Question
I was involved in a head on collision and have been told I have herniated disk in the lumbar and the cervical and I also have a slipped disk.I also was told I have nerve damage. Been in therapy now foralmost 4 months had an ESI injection 1 time I have no relief to my pain. My neck hurts constantly and the right side of my neck shoulder area is about 1 1/2 inches higher than my left side of neck and is as hard a brick wall most of the time with a slight stinging in the right shoulder. I have trouble holding onto things in my right hand drop stuff almost daily have had problems with bladder and bowels not going, other times I have leakage with my bladder. I have pain that runs on my right side from what seems like the elbow down to my right foot and am told it will all go away with exercise and massage therapy. I am at wits end since the pain gets so bad I sit with an ice pack at work on my lower back which seems the only sense of comfort I get and will put a heating pad on my neck which brings some comfort at times. I have problems taking pills since my gaga reflex is extreme. Coughing or sneezing is most dreaded since the pain is almost unbearable in neck and back. I feel I am getting no relief from the therapy and I don't know what else to try. Can you give me any ideas.

Answer
Although I am not a physician or neurosurgeon, I typically recommend that people avoid surgery until it becomes the last possible option.  Surgery doesn't always work, it is dangerous, and it can make things worse sometimes.

I recommend massage and slow stretching exercises like yoga, along with muscle strengthening in the abdominal area for low back pain.  Weak stomach muscles allow the lower back to be strained more easily.  Stretching and massage helps reduce the muscle tension in the affected areas.  This muscle tension is the result of the muscles attempting to guard the area from additional injury.  Unfortunately, the tightened muscles themselves can add to the cycle of pain.  

Sticking with this kind of therapy helps a great deal but it doesn't happen very rapidly.  The body takes a while to heal itself and you'll help it heal by relieving the stress and tension as often as you can tolerate the movements.

Thank you for your question, Lynn.  I hope that my answer was helpful.