INJECTIONS Facet joint, nerve root, and epidural injections can help many patients with spinal pain. The injection is typically a combination of anti-inflammatory steroid and numbing medicine (Marcaine). Injections are usually a quick, low risk, and painless experience. In our practice, we do not think of injections as changing the inherent pathology (ie the injection will not decrease the size of a herniated disc). In some cases, the injections can decrease the pain to allow the patient to tolerate the time it takes for the natural healing process to occur. In other cases, the injections can decrease the pain to enable the patient to be most effective in physical therapy which allows the muscles to take pressure off the spine. Either way, injections are an important part of our practice when trying to help a patient avoid surgery.
PHYSICAL THERAPY The key to our physical therapy program is to train your muscles to keep the spine in a neutral pain-free position. This entails trunk stabilization exercises for the low back and chest-out posture exercises for the neck and upper back. The basic concept is for the muscles to prevent abnormal motion and to offload pathologic discs and facet joints of the spine. This is the same program that we use to treat professional athletes from all over the world. We refer our local patients to trusted therapists from Bakersfield to San Diego.
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The trunk stabilization program is the most effective way to avoid surgery, and to get a good result after surgery. It is important to begin the exercise program under the supervision of a trained therapist who can instruct and ensure proper positioning and mechanics. Our entire program can eventually be performed by the patient alone with a few simple weights, pulleys, and exercise ball. The trunk stabilization program is the best way that you can treat yourself, for the rest of your life! We are happy to send a copy of our program to physical therapists.
Cervical Extension The cervical extension exercise strengthens your neck through extending the cervical spine. This action lifts the chin up. To do the cervical extension exercise, interlace your fingers behind your neck with your elbows bent as you look straight forward. Pull the elbows toward each other so they face forward.
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Then, tilt your chin up to look above you. Your hands prevent a full extension of your neck, which is not necessary.
Chin Tuck With Towel The chin tuck with towel exercise works differently than the chin tuck. This exercise strengthens your neck through flexion and is the opposite movement as the cervical extension exercise.
To perform the chin tuck with towel, lie on your back with a rolled-up towel under your neck. Your chin naturally points upward slightly when your neck relaxes onto the towel. Then, tilt your chin toward your chest. Your head remains in contact with the bed or floor.
Side-Bending Isometric Exercise The side-bending isometric exercise strengthens the sides of your neck with an isometric contraction. Your head does not move during this exercise. Place a bouncy ball or rolled up towel against a wall and place one side of your head against the object. Press into the ball or towel with your neck straight.
Repeat on the other side. Cervical Brace in the Quadruped Position With Arm Raises The cervical brace in the quadruped position with arm raises challenges the neck and shoulder blades' ability to stabilize while balancing with only three points of contact on the floor in a kneeling position. To perform this exercise, crouch onto all fours with your neck and back parallel to the floor. Raise one arm forward so that it is straight in front of you and parallel to your neck. A mirror can provide feedback as to the alignment of your neck. Your neck must stay straight with your shoulder blades retracted throughout the exercise. Alternate arms.
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Updated October 26, 2017 Imagine this scenario: You arrive on the scene of a motor vehicle crash. Based on the obvious damage to the two vehicles, you recognize that this is a moderate speed event. One driver remains in his vehicle, with EMTs surrounding him. You can see that one EMT is holding manual stabilization of the head. The other is searching inside his trauma bag. You ask if you can help.
The second EMT replies, 'Yeah, I can't find the C-collars, can you get one for me?' 'Sure,' you reply. 'What size do you need?' The EMT says, 'Oh a 'no-neck' should be fine.
It fits everyone.' Is this true? EMS medical equipment has come along way since the 1970s. This includes one of the staples of prehospital equipment, the cervical collar. Over the years, cervical collars have evolved from simple and soft, foam-filled devices to more rigid, complex devices that, when properly sized and fitted, can go a long way toward minimizing inadvertent movement of the cervical spine. The key principle to remember is that they must be sized correctly and fitted properly in order to work.
