Question

MRI   Dear Dr. Victor Dolan,

Can I benefet from ciropractors with cervical spinal stenosis?

Thank you,

Answer
Hello  Waheeb,


First, let me say I am sorry for your pain/ complaint.

Then  let  me  Thank  You  for  Your  question.

Your  inquiry:  ".....Can I benefet from ciropractors with cervical spinal stenosis?...." .
Your  answer:  Yes.

From what I can see on these attached  MRI  pictures-  small on my computer screen,  it  looks  like  you  have  multiple  levels  of  HNP  (Herniated Nucleus Pulposis), of herniated disc.

MRIs  are  very  important,  but  just  as  important  are  your  in-person,  physical exam findings.   There are many different Chiropractic Techniques.   Non-surgical decompression techniques may be very helpful for your condition.   Depending upon what ROM and what you can tolerate other chiropractic techniques may be helpful as well.

There are MANY specialties within Chiropractic- just as there are specialties in medicine.  Given the looks of this MRI,  perhaps you would like to visit a Chiropractic Orthopedist, or a Chiropractic Neurologist, or even a Chiropractic Radiologist.  These specialties could be of most help given the presumptive diagnosis of stenosis secondary to HNP.  For the different Chiropractic specialties see:  http://www.acatoday.org/UserFiles/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Approved%20Chiropractic(1).pdf

In the meantime, perhaps some rest, ice, and proper posture will help your complaints.  In my Staten Island Chiropractic office I hand out the following information:

P.R.I.C.E. =    P  protection.   R rest.   I  ice.   C  compression.   E  elevation.

Hurt  yourself ??  injury/ trauma/  bruise/ not even sure - - a broken bone ??

You should certainly get to the Doctor or trained health professional to be examined  if you think it  is  bad  enough.     
BUT  in  the  meantime,  some  simple  steps  may  help.   
PRICE.


The  PRICE  protocol will usually help just about any musculoskeletal injury.

P = Protection;  protect the area from further injury- stop what you are doing, can you
     pad  or bandage the area ? Tape the area? Do something to protect the area !
R = Rest;  rest the area as much as possible, if a part is damaged, give the body time to
       repair the area
I = Ice;  ice is a potent anti-inflammatory; it will slow swelling, help with pain control
     (ice is analgesic), place ice over cloth over the injured area for 5, 10 minutes, off the
     injured area for 30 minutes; then back on again ( please do NOT use heat, heat adds to edema->
         heat feels good while it is on,,,, and often makes the condition WORSE after you take heat off )
C = Compression;  to help prevent swelling compression may be helpful- for example
      if it is an ankle, wrap the ankle with an ace bandage and ice the area.  Many body
      parts may not be applicable to compression.
E = Elevation; again to fight swelling and pain, raising the injured body part above the
      heart may be helpful- ie raise an ankle or knee, you lay down, raise the injured part


PRICE  may  help :    Sprains,  Strains,  musculo-skeletal injury,  bruise,  contusion
Sometimes  a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, athletic injury, or a motor vehicle accident can cause a bump or bruise, sprain or strain.  Sometimes also involved with the injury is a vertebral subluxation (or other joint subluxation) (subluxation is a mechanical problem- of any joint- and requires a mechanical correction).  In the spine, a sprain/strain  is a misalignment,  a 慿ink?in the joint, a stretch of the muscles, tendons and/ or ligaments:- more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation.   Sometimes symptoms can come immediately, sometimes days, weeks or even months later!- Well after the actual trauma !!!

         Spinal = Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  憇ubluxation?  ;   ( subluxation COULD be any joint )
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.
A  subluxation  interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system  (the master system  which controls and coordinates all function within the body)  and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.


This is a serious condition identified by its five parts:
    Spinal Kinesiopathology:
         This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.
    Neuropathophysiology:
         Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.
    Myopathology:
         Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.
    Histopathology:
         A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.
    Pathophysiology:
         Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.


The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.
         Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
         Vertebral  Subluxation  cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone.  Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,     best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.  For good health- Treat the   Cause,  not just the Symptoms.  Sprain/ strain/ bump/ bruise?= may result in subluxation of the nearby joint.  CORRECT the subluxation !!!!

Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomate, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians;  Diplomate, American Academy of Pain Management;       Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN);  FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine ; Invited to care for USA Olympians @ Olympic Training Center ; Chiropractor  to the CHAMPIONSHIP NYPD Football Team, and PSAL Champion Curtis Football  Team

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I  hope  this  information  helps.   ASK  your  friends  and  neighbors  in  your  community  for  a  referral  to  a  good  local  Doctor of Chiropractic.   Chiropractic,  like  Medicine- is NOT  monolithic,,,  there are varied techniques and approaches to address the varied conditions that present in our human bodies!

If you need further information, do not hesitate to REcontact me here at   
http://www.allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Dr-Victor-Dolan-DC.htm   

Thank You for the question, your Staten Island Chiropractor friend-  wishing you Good Health, Naturally!

Dr. Vic Dolan, DC, DACBSP