My Dad was big on lectures.  He actually parented my siblings and me through an endless series of lectures….most of which we ignored.  The lecture for which he had the most passion had to do with health.  “You know, Carol, when you’ve got your health…you’ve got just about everything.”

Turns out… Dad was right.  About a lot of things, actually.   But last year, his belief about the importance of good health really hit home.   Low back pain started affecting every part of my life.  Getting out of bed in the morning.  Doing light housework.   The worst?   I couldn’t even swim without pain.   I was counting on swimming to be the activity I’d take into my old age.  I couldn’t even imagine life without it.

The MRI showed a bulging disc and the early stages of degenerative joint disease.   I quit working out…. did some light stretching and had a few sessions with a physical therapist.  The pain persisted.  An athlete all my life…I couldn’t believe this was happenning to me.   Turns out, back pain is the number one medical complaint.  I certainly wasn’t alone.

Hoping to avoid surgery….I got a couple of cortisone shots in my back….and a ray of hope.   The sharp, electric pain subsided slightly.   But the aching, sriffness and occasional blasts of pain were still part of my life.    For months, my chiropractor had gently suggested I try something called spinal compression.   He has the state-of-the-art equipment in his UTC office.  But I was skeptical.   When I finally realized I might have to consider surgery….I gave  Dr. Keith Jeffers a call.   He showed me studies from the Mayor Clinic….how how 89% of patients with herniated discs and degenerative disc disease had significant reduction in pain…..with no negative side effects.

I decided to give it a try.   Treatment involved a significant time committment….twenty 30-minute treatments in less  than a month.     But I figured before doing something as invasive as surgery…it was worth a shot.    Dr. Jeffers uses a machine called the DRX9000…..the cadillac of spinal decompression equipment.  What sets it apart from some other traction machines is its computerized “servo motor,” which monitors the pull on the back.  So should the body begin to spasm…..the machine stops pulling. 

The treatments weree actually extremely relaxing.  The gentle pull (which got stronger as my treatments progressed) actually felt good.  It was a comfortable “release” of my tight back.   I didn’t notice any significant change until the 14th treatment.   Later that day…. I realized I had bent over to get something from the front seat in my car  without pain.   Stepping off a curb.  No pain.   Sitting at the news desk for an hour.  Only mild aching.   By the 20th treatment, the change was significant.   I slowly started swimming…gentle freestyle and backstroke.   A little “tweak” here and there….but I found I could rotate my lower body as I stroked….with very little discomfort!

I was elated…but wondered if the pain would return if I stopped the treatments.   In four months (including 3 maintenance treatments), things have only gotten better.   I can now stand at the kitchen sink or in front of the clothes dryer and work with out aching.   I’ve even added some butterfly and breast stroke back into my swim routine.  

I’m still careful.   Some days my back is tight and a little stiff.   I get a “zinger” from time to time.  But the pain no longer affects every part of my day.

Obviously, this technology isn’t for everyone.  As I rresearched spinal decompression, I also learned ome doctors aren’t convinced the technology works.   But for someone suffering from disc problems (and that includes the cervical spine.), sciatica or failed back surgery…the DRX900 might just be an option.   Dr. Jeffers admits not everyone is a candidate.  An honest, reputable doctor or health care provider will help determine that.   But for those who are good candidates,…Dr. Jeffers says he’s had 80% of his patients report significant reduction of pain and a return to normal activites.  (He’s especially proud of the guy who’s now back to 4-wheel driving…and the 55 year-old woman who’s returned to training for 10-K runs!)

Spinal decompression is FDA approved….but only a few insurance providers  cover the treatments.   However, if future studies show continued success…..it’s expected more insurance carriers will reimburse their customers.

I wouldn’t presume to tell anyone what to do when it comes to their health.   I just wanted to share my experience with anyone putting up with chronic back pain.   It’s no fun.  But if surgery isn’t for you….you might want to check out spinal decompression.    And shop around for the best!    Remember, when you’ve got your health…….life is good!!  Happy New Year!

  Staying healthy during the holidays can be a challenge.    I know.   With three holiday events last weekend…I found myself in a constant battle to keep from over-indulging.  With more than two weeks to go until the new year….I decided I needed help.  I needed an expert. 

