Expert: John Quackenbush DC - 6/30/2010

Question
While I was pregnant a year ago I put too much strain on my back resulting in a muscle spasm they gave me some generic muscles relaxers but after I went back and the pain was worse they sent me to physical rehab at the hospital they told me it might be a pinched nerve or that I have a herniated disk in my neck I think they said the L-4 region they said they could only relieve it to a certain point and now its back and I have no medical coverage so I can't go to a doctor I have constant pain shooting down my arm tingling numbness if I cough or sneeze it sends pain I can barely lay down in bed I can't rotate my head and the pain is the worst near my elbow what can I do to relieve this episode of pain without having to go get 8,000$ worth of hospital treatment again that I can't afford oh and they never did do an x ray

Answer
Rachel,

I am sorry to hear of your predicamant. It is a serious one at that! From the symptoms you have it would be prudent to have a work up to rule out a herniated disc as well as a pinched nerve. The coughing and or sneezing increases your internal pressure which causes the disc to bulge more or the pinched nerve to get compressed or pinched more.

I would suggest that you get to a chiropractor and explain your situation to them and that you don't have insurance. Chiropractors usually do not charge as much as hospitals.

I hope this information helps!

Dr John Q Quackenbush
Chiropractic Physician
Phoenix Arizona