QuestionOn 1/3/07 I slipped on a wet, ceramic tile floor and was unconscious (no floor signage). Had CAT of head and no MRI of neck and back areas at local hospital. I did, however, have extensive physical therapy of neck and all back regions. Felt pretty good and then I suffered from extreme pain and stiffness again in May 2008. MRI showed bone spur on C-4 and lower back pinched nerves. Now I'm in extreme pain daily. Could this have been a consequence of my fall in Jan. 2007? Prior to this, I was an avid exerciser with no previous injuries. I am able to walk only 3/4 to one mile daily and can only lift 2 to 3 lb weights. Feeling very discouraged!
Answerslip and fall, injury, trauma, unconscious, CT scan, Staten Island Slip and Fall, MRI Bone spur, Osteoarthritic degeneration, staten island chiropractic
Hello Christal173,
I am sorry to hear of your injury. I am sorry to hear of your continued pain and complaints.
".....Could this have been a consequence of my fall in Jan. 2007?....", Yes.
January 3, 2007, you slip/ trip/ fall and are knocked unconscious.
CT scan of head - good, you need to ascertain if there is any skull fracture, brain bleed, brain damage; Head trauma, initially- at the time- is the most important thing to evaluate and treat.
At some time post emergency room an MRI of the cervical and lumbar spine could have/ should have been done. Do you have simple neck/ back Xrays on the day you fell or shortly thereafter? Comparison of the Xrays taken 1/3/07 to current Xrays would be very helpful to show development, progress (or lack thereof) of any conditions.
This question of subsequent degeneration is a chiropractic bug-a-boo. People have a slip/ trip/ fall/ car accident/ sprain/ strain/ lifting injury,,,, regardless of the incident- have a trauma. Then most people say-- '...well I am in pain or sore or cannot function,,, but in a few days I'll be fine....'. Sometimes after days- the pain/ symptoms are still there, so now taking pain medications or muscle relaxants or a cold pack or a hot pack or a massage starts. ALL OF THESE THINGS TREAT SYMPTOMS.
A slip/ trip/ fall/ motor vehicle accident/ sp-strain/ etc -- OF COURSE there are muscular, tendon, ligament components of the problem. EVERYone accepts that. You can treat those components of the problem- cold packs, hot packs, massage, muscle stimulation, ultrasound, interferential, infrasound, range of motion, infrared, etc. etc. etc. These things all treat sypmptoms, all treat some of the soft tissue components. Pain/ dysfunction continues,,, time for chemicals. Now medications to cover up the pain, or relax the muscles, or anti-inflammatories--- all treating SYMPTOMS. This is the standard American, western approach towards your injury.
Symptomatic relief. Read the bottles of medications you take- over the counter and prescription; many (if not all) will tell you: "...for symptomatic relief..."- this tells you the treatment works on symptoms, not the CAUSE of the problem.
That slip/ trip/ fall/ MVA/ etc etc etc will also have a joint component, a mechanical component. All of the treatments, modalities mentioned above do not treat the mechanical component of the joint damage, the joint mal-alignment, the joint mis-alignment.
Joints can 'luxate' = a dislocation; easily observable, easily detectable; or a joint can 'subluxate' = a minor misalignment, causing changes in motion and alignment.
If muscles and ligaments and tendons are stretched/ contracted/ sp-strained, then OBVIOUSLY the joint that they surround/ support will not function properly and mal- or mis-align to some (even minor) extent. Therapies and medications may cover up the pain, soreness of this; but it is not getting at the cause.
Was that bone spur on a prior Xray/ MRI/ ct scan? A bone spur- an osteophyte is a bone's reaction to irritation. A bone spur- an osteophyte is a component of OsteoArthritis- the wear and tear disease. Many people think OsteoArthritis is a disease of Age.
This is incorrect. I have patients literally in their eighties and even nineties WITHOUT any arthritis. Why?- because they have taken care of their joints- keeping their joints in proper alignment, keeping wear and tear to a minimum. Some of these people have been going to the Doctor of Chiropractic (again literally) for 40 -50 -60 years and keep their joints functioning properly.
I recommend you visit a Doctor of Chiropractic for an evaluation and the spinal adjustments that may be necessary for your vertebral subluxations from this injury.
Chiropractic Doctors also have different specialties--- similar to Medical Doctors. If you are looking for a DC with additional credentials please see:
http://www.acatoday.org/pdf/ApprovedChiropracticSpecialtyPrograms.pdf
In my practice, my Staten Island Slip and Fall patients, as well as others get the following information handouts-- this may be helpful to you as well:
PAIN
Pain is a 憆ed light on the dashboard?
Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong.
That RED LIGHT on the dashboard of your car-
-- do you ignore it until the car breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?
Pain,
pain in your body-
-- do you ignore it until your body breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?
Pain,
do you cover up the pain by taking a painkiller?
Take a painkiller,
mask the pain,
and allow a problem to progress in your body?
NOTICE ON PAIN RELIEVERS:
Label changes ORDERED by FDA; the FDA announced proposed label changes for OTC over-the-counter pain relievers to include the potential for stomach bleeding and liver damage (FDA news 206- 207; 12-9-06) ;
The American Heart Association issued a scientific statement recommending medical doctors change the way they prescribe OTC pain relievers from a first choice to an alternate of recommending non-pharmacologic treatment (AHA statement 2-26-07).
