A Recent News Story Showing Dr. Leonard Performing MUA
Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA)
Candidates
Common indications for MUA include neck, middle and lower back pain, acute and chronic muscle pain and inflammation, acute and chronic muscle spasm, chronic fibrositis, nerve entrapment, disc pathology including herniated discs, torticollis, and failed back surgery. To see if you are eligible, please consult with Dr. Leonard at Florida Wellness and Rehab.
Expectations
The MUA procedure involves three consecutive days of treatment. Since the patient is lightly sedated during the procedure, the usual resistance and pain associated with manipulation is elminated. After the procedure, treatment continues as strengthening and stabilization programs are initiated over the next few weeks. Post-procedure care is a vital and integral part of the MUA procedure. Follow-up visits with manipulative and physical therapies are very important.
The proposed effects of MUA therapy include: Breaking up scar tissue (adhesions) both in and around the spinal joints and decreasing chronic muscle spasm. This assists with overcoming super-sensitivity of injured areas that make the patient unable to cooperate for effective treatment. This procedure stretches persistently shortened muscles, ligaments, and tendons, and brings relief from pain and radiating symptoms caused by damaged intervertebral discs.
Research
Mensor, M.D. compared MUA and back surgery in patients witt lumbar intervertbral disc lesions and found that 83% of MUA patients had good to excellent results while only 51% of the surgical patients reported the same outcome.1
Chrisman, M.D. reported that 51% of patients with unequivocal disc lesions and unrelieved symptoms after conservative care had been rendered reported good to excellent results post MUA at three year follow up.2
Bradford and Siehl reported on 723 MUA patients, the largest clinical trial conducted on MUA procedures, that 71% had good results, and that 25% had fair results, with only 4% ultimately requiring surgical intervention.3
1 - Chrisman OD, et al (1964): A study of the results following rotary manipulation of the lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome. J Bone Joint Surg. 1964: 46-A:517.
2 - Siehl D, Bradford, W (1952): Manipulation of the low back under general anesthesia. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 1952: 52(4): 239-42. PMID 13011132.
3 - Krumhansl, Nowacek CJ (1986): Manipulation under anesthesia. in: modern manual therapy of the vertebral column. 1986.
Additional Articles Discussing MUA:
Manipulation under anesthesia for pain, By: Richard Reid, MD and Rosie Desimone, DC