242 patients with severe spinal stenosis and/or disc disease were included in this study and treated at The Morris Spinal Stenosis and Disc Center from 2006-2011. Inclusion in this study included all patients who completed a 3-5 month treatment program for severe spinal stenosis and/or disc herniations/annular fisures, extrusions and sequestrations.
The Typical Patient Included In The Study:
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The median age of patient’s with spinal stenosis was 64 years, while the median age of those with severe disc disease is 50.
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The median time the patient suffered mild or moderate symptoms: 8.5 years
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The median time the patient’s symptoms were severe: 6 months
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67% had evidence of nerve damage (altered deep tendon reflexes, myotomes or dermatomes)
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MRI findings demonstrated 28% with one or more Spondylolistheses, 49% with Central Spinal Stenosis, 34% with Lateral Stenosis, and 82% with disc pathology (i.e. herniation, protrusion, extrusion, sequestration or annular fissure)
The average patient failed 2.5 of the treatments listed below, before starting treatment in this program.
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63% failed chiropractic treatment
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57% failed physical therapy
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52% failed epidural injections
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24% failed acupuncture
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15% failed prior lumbar surgeries (discectomies, laminectomies, laminotomies and fusions)
The treatment included a precise combination of these modalities for a 4-5 month period of time:
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Spinal Decompression
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Physical Therapy
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Electrical Feedback Training of Abdominal and Back Muscles
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Chiropractic Mobilization
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Exercise Rehabilitation
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Yoga Therapy
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Inversion (in some patients)
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Muscle Therapy (to lengthen shortened and aged tissue)
The results of the treatment were as follows:
The average back pain improved 65% from 7.8 (out of 10, which is the worse pain possible) to 2.7, and, their leg pain improved 68% from 7.5 to 2.4. These findings are especially significant since most patients were on pain medication at the time of their initial pain scale readings and without pain medication when recording their final pain numbers.
Daily prescription medication for pain dropped 78%
Daily narcotic use for pain dropped 77%
Evidence of nerve damage completely reversed themselves 54% of the time (132 v. 61 i.e. absent or lost deep tendon reflexes, dermatomes and myotomes).
The patients average standing and walking time increased by 300% and the number that could stand or walk without restriction increased 306%
The average disability score improved by 47% (45% to 24% disabiity/Oswestry Disability Index)