pinched nerve in neck/back (1 Viewer)

[moleculo]

So I've got a pretty bad pinched nerve in my neck. It's been off and on for years, but over the past few months it's been on more than it's been off. It's gotten to the point where my thumb and maybe a finger or two are numb.

What's the appropriate treatment for such a thing, and is it better to see a doctor or a chiropractor?

Also, I was rear-ended maybe a month ago. No symptoms immediately afterwards....could an even like that have triggered a pinched nerve later down the road?

TIA

 

[phishphan]

gonna have to remove it. hopefully it'll be below the elbow instead of above.

 

[mlball77]

I would talk to some family or friends in your area and see if any of them recommend a good chiropractor. A good/decent chiro can probably help you.

And to answer your second question; yes, getting rear ended a month ago could have thrown you out of alignment and over time that could have started the process of irritating your nerve, getting you to the point you're at now. IMO.

 

[sheerterror]

Find an Osteopath. Don't waste your time with a physical therapist, chiropractor or doctor.

 

[jon_mx]

I would talk to some family or friends in your area and see if any of them recommend a good chiropractor. A good/decent chiro can probably help you.

Definitely the first line of attack. Something is being strained or pinched, a good chiro can probably fix it. What could another doc do for you, surgery or meds. That would be my last resort.

 

[jon_mx]

What is the Difference Between an Osteopath and a Chiropractor?

Chiropractors and osteopaths are both medical professionals who treat patients with a focus on the musculoskeletal system, including the spine, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The two professions are actually radically different, requiring different levels of certification and ultimately offering different services. There has also been some historical hostility between the two fields, which can make sorting out the differences rather challenging. Essentially, both offer valuable and useful services, and each can be included in a holistic healthcare regimen.

Let us start by examining the two professions individually. A chiropractor is a medical professional trained in chiropractic medicine, typically in a three to four year program. The student learns about anatomy, physiology, and biology, and focuses on the skeletal system. Chiropractic doctors believe that many health problems are related to imbalances in the musculoskeletal system, and they learn to perform small adjustments to this system while in school. Contrary to popular belief, these adjustments are not limited to the back. Chiropractics is a specialty, as opposed to osteopathy, which is more like a medical philosophy.

An osteopath, on the other hand, is much more like a physician, especially in the United States. Osteopaths believe in treating the body as a whole, and including the muscoloskeletal system as an important structure in their practice, but they do not believe that a myriad of problems can be solved through adjustments. They focus on preventative medicine and caring for the musculoskeletal system to reduce problems, but they also offer other types of medical treatment. In the United States, an osteopath is a licensed physician, able to perform surgery, prescribe medicine, and offer other medical services depending on what field the osteopath has chosen to specialize in.

Both professions have trade organizations such as the American Osteopathic Association to oversee the activities of their members. An osteopath and a chiropractor must both take qualifying examinations before being admitted to practice, and they must participate in continuing education to be licensed through the region in which they practice. Both may also provide referrals to medical specialists in order to treat particular conditions.

As a general rule, an osteopath receives more education than a chiropractor, especially for some specialties. One might compare an osteopath to a medical doctor with a focus on holistic health, whereas a chiropractor practices in a highly specialized and unique field. An osteopath can provide general care, including manipulations, while a chiropractor offers the specific service of adjustments and manipulations with the intent of improving health and reducing pain.

Think I would still start with the chiropractor.

 

[TLEF316]

had a really bad pinched nerve in my hip during the spring. The low point was when it hurt so much to stand that i passed out of from the pain stepping out of the shower. (woke up on the bathroom floor 10 minutes later and decided it was time for the doctor).

Ended up in physical therapy for 6 weeks. I wished for a quick fix, but i was just so out of whack. Lots of stretching, electrostim, ice/heat and pills later, and i was back to normal.

 

[sheerterror]

What is the Difference Between an Osteopath and a Chiropractor?

Chiropractors and osteopaths are both medical professionals who treat patients with a focus on the musculoskeletal system, including the spine, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The two professions are actually radically different, requiring different levels of certification and ultimately offering different services. There has also been some historical hostility between the two fields, which can make sorting out the differences rather challenging. Essentially, both offer valuable and useful services, and each can be included in a holistic healthcare regimen.

Let us start by examining the two professions individually. A chiropractor is a medical professional trained in chiropractic medicine, typically in a three to four year program. The student learns about anatomy, physiology, and biology, and focuses on the skeletal system. Chiropractic doctors believe that many health problems are related to imbalances in the musculoskeletal system, and they learn to perform small adjustments to this system while in school. Contrary to popular belief, these adjustments are not limited to the back. Chiropractics is a specialty, as opposed to osteopathy, which is more like a medical philosophy.

An osteopath, on the other hand, is much more like a physician, especially in the United States. Osteopaths believe in treating the body as a whole, and including the muscoloskeletal system as an important structure in their practice, but they do not believe that a myriad of problems can be solved through adjustments. They focus on preventative medicine and caring for the musculoskeletal system to reduce problems, but they also offer other types of medical treatment. In the United States, an osteopath is a licensed physician, able to perform surgery, prescribe medicine, and offer other medical services depending on what field the osteopath has chosen to specialize in.

Both professions have trade organizations such as the American Osteopathic Association to oversee the activities of their members. An osteopath and a chiropractor must both take qualifying examinations before being admitted to practice, and they must participate in continuing education to be licensed through the region in which they practice. Both may also provide referrals to medical specialists in order to treat particular conditions.

