Question
Dear Doctor,

I am a 38 year old girl. My problems:

neck pain since 1996. has been getting better the past 3 years, but I do experience left arm pain on and off.

MRI Shows: Straightening of lordosis, disc degeneration at C5/C6, with spurs flattening the cord, but no cord compression. The left neural foramen is narrowed due to spurs.

Question: After having seen the MRI film, I am in constant worry that this condition will paralyze me. Therefore, simply: Is it possible that I could live with this throuhout my life without developing spinal cord compression??

Next: I was diagnosed 4 years ago with a small disc herniation at T10/T11 just touching the cord. Symptoms was tingling in groin area. Symptoms went away and I went throught a succesfull pregnancy and birth of my daughter.
Now...the symptoms are back. Slight pain at T10/11 and buzzing feeling that comes and goes in groin area. it has been 4 weeks now, symptoms are not getting worse nor better.
Question: Is is possible that I could live with this without it getting worse? or does this indicate a slow  progression towards paralyzation?

I hope for some answers based on your expertise.

Thank you so much!  

Answer
Disc herniation and degeneration



Hello Joanna,


I am sorry to hear of your problems.

You mention a couple of times in your question 'paralysis'; no, this is not a usual or expected outcome given the findings you have presented here.

Of course, if you have some kind of trauma, some kind of injury: a fall down stairs, a motor vehicle accident, whatever- these things could cause paralysis.  Perhaps down the line some disease process could occur to cause paralysis;  but the findings of OsteoArthritic type degeneration in your cervical spine and a small herniated disc in your mid back would not be expected to cause, or progress to cause paralysis.

"Question: Is is possible that I could live with this without it getting worse?", Absolutely YES.  See your local Doctor of Chiropractic.

The Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) treats spinal problems like this and worse then this all day, every day.   Chiropractic care should help slow or stop this condition from progressing.  

If you do nothing,,,, if you 'let this be', it is likely to progress- not to paralysis but to greater pain and dysfunction.  If you 'do something'- ie: chiropractic care= proper alignment/ movement of the segments of the spine, proper postures, proper movement patterns - then you should slow or possibly stop future deterioration of your current condition.

I have a classmate from Palmer College of Chiropractic who practices in Denmark, perhaps you could find Dr. Claus Brandt-Jacobsen, DC.
If you can find him, he may be close, or may be able to refer you to a good doctor closer to your location.

"neck pain since 1996. has been getting better the past 3 years, but I do experience left arm pain on and off."  What happened in 1996?- did you injure yourself somehow?, have a Motor Vehicle Accident?, slip- trip- fall, lift something heavy?  did you wake up with your worst stiff neck ever, and finally seek some kind of treatment?

"MRI Shows: Straightening of lordosis, disc degeneration at C5/C6, with spurs flattening the cord, but no cord compression. The left neural foramen is narrowed due to spurs."  Your MRI shows damage consisitent with trauma to your neck- ie: 'whiplash', cervical strain/ sprain from a car accident; or perhaps for years you slept upon your stomach (bad posture- causes slow, progressive damage to your neck and back); perhaps you played a lot of soccer 'heading' the ball often- causing neck trauma?  Your MRI shows OsteoArthritic degeneration, the kind you would expect after the different typse of activities listed above.  This is the type of condition Chiropractic Doctors see very very often in our offices, and usually treatment is very successful.

"Symptoms went away ...", SYMPTOMS  often 'go away', BUT the condition can often be progressively getting worse.  Have you ever stepped outside from your darker house into bright sunlight?- initially your eyes are almost blinded by the light, but after a minute, your nerves,,, your eye nerves have adapted and the sunlight is no longer blinding to you.   Have you ever walked into a bar or restaurant with loud music?- initially you cannot hear anything but the loud music, and it is irritating,  then,,,, after a few minutes, the nerves, your EAR nerves , ADAPT to the sound, and suddenly, even though the loud music is still playing, your nerves no longer send messages of irritation.  Same in your neck.  Your pain may have remissed, but if your neck was not aligned properly, not moving properly - - then deterioration was continuing insidiously, painlessly.

"Next: I was diagnosed 4 years ago with a small disc herniation at T10/T11 just touching the cord. Symptoms was tingling in groin area. Symptoms went away and I went throught a succesfull pregnancy and birth of my daughter.
Now...the symptoms are back. Slight pain at T10/11 and buzzing feeling that comes and goes in groin area. it has been 4 weeks now, symptoms are not getting worse nor better."
         Symptoms are getting worse, not better?- See a health professional for an evaluation.  Again I recommend a Doctor of Chiropractic or a Neurologist Medical Doctor.  You have a herniated disc in the thoracic spine, that probably explains your symptoms, but a good examination is needed to confirm the symptom/ cause connection.

My Staten Island Disc Herniation and Neck Pain Patients all get information sheets handed out to them on their first visit to my office, perhaps this information will be helpful to you:




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.

^^^^^^^^^^ Be careful of medication side effects.



Disk   Herniation  

Back  Pain  can be caused by many different things.  Big, BAD, catastrophic things like a tumor or a cancer can cause low back 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 BP (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 BP 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.

^^^^^^^^^^^^ This is why I recommend a Doctor of Chiropractic.


I do not have an address or phone number for my classmate, Dr. Brandt-Jacobsen, DC; we talk through Email.  But I do know he is in Denmark, please look him up for advice.

I hope this information calms you about paralysis, helps you with treatment options.

If you need further, please do not hesitate to re-contact me here at
AllExperts.com
http://www.allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm


I wish you Good Luck and Good Health,

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
Email newsletter: http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com