Dr Mel Siff Blog

It has long been believed that herniation or rupture of a spinal disc is
permanent and has to treated surgically. Recent research with MRI and CAT
scans have shown that this is very often a fallacy. There is now evidence
that herniated discs in the neck and lumbar spine not only reduce in size
after a period of non-invasive therapy, but in many cases actually regress
and disappear, as has been shown by subsequent spinal scans. Here are a few
of the references relating to this issue of so-called slipped (herniated)
discs:

References

1. Ben Eliyahu DJ. MRI and clinical follow-up study of 27 patients receiving
chiropractic care for cervical and lumbar disc herniation. JMPT 1996;
19(9):597-606.

2. Bozzao A. Lumbar disc herniation: MRI imaging assessment of natural
history in patients treated without surgery. Radiology 1992; 185:135-141.

3. Bush K. Pathomorphologic changes that accompany the resolution of cervical
radiculopathy. Spine 1997; 22(2):183-187.

4. Ellenberg MR. Prospective evaluation of the course of disc herniations in
patients with radiculopathy. Arch Phys Med Rehab 74; Jan 1993, p. 3.

5. Komori H. Natural history of herniated nucleus pulposus with
radiculopathy. Spine 1996; 21(2):225-229.

6. Maigne JY. CT follow-up study of 21 cases of nonoperatively treated
cervical soft disc herniation. Spine 1994; 19(2):189-191.

7. Matsubara Y. Serial changes on MRI in lumbar disc herniations.
Neuroradiology 1995; 37:378-383.

8. Mochida K. Regression of cervical disc herniation observed on MRI. Spine
1998; 23(9):990-997.

9. Saal J. Nonoperative management of cervical herniated disc with
radiculopathy. Spine 1996; 21(16):1877-83.

Dr Mel C Siff
Denver, USA
http://www.egroups.com/group/supertraining

Miyamoto K et al Effects of abdominal belts on intra-abdominal pressure,
intra-muscular pressure in the erector spinae muscles and myoelectrical
activities of trunk muscles. Clin Biomech 1999 Feb; 14 (2):79-87

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of abdominal belts on lifting performance,
muscle activation, intraabdominal pressure and intra-muscular pressure of the
erector spinae muscles.
DESIGN: Simultaneous measurement of intra-abdominal pressure, intra-muscular
pressure of the erector spinae muscles was performed during the Valsalva
maneuver and some isometric lift exertions.
BACKGROUND: While several hypotheses have been suggested regarding the
biomechanics of belts and performance has been found to increase when lifting
with belts, very little is known about the modulating effects on trunk
stiffness. At present, there is no reason to believe that spine tolerance to
loads increases with belts. …..

RESULTS: Intramuscular pressure of the erector spinae muscles increased
significantly by wearing the abdominal belt during Valsalva maneuvers and
during maximum isometric lifting exertions, while maximum isometric lifting
capacity and peak intra-abdominal pressure were not affected. Integrated EMG
of rectus abdominis increased significantly by wearing the abdominal belt
during Valsalva maneuvers (after full inspiration) and during isometric leg
lifting.

CONCLUSIONS: Wearing abdominal belts raises intramuscular pressure of the
erector spinae muscles and appears to stiffen the trunk. Assuming that
increased intramuscular pressure of the erector spinae muscles stabilizes the
lumbar spine, wearing abdominal belts may contribute to the stabilization
during lifting exertions