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numbness in my heel
9/26 8:49:42

Question
QUESTION: from one year , i had  a MRI scan .my doctors say i have Sciatica ,herniated (L4-L5-s1) disc with pain in left leg and i follow up Physiotherapy for 4 monthes
at the last month in that year Suddenly neuritis happened to me I could not walk or sleep for 5 days
my doctors says you must do a surgery for your back
I went to the chiropractor ,from that time  I am in trouble
i can  walk and go to sleep, but my heel in permanent numbness (left side of my heel in my left leg )and i can't wear my left leg sock and can't bend my left leg 90 degree

ANSWER: Hello Michael,

Sorry to hear of your condition, sorry to hear of your pain.

'Sciatica' is only 1/2 of a diagnosis.  It is good you had the MRI to find the CAUSE of the sciatica (symptom).  Disc herniation is an unfortunately common condition, sometimes so severe HNP (disc herniation) requires immediate surgery, most times responding very well to conservative care such as chiropractic or physiotherapy.

With that Herniated disc, Sciatica, physiotherapy for FOUR MONTHS, it certainly shows how SERIOUS your condition is/ was.  With the surgeon recommending invasive SURGERY for your back, you know you had a very serious problem.

You say you needed surgery, had the diagnosis of the sciatica and herniated disc, four months of physiotherapy, but then decided to try the Doctor of Chiropractic.

Chiropractic is usually a very safe, effective, cost-effective treatment for spinal problems such as herniated disc and sciatica.

Your condition continued to worsen despite the Chiropractic care?
Unfortunately, sometimes even with the best of Chiropractic care, the Doctor cannot halt the progression towards surgery.

Invasive Surgery, even with it's possible complications and side effects, may be your best alternative right now.  Only you can weigh the risks and benefits, but sometimes we must proceed towards a surgical intervention.

Spinal problems are very complicated and can require much time and effort to recover/ rehabilitate from.  Some patients in my Staten Island Chiropractic office have avoided surgery only through a strict regimen of chiropractic, exercise, nutrition, weight loss, ergonomics, posture and movement protocols.  Sadly, I also have several patients with 'failed back syndrome'.  You could look up Failed Back on the internet; unfortunately surgery sometimes does fail
with the patient in the same, or worse condition after the surgery.

It does sound like you have been patient, done what you could, and your condition continued to progress to the need for surgery.

If you have further questions, or wish further information, do not hesitate to re-contact me or even any of the surgical experts here at AllExperts.com:   http://allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm

I hope my comments are helpful to you.

I wish you good luck and good health naturally.

I have attached some additional information- some prior similar questions and some info sheets that I hand out in my Staten Island Chiropractic office.

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com    (Email newsletter)



http://en.allexperts.com/q/Chiropractors-965/2008/5/Herniated-disk-1.htm

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Chiropractors-965/2008/5/Herniated-disk-2.htm

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Chiropractors-965/2008/6/herniated-disc-chiropractic.

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Spine-Surgery-3304/masive-lumbar-L4-5.htm

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揚inched  Nerve?  ( Also Known As-  neuritis, neuralgia, brachial-neuritis, sciatica )
損inched nerve??is only ?a diagnosis,  WHAT is causing the 憄inch? Your Doctor of Chiropractic will examine and evaluate you to make sure you are not showing signs of neurological damage or disease, tumors, cancers,  severe pathology, perhaps a Herniated Disc, or a Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Sometimes  we  can  wake  up  with  a  憄inched nerve?  or  a  muscle spasm.... sometimes a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, or even a motor vehicle accident can cause a 憄inched nerve?  Very often -  the true    c a u s e   of  the pinched nerve, painor numbness  in the:    neck and/ or  shoulder  and/ or  arm  and/ or  hand;   pain in the back and/ or   buttock/ hip/ leg/ knee/ foot -  is a misalignment,  a  慿ink?in the neck or back - more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation.
         Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  憇ubluxation?
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
This is a serious condition identified by its five parts:
      Spinal Kinesiopathology:
         This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.
      Neuropathophysiology:
         Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.
      Myopathology:
         Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.
      Histopathology:
         A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.
      Pathophysiology:
         The VSC contributes to OsteoArthritic degeneration.  Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.

The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.
         Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
         Vertebral  Subluxation  cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone.  Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,     best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.    For good health-
Treat   the   Cause,  not just the Symptoms.

Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians;          Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management;       Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN);
         FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine





揚inched  Nerve?  ( Also Known As-  neuritis, neuralgia, brachial-neuritis, sciatica )
損inched nerve??is only ?a diagnosis,  WHAT is causing the 憄inch? ?That 損inch?has to be taken care of FIRST!

