a sudden injury can cause immediate pain and dysfunction.

Degenerative Disc Disease
To help you understand disc degeneration, compare a spinal segment to two vanilla wafers (the "vertebrae") and a marshmallow (the "disc"). Imagine a fresh marshmallow between the two wafers. When you press the wafers close together, the marshmallow gives or "squishes out". Suppose you leave the marshmallow out for a week and it starts to dry out. When you press it between the wafers, it is not quite as spongy. If you press hard enough, the outside of the marshmallow may even tear or split. Suppose you left the marshmallow out for a month. It would probably be so dried out it would be hard and very thin and would not have any "shock absorbing" ability.

As we age, the disc loses some of its water content and, as a result, some of its shock absorbing ability. Like the marshmallow, the first changes that occur in the disc are tears in the outer ring of the disc, called the annulus. Tears in the annulus may occur without symptoms. Therefore, you may not notice when they occur or what caused them. These tears heal by forming scar tissue. Scar tissue is weaker than normal tissue. Repeated injuries and tears cause more wear and tear to the disc. As the disc wears, it loses more of its water content. It becomes less and less "spongy", eventually no longer able to act as a shock absorber.
As the disc continues to wear, it begins to collapse. The space between each vertebra becomes smaller. The collapse also affects the way that the facet joints in the back of the spine "line up". Like any other joint in the body, the change in the way the bones fit together causes abnormal pressure on the articular cartilage. Articular cartilage is the smooth shiny material that covers the end of the bones in any joint. Over time, this abnormal pressure causes wear and tear arthritis (osteoarthritis) of the facet joints.

Don't suffer another minute!!! Call our office to reserve an appointment with Dr. Hagmeyer and put an end to your neck pain and begin regaining your life back. (630) 718-0555.

Dr. Richard Hagmeyer D.C.

Naperville Institue For Neuro Metabolic Solutions

1020 104th St. Suite 100

Naperville, IL 60564

(630) 718-0555