Expert: Scott F. Gillman, DC, DACBSP - 3/23/2010

Question
Hi,

Thanks in advance for readin this question.

About a year back, I was stretching my neck forward and to the right and caused some sort of damage. Incredibly sharp pain in my neck (where it meets the traps), neck locked in spasm for a week,  and numbness and tingling in my left arm. I got an MRI and the results were "questionable small left c5-c6 foraminal disc herniation with mild associated foraminal stenosis. Mild disc bulging c5-c6". I can tell you there is nothing mild about the pain. I also have terrible (from what I understand) referral pains into my left perispinal, right in my mid back.

I went to a neck and spine center, did physical therapy and it eventually went away. Jump forward to about 3 months ago, im doing a set of pull-ups and I slightly reinjure the area again. I have mild pain but about one month later, I get this super sharp pain when I wake up and, just like a year ago, my whole neck goes into spasms and I cant move. Literally.
It takes about a week for it to "unsieze" and now here I am, two months later and I can move my neck, but I am in constant pain. I am TERRIFIED as it "feels" like it may spasm at any moment. Also, the tension from the fear and, the constant "protecting" that I am doing is causing all sorts of knots and muscle problems in the area.

So, Im now at a reputable Physical Therpay center in NYC and although i am improving, its been over 3 months now, and Im scared im never going to get rid of this. Even the slightest quick movement now can cause me major problmes.
So, my question is: my PT is doing manipulation and craniosacral? work on me, another person is doing massage and some Graston and then, I finish with pilotes.
Is this enough? I seem to be healing at a much slower pace than ever before and I dont appear to even have a major herniation.

I was thinking about getting a home traction unit. Do you think that might help me? I know this is a ridiculous question, but will I ever have as strong of a neck as I used to, again? I seem to have the worst pain when i look up at the ceiling...

Any insight and/or advice is greatly appreciated. I am willing to whatever it takes and, as much work as I need to, to solve this. I am 35 and I want my life back!

Thanks so much!

Answer
Avi,

Go see Dr. Michael Minardo in NYC for consultation.  If you are going to get neck joint manipulation, get it from a doctor that is expert at it.   Most PT's don't really know or have the kinesthetic skills to perform it well.  Dr. Minardo is a diplomate level sports chiropractor with superior diagnostic skills.  Also, craniosacral therapy is quite unproven and likely useless.  You may need a different mode of exercise for the neck, including endurance sets.  If you get hands-on/manual neck traction and it feels very alleviating, then you might do okay with a home traction unit.  Three months in PT??  Maybe they're not hitting the target...  At 35, with nothing significant on MRI, in seemingly good health, something could be missed.

'Hope this helps.

Dr. G