Question
QUESTION: My 91 year old mother has spinal stenosis with very severe pain.  She wakes up crying every morning just trying to get out of bed. We have tried the cortisone shots and they used to help but they don't anymore.  She takes 2 vicadin every 4 hours and is still in pain.  I can't stand to see her in this much pain.  Bless her heart, she gets up every day, gets dressed and puts on her makeup ready to greet the world.  We need some help to get her relief from this pain.  Would a chiropractor be able to help her?  What would you suggest we do for her?  Would a network chiropractor be helpful?   Thank you !

ANSWER: Patti,
When someone has built up or accumulated destruction for many years not only are there symptoms usually associated but there may be some irreversible damage.
The first thing to do on such an instance is to seek out a doctor that has handled such cases with favorable results. The problem with the medical route in this instance is that the shots will actually shut down her function and allow her body to continue to get worse.
Even though you may say "it is working" when she cannot feel the pain, she is continuing to get worse.
Now that the meds no longer "work" she has a tuly gotten even worse in the process.
So it all comes down to time:
Time to accumulate destruction and get sick or time to accumulate production and get well.
I would highly recommend that she go to a doctor that has a terrific track record in helping similar cases.
You are welcome to send me her location and I can see if I can help her or maybe find someone who can.
Yours in Best Health,
Dr Robert Arnone




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dr. Arnone,  You have been ever so helpful.  Thank you for your reply.  I would greatly appreciate it if you can help find someone in our area.  My mom lives in Silver Spring MD 20906.  We are close to Bethesda and Washington DC and I know there are lots of great doctors in the area.  But you are right, finding the right one is the chore.  If you can help that would be great.  Someone recommended Bethesda Physiocare: dry needling and trigger point injections.  Do you have an opinion of these? Their website is below. http://www.bethesdaphysiocare.com/about/index.html
Again, thank you for your reply and I hope to hear from you soon.  ~~  Patti

Answer
Patti,
Injections or needles are not what will help correct the cause of her ill health condition.  They may alter symptoms and that may be all you are looking for.  If that is the case and she is doing great with that care then by all means, continue to do so.  But if sheis not doing well and would like to address the cause so that she can truly do better then you can contact the doctor below who is in her state.
I wish you and you mom the best results with whatever you decide to do.

Yours in Best Health,

Dr Robert Arnone
Upper Cervical Specific Doctor
"Brainstem Specialist"
The Arnone Clinic
711 Old Ballas Road
St Louis, MO 63141
(314)995-5719

Upper Cervical Chiropractor  
Dr Leslie Windman DC, B.C.A.O  
Windman Chiropractic  
7850 Walker Drive, Suite 110
Greenbelt Maryland,   20770
301-486-1000 Fax: 301-486-0079  
 www.drwindman.com
[email protected]
Board Certified with the Sweat Institute and Sherman College