NSAID Acceleration of ARTHRITIS; an important side effect of Aspirin and other NSAIDS is that it will inhibit cartilage repair and accelerate cartilage destruction ( Journal of Rheumatology, 1982; 9: 3- 5 ). Many times people take NSAIDS for the pain of Arthritis, not realizing these drugs may make the underlying condition worse. These medications cover up the pain, and cause the problem to worsen.
Pain can often be the result of the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Vertebral Subluxation ( 慥SC?, 憇ubluxation? )
Vertebral Subluxation is actually a quite common condition. Doctors of Chiropractic look for pathological conditions which may require referral to other specialties, and also look for 慡ubluxation? Other disciplines look for pathology, but overlook the importance of alignment and movement in the spine which affects our nervous system (the master control system- ALL health disciplines learn this). VSC- 慡ubluxation??can be the cause of many symptoms and conditions.
Only a Doctor of Chiropractic will evaluate and treat for VSC, as well as other pathology.
The course of VSC is highly variable. Some patients with VSC literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar test findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights. Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC, some patients take years to develop symptoms. Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months. Some people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.
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.
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.
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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揚inched Nerve?
( Also Known As- neuritis, neuralgia, brachial-neuritis, sciatica )
損inched nerve??is only ?a diagnosis,
WHAT is causing the 憄inch?
Your Doctor of Chiropractic will examine and evaluate you to make sure you are not showing signs of neurological damage or disease, tumors, cancers, severe pathology, perhaps a Herniated Disc, or a Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Sometimes we can wake up with a 憄inched nerve? or a muscle spasm.... sometimes a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, or even a motor vehicle accident can cause a 憄inched nerve? Very often - the true c a u s e of the pinched nerve, painor numbness in the: neck and/ or shoulder and/ or arm and/ or hand; pain in the back and/ or buttock/ hip/ leg/ knee/ foot - is a misalignment, a 慿ink?in the neck or back - more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation.
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.
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:
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.
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.
揚inched Nerve? ( Also Known As- neuritis, neuralgia, brachial-neuritis, sciatica )
損inched nerve??is only ?a diagnosis, WHAT is causing the 憄inch? ?That 損inch?has to be taken care of FIRST!
As the 損inch??the MECHANICAL component of the problem, the CAUSE of the problem is being taken care of through Chiropractic treatment, perhaps additional help would speed your return to health:
Nerve Health Support:
-----B complex containing thiamine, folic acid, B-12 and niacin is highly suggested for nerve support. High dose
B-vitamins should only be taken at the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.
-----B-6 is lower in patients with neuropathy. Vitamin B-6 reduces the glycosylation that can cause nerve damage. Amounts greater than 200mg/day can cause neuropathy symptoms.
-----Calcium and magnesium are important for nerve conduction and as muscle relaxants.
-----A multi-vitamin/mineral supplement is suggested for comprehensive support.
-----Essential fatty acids are necessary for nerve health. Essential fatty acids include omega-3 fatty acids (fish and flax oil) and omega-6 fatty acids (black currant seed oil, borage oil and evening primrose oil).
-----Proteolytic enzymes may be beneficial in neuritis for the inflammation.
-----Lecithin aids in nerve support.
-----Natural herbal remedies including passion flower, valerian, chamomile, scullcap and white willow bark may be helpful.
-----Eat a healthy diet. Avoid foods that stimulate the nervous system such as caffeine, chocolate, refined sugars, soda pop and cigarettes.
-----Drink plenty of filtered water.
-----Chiropractic care is imperative to remove nerve irritation.
Joint Support:
-----Glucosamine sulfate helps strengthen joint integrity. Glucosamine is effective in relieving joint pain associated with osteoarthritis. Glucosamine's pain-relieving effects may be due to its cartilage-rebuilding properties. These disease-modifying effects are not seen with simple analgesics and are of particular benefit.
-----MSM is known for its pain-relieving properties in such conditions as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, back pain and muscle soreness. Not many clinical trials have been done using MSM, but clinical observations support the theory that MSM is beneficial in pain managment.
-----White willow is an antiinflammatory and analgesic agent. White willow was used as far back as the Middle Ages to reduce pain and fevers. The salicylates found in the white willow bark are responsible for the anti-inflammatory and anti-fever effects. Acetylsalicylic acid, otherwise known as aspirin, is chemically similar to the salicylates.
-----Boswellia and turmeric (curcumin) are potent antiinflammatory herbs. Curcumin may have similar action to aspirin.
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You ask, what do I recommend?
Chiropractic to get to the cause.
Massage, Physical Therapy, Nutrition - will cover most of the aspects of the problem, with safe treatment approaches. But CHIROPRACTIC evaluation and treatment if appropriate should be included in your treatment regimen. Only Chiropractic will treat the bio-mechanical/ neuro-muscular-skeletal component of the problem.
I hope this helps.
If you need further,,, do not hesitate to REcontact me here at
AllExperts.
http://www.allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm
Wishing you Good Luck, Good Health, and health improvement,
your Internet Chiropractic Staten Island Expert,
Dr. Victor Dolan, DC DACBSP
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com - - -- - Email NewsLetter
