Pinched nerve

[k.hunter30]

Okay... this is a totally random, non-Disney question... thank goodness for the Chit Chat board.

Has anyone here ever had a pinched nerve? What did you do to remedy it? I've had several people recommend a chiropractor, but my insurance doesn't pay anything for those visits and I'm just unsure about it (plus, it's not cheap!). Insurance will pay for physical therapy I believe, and that was the first suggestion my primary care physician made.

What worked for you?

 

[mousefan1972]

Where is the injury, Kat? And what is causing the nerve impingement; a herniated disc, inflammation, muscle spasm, etc? "Pinched nerve" isn't really a diagnosis, it's a symptom of some type of pathology. Of course I would advise trying physical therapy, but then again, I'm a physical therapist. :animwink:

 

[New2WDW]

I have had some minor "pinched nerve" symptoms before due to sports, sleeping wrong, etc. and I just tried to massage/stretch/move the area as best I could to worked out the kink so to speak. But these were just minor and not caused from any major injury. Obviously if it is very painful to move etc then do not do the above. Can you give any more details?

 

[k.hunter30]

lol... I thought I'd hear from you, Kristin
Well, All I know is that the pain started like a stiff neck, but then a day later I started feeling pain down around my shoulder blade and in my tricep. And every now and then my pinky finger will go numb. Plus I've been getting headaches fairly regularly, which isn't normal for me. I can't think of any one thing that would have caused it except for sleeping in a bad position one night.

My friends talked me into seeing a chiropractor. I was very leery about it... I went and they took X-rays. They showed me that it wasn't anything wrong with my discs (something about even spacing between each vertebra) but that the vertebrae in my neck had no curve... it looked reall odd actually. So he did some of his stuff *crack**crack**crack*... but then I found out how much it's going to cost and how long he thinks I need to keep going. I just can't shake a fishy feeling about it... My insurance will pay for 50 visits to a PT in a year after I meet a deductible (which would still be $400 less than the package the chiropractor wanted me on).

I'm not is extreme pain. It's just that I've had this for about a month now and I'm sick of being in the constant minor pain.

 

[mousefan1972]

Start a thread called "pinched nerve" and of course the PT is going to reply... :lol:

I'm not surprised the XRay didn't show any degenerative changes (like a decrease in disc space between the bones) cause you're too young for that. Since it started with a stiff neck, it could be something as simple as muscle tightness on one side of your neck causing the nerve to be compressed as it exits the spinal canal. That would explain the numbness in your finger. If you came to see me, I would try ultrasound, stretching, and manual traction. Also your work station could be contributing to your symptoms. You are on the computer a lot for work, right? If the PT is covered by insurance, definitely give it a try. And you were right to be leery of the chiropractor. There are some good ones, but if I had a dollar for every patient of mine that came in and said, "Well, I tried going to a chiropractor, and after going 3 times a week for a year I'm not really better"...

 

[Dukeblue1016]

I had a pinched nerve in my neck a couple months back... it was beyond escrutiating... I know this isn't what you want to hear; but 4-5 visits to the chiropractor got it out...


I've been going to a chiropractor for years; they're miracle workers... trust me!

 

[Master Yoda]

lol... I thought I'd hear from you, Kristin
Well, All I know is that the pain started like a stiff neck, but then a day later I started feeling pain down around my shoulder blade and in my tricep. And every now and then my pinky finger will go numb. Plus I've been getting headaches fairly regularly, which isn't normal for me. I can't think of any one thing that would have caused it except for sleeping in a bad position one night.

My friends talked me into seeing a chiropractor. I was very leery about it... I went and they took X-rays. They showed me that it wasn't anything wrong with my discs (something about even spacing between each vertebra) but that the vertebrae in my neck had no curve... it looked reall odd actually. So he did some of his stuff *crack**crack**crack*... but then I found out how much it's going to cost and how long he thinks I need to keep going. I just can't shake a fishy feeling about it... My insurance will pay for 50 visits to a PT in a year after I meet a deductible (which would still be $400 less than the package the chiropractor wanted me on).

I'm not is extreme pain. It's just that I've had this for about a month now and I'm sick of being in the constant minor pain.

My mother had the exact same symptoms and she did the pain medication and the physical therapy recommended by the doctor but it was the chiropractor that was finally able to fix it. If you do not feel comfortable with the chiropractor you went to (some are complete ambulance chasing quacks) then try another. It might sound stupid but pick one that does not have or is perusing a law degree.

 

[mousefan1972]

I had a pinched nerve in my neck a couple months back... it was beyond escrutiating... I know this isn't what you want to hear; but 4-5 visits to the chiropractor got it out...


I've been going to a chiropractor for years; they're miracle workers... trust me!

