Question
Hello,
I have a cervical herniated disc at c5-c6 with some cord flattening.  I have seen neurosurgeons who wanted to do surgery which I do not want.  I told them that I wanted to receive chiropractic treatment instead.  They warned me against having my neck manipulated, but said that I could have other types of treatment with the chiropractor.  My neck is still from the bottom of my skull to the bottom of my neck.  The chiropractor says I have straigthening of the lordotic curve.  I als have have blurrier than usual vision, he says the discs are pressing on nerves which is causing this.  I was also getting some lightheadedness when I bend my neck backwards and then forward.  I told him I was fearful of receiving neck manipulations because of what my neuro told me.  He says that this is the only way he can correct my condition, and that it is safe and that he has never injured a patient in his 20 years of business.  I do feel better after his treatment, but I am very concerned about the spinal manipulations causing further damage because of the cervical herniated disc.  What is your opinion?  Have you ever heard of vision being affected by the neck?  I appreciate your help.

Answer
Hello Christine,

I am sorry to hear of your condition.

I am glad that you are giving conservative treatment- such as Chiropractic a try before progressing to the big step of invasive surgery.

"....I have a cervical herniated disc at c5-c6 with some cord flattening....."  this report is not uncommon in the chiropractic office.  Often conservative chiropractic treatment can help this condition.  Many times even surgeons will recommend conservative physical therapy/ massage/ acupuncture- etc (usually NOT chiropractic- I do not know why) for weeks or even months before progressing towards invasive surgery.  Since Doctors of Chiropractic work on the spine ALL day, EVERY day - your local Doctor of Chiropractic should be able to help you, or refer you out to someone who will.


"....The chiropractor says I have straigthening of the lordotic curve....."  with many neck injuries (ie Herniated disc), the loss of the normal healthy curve is common and evidence of the injury/ condition.

".....I told him I was fearful of receiving neck manipulations because of what my neuro told me.  He says that this is the only way he can correct my condition, and that it is safe and that he has never injured a patient in his 20 years of business......"
There are many, many, many, many different techniques in chiropractic.  Some are very forceful, very vigorous.  Some techniques are very mild, subtle.  Depending upon the anxiety level of the patient, and the physical findings; sometimes I am very mild in my treatment, sometimes fairly vigorous; it depends upon the specific situation. - - But you answer your concerns in your next line:

".......I do feel better after his treatment.......", IF the treatment was causing you harm, you would feel it and know it.

".......I am very concerned about the spinal manipulations causing further damage because of the cervical herniated disc. ......"
Chiropractic has been around for 115 years.  Chiropractic has EXTREMELY low malpractice incidents and low cost insurance compared to other health specialties.  Pun intended: in the hands of a Doctor of Chiropractic, spinal manipulation is very safe.

Unfortunately, now-a-days OTHER (non-chiropractic) disciplines are TRYING to manipulate the spine.  Sometimes these OTHER health disciplines cause a problem,,, then they blame 'chiropractic';
well manipulation does not = chiropractic;  chiropractic does not = manipulation; only a Doctor of Chiropractic can perform a Chiropractic Adjustment, and this treatment is extremely safe.

"....What is your opinion?  Have you ever heard of vision being affected by the neck? ...."  I think a trial regimen of conservative chiropractic care is an appropriate option for your condition, often successful.  Vision?, many many different symptoms, seemingly distant from the spine do seem to return to better function when the spine returns to more normal function under chiropractic care.

"....I appreciate your help....." - - - Thank you, I appreciate your question!

In my Staten Island Chiropractic office I hand out some information  sheets, this may be helpful to you:






Vertebral Subluxation -

-  HOMEOSTASIS


"Homeostasis"   is  the  ability  of  a  system  to  maintain  itself.    Every Biology or Chemistry student knows the term 慼omeostasis?    The human body,  given no interference, with proper input, is a homeostatic system.  The human body can maintain itself as a healthy organism given proper input, proper support.  Place stress on the system, have improper input, and the system becomes less efficient, goes 憃ut of balance? and eventually breaks down.

揌omeostasis? starts in our tiny cells!- yes, our cells maintain homeostasis.  Our cells make up our tissues- our tissues have a certain BALANCE- our tissues endeavor to maintain homeostasis.  Tissues build into an Organ- a heart, lung, intestine; yes even our organs have a homeostatic balance.  Finally, these organs build into a body- US, you, me!  Our Body has a homeostatic balance.  Out of balance = out of health.

Homeostasis- for our body to thrive, rather than just survive, needs proper input: proper rest, exercise, diet, vitamins, water, clean air, and efficiently running cells, tissues, organs, systems.  Any improper input or inefficiency will reduce homeostasis, reduce efficiency and eventually lead to a breakdown of the entire system.

All of our cells, tissues, organs have particular 'enemies'.  For instance our diet could cause heart disease or high blood pressure: eating a poor diet leads to an inefficiency which ultimately leads to a breakdown in the system (our body).
Our nervous system also has an 'enemy' to homeostasis and efficient performance: the Vertebral Subluxation Complex (VSC).  Improve efficiency, improve health by combating VSC!

