The Miami Back Institute offers state-of-the-art evaluation and treatment of disorders of the spine.  We work closely with a variety of health-care specialists including; Neurosurgeons, Orthopedic Surgeons, Neurologists, Physiatrists, Chiropractors, Physical Therapists, Acupuncturists and Massage Therapists.

Accident Injuries?

(305) 461-4848

Treating Accident Injuries requires an experienced team for the proper management of the clinical and legal requirements.  At the Miami Back Institute, you can trust our team of experienced experts to provide you with the best possible care.

(305) 461-4848

You may have Whiplash!
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Success Stories
“I suffered from severe back pain and sciatica for 4 years due to 3 herniated discs in my low back.  Physical Therapy, Chiropractic, Epidural Injections and Medication didn’t help.  After Spinal Decompression Therapy at the Miami Back Institute, I have been almost pain free for over a year.  Thank you Dr. Robertson”  Rose N. Coral Gables, FL


"I had an MRI performed on my low back before and after starting Spinal Decompression Therapy. In the MRI report after the completion of treatment, the disc bulges were gone, as was my leg pain. I no longer need a cane to walk... 
J.C

"I have scoliosis which was not diagnosed until I was 30 years old. I have had back pain since I was 50, and have taken 12-14 different prescription drugs for pain. Most of the time, they did not work to relieve the pain and over time had an adverse effect on me. There was Sciatic pain down my leg. A Neurosurgeon advised me he could get rid of the pain down my leg, but I would probably have worse back pain.

Unable to even do light house work, I looked to Chiropractic. Lately, I have had decompression therapy, and I feel like a new person. My friends tell me I look so much better. All my thanks to the doctors and office personal for their care and attention". 
D.C.

"I was watching TV and answered the ad for the LCD Spinal Care System. I told the doctor that I was experiencing excruciating lower back and leg pain. The doctor and previous doctors diagnosed me with a lower back disc problem and a severely degenerated disc at L5-S1, the base of my spine. By the way, I am 81 years old. I experienced significant relief within the first week of care. I began treatment 2 months ago and I was discharged today. I have been to several other doctors within my HMO and other chiropractors who were only able to give me temporary relief. I am now completely pain free. Further, I did not have to take any medication. I am now able to walk and sleep better. I also have a more positive outlook since I am now more functional." 
Stevie

"I have been suffering with constant lower back pain for the last 5 years or so. Back in the Summer I started getting severe pains in my neck and my shoulder. I then made the call to check out the LCD Spinal Care System. When I walked in I was impressed by the warm greeting from the front desk personnel and the doctors. My first appointment was set for the next day. The doctor gave his explanation of my x-rays and the treatment plan proposed convinced me that I was in the hands of real experts. Now, only 4 months later, after years of suffering, my pains have almost disappeared. I'm actually feeling a little sad because I'll miss the attention, concern, and friendship all of you have offered me over the last few months.

Thanks again for all you've done for me. I will be sure to let all of my friends and students know about the wonderful work all of you do in treating "mind, body and spirit". 
Bishop

 A breakthrough medical technology offers new hope for
 serious back pain sufferers.  Non-Surgical Spinal 
 Decompression Therapy has been shown to
 be effective in treating serious and debilitating back
 pain, including cases with multiple herniated  discs and 
 sciatica. 

Can you avoid Back Surgery?  Non-surgical spinal decompression is considered the most promising non-surgical disc treatment today.

                   (305) 461-4848

Conditions sucessfully treated with Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy include:
- Herniated and Bulging Discs        - Degenerative Disc Disease 
- Sciatica                                            - Facet Syndrome
- Failed Back Syndrome                  - Chronic Neck or Back Pain 

  Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy is non-surgical, non-invasive, and does not involve pain medications. The treatment is not only safe and painless, but also comfortable and relaxing. The course of therapy includes approximately 20 treatment sessions over 4-6 weeks. Each procedure is performed with a unique physio-therapeutic device and is performed by a certified clinician, specializing in back pain care. The treatment sessions are brief, lasting approximately 30 minutes.

How Does it Work?
Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy distracts the vertebrae surrounding an injured disc 5 to 7 millimeters. The 25 to 30 minute treatment provides static, intermittent, and cycling forces on structures that may be causing low back pain.  During treatment, intradiscal pressure is dropped from a positive 25 millimeters mercury to a negative 150 millimeters mercury. This negative pressure promotes the diffusion of water, oxygen, and nutrients into the vertebral disc area, thereby re-hydrating the degenerated disc. Repeated pressure differentialpromotes retraction of a herniated nucleus pulposus (the elastic core of the intervertebral disc)

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy can:
- reduce pressure on the spinal joints (facet joints)
- promote the retraction of herniated discs
- promote self-healing and rehabilitation of damaged discs
- relieve back pain

Why should you consider Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy?

