Expert: Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP - 11/14/2008

Question
Hello!

I have been suffering from back pain since mid-July 2008.  It radiates down
my right arm and index finger in the form of aching pain to "pins and
needles".  Although still painful, it has decreased somewhat.  I have seen a
neurosurgeon who examined me and my MRI and X-Rays.  He states that I
have a ruptured (or maybe a herniated, I can't remember what exactly he
said) disc in my neck.  I believe he said it was the 7th?  He prescribed a
traction device that I hang on the door (6 lbs. of water at 3 10 minute periods
a day) and a soft neck brace (as much as possible).  I recently read an
"allexperts.com" answer to a question with my exact symptoms from Dr. Tim
Durnin (on vacation right now) and he states that a chiropractor can heal this
pain quickly (2 weeks) with a towel traction method.  Could you recommend
to me a chiropractor in my area of the world?  I live in Franklin,
Massachusetts.  Of course, it would be great if he were associated with my
health insurance.  Perhaps you could recommend Jeffrey A. Smith of
Framingham?  And any more input you have based on the information I wrote
above would be greatly appreciated.  

Thank you!

Answer
Neck Pain, pins and needles, herniated disc, ruptured disc, slipped disc, pinched nerve, traction,

Hello Derek,

Sorry to hear of your neck pain, sorry to hear the symptoms radiate down your arm causing 'pins and needles', sorry to hear of your 'ruptured' or herniated disc.

In agreement with my fellow Doctor of Chiropractic, these types of symptoms are frequently brought to the chiropractic office, usually with excellent results.

Let me discuss your question a bit.

Neck pain, radiating pain, herniated disc.  These things represent different stages of neck problems.  Neck pain could be simply from sleeping wrong.  Neck pain is usually VERY easily addressed, corrected in the chiropractors office.  Neck pain WITH radiation of symptoms starts to become more complicated; this is a 'pinched nerve', a radiculitis, a neuritis (irritated nerves), possibly a radiculopathy (nerve DAMAGE).  Finally- the herniated disc is usually an even more complicated condition- with injury, physical damage to a disc that in turn irritates nerves.

All of the conditions in the previous paragraph respond to chiropractic care.  Neck pain (alone) is usually the easiest, quickest, least complicated.  The 'pinched nerve' is more complicated, needs more treatment, usually more time.  The 'herniated disc' usually requires even more time and treatment.

Certainly your symptoms as described in your question are appropriate to chiropractic care.  See a local Doctor of Chiropractic.

I am sure the Doctor you mention is a fine Doctor of Chiropractic.
If you arrived at Dr. Smith's name through local neighborhood word-of-mouth recommendation, nothing is better then that.  Speak with Chiropractic patients in your community to find out who to see, who to avoid!

Resources I like to use for referral:
http://lifechangingcare.com   - has many good DC recommendations.
Chiropractic organizations for Doctors with additional credentials in sports, orthopedics, neurology: http://www.acbsp.com/ , http://www.abconet.org/about.html , http://www.acnb.org/

In my Staten Island Chiropractic office I utilize informational handouts that may be helpful to you:

_________________________

PAIN
    
Pain  is a  ‘red light on the dashboard’.  
Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong.  

That RED LIGHT on the dashboard of your car- -- do you ignore it until the car breaks down, or do you get it checked and correct the problem?  Pain, pain in your body- -- do you ignore it until your body breaks down, or do you get it checked and correct the problem?   Pain,  do you cover up the pain by taking a painkiller?  Take a painkiller, mask the pain, and allow a problem to progress in your body?  

NOTICE  ON  PAIN  RELIEVERS:  
Label changes ORDERED by FDA;  the FDA announced proposed label changes for OTC over-the-counter pain relievers to include the potential for stomach bleeding and liver damage (FDA news  206- 207;  12-9-06) ;   
The  American Heart Association issued a scientific statement recommending medical doctors change the way they prescribe OTC pain relievers from a first choice to an alternate of recommending non-pharmacologic treatment (AHA statement  2-26-07).

Pain  can  often  be  the  result  of  the  Vertebral  Subluxation  Complex.

Vertebral  Subluxation           (  ‘VSC’ ,    ‘subluxation’   )

Vertebral Subluxation  is  actually  a  quite  common  condition.   Doctors of Chiropractic look for pathological conditions which may require referral to other specialties,   and also look for ‘Subluxation’. Other disciplines look for pathology, but overlook the importance of alignment and movement in the spine which affects our nervous system  (the master control system- ALL health disciplines learn this).




  Only a Doctor of Chiropractic will evaluate and treat for VSC.




  The course of VSC is highly variable.   Some patients with VSC literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar test findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights.    Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC,  some patients take years to develop symptoms.  Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months.  Some people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.

         Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  ‘subluxation’)
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.

A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.

Subluxation  is  a  serious  condition  identified  by  its  five  parts:

    Spinal Kinesiopathology:        This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.

    Neuropathophysiology:         Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.

    Myopathology:           Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.

    Histopathology:       A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.

    Pathophysiology:     The VSC contributes to OsteoArthritic degeneration.  Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.

The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.  When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition.  Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.
  
         Vertebral  Subluxation   cannot   be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching,  yoga,  vitamins  or  physical  therapy  alone.       Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular-    mechanical-    problem  requires  a    mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,     best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.
___________________________________

“Stiff   Neck”   ( Also Known As-  wryneck, torticollis, neck muscle spasm )

-can be caused by big bad things: cancers, tumors, fractures, even heart attacks- only history/ examination/ evaluation by an appropriate health professional can differentiate these problems/ conditions.   USUALLY  these  complaints  are  neuro-musculo-skeletal.   For  example: sometimes  we  can  wake  up  with  a  ‘stiff  neck’,  or  a  muscle spasm.... sometimes a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, or even a motor vehicle accident can cause a ‘stiff neck’.   Sometimes  we  just  slept  wrong !   Often-  the true    c a u s e   of  the neck stiffness and pain;  the underlying  c a u s e    of the complaint  - is a misalignment,  a ‘kink’  in  the  neck -  more  properly  termed  a   Vertebral  Subluxation.  Treat the   c a u s e,  not just  the  symptoms - for  true  improvement.

         Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  ‘subluxation’)
The  vertebral  subluxation  complex  is  the  underlying  cause  of  many  healthcare  problems.   A subluxation  interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system   (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body)   and may cause various other conditions, symptoms  and  problems.
This is a serious condition identified by its five parts:

                                     Spinal Kinesiopathology:
         This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion  the other four components.

                                     Neuropathophysiology:
         Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms  elsewhere in the body.

                                      Myopathology:
          Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring  repeated spinal adjustments.

                                      Histopathology:
         A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate.  Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.

                                      Pathophysiology:
         Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.

The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.
         Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.

          Vertebral  Subluxation   cannot    be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone.  Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem  requires   a mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,     best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.  For good health- Treat the   Cause,  not just the Symptoms.

Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine
_______________________________________

 I  hope this helps.

I wish you good luck and Good Health Naturally. If further information is necessary, please do not hesitate to re-contact me here at  AllExperts.com
( http://allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm )

Thank you,
your Staten Island Chiropractor friend signing off,

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com           (email newsletter)