Spontaneous Regression of a Radiculopathic Cervical Herniated Disc following Non-surgical Treatment: 3 case reports / 대한통증학회지

The spontaneous regression of herniated cervical discs is not a well established phenomenon. However, we encountered the 3 cases of spontaneous regression of severe radiculopathic herniated cervical discs that were treated using a non-surgical method. Each of the patients were treated with a combination of manipulation, dry needling and analgesics. In each case, the symptoms improved within 12 months of treatment and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conducted at that time revealed marked regression of the herniated disc in all cases. These cases provide additional examples of spontaneous regression of herniated cervical discs documented by MRI following non-surgical treatment.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Sacral Asymlocation in Back Pain Patients: Clinical Application of Prolotherapy / 대한통증학회지

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the role and effects of prolotherapy in patients presenting with lower back pain and detected sacral asymlocation, by retrospectively analyzing the results of prolotherapy performed at our institute. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with referred pain in the lower back rather than distinct radiculopathy, were detected to have sacral asymlocation by simple X-ray from May 2004 through July 2005. The patients were treated with prolotherapy and manipulation by the Ongley's method around the lumbosacral junction, iliolumbar ligament, and sacroiliac joint. They were treated for approximately one to two week intervals, and during this period were rechecked by X-ray and evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: A total of 23 patients were included in the study (10 male and 13 female), and the average age was 41 years. The average VAS at the time of visit was 8.5, the average treatment time was 4.7 days, and the average VAS after treatment was 2.1. CONCLUSIONS: Back pain, and associated leg and buttock pain, originate from several causes. In these case analyses, instability around the lumbosacral area and sacral asymlocation might have been important causes of patient back pain and associated buttock and leg pain. We therefore applied prolotherapy as well as manipulation techniques devised by Ongley to these patients, and obtained good results.