What patients are saying about the Furshpan Maneuver combined with Disc Decompression Traction Procedures
...“I’m a high school physics teacher,” says patient Jim M., “so I appreciated what’s behind the method.” Jim’s pain and numbness in his neck and shoulders went from “full-blown annoying-bad to just a memory,” in only a 10-day span of receiving the Furshpan Maneuver every other day. Today he enjoys a normal range of motion and “no significant problems at all.”... more> (article in pdf)

Point 1:
There are 23 shock absorbing disks that are interwoven into the vertebrae (spinal bones) above and below. The disks are amazing structures and can handle hundreds of pounds of pressure without collapsing. The central core of the disk is made of pulpy gelatinous material (Nucleus Pulposus). It is surrounded by hundreds of tough fibrous layers (Annulus Fibrosus) that keep the soft Nucleus material in the center. The Nucleus acts as a spring and separates the vertebrae and also functions as a ball bearing. Because of its central location, the Nucleus allows the vertebrae above and below it to rotate, tilt and flex in any direction.

Point 2:
The disks are integral components of the spinal curves. These curves are seen from the side of the body. The lumbar spine (red curve line) arches forward and the thickness of the disks are greater in the front. The joints in the spine are in the rear of the vertebral units and are called articular facets, as seen in the illustration above. When you bend forward, the disks are compressed by the vertebrae above and below (like scissor action). The disks are extremely flexible and elastic and can handle the bodies own weight, and then some. The fibers in the Annulus layers can be compressed, stretched and twisted millions of times over, in one lifetime.

Point 3:
As we age, the circulation to the disks becomes less and the fibrous and nucleus material begin to dry out (desiccation). The Annulus fibers become more brittle as a result and become less elastic. Time, usage and desiccation (compression, stretching, twisting and drying) tear the micro-Annulus fibers. The tearing of the fibers allow the soft gelatinous nucleus material to break through the many Annulus layers and the results are devastating to the function of the spine. Because the Nucleus is no longer gathered in the center, the height of the disk flattens and the function of the joint becomes abnormal and inflexible.

Usually, when the disk is compressed, the Nucleus is forced back and to one side, usually invading the space occupied by the spinal cord and spinal nerves. This is called a 'bulging disk'. If the Nucleus material reaches the outside layers of the disk and leaks outside the spinal column, it is called a 'disk herniation' and is like a flat tire. As a result, the nerves and spinal cord are trapped (pinched). This trapping causes partial or total malfunction of nerve impulses going in and out of the spinal cord. Muscles, organs and the brain receive altered messages. Sometimes, this can cause disabling pain, numbness and weakness in various parts of the body.

Point 4:
The Furshpan Maneuver™ is a procedure that leverages the vertebrae to shore up the Nucleus back towards the center. This process, repeated over time, allows scar tissue to build within the fibrous layers to seal off the the layers and keep the Nucleus in the center. The re-setting of the Nucleus, over time, will result in a partial or total return of the normal disk height, improved movement and flexibility, reduction and elimination of pain and numbness, strengthening of muscles and body parts. How long a disk has been bulging, herniating and malfunctioning, will determine how much of the disk will heal properly. It is difficult, if not impossible to regain full 100% function of a damaged disk. The objective of the Maneuver is to 'gather' the disk material by leveraging the plane surfaces of the vertebrae above and below the disk displacement, and maneuvering the soft material to the center. The intent is to restore as much of the integrity and function as possible, and prevent deterioration of the disk over time. The procedure is performed in the standing or weight bearing position in order to maximize the effect of the maneuver.

What patients are saying about the Furshpan Maneuver combined with Disc Decompression Traction Procedures
...Andrew M. says that leaving his first treatment with Dr. Furshpan, “I walked out of there feeling totally different. My neck felt much better, immediately.” He had come in with a neck tight with tension and a history of resulting headaches—as well as a history with three other chiropractors. "With his innovative Furshpan Maneuver, Dr. Furshpan delivered results where others had failed.”... more> (article in pdf)

Disc Decompression Traction Procedures
Dr. Furshpan incorporates Non-invasive, non-surgical Disc Decompression Traction Procedures Therapy with his maneuver to increase the chances of total recovery and long term relief. Disc Decompression Traction Procedures therapy is a Space Age technology developed by a team of top physicians and engineers.

This new therapy offers relief at an astounding 86% to 94% success sate for the following conditions:

1. Herniated, slipped and buldging discs with or without complications
2. Degenerative disc disease
3. A relapse or failure following surgery even with multiple levels of herniation
4. Facet syndromes
5. Spinal Stenosis
6. Sciatica

Lumbar decompression effectively treats these conditions to help patients live a pain-free life and return to more active lifestyles. It relieves lower back pain by enlarging disc space and creating a negative pressure or vacuum, drawing the soft gelatenous material to the center and reducing the disc herniation, strengthening outer ligaments and reversing high intradiscal pressure. Twenty 30-minute treatment sessions over 4-6 weeks are usually required. The therapy is performed in intervals of 60 seconds each, using persons body weight plus 10 lbs.

The outcome of a clinical study evaluating the effect of this nonsurgical intervention using Spinal Disc Decompression Traction Procedures on patients with herniated and degenerative disc disease. The clinical outcomes of this study showed that 86% of the 219 patients who completed the therapy reported immediate resolution of symptoms, while 84% remained pain-free 90 days post-treatment. Physical examination findings showed improvement in 92% of the 219 patients, and remained intact in 89% of these patients 90 days after treatment. This Disc Decompression Traction Procedures study shows that disc disease—the most common cause of back pain, which costs the American health care system more than $50 billion annually—can be cost-effectively treated using Disc Decompression Traction Procedures. The cost for successful non-surgical Disc Decompression Traction Procedures therapy is less than a tenth of that for surgery. These results show that biotechnological advances of Disc Decompression Traction Procedures reveal promising results for the future of effective management of patients with disc herniation and degenerative disc diseases. (Shealy,CX,Borgmeyer, V.,AMJ. Pain Management 1997,7:63-65)

For more information on clinical research, download this article (pdf).

If you have any questions regarding Disc Decompression Traction Procedures and the Furshpan Maneuver, please call Dr. Furshpan at 631.665.1150.

On December 22, 2005, the Long Island Press published a "Best of Long Island" poll taken with its readers, covering all aspects of business, healthcare and much more. Dr. Furshpan was voted "Best Chiropractor" of LI as voted by Long Islanders.

Since 1981, Dr. Furshpan has treated over 20,000 patients and counsels other chiropractors with his experience. Dr. Furshpan hosted "To Your Health" on cable TV from 1982 through 1994 and has produced a comprehensive line of patient educational material for chiropractors since 1983. His love of practicing chiropractic is evident as soon as you walk in the door.