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy is non-surgical and non-invasive. The complications from surgery can be severe and may result in debilitating conditions. Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy is painless and involves no recovery time.

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy is convenient. Treatment sessions last only 25 to 30 minutes. And because the procedure is non-invasive, most Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy patients can carry-on with normal daily activities. Additionally, patients can expect only minimal absence from work.

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy is cost-effective. The cost of treatment is minimal compared to the cost of surgery. And, in most cases, financing is available for those without insurance or with less than comprehensive insurance. Several payment options are available and a monthly payment plan can be a much better financial decision than a 10% or 20% insurance co-payment on back surgery.

What are some common causes of lower back pain?
Herniated or Bulging Disc. A herniated disc is a common cause of severe back pain and sciatica. Discs are soft flexible "shock absorbers" that separate each of the bones, or vertebrae, in the spine. These discs have a rigid outside rim, but are soft and gel-like inside. Activity, stress, or a mechanical problem in the spine can cause one of the discs to bulge and become misshapen. A disc becomes herniated when it degenerates to the point that the gelatin within the disc protrudes outward. Classic low back pain occurs if this material extrudes or bulges far enough to press against a nerve root.

Degenerative Disc Disease. This condition is a major cause of chronic low back pain. Because the discs in the spine do not have a dedicated blood supply, the discs must rely on a process called diffusion to receive their supply of water, nutrients, and oxygen. If the flow of these elements is disrupted, the vertebral discs can degenerate. This degeneration can cause spinal structures to pinch (impinge) nerve roots, thereby causing pain. Vertebral discs can also degenerate simply due to the aging process.

Posterior Facet Syndrome. The facet joints can wear down. In such cases, a nerve can become pinched (impinged) and cause pain.

Sciatica. Sciatica refers to a pain felt along the length of the sciatic nerve. The pain is usually felt in the buttock where it radiates down the back of the leg. At some time, up to 40% of people experience pain caused by compression of this nerve.

Acute Back Pain. Acute low back pain generally lasts less than six months. A few cases may resolve without medical attention, although many reoccur.

Chronic Back Pain. Chronic low back pain persists beyond six months.

 
How can I relieve my lower back pain?
There are a variety of options available to relieve lower back pain. Many options involve surgery, painful injections, and heavy drug therapy. The complications from back surgery can be severe and may result in permanent debilitating conditions. Additionally, surgery can be extremely expensive and can require a long recovery period lasting several months. Pain medications can make it difficult to carry-on with normal day-to-day activities.

Now there is a new option:  Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy.  This innovative approach to relieve lower back pain is non-surgical, non-invasive and typically does not involve pain medications. The treatment is not only safe and painless, but also comfortable and relaxing.

In most cases, all non-invasive remedies should be exhausted before anyone is referred for surgery. Be sure to ask your doctor about non-invasive treatments for back pain.

For patients with a history of back pain and who are currently experiencing symptoms that are interfering with activities, the first step is proper diagnostic testing to determine the cause of the symptoms and the severity of the problem.

 To see if you qualify for treatment call today for a free consultation.

  (305) 461-4848

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy work?
A: Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy provides a computer directed method of applying and achieving physical therapy treatment objectives without requiring the patient to participate in any exhaustive or painful exercise regimen. It is performed by a certified clinician. The Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy device gently manipulates the offending spinal segment, while helping stretch and re-tone underlying musculature. The result is improved lumbar health and pain elimination in about 68% of patients treated.  

Q: If I use Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy, when will I start feeling better?
A: Many patients start feeling improvement by the second week of the treatment.

Q: Are there any side effects to the treatments?
A: Most patients do not experience any adverse side effects from undergoing Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy.

Occasionally, a few patients experience muscle spasm for a limited time.  

Q: Are there any drugs used in the treatment?
A: Although drug therapy is not a mainstay of Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy, some clinicians advocate the use of anti-inflammatory medications and muscle relaxants.

Q: How long does it take to complete the treatment?
A: Each treatment session lasts approximately 30 minutes and is repeated approximately 20 times over the course of 35 days. The number of sessions depends on the severity of the problem.  

Q: How successful is Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therap
A: In a prospective randomized clinical trial, Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy achieved a success rate of over 68%.  Thousands of patients have been successfully treated with Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy.  

