The Pain Chronicles 2
Low back pain is a real pain
Happiness for me is being able to stand in my kitchen chopping onions without that nagging low back pain. This condition is so widespread that it’s an accepted part of living. But I have found a way to be pain free without drugs or surgery. It feels rather miraculous and not what I expected to happen. If you’ve ever suffered this ubiquitous pain, this post is for you.
To begin, let’s acknowledge that there are two aspects to back pain: one is purely physical, caused by lumbar stenosis, degenerative disc disease, arthritis and bulging discs. The other is emotional. Most of the time, both are at work, but we tend to dismiss the emotional, energetic aspects. Western medicine totally ignores it.
However, Energy Medicine acknowledges that the body holds tension from old traumas and that they accumulate until one day you discover pain is your constant companion. Energy that is trapped because of emotional conflicts can cause serious illness— but not everyone is able to face up to such a conflict. There are always physical reasons alongside the emotional baggage that we carry. Untangling all these factors takes time, expertise and often, cash. Simply finding help is the first hurdle, and as I described in my last post, I was lucky with my choice of a highly trained and experienced Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Dr Robinson helped me a great deal but she also pointed out that the effectiveness of her treatments depends largely on how advanced the stenosis is. I can’t move the Hoover Dam, she said. She can open up energy flow, but it has its limits. If the canal that encases the nerves has become too narrow, surgery is in your future.
This is a frightening idea at my age and I have pretty well decided that it’s too late for that kind of intervention. There is also the undeniable shortage of actual doctors here in Canada. I might as well forget that route. There is a third route, linked to the Chinese system of energy flow and that is intuitive energy work. It involved peeling back the layers until you get to the root of the pain. It may take six, seven or eight layers to get there and once you know where the problem originated, clearing it can begin. This type of work is so esoteric and far removed from our materialistic concept of the body that it takes a leap of faith to find a practitioner and to just let the process happen.
During my previous post, I introduced you to Dr Michael Greenwood, who is one of the pioneers in this field. He told me during a phone interview that energy work like this is not for the faint of heart because it releases pent up pain energy that can manifest in ways that are highly unusual and even frightening. He said he could not have done it in a ‘normal’ clinical setting nor without the help of his wife. The sessions were often lengthy and involved breathing, meditation, and energy work based on the Chinese system. He also used the Indian Ayurvedic system and found that in using all of these different modalities was crucial. Quite often, the patient would go into an altered state he named ‘the void’ where healing powers were released. Dr Greenwood helped many people but he is now retired and when I said what a loss that is, he said that his books explain what he did in great detail. He is correct of course but alas, the young do not read books, or so I am told.
I am going to quote from The Unbroken Field, The Power of Intention in Healing because it fits the energy of the Year of the Snake, where we’re all going to be shedding our old habits, old beliefs and yes, old traumas and welcoming something brand new. The Year of the Wood Snake is about recognizing what no longer serves us and letting it go, no matter how painful. This is a transformation that will affect everyone on a deep level that is unconscious and often, repressed. Dr Greenwood says that
…as the individual comes face to face with these transformational energies within herself, many of them treaties ones for a lifetime to preserve the status quo fail. Such tranformations can be both e4xtremly positive and very frightening: a man in midlife leaves the secure job he hate to become an artist; or a woman risks censure and economic uncertainty to walk away from an emotionally unsatisfying relationship. Such major changes are typically of the conscious manifestation of transformational 3nergies. However , then transformational forces remain unconscious, or when their manifestation ism locked, they tend to crate real, external chaos or give rise to disease. A teenage destroy his creative potential by becoming addicted to drugs; a community leader leads a double life and spreads HIV; a woman gets incapacitating migraines but cannot admit the anger that my be contributing to them; a cheery worker gets ulcers from hidden worry…
These denials are maladaptations and they have serious consequences. Whether we heed this warning to integrate our conflicts and work with this energy is an open question. Change on a deep level is extremely difficult and we would rather do anything to avoid it. This is not possible during The Year of the Wood Snake, and no matter how much we deny it, we can already feel its power. Here is Dr Greenwood again:
This kind of fragmentation is so common, I would say it is present in everyone with any illness whatsoever. Latent transformational energy makes its presence known in physical symptoms, which we tend to misinterpret as pathology. that is, we assume that something is wrong rather than right. If we then suppress the symptoms, we drive the energy deeper into the body, where it can fester for a while before re emerging as a more ferocious illness. Meanwhile, the mind/body and persona/shadow splits enable us to distance ourselves and pretend we have nothing to do with the disease process.
