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DanaRenee
Fitness Junkie!
Member since 6/06 6470 total posts
Name:
Dana
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Does anyone know anyone w/a herniated disk in their back?
My husband just found out he had one (hes been in some pain for a few months now) and he's really upset. He is pretty active (running, biking, hiking, etc) and he feels like his whole life has to change now. Is this true? I've read up on it but I'm not sure in how many instances it can get better...although I think it never gets totally better. Does anyone know? How has that persons life been affected?
TIA!
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Posted 2/9/08 8:08 AM  |
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JennZ
MY LIFE!!
Member since 8/05 25463 total posts
Name:
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Re: Does anyone know anyone w/a herniated disk in their back?
Yes, My DH has a few. He does acupuncture for it. It Thank Goodness has been ok, so far. Normally the cold weather makes it worse. He may have to cut back on some activities but not stop his whle life. It can be very painful. He should get a great Chiropracter and see what they say. Ours is the best, FM if you would like any of her info, we use her for my TMJ and his back.
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| Posted 2/9/08 8:14 AM |
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Pumpkin
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 3353 total posts
Name:
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Re: Does anyone know anyone w/a herniated disk in their back?
I have them in my neck and i am constant pain.
I go to chiropracter 3xs with massage and it feels better, at times but basically you have to take it easy, and know your pain limits.
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| Posted 2/9/08 8:33 AM |
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Re: Does anyone know anyone w/a herniated disk in their back?
Alot depends on the severity and location of them. He may want to try PT and /or chiropractic and acupuncture, they can work wonders. GL and I hope he feels better!
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| Posted 2/9/08 8:52 AM |
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Stefanie
♥
Member since 5/05 23599 total posts
Name:
Stefanie
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Re: Does anyone know anyone w/a herniated disk in their back?
My father had them in his neck and needed to have surgery to fix the problem. They removed bone from his hip and fused it to the bones in his neck. He still has pain though. Even with the change in weather he gets and achy feeling.
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| Posted 2/9/08 9:21 AM |
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Superkat
More a stranger than a friend
Member since 5/06 9730 total posts
Name:
K
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Re: Does anyone know anyone w/a herniated disk in their back?
My husband has 3 herniated disks. I would highly recommend physical therapy. They can help your husband identify what he can do to avoid irritating the disk and how he can strengthen the muscles to support his back.
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| Posted 2/9/08 9:26 AM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Does anyone know anyone w/a herniated disk in their back?
I have one it my neck. It was so bad for almost a year or two that I could barely move my head.
Here I am almost 10 years later and I feel so much better. It generally does get better over time. Will never go away but does get better b/c the disk softens and usually things calm down.
In most cases, acupuncture, physical therapy, etc help to relieve it a bit. I also like warm moist compresses to relieve the muscle spasms.
I am also careful about my movements and what triggers the pain. And I use a special pillow for my head, so my point is, he will learn over time what triggers the spasms and learn how to avoid that possibly.
Message edited 2/9/2008 10:02:49 AM.
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| Posted 2/9/08 10:01 AM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Does anyone know anyone w/a herniated disk in their back?
I have several. Honestly there is no way to say it will be horrible or it will be fine, everyone has a different level of pain from them. I have gotten a lot better by knowing my limits
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| Posted 2/9/08 10:18 AM |
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CunningOne
***
Member since 5/05 26975 total posts
Name:
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Re: Does anyone know anyone w/a herniated disk in their back?
I have one in my lower back. Between the L5 and S1 disks. I was in pain for years, and it was crushing the nreve going down my leg too.
I do not recommend physical therapy. It only made matters WORSE, and I saw the same issue in both my brother and sister (who actually had the same herniation!). What worked for me was conservative therapy: bedrest and a dose of oral steroids to bring down the inflamation (herniation) and it worked. My brother and sister both needed surgery, so it's a toss up. I would try convervative therapy over anything else first.
THis was over 10 years ago for me and even with 2 pregnancies, I wasn't affected all that much.
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| Posted 2/9/08 10:35 AM |
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leighla
Support Cancer Research
Member since 5/05 16353 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Does anyone know anyone w/a herniated disk in their back?