:brick:

Joe, I'm glad it worked for you. But after being a PT for 12 years, I've heard more stories of people being hurt by chiropractors than being helped by them.

Also, if you have had to go for years, how is it helping you? I would think if you were better, you wouldn't have to keep going back. :animwink:

 

[mousefan1972]

Ok, I'm being outnumbered. I give up. :lol:

Good luck with whatever you decide, Kat. :kiss: I hope you feel better soon.

 

[k.hunter30]

Start a thread called "pinched nerve" and of course the PT is going to reply... :lol:

I'm not surprised the XRay didn't show any degenerative changes (like a decrease in disc space between the bones) cause you're too young for that. Since it started with a stiff neck, it could be something as simple as muscle tightness on one side of your neck causing the nerve to be compressed as it exits the spinal canal. That would explain the numbness in your finger. If you came to see me, I would try ultrasound, stretching, and manual traction. Also your work station could be contributing to your symptoms. You are on the computer a lot for work, right? If the PT is covered by insurance, definitely give it a try. And you were right to be leery of the chiropractor. There are some good ones, but if I had a dollar for every patient of mine that came in and said, "Well, I tried going to a chiropractor, and after going 3 times a week for a year I'm not really better"...

See... that's what I'm afraid of. Most people I know love going to one, but they go ALL the time... I don't want this to be something I end up feeling like I can't live without. I just want to fix this one problem and be done with it.

My pinky only goes numb when I'm at work--and yes, I'm almost always on my computer. (That's what I get for writing and digitally designing for a living) I can't think of what I'm doing wrong here though...

But I think you've convinced me... I'm friends with a director of PT at an associated medical center and she's going to give me a call this morning and I'll pick her brain on it as well. My primary care physician did mention PT and an MRI. I was just a little freaked when I heard MRI. I think I'd like to avoid and MRI if possible... doesn't seem fun.

Thank you both for your input.

 

[Master Yoda]

Ok, I'm being outnumbered. I give up. :lol:

Good luck with whatever you decide, Kat. :kiss: I hope you feel better soon.

Never give up! Never Surrender!

Your diagnosis and course of treatment carries more weight than any of ours as you actually know what you are talking about. The rest of us are former patients and our medical knowledge is pretty limited. You know better than I do the the human body is an incredibly complex machine and what works for one person might not work for the rest. If insurance will pay for PT start with that and it does not help switch to something else.

 

[k.hunter30]

I had a pinched nerve in my neck a couple months back... it was beyond escrutiating... I know this isn't what you want to hear; but 4-5 visits to the chiropractor got it out...


I've been going to a chiropractor for years; they're miracle workers... trust me!

My mother had the exact same symptoms and she did the pain medication and the physical therapy recommended by the doctor but it was the chiropractor that was finally able to fix it. If you do not feel comfortable with the chiropractor you went to (some are complete ambulance chasing quacks) then try another. It might sound stupid but pick one that does not have or is perusing a law degree.

hmmm... I really did like the two chiropractors (they're in the same group)... they were very nice and it wasn't THEM that I had a problem with. They made me feel comfortable and explained everything very well. It's just $900 for 24 visits?! Yikes!

And, Joe, as I said, most people I know who have been to a chiropractor have the same things to say. The LOVE it. But I don't want to feel like I need to keep going for years and years as most everyone I know ends up doing. Plus, I'd rather pay $500 for a year than $900+ this year.

I just don't know....

 

[k.hunter30]

Never give up! Never Surrender!

Your diagnosis and course of treatment carries more weight than any of ours as you actually know what you are talking about. The rest of us are former patients and our medical knowledge is pretty limited. You know better than I do the the human body is an incredibly complex machine and what works for one person might not work for the rest. If insurance will pay for PT start with that and it does not help switch to something else.

I think this is what I'm leaning towards...

 

[Master Yoda]

Quick question Kristen.

For the most part isn't what the chiropractor doing really the same thing that you would be doing while doing PT? Your recommended course of treatment sounds almost identical to what the chiropractor did for my mom.

 

[New2WDW]

About 12 years ago I had a severe neck pain and went to a recommended Chiropractor and after x-rays and a couple weeks of treatment I felt terrific. He showed me my neck on x-ray and said I had no curve as well and they called that a "military straight" I believe. Anyway I could not afford further treatment and stopped going as well. I have only gone back to him maybe twice in the next couple of years and I have never had that severe of a pain since. When I do get a stiff/pain in my neck I just try to stretch and work it out and it goes away. My biggest thing is just stretching throughout the day, especially taking breaks at the computer just to loosen up, and at night. Those muscles are all connected! and it really is relaxing to stretch out and get the blood flowing.

