Question
Hello I hope you can help. I am a 35 year old female who had a car accident back in Feb 2006, since then I have suffered constant back/left shoulder pain with numbness n my neck/face and electric like shock pains down my left arm and pins and needles affecting arm and three fingers (little being worst)
I have seen many doctors and had an MRI appx 6 weeks ago which showed C5-C6 protussion and an annular tear. I visited another doctor yesterday who has suggested seeing a spinal consultant re surgery.

I am very concerend that this will not get better and am frightened at the prospect of spinal surgery, is there any treatment that can help, I also have migraines following this injury and need to know how this could affect me in future life.

If you could offer any advise it would be much appreciated.

Thank you in advance  

Answer
Collette,

Back off the idea of surgery, for now.

The symptoms indicate compressed nerves, the result of muscles in your neck being very contracted.  Disc bulges are a consequence of such muscular contractions.

First step:  learn to relax your neck.  For that, see a clinical somatic educator.  To learn more about the approach and why it is appropriate, see my article on whiplash injuries at somatics.com/page4.htm.

Sometimes, an annular tear does require surgery, as it, alone, can prompt muscles to tighten up in your neck.  But start with the more conservative approach, first, as it may be sufficient:  clinical somatic education.

Otherwise, if you have the surgery, see a clinical somatic educator afterward, as the approach is much more effective than conventional physical therapy.

By the way, migraines result from contracted muscles at the side of neck and base of cranium, where the topmost vertebrae supports the head.  So, see the article on headaches, also at somatics.com/page4.htm .

with regard,
Lawrenced Gold