New machine for back pain relief as seen on TV

(This is in response to an inquiry from Mary B.)
Hi Mary--I have not seen the machine you ask about. However I have a patient
used it (same name and costing about $200) for 3 weeks and returned to me
yesterday. The results are very positive for his low-back pain which radiated
into his left leg. His pain is relieved, his range of motion is better, and he is walking
better. He used it daily as directed. He said he was unable to use it on his mid-,
upper back or neck.
As he described the device to me the principle is sound, that is, TRACTION.
"DECOMPRESSION" Has become the latest buzz-word to describe good, old-fashioned
traction.
Here is a list of tractioning procedures:
1. Chiropractic manipulations are tractioning movements. They have the advantage
of being specific and careful.
2. The Spine-o-lator machine I have patients use at my office in preparation for an
adjustment are general and unspecific trationing movements.
3. Massage therapy is targeted tractioning of soft tissues.
4. "Decompression" machine with treatements costing $3000 are simple tractioning
with lots of hype.
5. Even lying on your back with a round pillow under your neck and 2 regular pillows
elevating your knees with your spine forming a kind of bridge is traction.
6. Stretching exercises? = traction.
7. Yoga positions = ditto.

They all work! The methods listed above may be used in conjunction with each
other without conflict despite what health advocates (including MD's) who discourage
procedures different then their own. I am always suspicious of health providers who
say 'don't do this'/'don't do that' when there is a monetary consideration.
As you know I encourage patients to design their own program including chiropractic,
physical therapy (including massage), nutrition, exercise, and sleeping habits.
Thank you for your inquiry.

detox breath

Steps for detoxifying breathing:
1) Blow out your breath sharply as if blowing out a candle.
2) Continue exhaling until you "feel it", that is until it feels complete
and you are ready to inhale.
3) Now, do nothing, your lungs will start to fill all on their own.
4) At the end of you inhalation recruit your diaphragm to complete your breath.
(Be careful not to throw out your chest or lift your shoulders as you may have been taught.)
5) Do these 4 steps and repeat them 6 times per day or about every 3 hours.
This is similar to a baby's breathing cycle and similar to a yoga breath.

How does it work?We dump about 30% of our bodies' waste through our
organs of elimination -bowels and bladder --the rest is largely up to our
respiratory system, persperation,etc.
What is the magic key to efficient breath and maximizing full elimination or toxins?
We need to utilize our diaphragm in breathing. Watch a baby breathe. A baby is using
its diaphragm to breathe. Unfortunately we un-learn this mechanism.

What is the diaphragm? It is the muscle that separates our upper body, torso from
our abdomen. It attaches to the lowest ribs front and back. If you place your fingertips
under your sternum -wishbone- along the ridge of your ribs you may feel the attachments of the diaphragm. This tissue should be soft and pliable. You should be able to place a quarter inch of your fingertips under your ribs. If it is hard and tight you are prone to g.r.i.d. (gastrointestinal reflux disease), hiatal hernia, heartburn and other digestive disorders.
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