Southern California Spine Center

Don't Open that can of worms, unless your prepared for the consequences

We have noticed that the number one reason people opt for low back surgery is money.  Their insurance will pay for it...so why not do it.  In the last 6 months I have had 10 people who chose low back surgery over our program because they did not want to come out of pocket.  All of which who within 2-3 months called and said that they were worse off, in more pain, and would I be able to help them now that they have had surgery.  The answer to their question is I can't touch you for 6 months and at that point we will look at a new MRI and see what we can do.  Some of these patients had had cosmetic surgery, corrective eye surgery, cosmetic dentisty and had no problem reaching into their pockets for those procedures.  They looked for the easy, cheaper road and were hood winked by the surgeon in believing that surgery was their only option.

There are a small group of people who should undergo surgery.  But the majority, specifically the group under the age of 60 who suffer with low back and leg pain due to disc bulge or disc herniation, should absolutely not be going under the knife.  The reasons are many and they are listed all over my website at Southerncaliforniaspinecenter.com.  But, let me say this, once you go down that road you begin a cascade of events that will impact the on going quality of your life.  Failed surgeries, instability and weakness, more surgeries.  I have come into contact with so many people wanting our care who we cannot treat because of the amount of scar tissue and the destruction of the low back structures.  People who start out having a simple microscopic laser discectomy, that quickly are looking for more relief and ever more invasive surgeries.  I meet people in their 30 and 40's who have had  4-8 low back surgeries and are in agony...it breaks my heart.  For god sake people, respect your body, make the conservative choice first...our success rate is off the chart for these conditions.  Don't you think it makes more sense to have a conservative doctor who treats severe low back conditions tell you when surgery is appropriate, rather than a surgeon........... whose only means of treatment is surgery.

Sciatica and Spinal Decompression

Sciatica is commonly a diagnosis given to patients we consult with.  The problem is,  sciatica only describes the leg symptoms of pain, numbness and tingling that descend down the back of the thigh from the buttocks and commonly into the calf.  It can end its journey by giving people numbness and tingling into the toes...in different combinations.  It does not tell you what is causing the sciatica.  A lot of doctors are telling patients that they have sciatica...but nothing is done to find out where the source of the injury is.  Your sciatic nerve is formed by 5 different spinal nerves as they leave the spine and come together at approximately the buttocks area.  Sciatica can come from disc bulges, disc herniations, disc protrusions, arthritic changes, inflammation in any of these different areas that pinch the nerves as they exit the spine.  There are other problems that can cause one of these spinal nerves to be pinched that will give you sciatica but are less common.  The problem can also come, not from the spine but from pinching the nerves that form the sciatic nerve as they pass by or pass thru the piriformis muscle.  Therefore,  it is the appropriate step that all cases of sciatica have an MRI  ordered and its finding should be compared to an appropriate neurological examination.  Don't settle for less because the doctor or insurance is trying to cut costs.  Having all the information is the only way to know what is the best way to treat your problem.

Spinal Decompression treats disc problems, nothing else.  So after the MRI has been evaluated and the examination has ruled out other possibilities such as piriformis syndrome.  Then spinal decompression may be your most favorable non-surgical approach to care.  A recent study performed by the Mayo Clinic showed a success rate of treating disc injuries with the DRX 9000 to be just shy of 90%.  It is a logical choice if surgery is not a option for you and you want to treat the problem rather than just manage or mask the pain with drugs or steroids.

Ceremonial crutch burning following the DRX 9000 Spinal Decompression treatment

We recently had a patient who flew in from Las Vegas for treatment.  It was quite a commitment for Omar to leave his family behind for 6 weeks and fly to San Diego.  It was also quite a compliment and a testament to the great reputation the Southern California Spine Center has developed.  This was a privilege for us to treat a patient with a severe, low back disc herniation who could of chose any of the hundreds of other decompression facilities that exists in and between Las Vegas and San Diego.  A privilege we did not take lightly.  When this big, strong gentlemen walked in using a crutch and fighting back the tears from his low back and leg pain, we treated him as we treat any of the 25 other new patients we treat each month.  Maximum value and service, directed at achieving excellent results, delivered in a friendly, compassionate and cutting edge health care facility.  After week one Omar did not need the crutch and it was ceremonially  burned.

By the 3rd week he was pain free!  The last week of decompression solidified the changes and we proceeded to strengthen and re-condition his core and low back spinal muscles.  This would prevent him from re-injuring the area.  Here is what Omar had to say on his last day..."I thank the amazing staff of the Southern California Spine Center for restoring my ability to walk, stand and sleep pain free!  Thank you Dr. Mountain for guiding me towards wellness and health and preventing low back surgery!" Omar it was our pleasure!      Dr. M

Is core/spinal strengthening important following Spinal Decompression

It's an absolute must!....Spinal decompression using the DRX 9000 True Spinal Decompression machine will 9 times out of 10 successfully treat the disc injury whether it is a bulge, herniation or protrusion.  That is great because you will end your suffering and feel better.  Spinal rehabilitation on the other hand re-instates the functionality of the low back.  In other words, by strengthening  the different layers of the spinal muscles you will return the flexibility, stabilizing and curve to the low back.  This will of course improve your posture as well as give you the confidence to get back to doing the things you love to do prior to becoming injured.    More importantly it will give you the strength and function that we know prevents re-injury in the future.  By going through an appropriate program that addresses all the needs of your low back like the program offered at the Southern California Spine Center, you will end your pain today and ensure its health for the future!