Question
I am an 19 y/o female, almost 2 years ago I was involved in a car accident(I was rearended by two cars at a complete stop). After almost 2 years in chronic pain with no solid diagnosis I found out I have a cervical herniation at C5/6, thoracic herniation T9/10,annular injury and protrusion at C6/7, annular bulging at T7/8 and other cervical bulging discs.The doctor told me me they didn't understand how all of that can missed for so long after seeing many doctors and having numerous MRI'S. I have had every conservative treatment suggested ....rest,ice and heat therapy, physical therapy, chiropractic, massage therapy, traction, ultrasound therapy,various medications,(I currently do not take any pain meds or have in the past), 2 sets of triggerpoint injections, cervical epidural, acupuncture, and now facet block injections. I have exhausted every option possible. I didn't respond to the facet block injection I had 3 weeks ago,T7-11 were done. Most of the pain is midback and the shoulders numbness and tingly is more prevalent on the left upper back-midback.My only option left is surgery, so I am scheduled for the thoracic discogram in about a week.I have had a cervical discogram and that showed I had a cervical herniation opposed to a bulging disc.I believe I am headed in the right direction for treatment. Are there any new minimally invasive surgeries available? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.  

Answer
Alex,

I can't answer your question about surgeries, as my practice addresses the aftermath of injuries with the intention to avoid (unnecessary) surgeries.

The constellation of conditions you describe indicate patterns of muscular contraction triggered by the accident.  Disc bulges,  herniations and protrusions commonly result from highly contracted muscles along the spine.

The annular tear is probably a result of the accident, itself, and, to my understanding, requires surgical repair.

The prognosis for the other conditions, addressed surgically, is rather poor, as they result from a precondition that surgery can't properly address:  reflexive muscular contractions.  You can't quiet reflexes with surgery and any attempt to do so would result in permanent functional losses.

You've already discovered what didn't work -- but that doesn't constitute "every possible option" -- just the options of which you were aware.

The conservative approach I recommend would be first to address the muscular contractions through a retraining process:  clinical somatic education.  I direct you to articles on back pain and recovery from injuries at somatics.com/page4b.htm. Then, surgical repair of the annular tears.  Then, a final course of somatic education, in conjunction with physical therapy or alone.

with regard and best wishes,
Lawrence Gold