Could you imagine going through life every day with near-debilitating, chronic back pain? Back pain is one of the most common ailments in America - it's estimated that 8% of all adults, or 16 million people, suffer from chronic back pain in the U.S. every year. If you've never experienced a back injury or pain, be thankful. Chronic back pain affects every aspect of a person's life, from participating in sports to limitations with everyday activities, like cooking dinner. In fact, many people with chronic back pain can't even make a reliable living and put food on the table. Almost 83 million workdays are lost every year due to choric back pain.
The inability to work and provide isn't just a physical issue - it can become an emotional one too. Many people suffering from chronic back pain also suffer from depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, in the past, chronic back pain sufferers wanting to avoid addictive medications and invasive surgeries had few viable relief options. However, if you're suffering from a chronic back issue like sciatica, a pinched nerve, or a bulging disc, pain relief may be closer than you think.
Modern chiropractic care and, more specifically, a spinal decompression chiropractor in Sullivan's Island, SC, may be the long-term solution you need for chronic back pain.
A common misconception is that chiropractors only adjust your back and neck when, in fact, they treat the whole body with all-natural treatments. Here at Elite Healthcare, our doctors focus on your overall health, not just pain. We want to find and address the underlying causes of your symptoms. If you're unfamiliar with an integrative approach to medicine, this strategy may seem new. Our chiropractic care is less about putting a band-aid on the problem and more about finding a natural, long-term solution to your pain.
Fortunately, our experienced chiropractors provide the best in natural pain relief. Prescription and over-the-counter pain medications mask the symptoms you're experiencing versus getting to the cause of your pain. Pain is often the result of your spine being out of alignment, which leads to nerve issues. Once your spine is back in alignment, the nerves function correctly again.
Because our chiropractic center offers a combination of different therapies and non-surgical treatments, we provide a comprehensive approach to healing. Depending on the extent of your back problems, spinal decompression therapy may be the answer to your chronic pain problems.
Initially developed in 1985 by Dr. Allan Dyer, spinal decompression has been used by chiropractors for years. Unfortunately, spinal decompression is often passed over as a viable treatment, despite its numerous benefits.
In the past, patients suffering from chronic back pain issues like herniated discs were usually prescribed powerful medications. They were instructed to refrain from physical activities, referred to a physical therapist, and sent on their way. While physical therapy has an important role in back pain recovery, some back conditions need a more comprehensive treatment approach. For those patients, surgery seemed like the only option.
Today, patients with chronic back pain have many more options to consider. One of the most effective treatments for serious back pain is spinal decompression. This proven therapy, provided by Elite Healthcare, has been shown to significantly reduce pain and help patients live a normal, even active lifestyle once again.
Spinal decompression, also called Lumbar Cervical Decompression Therapy (LCD Therapy), is a very effective non-surgical solution to chronic back pain problems. If you're like most patients, your back pain is caused by disc issues related to your spine. This type of therapy uses computer technology and a spinal decompression machine in cityname, state, to stretch your spinal column slowly and gently, relieving abnormal pressure on the discs in your back, which sit in between your vertebrae.
This precise stretching action causes negative pressure to form inside the discs in your back, making them retract. With time, this negative pressure causes a reverse vacuum of sorts that actually draws your protruding discs into place. When pressure is removed from the disc segments in your spine, you experience much-needed pain relief.
The primary purpose of spinal decompression therapy is to provide you with immediate pain relief while creating a healthy environment to heal your spinal disc condition. Some of the most common conditions that spinal decompression therapy treats include:
This happens when spinal discs in your back are pushed outside of the spinal canal. When pushed outside of their usual space, these discs can put pressure on the nerves in your spine, resulting in localized pain and pain throughout your body. If a bulging disc is left untreated, it has a high chance of rupturing, which can necessitate surgery and longer recovery time.
Herniated discs are discs in your back that fracture or crack and leak fluid. The fluid or gel that leaks from a herniated disc may irritate the nerves in your back. When this happens, you may experience an intense burning sensation that shoots up and down your lower back and legs.