I had to have surgery on mine.
It was crushing my nerve and I started to have muscle atrophy in my foot.
Everyone is very different, but in some cases (like mine) not treating it can lead to permanent serious damage.
I had to see a neurologist and then a neurosurgeon.
Good luck!!
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| Posted 2/9/08 10:40 AM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
Name:
remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: Does anyone know anyone w/a herniated disk in their back?
um, my first recommendation would be to go to a doctor, preferably one that specializes in spinal disorders.
I worked for a spine surgeon on LI for a few years (and he is now a member of my family LOL)
there are many conservative treatments that can help him.
most people walk around with herniated discs and are asymptomatic. many dissipate and clear up on their own.
I can give you the docs info if you like. He's a very good, and more importantly, very conservative doctor. You don't want someone to slice and dice right away at all.
fm me if you are interested.
if he's in pain now, have him take an anti-inflmmatory like Advil or Motrin.
whatever you do, DO NOT go to a chiropractor!
Message edited 2/9/2008 10:45:21 AM.
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| Posted 2/9/08 10:42 AM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Does anyone know anyone w/a herniated disk in their back?
Posted by Ophelia
whatever you do, DO NOT go to a chiropractor!
I disagree, Chiropractic has helped me a LOT.
Mine uses activator methods, which are a little less...i don't know the right word...invasive?
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| Posted 2/9/08 10:54 AM |
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leighla
Support Cancer Research
Member since 5/05 16353 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Does anyone know anyone w/a herniated disk in their back?
Posted by JenniferEver
Posted by Ophelia
whatever you do, DO NOT go to a chiropractor!
I disagree, Chiropractic has helped me a LOT.
Mine uses activator methods, which are a little less...i don't know the right word...invasive?
Chiropracters can help, but they should NOT be a first resort when you have a herniated disc until you have a neurologist look at the extent of the damage.
In my case if a chiropracter had worked on me first it could have permanently damaged my nerve because mine was so bad.
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| Posted 2/9/08 11:01 AM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
Name:
remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: Does anyone know anyone w/a herniated disk in their back?
Posted by JenniferEver
Posted by Ophelia
whatever you do, DO NOT go to a chiropractor!
I disagree, Chiropractic has helped me a LOT.
Mine uses activator methods, which are a little less...i don't know the right word...invasive?
you can disagree until the cows come home.
but I worked in an office and saw patients FURTHER debilitated from modalities applied by a chiropractor.
they are NOT M.D.'s and when you are dealing with something that can potentially cause permanent nerve damage and loss of functions, seeing a TRAINED MEDICAL DOCTOR is the way to go.
just b/c something worked for you, in no way makes it the rule, just potentially the exception.
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| Posted 2/9/08 11:01 AM |
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DanaRenee
Fitness Junkie!
Member since 6/06 6470 total posts
Name:
Dana
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Re: Does anyone know anyone w/a herniated disk in their back?
Thank you all...he has an appt to see a neurologist.
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| Posted 2/9/08 11:03 AM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
Name:
remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: Does anyone know anyone w/a herniated disk in their back?
Posted by DanaRenee
Thank you all...he has an appt to see a neurologist.
that's great.
if anyone recco's surgery, please get at least one second opinion (by someone in a different practice too  )
good luck to him and i hope he feels better soon!
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| Posted 2/9/08 11:06 AM |
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Phyl
R.I.P. Sweet Mia ♥
Member since 5/06 28918 total posts
Name:
The Mystical Azzhorse! ™
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Re: Does anyone know anyone w/a herniated disk in their back?
I hope your DH finds a solution that works for him!
I had 4 herniations, one ruptured and pinched off my sciatic nerve. I had a fusion a year ago and it totally chaned my life Since I have been changing the way I do things so the others don't rupture also, my remaining three are doing great.
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| Posted 2/9/08 11:40 AM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Does anyone know anyone w/a herniated disk in their back?
Posted by Ophelia
Posted by JenniferEver
Posted by Ophelia
whatever you do, DO NOT go to a chiropractor!
I disagree, Chiropractic has helped me a LOT.