In other words, if you are ill, offloading the problem to a doctor may not be the best strategy. I chose to engage with my nagging pain, and I am so happy that I did. I connected with an energy healer, an old friend who has only recently begun practicing. At first, she was hesitant and said she needed me to ‘practice on’. I was a willing guinea pig, and after the second session, I was able to stand up straight without pain and chop those onions and walk to the restaurant without pain nipping at me constantly. I am so very grateful and yes, somewhat surprised. But I shouldn’t be; she is the daughter of the energy healer I mentioned in my previous post. Clearly, it is a gift that can be inherited and I am very lucky to know these two gifted and generous women. If I had not taken this leap of faith, I might be contemplating surgery.
As for the purely physical aspect, Lumbar stenosis involves a narrowing of the spinal canal due to arthritis, a worn out disc or both. The nerves are getting squeezed and chronic pain that also involves shooting pains down the legs is the result. It can take many years for the condition to become acute, but when it does, it is a serious matter. Chronic Sciatica is not a pleasant way to live. And the inability to walk without pain is depressing. Unfortunately, lumbar stenosis gets worse with time. The clock is ticking. It is literally, a pain in the ass.
If not diagnosed and treated properly, it is leading straight to a walker and eventually, a wheelchair existence. And dependence on painkillers that have serious side effects, especially on cognitive function. How to avoid all that is complicated: there is no one size fits all solution. I have come to believe in the effectiveness of energy healing, but if that had not worked out, I would be hunting for a surgeon able to diagnose my problem and fix it.
Fortunately, according to Harper’s Index, ChatGPT is able to correctly diagnose 90 percent of medical cases compared to a shockingly low 70 percent for actual doctors. Your surgeon can in fact make use of the Chat AI.
I asked Chat to give me a list of spinal surgeries from the least invasive to the most, and it came up with a pretty good list:
When it comes to treating spinal stenosis, the approach to surgery typically ranges from minimally invasive to more traditional procedures. The choice depends on the severity of the condition, the patient's overall health, and how well they have responded to non-surgical treatments. Here's a list of common back surgeries for stenosis, starting from the least invasive:
1. Minimally Invasive Spinal Decompression (MIS)
Procedure: A small incision is made, and instruments are used to remove the bone spurs or disc material pressing on the nerves. This may involve procedures like microdiscectomy or laminectomy.
Advantages: Smaller incision, quicker recovery time, reduced blood loss, and less post-operative pain.
Ideal for: Patients with localized stenosis who need decompression but can avoid a more extensive procedure.
2. Laminectomy (or Laminotomy)
Procedure: The lamina (the bony structure covering the spinal cord) is removed to relieve pressure on the nerves. A laminotomy involves removing just part of the lamina, while a full laminectomy removes it completely.
Advantages: Effective in relieving nerve compression, often performed through minimally invasive techniques.
Ideal for: Moderate to severe stenosis, especially if nerve root compression is significant.
3. Foraminotomy
Procedure: The foramen (the space where the spinal nerve exits) is enlarged by removing bone or soft tissue that is narrowing the passageway. This is often done in conjunction with a laminectomy.
Advantages: Provides direct relief of nerve compression by addressing the foramen, can be done minimally invasively.
Ideal for: Cases of stenosis where nerve roots are compressed at the foramen.
4. Spinal Fusion
Procedure: Spinal fusion involves joining two or more vertebrae together using bone grafts, screws, and rods. This is often done when instability is present in the spine after decompression or for chronic conditions causing progressive instability.
Advantages: Stabilizes the spine, reduces movement between vertebrae, and prevents future problems.
Ideal for: Severe stenosis with associated spinal instability or deformity, such as spondylolisthesis.
5. Artificial Disc Replacement
Procedure: In certain cases of stenosis caused by degenerative disc disease, an artificial disc can be inserted to replace a damaged disc, maintaining motion in the affected part of the spine.
Advantages: Preserves natural spinal movement, potentially avoiding the need for fusion.
Ideal for: Younger patients with degenerative disc disease who need relief but wish to preserve spinal mobility.
6. Complex or Traditional Laminectomy with Fusion
Procedure: A more extensive version of laminectomy where a larger portion of the lamina is removed to relieve pressure, often followed by spinal fusion to stabilize the spine.
Advantages: Provides significant decompression and stability for severe cases of stenosis with deformity or disc degeneration.
Ideal for: Severe cases with both stenosis and spinal instability, such as multilevel stenosis.
7. Spondylolisthesis Decompression and Fusion
Procedure: If stenosis is complicated by spondylolisthesis (when a vertebra slips out of place), decompression is performed, followed by spinal fusion to stabilize the spine.
Advantages: Corrects both the nerve compression and spinal instability.
Ideal for: Patients with spondylolisthesis combined with stenosis causing severe nerve compression and instability.
8. Posterior Spinal Fusion with Instrumentation (Traditional)
Procedure: A more traditional open surgery where multiple vertebrae are fused together using metal hardware (rods, screws, and plates). This may be done after a laminectomy or to address multi-level stenosis.