As you grow older, joints in your body, like your knees and hips, begin to wear away with time. The same thing can happen to the discs in your back. Often caused by heavy lifting or a family history of spine problems, degenerative discs are painful and can lead to serious situations. In advanced cases, bone spurs can form and affect the nerves of your spine.
When a herniated disc or bone spur begins to put pressure on the nerves in your back, it often causes sciatica. Sciatica is a common back problem that causes pain to radiate from your lower back down your legs via your sciatic nerve. Sometimes, this pain is only felt in one of your legs.
This condition is similar to arthritis of your spine, where the cartilage inside your facet joint breaks down and becomes inflamed. The result is often intense neck and back pain. It's most often caused by degenerative changes in the joints located between the bones of your spine.
This painful condition manifests when the space in your backbone is too small. When this happens, pressure impacts your spinal cord and the nerves that travel through it. Like other conditions treated by a spinal decompression therapy cityname, state, stenosis is caused by wear-and-tear in your back, which forms arthritis.
This term is often used to classify a range of back problems, most often caused by a pinched nerve root in your spinal column. This pinched nerve root may occur in different locations down your spine, like the lumbar or thoracic areas. Usually caused by a narrowing of the space where your nerve root leaves the spine, symptoms of this condition include pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness.
If you're looking for a safe way to relieve your chronic back pain, spinal decompression should be on your list of treatments to consider. This painless procedure is backed by research showing higher success rates in many patients when compared to spinal surgery. Unlike many medications, spinal decompression from Elite Healthcare Physical Medicine is designed to correct the condition you're facing while also minimizing costs and eliminating recovery and downtime.
Some of the most popular reasons why patients choose spinal decompression over surgery and other treatments include:
Invasive procedures, like back surgeries, often leave the patient racked with pain, long recovery times, and complications. Sometimes, the surgery doesn't work as intended, leaving the patient responsible for a therapy that didn't work correctly. As a non-invasive treatment, spinal decompression therapy can treat back and neck pain without needles, incisions, or harmful manipulations of the spine.
Getting back pain relief from surgery is far from guaranteed. However, because spinal decompression targets the underlying causes of your back pain, it's a much more effective long-term treatment. Spinal decompression is not a quick fix. When coupled with positive lifestyle changes like losing weight, you can maximize the pain-relieving benefits of spinal decompression.
Surgery of the back and spine requires the patient to be bedridden and uncomfortable for days and even weeks. Recovering from back surgery is no easy feat and often requires strong pain medications to help. Sometimes, back surgeries don't go as planned, causing complications and worse scenarios. Spinal decompression, on the other hand, is very effective and doesn't require much recovery time at all. Once your spinal decompression session is over, you'll probably be able to drive yourself home from our office.
One of the least talked about issues with back pain medications is that they only treat the pain, not the underlying causes. For many patients, relying on meds to relieve back pain fosters dependency on pain pills. Pain pill addiction is a very serious issue in the U.S., often leading patients down a dark path. With spinal decompression, you won't have to worry about taking pills for pain relief. That's because the root causes of your back pain are addressed, not just the symptoms.
If you were to look at the cost of surgery and subsequent years of prescription medication, you might be shocked. When compared to spinal decompression, surgery is a much more expensive treatment to consider. You've got to take the cost of surgery into account, but also the fact that you'll be forced to take time off work. By choosing spinal decompression therapy, you're choosing a safe, non-surgical treatment that doesn't require any time off work.
Spinal decompression relieves pressure on disrupted discs, causing them to retract back into place. This revolutionary treatment also lets oxygen, fluids, and nutrients re-enter your spinal discs, which provides additional healing.
By now, you probably have a better idea of how spinal decompression can help rid your life of back pain. But spinal decompression treatment does more than help with bulging discs, herniated discs, arthritis, and more. It has also been shown to provide patients with important quality-of-life benefits.
As mentioned above, harsh surgeries leave you bedridden and unable to work for long periods of time. Spinal decompression allows you to jump right back into the workforce, so you can continue providing for your family. Plus, reducing your back pain naturally increases your mobility since you won't be stressing about hurting yourself while moving. Instead, you'll be living in the moment.
