AboutR. Scott Malone L.Ac. Expertise I can answer questions on Acupuncture and Chinese medicine.
I specialize in women's issues, mental-emotional issues and headache.
Experience I have been in practice for 10 years.
Organizations I am certified and state liscensed.
Education/Credentials Graduated from the T'ai Institute of Oriental Medicine with certificates in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.
Expert: R. Scott Malone L.Ac. Date: 6/26/2008 Subject: eastern vs western medicine/Pain
Question I have just recently started seeing a Chinese acupuncturist for pain. In May I had spinal fusion surgery in my neck and still have some pain from nerve impingement, but mostly I have terrible low back pain from bulging disks. My doctors have told me it is untreatable and have tried a variety of pain drugs, none of which have helped me much. My acupuncturist doesn't want me to take things like Advil or other pain drugs, but I'm reluctant to give up even the small amount of pain relief I'm getting from the drugs. How do I reconcile what my "Western" and "Eastern" experts are telling me to do? If I continue to take anti-inflammatory drugs am I canceling out the effect of the acupuncture? Western medicine is saying they can't help me much, but I have no prior experience with acupuncture and herbs to base any faith upon and I'm not sure what to do.
Answer Hey Ronnie!
To me Western medicine shines at emergency care.
You are in pain, take whatever you need to find some relief while your acupuncturist does what he does.
Bulging discs are best treated in my opinion by a chiropractor.
Chiropractors have been treating this forever, with GREAT result.
He won't attempt to manipulate a fusion, so no worries there.
My guess is you will have great relief within 2 weeks of seeing a chiropractor.
This is a case of using a screwdriver for a screw and a hammer for a nail. Chiropractors specialize in the spine, MD's in acute emergency care, and acupuncture in health care, maintainence, and balance in the body. Use each tool as it is appropriate.
Your MD will tell you it's crap, and your acupuncturist sounds like a control freak and will probably tell you not to go as well, but in my opinion, a chiropractor will give you the most relief in the shortest amount of time.
You take whatever you need to give you some relief until you can get some more lasting relief, that's what drugs are for, they don't fix anything, but they sure make you feel better until you can get some help.
Manipulation from a chiropractor is going to be much more effective than acupuncture for bulging disc relief. The acupuncture will help with the pain, but chances are acupuncture will not ease the pressure on them.
