The narrowing puts pressure on your nerves and spinal cord and can cause pain. Spinal stenosis occurs mostly in people older than 50. Younger people with a spine injury or a narrow spinal canal are also at risk. Diseases such as arthritis and scoliosis can cause spinal stenosis too.

Symptoms might appear gradually or not at all. They include pain in your neck or back, numbness, weakness or pain in your arms or legs, and foot problems. The wear-and-tear effects of aging can lead to narrowing of the spinal canal, a condition known as spinal stenosis. 

Narrowing of the lumbar spinal canal pinches the nerves that go to the skin and muscles of the legs. Sometimes, the pinched nerves become inflamed, causing pain in the buttocks and/or legs. Most often as a result of degeneration, there can be inflammation and swelling pushed into the soft tissue structures on the front and the back of the inter-vertebral canal causing inflammation of the ligament on the back side of the spine, which can be referred to medically as “hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum”. This in conjunction with degeneration and minor disc bulges can cause a narrowing of the intervertebral canal also known as stenosis.

 Most patients with spinal stenosis can be treated with the nonsurgical, pain-free DRS Protocol™ offered at the Busch Chiropractic Pain Center.

Chronic back pain can affect your blood pressure

Drink 8-10 glasses of water a day.  If the body is dehydrated this raises your blood pressure and water helps our arteries and flushes salt.

Eat a fiber-rich diet:  fresh vegetable, fruits and whole grain.

Eliminate refined foods as much as possible.  Make the effort to eat foods that are as close to their original form as possible.

Cut down or eliminate soft drinks.

Work on losing weight.  For every 20 pounds lost, it is possible to see a 5 to 20 point drop in your systolic blood pressure

Watch your stress levels – there is a direct link to high blood pressure.  There are natural supplements that are very calming such as valerian root.   Really try to avoid prescription medications, if possible.

Taking something for chronic, ongoing pain can affect your blood pressure. Many over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers can push your blood pressure higher.  In fact, many remedies for colds, sinus problems, and even heartburn contain the same ingredients.

Exercise at least 3 times a week.  This can be easy as a 30 minute walk 3 times a week.  Studies show this can reduce systolic blood pressure significantly.

Check out natural alternatives that are known to help lower blood pressure.  Increase potassium intake, eat a banana a day.  The vegetable that is in most of our refrigerators – celery – may help, and check out of concentrated celery seed powder. 

There are others alternatives to look into, however never change the amount of or discontinue your medications without talking with your prescribing doctor.

It is always good to work from the natural, drug-free aspect, if possible.  Busch Chiropractic Pain Center offers drug-free, pain-free treatment – The DRS Protocol™ – successfully treating since 1996 chronic and severe disc conditions such as herniated or degenerative discs, sciatica, spinal stenosis and facet syndrome.  Busch Chiropractic Pain Center also treats the pain and symptoms of neuropathy with the Busch Neuropathy Protocol.  Also pain-free and drug-free.  No concern about bad side effects and drug interactions.

DRS Protocol is drug-free & pain-free!

The FDA has recently announced an alert about the safety of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).  The following is a list of common products warned about. 

• AcipHex (rabeprazole sodium)
• Dexilant (dexlansoprazole)
• Nexium (esomeprazole magnesium)
• Omeprazole (omeprazole) Over-the-Counter (OTC)
• Prevacid (lansoprazole) and OTC Prevacid 24hr
• Prilosec (omeprazole) and OTC
• Protonix (pantoprazole sodium)
• Vimovo (esomeprazole magnesium and naproxen)
• Zegerid (omeprazole and Sodium bicarbonate) and OTC

These are medications are for treatment of Gerd/reflux esophagitis, stomach and duodenal ulcers and other gastric problems.

The FDA warns that using proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may be associated with an increased risk of Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea – this is a diagnosis for patients who may have an onset of diarrhea that won’t improve.

The bacteria C. difficile can infect the colon and cause severe, life-threatening diarrhea. Out of over three million cases of diarrhea in the US annually, approximately 1-4% of patients with C. difficile die from the illness. There is a rise in the cases of infection as there is a rise in the use of PPIs. 

