Question
I have had pain in my shoulder area for about 3 years.  I have recently been told that I have a herniated disc (C7).  I have had tests done to determine if there is nerve damage and there is. I lost feeling in my left hand. (It came back). My question is, my doctor says there is nothing that can be done.  Is this true.. I'm not into surgery, but what about massage therapy or something?  Is there something you can suggest.  I have bouts of pinching nerves this is very painfull and debilitating.  I also work out 3 days a week, my workout is hindered.
Thanks
Karen

Answer
Dear Karen,

Pinched nerves commonly come from muscular contractions in the area of the pinch.  Disc herniations, same thing.

The reason your doctor says there is nothing to be done is because what you have is not a medical problem, but a brain-muscle conditioning problem.  You need to train yourself to relax those muscles.

I have seen complete recovery of function of an arm, by means of the methods of somatic training, after a nerve pinch caused complete paralysis.

Massage therapy, on the other hand, will not be effective in the long run because the brain controls the muscles, and massaging muscles doesn't change brain conditioning.

A list of somatic practitioners exists at somatics.com; see the link at the top of the page.  Not all are qualified to work with that kind of condition, so ask.  A few sessions are required at the hands of a skilled practitioner.

with regard,
Lawrence Gold