Mine uses activator methods, which are a little less...i don't know the right word...invasive?
you can disagree until the cows come home.
but I worked in an office and saw patients FURTHER debilitated from modalities applied by a chiropractor.
they are NOT M.D.'s and when you are dealing with something that can potentially cause permanent nerve damage and loss of functions, seeing a TRAINED MEDICAL DOCTOR is the way to go.
just b/c something worked for you, in no way makes it the rule, just potentially the exception.
Just because you've seen people who have been hurt by it doesn't make that the rule either and I didn't say it would work for everyone, I just said don't dismiss it.
My chiropractor is in the same office as my physician, and they work together. I also have an excellent neurologist, and accupuncturist, and I've seen a lot of physical therapists over the years. I've used ALL kinds of medications. there's no one answer for everyone. Some people say surgery changed their lives, some people say avoid surgery. I sustained my injuries very young, and I've been told by some doctors that down the line surgery would be inevitable, and I've been told my some doctors that i have so much wrong with my spine that they woudldn't know where to start, can't operate on it all, and it's not nearly a 100% chance of working.
The idea is to find what's right for you and find a doctor who understands. When I've had sciatic pain, the regular, conservative docs reccomended endless PT. I couldn't walk. All I did for months was 3x per week physio, then I got the flu, stopped PT for 2 weeks and was 90% better. I had to stop the nerve medicine for my sciatica (neurontin-- be careful with this drug, it has been known to cause suicide!), and the ONLY thing that has helped is accupuncture. i have no idea how or why it has worked, but as my doctor said "If rubbing potatos on your head would help, I'd buy a huge sack of potatos"
I've been maintaining my current level, which is that of manageable pain and I'm fuctioning by doing chiro. When I have pain, I can walk into the office and within 15 minutes, I'm a lot better, it's helped the problem immediately, which is a relief nothing else has provided.
I know a lot of people who have been helped by chiropractic.. like surgery, drugs, accupuncture, PT, potatos, it's not for everyone.. but I'd never summarily dismiss something that might help someone especially given how differently many people react to the similar disc problems. It's one thing to work in an office another thing to live with it. A completely different thing to be told you'll never be able to dance anymore at the age of 18, to miss over a year of college for back problems, to spend 5 mos in bed when you're 21 years old. You have legitimate concerns about chiropractic...and physical therapy messed me up for 5 months....contributed to the problem that took my life away for 5 months..but I would never tell people not to do it. I would just say to be careful because it's not for everyone. And there are also many different methods of chiropractic. My chiropractor uses activator methods, which are supposedly safer and more precise than manual chiropractic.
Anyway i hope DH feels better. i know exactly what it's like. But it's very hard to make any predictions. Some people have herniations and no pain at all. Some people have a lot of pain and require surgery. i think it takes a lot of patience and trial and error to find the right mix of treatments, as it does with any chronic condition
Message edited 2/9/2008 11:54:48 AM.
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| Posted 2/9/08 11:53 AM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Does anyone know anyone w/a herniated disk in their back?
Posted by DanaRenee
My husband just found out he had one (hes been in some pain for a few months now) and he's really upset. He is pretty active (running, biking, hiking, etc) and he feels like his whole life has to change now. Is this true? I've read up on it but I'm not sure in how many instances it can get better...although I think it never gets totally better. Does anyone know? How has that persons life been affected?
TIA!
Do you know when he incurred the injury? it's possile he's had it and he been biking, hiking, etc with it all along. Some people can be very active with herniations. When I had mine, I was told I couldn't dance. I told the doctors where to shove that opinion and several times tried to resume dancing school. I kept hurting myself..maybe someday I'll get back to it, but I need to know my limitations and work up to it. DH should keep and open mind about it. There's no one way to describe the life of someone with herniations
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| Posted 2/9/08 11:57 AM |
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MsMBV
:P
Member since 5/05 28602 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Does anyone know anyone w/a herniated disk in their back?
DH. He goes for a combination of Chiropractic, medical massage and physical therapy. One Orthopedic told him 5 years ago he'd not be able to continue at his job & would need surgery. Well 5 years later, he is working harder than ever & is renovating our home.
