The article originally appeared in Westchester Healthcare Newspaper’s Top Doctors Issue
Back and neck pain can be debilitating, and Dr. Jonathan Donath, DC, MS, is out to change that.
An expert in a variety of non-surgical pain treatments, he is clinic director of Joint Effort Chiropractic & Westchester Spinal Decompression Center in White Plains.
“Many patients come to us after painkillers, physical therapy and even epidural injections failed to alleviate their pain,” he says. “My goal is to treat back and neck pain and ultimately fix the underlying problem so that surgery is prevented whenever possible.”
Dr. Donath treats herniated and/or bulging discs, pinched nerves, spasms, strains and sprains, as well as sciatica and other conditions.
His patients come from across the region, and even from around the world, ranging from children to senior citizens to professional athletes. Many prominent medical doctors in Westchester, northern New Jersey, and New York City refer patients to him, and many physicians themselves seek Dr. Donath out for their own treatment.
Dr. Donath, who’s been in private practice in White Plains for the past 10 years, is renowned as a top expert in the field of non-surgical spinal decompression therapy.
This cutting-edge FDA-cleared treatment is effective for even the most severe cases of herniated discs, sciatica, degenerative disc disease and failed back surgery, Dr. Donath says.
“It’s remarkably effective, and we can help a staggeringly high percentage of cases get out of pain and stay out of pain even when all other treatments have failed,” he adds.
This past September, Dr. Donath’s book was published. “The Neck & Back Pain Solution: Everything You Need to Know About Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy” (available on amazon.com) outlines the procedure and its benefits.
Non-surgical spinal decompression can be utilized when a disc is herniated, bulging or compressed; these conditions may pinch a nerve or even the spinal cord and cause numbness, tingling, weakness and, most predominantly, pain.
The technique involves a sophisticated machine that applies controlled and highly specific and gentle forces on the spine, which cause the bulge or herniation to retract off the nerve or spinal cord.
Spinal decompression is performed as a patient lies comfortably on the treatment table. A special belt connected to a computer is attached just above a patient’s hips and below the level of the discs being treated. A second belt is attached above the affected level. (The setup is different for the neck.)
The computer-regulated device provides cycles of varying degrees of subtle pulling, followed by relaxation. Each cycle gradually and gently stretches the spine and then relaxes it, initiating a negative pressure inside the spinal disc.
This negative pressure creates a suction, or a vacuum effect. It causes water, nutrients and disc material to be sucked back toward the center of the disc and off the nerves, thus relieving pain and enhancing proper healing.
“The procedure is extremely comfortable,” Dr. Donath says. “Most patients enjoy it, and many even fall asleep.”
Dr. Donath also treats joint pain, arthritis, headaches, pain during pregnancy, sports-related injuries, chronic muscle tightness and other musculoskeletal conditions.
Dr. Donath is certified and specializes in active release techniques (ART). ART is one of the most effective treatments available for treating soft tissue injuries. This hands-on, non-invasive method is designed to break up adhesions and scar tissue that typically result from repetitive stress, overuse and trauma.
Dr. Donath is also experienced and certified in Graston Technique, a patented form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization that enables clinicians to effectively break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions. The technique utilizes specially designed stainless steel instruments to specifically detect and effectively treat areas exhibiting soft tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation. Some conditions that are commonly improved by ART and Graston Technique include headaches/migraines, back and neck pain, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis, TMJ pain as well as most types of tendonitis.
Dr. Donath also utilizes cold laser therapy, a treatment that employs specific wavelengths of light able to penetrate deep within tissue in order to help accelerate the healing process. Cold laser therapy can stimulate all cell types including muscle, ligament, cartilage and nerves.
In addition, Dr. Donath is highly skilled in the diversified technique of manual joint manipulation. This efficient and effective technique is used to restore proper motion to an injured or “stuck” joint. It is a highly useful approach to restore proper joint function.
Whether it’s attending the latest pain-relieving-technique seminars or reviewing the current literature, Dr. Donath strives to learn more about innovations in the field—in order to be the most qualified doctor for his patients. Medical doctors continue to send patients to Dr. Donath because he consistently gets their patients out of pain—even when other therapies failed. Dr. Donath’s results are fast. He is experienced, trustworthy and does not prolong treatment with unnecessary procedures.
“It’s my mission to provide not only relief for my patients but to solve the underlying cause of their conditions,” he says.
Dr. Donath graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic, and was class valedictorian. Dr. Donath also has a master’s degree in human nutrition. He is a frequent lecturer at Jacobi Medical Center in New York City and serves as an adjunct assistant professor at the School of Medicine at New York Medical College.
Joint Effort Chiropractic & Westchester Spinal Decompression Center is located at 222 Westchester Avenue in White Plains, 914-259-8103. The website is jointeffortchiro.com.