As a general rule, an osteopath receives more education than a chiropractor, especially for some specialties. One might compare an osteopath to a medical doctor with a focus on holistic health, whereas a chiropractor practices in a highly specialized and unique field. An osteopath can provide general care, including manipulations, while a chiropractor offers the specific service of adjustments and manipulations with the intent of improving health and reducing pain.

Think I would still start with the chiropractor.

Why?To keep this as simplistic as possible - a chiropractor probably won't be able to fix the problem permanently. Without knowing any specifics about the OP's problem, let's assume he just has some sort of nerve impingement which is causing the tingling sensations he's getting down his arm. There's a good chance his spine may be out of alignment, causing a vertebrae from his spine to press on the nerve creating these symptoms. A chiropractor can successfully manipulate and realign the spine to cause temporary relief of these symptoms but it will likely not fix the problem permanently. After an injury, there is usually some sort of trauma to the nerves in the surrounding area which will cause them to fire improperly, creating constant muscle spasms. These muscles will remain tight regardless of realignment of the spine, and therefore, the spine will inevitably be pulled back out of alignment and you are right back to square one - hence why most chiropractic patients need to keep going back. Now, you COULD also go to a physical therapist with the hope that they can loosen up the surrounding musculature and strengthen weaknesses created by the injury so this issue ceases, but ultimately, the nerves will still be firing improperly and the problems will continue. An osteopath deals with the manipulation of the actual nervous system (the most important part of this entire equation), resets nervous firing patterns which calm the nerves and muscles and allows for a more permanent solution to the problem. I have two friends who are D.Os, and I've never, ever had an injury that they didn't fix within one or two treatments.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

It's gotten to the point where my thumb and maybe a finger or two are numb.

I had symptoms similar to this a few years ago...numbness/tingling in my left thumb, index finger, middle finger, and occasionally the inside of my ring finger (the side nearest the middle finger). If yours are like that, you might have carpal tunnel syndrome.

 

[Fuller]

gonna have to remove it. hopefully it'll be below the elbow instead of above.

sounds like this guy knows what he's talking about

 

[DrJ]

Time to amputate.

 

[BobbyLayne]

acupuncture

PM if you want to go to my guy in Chinatown

 

[Al Czervik]

Going through this same sort of thing right now. I have a pinched nerve in my neck/shoulder area which makes my index finger numb. When it first came along, the pain would also go down my arm and my muscles would hurt terribly.

After going through the exercise of going to my doctor and being referred to a nerve doctor, who did an EMG test and then did an MRI, I finally got a formal diagnosis of it being my C6 nerve. Been going to therapy for a week, and the traction and deep heat feels great. Hoping a few more weeks gets me back to normal.

BTW, I tried a Chiropractor first (had never been to one before that)... went for three adjustments and then the guy told me he thought I would need about 8-12 more adjustments at $40 a pop. Later doctor back-cracker.

 

[Marmalade]

ACDF is your friend. Fast simple surgery to relieve your pain and misery. Or you can keep dealing with it on and off for years. http://www.mayfieldclinic.com/PE-ACDF.htm

 

[McJose]

What is the Difference Between an Osteopath and a Chiropractor?

Chiropractors and osteopaths are both medical professionals who treat patients with a focus on the musculoskeletal system, including the spine, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The two professions are actually radically different, requiring different levels of certification and ultimately offering different services. There has also been some historical hostility between the two fields, which can make sorting out the differences rather challenging. Essentially, both offer valuable and useful services, and each can be included in a holistic healthcare regimen.

Let us start by examining the two professions individually. A chiropractor is a medical professional trained in chiropractic medicine, typically in a three to four year program. The student learns about anatomy, physiology, and biology, and focuses on the skeletal system. Chiropractic doctors believe that many health problems are related to imbalances in the musculoskeletal system, and they learn to perform small adjustments to this system while in school. Contrary to popular belief, these adjustments are not limited to the back. Chiropractics is a specialty, as opposed to osteopathy, which is more like a medical philosophy.

An osteopath, on the other hand, is much more like a physician, especially in the United States. Osteopaths believe in treating the body as a whole, and including the muscoloskeletal system as an important structure in their practice, but they do not believe that a myriad of problems can be solved through adjustments. They focus on preventative medicine and caring for the musculoskeletal system to reduce problems, but they also offer other types of medical treatment. In the United States, an osteopath is a licensed physician, able to perform surgery, prescribe medicine, and offer other medical services depending on what field the osteopath has chosen to specialize in.

Both professions have trade organizations such as the American Osteopathic Association to oversee the activities of their members. An osteopath and a chiropractor must both take qualifying examinations before being admitted to practice, and they must participate in continuing education to be licensed through the region in which they practice. Both may also provide referrals to medical specialists in order to treat particular conditions.

As a general rule, an osteopath receives more education than a chiropractor, especially for some specialties. One might compare an osteopath to a medical doctor with a focus on holistic health, whereas a chiropractor practices in a highly specialized and unique field. An osteopath can provide general care, including manipulations, while a chiropractor offers the specific service of adjustments and manipulations with the intent of improving health and reducing pain.

Think I would still start with the chiropractor.

Did you read what you posted?

 

[moleculo]

It's gotten to the point where my thumb and maybe a finger or two are numb.

I had symptoms similar to this a few years ago...numbness/tingling in my left thumb, index finger, middle finger, and occasionally the inside of my ring finger (the side nearest the middle finger). If yours are like that, you might have carpal tunnel syndrome.

I thought about that, but the fact that the pain in my back/neck/shoulder area began at roughly the same time leads me to believe they are related.

