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Re: PINCHED NERVE IN NECK, HELP, doc says I need Surgery.

I feel for you! Hope you can get some resolution with all of this. I had a pinched nerve a while back (wasn't as serious as yours) I was able to heal it by change in lifestyle.  Diet, exercise, and removing things that caused stress in that area. I used to carry a heavy laptop bag on my right shoulder--simply switching to my left shoulder cause the nerve to slowly heal itself..

Harpoinseoul has sound advice . Get a second or third opinion. Good luck to you.


Re: PINCHED NERVE IN NECK, HELP, doc says I need Surgery.

Hi

 

I have had spinal problems for about 15 years since breaking a vertebrae as a 16 year old, going through 3 car crashes with pretty bad whiplash injuries and then damaging a disc in my neck about 9 months ago. I can sympathise. I think I had the same problem as you a couple of years ago where my arm was in a lot of pain and I has no feeling in the fingers of both hands. It was so frustrating and I know what you're going through. I really think surgery is too extreme however. There are ways to cope and it can be managed even though you feel hopeless now. Feel free to drop me a line. In the meantime - alternate cold and hot packs - ice on the area for maybe 20 minutes then a hot pack immediately after for 20. Keep alternating and do this as often as possible and also keep up with the hot baths. Pursue Chiropractors or Osteopaths and Acupuncture can be good too. But I think surgery is probably way too extreme. I would never go with the verdict of one doctor. Be patient with it (I think mine lasted around 3 weeks to a month - ish) and as I said feel free to get in touch - I have been dealing with these issues for half of my life. Cheers.

Re: PINCHED NERVE IN NECK, HELP, doc says I need Surgery.

lippyimp,
Thank you for that. The intensity of the pain gets better each week. It's been about 4 weeks now, but still have extreme stiffness in my neck.


In the last 4 weeks, I've visited the hospital, which the doctor refused to give me pain meds, 3 different acupuncturists, all with different techniques, and 3 sessions at the chiropractor. The chiropractor pushed hard on the nerve root to massage the muscle around the vertebrae before manipulating it, but I think it made it worse, inflaming the nerve more. I think he is a good Chiropractor but need to wait until the nerve root heals before getting more treatment. Now, I'm just going to the acupuncturist a few time a week. Hopefully it will help.


The numbness in my hand persists all day, but the pain diminishes throughout the day and is almost gone at night...but when morning comes, its full force and the cycle starts all over. Does this sound familiar? I don't know if because I've built up tolerance throughout the day or I'm sleeping funny. Do you have any suggestions on how to lay down?


Thank you again for your help.

Re: PINCHED NERVE IN NECK, HELP, doc says I need Surgery.

I know you probably need something other than this but have you tried the local bath house sauna and hot tubs? 

I have neck and back issues from a car accident 20years ago and if i don't go and soak and sweat at least once a week, my back and neck kill.   

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Re: PINCHED NERVE IN NECK, HELP, doc says I need Surgery.

Once my car actually had a slight collision six years ago, still do I feel some neck and upper back stiffness with no more chiro-exercise treatments I used to have in UWS manhattan.   Being a side & tummy sleeper, I always fit my neck and shoulder onto my chamois cloth.  

Since I'd mov'in to Busan, I had difficulty to find a good coussin for my sleeping habit; neither can I sleep on traditional mat. Recently I found a "Cervical pillow"(경추 베개) at Emart after having had an opportunity to use one.  It is now loved awake in long winter for my shoulder back!

Re: PINCHED NERVE IN NECK, HELP, doc says I need Surgery.

''On a side note, I feel privaleged to have gotten a response from the infamous lee-bum-suk notorious responder. I appreciate it :) ''

You are welcome, I hope your neck gets better. On my side note; (deleted by mod for unnecessary Korea bashing).

Re: PINCHED NERVE IN NECK, HELP, doc says I need Surgery.

Hi again. I didnt ask before - do you know what caused this - did you have an accident or anything? I would say pursue the chiropractic work and take ibuprofen as an anti-inflammatory and try the hot and cold treatments I mentioned before. I still feel some tingling and numbness in my hands when I don't look after my back so if you have suffered some kind of injury this is something that may recur in the future, but I'm sure this trapped nerve will pass in time.  As I said mine lasted for maybe a month - it just passed eventually and the doctor could not help. I remember it being awful but I would say be patient and definitely use anti-inflammatorys.

What is your opinion of the English chiropractor by the way, and what is his verdict?