Any suggestions or advise would be most appreciated.

[Doeme]

I have been experiencing chronic neck, shoulder, back pain since I suffered from a whiplash injury about 15 years ago.   X-rays have recently confirmed that I have elognated C7 transverse processes and my Dr. says I was probably born that way.  Over the past few years s ... [More] ince my job entails extensive computer/keyboarding I have noticed that my condition has deteriorated especially in the past year and the pain is increasing.  I also have a herniated disk on my lower right side which adds to the discomfort.  My head always feel fuzzy and I experience dizziness and tinging in my arms.  An MRI has been ordered but I was hoping to see some kind of specialist before then to help me deal with the constant discomfort.  On a regular basis, I see a chiropractor, physiotherapist, massage therapist and have accupuncure treatments and I find this to bring some relief but only temporarily, [

[Doeme]

After spending almost 2 hours with the Pain Management Specialist last week, I was inspired by his belief that he felt he could treat me with favourable results to improve my quality of life.  It seems I have quite a few things going on including cranial compression due to a number of head injurys over the years, pelvic dysfunction which is basically from my herniated disc, turning my right hip in and making my right left leg shorter than my left.  Spinal Stinosis as well as various other ailments.  It seems the there is a lot of inflammatiion which makes any admustments very difficult.  He recommended a combination of treatments that work together starting with 1 hour of laser therapy three days a week to treat the inflamation and pain, then rehab yoga and Osteopath adjustments as required.  It would depend on how my body responds to the treatments but he was sure I would feel some relief within a few weeks.  My first treatment is this afternoon so I will keep you posted.

[Tuckamore]

I am so sorry your pain is so extreme. Please let us know how the appt turns out.

My DO use to adjust my neck when I had headaches...and it worked. I sincerely hope you are able to find some relief.

~Tuck

[Doeme]

Thanks Tuck for clarifying, we call our MD's General or Family Practitioners.  I am in bad shape today with a raging headache that I've had for over a day and my neck pain is dipilitating. Really looking forward to my appt. with OT today and will let you know how it goes.

Doeme

[Tuckamore]

Thanks so much for the update. It is greatly appreciated.

Sorry. I thought these terms were world wide....excuse my ignorance. PCP, Primary Care Physician .... and .... PMP, Pain Management Physician.

I think you have made a wise choice to consult a D.O. They perform very similarly to a Chiropractor but have that physicians degree and focus. So they consider the body as a whole. I believe they are overall a safer and better choice for "adjustments" and keeping your body in proper alignment. They are the best of both worlds.... at least in my opinion.  

DOs are taught to "feel" your pain and can often find problems just by touch that the MD cannot. Obviously there are great and not so great in both sciences. The best DOs are awesome.  My PCP of nine years was an Internal Medicine DO. She recently left to take a Directorship and though I am very happy for her I have been lost without her kind and caring expertise. I now must see two physicians, a DO for OMT and my PCP is a MD for other medical concerns.

Please let us know how the results of your appointment. I will be very interested to hear what he has to say.

Good Luck to You,
~Tuck

[Doeme]

I appreciate your words of wisdom and as a matter of fact I have an appoiontment with an Osteopath this week.  He seems to know what he is talking about as per the relevent questions he asked me over the phone.  My Doctor has now signed disability papers advising me to rmodify my hours/duties as per pain level and I opted to try a 4 day week with a break in the middle of the week on Wednesday to give my neck a break.  The MRI isn't scheduled for another 2 months but I have stopped chiropractic care until further investigation and will continue with physio and massage therapy.

Sorry being from Canada I am not familair with what or who a PCP or PMP is?

[Tuckamore]

Hello Doeme,

Welcome to the Pain Management Community. I am sorry that you are experiencing chronic pain.

I don't know if your state has PMP that treat chronic pain patients and prescribed for them. In my home state PMP only provide treatments and do not prescribe or follow chronic pain patients...that's why I asked. But if your state does have PMP I suggest that you consult one. Ask for a referral if needed. Fifteen years is a long time to live with uncontrolled chronic pain. You deserve to be comfortable...indeed we all do.

Any Chiropractor that I know x-rays your spine and makes sure they know of your condition before they treat you. Litigation is high every where and they are as cautious as most medical providers. If you have any kind of a doctor/patient relationship with him/her I am sure you have informed him...if not be sure to tell him next visit..... And if your PCP knows you are being treated by a Chiro I see no reason to stop now. I am not overly fond of them. I have more confidence in a D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathy) that performs OMT (Osteopathic Manipulation Therapy). I believe it to be safer and less traumatic. However we all have our own preferences and should do what works best for us.

As well said above most physicians, PM or otherwise are going to wait to see the results of your MRI. However making an appointment to see one now so you can get right in when you obtain the results may be a good idea.

Life is too short to live it in pain. I wish you well and hope you can find a solution and good pain management. Please keep us updated.

Take Care,
~Tuck

[bigsissie]

My best advice is stop with the chiropractic until you get your mri done and go to a specialist. It will be almost useless to see a specialist first because a good one will want a mri to see what is causing the problems. Having adjustments when you have herniated disk can be dangerous even if they give you relief at the time. Does you chiropractor know about the herniated disk? I have two herniated disk in my lower back and when I need to go for an adjustment I make sure to remind him every time to be careful.  I know nothing of the elongated C7. Wish I could be a little more helpful with that, Good luck to you hope you get some relief soon.