Pinched nerve in my back?

[Juls]

Originally Posted by eriksat1

I have been dealing with this for a long time, I was in a car accident about 25 years ago and got bad whip lash, and get this at least once a year. I have still been able to go to work but this weakness in my left hand is starting to be a problem. If I pick up something heavy with my left hand I can't hold it long without dropping it. It's almost like carpel tunnel with a very weak thumb. I am going to try a chiro Monday, my insurance really sucks I will probably have to pay 100%.

The initial visit will be kind of pricey, but not out of the question pricey. He will have to do an x-ray to see your spine and what's going on with you.

Then, prices vary from Dr. to Dr., I guess.....each adjustment visit I had after my initial visit was only 35.00 per.

Juls

Quote:

"I'm also prejudiced against chiropractors. They couldn't get into medical school, but a spinal surgeon did and went to a specialty school as well"



Maybe that was true by some in the old days, but I doubt very many Chiropractors ever wanted to be surgeons, its a whole different philosophy. My cousin was turned down entry to National College of Chiropractic and the next year accepted to Tufts Medical school.

As far as surgeons being experts in spines, well they can be experts in spinal SURGERY. One of the biggest jokes in mattress sales is that Sealy mattresses used to say their Posturpedic mattresses was designed by a orthopedic surgeon. One Orthopedist who was an expert in spine was a Dr named Punjabi of the book called the SPINE by two authors (the other was Dr White)

He didn't do surgery but spent his life studying the spine. Complained that when people went to ,most orthopedists that they often referred pts to PT without any suggestions for the PTs. (They were under hospital pressure to do this.)

Not many years ago they would assume that you did all/most of other things and by the time you fgot to them, they would do what they were trained to do, surgery. They do not study the spine in most other ways, ie stress factors, movement, load factors, fixations, hypermobilities etc,etc.

Surgery in general including microsurgery and laser surgery which sounds more high tech but has pretty much the same outcomes, has a success rate about 85% the first year, as rated by the patients, but in 5 years it diminished to 17%, pretty dismal. Sometimes it needs to be done, but in England it was found out if you were a direct family member of an Orthopedist you received about 1/200th of the spinal surgery as the general population. I don't think the orthopedists were rubbing their hands together hoping to deceive people (well most of them) but when a family member had a problem they talked to them longer and had them wait longer or tried other things instead of rushing into surgery.

By the way, best NOT to go to the HEAD of (whatever) in a hospital. I hear all the time that someone says . "
"I know somebody who knows somebody that got me to go to the Head of (xxx) at xxx hospital." thinking that if he/she is the "head" of ...... they surely must be the "best".

Well the "head of" is not an academic or political position. Anyone remember the show "Quincy"?
Quincy was the hotshot worker, His boss the "head of" was a political jerk that couldn't do any pathology. Thats the usual situation at most hospitals. If you notice the "head of" general refers you to a "friend" to do the work after their short case history in which they share income.

Also that MRI's are a tool. One tool, not to be totally dependent on it as top MRI studies show its wrongly interpreted in about 50% of time.

[Paul H]

Try a Licensed Massage Therapist. May times a nerve is "trapped or irritated by a muscle" and they can do a pretty good job with it

However I'm currently suffering something similar with shoulder and arm pain myself.

[sddan2]

If you haven't had an MRI you need one ASAP. The radiating pain into the hand is a significant sign of spinal compression, not peripheral nerve root compression. Not sure what is available in your area but both MD's and Chiropractors have MRI capabilities around here. Don't wait, if that is a prolapsed disc that is putting pressure on the cord it could mean permanent damage.

[eriksat1]

Went to a chiro yesterday, $30 not bad. Already the spasms behind my shoulder blade are gone, and I had my best night sleep in a while. I would say the tingling in my 2 little fingers is also about 50% better. Going back tomorrow for another adjustment. I should have done this right away. I have a new respect for chiropractors.

[jet man]

Originally Posted by Spines

Quote:

"I'm also prejudiced against chiropractors. They couldn't get into medical school, but a spinal surgeon did and went to a specialty school as well"



Maybe that was true by some in the old days, but I doubt very many Chiropractors ever wanted to be surgeons, its a whole different philosophy. My cousin was turned down entry to National College of Chiropractic and the next year accepted to Tufts Medical school.

