Question
I was in a car accident, resulting in lower back and neck pain.  An MRI showed  have "noncompressive disc bulge at L3-L4 and L4-L5. Mild Retrolisthesis of L5 on S1. Thecal Sac is centric. Neuralforamina are patent" and "Broad base disc herniation C5-Ck with thecal sac indentation.  Left paracentral disc herniation c6-C7 with mild thecal sac indentation no central stenosis.  At C4-C5 broad based disc herniation indent thecal sac, neural foramina are patent, At c6-c7 left paracentral disc herniation mildly indents thecal sacs,facet joints are unremarkable".  They sent me to Pain Mngt and I have been getting acupuncture, Trigger point injections and one SI Injection all for the lower back pain, nothing for the neck pain.  I have headaches daily.  Can the neck disc herniations be causing them, if so what treatment should be done?  Its been 5 months and the only relief I felt was after the SI Injection but the pain is starting to return 2 weeks after injection....not sure if all of these shots are safe?  Should I see an Ortho for second opinion?

Answer
no the shots all have side effects and some effects we don't even know about. cortisone shots can also damage the tissue around the joint if you get more then 3 a year. what happens when they no longer help you? more drugs? more injections?
an ortho is going to prescribe meds or therapy, you wont get a much different approach from seeing another ortho. you can always get a second opinion for peace of mind.
keep up the accupuncture and i would consult a good chiropractor. i as a licensed chiropractor, treat disc herniations everyday in practice.
the retrolisthesis of L5 can only be corrected or re aligned by a chiropractor. a retrolisthesis is a mis alignment (posteriorly) of the vertebrae and that will cause a pinched nerve.
chiropractic is safe and extremely effective. you should see him 3 times a week for a few weeks then down to 2 times a week for a few weeks.
there is something new called cold laser which will be very effective for your disc herniations. It's safe, no side effects and not invasive.
Many (not all) chiropractors have cold laser. i would combine both treatments (chiropractic and laser) at the same time for maximum results.
good luck! let me know if i can help you find the right chiropractor.

david kulla, DC
chiropractor, new york