   Candy Cumming, Registered Dietician, is also a Wellness Education Specialist and Certified Solution Provider with Sharp Weight Management and Health Education.  I’ve known Candy for years.   When it comes to health advice, Candy takes a practical, no-nonsense approach.    She gave me some tips.  What she shared was so spot-on…without gimmicks and ultimately so “do-able…” I thought I would pass it along to you….un-edited….in its entirety.    

“WE’RE HEAVY INTO THE HOLIDAY EATING SEASON….SO HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO PRESERVE YOUR HIPS!”   by Candy Cumming.

    “Since being physically active is a wonderful stress-reducer and calorie-burner, you need to be active during the holidays.  Continue with your usual activity if you are already an exerciser.  If not, just add 15 minutes of walking each day.  You could even break that down into three 5-minute walks!  Play active games with your children.  Be creative: walk around the entire mall before you start shopping.  Park and then walk to view the light displays.  Plan outings to the zoo, Sea World and/or many of our beautiful parks.

    Smelling a German butter cookie in the oven marks my Christmas…so much so I can’t imagine Christmas without it.  In our family, we have limited baking to one recipe and we all get together to roll, decorate, bake and share cookies.  None of us gets a lot of cookies…but we do get to be together in a fun and memorable way.  Limiting the amount of baking you do and sharing that enables you to keep traditions alive without drowning in a sea of calories from baked goods.

   One holiday meal never made anyone fat.  But a few weeks of eating holiday goodies can add pounds.

    Festivites can overburden a calendar.  Be selective and choose the parties and events that are most meaningful for you and drop the rest.  This gives you the chance for som real R&R over the holidays.

    Never go to a party on an empty stomach or with low blood sugar.  You’ll eat way too much once you arrive.  So have a light snack before going.  Something like string cheese and a piece of fruit would do.  It it’s a pot luck event….bring something fairly low in calories (fruit/veggie dishes) so you always have something to fill your plate.  You’ll make other health-conscious people happy too.  Look at your plate and divide it into quadrants.  Allow yourself to put some yummy high-fat food on 1/4th of the plate.  Fill the rest of the plate with low-calorie options.  By doing this you won’t feel deprived and you won’t regret over-eating either.

    Getting back to that 1/4 of a plate.  Invest your calories in a food that looks delicious…that you may only see once a year.  Eat and savor it…without guilt.  Skip the stuff you can get anytime…chips, cheese and crackers, store-bought cookies, etc.

   Keep your eating during the holiday time simple: fruits, veggies, lean proteins and some whole grains.  By simplifying and placing loving limits on the foods you eat day in and day out…you have a little leeway to enjoy some holiday fare.

    Be mindful of what you drink.  A spirit-loaded eggnog can pack as much as 500 calories.  And a typical wine, beer or mixed drink is at least 150 calories.  Avoid drinks with umbrellas as they are loaded with calories.  Always consider that alcohol calories come with “friends.”  By this I mean, you’ll eat more as you drink more.  If you do drink, limit it to one and switch to non-alcoholic and non-caloric options.

    Don not decorate your home or desk with holiday candies.  Once you see them, you’ll eat them.  So minimize exposure because “will power” is more myth than anything.   Being willing to keep your environment free of temptations is definitely the way to go.

    (My personal favorite holiday eating tip!)  Workplaces seem to teem with goodies this time of year.  See if you can win the support of your co-workers to minimize the goodies that inevitably show up.  Rather than keeping food out all day in the break room…limit it to one hour or just to one day/week.  Bring in some fun, fruits, like those tangerine “cuties” and leave those out for co-workers.  Many are relieved to have a healthy option!   If your office has been gifted with sealed containers of “goodies,” consider taking them to a homeless shelter.

    One of the more dangerous thoughts to have is “I’m going on my diet in the new year, so I might as well enjoy whatever I want these next few weeks.”  This thought gives us permission to over-indulge.  Unfortunately, the pounds gained seldom come off.  Most people end their diet the day or two after they start it.  I’d rather have the discomfort of being a bit more discreet with my eating over the holidays than eat with abandon and then face the discomfort of needing to lose the pounds I gained.”

    Candy’s tips aren’t magic…but the fact is, if you want to avoid starting the new year guilty, depressed , with 5-10 extra pounds….following her simple advice will surely save you the trouble.  Have a happy and healthy holiday! (I think I’m going to take a 5-minute break and walk around the building!  Thanks Candy!  Merry Christmas.)

To learn more about Sharp Weight Management and Health Education…..visit www.sharp.com/weight.