Pinched Nerve-What about a Chiropractor?

[All Tell]

Forget Chiropractors. Go to a good physical therapist.

[WKYfootballguy]

Do NOT waste your time going to your doctor. All that will get you are pain relievers, muscle relaxers, and anti-inflamatories (sp??). A chiropractor or a specialist are your best bets.

 

 

I know they are going to do an x-ray, refill my pain meds (which I hate taking) and charge me $90.00!!!

[Jim Schue]

Your last statement is key. Don't let any chiro touch you unless they do an MRI. I have had spine surgery. The first thing the surgen asked is if I had ever seen a chiropractor. I answered no and he said "good thing". I'm sure they can be helpful but just make sure it is a good one and they know what they are pushing around on.

 

A good chiropractor will not adjust you without finding out important information such as what Henry listed above. There are limits to what a chiro can do, and the good ones acknowledge this. Pinched nerves are right in their wheelhouse, though.

 

Another thing to be wary of is the idea that some physicians try to advance of chiros somehow being witch doctors, which is a freakin' joke. Those who play that game are being disingenuous and not exploring all the possible treatment options available because he/she is concerned the chiro might be taking money out of their pockets (you should avoid doctors like this anyway, just on GP, since they are less concerned about your health than their bottom line).

 

One way a regular physician goes wrong in the treatment of an issue such as this as opposed to chiros is a physician is only treating the symptoms, whereas the chiro is treating the cause of the symptoms.

[SEMPERFIFALCON]

I had a pinched nerve right before the start of my senior season of football, my Dr. told me I would definitely miss the first game and possibly more, needless to say I was crushed. After telling my strength and condition coach he recommended that I see a Chiropractor, I did and I felt 100% better after 2 visits actually I think I felt better than 100%. Point is I didn't miss any games and only 2 days of practice for what my doctor thought was going to cost me a lot more... I haven’t been to a chiropractor since but might go soon now that I'm remembering how good I felt after the last time I went...

[WKYfootballguy]

You'll want to make sure it's "only" a pinched nerve and not a bulged or herniated disk. I have been struggling with a herniated lumbar disk for months now and can't take it any more, so I'm going to Mayfield Clinic (orthopaedic doctor) this week. The numbness/pain shooting down my leg and even into my ankle, not to mention the pain in my lower back, has become unbearable. Anyways, enough of my issue. My point is that I would make certain you see a chiro or othro and make sure you get an MRI to ensure there's not something more serious going on.

 

This is 2x's and the pain is almost the same level and location, being 28 I asked the doctor what I could do to avoid this injury and he said, "Don't life any 120lb TVs...with a smile" :ohbrother:

[jvdfc]

Absolutely go to a good Chiro Dr. I had exactly what you are describing years ago. 1st The OR Dr. said I would have to have surgery, this was after having a shot in the back, meds etc... The Chiro Dr. took care of it in a few weeks. I went 3 times per week at 1st. He also taught me some exercises to do and some tips on how to sleep. (Pillow placed between the legs or under the knee if sleeping on your back) Also I would get off the heat and go to ice only. Some Chiro Dr.'s are a lot better than others, so check around. Good luck.

[7thcorpsFA]

Mayfield is very good. Had two disc replacements,C6 and C7 with lots of nerve damage. Ask for human cadaver tissue for replacement.It takes longer to heal but is better than using metal parts. Go to a nero. not an ortho. I got this info. from medical freind of mine and everything worked out well. An MRI is a must. Good Luck!

[WKYfootballguy]

***UPDATE***

 

Went to a local chiropractor here in Owensboro with a good reputation...made me watch videos--which I'm sure is suppose to start the brainwashing process...lol. Overall a very positive experience.

 

Took a ton of x-rays and found that I have a buldging disc that is causing the nerve issues and I am curving my spine to compensate, probably been that way since July of 2008 when I did this last time...

 

1.)Got an adjustment...sounded like firecrackers going off

2.)Got this small jackhammer thing done on my back

3.)Decompression table for 10 mins

4.)Russian stimulation table for 10 mins

5.)Ice for the rest of the day

 

Well, pain is down to a 4 instead of 6 today...another appointment at 5pm!!! Thanks for the insight!

 

Also found out I have the straightest neck the guy had ever seen which isn't a great thing. The head is so heavy that you need some curve in your spine near your head...glad I found this out and he gave me excerises to correct it and avoid pain and problems down the road.

[threetimelover]

So glad to hear it, WKYfg. Back and or neck pain is so horrible to live with. I had a car wreck when I was 16 and have lived with neck problems since then. My neck is so weird that it will sometimes spasm and lock up with just the simplest movement. I'm so glad you are feeling better.:thumb:

[cooperstown]

I wasn't aware that an x-ray could see a bulging disk. You didn't get an MRI?

[WKYfootballguy]

I wasn't aware that an x-ray could see a bulging disk. You didn't get an MRI?

 

 

It can't but they had some new x-ray thingy...lol! It was pretty neat and high tech. After talking to a friend of mine who is a doctor and ruling out the rest that is what every one seems to agree on. No MRI for me with my high dedcutible insurance at the first of the year!

