spine

On The Topic Of Disc Bulges…

Here are a few of my top suggestions/facts when it comes to disc bulges and back pain:

  • Disc herniations can be caused by a single trauma, as well as chronic postural dysfunctions. Movement and postural dysfunctions can only be corrected by focusing on them.
  • Inadequate body hydration levels must be addressed in spinal dysfunction, especially spinal discs!
  • Respiratory mechanics as well as abdominal wall function is imperative to spinal function. Loss of function creates inability of diaphragm attachments to decompress L-4/L-5, the most commonly herniated disc.
  • Rebuilding spinal discs takes nutritional support and good health. Your body makes new tissues out of what you put in your mouth. An inadequate diet and unhealthy lifestyle practices contribute to slow healing.
  • Disc derangements do not HAVE to be operated on. There are specific movement techniques that can assist you in stabilizing your spine and reducing disc bulges.
  • Healing from a disc bulge takes commitment and time. After a disc has bulged, it can take as much as 18 months to fully heal the torn annular fibers within the disc. This does NOT mean that it will take that long to get out of pain, but instead a reminder to take care of your spine over the long run in order to prevent future injury.

Sam Visnic–

What Does Your Neck Have to do With A Flat Lower Back?

The spine is an amazing device. With so many moving parts, all supported by muscles and input by nerves that send and receive messages to and from the brain. What a cool thing.

Have you ever noticed something…the spine is not a straight structure? It has multiple curves to it.

Well, there is a good reason for this. Without getting too technical on this topic, each spinal segment correlates to another on the opposite end. This is needed for counter movements, such as when you walk, your opposite arm and leg swing. Think about it. If you were to swing your left arm forward, your upper body would want to turn to your right. The counter motion, the right leg coming forward, keeps your body movement going straight.

Your arm muscles attach to your shoulders, and your shoulder muscles attach to your shoulder blades, and your shoulder blades attach to the spine through muscles. The same goes for your legs.

So, in the case of having a flat lumbar curve (lower back), the corresponding spinal segments in the neck will exert the same qualities. So if your lower back is flat, your neck curve will usually be reduced, straight, or in some cases, reversed!

So, what does this have to do with lower back pain?

If you have a flattened curve in your lower back, then there will be excessive pressure through the discs in your spine, which can make you MUCH more prone to disc bulging, and herniations. Those can obviously cause pain if they put pressure on a spinal nerve. The same thing can happen to your neck as a result of this.

The problem exists that sometimes, you need to correct both the neck and the lower back in order to alleviate the pressure and thus pain. However, most people tend to only focus on the area that hurts.

When is is really important to look at the neck?

  • If there has been a past trauma to the head, such as a fall, car accident, whip lash, or sports injury
  • If your body looks “twisted”, meaning one shoulder sits farther in front of the other, or if you stand with one foot forward, and one slightly back. (you may not even notice this!)
  • If there is any problems with tilting your head back and experiencing dizziness, such as looking up in the cupboards, or up at a plane in the sky. (Be sure to have an expert evaluate you in this situation!)
  • Any time someone has been experiencing unresolved lower back pain, even when all muscle imbalances in the pelvis and lower back have been addressed.

–Sam Visnic

Testimonials

"If you've endured back pain issues, the helplessness, the frustration, the trips to the chiropractor, the osteopath, the recommendations for MRIs, the counter non-recommendations for the MRIs, the $1K+ bills, etc., etc. etc., If you're like me and you reached a point in your life where you declared, "there's got to be a better way!" then get Sam's educational DVDs and go the DIY route to taking control of your back issues. Thanks Sam." --Chris Wilson

“Sam, I just wanted to tell you how impressed I am with your knowledge and ability as a healer. You are the only person I have seen who been able to get my back out of pain and keep it out of pain. After 28 years of practicing dentistry I thought that I would have to suffer the rest of my life with moderate to severe back pain. I came to you years ago in terrible back pain you relieved that and with regular preventive visits have kept me out of pain. I am also thankful for your nutritional knowledge. After suffering from terrible intestinal pain and all the tests you fixed it by a simple dietary supplement. “Doctor” refers to a healer and even though you don’t have the title you are one in my book. Many, Many Thanks!” --John Shafer, DDS

"Having someone like Sam to refer my patients to who is as comprehensive, brilliant and caring as he is makes my job so much easier!! I feel assured that my patients are in good hands and are going to get the results they so desperately want. I highly recommend Sam to anyone who is looking to resolve their back pain easily and effectively!” -Dr. Holly Lucille N.D., R.N.