One of the worst symptoms affecting people with back pain is the inability to sleep well. Sleeping with back pain can be horrible, causing you to toss and turn to find a comfortable spot. As soon as you find one and get settled, your back starts to hurt again. It's a vicious cycle, but adjusting your spine and relieving pressure with spinal decompression will help you get a good night's rest.
Did you know that when your spine is decompressed, it helps fluids circulate throughout your body? These fluids actually flush your lymphatic system, which helps support your overall immune system. Better circulation also benefits your brain and can help boost concentration and memory. The improved circulation from spinal decompression may also distribute oxygen and nutrients to your skin, creating a multi-benefit effect.
We are happy to answer your questions, and help you find the services you need. Please message us to get started.
At Elite Healthcare Physical Medicine, we practice an integrated approach to pain relief and chiropractic care. Our goal is to restore your spine to its proper alignment, which speeds up your recovery time and prevents additional injuries. If chronic back pain has taken over your life, it's time to visit our chiropractic office for a thorough evaluation.
Ask yourself this: Have you been suffering from headaches and sleepless nights due to muscle strain? Is your ability to work and put food on the table compromised due to a pinched nerve? No amount of over-the-counter pain medication can provide a long-term fix for such an issue. Thankfully, our chiropractors have years of experience providing relief to patients just like yourself.
After a comprehensive exam, our doctor will create an individualized treatment plan tailored to your body. That way, we can address the full scope of your symptoms by correcting any root causes of your back pain.
From minor chiropractic adjustments to spinal decompression treatment, we'll find the solution that your back and body need to heal correctly. If you're ready to get back on the road to better health, we're here to help every step of the way. Contact our Elite Healthcare Physical Medicine today to get started.
The water utility is threatening to shut off the tap for Sullivan’s Island when the town's contract expires July 20, alleging that the town owes more than $1 million in back charges.CWS CEO Mark Cline told The Post and Courier that Sullivan’s Island has been paying an “arbitrary and unsupported” volumetric rate for their water — 88 cents per thousand gallons of water — since 2017.This rate was not issued by the utility, Cline said. Mike Saia, a spokesman for CWS, said the rate the utility iss...
The water utility is threatening to shut off the tap for Sullivan’s Island when the town's contract expires July 20, alleging that the town owes more than $1 million in back charges.
CWS CEO Mark Cline told The Post and Courier that Sullivan’s Island has been paying an “arbitrary and unsupported” volumetric rate for their water — 88 cents per thousand gallons of water — since 2017.
This rate was not issued by the utility, Cline said. Mike Saia, a spokesman for CWS, said the rate the utility issued for Sullivan's Island in 2017 was 96 cents per thousand gallons of water.
In an October 2023 letter to Sullivan’s Island Mayor Pat O’Neil, Cline warned the town that unless charges were paid and a new contract was agreed upon by July 20, the utility would shut off the three water supply connections that serve the town.
Sullivan’s Island has had a wholesale contract with CWS since 1994. The town has up to 750,000 gallons of water available per day.
Other nearby communities, like Isle of Palms, purchase water from CWS.
Chris Jordan, general manager for the island’s water and sewer commission, said the commission pays roughly $1.23 per thousand gallons of water used. Last year, the city paid around $100,000 in capital charges.
The city’s contract, initiated in 1995, allows for up to 1.5 million gallons of water per day. Jordan said the commission intends to renew its contract with Charleston Water System when the time comes.
CWS calculates the volumetric rate for its wholesale customers on an annual basis. The rate can fluctuate from year to year, Cline said, based on economic factors and the cost of service. The utility also issues capital charges annually to fund infrastructure upkeep and other projects.
Sullivan’s Island paid both of these charges in full for 23 years. Things changed in 2017.
That year, the town stopped paying capital charges and began paying 88 cents per thousand gallons of water, a fraction of the rate issued by the utility, Cline said.
Cline also alleged that Sullivan’s Island has been charging its residents the full rate set by the utility but not paying the full rate to CWS.