One stretch for the neck area that I have used is to get on your hands and knees on the floor, make your back parallel with the floor and then just relax your neck and let it dangle towards the floor. Then just turn your neck side to side. The key is to relax. If I have a pain more in the sholders I use the same position but reach my arm under and thru the area between my other arm and leg and reach as far as I can with my shoulder nearly touching the ground. Anyway, I am not a doctor of any kind but after all the minor sport injuries I have had over the years these are things that work for me.

Good luck with getting the kinks out!
Keith

 

[k.hunter30]

About 12 years ago I had a severe neck pain and went to a recommended Chiropractor and after x-rays and a couple weeks of treatment I felt terrific. He showed me my neck on x-ray and said I had no curve as well and they called that a "military straight" I believe. Anyway I could not afford further treatment and stopped going as well. I have only gone back to him maybe twice in the next couple of years and I have never had that severe of a pain since. When I do get a stiff/pain in my neck I just try to stretch and work it out and it goes away. My biggest thing is just stretching throughout the day, especially taking breaks at the computer just to loosen up, and at night. Those muscles are all connected! and it really is relaxing to stretch out and get the blood flowing.

One stretch for the neck area that I have used is to get on your hands and knees on the floor, make your back parallel with the floor and then just relax your neck and let it dangle towards the floor. Then just turn your neck side to side. The key is to relax. If I have a pain more in the sholders I use the same position but reach my arm under and thru the area between my other arm and leg and reach as far as I can with my shoulder nearly touching the ground. Anyway, I am not a doctor of any kind but after all the minor sport injuries I have had over the years these are things that work for me.

Good luck with getting the kinks out!
Keith

Thank you Keith! I just may try that... with my office door closed of course!:lol:

I canceled my chiro appointment for this afternoon. The office woman said the doc with probably call me about it, and I expect that. I called my primary physician back. We'll see what he says.

Thanks again guys. :wave:

 

[mousefan1972]

Quick question Kristen.

For the most part isn't what the chiropractor doing really the same thing that you would be doing while doing PT? Your recommended course of treatment sounds almost identical to what the chiropractor did for my mom.

It's kind of a bone of contention between PT's and chiropractors. I have a Master of Science in physical therapy and we were trained in modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, therapeutic exercise, manual therapy techniques such as ROM (range of motion), joint mobilizations, etc. When I first started working as a PT 12 years ago chiropractors essentially did "manipulations" to the spine, and that was it. Now, many of them are essentially practicing PT, but without a PT license. (All 50 states require anyone practicing physical therapy to hold a license. This involves, among other things, graduating from an accredited program and passing an exam). It's very frustrating for me to have patients come in and say, "The chiropractor did ultrasound, estim, and gave me exercises" I bite my tongue and then mutter once I'm out of earshot, oh so they were practicing PT without a license!

So to try to answer you, Richard, the 2 professions are getting a little too close for a lot of PTs comfort. I just hope the chiropractors that are using the techniques that I was trained in are as qualified to be using them as we are. :shrug:

 

[Master Yoda]

It's kind of a bone of contention between PT's and chiropractors. I have a Master of Science in physical therapy and we were trained in modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, therapeutic exercise, manual therapy techniques such as ROM (range of motion), joint mobilizations, etc. When I first started working as a PT 12 years ago chiropractors essentially did "manipulations" to the spine, and that was it. Now, many of them are essentially practicing PT, but without a PT license. (All 50 states require anyone practicing physical therapy to hold a license. This involves, among other things, graduating from an accredited program and passing an exam). It's very frustrating for me to have patients come in and say, "The chiropractor did ultrasound, estim, and gave me exercises" I bite my tongue and then mutter once I'm out of earshot, oh so they were practicing PT without a license!

So to try to answer you, Richard, the 2 professions are getting a little too close for a lot of PTs comfort. I just hope the chiropractors that are using the techniques that I was trained in are as qualified to be using them as we are. :shrug:

That is what I thought. Any idea what type of education it takes to become a chiropractor?

 

[New2WDW]

Thank you Keith! I just may try that... with my office door closed of course!:lol:

Yeah, forgot to mention that! :lol: maybe MouseFan1972 can let you know if any of these type stretches would be good for this?

If these things don't work I guess we could always get into SHOCK treatments! Master Yoda is good at building Fog Machines and Halloween contraptions, and I bet he could make a killer electric chair! :ROFLOLno pun intended)

 

[Master Yoda]

Yeah, forgot to mention that! :lol: maybe MouseFan1972 can let you know if any of these type stretches would be good for this?

If these things don't work I guess we could always get into SHOCK treatments! Master Yoda is good at building Fog Machines and Halloween contraptions, and I bet he could make a killer electric chair! :ROFLOLno pun intended)

Lethal or less than lethal?:lookaroun