There are many medications, both over-the-counter and prescriptions that can cause acid reflux and Gerd. NSAIDS such as Motrin, Advil, Nuprin and Aleve can contribute.  The following are others:

• Calcium channel blockers – used to treat high blood pressure and angina.
• Anticholinergics – used in drugs that treat urinary tract disorders, allergies and glaucoma.
• Beta adrenergic agonists – used for asthma and obstructive lung diseases.
• Dopamine – used in Parkinson’s disease.
• Bisphosphonates – used to treat osteoporosis.
• Sedatives
• Antibiotics
• Potassium
• Iron pills

For those who are attempting to stop smoking by taking Chantix – just know that this drug is also known for causing Gerd.  Then a PPI is prescribed for this side-effect.

When a patient is prescribed a PPI, long-term use should be avoided and taking a good probiotic may help with the problems D.difficile.

 Busch Chiropractic offers the DRS Protocol, a successful drug-free, pain-free treatment for herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, sciatic pain and other back and neck conditions.

Back or Neck Pain? Treat with the DRS Protocol. Drug-free, Pain-free and safe for Seniors!

Pain pills, antihistamines such Benadryl and many antidepressants and other mood altering drugs can affect the way our brain functions.  It is reported that even statins can affect memory. Many people buy over-the-counter products from the drugstore and some of the products with regular use can impair thinking and cause loss of memory. Elderly people can be most affected. 

Certain drugs will block a vital neurotransmitter that affects functions in the body, memory and cognitive functions are some. The drugs are called anticholinergic, and the effects will build up. Anticholinergic means an inhibition of cholinergic neurotransmission at muscarinic receptor sites.)

 Some of the symptoms are as follows:

 -Blurred vision

- Confusion, disorientation, memory impairment

- Dizziness when standing

- Drowsiness or sedation

- Nervousness, agitation or anxiety

- Hallucinations and delirium

- Reddening of the face (flushing)

- Fever

- Dry lips, mouth, and throat, speech difficulties, trouble with dentures, chewing and swallowing

- Nausea

- Constipation

- Rapid heart rate

- Weakness

- Trouble urinating or emptying bladder

 Senior patients are most vulnerable because they tend to take more medications, in general.

There are now many new research studies about the affects of ant cholinergic medicine because of the finding of British study on men and women 65 years or older.  The study followed 13,000 patients who were taking more than one anticholineric drug.  These patients scored lower on cognitive function test than those who did not take this type of drug.  Also it was found that the death rate of those who were taking many anticholineric drugs was 68 percent higher.

So far it can’t be determined why the death rate is higher except the commonality of anticholineric drugs. Some professionals suspect the drugs affect organs and the cardiovascular system.  Yet there are no studies to prove it.

Twenty percent of patients over 65 are taking at least one anticholinergic drug.  A study of 4000 seniors was performed in Indianapolis IN, and it found those that were taking three or more anticholinergic drugs for 90 days were three times more likely to be diagnosed with cognitive impairment as compared to those in the study who did not taken type of drug.

Still, there is already a consensus in the scientific community that anticholinergic compounds should be prescribed with caution, especially for the elderly

It is shown in studies that 25% of patients treating for memory disorders have reversible problems.  Those patients taking a combination of medications may become better once their medications are assessed and replaced with those that are not anticholinergic.

This is why it is vital to tell your doctors about all the drugs you take and about all over-the-counter products.  There may be no adequate substitutes for some essential anticholinergic drugs. However, taking multiple drugs that have the potential for these side effects should be assessed: especially, when it comes to treating problems such as the common cold or taking other over-the-counter remedies.  Do not stop medications on your own without consulting with your doctor.

When patients treat at Busch Chiropractic Pain Center with the DRS Protocol for painful spinal conditions such as degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, sciatica, spinal stenosisand other back or neck conditions they do not have to worry about taking addictive or impairing medications.  The DRS Protocol is nonsurgical and pain-free and there is no worry of drug interactions. 

DRS Protocol is drug-free & pain-free

Prescription drugs according a former drug czar is the biggest and fastest-growing part of America’s drug problem. According to the CDC the misuse of prescription medication causing fatal overdoses has shown a drastic increase.  It is a good thing gone awry and now is an unrecognized epidemic.  And is the 10^th leading cause of death in the US.

The number of deaths from opioid painkiller – such as morphine and codeine – have more than tripled from 1999 through 2006. To put it into perspective, it could be a yearly death toll of a hundred 757s crashing and killing everyone.  That would really make the news.

About 120,000 people a year have to go to the ER because they overdosed. In past years, most cases of overdose were to illegal drugs like heroin and cocaine, but now prescription opioid painkillers have taken the lead.