[WKYfootballguy]

**UPDATE**

 

Thanks everyone for the insight...this has been the worst I've ever felt in my life.

 

Went to Chiropractor took good x-rays which showed a curved spine where I've been holding myself since I first injured this nerve in mid 2008. My right hip was also out of alignment and was almost 1 inch higher than my left! More than likely a bulding disc pinchin a nerve! I went for 5 straight days...got an adjustment and decompression each time. Felt worse when I left, but like it got a little better each time, but pain still 7 I would say each afternoon/evening.

 

I stayed in bed ALL last weekend and felt better, then Sunday night was in worst pain since the first day. I felt like my muscles were breaking...almost ended up back in ER. I actually believe now they were trying to realign!

 

Monday I had the Chiropractor scheduled then he wanted to do MRI since I didn't feel much better. I laid down on that table that Monday and when he laid me on my side it sounded like firecrackers going off...then instant relief!!!

 

I went to have the MRI just to be sure, and the local hospital wanted to charge me $2600.00, plus $250.00 the read it...with my insurance it would have cost about $1500.00 OUT OF POCKET...ROBBERY:eek:...I said thanks but no thanks since I had some success I felt.

 

Where here I sit and can say I am totally pain free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not suppose to lift or over extend myself, but I can say "I AM BACK...lol" :sssh: I hated this whole situation, didn't miss one day of work, but felt awful and like a deadbeat the whole time!

 

Thanks again for the comments!

[cooperstown]

**UPDATE**

 

Thanks everyone for the insight...this has been the worst I've ever felt in my life.

 

Went to Chiropractor took good x-rays which showed a curved spine where I've been holding myself since I first injured this nerve in mid 2008. My right hip was also out of alignment and was almost 1 inch higher than my left! More than likely a bulding disc pinchin a nerve! I went for 5 straight days...got an adjustment and decompression each time. Felt worse when I left, but like it got a little better each time, but pain still 7 I would say each afternoon/evening.

 

I stayed in bed ALL last weekend and felt better, then Sunday night was in worst pain since the first day. I felt like my muscles were breaking...almost ended up back in ER. I actually believe now they were trying to realign!

 

Monday I had the Chiropractor scheduled then he wanted to do MRI since I didn't feel much better. I laid down on that table that Monday and when he laid me on my side it sounded like firecrackers going off...then instant relief!!!

 

I went to have the MRI just to be sure, and the local hospital wanted to charge me $2600.00, plus $250.00 the read it...with my insurance it would have cost about $1500.00 OUT OF POCKET...ROBBERY:eek:...I said thanks but no thanks since I had some success I felt.

 

Where here I sit and can say I am totally pain free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not suppose to lift or over extend myself, but I can say "I AM BACK...lol" :sssh: I hated this whole situation, didn't miss one day of work, but felt awful and like a deadbeat the whole time!

 

Thanks again for the comments!

 

Good luck. Just went for my MRI this morning and will find out for certain next week what I'm dealing with, though I'm certain it's some type of disc problem in the lower lumbar area. Back pain sucks.

[strongopenyon]

I have been going to a chiropractor, occasionally for over 20 years now and know they have a place in joint/nerve relief, especially the sciatic nerve.

 

If I were you, I would go back periodically for an adjustment to make sure you do not have another major episode with your nerves.

 

Good luck!

[Cosmo Kramer]

**UPDATE**

 

Thanks everyone for the insight...this has been the worst I've ever felt in my life.

 

Went to Chiropractor took good x-rays which showed a curved spine where I've been holding myself since I first injured this nerve in mid 2008. My right hip was also out of alignment and was almost 1 inch higher than my left! More than likely a bulding disc pinchin a nerve! I went for 5 straight days...got an adjustment and decompression each time. Felt worse when I left, but like it got a little better each time, but pain still 7 I would say each afternoon/evening.

 

I stayed in bed ALL last weekend and felt better, then Sunday night was in worst pain since the first day. I felt like my muscles were breaking...almost ended up back in ER. I actually believe now they were trying to realign!

 

Monday I had the Chiropractor scheduled then he wanted to do MRI since I didn't feel much better. I laid down on that table that Monday and when he laid me on my side it sounded like firecrackers going off...then instant relief!!!

 

I went to have the MRI just to be sure, and the local hospital wanted to charge me $2600.00, plus $250.00 the read it...with my insurance it would have cost about $1500.00 OUT OF POCKET...ROBBERY:eek:...I said thanks but no thanks since I had some success I felt.

 

Where here I sit and can say I am totally pain free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not suppose to lift or over extend myself, but I can say "I AM BACK...lol" :sssh: I hated this whole situation, didn't miss one day of work, but felt awful and like a deadbeat the whole time!

 

Thanks again for the comments!

 

I did the same thing you are going through for years. I kept delaying going for the MRI. I would feel better for awhile. A freak accident laying by the pool one day and a sneeze the next, and off to the MRI machine I went. I had surgery less than a month later. My sciatic nerve was pinched severly and was causing muscle loss in my left leg. I still have some "numbness" in my left foot, but it has been steadily going away since the surgery. I hope you don't have to have surgery, but if you don't get better or see improvement, I would see a specialist.