Build health, improve health, 'do the right thing'; i.e.; eat correctly, take supplements as needed, proper rest, exercise, and keep your body working at improved efficiency- i.e.; chiropractic to remove nerve interference.

Building Heath-  a history:
What ? ! ,  I have to brush my teeth!?,,, after EVERY meal ! ? ,,,,,  For the REST of my life ! ? ! ...  I don抰  want  to.  period.  I won抰.  To heck with it !  If I get a hole (cavity),  THEN  I抣l take care of  it.   Maybe I won抰 get any cavities anyway?.
              It  took  the  American Dental Association YEARS to educate people that they should brush frequently to avoid dental disease.  It has taken YEARS to educate patients that visits to the Dentist for hygiene, cleanings, flossing, coatings, etc.  are  necessary to PREVENT  dental problems.  Some people still do not floss after every meal, some do not even brush often enough  (yyyuuukkkk),  so some people still have severe dental problems  despite  all  the  knowledge  about   PREVENTION   and  dental  health maintenance  that  is  out   there.     Can  you  believe  it  ?? !!

              Some people have the same problem with  PREVENTATIVE  Spinal  Health
that  used to  exist with preventative dental health.  Some people come to the Doctor of Chiropractic and say, ?..do not adjust me, just give me therapy...?  some people say,
?..What ? ! , I have to practice SPINAL HYGIENE !?!, (practice proper postures, proper movement patterns, and  see  the  Chiropractor  periodically !?!),  Naahh, ... I  don抰
want to. period.  I won抰.  To heck with it!  When I get PAIN,  then  I抣l take care of it.
(  pain is often the LAST symptom to appear-  whether a cavity or a heart attack !  )

Nerve Interference-  decreases your body's efficiency,  decreases homeostasis,  decreases health:
      Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  憇ubluxation?(nerve interference)
The vertebral subluxation complex can be 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  (Subluxation)  is a serious condition identified by its five parts:
      Spinal Kinesiopathology,   Neuropathophysiology,   Myopathology, Histopathology,  Pathophysiology.    
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, massage, 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.


ONLY  a Doctor of Chiropractic evaluates for the Vertebral Subluxation Complex, as well as other pathologies.

             Chiropractic  corrects  the  Vertebral  Subluxation  Complex.  Chiropractic  helps restore  HOMEOSTASIS  to the body.  Chiropractic helps restore homeostatic balance to your nervous system--- the MASTER Control system.
You  cannot be 慼ealthy?if you have a Subluxation.  You cannot be 慼ealthy?if you are out of balance.  You MAY feel it, with a pain, stiffness, or a 慿ink?in your neck/ back.  You may NOT  even feel it-
just as people often do not feel the cavity growing in their tooth,,,, until it hits the nerve; or you may not feel it at all, like people do not feel high blood pressure or diabetes until AFTER damage has been done!!  PREVENTION-  Visit the Doctor of Chiropractic REGULARLY,,, just like your dentist!  (practice spinal hygiene as you do dental hygiene)  -PREVENTION!-

Build health, build balance, help your body maintain homeostasis!   Practice  good spinal hygiene, just as you practice god dental hygiene.  See your Doctor of Chiropractic for a preventive  regimen of chiropractic, rather than waiting for pain or a problem ?wherever that pain/ problem/ condition may be expressed in your body.


Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians;  Diplomat, 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

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Disk   Herniation  

Back  Pain, neck pain   can be caused by many different things.

 Big, BAD, catastrophic things like a tumor or a cancer can cause l back / neck pain (only a proper exam by a licensed doctor, like your Doctor of Chiropractic, or your family Doctor of Medicine, can evaluate your signs and symptoms, and perhaps refer for testing).

 Big, bad things like a Herniated Disc, sciatica, possible fracture or dislocation can cause back / neck pain (again, best evaluated by your DC or MD, and perhaps referral).  

Bad things, like  - Sprains, Strains, contusion, or Vertebral Subluxation Complex (all very efficiently diagnosed and treated by your Doctor Of Chiropractic).  

Sometimes Back / neck  pain is caused by a Herniated disc: Herniated  disk  is  actually  a  quite  common  condition.   However,  the course of the condition is highly variable.   Some patients with a herniated disk literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar MRI findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights.   Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months. Although the course is highly variable, there are certain steps that are always helpful to follow:  Ice the area when painful-  10/ 15minutes on, 30/ 45 minutes off;  avoid certain postures and movements;  bend the knees when coughing or sneezing;  bend the knees when lifting anything;  do not extend legs straight out when sitting, laying down, lifting, or driving.   Avoiding certain movements and postures will prevent aggravation of the condition.   Practicing good postures and movement patterns will help the condition heal and be less painful. Disk  Herniation  is often caused by, or often  concurrent with the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.

         Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  憇ubluxation?

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.

Subluxation  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:
         The VSC contributes to OsteoArthritic degeneration.  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.  When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition.  Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.   
          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.

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I hope this information helps you.

PLEASE do not hesitate to RE-contact me here at AllExperts.com if you need
further information, want to give me further, etc.

Thank you for the question.

Wishing you Good Health Naturally !

Your Staten Island Chiropractic expert,

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC DACBSP
email newsletter: - - - drvictordolan.chiroweb.com