‘Sciatica was gone’: hospital performs robot-assisted spinal surgery in Canadian first

From msn.com/en-ca/health

Dave Meyn didn’t think much about being the first patient in Canada to receive a robot-assisted direct lateral spine surgery two months ago. He was just looking for anything to relieve the pain.

Now he says he feels thankful the robot enabled minimally invasive surgery and reduced recovery time. 

“When I woke up from surgery, the sciatica was gone. It’s just amazing.”

He still has about four months to go until the fusion of his impacted vertebrae is considered complete, but he says everything is progressing well.

Meyn suffered from chronic back pain that led to sciatica in his right leg and extreme pain in his lower back, impacting his daily life “to the point that the shooting pain in my right leg caused me to stumble and fall.”

After numerous visits with his family doctor, chiropractors and massage therapists, he ended up at London Health Sciences Centre in London, Ont., as the first patient in the country to undergo the procedure with the Mazor X Spinal Robot.

                                                             Dave Meyn, left, and Dr. Victor Yang, right.            © supplied by LHSC

While robotics have been used in spinal surgeries in Canada before, LHSC said this was the first time it was used in a direct lateral surgery, which basically combines two surgeries in one.

“Normally when we do back surgeries we put the patient on the operating table when they are facing downwards,” Dr. Victor Yang, neurosurgeon at LHSC, explained.

“In Dave's scenario, he also needed surgery done from the side of the spine as well…In the old days, we will do this surgery in two stages. And sometimes they (were) even spread over different days. And even if we can do it on the same day, we'll still have to flip the patient between two positions. And that means that the patient will be under anaesthetic for a longer time.”

The robot allowed Yang and the rest of the team to perform two surgeries in one, in a minimally-invasive way. The robot allows the team to “virtually” see where the patient’s bone is and then guide them in the right direction. Because it was minimally invasive, it also sped up recovery time, meaning Meyn was discharged from the hospital in just a few days.

Robotic surgery is not as simple as purchasing a robot and booking surgeries. In this case, the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University funded the original cost of the robot for research purposes before it was fully approved by Health Canada. Yang said they spent over a year studying the robot, learning how to use it and training the team. The Mazor X received Health Canada approval in July 2021 and the technology was transferred to LHSC for clinical use.

“Having a robotic surgery program takes a whole village, it is not a one-person job,” he said. “We have Dr. (Marcelo) Oppermann, who is my clinical fellow, and also all of our operating room nurses, and they were trained over multiple sessions…the neuro-radiologist, as well as a neuro-anaesthetist and the vascular surgeons, they (also) form part of our team to make this new technology available for our patients.”

The clinical neurosciences team has since successfully performed five more minimally invasive surgical spinal procedures with the robot.

Yang believes its use will become more and more commonplace in spinal surgeries, where robotics is not yet as well-established as it is in other surgeries, as it provides “more consistency and, in general, better outcomes and care.”

Meyn, meanwhile, is excited about the possibilities the surgery has granted him.

“I am excited to get back to my everyday life and some of the things I enjoy and also have a summer that is not full of pain, but rather freedom to do the things I want.”

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/health/other/sciatica-was-gone-hospital-performs-robot-assisted-spinal-surgery-in-canadian-first/ar-AA1nFvHC?ocid=weather-verthp-feeds&apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1

Sciatica: Gentle stretches to help relieve pain and improve mobility

From health.harvard.edu

The sharp, radiating pain of a sciatica flare-up can make everyday activities such as moving or even sleeping a challenge. However, for some people who experience it, simple, effective exercises can help relieve sciatica pain.

What is sciatica?

You may hear someone say that their "sciatica is flaring up." But sciatica isn't a single, specific medical condition. Rather, "sciatica" describes the symptoms that arise from irritation or compression on some part of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the body's largest nerve. It runs from the lower spine, through the buttocks, down the back of each leg, and into the foot. So, an irritation or injury of this nerve can potentially affect a large portion of the lower body.

Most cases of sciatica result from compression of nerve roots in the lower body that affect the sciatic nerve. This causes heightened sensitivity and pain.

Irritation of the sciatic nerve, or the nerves connected to it, can occur for various reasons, including:

• herniated disc, when the soft inner core of an intervertebral disc, which creates a cushion between the bones of your back, bulges out of position. This is the most common cause of sciatica.
• spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal
• spondylolisthesis, a condition in which one of the bones in your spine slips out of alignment
• injury.

Sciatica may also result from other causes, such as pregnancy.

Sciatica pain varies greatly between individuals, differing in intensity and location. For some people, sciatica feels like a mild ache. For others, it can feel like sharp, unrelenting, shooting pain radiating from the lower back through the buttocks and down one or both legs. In some cases, the pain is localized to the leg and foot, with no discomfort in the back or buttocks. The pain can feel more intense at certain times of the day or in certain positions.

How stretching helps

Certain home remedies and self-care techniques may help reduce pain and prevent symptoms from worsening. It may be tempting to rest when sciatica flares up, but inactivity can make symptoms worse.

Stretching is one of the most effective ways to relieve sciatica pain and promote long-term healing. Movement and gentle stretches may provide several benefits, including:

• Increased flexibility and range of motion: Stretches that target the hips, lower back, and legs can reduce tension in muscles that may press on or irritate the sciatic nerve.
• Stronger supporting muscles: Building flexibility helps to support proper spinal alignment and reduce stress on the lower back, reducing the chance of future episodes.
• Circulation boost: Improved blood flow accelerates the healing process by delivering oxygen and nutrients to injured tissues.
• Reduced pain perception: Gentle movement releases endorphins, which act as natural pain relievers, helping to ease discomfort.