 

[moleculo]

ACDF is your friend. Fast simple surgery to relieve your pain and misery. Or you can keep dealing with it on and off for years. http://www.mayfieldclinic.com/PE-ACDF.htm

that sounds like a last resort type of thing...something to look into once my ju-jitsu career is over.

 

[moleculo]

What is the Difference Between an Osteopath and a Chiropractor?

Chiropractors and osteopaths are both medical professionals who treat patients with a focus on the musculoskeletal system, including the spine, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The two professions are actually radically different, requiring different levels of certification and ultimately offering different services. There has also been some historical hostility between the two fields, which can make sorting out the differences rather challenging. Essentially, both offer valuable and useful services, and each can be included in a holistic healthcare regimen.

Let us start by examining the two professions individually. A chiropractor is a medical professional trained in chiropractic medicine, typically in a three to four year program. The student learns about anatomy, physiology, and biology, and focuses on the skeletal system. Chiropractic doctors believe that many health problems are related to imbalances in the musculoskeletal system, and they learn to perform small adjustments to this system while in school. Contrary to popular belief, these adjustments are not limited to the back. Chiropractics is a specialty, as opposed to osteopathy, which is more like a medical philosophy.

An osteopath, on the other hand, is much more like a physician, especially in the United States. Osteopaths believe in treating the body as a whole, and including the muscoloskeletal system as an important structure in their practice, but they do not believe that a myriad of problems can be solved through adjustments. They focus on preventative medicine and caring for the musculoskeletal system to reduce problems, but they also offer other types of medical treatment. In the United States, an osteopath is a licensed physician, able to perform surgery, prescribe medicine, and offer other medical services depending on what field the osteopath has chosen to specialize in.

Both professions have trade organizations such as the American Osteopathic Association to oversee the activities of their members. An osteopath and a chiropractor must both take qualifying examinations before being admitted to practice, and they must participate in continuing education to be licensed through the region in which they practice. Both may also provide referrals to medical specialists in order to treat particular conditions.

As a general rule, an osteopath receives more education than a chiropractor, especially for some specialties. One might compare an osteopath to a medical doctor with a focus on holistic health, whereas a chiropractor practices in a highly specialized and unique field. An osteopath can provide general care, including manipulations, while a chiropractor offers the specific service of adjustments and manipulations with the intent of improving health and reducing pain.

Think I would still start with the chiropractor.

Why?To keep this as simplistic as possible - a chiropractor probably won't be able to fix the problem permanently. Without knowing any specifics about the OP's problem, let's assume he just has some sort of nerve impingement which is causing the tingling sensations he's getting down his arm. There's a good chance his spine may be out of alignment, causing a vertebrae from his spine to press on the nerve creating these symptoms. A chiropractor can successfully manipulate and realign the spine to cause temporary relief of these symptoms but it will likely not fix the problem permanently. After an injury, there is usually some sort of trauma to the nerves in the surrounding area which will cause them to fire improperly, creating constant muscle spasms. These muscles will remain tight regardless of realignment of the spine, and therefore, the spine will inevitably be pulled back out of alignment and you are right back to square one - hence why most chiropractic patients need to keep going back. Now, you COULD also go to a physical therapist with the hope that they can loosen up the surrounding musculature and strengthen weaknesses created by the injury so this issue ceases, but ultimately, the nerves will still be firing improperly and the problems will continue. An osteopath deals with the manipulation of the actual nervous system (the most important part of this entire equation), resets nervous firing patterns which calm the nerves and muscles and allows for a more permanent solution to the problem. I have two friends who are D.Os, and I've never, ever had an injury that they didn't fix within one or two treatments.

this sounds like good advice.

 

[Mopap]

ACDF is your friend. Fast simple surgery to relieve your pain and misery. Or you can keep dealing with it on and off for years. http://www.mayfieldclinic.com/PE-ACDF.htm

that sounds like a last resort type of thing...something to look into once my ju-jitsu career is over.

Definitely last resort. Try an epidural first if they can do that on the neck. Had a bulging disk in my lower back (L4) that was pinching my sciatic nerve. Went from anti-inflammatories to PT to the epidural. That fixed it up. BTW, I saw a specialist in pain management. He's the one that recommended the epidural. If you ask a surgeon, they will recommend a cut.

 

[Josie Maran]

I used to get these constantly until about 4 or 5 years ago. Finally talked to my doc and he sent me to a physical therapist for a while. Learned some great stretches that I still do to this day, and I have yet to have a recurrence. Seriously not a one.

Let me know if you want to try the stretches and I'll describe them for you. Or maybe a tastefully done video of me doing the stretches...although I do them in the shower. Your call, sailor.

 

[Bonzai]

I'd try yoga before blowing a bunch of money.

Changing the way that you sleep could also help. I used to sleep on stomach, but switched to sleeping on my side with a pillow between my legs a couple years ago. It made a huge difference.

 

[Al Czervik]

I used to get these constantly until about 4 or 5 years ago. Finally talked to my doc and he sent me to a physical therapist for a while. Learned some great stretches that I still do to this day, and I have yet to have a recurrence. Seriously not a one.Let me know if you want to try the stretches and I'll describe them for you. Or maybe a tastefully done video of me doing the stretches...although I do them in the shower. Your call, sailor.

I'd like to hear about the stretches (please describe... no video please).

 

[moleculo]

I used to get these constantly until about 4 or 5 years ago. Finally talked to my doc and he sent me to a physical therapist for a while. Learned some great stretches that I still do to this day, and I have yet to have a recurrence. Seriously not a one.Let me know if you want to try the stretches and I'll describe them for you. Or maybe a tastefully done video of me doing the stretches...although I do them in the shower. Your call, sailor.