He did have a short period of time in the beginning of his treatments where he had a lifestyle change, but once he was stabilized he was able to re-introduce more physical activity.
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| Posted 2/9/08 12:00 PM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
Name:
remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: Does anyone know anyone w/a herniated disk in their back?
Posted by MsMBV
DH. He goes for a combination of Chiropractic, medical massage and physical therapy. One Orthopedic told him 5 years ago he'd not be able to continue at his job & would need surgery. Well 5 years later, he is working harder than ever & is renovating our home.
He did have a short period of time in the beginning of his treatments where he had a lifestyle change, but once he was stabilized he was able to re-introduce more physical activity.
there are sadly many slice and dice ortho's out there (spine surgery pays GOOD money)
but, a medical doctor is still the first place you should go with such and injury for diagnosis, recommendations for testing etc.
if ANY doctor recommends surgery without first trying conservative measures, GET a second opinion (unless you find yourself with signficant neurological deficits ie...dropped foot) etc.
My sister has 3 herniated discs, 2 in her neck, one in her back.
the doctor I speak of won't operate on her..why??? b/c she STILL hasn't done one of the SIMPLEST things to take pressure off of her back...LOSE WEIGHT.
it's like getting liposuction to lose 100 pounds instead of going on a diet first...if you don't remove the stressors, what is the point of all that treatment?
chiro's DO have their place in the treatment of problems, but NOT until it is made clear where the problem is, and what modalities can improve and/or damage the spine...I wouldn't even entertain the idea without an Rx from my medical doctor, same as with a physical therapist.
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| Posted 2/9/08 12:09 PM |
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babymakes3
Almost there!
Member since 7/06 7376 total posts
Name:
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Re: Does anyone know anyone w/a herniated disk in their back?
FIL has herniated discs + other spinal problems due to work injuries. It's affected him a lot but his injuries are severe. He does PT and takes pain killers a couple times a day. He is seeing several doctors because the first couple have told him it's inoperable.
Cold weather affects him a lot. He lives in MN and it's become nearly unbearable this winter. They will probably become snowbirds to FL next year.
Also, his weight affects him. He lost about 20lbs recently and that helped alleviate the pain. To keep his weight down, he walks every day. The exercise also helps.
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| Posted 2/9/08 12:10 PM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Does anyone know anyone w/a herniated disk in their back?
Posted by Ophelia
Posted by MsMBV
DH. He goes for a combination of Chiropractic, medical massage and physical therapy. One Orthopedic told him 5 years ago he'd not be able to continue at his job & would need surgery. Well 5 years later, he is working harder than ever & is renovating our home.
He did have a short period of time in the beginning of his treatments where he had a lifestyle change, but once he was stabilized he was able to re-introduce more physical activity.
c.
My sister has 3 herniated discs, 2 in her neck, one in her back.
the doctor I speak of won't operate on her..why??? b/c she STILL hasn't done one of the SIMPLEST things to take pressure off of her back...LOSE WEIGHT.
I just want to add on this. It's NOT the simplest thing to lose weight when you have a herniated disc. Because I had to drastically change my level of activity (stop dance, stop going to the gym etc, and then periods of being very sedentary when I couldn't get around) I have gained about 70 lbs since my herniations. I didn't start eating Twinkies and Burger King.. just the drastic reduction in my activity level caused me to gain a LOT of weight. I would start going to the gym and then get hurt and end up not doing much for weeks or months.
it can DEFINITELY be the least invasive and dangerous way to help with back problems. I absolutely agree, but in no way is it simple. It's been a horrible experience for me. 
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| Posted 2/9/08 12:16 PM |
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MsMBV
:P
Member since 5/05 28602 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Does anyone know anyone w/a herniated disk in their back?
Posted by Ophelia
Posted by MsMBV
DH. He goes for a combination of Chiropractic, medical massage and physical therapy. One Orthopedic told him 5 years ago he'd not be able to continue at his job & would need surgery. Well 5 years later, he is working harder than ever & is renovating our home.