Q: Does Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy involve surgery or injections?
A: No. Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy  is completely non-invasive, is non-surgical and involves no injections. Not only is Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy safe and painless, it's also comfortable and relaxing.

Q: How can I get more information or get started?
A: Simply call our office at (305) 461-484 and make an appointment.  Your initial consultation is free and we will determing if you qualify for treatment.

To see if you qualify for treatment call today for a free consultation.

 (305) 461-4848

 Glossary of Related Terms 
 

Acute Back Pain: Acute low back pain generally lasts less than six months. A few cases may resolve without medical attention, although many reoccur. 

Chronic Back Pain: Chronic low back pain generally persists beyond six months. If you are experiencing chronic back pain, you should seek medical attention. To get more information about Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy, please call (305) 461-4848. 

Coccyx: Also known as the "tailbone". The coccyx are two to four tiny, partially fused vertebrae at the end of the sacrum.

Degenerative Disc Disease: Degeneration of the disc over time produces low-grade inflammation and irritation and is a major cause of chronic low back pain. Because the discs in the spine do not have a dedicated blood supply, the discs must rely on a process called diffusion to receive their supply of water, nutrients, and oxygen. If the flow of these elements is disrupted, the vertebrael discs can degenerate.

Herniated Disc: A condition in which part or all of the soft, gelatinous central portion of an intervertebral disc is forced through a weakened part of the disc, resulting in back pain and nerve root irritation.

Lumbar: The lumbar section of the spine consists of five large bones and intervertebrael discs that support most of the body's weight and absorb large amounts of stress.

Posterior Facet Syndrome: The facet joints can wear down. In such cases, a nerve can become pinched (impinged) and cause pain.  

Processes: Each vertebra in the spine has a number of bony projections, known as processes. The spinal and transverse processes attach to the muscles in the back and act like little levers, allowing the spine to twist or bend. The particular processes form the joints between the vertebrae themselves, meeting together and interlocking at the facet joints.

Sacrum: The sacrum is below the lumbar region and is a shield-shaped bony structure that connects with the pelvis at the sacroiliac joints.

Saciatica: Sciatica refers to a pain felt along the length of the sciatic nerve. The pain is usually felt in the buttock where it radiates down the back of the leg. At some time, up to 40% of people experience pain caused by compression of this nerve. 
 

Spine: The spine is a column of small bones, or vertebrae, that provides support and leverage to the entire body.

Spinal Canal: Each vertebra and its processes surround and protect an arch-shaped central opening. These arches, aligned to run down the spine, form the spinal canal, which encloses the spinal cord.

Spinal Cord: The spinal cord is the central trunk of nerves that connects the brain with the rest of the body. Each nerve root passes from the spinal column to other parts of the body through small openings bounded on one side by the disc and the other by the facets. When the spinal cord reaches the lumbar region, it splits into four bundled strands of nerve roots called the cauda equina (meaning horsetail in Latin).

Vertebrae: Vertebrae in the spinal column are separated from each other by small cushions of cartilage known as intervertebral discs. Inside each disc is a jelly-like substance called the nucleus pulposus, which is surrounded by a fibrous structure called the annulus. The disc is 80% water, which makes it very elastic. It has no blood supply of its own, however, but relies on nearby blood vessels to keep it nourished.

To see if you qualify for treatment call today for a free consultation.

(305) 461-4848

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Whiplash         

Pain in the neck, shoulders, head or the base of the skull that occurs after a motor vehicle accident is often called “whiplash.” Most patients with whiplash recover in a few weeks or at most, a few months, but 15 to 20% of people develop chronic pain. Whiplash is not a trivial problem, because once it has occurred, only 70% have recovered completely by one year and only 82% have recovered completely by two years. In addition to neck pain, there are many symptoms associated with the whiplash syndrome and include sleep problems, poor concentration and memory, blurry vision, ringing in the ears, fatigue, and weakness.

The treatment for whiplash syndromes depends on the stage and degree of the problem and which structures have been injured. In addition to soft tissue injury, pain that persists after four to six months is usually due to injury to the facet joints, one or more discs, or both. The diagnosis can usually be made by injections, MRI, and X-rays. Treatment is usually successful, but requires physical therapy, injections, and occasionally surgery.

Although long, the following is a review of whiplash.

The term, whiplash, is confusing because it is both a mechanism of injury and the symptoms caused by a car accident. It is due to a traumatic event that causes the head to move suddenly (“whip”) in one direction and then recoil in the other direction. The most common cause of whiplash is a motor vehicle accident in which one vehicle is struck from behind by another. However, it can occur when a car stops abruptly after striking a pole, a wall, or another car, and can also occur after a side impact.