The town has amassed roughly $1,007,300 in back charges as of December 2023, Cline said.
If this debt is not paid and a new agreement is not reached, the roughly 2,000 residents that call Sullivan’s Island home will lose access to water — including drinking water.
According to the town's February water report, CWS and Sullivan's Island began mediation on Feb. 7 to resolve the dispute.
O’Neil, the mayor, and Town Administrator Andy Benke declined to comment on the dispute or how much they are charging their residents.
Sullivan's Island Water and Sewer Manager Greg Gress also declined to comment on the dispute.
“The Town is involved in mediation with CWS, and in that regard bound by the confidentiality agreement of that process,” Benke said.
Cline said the utility has delivered at least seven letters to Sullivan’s Island since 2019, calling for resolution of the dispute and a new contract.
"We have been continuously communicating with the Town of Sullivan's Island about this issue for five years, predominantly in letter form. They've been aware of this issue for some time," Cline said.
In 2019, the town and CWS signed a conditional memorandum that said a rate formula must be agreed upon by April 2, 2019.
But because CWS would not exclude capital charges from its rate formula, town officials did not approve the memorandum, O'Neil wrote in a September 2023 letter to the utility.
SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - A yearslong dispute between Sullivan’s Island and the Charleston Water System could leave thousands of residents without water starting in July if over $600,000 in debt is not paid.As of Sept. 28, 2021, Charleston Water System claims Sullivan’s Island owes them $197,468 in billed, but unpaid, volumetric charges and $442,478 in billed but unpaid capital charges.Charleston Water says the town changed how much they paid per 1,000 gallons in 2017, even after paying the same amount ...
SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - A yearslong dispute between Sullivan’s Island and the Charleston Water System could leave thousands of residents without water starting in July if over $600,000 in debt is not paid.
As of Sept. 28, 2021, Charleston Water System claims Sullivan’s Island owes them $197,468 in billed, but unpaid, volumetric charges and $442,478 in billed but unpaid capital charges.
Charleston Water says the town changed how much they paid per 1,000 gallons in 2017, even after paying the same amount since the contract began in 1994.
They say that the paid charge went from $1.22 per 1,000 gallons to 88 cents per 1,000 gallons.
Charleston Water wrote in a January 2019 letter that “after more than 20 years, the town of Sullivan’s Island does not believe the contract requires them to pay any portion of Charleston Water’s capital expenses, a belief which has no support whatsoever of our board of commissioners or legal counsel.”
After getting a rate consultant, Charleston Water offered Sullivan’s to pay 89 cents per 1000 gallons. According to numerous letters, the island refused.
An opinion from the state Attorney General in 2019, states Sullivan’s Island does not have the authority to interpret contracts, but believes both of these parties must finish their initial term of 30 years and then they are able to terminate it if everyone is notified.
Sullivan’s Island says they disagree with this opinion and there are four unresolved topics between the two: capital charges, fire hydrants, the municipal wholesale rate as an excess demand charge and the rate formula.
Charleston Water says Sullivan’s Island has two choices: to pay all outstanding balances and they can continue to purchase water at the then-published municipal whole rate or find an alternate water source starting July 20 of this year.
In a 2021 resolution from Charleston Water, they say they discovered through this lack of payment that 18 fire hydrants were not being paid for on the island. If they’re not paid, all will be removed except for those used for water main flushing.
Starting this month, they will send out delinquent notices to DHEC, the State Fire Marshal, Sullivan’s Island residents and other state agencies on a monthly basis that the water will be shut off starting July 20 – when the 30-year contract is up – if this procedures are not followed.
In response to these letters, Andy Benke, the town administrator for Sullivan’s Island, provided this statement:
It’s disappointing that the leadership at Charleston Water System has apparently decided to ignore the confidentiality agreement put in place during the mediation of our long-standing dispute.
Years ago, CWS decided to raise our rates as if our signed contract with them did not exist.
As CWS knows, we’ve simply been continuing to pay the undisputed amount set in our long-standing, signed agreement.
