Non-Invasive Therapy: Horses, Not Zebras

By Dr. Philip Cordova

March 23, 2020


There is an old saying in medicine, “When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras.”

The idea behind this saying is that in nearly every case, the most likely diagnosis is the right one. In other words, if you are standing in the US and hear hoofbeats, you can assume you hear horses. It is only in the right conditions, under the right circumstances that you would expect hoofbeats to mean zebras or a rare disease. The same can be said about how we treat pain. If we are experiencing neck pain and resulting in numbness and tingling, we have a tendency to think in terms of the worst-case scenario.

I have a tumor.

I will need surgery.

I will experience pain for the rest of my life.

https://youtu.be/CkoWxiX7ev4

Non-Invasive Treatments for Neck Pain

When it comes to treating cervical pain and the resulting problems, we need to think of non-invasive horses, not worst-case scenario zebras.

Chiropractic Care

Your entire central nervous system is housed in your brain and your spinal cord.

These two powerhouses of electrical communication control everything from breathing to dancing. Your spine acts as a protective housing for the nerves that run from the spinal cord to other areas of your body. When the bones in your spine are out of alignment, the nerves that run to and from the spinal cord become pinched or inflamed. They can no longer send or receive signals to and from your spinal cord the way they are intended.

As a result, you may experience numbness, tingling, pain, or burning in your arms, hands, or fingers even when the subluxation is found in your neck. Once the bones are realigned, the nerve can send and receive signals the way it should and the bothersome symptoms go away.

Cervical Decompression

Surgical cervical decompression uses a titanium spacer to create space between the bones of the spine and help slipped or ruptured discs return to their proper place.

Non-surgical cervical decompression does the same thing without the risks associated with surgery.

Patients lay in a table with their heads cradled in a computerized sling. The machine gently stretches the cervical spine to relieve pressure on nerves that are causing pain, numbness, and tingling. Slipped or ruptured discs are allowed to slide into place and begin the healing process. Over time, the body readjusts to the proper positioning of the cervical vertebrae, holding the bones in their proper place without further treatment.

Often, chiropractic care and cervical decompression are used in conjunction with one another for maximum benefit to the patient. Both treatments are drug-free and address the function of the spine, rather than just the pain and discomfort you may be experiencing. With no downtime, and relief after a single treatment, the cumulative effects of non-invasive treatments over time are unparalleled.

So, rather than worry your pain and discomfort will leave you with surgery as your only option, explore non-invasive treatments first. You may be surprised by what you experience. Ready to live a pain-free life? Call our office today or schedule your consultation online.

Dr. Philip Cordova

About the author

Dr. Philip Cordova is a chiropractor in Houston, Texas. He grew up in Phoenix, Arizona and decided to become a chiropractor after hurting his back as a teenager and getting help from chiropractic care. He is speaker on health & posture. Click Here To Read His Full Bio

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