“What can I do to
help myself for my herniated disk in my neck?”
help myself for my herniated disk in my neck?”
The mnemonic device “PRICE”
stands for Protect, Rest, Ice, Compress
and Elevate is a good tool to
use in the acute stage of many musculoskeletal conditions.
stands for Protect, Rest, Ice, Compress
and Elevate is a good tool to
use in the acute stage of many musculoskeletal conditions.
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Protect
your health by NOT placing yourself in an environment that is likely to harm
you, such as playing sports or doing heavy yard work. That is, think about what you do BEFORE you
do it and if sharp, radiating pain occurs, STOP and assess the importance of
what you are doing. Use the concept, “…don’t
pick at your cut.” This means if you
want the injury to heal, don’t keep irritating it!
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Rest is
similar. Limit your activities to those
that can be done without increasing symptoms, especially radiating pain.
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Ice –
The use of ice reduces swelling/inflammation, which reduces pain and promotes
healing. Alternate it every 15-20
minutes (on/off/on/off/on) several times a day.
You can also use contrast therapy (ice/heat/ice/heat/ice) at
10/5/10/5/10 intervals to “pump” out the swelling.
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Compress
– The use of a collar worn backwards, if it’s more comfortable that way, can
literally “take the load off” the neck and the disks. There are even inflatable collars which are
pumped up with air to traction the neck.
Other forms of traction will be discussed further.
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Elevate
– The concept of raising the ankle to the height of the heart so swelling ca
drain out of the ankle is the classic example of “elevation.” In the neck, the traction concept may apply
once again.
“I don’t want to have
surgery if I can help it. What can you
do as a Chiropractor to help me?”
surgery if I can help it. What can you
do as a Chiropractor to help me?”
This is one of our primary goals, and in fact, the goal of
ALL health care providers, even surgeons!
Chiropractic offers anti-inflammatory measure: ice, herbal
anti-inflammatory agents (ginger, turmeric, bioflavonoid, curcumin, bromelain, Rosemary
extract, Boswellia extract and more), digestive enzymes taken between meals,
muscle relaxant nutrients (valerian root, vitamin D, B complex, chamomile,
magnesium, and others) as well as other non-pharmaceutical options. Treatments consist of manual manipulation,
mobilization, traction (for home and office), modalities such as laser and low-level
laser, electrical muscle stimulation, magnetic field, ultrasound and
others. Mosst important is having a “coach”
guide you through the stages of healing by first addressing the acute
inflammatory stage (first 72 hours), the proliferative or reparative phase (up
to 6-8 weeks), followed by the remodeling phase (8 weeks to 1 or 2 years) and
finally, the contraction phase (lifetime – includes the natural shortening of
scar tissue). If manual traction reduces
neck and arm pain, the use of home traction is very effective. Options include sitting over-the-door
traction, laying down versions, and mobile traction collars (discussed
previously). Exercises to stretch and strengthen
the neck are also very important in reducing neck pain as well as preventing
recurrences. If in spite of all the best
efforts of the no-surgical care approach should ongoing neurological loss and
relentless symptoms continue, we will coordinate care with physiatrists for
possible injection therapy and pharmaceuticals, with neurology for further
testing (such as EMG/NCV – a nerve test), and/or neuro or orthopedic surgery – THE
LAST RESORT!
ALL health care providers, even surgeons!
Chiropractic offers anti-inflammatory measure: ice, herbal
anti-inflammatory agents (ginger, turmeric, bioflavonoid, curcumin, bromelain, Rosemary
extract, Boswellia extract and more), digestive enzymes taken between meals,
muscle relaxant nutrients (valerian root, vitamin D, B complex, chamomile,
magnesium, and others) as well as other non-pharmaceutical options. Treatments consist of manual manipulation,
mobilization, traction (for home and office), modalities such as laser and low-level
laser, electrical muscle stimulation, magnetic field, ultrasound and
others. Mosst important is having a “coach”
guide you through the stages of healing by first addressing the acute
inflammatory stage (first 72 hours), the proliferative or reparative phase (up
to 6-8 weeks), followed by the remodeling phase (8 weeks to 1 or 2 years) and
finally, the contraction phase (lifetime – includes the natural shortening of
scar tissue). If manual traction reduces
neck and arm pain, the use of home traction is very effective. Options include sitting over-the-door
traction, laying down versions, and mobile traction collars (discussed
previously). Exercises to stretch and strengthen
the neck are also very important in reducing neck pain as well as preventing
recurrences. If in spite of all the best
efforts of the no-surgical care approach should ongoing neurological loss and
relentless symptoms continue, we will coordinate care with physiatrists for
possible injection therapy and pharmaceuticals, with neurology for further
testing (such as EMG/NCV – a nerve test), and/or neuro or orthopedic surgery – THE
LAST RESORT!
We realize that you have a choice in where you choose your
healthcare services. If you, a friend or
family member requires care for neck pain, we sincerely appreciate the trust and
confidence shown by choosing our services and look forward in serving you and
your family presently and, in the future
healthcare services. If you, a friend or
family member requires care for neck pain, we sincerely appreciate the trust and
confidence shown by choosing our services and look forward in serving you and
your family presently and, in the future