Expert Commentary: Dr. Peter Ferraro, D.C. April 24, 2009

Back pain may be the leading debilitating ailment in the United States. maybe the world. And with a problem of such proportions, there is a great deal of money to be made. Tens of thousands of patients every year undergo traumatic and expensive back surgery to repair herniated discs.

The rub is this. More and more research is showing that surgery often has no better results than less invasive procedures. Other research is demonstrating promising results in other forms of therapy, such as injecting oxygen ozone.

However, we, in the chiropractic field, live by the old adage "do no harm". To me that means that all therapies should begin with the least invasive, most gentle approach possible. Don't get me wrong. There is a time and place for aggressive approaches to back pain, such as surgery. But in my opinion it should never be used until all the other options have been tried - no matter what the surgeon says. After all, the surgeon's bread is buttered on only one side of the equation - and that may prejudice even the best of intentions.

In our field of chiropractic care, the breakthrough technology is called spinal decompression. In cases of herniated discs, a patient lies or sits on a spinal decompression machine. Using computed guided technology, the machine gently pulls the spine, elongating it at precise angles and traction. The gentle pressure separates the damaged vertebrae which creates a vacuum allowing the retraction of the protective jelly-like material that extrudes from the space between the discs. (In a herniated disc, the jelly-like substance that cushions the vertebrae is pushed out like jam from jelly-donut and the vertebrae rub against each other.)  The vacuum also pulls blood back into the space aiding the disc to heal naturally.

It is a simple and completely non-invasive solution and in most cases it works. The vast majority of my patients find relief in just a few sessions. Sometime patients can return to a full and active life within a few weeks. All of this without surgery, or other invasive procedures, such as injections.

Even insurance companies are beginning to see the light. Since spinal decompression is a lot less expensive than surgery (and in most cases equally if not more effective), many insurers are now willing to cover the treatment. At long last, the insurance companies are beginning to understand that good medicine is usually cheaper medicine.

 

Medical Editorial Board


Disclaimer

Featured Doctors

Lasik Surgeon Skokie Chicago, IL

 Stuart Sondheimer, M.D.
Stuart Sondheimer, M.D.

9150 Crawford Ave. Suite 201
Skokie, IL 60076

Call: (847)-677-2794

Spinal Decompression Manhattan, NYC

Dr. Steven S. Moalemi, M.D.
Steven S. Moalemi, M.D.

Empire Physical Medicine & Pain Management
551 5th Avenue Ste. 525
New York, NY 10176

Call: (888) 898-7795

Spinal Decompression Middlesex County, NJ

Dr. Ronald Spiaggia
Ronald Spiaggia

Performance Rehabilitation & Sports Injury Center
459 Watchung Avenue
Watchung, NJ 07069

Call: 888-897-4870

New Jersey Physical Therapy

Dr. Peter Ferraro, DC
Peter Ferraro, DC

Ferraro Spine & Rehabilitation
224 Midland Ave
Saddle Brook, NJ 07663

Call: 888-895-3840

Foot Surgeon Dunning Chicago Illinois

Dr. Jeffrey J. Betman
Jeffrey J. Betman

Board Certifed in Podiatric Medicine and Podiatric Surgery
6039 W. Belmont Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60634

Call: 773-745-1919

Chiropractor Rye Brook, Westchester, NY

Dr. Jonathan Donath
Jonathan Donath

Joint Effort Chiropractic
1241 Mamaroneck Ave
White Plains, NY 10605

Call: 888-543-4224

GI Specialist Downtown Chicago, Illinois

Dr. Andrew Albert, MD, MPH
Andrew Albert, MD, MPH

945 W. George Street
Chicago, IL 60657

Call: 773-368-3164

Physical Therapy Smithtown, Long Island

Dr. Stephen Lembo,DC
Stephen Lembo,DC

Northeast Spine & Rehab
363 Route 111, St 107
Smithtown, NY 11787

Call:

OBGYN Lincoln Park Chicago, IL

M.D., FACO Sayeed Iqbal
Sayeed Iqbal

1920 N. Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60614

Call: 312-787-3444

Tummy Tuck Near North Side Chicago, IL

Dr. Peter Geldner, MD
Peter Geldner, MD

680 N. Lake Shore Drive, Suite 1325
Chicago, Illinois 60611

Call: 312-981-4440

Spinal Stenosis Norwalk, CT

 Associates in Family Chiropractic & Natural Health Care, P.C.
Associates in Family Chiropractic & Natural Health Care, P.C.

156 East Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06851

Call: (203) 242-0165

Brow Lift Near North Side Chicago

M.D. John Q. Cook
John Q. Cook

737 North Michigan Avenue Suite 760
Chicago, Illinois 60611

Call: 312-751-2112

Disc Pain Los Angeles, CA

Dr. Bruce Shannahoff, D.C.
Bruce Shannahoff, D.C.

Valley Spinal Decompression Center
5363 Balboa Blvd. Suite 430
Encino, CA 91316

Call: (888) 870-2099

Free Weight Loss Surgery Seminar Manhattan, NYC

 Columbia University Medical Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery
Columbia University Medical Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery

Center for Metabolic & Weight Loss Surgery
Herbert Irving Pavilion,161 Fort Washington Ave, 6th Fl., Room 620
NYC, NY 10032

Call: 888-838-9148

Restless Legs Northern New Jersey

 MedWell, L.L.C.
MedWell, L.L.C.

MedWell Spine & Neuropathy Center
33 Central Ave
Midland Park, NJ 07432

Call: (888) 820-2250

Joint Replacement Wheaton Chicago, Illinois

 Stephen Baker, MD
Stephen Baker, MD

2001 Gary Ave Ste. 110
Wheaton, Illinois 60187

Call: 630-665-9155

Body Lift Near North Side Chicago, IL

Dr. Rodger Wade Pielet, MD, FACS
Rodger Wade Pielet, MD, FACS

One East Erie Street.
Chicago, IL 60611

Call: 312-440-3100

Facial Plastic Surgery Near North Side Chicago, IL

Dr. Stacie McClane, MD, FACS
Stacie McClane, MD, FACS

Stacie McClane, MD, FACS
680 North Lake Shore Drive, Ste. 930
Chicago, IL 60611

Call: 312-867-9500

DRX 9000 Midtown Manhattan, NYC

Dr. Allan Weisberg
Allan Weisberg

Midtown Total Health
235 E49th Street
New York, NY 10017

Call: 888-453-7121