I'd like to hear about the stretches (please describe... no video please).

I would also like to hear about the stretches, and I'm not afraid to see a video. :jaa:

 

[Josie Maran]

I used to get these constantly until about 4 or 5 years ago. Finally talked to my doc and he sent me to a physical therapist for a while. Learned some great stretches that I still do to this day, and I have yet to have a recurrence. Seriously not a one.Let me know if you want to try the stretches and I'll describe them for you. Or maybe a tastefully done video of me doing the stretches...although I do them in the shower. Your call, sailor.

I'd like to hear about the stretches (please describe... no video please).

I would also like to hear about the stretches, and I'm not afraid to see a video. :jaa:

OK, video to come later.All these should be done while standing. And standing very straight.Put your left arm behind your back and as high as you can, like someone is trying to break your arm or a cop is arresting you. Put your right palm on the top of your head, so the fingertips are just above your left ear. Pull your head down toward your right shoulder. You'll feel the stretch down the big muscle from behind your ear all the way down to your shoulder. Hold for 20 seconds and do the other side.Next, do the same thing with your left arm, in "under arrest" mode. Put your right palm on the top of your head, but from the front this time. Basically, bury your nose in your armpit and pull your head down towards it. Now you know why I do this in the shower. You'll feel the stretch on the muscle on the back of your neck just to the left of your spine. Hold for 20 seconds and do the other side.Next, make kind of half-fists, so your fingers are curled but your hand is still open. Put your knuckles at your temples, perpendicular to the floor, so you're kind of looking down a tunnel formed by the forearms. Then try and squeeze your elbows together. You'll feel it all along the top of your back and shoulders. 10 seconds is plenty for this one. If you don't feel much of a stretch, get your elbows up higher. This is a GREAT pre-golf stretch, FYI.3 "reps" of 20 seconds each for each stretch, in the order listed above.

 

[Sweatpants]

Find an Osteopath. Don't waste your time with a physical therapist, chiropractor or doctor.

 

[Early_10]

I used to get these constantly until about 4 or 5 years ago. Finally talked to my doc and he sent me to a physical therapist for a while. Learned some great stretches that I still do to this day, and I have yet to have a recurrence. Seriously not a one.Let me know if you want to try the stretches and I'll describe them for you. Or maybe a tastefully done video of me doing the stretches...although I do them in the shower. Your call, sailor.

I'd like to hear about the stretches (please describe... no video please).

I would also like to hear about the stretches, and I'm not afraid to see a video. :jaa:

OK, video to come later.All these should be done while standing. And standing very straight.Put your left arm behind your back and as high as you can, like someone is trying to break your arm or a cop is arresting you. Put your right palm on the top of your head, so the fingertips are just above your left ear. Pull your head down toward your right shoulder. You'll feel the stretch down the big muscle from behind your ear all the way down to your shoulder. Hold for 20 seconds and do the other side.Next, do the same thing with your left arm, in "under arrest" mode. Put your right palm on the top of your head, but from the front this time. Basically, bury your nose in your armpit and pull your head down towards it. Now you know why I do this in the shower. You'll feel the stretch on the muscle on the back of your neck just to the left of your spine. Hold for 20 seconds and do the other side.Next, make kind of half-fists, so your fingers are curled but your hand is still open. Put your knuckles at your temples, perpendicular to the floor, so you're kind of looking down a tunnel formed by the forearms. Then try and squeeze your elbows together. You'll feel it all along the top of your back and shoulders. 10 seconds is plenty for this one. If you don't feel much of a stretch, get your elbows up higher. This is a GREAT pre-golf stretch, FYI.3 "reps" of 20 seconds each for each stretch, in the order listed above.

Even the last one provides far more stretch than I expected. Nice.After a full weekend of mixed ball, I'm so f'n stuff it's unreal. ld:

 

[aesclepius]

MY preliminary diagnosis would be leprosy. However, it does not appear that you are in danger of having your hand fall off.

From Wikipedia: "Contrary to folklore, leprosy does not cause body parts to fall off, although they can become numb and/or diseased as a result of the disease."

 

[texasheat]

It's ball cancer

 

[ODoyleRules]

had nearly the same thing happen to me on Friday

 

[raisydaisy]

I get this kind of thing ever couple years. Less then a year ago I went to my GP, he gave me mobic and a wrist brace, it went away in a few weeks and I didn't even take the mobic. My wife decided to take the chiropractors route which was terrible, she atayed hurt for a month despite going 2/3 times a week. She then went to a neurologist and improved in a weeks. Stay away from the fake doctors, best advice I can give. I have friends that are chiropractors and love them to death but would never let any of them care for me.

 

[Josie Maran]

I used to get these constantly until about 4 or 5 years ago. Finally talked to my doc and he sent me to a physical therapist for a while. Learned some great stretches that I still do to this day, and I have yet to have a recurrence. Seriously not a one.Let me know if you want to try the stretches and I'll describe them for you. Or maybe a tastefully done video of me doing the stretches...although I do them in the shower. Your call, sailor.

I'd like to hear about the stretches (please describe... no video please).

