American Back Center

08/28/2025

"sitting......increase(s) the load (on spinal discs) by about 30% in relation to standing upright."

"... it is recommended that one's sitting posture should have a lordotic lumbar spinal curve similar to that achieved when standing."

03/01/2024

I wanted to share this incredible pilot study. Basically, chiropractic adjustments of the neck, lowered blood pressure "similar to the use of two-drug combination therapy"! Results showed an average decrease in systolic pressure by 17mmHg, and diastolic by 10mmHg.

When I first read this years ago, I actually called Dr. Bakris to ask why this was never repeated with a larger group, and he said simply "no money".

02/12/2024

02/12/2024

One of our office's 'tools' for spinal disc conditions, is Spinal Decompression. This is a patient story that I wanted to share, showing MRI evidence of its effectiveness.

"Gina" first came to see me in early June 2023 with strong low back and left leg pain. Prior to that visit, she had already had oral steroids, Physical Therapy and three spinal injections. She brought with her an MRI report from March 2023 (shown below). It showed a type of disc problem called an 'extrusion' - which is one of the worst types of disc herniations - and it was pushing upon a nerve causing the pain in her leg. (See the second page, near the bottom.)

We began a course of Spinal Decompression and the patient began to improve. First her leg got better, and slowly but surely, the back pain eased.

Now, Gina was the type of person who really want to 'know' that she was getting better - despite the fact that her symptoms were improving - and she went to her Medical doctor and demanded a second MRI. This is not something that we typically can get - ie. a 'post-therapy' MRI, mostly because insurance won't pay for another MRI on patients who are improving - but somehow Gina persevered and managed to get another one. Her second MRI (pictured here) was done in later August 2023 after having done about 20 sessions of Decompression.

The second MRI showed "resolution of previously demonstrated left paracentral disc extrusion" and the "previously demonstrated compression and displacement of the left S1 nerve root has been resolved."

Once the disc is pulled off of the nerve root, patients feel better! This is the same goal as surgery.....just done without the surgery!

04/17/2023

If it hurts, It needs therapy.
If it doesn't, It needs maintenance.

This is something that comes up at my office daily, which I thought I'd share. It's the issue of disc-related spine pain - the most common reason for spine pain - and how to manage it. I always bring up these types of studies - and there have been many - whereby the researchers have taken people who've never had back or neck pain and they've put them in an MRI to look at their spines ....... and they find all sorts of disc abnormalities.

So how can that be that these people have disc-problems and not feel them? That's because it's all a game of millimetres - move a disc slightly in the wrong direction and you hurt; bring it back to neutral and it no longer hurts ........ and the cycle continues through your life. The key is to do more to keep it in neutrality than the opposite. Also to note is that if you don't have pain, that doesn't mean there's not some anatomic abnormality.

And that's why I say:

If it hurts, It needs therapy.
If it doesn't, It needs maintenance.

03/27/2023

We're excited to introduce the newest member of our Massage Therapy staff, Lu Marie. She'll begin with us on Thursday April 13 from 3pm to 7pm and she'll be here each Thursday afternoon. You can book with Lu Marie online, through our 'Book an Appointment' button on our website, americanbackcenter.org

02/24/2023

Know when NOT to adjust someone!

I had a new patient from Mexico who fell while skiing in the US. She had shoulder pain and couldn't lift her shoulder at all. I examined her and told her I thought she had ruptured her supraspinatus, which would require surgery. She insisted I adjust her, as she was convinced that would help; I didn't. She returned to Mexico the next week and she wrote me this follow-up email:

Hello Chris

I hope you are having a great week,

Just a thank note for your attention on my visit in January. Your diagnostic was totally right. On Feb 3rd, I had my shoulder surgery and it went very well. Ortho said they could recover 100% of the tendons, so as soon as I can get rid of the sling, I guess I will start doing the physiotherapy and maybe get ready for the next sky season, jejeje.

Best of luck !!!

01/09/2023

New Year, new you! For people new to our office, we're offering this promotion through the end of January! Call us to schedule and start 2023 off right! (312) 939-4121

11/30/2022

Our patient Almarie W. has had great success with our Spinal Decompression / VaxD program. She describes her experience with us. Call us at (312) 939-4121, or email at chris.edginton@americanbackcenter.org for a consultation.

11/17/2022

We specialize in spinal disc related problems with our non-surgical Spinal Decompression therapy. Avoid surgery - all without medication or shots.

We can also be reached by email at: chris.edginton@americanbackcenter.org

11/03/2022

Si trabajas para un hotel en Chicago, puedes vernos por $10 la visita.

Puede reservar en linea en: americanbackcenter.org e ir a 'Book an Appointment'

11/03/2022

If you work for a hotel in Chicago, you can see us for $10 a visit. You can book online at: americanbackcenter.org and go to 'Book an Appointment'