Bulging Disks

[velvett]

I have multiple bulging disks on my cervical spine C2-C7 and straightening of of the cervical lordosis. I've been in pain for a while and I have numbness and tingling in my fingers and my arms from the elbow down. It hasn't been looked at yet but I believe I also have bulging disks in the upper thoracic area of my spine as well

I have some other health issues that my doctor wants to concentrate on first but the pain is driving me and keeping me up at night.

What can I do to relive some of the pain?

I don't bother with pain killers, I have such high tolerance to pharmaceuticals they don't do anything for me.

I have a stim machine, feels good on my neck but again does nothing for pain.

Is chiropractic a good or bad idea?

PT?

Any ideas or suggestions, experiences would be appreciated.

 

[stevexpress]

chiro is the way to go, i suffered from a bulged disk, meds just made me sick. Alot of bed rest, i was out of work for a month couldn't walk much... chiro was the only thing that helped

 

[Cutiebaby]

Personally I think that you should try chiropractor before ruling it out. I have heard from many of people that claim they went to their pcp and was given meds, never took the meds and instead followed up with chiropractor and after the visit felt much better. I have also heard that chiropractors are great healers. My aunt never goes to her pcp she has many health issues including frequent migraines that she has been able to hold under control since regulated visits to her chiro. So def give it a try!

 

[tbuzzell]

I have pretty much the same problem. I have lumbar disk issues along with scoloisis and degenerative disk disease. I have gone to Johns Hopkins in the pain management program and had several facet nerve blocks and epidurals. All it does is mask the problem. I also saw a chiropractor who did manual adjustments and the pain got worse.

Recently, I signed up with a chiropractor who has the ProAdjuster. It is a computerized adjuster instead of a manual. Not many chiro's have this technology yet because it is new and they need to be certified. In the two months that I have gone there my pain is completely gone and my disk is almost back to normal. My spine from the scoloisis is starting to staighten and my hips "appear" to be symmetrical.

My sister in law had 3 surgeries to try and correct her disk and all have failed. Next surgery is a fusion because her disk is "dead" which means it cannot retain any water. She is only 27.

Chiropractors are the way to go. Find a chiro that has a good reputration because there are a lot of "boobs" out there. A good chiropractor is someone that is good with their hands and not just knowledgable with that area of medicine.

 

[needtogetaas]

I hope it works out for you hon.

 

[buffut1]

sorry, but I totally disagree with the chiro. I guess because I work in healthcare and have seen many bad things done my chiro's. In fact I had one young patient die from a vertebral artery dissection due to a chiro "adjusting" his neck.

If you truly want to try a chiro, do not let them "adjust" your neck. Maybe some other modalities may be helpful. I have many back issues and have had a fusion. Prior to surgery I found that accupunture did wonders for the pain. That may be something to look into.

Just my $.02

 

[Mandy Polk]

I have multiple bulging discs and am still able to do gymnastics, train, and perform my fitness routines. I get a procedure called an "epidural block." It's painkillers and corticosteroids injected into your epidural region. It blocks the sensation of the discs rubbing nerves around the area. I feel awesome with it.

It lasts up to a year. Without it, I can barely sit up straight. You'll need to go to an orthopedic center and have an MRI (lasts only 20 minutes for that part of your body most times) and then the procedure. They will put you under, but only for an hour or less. You might not even ever be unconcious.

You'll only have to take one day off of work and 3 off of workouts. It's the best thing I've found, after many attempts at finding a legitimate treatment and end to the pain.

The first step is an offic visit. Call around and see who takes your insurance and then go get seen about.

Good luck!