Significant damage to ligaments, discs, and joints can occur even if the swings of extension and flexion are not excessive, but often the neck is forced to the extreme ends of normal range or beyond. Because the trauma is usually sudden, occupants of the car are not prepared for the impact. The muscles are relaxed, which allows more forces on the discs, ligaments and joints. Perhaps the most important fact about whiplash is that significant pain and structural damage can occur at crashes of low velocity.

Whiplash: The causes of the pain
It is the patient with persistent pain without any other specific findings on examination or specialized tests that presents the most problems for the patient himself or herself, the doctors, and the legal system. In the first few weeks to months after motor vehicle accident, it is often impossible to determine the exact cause or causes of the pain. The symptoms and signs are not sufficiently specific. In almost every instance, the muscles and ligaments have been strained and may be inflamed, painful, and tender. However after about 3 months, primary muscle or other soft tissue injuries usually have healed.

The most common causes of persistent pain in whiplash are the facet joints and the discs. There is a poor correlation between the radiographic appearance of the joints and whether they are painful. Some joints which look bad are painless while other joints that look normal can be proven to be a source of pain. Only facet injections can determine whether the joint is painful.

In a research study by Drs. Bogduk and Aprill, in 23% of patients, facet joints alone were the cause of pain, in 20% of patients the discs alone were the cause of pain, and in 41% of patients both the facet joints and discs were contributing. They were not able to identify the source of the pain in only 17% of their patients.

Whiplash: Associated symptoms
Many whiplash patients have symptoms which seem unexplainable, such as headaches, pain in the shoulders, between the shoulder blades, or in one or both arms. 

There may be fatigue, dizziness, problems with vision, ringing in the ears, heaviness in the arms, and low back pain. There can be poor concentration or memory, change in emotions with irritability, depression or short temper, and sleep disturbance. Dizziness occurs in one-quarter to one-half of people with whiplash injury. Again, researchers are not sure of the cause. The most likely explanation is an injury to the part of the inner ear that regulates balance. Problems with memory and concentration can be due to the pain itself, depression, medications, or trauma to the brain. Visual disturbances occur in 10 to 30% of whiplash patients and blurred vision is the most common.

Long-term Outcome
Fortunately, most people who suffer neck pain after a whiplash injury will recover by six months. However, a small percentage of people continue to have pain.

Most patients destined to recover completely will have done so by three to four months, after which the rate of recovery slows markedly. By two years, essentially all patients have reached their individual maximum improvement. About 18% continued to have significant pain two years after the accident! Patients who did not get well tended to be older, had pain which began sooner after the accident, and/or had their head rotated to either side at the time of impact. They also found that patients who, before the accident, had a history of neck pain, arthritis of the neck, or headaches did not do as well.  

Neck Pain, Whiplash and the Legal System
In our litigious society, it is fairly likely if a person develops neck pain due to a whiplash injury in a motor vehicle accident there will be a lawsuit. Common sense would tell us the greater the pain and impairment, the larger the legal settlement or award might be. Rarely, patients may exaggerate their symptoms or be faking. However, a bigger question is whether the potential for money from a legal settlement can unconsciously prolong or worsen the pain. This is called “secondary gain” and it is unconscious, not fraudulent.

 The effects of lawsuits and the outcome of whiplash syndromes
The science shows that personal injury litigation does not adversely effect outcome. In 1983, Drs. Norris and Watt reviewed 61 patients who were treated for whiplash injuries, 41 of whom had personal injury lawsuits. They found no change in symptoms after claims were settled. About ten years later, long after litigation had settled, only 12% had completely recovered, and 48% had pain which interfered with normal daily life.

 In another study from 1993, Drs. Parinar and Raymakers re-evaluated patients they had seen previously for legal opinions, not for treatment, 8 years after the initial consultation. They concluded that lawsuits did not influence the timing or degree of recovery.

 Several years ago we carefully analyzed a group of patients who were referred for treatment by their attorneys because they were not getting better. The patients were treated with strengthening exercises, body mechanics training, medications, spinal injections and occasionally psychotherapy. No patient needed surgery. Most of the patients did well with significant improvements in pain and function. Although most patients still had mild pain at the end of treatment, it was not enough to interfere with their daily lives. These very favorable results occurred although none of the lawsuits had been settled.

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Miami Back Institute

 752 SW 49th Ave 

 Coral Gables, FL 33134

 Phone: (305) 461-4848
Fax: (305) 461-4899

 info@miamiback.com