I would also like to hear about the stretches, and I'm not afraid to see a video. :jaa:

OK, video to come later.All these should be done while standing. And standing very straight.Put your left arm behind your back and as high as you can, like someone is trying to break your arm or a cop is arresting you. Put your right palm on the top of your head, so the fingertips are just above your left ear. Pull your head down toward your right shoulder. You'll feel the stretch down the big muscle from behind your ear all the way down to your shoulder. Hold for 20 seconds and do the other side.Next, do the same thing with your left arm, in "under arrest" mode. Put your right palm on the top of your head, but from the front this time. Basically, bury your nose in your armpit and pull your head down towards it. Now you know why I do this in the shower. You'll feel the stretch on the muscle on the back of your neck just to the left of your spine. Hold for 20 seconds and do the other side.Next, make kind of half-fists, so your fingers are curled but your hand is still open. Put your knuckles at your temples, perpendicular to the floor, so you're kind of looking down a tunnel formed by the forearms. Then try and squeeze your elbows together. You'll feel it all along the top of your back and shoulders. 10 seconds is plenty for this one. If you don't feel much of a stretch, get your elbows up higher. This is a GREAT pre-golf stretch, FYI.3 "reps" of 20 seconds each for each stretch, in the order listed above.

Even the last one provides far more stretch than I expected. Nice.After a full weekend of mixed ball, I'm so f'n stuff it's unreal. ld:

 

[moleculo]

I used to get these constantly until about 4 or 5 years ago. Finally talked to my doc and he sent me to a physical therapist for a while. Learned some great stretches that I still do to this day, and I have yet to have a recurrence. Seriously not a one.

Let me know if you want to try the stretches and I'll describe them for you. Or maybe a tastefully done video of me doing the stretches...although I do them in the shower. Your call, sailor.

I'd like to hear about the stretches (please describe... no video please).

I would also like to hear about the stretches, and I'm not afraid to see a video. :jaa:

OK, video to come later.All these should be done while standing. And standing very straight.

Put your left arm behind your back and as high as you can, like someone is trying to break your arm or a cop is arresting you. Put your right palm on the top of your head, so the fingertips are just above your left ear. Pull your head down toward your right shoulder. You'll feel the stretch down the big muscle from behind your ear all the way down to your shoulder. Hold for 20 seconds and do the other side.



Next, do the same thing with your left arm, in "under arrest" mode. Put your right palm on the top of your head, but from the front this time. Basically, bury your nose in your armpit and pull your head down towards it. Now you know why I do this in the shower. You'll feel the stretch on the muscle on the back of your neck just to the left of your spine. Hold for 20 seconds and do the other side.

Next, make kind of half-fists, so your fingers are curled but your hand is still open. Put your knuckles at your temples, perpendicular to the floor, so you're kind of looking down a tunnel formed by the forearms. Then try and squeeze your elbows together. You'll feel it all along the top of your back and shoulders. 10 seconds is plenty for this one. If you don't feel much of a stretch, get your elbows up higher. This is a GREAT pre-golf stretch, FYI.

3 "reps" of 20 seconds each for each stretch, in the order listed above.

the bolded is very painful right now - I think that's the one targeting exactly where the problem is.

 

[Josie Maran]

I used to get these constantly until about 4 or 5 years ago. Finally talked to my doc and he sent me to a physical therapist for a while. Learned some great stretches that I still do to this day, and I have yet to have a recurrence. Seriously not a one.

Let me know if you want to try the stretches and I'll describe them for you. Or maybe a tastefully done video of me doing the stretches...although I do them in the shower. Your call, sailor.

I'd like to hear about the stretches (please describe... no video please).

I would also like to hear about the stretches, and I'm not afraid to see a video. :jaa:

OK, video to come later.All these should be done while standing. And standing very straight.

Put your left arm behind your back and as high as you can, like someone is trying to break your arm or a cop is arresting you. Put your right palm on the top of your head, so the fingertips are just above your left ear. Pull your head down toward your right shoulder. You'll feel the stretch down the big muscle from behind your ear all the way down to your shoulder. Hold for 20 seconds and do the other side.



Next, do the same thing with your left arm, in "under arrest" mode. Put your right palm on the top of your head, but from the front this time. Basically, bury your nose in your armpit and pull your head down towards it. Now you know why I do this in the shower. You'll feel the stretch on the muscle on the back of your neck just to the left of your spine. Hold for 20 seconds and do the other side.

Next, make kind of half-fists, so your fingers are curled but your hand is still open. Put your knuckles at your temples, perpendicular to the floor, so you're kind of looking down a tunnel formed by the forearms. Then try and squeeze your elbows together. You'll feel it all along the top of your back and shoulders. 10 seconds is plenty for this one. If you don't feel much of a stretch, get your elbows up higher. This is a GREAT pre-golf stretch, FYI.

3 "reps" of 20 seconds each for each stretch, in the order listed above.

the bolded is very painful right now - I think that's the one targeting exactly where the problem is.

Fight through that ####, yo. Actually, you should go easy with that stretch then. Keep doing it even if it's unpleasant, but don't get to the point where it's really painful. As the pinched nerve fades, you'll be able to stretch the muscles more and prevent the next one.

 

[Spike]

It's gotten to the point where my thumb and maybe a finger or two are numb.

I had symptoms similar to this a few years ago...numbness/tingling in my left thumb, index finger, middle finger, and occasionally the inside of my ring finger (the side nearest the middle finger). If yours are like that, you might have carpal tunnel syndrome.

Or spinal stenosis.

 

[Bull Dozier]

I've had the same issue twice now (once in 2007 and once earlier this year). I went to a PT both times as referred to by my doctor. It was less severe this year, but essentially the same thing.

If it happened to me again, I might go to a DO. Partly because this thread is the first I've heard that they'd to the manipulations themselves, and partly because my wife's best friend is a DO and she's a hottie.

 

[moleculo]

So I went to an orthopedic surgeon yesterday (apparently they do other things besides cut people up). I wanted to see a DO based on advice in this thread, but my insurance couldn't find one near by and recommended an orthopedic surgeon (I later realized that they think my zip code is in a completely different and rural part of the state).

