AboutScott F. Gillman, DC, DACBSP Expertise I can answer any question regarding chiropractic treatment and chiropractors. Mostly, I can help the unknowing public understand what is safe and valid, what treatment is reasonable and evidence-based, and what kinds of chiropractors to stay away from. I have an advanced specialty degree in Chiropractic Sports Medicine and can address any questions regarding sports injuries. I have experience in treating elite and Olympic athletes as well as weekend-warriors.
Experience
Experience:
18 years in practice; Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: World Olympians Associan and International Sports Chiropractic Association Healthcare Team;
International Chiropractic Sports Sciences Diploma;
USA Gymnastics Healthcare team;
International Powerlifting Association Medical Staff;
300 hour chiropractic sports medicine diplomate degree (DACBSP);
International Chiropractic Sports Sciences Diploma (ICSSD)
Healthcare Consultant: Century, Ty-Wood Corp. Holliston, MA (2005-2007)
Team Chiropractor: Boston Bulldogs USL D-3 & Boston Renegades USL W-1 League (1999-2004)
Independent Examiner: Scope Medical and The Physician's Network
Professional/Clinical Monitor: Affiliated Monitors, Inc.
Board of Directors: MetroWest Chamber of Commerce (Massachusetts)2000-2006
American Chiropractic Association
Massachusetts Chiropractic Society
Publications:
"The Impact of Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy on Chronic Recurrent Lateral Ankle Sprain Syndrome in Two Young Athletes" J. of Chiro Med , Fall 2004
"Work Related Injury;" The Hanover Report, June, 1993
"Long Lasting Analgesic Effect of Oxymorphonazine in Rats;" Agonists and Antagonists III, n.7675, 1985
Education/Credentials:
BS Biology, Doctor of Chiropractic: Northwestern College of Chiropractic,
Diplomate: American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (DACBSP)
Question First of all let me thank you for reading my question. I was in a car accident in NOV08(rear ended) at 60mph. Was seen by GP where he gave me vicoden and flexorel and told if not better see a chiropractor. Wasnt better in two weeks saw a chiro. Saw him for almost 6 months with improvement in neck movements still had neck pain, sharp pains in shoulder blades and headaches when when i didnt take my flexorel. He sent me to pain management and they sent me to physical therapy and requested a MRI.
My MRI says:
At c5-6 disc is mildly narrowed and desiccated. There is a small left disc protrusion just medial to the uncovertebral joint. Spinal cord is slightly rotated and distorted in shape. CSF remains visible in the neural canal anterior and posterior to the spinal cord at the level of the disc. The anterior-posterior dimension of the neural canal at the midline measures approximately 11-12mm. Other levels appear to be normal Sagittial images show normal appearance of the foramen magnum and upper thoracic segments.
When i got my MRI results the doc said I had C5-6 small left disc protrusion and suggested facet shots which I guess I am going to do. Would this small disc protrusion be causing my headaches? It seems weird that muscle relaxers would keep my headaches away. They dont always work but most of the time they do. If I do get a headache I usually can take a extra muscle relaxer and the headache goes away. After a bad headache I get the sharp pains in my shoulder blades, like under them. Feels like a knife is prying them out. Alot of movements make the pain more painfull than other also deep breathing.
I was hoping you could give me some insight on my pain/headaches and if this is all normal with my MRI findings. Also if you had any other treatments that I should try.
Answer HI Jennifer,
What you have is not uncommon following whiplash injuries, regardless of disc or MRI findings. It is difficult to say whether the small C6 protrusion is causing any of your problems (just based on the words I'm reading). I wonder if the any of your doctors can provoke or eliminate the shoulder blade (Which side? Both?) symptoms with neck compression or distraction maneuvers. I also don't know if you have a normal neurologic profile, e.g. normal reflexes, normal arm/hand/finger strengths, and normal skin sensation (e.g. to a pinwheel or light touch). Some of these neuro' findings can help correlate what you see on MRI to your symptoms, because lots of people have disc protrusions and have no pain. If the protrusion is not touching the nerve, then it's difficult to blame the disc on your pain. And, if you don't have exam findings that indicate a cervical nerve irritation or impingment, then it makes the MRI findings questionable as to their correlation to your symptoms. I've never heard of a rotated cervical spinal cord, but it that's really true and not an artifact, I'd like to know more about it from the radiologist. The slightly narrow cervical canal along with the disc (I'm assuming it's at the same level) can drive all your symptoms. 'Bottom line: looking for a bullseye from MRI can be a difficult task. Therefore, if the pain doc can do a single epidural steroid injection or a single facet joint block and with it alleviate all of your pain, then that would be diagnostic - in other words, that would identify the bullseye. As for pain in general, keep in mind that your muscular and fascial tissues can drive headaches, and it's worth trying Graston Technique (see www.grastontechnique.com).
