Anyone use chiroractor to correct bulging discs?

I had this posted in another section, but the situation changed a bit. I have 2 bulging discs in cervical numbers 5 and 6. This causes nerve impingement and tricep is flat, arm is 1/2 inch smaller than right one. Saw a surgeon and he had 3 options and the most viable one for me is surgery. He said I'd be one PM in hospital, neck brace for 30 days, but would expect full recovery in 90 days. I'd be off a good part of that, except for lower body, no squats.

He also said in my case, healthy, non smoker, in good shape, very low risk. Presser, I know you told me of yr experience, not good. I am getting 2nd opinion from another spine DR. Would a chiropractor do any good at all? I'm kind of limited on what my insurance pays, not sure they cover DC's.

The Dr did say that my arm would come back in time. So any other info would be appreciated.

A chiropractor will not be able to cure a bulging disc. The only method supported by scientific studies is use of a gravity inverter table, where you hang upside down for 3 or 4 minutes. This allows fluids to return to the disc and in time cause it to swell up. Relieving the nerve pressure .It is a low cost solution too.

By the way, I had a friend that went to a chiropractor and as part of the "treatment" he stretched out his ankles and ended up tearing both achillies tendons that run up the back of the ankle. It took him 3 months to recover from that. He never went to a chiropractor again.

I have a totally different experience with chiropractors. I have two 'bulging' discs and 2 'protruding' discs in my neck. I have seen various chiropractors over the years for this and other issues with good results. In my case, I always seek out chiropractors who are certified in Active Release Techniques, which is "soft tissue work". It's much more focused and intense than a deep tissue massage but I guess somewhat similar in ways. If you look at the A.R.T. website you can view providers and their certifications (one of which is for nerve entrapment).

In any case, I've never had a chiropractor hurt me; if I've been uncomfortable with what the doc was doing I've spoken up and the doc stopped and took a different approach. I've been helped by the chiros I've been to, though if course they can't fix things that are broken or torn.

Survivor, you have to make your own decision,nof course, but I wouldn't hesitate to at least consult with a reputable A.R.T. chiropractor. Some of their treatme ts aren't covered by some insurance, either, but they should be able to tell you if that's the case up front.

I'm not affiliated in any way with A.R.T, just have had good experience and like to pass it on.

The Survivor said:

I had this posted in another section, but the situation changed a bit. I have 2 bulging discs in cervical numbers 5 and 6. This causes nerve impingement and tricep is flat, arm is 1/2 inch smaller than right one. Saw a surgeon and he had 3 options and the most viable one for me is surgery. He said I'd be one PM in hospital, neck brace for 30 days, but would expect full recovery in 90 days. I'd be off a good part of that, except for lower body, no squats.

He also said in my case, healthy, non smoker, in good shape, very low risk. Presser, I know you told me of yr experience, not good. I am getting 2nd opinion from another spine DR. Would a chiropractor do any good at all? I'm kind of limited on what my insurance pays, not sure they cover DC's.

The Dr did say that my arm would come back in time. So any other info would be appreciated.

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I have exactly the same issue at my C7 that resulted from an injury I had back in 1995. Flat tricept. Front delt is smaller than my right delt. Left arm is 1" smaller than right arm. Top side of my left forearm has a dent in it where the muscle has atrophied. I just lived with it for all these years, because I have no pain associated with this issue. I am going to get another MRI and see what my options are. Keep us posted on what you decide to do.

EMW14 said:

I have a totally different experience with chiropractors. I have two 'bulging' discs and 2 'protruding' discs in my neck. I have seen various chiropractors over the years for this and other issues with good results. In my case, I always seek out chiropractors who are certified in Active Release Techniques, which is "soft tissue work". It's much more focused and intense than a deep tissue massage but I guess somewhat similar in ways. If you look at the A.R.T. website you can view providers and their certifications (one of which is for nerve entrapment).

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I have researched this myself, and have not ruled it out. There is an A.R.T. practitioner who specializes in nerve entrapment issues close by to me. Depending on the exact nature of the impinged nerve, this would be a very favorable option over surgery. My only concern in my particular circumstances is whether or not the nerve will regenerate after being impinged for almost 20 years.