Anyways, the doctors are really busy and it's tough to schedule an appt with them, but I saw a physicians assistant...he basically concurred with my diagnosis that it's a pinched nerve. The exercise that Josie suggested earlier seems to make my thumb worse - he had me tilt my head such that my ear moves to my shoulder blade, and that made my thumb/hand even more numb, so that means that moving like that pinches the nerve even more, which is a bad thing. My suspicion is that it's a slipped disk in my neck, and probably a degenerative condition.

I have an MRI scheduled for Sunday. Unfortunately, I can't have the Dr review the MRI until Sep 13 . All I can do in the mean time is take a ton of over the counter painkiller.

 

[Radio Free Homer]

So I went to an orthopedic surgeon yesterday (apparently they do other things besides cut people up). I wanted to see a DO based on advice in this thread, but my insurance couldn't find one near by and recommended an orthopedic surgeon (I later realized that they think my zip code is in a completely different and rural part of the state).

Anyways, the doctors are really busy and it's tough to schedule an appt with them, but I saw a physicians assistant...he basically concurred with my diagnosis that it's a pinched nerve. The exercise that Josie suggested earlier seems to make my thumb worse - he had me tilt my head such that my ear moves to my shoulder blade, and that made my thumb/hand even more numb, so that means that moving like that pinches the nerve even more, which is a bad thing. My suspicion is that it's a slipped disk in my neck, and probably a degenerative condition.

I have an MRI scheduled for Sunday. Unfortunately, I can't have the Dr review the MRI until Sep 13 . All I can do in the mean time is take a ton of over the counter painkiller.

Sorry GB.

 

[raisydaisy]

So I went to an orthopedic surgeon yesterday (apparently they do other things besides cut people up). I wanted to see a DO based on advice in this thread, but my insurance couldn't find one near by and recommended an orthopedic surgeon (I later realized that they think my zip code is in a completely different and rural part of the state).

Anyways, the doctors are really busy and it's tough to schedule an appt with them, but I saw a physicians assistant...he basically concurred with my diagnosis that it's a pinched nerve. The exercise that Josie suggested earlier seems to make my thumb worse - he had me tilt my head such that my ear moves to my shoulder blade, and that made my thumb/hand even more numb, so that means that moving like that pinches the nerve even more, which is a bad thing. My suspicion is that it's a slipped disk in my neck, and probably a degenerative condition.

I have an MRI scheduled for Sunday. Unfortunately, I can't have the Dr review the MRI until Sep 13 . All I can do in the mean time is take a ton of over the counter painkiller.

Sorry GB.

Ditto

 

[moleculo]

So I went to an orthopedic surgeon yesterday (apparently they do other things besides cut people up). I wanted to see a DO based on advice in this thread, but my insurance couldn't find one near by and recommended an orthopedic surgeon (I later realized that they think my zip code is in a completely different and rural part of the state).

Anyways, the doctors are really busy and it's tough to schedule an appt with them, but I saw a physicians assistant...he basically concurred with my diagnosis that it's a pinched nerve. The exercise that Josie suggested earlier seems to make my thumb worse - he had me tilt my head such that my ear moves to my shoulder blade, and that made my thumb/hand even more numb, so that means that moving like that pinches the nerve even more, which is a bad thing. My suspicion is that it's a slipped disk in my neck, and probably a degenerative condition.

I have an MRI scheduled for Sunday. Unfortunately, I can't have the Dr review the MRI until Sep 13 . All I can do in the mean time is take a ton of over the counter painkiller.

Sorry GB.

no problem...I thought was helping becasue it did make my back feel better, I guess I hadn't even realized the difference in my thumb. I think that this isn't a muscular issue, it's a skeletal/spinal issue so I'm not sure that stretching/relaxing the muscles will help.

 

[moleculo]

Going through this same sort of thing right now. I have a pinched nerve in my neck/shoulder area which makes my index finger numb. When it first came along, the pain would also go down my arm and my muscles would hurt terribly.After going through the exercise of going to my doctor and being referred to a nerve doctor, who did an EMG test and then did an MRI, I finally got a formal diagnosis of it being my C6 nerve. Been going to therapy for a week, and the traction and deep heat feels great. Hoping a few more weeks gets me back to normal.BTW, I tried a Chiropractor first (had never been to one before that)... went for three adjustments and then the guy told me he thought I would need about 8-12 more adjustments at $40 a pop. Later doctor back-cracker.

update?

 

[Stoneys]

So I went to an orthopedic surgeon yesterday (apparently they do other things besides cut people up). I wanted to see a DO based on advice in this thread, but my insurance couldn't find one near by and recommended an orthopedic surgeon (I later realized that they think my zip code is in a completely different and rural part of the state).Anyways, the doctors are really busy and it's tough to schedule an appt with them, but I saw a physicians assistant...he basically concurred with my diagnosis that it's a pinched nerve. The exercise that Josie suggested earlier seems to make my thumb worse - he had me tilt my head such that my ear moves to my shoulder blade, and that made my thumb/hand even more numb, so that means that moving like that pinches the nerve even more, which is a bad thing. My suspicion is that it's a slipped disk in my neck, and probably a degenerative condition.I have an MRI scheduled for Sunday. Unfortunately, I can't have the Dr review the MRI until Sep 13 :IBTL: . All I can do in the mean time is take a ton of over the counter painkiller.

