| Click
on each question to see the answer: |
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| What
is M.U.A.? |
| Chronic
pain sufferers across the nation have discovered tremendous
health benefits by Manipulation Under Anesthesia or M.U.A.
The patient is lightly anesthetized to achieve total relaxation
and then adjustments and stretching movements which are
normally too painful are painlessly and quickly accomplished.
Usually a series of three or four treatments are necessary
to achieve the desired results. |
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| Is
M.U.A. new or experimental? |
| M.U.A.
has been practiced since the late 1930's and used by osteopathic
physicians and orthopedic surgeons for many years as a
proven form of treatment. It is safe and effective and
is gaining more wide acceptance by the medical community. |
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| Who
can benefit from M. U. A.? |
| M.U.A.
is a valuable procedure for people with chronic neck,
back and joint problems and conditions caused by long-term
disabilities, accidents, and injuries that have not been
responsive to conventional treatment. |
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| How
do I know if it's what I need? |
| Spinal
manipulation is needed when joints in the vertebral column
become locked and immovable. If the doctor determines
by a thorough examination, including x-rays and other
diagnostic procedures, that spinal adjustments are necessary,
and all attempts to restore spinal function have been
unsuccessful after 6 to 8 weeks, an M.U.A. may be indicated
to resolve your condition. |
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| Who
should not have M.U.A.? |
| Those
who do not have joint dysfunction should not have M.U.A.
Other conditions which are 'contra-indicators' for M.U.A.
include osteoporosis, heart disease and uncontrolled hypertension,
advanced age, bone weakening diseases, cancer, some circulatory
diseases, uncontrolled diabetes, and previous stroke. |
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Why
does M.U.A. work?
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| M.U.A.
achieves results because it allows your bones and muscles
to be adjusted without the usual resistance. The same
adjustments a patient receives during regular chiropractic
visits are completed gently and are more successful because
of the relaxed state brought on by the anesthesia. |
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| How
does the anesthesia help the manipulation? |
| Anesthesia
shuts off the muscle spasm cycle to allow spinal movement,
sedates the pain perceiving nerves that have been irritated
due to the dysfunctional spine, and causes complete muscle
relaxation to allow the doctor to stretch shortened muscle
groups and to break adhesions caused by scar tissue. |
| How
do I begin an M.U.A. treatment plan? |
| Patients
are selected by the chiropractor using standards of care
as described by the National Academy of M.U.A. Physicians.
Then a medical screening begins to clear the patient for
anesthesia, including blood tests, chest x-ray and EKG,
and a pregnancy test for female patients. Your doctor
may order additional tests, if needed. |
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| What
is the M.U.A.procedure like? |
| The
patient is given a sedative--usually Deprivan and/or Verced,
and sometimes Fentanol to achieve the comfortable "twilight"
sleep that makes treatment possible. The doctor uses the
same stretching techniques and adjustments that the patient
has received in his office, but the patient is more responsive
because of the more relaxed state brought on by the sedative.
The procedure usually takes about 15 minutes. |
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| What
happens after the procedure? |
| The
patient is awakened and taken to recovery where he or
she is carefully monitored by the OR nurse. Recovery time
is fifteen to twenty minutes, after which the patient
receives fluids and a light snack. Therapy begins the
same day with the patient visiting the chiropractor's
office to undergo a combination of stretching exercises,
cryo-therapy and electrical stimulation to eliminate or
reduce soreness. The patient then returns home to rest.
The procedure may be repeated three or four days. Rehabilitation
for the next two or three weeks includes stretching, flexibility
and strengthening exercises and periodic adjustments by
the doctor. |
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| What
are the usual results from M.U.A.? |
| The
patient should experience an immediate increase in range
of motion, even though there may be some temporary added
muscle soreness similiar to the feeling of having completed
an aggressive exercise session. If symptoms were severe,
there should be significant change, either immediately
or within a short period following the procedure. |
