Manipulation Under Anesthesia
For chronic pain sufferers a simple and painless procedure is offering a level of relief never dreamed possible.
Instead of allowing patients that failed to respond to conservative care slip into a cycle of drugs and surgery, Doctors are giving them the opportunity to live pain free through a procedure known as Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA).
Manipulation of the spine with the patient sedated is one of the most gentle and most effective methods of altering chronic conditions. MUA provides manipulation and adjustments of the spine and surrounding tissue in an atmosphere where the patient is more responsive and less apprehensive, therefore eliminating resistance and muscle contracture.
Established and widely recognized in the medical arena for more than sixty years, MUA is a viable alternative for patients that do not respond to traditional care or invasive surgical procedures. The MUA procedure continues to gain widespread support and recognition in the medical community and is helping to bring much needed relief to a greater patient base than ever before.
What is Manipulation Under Anesthesia?
Manipulation Under Anesthesia is a non-invasive procedure that is offered for acute and chronic conditions, including; neck pain, back pain, joint pain, muscle spasm, shortened muscles, ligaments and tendons due to previous immobilization, fibrous adhesions and long term pain syndromes.
By lightly anesthetizing a patient this allows complete muscle relaxation which enables the doctor to perform adjustments and stretching of the muscle groups without any resistance from the patient or causing any discomfort to the patient and to reduce or eliminate adhesions caused by previous formation of scar tissue and to greatly improve or even restore range of motion.
The History Of Manipulation Under Anesthesia
Manipulation Under Anesthesia is an established and widely recognized procedure that has been part of the medical arena for more than sixty years.
The practice of MUA can be traced back to the late 1930's and it's popularity has continued to grow in recent years as research has shown that MUA is not only safe, but also highly successful in treating acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions.
Who Should Have Manipulation Under Anesthesia?
In general, patients selected for MUA are those with certain neck, mid-back,low-back or other spinal conditions that have received conservative care for six to eight weeks with limited or no improvement in symptons or findings.
MUA may also be appropriate for those patients that still experience pain after undergoing various invasive treatments such as surgery.
Common indications for Manipulation Under Anesthesia include neck, middle and lower back pain, chronic muscle pain and inflamation, acute and chronic muscle pain and inflamation, acute and chronic muscle spasm, chronic fibrositis, nerve entrapment, herniated discs, torticollis and failed back surgery.
Not all patients qualify for MUA as certain contraindications prevent some patients from undergoing the procedure.Consult with Dr.Kory Casey to determine if you are an MUA candidate.
What Happens During The MUA Procedure?
The MUA procedure involves three consecutive days of treatment. During these three days the patient is treated with manipulative therapy and MUA stretches.
Since the patient is lightly sedated during the MUA procedure, the usual resistance and pain associated with manipulation is eliminated. Through the use of "conscious sedation," a patient is conscious and responsive, but relaxed, allowing the physician to administer adjustments similar to those recieved during regular chiropractic visits but more effectively without any resistance from the patient.
After the procedure, treatment continues as strenghtening and stabilization programs are initiated over the next few weeks. Post-Procedure care is a vital part of the MUA procedure. Follow-up visits are important at this time as the stretches accomplished during the MUA procedure are built upon, helping the patient to regain strenght and prevent future pain and discomfort.
Who Performs The MUA Procedure?
Those involved during the MUA procedure include the Board Certified Anesthesiologist, an MUA certified M.D./D.O. and Dr. Kory Casey who performs the manipulation and the skilled nursing staff of the Surgical Center.
Only a physician that has been certified in MUA can perform the MUA procedure. Dr. Casey is not only certified by an accredited institution in MUA, Dr. Casey is highly experienced, having helped to relieve the pain of thousands of patients over the past 30 years.
What are the Effects of the MUA Procedure?
Breaking up scar tissue (adhesions) both in and around the spinal joints, commonly caused by multiple injuries or failed back surgery.
Decreasing chronic muscle spasms
Overcoming super-sensitivity of injured areas, making the patient unable to cooperate for effective treatment.
Stretching persistent shortened muscles, ligaments and tendons.
Relief from pain and radiating symptoms caused by damaged invertebral discs.
Most importantly however, Manipulation Under Anesthesia affords patients immediate relief and noticeable differences in their daily lives post-procedure. These positive results only continue to improve with time and post MUA therapy.
My Doctor Says I am a Candidate for MUA.
Patients who have been selected for the Manipulation Under Anesthesia procedure by their doctor typically undergo a medical screening process to determine true MUA candidacy.
The screening process includes a medical history and physical examination and where indicated, CBC blood studies, chest x-rays, EKG's and other diagnostic tests such as an MRI or CT's.
Once a patient is cleared and medical necessity for MUA is determined, A surgical center representative will pre-certify and schedule the procedure dates and times. The surgical center will also handle the explanation of all pre and post-operative instructions and answer any questions the patient may have.We pride ourselves on working with our patients to make their MUA experience as hassle free, comfortable and successful as possible.