The DRS Protocol which can successfully treat herniated and degenerative discs at the Busch Chiropractic Pain Center is pain-free and DRUG-FREE.  Prescriptions pain pills are addictive and can kill.

Busch Chiropractic Makes Pain Go Away!

When you do something well, word travels fast and that is exactly how Joe heard about the Busch Chiropractic Center.  Joe had definitely heard about Busch Chiropractic Pain Center, and even though he lived 2.5 hours away, he was willing to make the drive, if Dr. Busch thought he could help Joe. 

Joe had suffered from a low back condition (degenerative disc disease) and had tried conservative care such as chiropractic, physical therapy and pain medications.  When that didn’t work, he gave up and had a spinal fusion.  For the last two years, he continually suffered from moderate to severe low back pain, left hip and thigh pain. 

Joe absolutely did not want to have another surgery, because his recovery was so difficult and he ended up right back where he started.  So he decided to use the internet to research options other than surgery.  When Joe got to Dr. Busch he was miserable with constant pain and was having difficulty standing, sitting and walking.  He was also having cramping in his leg.  He was constantly taking one prescription or another trying to get some relief.  He took Norflex, muscle relaxers, Tylenol or whatever was available at the time.  Joe was relieved when Dr. Busch said he was confident – after a thorough examination and a review of Joe’s films – that the DRS Protocol™ would help him. 

With a willingness to stay in a hotel during the week, Joe began treating and today he is walking and moving much, much better. The 2.5 hour car ride was not an issue.  Joe is doing better than he ever expected.  And he is so happy he didn’t have to have another surgery.  His wife is also very happy to have him back to being able to walk and be active, because she was getting bored shopping by herself while they were in town!

Busch Chiropractic treats back pain

It is that time, when we need to be aware of snow shoveling injuries and medical emergencies.  There was a study that was from 1990 – 2006 and the findings were that most injuries were as follows:

• Overworking your muscles, falling, and being hit with the shovel
• Muscle, ligament, tendon, and other soft tissue injuries of the low back were very common.
• Cuts and broken bones. The arms and hands were the most likely to sustain a bone fracture.
• Heart-related problems made up 7% of snow shoveling injuries. However, all deaths due to snow shoveling were caused by heart problems.

The study also showed that those over 55 were more likely than younger people to have heart-related problems while shoveling. Shoveling puts extra work on the heart and the cold can be a factor for those who already have heart conditions.

 Shoveling injuries occurred most for adult males, but children were highly likely to be hurt by being hit by a snow shovel. Most of these injuries for children were head injuries coming from playing around.

Check out your snow shovel and maybe get a new one that is designed for less body stress.  It is recommended that the shovel have a curved-shaft and will lower the risk of muscle injury. Use a shovel made of lighter materials such as plastic or lightweight aluminum.  

Here are some recommendations for you to do before shoveling.

• Do  some light exercise first – warm up just like an athlete
• Wear shoes or boots that have slip-resistant bottoms
• Push the snow whenever possible instead of lifting it.
• Never throw the snow over your shoulder or to your side because the twisting motion will stress the back.

 Since most of us can’t avoid some shoveling, just pace yourself and take frequent breaks.  The job will get done.

DRS Protocol at Busch Chiropractic Pain Center treats sciatic pain

Sciatica or sciatic pain is symptom of a back problem, and it is not a diagnosis of the actual problem itself. Sciatic pain refers to pain along the length of the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body. The sciatic nerve branches off your spine at the pelvis and travels down each leg. A problem at the root of this nerve, where the nerve exits the spine, may be felt along the entire length of the leg and can cause leg weakness. Sciatic pain can be severe and debilitating.

Patients often misinterpret this as a problem with their legs, when the primary cause is the result of a bulging disc compressing a nerve at the base of their spine. Sometimes, with severe inflammation, pain will also be felt in the hips and buttocks.

Here is a general list of symptoms

• Constant pain in only one side of the buttock or leg  – generally does not occur in both legs
• Pain may be worse when sitting
• Burning or tingling down the leg is more like that a dull ache
• Hard to move your leg or foot, you can also have weakness and numbness
• Constant pain on one side of the buttocks
• Difficult to stand up or to walk

Sciatic pain is successfully treated at the Busch Chiropractic Pain Center, Fort Wayne IN, with DRS Protocol™ when the underlying cause or diagnosis is a disc condition such as herniated and degenerative disc (s).