The Response of Modern Medicine
Since a vertebral compression fracture can be quite painful, anti-inflammatory medications are typically recommended. However, in the long run, they can do more damage than good, especially if injured ligaments are involved in the fracture, or may even have contributed to susceptibility to a fracture. Although anti-inflammatory drugs have been shown to produce short-term pain benefit, they result in long-term loss of function and even more chronic pain by actually inhibiting the healing process of soft tissues and accelerating cartilage degeneration. Plus, long-term use of these drugs can lead to other sources of chronic pain, allergies and leaky gut syndrome. In other words, the problem with this approach is that it does nothing to repair weakened or injured ligaments or tendons and, thus, does not alleviate the chronic pain that people with vertebral compression fractures experience.
Another treatment option is orthotic support in the form of a brace to properly position the back while the fracture heals. More recently, vertebroplasty and spine balloon therapy have been added as treatment options. Both essentially "cement" the fracture. The problem with these treatment approaches, even if exercise and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents are added to the mix, is that they do nothing to address the potential problem of ligament and tendon laxity. And finally, when all else fails, patients who experience chronic joint pain are often referred to a surgeon. Unfortunately, surgery often makes the problem worse. Surgeons will use x-ray technology as a diagnostic tool, which does not always properly diagnose the pain source. Decisions to remove cartilage tissue will most commonly result in arthritis.
The Natural Medicine Approach to a Vertebral Compression Fracture
A better approach is to administer Prolotherapy. Prolotherapy, in strengthening the fibro-osseous junction – the ligament-bony interface – permanently stabilizes the compressed vertebral segment. The strengthening of the ligament and periosteal interface realign the area, resulting in improved posture. Prolotherapy, however, is not a complete treatment for osteoporosis compression fractures. The underlying cause must be corrected or the osteoporosis-induced compression fracture will recur. Whether the cause is nutritional, hormonal or a chronic disease, long-term healing of the osteoporosis must be addressed by adding natural medicine treatments, such as IP6 (Inositol Hexaphosphate) for overall bone health and immune support, Osteo Care supplements for prevention of bone loss and increased bone density, a healthy diet (of course!) and natural hormone replacement, as well as exercise, to the Prolotherapy treatments.
Osteoporosis affects the incidence of vertebral compression fractures as follows: Weakened bones, which are a result of osteoporosis, cause a weakness in the fibro-osseous junction, contributing to ligament and tendon laxity. This laxity decreases the stability of the bones, especially around the vertebrae. Eventually, because of the osteoporosis and the weakened ligaments, the vertebrae can no longer support the weight of the body and are compressed, resulting in a painful fracture. Prolotherapy helps stabilize the fracture site by causing the growth of ligamentous tissue at the fibro-osseous junction and strengthens the vertebral ligaments to eliminate the pain.
Prolotherapy offers the most curative results in treating chronic pain. It effectively eliminates pain because it attacks the source: the fibro-osseous junction, an area rich in sensory nerves. What's more, the tissue strengthening and pain relief stimulated by Prolotherapy is permanent!
Caring Medical is a full time Prolotherapy doctor’s office. We have successfully treated all of the conditions we write about. This is why patients travel from across the country and internationally to be treated by our Prolotherapy physician Dr. Ross Hauser. The difference is in the care, technique, and experience you get with Dr. Hauser and team at Caring Medical
The treatment regimens suggested here are based on the experience of Caring Medical. They do not apply to every case or condition. A person using these recommendations without the aid of a personal physician does so at their own risk.
This information is provided for informational purposes only. It is essential to have your condition evaluated by your own personal physician.
For an appointment with Ross Hauser, M.D., please call 708-848-7789. or email us at scheduling@caringmedical.com.
