Question
I have a bulging disk between c-4 and c-5 it presses directly in towards the spinal cord. I have repeatedly had sharp chest pain over the last 14 months initially I was diagnosed with gerd esophagus erosion and rotator cuff tear. They repaired the shoulder put me on prilosec otc which I take 3 times daily now. Changed my whole lifestyle to help curb gerd symptoms. After the shoulder surgery and treating the gerd I still had chest pain and a couple of more visits to the E.R. . I had a gastro Dr. run a scope down to my stomach everything looked good. Then they did an MRI and found the disk in my neck. My GP doesn't think this is causing my chest pain. My spinal Dr wants to perform surgery on my neck. Do you have any info that can help me make a decision.

Answer
Hi Steve,

Any Dr. that would suggest surgery for a disc bulge should be in prison.

This is not the cause of your chest pain, see an Internal Medicine doctor and get a Cardio-vascular, pulmonary work-up.

Then find a D.C. in your area that does F/D, in a week or two, your symptoms will be 50% decreased, in 6-8 weeks, the disc will be repaired.

Many D.C's don't use towel traction or have F/D tables but this is exactly what you need.

Give me the names and phone #'s of area Chiropractors and I will find one that will fix you.


Just look at the questions I have answered in the past, you will find that neck surgery always goes bad, very bad.


Don't even entertain the thought of surgery until you have exhausted all other options.

Keep in touch,
Dr. Timothy Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com


Flexion-Distraction Therapy - What is it?


Flexion-Distraction, (F/D) is a gentle, chiropractic treatment procedure utilized for back and neck pain. Flexion-Distraction is a safe alternative to back surgery for those 95% of patients whose conditions do not demand surgical intervention. The doctor is in control of the treatment movements at all times.

Flexion-Distraction is utilized for many conditions such as:

Failed Back surgical Syndromes
Disc Herniation/Ruptured Disc / Bulging Disc / Herniated Disc
Sciatica / Leg pain
"Whiplash" injuries
Stenosis
Arm Pain
Neck Pain
Failed course of Steroid Injections
Chemical Radiculitis
Spondylolisthesis
Headache
Transitional segment
Many more conditions?
How does Flexion-Distraction Work?

For Disc related conditions:

Increases the intervertebral disc height to remove annular tension on the annular fibers and nerve by making more room and improving circulation.
Allows the nucleus pulposus, the center of the disc, to assume its central position within the annular fibers and relieves irritation of the spinal nerve.
Restores vertebral joints to their physiological relationships of motion.
Improves posture and locomotion while relieving pain, improving body functions, and creating a state of well-being.
For Non-Disc related conditions:

Patients with other conditions causing back pain (facet syndrome, spondylolisthesis, sprain/strain, scoliosis, transitional vertebra, sacroiliac restrictions and misalignment, certain types of spinal stenosis), Flexion/Distraction provides all of the above benefits plus the ability to place the spinal joints into normal, painless movements so as to restore spinal motion without pain:

The posterior disc space increases in height.
F/D decreases disc protrusion and reduces stenosis.
Flexion stretches the ligamentum flavum to reduce stenosis.
Flexion opens the vertebral canal by 2 mm (16%) or 3.5 to 6mm more than extension.
Flexion increases metabolite transport into the disc.
Flexion opens the apophyseal joints and reduces posterior disc stress
The nucleus pulposus does not move on flexion. Intradiscal pressure drops under distraction to below 100mm Hg. On extension the nucleus or annulus is seen to protrude posterior into the vertebral canal.
Intervertebral foraminal openings enlarge giving patency to the nerve.

Reference: Cox JM, Feller JA, Cox-Cid JA: Topics in clinical Chiropractic 1996; 3(3):45-59