It's important to approach stretching with care. Avoid overexertion or excessive bending that could strain the spine. Focus on slow, controlled movements and listen to your body. If stretching worsens your pain or feels uncomfortable, consult a healthcare provider to ensure you're on the right path to recovery.

Gentle stretches to relieve sciatica pain

Incorporating stretch-focused routines into your home routine can help to improve back pain, including sciatica. Try the following gentle stretches for relief.

Knee to chest stretch

• Lie on your back with both knees bent, feet on the ground.
• Cross your left leg over your right, with the ankle of your left leg resting just above the knee of the right.
• Hold your right thigh with both hands and pull it toward your chest until you can feel the stretch in your buttocks. Hold it for 10 to 30 seconds.
• Return to the starting position.
• Repeat with the other leg.

Knee cradle

• Lie on your back with your legs straight out.
• Bend your right knee and rotate your hip so that the lower leg is across your chest, pointing to the left. You should feel this stretch in your thigh.
• Hold for 5 to 10 seconds, then return to the starting position.
• Repeat 5 times with each leg.

Cat-cow

• Get down on all fours (tabletop position) with your hands directly beneath your shoulders and your knees beneath your hips. Keep your back flat.
• As you inhale, lift your collarbone and tailbone toward the ceiling as you let your belly relax toward the floor, like a cow.
• As you exhale, round your back, bringing your chin toward your chest and tucking your tailbone under like a cat as you pull in your navel toward your spine.
• Continue moving with your breath; do not hold.
• Repeat 3 to 5 times.

Lower back press

• Lie on your back with both knees bent and your feet on the floor.
• Gently flatten your lower back to the floor and hold for 5 to 10 seconds, then relax.
• Repeat 5 to 10 times.

Exercises to avoid if you have sciatica

While staying active is important for managing sciatica, certain exercises and movements can aggravate the condition.

Here are some types of exercises to avoid, especially in the early stages of sciatica:

Heavy lifting. Lifting heavy weights puts significant strain on the spine and can worsen sciatica pain. Avoid activities that involve lifting, especially those that require bending or twisting your back.

Twisting movements. Twisting or rotating your back, especially with added weight, can exacerbate irritation of the sciatic nerve. Avoid activities like golf, tennis, or certain yoga poses that require sharp spinal rotation until sciatica pain subsides.

Overly intense stretching. While gentle stretching is beneficial, aggressive or deep stretches can put too much strain on your lower back, hips, and legs, leading to more pain. Avoid any stretches that cause discomfort or sharp pain, especially those that push you beyond your current range of motion.

Exercise photos by Michael Carroll

https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/sciatica-gentle-stretches-to-help-relieve-pain-and-improve-mobility 

Acupuncture Found Effective for Chronic Sciatica Pain in Groundbreaking Study

From prweb.com

A new study in JAMA Internal Medicine confirms acupuncture's effectiveness in relieving chronic sciatica caused by herniated discs. The trial showed significant pain reduction and improved functionality, with benefits lasting up to a year. Acubalance Wellness Clinic in Vancouver combines acupuncture with Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) for enhanced pain relief and accelerated healing. This holistic, evidence-based approach offers a safe and effective alternative to medications and surgery for lasting relief and improved mobility.

VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine confirms that acupuncture provides pain relief and improved functionality for individuals suffering from chronic sciatica caused by herniated lumbar discs. This randomized clinical trial provides evidence supporting acupuncture as a safe and effective treatment option. Acubalance Wellness Clinic in Vancouver, has helped individuals manage pain, including sciatica, through holistic, evidence-based treatments like acupuncture and Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT).

Study Highlights: 

Conducted in six major hospitals in China, the trial enrolled 216 patients with chronic sciatica caused by herniated discs. Participants received either acupuncture or sham acupuncture over 10 sessions in four weeks. Researchers measured changes in pain and disability using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).

                                                                                               ACUBALANCE BC sciatic pain CARE

Key findings include:

• A 30.8 mm reduction in pain on the VAS for the acupuncture group compared to a 14.9 mm reduction in the sham group.
• A 13-point improvement in disability scores (ODI) for the acupuncture group compared to 4.9 points in the sham group.
• Benefits were evident within two weeks and persisted for a full year.
• No serious adverse events were reported, affirming acupuncture's safety.

"This study highlights acupuncture's ability to provide relief for chronic sciatica patients, improving their quality of life significantly," said Dr. Lorne Brown, clinical director at Acubalance in Vancouver].

Combining Acupuncture with Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)

To maximize treatment outcomes, we incorporate Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) alongside acupuncture. LLLT, or photobiomodulation, uses light wavelengths to penetrate tissue, reducing inflammation, stimulating cellular repair, and accelerating recovery.

Why Combine LLLT with Acupuncture?

• Enhanced Pain Relief: LLLT blocks pain signals and reduces inflammation.
• Accelerated Healing: It promotes tissue repair at the cellular level.
• Non-Invasive and Safe: Both therapies are gentle yet effective.

This combined approach creates a powerful synergy, providing comprehensive relief and recovery for sciatica patients.

Implications for Sciatica Sufferers:

With evidence and safety history, acupuncture and LLLT together offer a compelling alternative to medications or surgery. Patients are encouraged to explore these options for lasting pain relief and improved mobility.

About Acubalance

Acubalance, located in Vancouver, BC, for over 25 years, have helped individuals manage pain, including sciatica, through holistic, evidence-based treatments like acupuncture and Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT).

https://www.prweb.com/releases/acupuncture-found-effective-for-chronic-sciatica-pain-in-groundbreaking-study-302347500.html