Advantages: Strong and stable outcome, particularly for severe stenosis with deformity.
Ideal for: Severe stenosis with significant structural issues, degenerative changes, or instability.
Choosing the Right Procedure
Minimally invasive surgeries like MIS decompression and foraminotomy are generally favored for their quicker recovery times and reduced risk of complications. However, if stenosis is complicated by issues like spinal instability or deformities, a more invasive procedure such as spinal fusion may be necessary to ensure long-term stability and function.
Recovery times and outcomes vary significantly depending on the type of surgery. Minimally invasive procedures may allow for return to normal activities within weeks, while more extensive surgeries like fusion may require months for full recovery.
If you’re considering surgery for spinal stenosis, it’s essential to consult with a spinal specialist who can assess your specific case and recommend the best approach.
You said:
What about the Veriflex procedure, where does it fit in?
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
The Veriflex procedure is a minimally invasive spinal surgery specifically designed for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease, particularly when these conditions are associated with facet joint arthritis or spinal instability. It's not as widely known as traditional procedures like laminectomy or fusion, but it’s gaining attention as a good alternative for certain cases of stenosis.
Where the Veriflex Procedure Fits In:
The Veriflex procedure is a flexible interspinous spacer implanted between the spinous processes (the bony projections of the vertebrae) of the spine to relieve pressure on the spinal nerves. Here's how it compares with other procedures:
Minimally Invasive:
The Veriflex is less invasive than a traditional laminectomy or spinal fusion. It doesn't require the removal of bone (like a laminectomy) or the fusion of vertebrae. The device is inserted through a small incision, typically under local anesthesia and sedation.
Indications:
The Veriflex procedure is particularly suited for patients with moderate lumbar spinal stenosis who experience symptoms like back pain and leg pain (sciatica) but don’t have severe instability or degenerative scoliosis that might require a more invasive procedure like spinal fusion.
It’s often considered for patients who:
Are not candidates for fusion (due to age, health conditions, or other factors)
Have failed conservative treatments like physical therapy or epidural injections
Want to avoid more invasive surgery with a longer recovery time.
Advantages of Veriflex:
Quick Recovery: Because the procedure is minimally invasive, recovery is generally much faster than fusion surgeries. Many patients can return to light activities within a few weeks.
Preserves Spinal Motion: Unlike spinal fusion, which reduces the range of motion, Veriflex allows for normal spinal movement.
Lower Risk of Complications: Because it’s minimally invasive, the risk of infection, blood loss, and other complications is typically lower.
Limitations:
Not Suitable for Severe Stenosis or Instability: If there’s significant disc degeneration, large herniations, or severe spinal instability, the Veriflex may not be sufficient, and more extensive procedures like spinal fusion may be necessary.
Not a One-Size-Fits-All: Like any surgical option, the Veriflex device is only appropriate for a certain subset of patients. Those with more complex conditions, such as scoliosis or severe disc degeneration, may not be candidates.
Conclusion:
The Veriflex procedure fits in between more traditional, invasive spinal surgeries (like fusion and laminectomy) and less invasive options, such as conservative treatments and epidural injections. It’s designed for patients with moderate lumbar stenosis and facet joint pain who need relief without the extended recovery time or risks associated with spinal fusion.
If you're considering spinal surgery for stenosis, the Veriflex device might be a good option to discuss with your spine specialist, particularly if you want to preserve mobility and have localized stenosis without instability.
That last word is important: much of lower back pain is because the back has become unstable due to poor posture and weak muscles, which together put extra pressure on the low back. This sounds fairly simple, but once again, it’s complex. The man who has the best advice on all of this is a Physiotherapist, who runs a popular YouTube Channel called Core Balance Training. I recommend watching his videos and learning from them; I certainly found them helpful.
Aside from my energy healer, he is perhaps the most useful and also, positive. He developed serious back pain as a young man and even professional physios were not particularly helpful. He became a physiotherapist himself and discovered why his back hurt all the time. His core muscles were underdeveloped and his posture was faulty, putting pressure on his stenosis. His YouTube posts are short and teach you to do certain exercises properly and carefully. Above all, he says that taking charge of your health and feeling that you can improve your situation is key. It really is up to you.
I believe that realization is what motivated me to try the energy healing with my friend: it felt like I was doing something and she was the enabler. A true, beneficial collaboration. I may need more 'treatments’ and I certainly have to work on my core muscles and my posture. But at the very least, I know what to do and I know there is help when I need it. Without back surgery.
And that is all I want to say about the real pain in our back, both personal and collective. Heeding it and diving deep into its root causes has freed me.
I hope that this personal story is helpful. May we all be able to make the changes we need to make in the Year of the Wood Snake. More about that mythical creature next week.
