Ancillary measures are used to enhance physical measures. Some of these measures involve purchase of a device such as electromagnetic, ultrasound, infrared, heating pads, copper jewelry, or magnets. Other ancillary measures are acupuncture and topical creams and ointments.
ELECTROMEDICAL TREATMENT OF AA
AA is an inflammatory, nerve root entrapment disease in which cauda equina nerve roots are glued by adhesions to the arachnoid-dural covering of the spinal canal. An inflamed tumor-like mass is formed inside the spinal canal that blocks spinal fluid flow, allows seepage of fluid into tissue outside the spinal canal, and shuts off electrical impulses that activate the legs, feet, bladder, intestine, and sex organs. Autoimmunity is produced and/or magnified by AA.
We highly recommend a 3-component protocol to treat AA: (1) reduction of inflammation and autoimmunity, (2) regeneration of damaged tissue, (3) pain control. Recent advances in electromedical therapies are recommended as they regenerate damaged tissue, reduce inflammation, and help control pain. There are two basic types of electromedical devices available for AA treatment: (1) electric current, (2) electromagnetic.
ELECTRIC CURRENT THERAPY (EC): About everyone is familiar with “TENS” which stands for “transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.” These devices were the first electromedical devices to relieve pain and promote healing. TENS fundamentally delivers a single electric current into tissues to produce an anesthetic, pain relieving effect. (Still good!!) Today, advanced EC devices administer microcurrents and/or a combination of multiple currents with different frequencies.
ELECTROMAGNETIC THERAPY (EM): There is a form of energy that is half electricity and half magnetism. It is called “electromagnetic” (EM), and it can be technically captured and divided into wave lengths. The very shortest wave of electromagnetic energy is “atomic” and the longest is “radio.” The shortest wave used in medicine is “laser.” Other electromagnetic energy waves used for medica purposes include “infrared”, “light”, and microwave.”
PENETRATION AND PULSATION: EC and EM, placed over the lower back, deliver electric current(s) or electromagnetic energy to the lumbar-sacral spinal canal and the spine’s surrounding tissue. Modern devices use intermittent pulsation of electric currents or electromagnetic energy to penetrate the skin and subcutaneous tissue to reach the AA site which is about 2-3 inches below the skin. Some devices use the label PEMF which stands for “pulsed electromagnetic frequency.” We believe that the new EC and EM devices can deliver electric currents or electromagnetic energy, when pulsed, to penetrate deep enough to reach the AA disease site.
AT HOME USAGE: Although not totally curative, these devices usually bring about pain reduction in the 20 to 30% range. Within an individual’s financial capability, we recommend that an EC and/or EM device be used 2 to 3 times a week (not daily). EC and EM treatment are not substitutes for a medical protocol.
SPECIAL NOTES: EM and EC devices often produce some initial healing but later seem to stop working. In this situation the device may have done its maximal healing. Devices can be used periodically to prevent relapses and treat flares.
INFRARED AND TOPICAL MEDICATIONS
AA is an autoimmune, inflammatory, nerve root entrapment disease in which cauda equina nerve roots are glued by adhesions to the arachnoid-dural covering of the spinal canal. An inflamed tumor-like mass is formed inside the spinal canal that blocks spinal fluid flow, allows seepage of fluid into tissue outside the spinal canal, and shuts off electrical impulses that activate the legs, feet, bladder, intestine, and sex organs. Autoimmunity is produced and/or magnified by AA.
We highly recommend a 3-component medical protocol to treat AA: (1) reduction of inflammation and autoimmunity, (2) regeneration of damaged tissue, (3) pain control. Recent advances in electromedical therapies are recommended as they regenerate damaged tissue, reduce inflammation, and help control pain. Medications administered under infrared can be a valuable part of the 3-component protocol.
A handheld infrared device which costs less than $50 can drive medications through the skin and into tissues that have been injured by spinal fluid seepage and leakage. This technique may also help heal the arachnoid-dural covering (meninges) of the spinal canal.
WHAT IS INFRARED? Infrared is an electromagnetic light wave related to laser. When applied over the skin it produces heat, muscle relaxation, reduction of inflammation, and regeneration of damaged tissues.
