frequently asked questions...
What is Manipulation Under Anesthesia?
Manipulation Under Anesthesia, otherwise known as MUA, is a non-invasive procedure increasingly offered for acute and chronic conditions, including: neck pain, back pain, joint pain, muscle spasm, shortened muscles, fibrous adhesions and long term pain syndromes.
By lightly anesthetizing a patient, once painful adjustments and movements are accomplished quickly and pain free helping to greatly improve or even restore range of motion. The physicians are able to administer adjustments similar to those received during regular chiropractic visits but more effectively.
Manipulation Under Anesthesia is a viable alternative for those patients that are not responding to traditional conservative care of other invasive procedures such as surgery.
What is the History of Manipulation Under Anesthesia?
Manipulation Under Anesthesia is an established and widely recognized procedure that has been part of the manual medical arena for more than sixty years. The practice of MUA can be traced back to the late 1930's.
Who would be a Candidate for Manipulation Under Anesthesia?
In general patients selected for Manipulation Under Anesthesia 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 symptoms 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 inflammation, acute and chronic muscle pain and inflammation, acute and chronic muscle spasm, chronic fibrositis, nerve entrapment, disk pathology including herniated disks, torticollis and failed back surgery.
Not all patients qualify for MUA as certain contraindications prevent some from undergoing the procedure. Call us today to schedule an MUA consultation with Dr. Keith Warde to determine if you are an MUA candidate.
What is Manipulation Under Anesthesia Procedure like?
The Manipulation Under Anesthesia procedure usually involves three consecutive days of treatment. During these three days a patient is treated with spinal manipulative therapy and specific MUA stretches.
Since the patient is lightly sedated during the MUA procedure, the usual resistance and pain associated with manipulation is eliminated.
Who Performs the Manipulation Under Anesthesia Procedure?
Those involved during the MUA procedure include the Board Certified Anesthesiologist, a MUA certified M.D./D.O. and or D.C. who performs the manipulation and the skilled nursing staff of Gladiolous Surgery Center. Only a physician that has been certified in MUA can perform the MUA procedure. Gladiolous Surgical Center takes pride in the fact that our team of physicians are not only certified by accredited institutions in MUA, but highly experienced, having helped to relieve the pain of hundreds of patients.
What happens after the MUA is performed?
After the procedure, treatment continues as strengthening 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 strength and prevent future pain and discomfort.
What are the Effects of Manipulation Under Anesthesia Procedure?
- Breaking up scar tissue (adhesions) both in and around the spinal joints, commonly caused by multiple injuries or failed back surgery.
- A decreasing chronic muscle spasms.
- Overcoming super-sensitivity of injured areas, making the patient able 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 difference 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, what is the next step?
Patients who have been selected for Manipulation Under Anesthesia Procedure by their doctor typically undergo a medical screening process to determine true MUA candidacy. This screening process includes a medical history and physical examination and where indicated, may also include CBC blood studies, chest X-Rays, EKG
…’s and other diagnostic tests such as MRI or CT’s.Once a patient is cleared and medical necessity for MUA is determined, a Gladiolus Surgical Center representative will pre-certify and schedule the procedure dates and times. Gladiolus Surgical Center will also handle the explanation of all pre and post-operative instructions, answer any questions the patient may have about the procedure and arrange transportation for the patient if necessary. Gladiolus Surgical Center prides themselves on working with our patients to make their MUA experience as hassle free, comfortable and successful as possible!’s and its 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.
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