notpain

I know I have NOT tried it all (But I have tried many modalities and have a lot to share). I am doing everything I can to avoid fusion surgery - too many horror stories (although there are successes as well). I have a 3 level problem and my fingers are crossed while I continue to educate myself to the options. Suffering is not my cup of tea (I'm a pain wuss!), but I'm willing to fight it out a bit longer to hopefully avoid full blown fusion or at least wait until artificial cervical discs are fully approved. Unfortunately for most we can not find easy access to many of the treatment modalities available.

Here is a link of possible neck/cervical treatment modalities (More than 30 at the time of this writing - many of which you may have never heard of!) including information about artificial discs:

[url]http://www.healthsynergyrx.com/neck-pain.htm[/url]

Preapproved by moderator1

This list includes mainstream and alternative options. If you have a good or bad experience with any of these treatments please feel free to comment. This list is growing each day (with the hopes of helping people who think they have tried it all see more options). Perhaps some of these options you can talk with your own physician about. Feel free to add to the list anything that is not on the list so everyone can find out more easily what they may want to consider.

Caveat: While this list is large and growing it is NOT intended to be a list of "for sure" cures. This list should instill hope for those who think surgery is the only option (Make it your last option). These are treatment modalities only. Who knows what will truly work. But don't give up until you have at least read them over and considered many options that may work for you. For example: I have been to 3 different Chiropractors all specializing in different treatments within the modality and for me it has not offered me any relief... so I am moving on. And I gave it plenty of time to work over the course of the year - I actually think the last visit injured me more than before I started seeing that particular Chiro.

My next step is to see a Physical Therapist that specializes in Balance Issues followed by another Physical Therapist that specializes in Spinal Problems of the Neck. My old PT was a nice person but was very general in her approach to my condition. Once I have completed evaluations from these PT's I have an appointment back with my Physiatrist to discuss referall to a Orthopedic surgeon, the possibility of a proceedure to heat the disc with lasor or radiofrequency or? to shrink the offending disc (If we can figure out the real culprit) and the possibility of endoscopic surgery to just cut off the offending portion of the disc or disc material that may not have resorbed after a year. I'm probably up against another MRI to compare to see if my condition is really worse or if it's just worse symptoms. I have hope that at least one of my discs may have resorbed (resorption?). I am also under the guidence of a nutritional doctor eating only particular foods that should help my condition. There is nothing easy about this process - it's very slow and frustrating. But the best option I have for now is to keep learning and keep trying - the knife will always be there! And I know endoscopic surgery is still surgery (I've already had 2 outpatient proceedures) but it's better than fusion for now.

So please participate so that others may learn from your experiences, but if you are early on in your recovery process at least give this a read and maybe you will find some help.

Remember the most important part of Treatment is an ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, and that is pretty tough with neck problems - at least for me. So keep trying and keep sharing.

Thanks