Wrist and neck/back pain-- physical/occupational/massage therapy? - Pain Management Message Board

skkelly8 · 10-02-2006, 12:06 PM

Hi everyone,

I was in a car accident over a year ago. I received treatment from a chiropractor and massage therapist after the accident, but i had to stop going when the insurance ran out. now i am going to start seeking treatment again, and since i can't go back to that doctor (he's a complete jerk who laughed at my pain and told me to "get used to it") i need help figuring out what type of treatment to get, and where i can find out the names of reliable, experienced therapists. i'm wondering:

1. what is the different between physical and occupational therapy?
2. which would be better for wrist, hand, back and neck pain?
3. is there a reliable source on the web for seeking qualified professionals? (i am in the miami-ft lauderdale area)
4. i've read that wrist and hand pain can result from a pinched nerve in the neck. has anyone experienced this? did massage therapy and freeing up your neck make a positive impact on your wrist?

anyone who has experienced similar pain, please share your input. what have you done to feel better? what lead you to your ideal treatment?

thank you so much. any help, any words of encouragement, would certainly mean a great deal to me.

Backinthesaddle · 10-02-2006, 01:25 PM

I too suffer from wrist and hand pain. I had a compressed spinal cord at C4-5and had the surgery(ACDF) in February. I still have wrist and hand pain. Mine is from the nerve damage although I am told it isn't permanent damage. Hmm not sure but the doctors tell me the brain remembers the pain. NO massage therapy did not help my wrist at all. It made my neck, shoulders and back feel better for a day or two but that was it. Have you had a EMG? You have to rule out Carpul Tunnel or Ulner entrapement first. I had neither.

Im not sure there is a difference in PT or OT. Not that I know of at least.

Im sure you can get a referral from your GP if not look at the local hospitals like if you have a Presby or Baylot or Medical City like we do here in Texas and go through their Orthopedics. Other then that I am sure if you google there is a way to get a referral.

Best of luck to you.

skkelly8 · 10-03-2006, 08:21 PM

hi there,

thanks for your reply. just wondering what is ACDF? i am going to try alternative medicine first, i have never been to a hospital (other than to get checked out for this car accident!) and i've always been treated naturally. i guess i will have to get the EMG test.. for some reason they didn't test that, just did MRI, CT scan, and xray which showed a torn ligament and something else i cant recall.

i also wanted to ask-- has anyone tried acupuncture???

Backinthesaddle · 10-05-2006, 07:05 PM

ACDF is for a spinal fusion. I did do acupuncture a few years ago for fertility and pain management from a previous injury. I did not get relief for the pain. Not sure if others do or not. I do not believe alternative medicine is the answer for spinal issues. They are way to important and the potential dangers if not treated correctly are very bad. Other situations it can work wonders.