I've been going through something similar albeit the lower back. I have been diagnosed with 2 herniated discs, 1 bulging disc, spinal stenosis, osteophytes(basically bones spurs) and degenerative disc disease. When I first went to see the DO for manipulation, he refused to after giving me some preliminary tests saying that they were too abnormal. He had me get an MRI, that's when they diagnosed me, had to see a neurosurgeon. he sent me to PT, ordered an epidural and some meds. I still have the sciatic pain through my leg although it isn't as intense and is only really bad while I sit down. Will probably go for a 2nd epidural in a few months (you can only have 3 per year).

 

[Al Czervik]

Going through this same sort of thing right now. I have a pinched nerve in my neck/shoulder area which makes my index finger numb. When it first came along, the pain would also go down my arm and my muscles would hurt terribly.After going through the exercise of going to my doctor and being referred to a nerve doctor, who did an EMG test and then did an MRI, I finally got a formal diagnosis of it being my C6 nerve. Been going to therapy for a week, and the traction and deep heat feels great. Hoping a few more weeks gets me back to normal.BTW, I tried a Chiropractor first (had never been to one before that)... went for three adjustments and then the guy told me he thought I would need about 8-12 more adjustments at $40 a pop. Later doctor back-cracker.

update?

Still working on it at therapy. The MRI revealed that it is a disc that is affecting the C6 nerve. He also said there is a bit of fluid on my spinal chord (has referred me to a neurosurgeon to check that out). The stretching that the traction does feels great and makes my condition feel good for about a half day after... then it goes back to feeling about the same. The numbness in my index finger is still there.I feel like they baby me with the traction. They start out low and slowly add more. I keep telling them they really couldn't pull hard enough at this point.

 

[arrow1]

What is the Difference Between an Osteopath and a Chiropractor?

Chiropractors and osteopaths are both medical professionals who treat patients with a focus on the musculoskeletal system, including the spine, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The two professions are actually radically different, requiring different levels of certification and ultimately offering different services. There has also been some historical hostility between the two fields, which can make sorting out the differences rather challenging. Essentially, both offer valuable and useful services, and each can be included in a holistic healthcare regimen.

Let us start by examining the two professions individually. A chiropractor is a medical professional trained in chiropractic medicine, typically in a three to four year program. The student learns about anatomy, physiology, and biology, and focuses on the skeletal system. Chiropractic doctors believe that many health problems are related to imbalances in the musculoskeletal system, and they learn to perform small adjustments to this system while in school. Contrary to popular belief, these adjustments are not limited to the back. Chiropractics is a specialty, as opposed to osteopathy, which is more like a medical philosophy.

An osteopath, on the other hand, is much more like a physician, especially in the United States. Osteopaths believe in treating the body as a whole, and including the muscoloskeletal system as an important structure in their practice, but they do not believe that a myriad of problems can be solved through adjustments. They focus on preventative medicine and caring for the musculoskeletal system to reduce problems, but they also offer other types of medical treatment. In the United States, an osteopath is a licensed physician, able to perform surgery, prescribe medicine, and offer other medical services depending on what field the osteopath has chosen to specialize in.

Both professions have trade organizations such as the American Osteopathic Association to oversee the activities of their members. An osteopath and a chiropractor must both take qualifying examinations before being admitted to practice, and they must participate in continuing education to be licensed through the region in which they practice. Both may also provide referrals to medical specialists in order to treat particular conditions.

As a general rule, an osteopath receives more education than a chiropractor, especially for some specialties. One might compare an osteopath to a medical doctor with a focus on holistic health, whereas a chiropractor practices in a highly specialized and unique field. An osteopath can provide general care, including manipulations, while a chiropractor offers the specific service of adjustments and manipulations with the intent of improving health and reducing pain.

Think I would still start with the chiropractor.

Why?To keep this as simplistic as possible - a chiropractor probably won't be able to fix the problem permanently. Without knowing any specifics about the OP's problem, let's assume he just has some sort of nerve impingement which is causing the tingling sensations he's getting down his arm. There's a good chance his spine may be out of alignment, causing a vertebrae from his spine to press on the nerve creating these symptoms. A chiropractor can successfully manipulate and realign the spine to cause temporary relief of these symptoms but it will likely not fix the problem permanently. After an injury, there is usually some sort of trauma to the nerves in the surrounding area which will cause them to fire improperly, creating constant muscle spasms. These muscles will remain tight regardless of realignment of the spine, and therefore, the spine will inevitably be pulled back out of alignment and you are right back to square one - hence why most chiropractic patients need to keep going back. Now, you COULD also go to a physical therapist with the hope that they can loosen up the surrounding musculature and strengthen weaknesses created by the injury so this issue ceases, but ultimately, the nerves will still be firing improperly and the problems will continue. An osteopath deals with the manipulation of the actual nervous system (the most important part of this entire equation), resets nervous firing patterns which calm the nerves and muscles and allows for a more permanent solution to the problem. I have two friends who are D.Os, and I've never, ever had an injury that they didn't fix within one or two treatments.

A chiropractic adjustment and an osteopathic manipulation are similiar things. Just how does a DO manipulate the nervous system? The nervous system is affected by both the adjustment and manipulation.

 

[Radio Free Homer]

Going through this same sort of thing right now. I have a pinched nerve in my neck/shoulder area which makes my index finger numb. When it first came along, the pain would also go down my arm and my muscles would hurt terribly.

After going through the exercise of going to my doctor and being referred to a nerve doctor, who did an EMG test and then did an MRI, I finally got a formal diagnosis of it being my C6 nerve. Been going to therapy for a week, and the traction and deep heat feels great. Hoping a few more weeks gets me back to normal.

