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Pinched Nerve Problem

(8 discussions)

Hi, I hope you can help.
I have been going to the chiropractor and have gone 7 times. The area is below my shoulder I would say around the C-7, T-1 area, that is my guess. I started out with this dull pain especially when I stood at the counter fixing dinner and when I would pick up my 16 month daughter. Then I would get the burning needle pain. Then, it went to like a spasm where I felt my muscles couldn’t relax. The chiropractor did the ultrasound, and electric treatment, but I didn’t think it worked.
My skin is very sensitive in that area also. My question, is, by 7 visits, shouldn’t I be feeling some sort of relief? I choose not to go to my family Dr. because I really don’t want a muscle relaxer that is just going to be a bandade for the area. I know everyone is different, and time varies.
I just thought by now the adjustments should be taking more pressure off the nerve. Any thoughts? Could I possibly have more of a nerve issue than what I am being treated for?? Thanks


8 comments

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    9 10

    ok,i went last night and she said the same thing, it will not show on an x-ray. She does adjust my neck and last night she did more of this stretching pulling thing. She mentioned that by 3-4 weeks I should be seeing an improvement. And that my next step would be an MRI. That leads me to this. I am so confused as what to do. I called my regular Dr. and I am waiting on a call back. I just want her to know what is going on. So my question now is, #1, should I get a second opinion from another chiropractor? But I don’t want to go to another one and it take just as long and no results. There is that possibility that my current chiro. is not doing what needs to be done. #2, I have had absolutely no trauma to my spine, no wrecks nothing, how can all of a sudden a disc be messed up with no trauma? I am so new to this, so it just mind boggles me.#3, What do you do for patients that have disc problems?

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    9 10

    People can blow a disc out sneezing. As discs degenerate they become weak and doing something trivial can cause them to slip, like turning your head to look over your shoulder. Sounded like yours were in good shape. Your doctor is on the right track and practicing the standard of care, stick with it. How many treatments have you had? Your MD will do nothing but give you some pills or send you to physical therapy. Your chiropractor is probably doing some therapy along with the adjustments. Sometimes these things can take a little while to go away. Trauma does not have to be experienced to develop the symptoms you are having, sometimes the onset is just insidious. I have had patients come to me that awoke feeling like you do with no history of doing anything but going to bed. Many times vertebra will move out of position, the body will compensate for this (no symptoms), then BAM! you look over your shoulder or pick up the paper and its out. Your body has come to the point it can no longer compensate and symptoms present themselves. No need to run off and get an MRI right away. The typical approach is to treat a few weeks, not improving as anticipating then MRI time. I may have jumped too soon to say get a MRI. If you want a second opinion I may be able to help, what town do you live in? I can see if one of my colleagues is near. You could email me if you like.

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    9 10

    I have done therapy with the adjustments. Ultrasound, and this procedure called Matrix where it sends electric shock maybe to the area. I have gone a total of 8 times and my chiropractor said an MRI is the next step. I agree when you talk about an MD, I just thought I would let her know what is going on. So I am probably right on track to get an MRI. I hope it is not a disc problem and perhaps need to visit a new chiropractor but if it is a disc in the area I have described, may I ask what the treatment is for it? The thought that crosses my mind is if my chiropractor has been giving me adjustments for that particular area and it is a disc issue, what kind of adjustment will she do differently that she is not already doing?

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    9 10

    Hey Steph, I know this thread is old but… how did it go eventually? Did the pain healed? I have kind of the same issue but I’ve not gone to the chiropractor yet.

    doc4bax

    9 10

    Which shoulder? Below the shoulder blade right? some organic problems can cause pain referral under the shoulder blades. Sounds muscular/neuro from what you describe and sometimes these things can take a little time to respond. I’m thinking disc. Things need to be reevaluated if no improvement in 12 visits. I would order an MRI if thats the case. Could just be the chiropractor and their approach, may want to try a different chiropractor. Not saying the one you have is bad, maybe you can find a chiropractor that does a different technique and see if that helps.

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      9 10

      It is under my right shoulder, probably half a finger length down. I know there is really no quick fix, just thought by now when I do the specific activites I mentioned, I would be feeling relief. My chiropractor took x-rays my first visit and definintely didn’t mention a disk, but who knows. She also said the spacing between the vertebraes looks good, so would that rule out the disk? She just mentioned that my pelvis is tilted and the vertebraes should be straight and mine slants and that is what is causing my nerve to be pinched. I was just wondering if perhaps I have more issues with the nerve than what she thinks. I don’t have any numbness or tingle sensation down my arms or down my back just that one area. So it has to be some movement that I am doing in those things mentioned that causes the burning and spasm type feeling. When I sit at my desk all day and when I go to bed, it doesn’t bother me. Thanks for the response and any extra advice is appreciated.

        doc4bax

        9 10

        Disc bulges or protrusions don’t show up on x-ray. MRI is the way to go, had patients with similar complaints (no numbness or tingling) and turned out they had a lower cervical disc bulge. This does not mean it is in your case, just a suggestion. Does the doctor adjust your neck and upper back? How are things going, are you improving at all?

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    9 10

    How long should I have very bad pain? I have had it for three weeks now and what should I do to help it?

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