INFRARED DRIVES IN MEDICATION: Besides a therapeutic effect of the infrared energy wave, it will drive medication through the skin and into an area of pain and inflammation. When both infrared and medication are simultaneously administered, rapid healing and pain reduction will usually occur. If you have spinal fluid seepage or leakage, infrared-cortisone treatments should be done 1 to 3 times a week.
WHICH MEDICATIONS? Our favorite medication to be used under infrared is a cortisone cream. Any cortisone cream can be used including hydrocortisone 1% which is in a tube and sold without a prescription in any drug store. More potent forms of a corticoid can be used. A favorite of ours is ½ of a prednisone tablet (2.5 mg) dissolved in two ounces of cold cream. Anesthetic gels, aloe vera, and herbal creams can all be applied under infrared.
BEST USES: Infrared can help calm pain flares and help seal spinal fluid leaks and seepage. Infrared and topical medication can not only be applied to the lower back but to any joint or muscle group that becomes painful.
ULTRASOUND, EPSOM SALTS, HEATING PADS, TENS
In our studies, we routinely review persons with adhesive arachnoiditis (AA), Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Tarlov cysts (TC), and Epstein Barr autoimmunity (EBV). Our bulletins have, for the last two years, focused on new discoveries such as autoimmunity, medicinal agents, spinal fluid flow exercises, MRIs, and laboratory testing. It’s a little embarrassing, but we haven’t sufficiently emphasized that some older treatments can still bring a lot of relief. Here is a short summary of four that will be around for a long time since they simply provide comfort and relief.
CORE ISSUE: AA causes considerable imbalance and unusual stretches to the muscles, tendons, nerves, and joints in the back, hips, and pelvis. Consequently, these tissues become sprained, strained, and inflamed. Many “old-time” measures can heal these tissues and enhance comfort and mobility.
ULTRASOUND: Several years ago, we started using ultrasound for AA. The theory is that it may break up adhesions. While this may or may not happen, ultrasound may provide immediate relief that can last days or weeks. Medication such as cortisone cream can be administered under ultrasound. There are hand-held ultrasound devices for at home use.
EPSOM SALTS: Foot baths with minerals are convenient. They are generally believed to “pull out” or “detoxify” the body of excess electricity and toxins. They can be most helpful for “burning feet” and “stabbing” pains in the legs.
HEARTING PAD: Heat dilates blood vessels which brings more oxygen to the area and promotes healing. Heat also relaxes muscles that may be in spasm.
TENS – “Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation”: Electrical currents act as an anesthetic on nerves and nerve roots. Pain in persons with AA may temporarily abate when an electric current(s) is administered over the lower back. TENS can often break a flare.
SUMMARY: The human body has remained unchanged for thousands of years. Remedies and treatments discovered long ago may still be applicable today. AA has many associated conditions including spinal fluid leaks, inflammation in tissues around the spine, muscle spasm, and radiating pain among others. Some “old-time” treatments may be a welcome adjunct to the 3-component medical protocols.
COPPER, MAGNETS, AND ACUPUNCTURE
Copper, magnets, and acupuncture (C, M, & A) are theorized to work due to damaged nerves that back-up and retain electric currents and electromagnetic energy. To some of us this isn’t a theory, but a fact as demonstrated as long ago as Dr. Galvani’s work in the late 1700’s and Dr. Becks in the 1900’s.
FACTS: Damaged nerve tissue including the cauda equina nerve roots can’t conduct electricity or move electromagnetic energy as it normally does. Consequently, this back up or retention causes inflammation, pain, burning, fever, and sweating. At some point the body will re-route electric currents and electromagnetic energy since it must rid itself of these potential biologic hazards. When abnormal “riddance” occurs, the person may experience tremors, jerking, or burning feelings.
| HOW THEY WORK | ||
| ACUPUNCTURE | COPPER | MAGNETS |
| Stainless steel needles placed along nerves or along electromagnetic pathways called “meridians” will attract and “pull out” electricity. “Dry needling” or trigger point injections have the same effect. | This element attracts electricity since it has a positive charge and electricity a negative one. Anklets and bracelets are popular because electric currents normally flow outwards. | They cause electricity and electromagnetic energy to flow. They may also cause spinal fluid to increase its rate of flow up and down the spinal cord and around the brain. |