Wealden Times | WT200 | October 2018 | Kitchen & Bathroom supplement inside

A D V E R T I S E M E N T F E AT U R E
Ouch!
I think I’ve slipped a disc…
Is back pain or neck pain ruling your life? Are you stuck on a merry-go-round
of painkillers, physiotherapy treatments and GP visits?
Spinal expert James Pickering
treats a range of back and neck
conditions with gentle, noninvasive
techniques. Here, he
shines a light on disc-related conditions.
What causes back and neck pain?
Many back and neck pain issues are caused
by our own bad habits. Sitting, standing,
bending or lifting for long periods,
slouching over PCs and tablets, or poor
driving or sleeping posture can lead to
back and neck pain niggles - which if left
unchecked can turn into more serious issues.
What is ‘chronic’ pain?
‘Chronic’ means pain which has persisted for
three months or more. For many sufferers,
it’s due to some damage or degeneration of
the spinal discs or surrounding nerves.
The discs are the protective pads of
connective tissue dividing the bones of
the spine. They act as ‘shock absorbers’
protecting the spine when we move around.
How do discs become damaged?
If we’re on our feet all day, sitting at
workstations or lifting heavy objects, the
spine can weaken, causing discs to stretch
and bulge. Bulging discs are harmless for
most people - BUT if the outer wall of the
disc tears (herniates), the inner part can leak
out on to surrounding nerves.
When discs are dehydrated, they can leave
the vertebral bones rubbing against each
other: very painful indeed!
What are the signs of a herniated
or ‘slipped’ disc?
Typically, you’ll experience episodes of pain
which become more frequent over time. You
may also suffer nerve pain in the arms or
legs (sciatica) or headaches. You’ll probably
need daily painkillers; physiotherapy and/or
spinal injections may not help.
What is sciatica?
When a disc herniates, the gel-like nucleus
can leak out, irritating or compressing
the surrounding nerves. In lower back
patients, the sciatic nerve is affected
with a shooting pain travelling from the
buttock down the leg. Sometimes the pain
is accompanied by tingling, numbness
or weakness in the legs and feet.
In neck pain sufferers, nerve pain affects the
shoulders, arms and hands.
Most nerve pain resolves with over the
counter anti-inflammatory drugs. Also, go
about your normal daily activities if you
can. However, if you’re still in pain after six
weeks, you should seek advice from one of
our specialists: our first-choice treatment is
IDD Therapy.
How can IDD Therapy help?
IDD Therapy uses safe and gentle pulling
forces to draw apart specific spinal segments
where discs are damaged, removing pressure
and irritation from any trapped nerves.
Patients receive a structured programme of
regular sessions, progressively relieving pain
and improving mobility for the long-term.
IDD Therapy is changing the lives of
slipped disc and sciatica suffers.
Sue’s IDD Therapy Experience
Sue James suffered for 16 years with back
pain and sciatica:
“The pain started in my right leg; I
couldn’t sit for more than half an hour.
Going out for a meal or to the cinema
became impossible.
My GP prescribed strong painkillers, but
the side-effects were too severe; I tried
chiropractic and nerve block injections, but
nothing helped.
My consultant suggested surgery, but I
didn’t want to have an operation with the
recovery time and possible risks.
After a programme of IDD Therapy, I’m
enjoying an active life again, competing in
athletics events pain-free.”
About the
Expert
Osteopath James
Pickering works with
patients across the
Kent community. He
specialises in spinal
disc conditions and
associated nerve
pain. His practice
is an approved IDD
Therapy Disc Clinic.
Call Wealden Osteopaths and Spine Centre on 01580 212833 or go to wealdenosteopaths.co.uk