Expert: Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP - 11/23/2009

Question
Hello,
I Got a Hernia in my neck from a chiropractor in 2007 on the right side of the neck and down my arm it improved with physical tharepy and Osteopathic D.O help. as of last week I went in to see my D.O for a mild pinching feeling in my right shoulder near the neck area.
He made an adjustment in the area, there was no pain. again this time he must of when in deeper, it felt like a light switch went on and I felt it imediately in the right side of my neck, then it went all the way down my arm instantly like a heavy shock , my arm was hot and my fingertips were knumb for about a minute. I was so scared I was about to tear. He did or said nothing but kept me a little longer in the room. I was going to have him call an ambulance but I change my mind once the pain eased on my arm. I did go to the Veterans hospital a few days later and my Physiatrist, MD excercise specialist, looked me over with no Exray/Mris scans performed and set me up for more D.O visits as well as wants me to come back in for a tens unit electric session. I am feeling like I really need some professional therapy and some stretching etc... I do own a neck stretcher from the old injury, used it 2c already. I dont want to feel this for another 10 + months. I think my D.O screwed up and should of ordered a scan on this before touching me. He would not tell me what he thought after this event had taken place. My internet research is telling me I possibly sustained a c5 inflamed joint effecting the nerve or Hernia. it goes down to my elbow a lot telling me c6 and occasionally the hand region up thru the neck c7 I was on an MD site. The VA hospital probably wont be giving me Physical therapy. I know I better get some . I might go to the Patent rep at the VA to see if they can push this for PT help. any sugestions??  personally the D.O University health care system should cover billing because it was the D.O that set this off!!  I would appreciate your feedback Sir.
Dave

Answer
Hello Dave,


I am sorry to hear of your condition and pain.

"....I Got a Hernia in my neck from a chiropractor in 2007....", I am sorry to hear that Chiropractic could have caused your complaint.  Many people come TO the Doctor of Chiropractic for neck pain caused by a herniated disc, for adjustments FOR a herniated disc.  I am sorry to hear that a chiropractic adjustment caused your HNP (herniated nucleus pulposis - herniated disc).  


"....last week I went in to see my D.O for a mild pinching feeling in my right shoulder near the neck area..... this time he must of when in deeper, it felt like a light switch went on and I felt it imediately in the right side of my neck, then it went all the way down my arm instantly like a heavy shock , my arm was hot and my fingertips were knumb for about a minute. I was so scared I was about to tear.....", you certainly sound as if you have a VERY sensitive neck and only the most gentle of approaches should be utilized when treating you.
         I am surprised to hear that the Osteopath is performing manipulations.  Many years ago D.O.'s used to perform manipulations, but over the last 50- 60 years most D.O.'s have gone the allopathic route and routinely prescribe medications or physical therapy as their treatment regimen.  I will admit my bias, IF  I were going to get my spine manipulated- I would prefer to go to the Doctor of Chiropractic that does it ALL day EVERY day;  most Doctors of Osteopathy (at least in my area) do not perform manipulations.

Chiropractic adjustments are statistically very safe, rarely CAUSING a herniated disc.  There is some thought that a poor Chiropractic adjustment can aggravate an existing HNP, but even that is very rare, according to the research.  I would assume the same for Osteopathic manipulations; I do not do Osteopathy, but a licensed Osteopath with years of manipulative training would be (I think, with my 'natural health' bias) safer then just about any medication.

"....I think my D.O screwed up and should of ordered a scan on this before touching me. He would not tell me what he thought after this event had taken place.....", if you have had some pain after a treatment, you should communicate with your Doctor.  If you have had some pain after a treatment, perhaps you SHOULD have a new Xray / MRI / CT scan.  If your treating doctor does not satisfy you, if you feel uncomfortable, perhaps you should visit a different doctor.

"....My internet research is telling me I possibly sustained a c5 inflamed joint effecting the nerve or Hernia. it goes down to my elbow a lot telling me c6 and occasionally the hand region up thru the neck c7 I was on an MD site....." the internet is wonderful.  A few pictures/ sites / info I would recommend:
    http://www.drrhino.com/images/nerve_chart2.jpg ,
         http://docsaradc.com/images/nervefunction.jpg ,
    http://www.chiropracticvi.com/images/nerve-chart2.jpg ,
         http://www.drdeaninsana.com/pic/sublaxationslarge.jpg ,  
    http://visualchiropractic.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/Kids-Nerve-...     
         http://www.drshoshany.com/user_images/spinal-nerve-distribution-s.gif
    http://www.chiropracticvi.com/images/nerve3.jpg


"....The VA hospital probably wont be giving me Physical therapy.....", I know this sounds simplistic, even silly but- 'the squeaky wheel gets the grease'- go, communicate, ask,- if that is not enough, -complain, complain loud and long; usually even at the VA, the squeaky wheel gets what it needs.

"....I might go to the Patent rep at the VA to see if they can push this for PT help.....", going to a patient rep in any system is usually very helpful,,, if the paragraph above does not help-- then go to the patient rep.

"....personally the D.O University health care system should cover billing because it was the D.O that set this off!...."; people go to the medical doctor all the time- and get treatments with 'complications'; ie- one drug lowers blood pressure but causes muscle cramping, so now we need a muscle cramp medication; ie- one test requires/ sets off the need for another test; ie- treatment of one thing exacerbates/ causes another thing (I hear it every day in my office).
Hospitals give people infections (all the time), hospitals 'cut off the wrong leg',,, they still charge when they 'cut off the correct leg'.
         SIXTEEN THOUSAND DEATHS: "Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective medications for the treatment of many chronically painful medical conditions. However, it is estimated that 25% of all serious adverse drug reactions involve NSAIDs, with more than 100,000 hospitalizations and 16,000 deaths occurring annually due to NSAID-induced gastrointestinal (GI) events."-----
----- http://hhc.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/13/6/468   Home Health Care Management & Practice, Vol. 13, No. 6, 468-475 (2001)  Motrin, Advil = NSAIDS .

         Physical medicine: massage, osteopathic manipulation, chiropractic adjustment, physical therapy OFTEN leaves a patient sore, sometimes even painful,  as changes take place in the body.  These 'side effects'- like medicine's side effects are part of the accepted picture.
         The doctor / system that treated you may decide to give you some limited free treatment at their facility, but this would be unusual.  Again, communicate and then complain, the squeaky wheel may get some grease.
         If you feel the Doctor damaged you, sad to say, the best avenue may be to speak to a lawyer and see if you have some type of malpractice case.


My recommendations:
#1) Be a squeaky wheel; first communicate, then complain.
#2) Certainly look for new tests upon your neck; Xrays, perhaps MRI, CT, and EMG.
#3) Where-ever you go, make sure to explain/ detail how sensitive your neck is, how gentle treatment is necessary to avoid exacerbations.



Thank you for the question, I hope this information is some help to you.

Do not hesitate to RE-contact me here at ALLexperts.com:
http://www.allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm  

Good luck in returning to good health,

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
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