Question
Hello , I have been in pain for aprox.6 weeks, recently in the last week diagnosed via MRI with a neck bone spur in my c5 cervical. I've been in a lot of pain + tingling down my right arm to my thumb. Gabapentin, Vicodin, and over the counter ibu offer some relief. I've consulted with a surgeon. And have made 2 visits to a highly recommended chiropractor. Will the chiropractic visits ever get me back to normal? Or do keep researching nuro surgery?
Sincerely,   -dm  

Answer
David,

The only reason to have surgery is if there is compression of the nerve such that you lose arm muscle function AND you have relentless pain.   Otherwise, you must continue to try conservative measures.  Neck tractioning, both in the doctor's office and at home is very helpful.   It's only been 6 weeks, and in the larger scheme of things that's not a real long time (I know, that depends on who is the owner of the painful neck and arm).   Manual and mechanical neck traction, carefully applied chiropractic joint manipulation, and heat application to any sore muscles is your best bet. Also, if you do neck traction with a head harness, please wear a football mouthguard so that your jaw joints don't get jammed.  If all goes well, your treatment should reduce the symptoms within a few weeks.   The DC should be monitoring your neurologic signs: Reflexes, hand/finger strengths, skin sensation (via pinwheel or light touch).  

'Hope this helps.

Dr. G