As far as surgeons being experts in spines, well they can be experts in spinal SURGERY. One of the biggest jokes in mattress sales is that Sealy mattresses used to say their Posturpedic mattresses was designed by a orthopedic surgeon. One Orthopedist who was an expert in spine was a Dr named Punjabi of the book called the SPINE by two authors (the other was Dr White)

He didn't do surgery but spent his life studying the spine. Complained that when people went to ,most orthopedists that they often referred pts to PT without any suggestions for the PTs. (They were under hospital pressure to do this.)

Not many years ago they would assume that you did all/most of other things and by the time you fgot to them, they would do what they were trained to do, surgery. They do not study the spine in most other ways, ie stress factors, movement, load factors, fixations, hypermobilities etc,etc.

Surgery in general including microsurgery and laser surgery which sounds more high tech but has pretty much the same outcomes, has a success rate about 85% the first year, as rated by the patients, but in 5 years it diminished to 17%, pretty dismal. Sometimes it needs to be done, but in England it was found out if you were a direct family member of an Orthopedist you received about 1/200th of the spinal surgery as the general population. I don't think the orthopedists were rubbing their hands together hoping to deceive people (well most of them) but when a family member had a problem they talked to them longer and had them wait longer or tried other things instead of rushing into surgery.

By the way, best NOT to go to the HEAD of (whatever) in a hospital. I hear all the time that someone says . "
"I know somebody who knows somebody that got me to go to the Head of (xxx) at xxx hospital." thinking that if he/she is the "head" of ...... they surely must be the "best".

Well the "head of" is not an academic or political position. Anyone remember the show "Quincy"?
Quincy was the hotshot worker, His boss the "head of" was a political jerk that couldn't do any pathology. Thats the usual situation at most hospitals. If you notice the "head of" general refers you to a "friend" to do the work after their short case history in which they share income.

Also that MRI's are a tool. One tool, not to be totally dependent on it as top MRI studies show its wrongly interpreted in about 50% of time.

Thank you for addressing that ridiculous assertion. I have had 3 wonderful chiros; current one was a classmate of my daughter. Bright young man who could have been in any medical profession he chose. Ridiculous stereotype that I have heard many times over the years.
My back has no clinical issues and my discs are solid. Mt pelvis twists slightly causing muscle spasms. My chiros have given me good stretching routines to do which lessen the need for adjustments and I know when I need one. They absolutely are a key component of medical treatment and more and more there is cooperation between the different medical disciplines

[hawg]

I had the same thing and went to Chiros for a year before it drove me nuts. I'd bet 10-1 you have the same upper spine damage I had and only surgery will fix it. Don't put it off, go to a doctor. The surgery will be done by a neurosurgeon because it in the to vertebrae. My guess is c5 & c6. I had the exact same symptoms, never real severe pain but all the time nagging pain especially when I held my arms out to ride my Harley. I couldn't even get 5 miles in before I had to stop. Upper back going into fingers numbness is not the same as lower back, go to a doctor. It's a very common surgery and it's in and out the next morning. Neck brace for 6 weeks is a pain but well worth it. Respond back in a year and see how you are.

[hawg]

This not a knock against chiropractors. I was at one yesterday and he did me a world of good. What you have is different.

They are good for relief, just bad for fixing what caused the issue to begin with. You will get to know them well. TT

[karpbuster]

I see a chiropractor and I also bought a inversion table at Costco. I hang upside down which allows me some relief from pain, it also in some cases causes the pain to go away. I went to both regular doctor and chiropractor, the regular doctor gave me muscle relaxers and sent me to see a physical therapist, all good stuff. The exercises I am suppose to do help keep me in alignment after I see the chiropractor. I tell ya, it is very important to find a chiropractor you can trust that wants to fix you up and get you out of treatment, I have been to some that want you come once a week for a month and on and on. The muscle relaxers are important to so I can go to sleep and get some time recovering without pain. The last thing is a heating pad. They really help when in a lot of pain.

Good luck, nothing stinks more than this king of pain.