My disc (c-4 through c-7) were herniated and the chiropractor did no help what so ever. At the time a new laser surgery came out where they went in through the front of my neck and burned out the herniations. Stretching helped temporarily but the surgery was definitely needed. It was done as a out patient surgery. Had to wear a neck brace for two weeks and fully recovered in about 3 months. Glad i did it. The herniated disc caused severe headaches and my left fingers would go numb constantly. When i start to get headaches now i stretch my neck, it pops and the headache instantly goes away. Good luck brother, wish you the best.

Beast, check it out. Of course, there are no magicians, but maybe it would help you. The way I understand it, nerves can regenerate, but slowly. No idea if 20 years of impingement changes this or not. I had a nerve in my face get damaged as a result of botched oral surgery 31 years ago, and to this day I still have slow improvement in feeling in my chin and lip, so in my case that nerve is still ... I don't know what: growing? Increasing in sensitivity? It's doing something 30 years later, but it was momentarily damaged, not stressed for 20 years... for whatever that's worth. Probably not much, but there you have it.

Thanks EMW14. I will definitely look closer into A.R.T. nerve entrapment specialists. Whatever I do, I am going to something about my issue this year.

i've never been to a chiropractor, but i do wanna give it a try

d12hazz said:

My disc (c-4 through c-7) were herniated and the chiropractor did no help what so ever. At the time a new laser surgery came out where they went in through the front of my neck and burned out the herniations. Stretching helped temporarily but the surgery was definitely needed. It was done as a out patient surgery. Had to wear a neck brace for two weeks and fully recovered in about 3 months. Glad i did it. The herniated disc caused severe headaches and my left fingers would go numb constantly. When i start to get headaches now i stretch my neck, it pops and the headache instantly goes away. Good luck brother, wish you the best.

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thats precisely where i need my Fusion, c4 through c7 , sucks and i wouldn't go anywhere near a chiropractor with herniated discs

Presser. How long did it take you to recover to the extent that you could get back into the gym?

BEASTZ6 said:

Presser. How long did it take you to recover to the extent that you could get back into the gym?

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Good question, it takes "a while" is subjective. Espicially for nerve damage to come back. I would think a while would be a solid 6 months right??

Physical therapy may help.

I remember reading somewhere that nerves regenerate at about 1" per year.

ive been going to chiropractor the past 2 months and still cant curl 30lbs dumbbell with my right arm or do a single pull up. i think the IGF did more for the pain and being able to move than the chiropractor. ive been saying im going to get MRI done but instead i take my ass to the gym

Brother,

I use to go to them all the time before I had to have back surgery. They keep me going!!! I still go when I need to. If you can find a good one, they are worth the cost.

Lift on!!!

BEASTZ6 said:

I remember reading somewhere that nerves regenerate at about 1" per year.

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How does one know how shorter they've become? I thought at least in my case, it was impingment issue not a shortening one. Maybe I'm wrong

The Survivor said:

How does one know how shorter they've become? I thought at least in my case, it was impingment issue not a shortening one. Maybe I'm wrong

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I don't think this applies in your case. I am talking about a circumstance wherein a nerve is shriveled up and dead from being impinged for so long, or severed from some sort of trauma. In these instances, the nerve regeneration process is a very slow one.

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IronJulius said:

ive been going to chiropractor the past 2 months and still cant curl 30lbs dumbbell with my right arm or do a single pull up. i think the IGF did more for the pain and being able to move than the chiropractor. ive been saying im going to get MRI done but instead i take my ass to the gym

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I hear ya bro. It sucks to struggle to curl when your nerves aren't "firing" the muscle. Its like you can't feel the muscle contracting.

Presser said:

thats precisely where i need my Fusion, c4 through c7 , sucks and i wouldn't go anywhere near a chiropractor with herniated discs

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The chiropractor definitely made mine worse. I would go just for the electric stimulation of the muscles around the neck area. Wouldn't let him adjust me.