BTW, I tried a Chiropractor first (had never been to one before that)... went for three adjustments and then the guy told me he thought I would need about 8-12 more adjustments at $40 a pop. Later doctor back-cracker.

update?

Still working on it at therapy. The MRI revealed that it is a disc that is affecting the C6 nerve. He also said there is a bit of fluid on my spinal chord (has referred me to a neurosurgeon to check that out). The stretching that the traction does feels great and makes my condition feel good for about a half day after... then it goes back to feeling about the same. The numbness in my index finger is still there.I feel like they baby me with the traction. They start out low and slowly add more. I keep telling them they really couldn't pull hard enough at this point.

O RLY???

 

[Running with scissors]

Acupuncture is really no better than a placebo. There's a thread here and my post here that references one of the studies.

Chiropractic might be good for some things (e.g. lower back) but many are quacks pushing nonsense and manipulation of the neck can lead to strokes. Manipulation of my neck led to partial paralysis and numbness in my left hand.

The people recommending doctors and physiotherapists are the ones I would listen to, that's been the greatest help for me (degenerative disk narrowing).

 

[Running with scissors]

After a full weekend of mixed ball, I'm so f'n stuff it's unreal.

I just bet you are.

 

[tonydead]

Going through this same sort of thing right now. I have a pinched nerve in my neck/shoulder area which makes my index finger numb. When it first came along, the pain would also go down my arm and my muscles would hurt terribly.After going through the exercise of going to my doctor and being referred to a nerve doctor, who did an EMG test and then did an MRI, I finally got a formal diagnosis of it being my C6 nerve. Been going to therapy for a week, and the traction and deep heat feels great. Hoping a few more weeks gets me back to normal.BTW, I tried a Chiropractor first (had never been to one before that)... went for three adjustments and then the guy told me he thought I would need about 8-12 more adjustments at $40 a pop. Later doctor back-cracker.

update?

Still working on it at therapy. The MRI revealed that it is a disc that is affecting the C6 nerve. He also said there is a bit of fluid on my spinal chord (has referred me to a neurosurgeon to check that out). The stretching that the traction does feels great and makes my condition feel good for about a half day after... then it goes back to feeling about the same. The numbness in my index finger is still there.I feel like they baby me with the traction. They start out low and slowly add more. I keep telling them they really couldn't pull hard enough at this point.

How does the traction work? Could you get the same thing hanging upside down from one of those boot devices.I've had the exact same symptoms for two weeks now. Muscles just above the elbow are the worst.

 

[Radio Free Homer]

After a full weekend of mixed ball, I'm so f'n stuff it's unreal.

I just bet you are.

 

[Stoneys]

Going through this same sort of thing right now. I have a pinched nerve in my neck/shoulder area which makes my index finger numb. When it first came along, the pain would also go down my arm and my muscles would hurt terribly.After going through the exercise of going to my doctor and being referred to a nerve doctor, who did an EMG test and then did an MRI, I finally got a formal diagnosis of it being my C6 nerve. Been going to therapy for a week, and the traction and deep heat feels great. Hoping a few more weeks gets me back to normal.BTW, I tried a Chiropractor first (had never been to one before that)... went for three adjustments and then the guy told me he thought I would need about 8-12 more adjustments at $40 a pop. Later doctor back-cracker.

update?

Still working on it at therapy. The MRI revealed that it is a disc that is affecting the C6 nerve. He also said there is a bit of fluid on my spinal chord (has referred me to a neurosurgeon to check that out). The stretching that the traction does feels great and makes my condition feel good for about a half day after... then it goes back to feeling about the same. The numbness in my index finger is still there.I feel like they baby me with the traction. They start out low and slowly add more. I keep telling them they really couldn't pull hard enough at this point.

How does the traction work? Could you get the same thing hanging upside down from one of those boot devices.I've had the exact same symptoms for two weeks now. Muscles just above the elbow are the worst.

The traction I was put in, I was strapped around the waist with 2 different belts, one that was attached to the table by my feet and the other was attached above my head. The table was slowly pulled apart so that I had 100lbs of force pulling me apart at my waist for 1 minute, dropping down to 50lbs for 15 seconds, back to 100lbs for a minute...etc...for about 15-16 minutes.

 

[Al Czervik]

Going through this same sort of thing right now. I have a pinched nerve in my neck/shoulder area which makes my index finger numb. When it first came along, the pain would also go down my arm and my muscles would hurt terribly.After going through the exercise of going to my doctor and being referred to a nerve doctor, who did an EMG test and then did an MRI, I finally got a formal diagnosis of it being my C6 nerve. Been going to therapy for a week, and the traction and deep heat feels great. Hoping a few more weeks gets me back to normal.BTW, I tried a Chiropractor first (had never been to one before that)... went for three adjustments and then the guy told me he thought I would need about 8-12 more adjustments at $40 a pop. Later doctor back-cracker.

update?

Still working on it at therapy. The MRI revealed that it is a disc that is affecting the C6 nerve. He also said there is a bit of fluid on my spinal chord (has referred me to a neurosurgeon to check that out). The stretching that the traction does feels great and makes my condition feel good for about a half day after... then it goes back to feeling about the same. The numbness in my index finger is still there.I feel like they baby me with the traction. They start out low and slowly add more. I keep telling them they really couldn't pull hard enough at this point.

How does the traction work? Could you get the same thing hanging upside down from one of those boot devices.I've had the exact same symptoms for two weeks now. Muscles just above the elbow are the worst.

The traction feels great. I tried the hanging upside down thing, but it really only stretched my lower back. The machine they put me on connects at the neck, just under the skull, so it pulls only my head (which then stretches the neck).