We hope everyone will understand we’re standing firm on the principle that signed contracts are signed contracts. It’s the right thing to do for our citizens.
We will continue our good faith efforts to reach an appropriate agreement through mediation, or if need be, in the court.
Charleston Water claims Sullivan’s Island revised its interpretation of the 1994 agreement in 2016 and part of the dispute is whether the island should have to pay any portion of CWS’s capital expenses.
Charleston Water System says they can’t make any further comment because it’s still in legal mediation.
You can read more about the dispute below, or click here.
Attachment to 06-21-23 Contract Dispute by Live 5 News on Scribd
Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.
SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. (WCBD) — The town of Sullivan’s Island could have its water supply cut off this summer, amid a dispute with the Charleston Water System.According to a letter sent to the town from Charleston Water System (CWS) in October 2023, when Sullivan’s Island purchased 750,000 gallons per day of capacity from the Charleston Water System in 1994, it was a 30-year term which expires on July 19, 2024.The water system tells Sullivan’s Island leaders that if there is not a new contract by ...
SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. (WCBD) — The town of Sullivan’s Island could have its water supply cut off this summer, amid a dispute with the Charleston Water System.
According to a letter sent to the town from Charleston Water System (CWS) in October 2023, when Sullivan’s Island purchased 750,000 gallons per day of capacity from the Charleston Water System in 1994, it was a 30-year term which expires on July 19, 2024.
The water system tells Sullivan’s Island leaders that if there is not a new contract by then, service will be disconnected for the town’s 2,000 residents on July 20.
In addition, in the letter, the water system said the town has been paying $0.88 per thousand gallons of water since 2017, and calls that rate “arbitrary and unsupported by facts.”
Charleston Water System says the rate in 2017 was $0.96, and each year, there is a new projected rate for the town. For example, the rate last year was $1.53 per thousand gallons. At the end of the year, an adjusted rate was given which amounted to $1.11.
CWS also said in the letter to Sullivan’s Island that they are willing to provide water service to the town as long as it pays all outstanding amounts owed to the water system. As of February, that amount totaled $1.08 million.
In previous letters responding to Charleston Water System, Sullivan’s Island Mayor, Patrick O’Neil, said they have been paying the correct rate and that a memorandum of understanding on a rate formula was never approved.
“SI (Sullivan’s Island) has been paying the undisputed portion of the volumetric rate since 2017. SI does not owe capital charges unless SI purchases additional capacity which SI has not done.” a letter dated June 30 to CWS reads.
Sullivan’s Island leaders claim that the contract with the water system is clear that capital charges should not be charged on top of the initial capacity the town purchased in 1994. The town also adds that “because SI has not given written notice to CWS not to renew the contract, the contract will be automatically renewed for 15 years or until July 19, 2039, as set forth in the contract.”
In its October letter responding to the town, CWS CEO, Mark Cline, said CWS cannot agree to a rate formula that does not include capital charges or a perpetual term.
As of now, Sullivan’s Island and Charleston Water System are in legal remediation for the issue.
On Friday, Sullivan’s Island leaders released a statement to News 2:
“It’s disappointing that the leadership at Charleston Water System has apparently decided to ignore the confidentiality agreement put in place during the mediation of our long-standing dispute.
Years ago, CWS decided to raise our rates as if our signed contract with them did not exist.
As CWS knows, we’ve simply been continuing to pay the undisputed amount set in our long-standing, signed agreement.
We hope everyone will understand we’re standing firm on the principle that signed contracts are signed contracts. It’s the right thing to do for our citizens.
We will continue our good faith efforts to reach an appropriate agreement through mediation, or if need be, in the court.”
– Sullivan’s Island town leaders
SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - The mayor of Sullivan’s Island fired the latest salvo Wednesday afternoon in a battle over how much the town owes the Charleston Water System for service as it faces a July deadline.Mayor Patrick O’Neal released the following statement Wednesday in response to the water utility’s blasting of a proposal that would have the town pay a fraction of what Charleston Water System says is the balance due:Charleston Water System wants the town to ignore the terms of the signed ...
SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - The mayor of Sullivan’s Island fired the latest salvo Wednesday afternoon in a battle over how much the town owes the Charleston Water System for service as it faces a July deadline.
Mayor Patrick O’Neal released the following statement Wednesday in response to the water utility’s blasting of a proposal that would have the town pay a fraction of what Charleston Water System says is the balance due:
Charleston Water System wants the town to ignore the terms of the signed agreement we entered into almost 30 years ago, after Hurricane Hugo devastated our independent deep water well system. We entered into that agreement at a significant cost to ensure that our residents would have certainty as to the source of our water for decades to come. It’s hard now to accept the baseless claim that CWS (or anyone else) is “subsidizing” Sullivan’s Island when we paid almost $2 million — in 1994 dollars — to support the infrastructure that allowed them to sell water to us and to our neighbors on the Isle of Palms, and when in 2020 we gifted them an easement through our public park and playground so there would be additional capacity to sell water to our neighbors in Mount Pleasant.
The Charleston Water System on Tuesday responded to a motion passed during Monday night’s town council meeting that proposed the paying of $227,361 to “satisfy in full” the disputed debt. Charleston Water System CEO Mark Cline said the utility “does not agree” with the town’s viewpoint “or its recollection of historical facts.”
“We fully intend to discontinue the town’s water service July 20 unless their past due amount is fully paid and they have entered into a new contract that appropriately covers the costs of providing water service to their community,” Cline said. “It’s not fair that our other customers have been subsidizing the Town’s service for years now, and that would continue under their terms.”
The utility claims the town owes a total of more than $639,000. That figure includes $197,468 in billed but unpaid volumetric charges and $442,478 in bill but unpaid capital charges.
Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.
CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) - Leaders say the search is over in the hunt for a new town administrator for Sullivan’s Island after months of recruitment efforts.Current Town Administrator Andy Benke says Joseph R. “Joe” Henderson will be the newest town administrator come June.Benke first announced plans to retire in Oct. of last year after over two decades of service as town administrator for Sullivan’s Island. His announcement kicked off what officials called an extensive search for a replacement, wh...
CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) - Leaders say the search is over in the hunt for a new town administrator for Sullivan’s Island after months of recruitment efforts.
Current Town Administrator Andy Benke says Joseph R. “Joe” Henderson will be the newest town administrator come June.
Benke first announced plans to retire in Oct. of last year after over two decades of service as town administrator for Sullivan’s Island. His announcement kicked off what officials called an extensive search for a replacement, which they say involved the vetting of 28 candidates.
The Town Council unanimously approved Henderson’s appointment to the position.
Henderson served as the director of planning and zoning for Sullivan’s Island from 2013 until 2022, when he was promoted to be the town’s deputy administrator.
Aside from experience, Henderson qualifies for the job with a number of degrees obtained from a series of South Carolina colleges and universities. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Coastal Carolina University, a Graduate Certification in urban planning from the College of Charleston and a Master of public administration from Clemson University.
He also has professional certifications include floodplain management, arboriculture and zone inspection. Before moving to Sullivan’s Island, Henderson working as the zoning administrator and the interim planning director for the city of Conway.
Sullivan’s Island Mayor Patrick O’Neil expressed gratitude for Benke’s 21 years of service before expressing his faith in Henderson.
“We were privileged to have Andy Benke serve as the Administrator since 2003 and wish him well in retirement. His efforts helped keep Sullivan’s Island a desired place to live and visit,” O’Neil said. “As Andy’s Deputy Administrator, Joe Henderson is well suited to succeed him. I am confident that the great work we have started over the past years will continue with Joe.”
Henderson himself expressed his gratefulness to the Town for picking him for the position.
“It’s an honor to continue to serve the community in the role of Town Administrator. We have exciting opportunities and challenges facing the Town in the coming years,” Henderson said. “I’m very fortunate to be supported by the Town Council and the employees who provide the public with exemplary service on all levels.”
Officials say Benke will continue to serve as town administrator until June 18 in order to guarantee a smooth transition.
Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.