What is the purpose of the spine and its discs?

The bony spine is designed so that vertebrae "stacked" together can provide a movable support structure while also protecting the spinal cord (nervous tissue that extends down the spinal column from the brain) from injury. Each vertebrae has a spinous process, which is a bony prominence behind the spinal cord that shields the cord's nerve tissue. The vertebrae also have a strong bony "body" in front of the spinal cord to provide a platform suitable for weight-bearing.

The discs are pads that serve as "cushions" between each vertebral body which minimize the impact of movement on the spinal column. Each disc is designed like a jelly donut with a central softer component (nucleus pulposus). This softer component can rupture (herniate) through the surrounding outer ring (annulus fibrosus) and irritate adjacent nervous tissue. Ligaments are strong fibrous soft tissues that firmly attach bones to bones. Ligaments attach each of the vertebrae and surround each of the discs. When ligaments are injured as the disc degenerates, pain in the area affected can result.

What is degenerative disc disease?

As we age, the water and protein content of the body’s cartilage changes. This change results in weaker, more fragile and thin cartilage. Because both the discs and the joints that stack the vertebrae (facet joints) are partly composed of cartilage, these areas are subject to wear and tear over time (degenerative changes). The gradual deterioration of the disc between the vertebrae is referred to as degenerative disc disease.

Degeneration of the disc is medically referred to as spondylosis. Spondylosis can be noted on x-ray tests or MRI scanning of the spine as a narrowing of the normal "disc space" between the adjacent vertebrae.

Degeneration of the disc tissue makes the disc more susceptible to herniation. Degeneration of the disc can cause local pain in the affected area. Any level of the spine can be affected by disc degeneration. When disc degeneration affects the spine of the neck, it is referred to as cervical disc disease. When the mid-back is affected, the condition is referred to as thoracic disc disease. Disc degeneration that affects the lumbar spine is referred to as lumbago. Lumbago causes pain localized to the low back and is common in older persons. Degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) of the facet joints is also a cause of localized lumbar pain that can be detected with plain x-ray testing.

What are radiculopathy and sciatica?

Radiculopathy refers to nerve irritation caused by damage to the disc between the vertebrae. This occurs because of degeneration ("wear and tear") of the outer ring of the disc, or because of traumatic injury, or both. Weakness of the outer ring leads to disc bulging and herniation. As a result, the central softer portion of the disc can rupture through the outer ring of the disc and abut the spinal cord or its nerves as they exit the bony spinal column.

When nerves are irritated in the neck from degenerative disc disease, the condition is referred to as cervical radiculopathy. This can lead to painful burning or tingling sensations in the arms. When nerves are irritated in the low back from degenerative disc disease, the condition is called lumbar radiculopathy and it often causes the commonly recognized "sciatica" pain that shoots down the lower extremity. This condition can be preceded by a localized low back aching. Sciatica pain can follow a "popping" sensation at onset and be accompanied by numbness and tingling. The pain commonly increases with movements at the waist and can increase with coughing or sneezing.

 

What is bony encroachment?

Any condition that results in movement or growth of the bony vertebrae of the spine can limit the space (encroachment) for the adjacent spinal cord and nerves. Causes of bony encroachment of the spinal nerves include foramenal narrowing (narrowing of the portal through which the spinal nerve passes from the spinal column, out of the spinal canal to the body), spondylolisthesis (slipping of one vertebra relative to another), and spinal stenosis (compression of the nerve roots or spinal cord by bony spurs or other soft tissues in the spinal canal). For example, lumbar spinal nerve compression in these conditions can lead to sciatica pain which radiates down the lower extremities. Lumbar spinal stenosis can cause lower extremity pains which worsen with walking and are relieved by resting (mimicking poor circulation).

 

Degenerative Disc Disease & Sciatica At A Glance

 

• The discs of the spine serve as "cushions" between each vertebral segment.

• The discs are designed somewhat like a jelly donut.

• Degeneration (deterioration) of the disc makes the disc more susceptible to herniation (rupture) which can lead to localized or radiating pain.

• Sciatica can result from disc herniation when nerves of sensation in the low back are irritated.

Why Pain T.E.M. over Prescriptive medication?

 

Alternative medicine has become the choice of an increasing number of people over the past 5 years. These same individuals are also looking for a drug free alternative for pain management. Many individuals find themselves suffering with long term chronic back pain, but due to the prescriptive medication they may be currently taking, additional pain medication may not be advised due to the possiblilty of drup interaction.

Others however may just be looking for an effective may to control pain naturally. In answer to this growing demand Health Tech International has developed a unique and inexpensive disposable membrane that is charged with micro-current. This product was tested for four years and found to relieve pain in a wide variety of conditions, both chronic and acute at an astounding rate of 86%.

How does Pain T.E.M. Work Specifically for Sciatica Pain?

The PAIN T.E.M. membrane contains no DRUGS or CHEMICALS. This membrane is statically charged and  placed directly over the area of pain.  The membrane is held in placed by specially designed surgical tape.  Once the membrane makes contact it releases its subsensory current of micro-current impulses over a 48 hour period.  Figure 1 & 2  PAIN T.E.M. works similar to a TENS unit in that it blocks the pain sensation, but goes a step further, in that it helps promote healing by neutralizing the positive field produced by injured cells and allowing the normal bio-processes to resume in that area. Pain T.E.M. provides a micro-current electrical stimulation that more closely approximates the naturally occurring bio-electric current in the body.  The cuurent therfore is considered subsensory and cannot be felt.  It provides "bio-stimulation" that stimulates cellular physiology and growth. It increases the adenosine triphosphate (APT) generation, amino acid transport and protein synthesis.  This causes the body to heal itself at a much faster rate. 

It has long been known that all life processes involve electricity, and that biological processes can be affected by electrical treatment. The cells of the human body are basically tiny electrolytic batteries, each with a potential current flow of approximately 4 picoamps or 4 trillionths of an ampere.

These microcurrents flow through the body in an orderly manner when there is no pathology present. However, since injury disrupts the bio-electrical functions of the cells, the electrical activity of damaged cells is quite different from that of healthy ones.

There is more electrical resistance in injured cells, so the normal energy flow through these cells is lower, impeding the healing processes and maintaining the presence of pain. If the electrical resistance of such injured cells can somehow be reduced, allowing the body's own electrical energy easy access to those cells, the health of the cells will improve. Inflammation may decrease, the healing process will be enhanced and pain can be lessened. 

Pain T.E.M.  administers extremely low electrical current to the area of injury. This energy can be stored and used by the injured cells to lower their electrical resistance and provide additional energy to aid the body's natural healing process and relieve pain.