What are some good alternative medical therapies for back and neck pain?

Question

I have a herniated disc, a bulge in another part of my back or neck, my neck is straighter than it's supposed to be. My back and neck muscles are all knotted up effecting my motor skills in my legs, weakness in my limbs, I have pain that spreads from my lower back and wraps around my abdomen.

I've done physical therapy twice, what they call manipulation, just of full body PT massage, I've gone to a chriopractor. I have an apoint at the med rehab clinic in a month. My doctor said I may possibly have to get a cortosone shot. What are some other options? I heard they can put the disc back in place, or surgery. I'm scared about all 3 because of the pain. Has anyone tried massage therapy or accupuncture? Do I have any other options?

Answer 1

There are lots of things that you could try to help your back and neck pain.  Cortisone shots seem a bit extreme, because that won't be fixing the root of the problem-- that's just going to mask the pain for temporary amounts of time.

First thing I'd recommend is trying to find another chiropractor and giving that another try.  They really all practice so differently and have different techniques and specialties. Call/ask around and find a chiropractor that specializes in treating herniated discs-- you can ask about a technique called flexion/distraction that will basically open up the space between your vertebrae, leaving more room for your disc to heal and potentially reabsorb (in the best case scenario).  Also, some chiropractors have in-office massage therapists, which sounds like you could definitely benefit from.  And I'm sure your insurance would cover the massage more readily if it was prescribed by a chiropractor for medical therapy.  Plus, restoring the curve of your neck (called cervical lordosis) is something most chiropractors are definitely able to help you with.  You just need to sit down with a chiro who is going to give you a really thorough evaluation and treat you in the way that is most beneficial to you.

Also, have you ever had an x-ray? I'm assuming you had a CT scan/MRI to diagnose your herniated disc and bulge, but the x-ray is important because you might find that you've had unsuccessful trips to the chiro and PT because they really didn't do a thorough job of getting to the root of your back problems. An x-ray will give them make a much more educated decision on the best way to treat you. So if you do have a full-spine x-ray bring it along with you to your new chiro or request to have some!

Sorry to hear you're in such pain and hopefully you find something that works.  Whatever treatment you seek remember that you have a lot going on so it will likely take some time to be 100% again, it'll take time. Good luck!

Answer 2

Try at all costs to avoid surgery. I am sorry for what you are going through; however the effect os surgery far out way the pain you are in now. I am a massage therapist and due to your herniated disk it is a contraindication to massage...meaning we can't massage the area. Most of my family are chiropractors, I am not sure what area you are in, but I suggest finding a chiro that specifies in your condition. There are many different fields of chiro. Yes, I have had acupuncture, but again find someone credentialed in that area if your needs. I know that invertion tables will help( hanging upsaide down by ankles) to make space for the disc...good luck

P.S. cortosone shots break down your joints...look up long term affects...

Answer 3

the massage therapy will do you wonders, it releases all the tightness in the muscles. I have a disk in my neck that gives me problems like you described and while I was at PT they put me on a stretching machine that stretched my neck. I would be on it for 20-30 minutes then they would give me a massage. I did this for almost a yr and it did wonders for me. I do have the cortisone shot every 6- 12 months and it also helps. Doing all of this has helped with my massive migraines that left me unable to move when I had them. Now my migraines are down to about 1-2 month compared to 3-4 week. Also, you might check with you dentist about TMJ. I also had the tmj that was effecting my muscles in my neck. Now I wear a special night guard that has helped stretch the muscles in my mouth and my jaw doesn't hurt anymore. It's all related and doing what I have done was a big help. So far I haven't needed surgery but one day may not have a choice as I get older. All of my problems stem from a malformation of my neck that I was born with but tok many yrs before it bothered me.

I am under the care of a nuerloligst who closely monitors my headaches and adjusts treatments as needed.