He did have a short period of time in the beginning of his treatments where he had a lifestyle change, but once he was stabilized he was able to re-introduce more physical activity.
there are sadly many slice and dice ortho's out there (spine surgery pays GOOD money)
but, a medical doctor is still the first place you should go with such and injury for diagnosis, recommendations for testing etc.
if ANY doctor recommends surgery without first trying conservative measures, GET a second opinion (unless you find yourself with signficant neurological deficits ie...dropped foot) etc.
My sister has 3 herniated discs, 2 in her neck, one in her back.
the doctor I speak of won't operate on her..why??? b/c she STILL hasn't done one of the SIMPLEST things to take pressure off of her back...LOSE WEIGHT.
it's like getting liposuction to lose 100 pounds instead of going on a diet first...if you don't remove the stressors, what is the point of all that treatment?
chiro's DO have their place in the treatment of problems, but NOT until it is made clear where the problem is, and what modalities can improve and/or damage the spine...I wouldn't even entertain the idea without an Rx from my medical doctor, same as with a physical therapist.
Just as not all medical doctors are good, same with chiros. They are Doctors, and the ONLY difference in their training is that MDs have 200 hours of prescription/medicinal/pharmaceutical training while DCs have 200 hours of additional physiology training.
At any rate, I do agree that any DC that will not work in concert with an MD or DO may not provide the best service for you. My Chiro works with the MDs recommendation, and does not *scold* his patients if they need to treat their symptoms in other ways. He works closely with orthopedics and even with surgeons. Not all Chiros are the hippy, anti-med drs.
Just think of it....half of all the doctors out there graduated in the bottom half of their class.
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| Posted 2/9/08 12:17 PM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
Name:
remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: Does anyone know anyone w/a herniated disk in their back?
Posted by MsMBV
Posted by Ophelia
Posted by MsMBV
DH. He goes for a combination of Chiropractic, medical massage and physical therapy. One Orthopedic told him 5 years ago he'd not be able to continue at his job & would need surgery. Well 5 years later, he is working harder than ever & is renovating our home.
He did have a short period of time in the beginning of his treatments where he had a lifestyle change, but once he was stabilized he was able to re-introduce more physical activity.
there are sadly many slice and dice ortho's out there (spine surgery pays GOOD money)
but, a medical doctor is still the first place you should go with such and injury for diagnosis, recommendations for testing etc.
if ANY doctor recommends surgery without first trying conservative measures, GET a second opinion (unless you find yourself with signficant neurological deficits ie...dropped foot) etc.
My sister has 3 herniated discs, 2 in her neck, one in her back.
the doctor I speak of won't operate on her..why??? b/c she STILL hasn't done one of the SIMPLEST things to take pressure off of her back...LOSE WEIGHT.
it's like getting liposuction to lose 100 pounds instead of going on a diet first...if you don't remove the stressors, what is the point of all that treatment?
chiro's DO have their place in the treatment of problems, but NOT until it is made clear where the problem is, and what modalities can improve and/or damage the spine...I wouldn't even entertain the idea without an Rx from my medical doctor, same as with a physical therapist.
Just as not all medical doctors are good, same with chiros. They are Doctors, and the ONLY difference in their training is that MDs have 200 hours of prescription/medicinal/pharmaceutical training while DCs have 200 hours of additional physiology training.
At any rate, I do agree that any DC that will not work in concert with an MD or DO may not provide the best service for you. My Chiro works with the MDs recommendation, and does not *scold* his patients if they need to treat their symptoms in other ways. He works closely with orthopedics and even with surgeons. Not all Chiros are the hippy, anti-med drs.
Just think of it....half of all the doctors out there graduated in the bottom half of their class.
there is a huge difference bet. a chiro and an Ortho that specializes in the spine.
we can go back and forth for days as a matter of preference...my point is, as a starting point, before considering treatment, a diagnosis should be made by a medical doctor in that speciality, b/c any medical person without that extra experience could suggest treatment that is not necessarily the right treatment. even a neurologist is not necessarily a spine specialist.
and I hear you on the bottom half....I don't even think the passing grade of 70 is high enough! who wants anyone only right 70% of the time!!!!!!!
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| Posted 2/9/08 12:27 PM |
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