Question
I am 47 yr old female.  The vertabrae between 6/7 has been x-rayed and is deteriorating causing extreme pain in my right shoulder and neck.  I have been to Physical Therapy, Used Laster treatments, muscle relaxers, and Ibuprophen to descrease the pain.  These treatments worked for 3 months and now the stabbing pains are back.  My MD has requested my insurance to refer me to a Nuro surgeon and a Orthopedic surgeon for the replacement of the 6/7 disks.  Can a Chiropractor help or is surgery the best option?

Answer
DeDe,

Thanks for your question and I hope that I can help.  I am sorry for your problem that you are experiencing.  Your best route for resolution depends on the condition of that disc.  I would certainly recommend that you undergo an MRI study, which better shows the discs and nerves and related structures than just a plain film xray.  If you have not had an MRI, ask for one.  The surgeons usually do not want to see you until you have had an MRI.

IF you are having radiating pain down the arm, then the problem is worse.  However, I would recommend a consult and evaluation and course of treatment with a chiropractor.  Neck surgery is major.  If you can avoid it this would be preferable.  I have sent hundreds of patients for cervical disc surgery and the higher percentage of them have done just great, but if you can avoid it, do it.  The chiropractor should be able to offer more relief and correction than the PT and meds because the chiro treatment will include structural correction.

I recommend a consult and course of chiropractic care, if you don't get the results, then surgery is probably your only option.  

I would be happy to help give you my opinion after you get one from your chiropractor.  Just contact me again through allexperts.com and let me know what he has to say.

God Bless,

Dr. Boss