Here's a challenge: Have you ever read the manufacturer's directions for usage of the cervical collar? I'm referring to the printed instructions that come packaged inside the plastic wrapper that contains the collar. So far, I haven't seen one that didn't come with directions. If you read them, you may be surprised at the level of detail that is provided.
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There's often more to cervical spine stabilization than you might think. How cervical collars work Cervical collars come in a variety of shapes, sizes and constructions. Nevertheless, their design is relatively uniform: Anteriorly, the collar is designed to prevent the patient's chin from dipping down toward the chest by placing stiff foam and/or plastic between the shoulders, clavicles and chin. This section of the collar is held in place by the posterior section, which wraps around the posterior neck and is anchored in place with loop-and-hook fasteners. Sizing the cervical collar The length and width of the neck varies from one person to the next. It is crucial to note that the height of an individual has no relationship to the length of his or her neck. In other words, a very tall male may have a very short, squat neck, while a petite female may have a slender, long neck.
In order to pick the correct cervical collar, you must measure the neck. One common method is as follows:. Achieve a lateral view of the patient's neck by looking from the side of the body. Bring your fingers and thumb together as if you were going to salute. Rest your outstretched hand on the base of the patient's shoulder, pinky finger side down. With your eye, draw an imaginary line sticking straight forward from the bottom of the patient's chin. Note which finger matches the level of that imaginary line.
Count the number of your fingers, from the pinky to the imaginary line. For example, if your index finger matches the line, you have four fingers worth of space to fill with the collar.
Following the manufacturer's guidelines, find the appropriate measurement tool on the collar itself. It may be line-etched in the plastic or a post. Place your fingers in the specified space to determine how to select the right collar, or adjust the size of the collar so it fills the space appropriately. Fitting the cervical collar Placing the cervical collar on the patient should be accurate and precise. Often, the chin section of the collar is placed in the correct position first, with the rest of the collar carefully wrapped around the neck and affixed with hook-and-loop fasteners. Once secured, the collar should be snug enough to keep your patient from nodding his head downward, but not so tight as to keep him from opening his mouth.
Adjust the collar as necessary until it fits correctly; if it is the wrong size, replace it immediately. Stabilizing the cervical spine Throughout this discussion, you may have realized that the collar only really controls the flexion motion of the cervical spine. The rotational movement, if indicated by, is restricted with the head immobilizer, and extension movements are restricted with the back board. To prevent hyperextension of the head and neck, padding between the occiput and the board must be used in the vast majority of patients who are immobilized. Remember to immobilize the torso first, followed by the head and neck. The key areas to apply appropriate straps are the primary points of contact between the body and the board, which are the:.
Shoulder. Pelvis.
Manual Cervical Spine Stabilization
Occiput region of the head Pad all voids between the body and the board; it improves the patient's comfort and may help to prevent further injury from the immobilization itself. Finally, just like the cervical collar, one size doesn't fit all in terms of immobilization technique. Some patients with excessive curvature of the back and neck, or with lower back disorders, may need significant padding and/or flexion of the knees in order to achieve a neutral position of the spine. Right way, and many wrong ways The equipment we use is only as good as our technique. It is important to remember that there is a right way, and many wrong ways, to use a device.
For something as seemingly simple as a cervical collar, this is especially true. We don't want to cause further harm to our patients, which we can avoid by making sure we use cervical collars appropriately and correctly.
Cervical Spine Stabilization Exercises
Art Hsieh, MA, NRP teaches in Northern California at the Public Safety Training Center, Santa Rosa Junior College in the Emergency Care Program. An EMS provider since 1982, Art has served as a line medic, supervisor and chief officer in the private, third service and fire-based EMS. He has directed both primary and EMS continuing education programs. Art is a textbook writer, author of 'EMT Exam for Dummies,' has presented at conferences nationwide and continues to provide direct patient care regularly. Art is a member of the EMS1 Editorial Advisory Board.
Cervical Spine Stabilization Program
Contact Art at [email protected] and connect with him on Facebook or Twitter.
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