Solutions to Pain:  An Interview with Michael Bell, DC
By Carol Post

“Get knowledge of the spine, for this is the requisite for many diseases”.  Hippocrates

Chiropractic care can be traced back to China and Greece in 2700 B.C. and 1500 B.C.  Much advancement has been made in chiropractic over the centuries.  I spoke with Dr. Michael Bell, a chiropractor in Hemet, to ask about chiropractic care and a newer FDA cleared form of treatment for neck and back pain. 

HT: How would you define Chiropractic? 

Dr. Bell: Chiropractic restores normal function to the nervous system through adjustments.  Although chiropractors mainly deal with issues of the spine and extremities, Chiropractors are also educated to deal naturally with issues related to health, mainly by removing interference in the nervous system.  This is called subluxation.  The idea is that by removing the subluxation through spinal adjustments, the nervous system begins to function at its optimal potential.  This can help relieve pain as well as help the body function better overall.

HT: Can you define subluxation?

Chiropractic subluxation is a term for a bone that has become out of place.  When it’s out of place it can put pressure on the nerve and that’s when we get aches and pains.  Pain is usually not the problem, however. Pain is a result of a subluxation. Only chiropractors are licensed to treat subluxation.

HT: Why do you think some people are skeptical of chiropractic treatment?

A lot of it has to do with the fact that chiropractic care is different than what they believe. Traditional forms of medical treatment are what they know and people tend to relate things to their experiences. Chiropractic cannot be compared to traditional medical treatment. I think that in general people are not educated as to what a chiropractor does. Patients sometimes don’t understand that it’s a process, not an event. Also, a lot of that boils down to the individual doctor’s education program for his patients.  If someone is told they need to be seen ‘because’ it makes them resistant.  If they know the ‘why’ behind it, they are more likely to understand and accept the reasoning behind it. 

HT: You use a special type of machine here, don’t you? 

Yes, we use the DRX9000 Spinal Decompression program.  That is for really extreme patients who don’t respond to traditional forms of back pain treatment.

What symptoms would suggest the need for spinal decompression?
Back and neck pain, sciatica, tingling or numbness in the extremities.  Typically someone who does spinal decompression has tried medications, spinal injections; they’ve usually done physical therapy, acupuncture, or tried chiropractic and none of it has worked. Many of our patients have tried everything else and have come to a crossroads. Their only alternative is to either live with it or to have surgery.  They read about it or hear about spinal decompression from others who have had the procedure and have had life changing results.

HT: Is it a one time only procedure?

It requires a succession of treatments.  It takes on average eight weeks to complete the treatment program.

HT: believe people who seek out this type of treatment are looking for ways to avoid the use of medications. 

Yes, when a patient’s conditions get this bad they are often on very serious pain medications such as anti-inflammatories, Vicodin, Darvocet, even Morphine and Neurontin, and they are still in pain. Clinically, the average patient can reduce their pain medication after about four weeks of spinal decompression treatment. We recommend that you discuss this with your medical practitioner of course.

HT: Does Spinal Decompression have any side affects?

Generally, it is a painless procedure.  The way the decompression machine works is that it relieves the pressure on the nerve by gently distracting (stretching) the spine. With a patient who requires decompression, the nerve has been pinched by the disc or the disc becomes degenerated, causing a narrowing in the opening where the nerve exits the spine.  With decompression we apply a force to stretch the spine and take the pressure off the nerve.  Over the course of treatment program the damaged or degenerated disc begins to heal and regenerate. That is when we begin to see a resolution of their pain. 

HT: Once that session of treatments is completed, does the patient need to come back?

For most patients, that is enough to relieve their problem.  The long term studies that were done at the Mayo Clinic and John’s Hopkins University showed about 89% of the people continue to do well with no drugs or surgery. Once our patients get their lives back many choose to adopt a chiropractic lifestyle to maintain their health.

HT: Are there risks involved in any of the treatments?

Nothing is ever risk free. However, for most patients the treatments feel comfortable. Generally with the spinal decompression program one may be sore for an hour or two after the treatment, like exercise soreness.    

HT: Do you treat other areas of the body besides the spine and neck? 

Yes, we also adjust the extremities (arms, legs), from things like sports injuries and auto accidents.  Carpal tunnel syndrome is something that is treated really well with chiropractic. 

HT: What can be done to help prevent neck and back pain?

Use proper lifting techniques.  In your car use the lumbar support or use a pillow. Probably the most important thing is having your desk set up correctly at work.  75% of the population uses a computer at work so proper ergonomics is the key. 

HT: Do you see chiropractic patients long-term?