As the 損inch??the MECHANICAL component of the problem, the CAUSE of the problem is being taken care of  through Chiropractic treatment, perhaps additional help would speed your return to health:

Nerve Health Support:
-----B complex containing thiamine, folic acid, B-12 and niacin is highly suggested for nerve support.  High dose
B-vitamins should only be taken at the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.
-----B-6 is lower in patients with neuropathy.  Vitamin B-6 reduces the glycosylation that can cause nerve damage.  Amounts greater than 200mg/day can cause neuropathy symptoms.
-----Calcium and magnesium are important for nerve conduction and as muscle relaxants.
-----A multi-vitamin/mineral supplement is suggested for comprehensive support.
-----Essential fatty acids are necessary for nerve health.  Essential fatty acids include omega-3 fatty acids (fish and flax oil) and omega-6 fatty acids (black currant seed oil, borage oil and evening primrose oil).
-----Proteolytic enzymes may be beneficial in neuritis for the inflammation.
-----Lecithin aids in nerve support.
-----Natural herbal remedies including passion flower, valerian, chamomile, scullcap and white willow bark may be helpful.
-----Eat a healthy diet.  Avoid foods that stimulate the nervous system such as caffeine, chocolate, refined sugars, soda pop and cigarettes.
-----Drink plenty of filtered water.
-----Chiropractic care is imperative to remove nerve irritation.
Joint Support:
-----Glucosamine sulfate helps strengthen joint integrity.  Glucosamine is effective in relieving joint pain associated with osteoarthritis.  Glucosamine's pain-relieving effects may be due to its cartilage-rebuilding properties.  These disease-modifying effects are not seen with simple analgesics and are of particular benefit.
-----MSM is known for its pain-relieving properties in such conditions as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, back pain and muscle soreness.  Not many clinical trials have been done using MSM, but clinical observations support the theory that MSM is beneficial in pain managment.
-----White willow is an antiinflammatory and analgesic agent.  White willow was used as far back as the Middle Ages to reduce pain and fevers.  The salicylates found in the white willow bark are responsible for the anti-inflammatory and anti-fever effects.  Acetylsalicylic acid, otherwise known as aspirin, is chemically similar to the salicylates.
-----Boswellia and turmeric (curcumin) are potent antiinflammatory herbs.  Curcumin may have similar action to aspirin.
-----


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P.R.I.C.E. =    P  protection.   R rest.   I  ice.   C  compression.   E  elevation.
Hurt  yourself ??  injury/ trauma/  bruise/ not even sure - - a broken bone ??
You should certainly get to the Doctor or trained health professional to be examined  if you think it  is  bad  enough.     BUT  in  the  meantime,  some  simple  steps  may  help.   PRICE.
The  PRICE  protocol will usually help just about any musculoskeletal injury.
P = Protection;  protect the area from further injury- stop what you are doing, can you
     pad  or bandage the area ? Tape the area? Do something to protect the area !
R = Rest;  rest the area as much as possible, if a part is damaged, give the body time to
       repair the area
I = Ice;  ice is a potent anti-inflammatory; it will slow swelling, help with pain control
     (ice is analgesic), place ice over cloth over the injured area for 5, 10 minutes, off the
     injured area for 30 minutes; then back on again
C = Compression;  to help prevent swelling compression may be helpful- for example
      if it is an ankle, wrap the ankle with an ace bandage and ice the area.  Many body
      parts may not be applicable to compression.
E = Elevation; again to fight swelling and pain, raising the injured body part above the
      heart may be helpful- ie raise an ankle or knee, you lay down, raise the injured part
PRICE  may  help :    Sprains,  Strains,  musculo-skeletal injury,  bruise,  contusion
Sometimes  a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, athletic injury, or a motor vehicle accident can cause a bump or bruise, sprain or strain.  Sometimes also involved with the injury is a vertebral subluxation (or other joint subluxation) (subluxation is a mechanical problem- of any joint- and requires a mechanical correction).  In the spine, a sprain/strain  is a misalignment,  a 慿ink?in the joint, a stretch of the muscles, tendons and/ or ligaments:- more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation.   Sometimes symptoms can come immediately, sometimes days, weeks or even months later!- Well after the actual trauma !!!
         Spinal = Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  憇ubluxation?  ;   ( subluxation COULD be any joint )
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.
A  subluxation  interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system  (the master system  which controls and coordinates all function within the body)  and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
This is a serious condition identified by its five parts:
    Spinal Kinesiopathology:
         This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.
    Neuropathophysiology:
         Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.
    Myopathology:
         Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.
    Histopathology:
         A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.
    Pathophysiology:
         Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.
         Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
         Vertebral  Subluxation  cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone.  Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,     best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.  For good health- Treat the   Cause,  not just the Symptoms.  Sprain/ strain/ bump/ bruise?= may result in subluxation of the nearby joint.  CORRECT the subluxation !!!!

Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Ma


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks for your help doctor  

i still confused
when i  followed up Physiotherapy for 4 months, i get better and going to make practice exercises fitness but suddenly neuritis happened to me
i will keep trying
i need to know when i getting worse and when i getting better ?
that is because now i can walk without any pain !!
and day by day my numbness be less gradually but i still can't bend my leg and of course can't wear my socks  

thanks for your time

Answer
Hello Michael,

Thank you for your follow-up information and question.

"....now i can walk without any pain !!
and day by day my numbness be less gradually ....", this sounds good- right?

You do not state what your current treatment regimen is- physical therapy, medication, chiropractic, acupuncture, massage.  It does take time to recover from injury- soemtimes months or even a year or more!

Whatever your treatment regimen is-- you state you are getting better-- whatever you are doing, keep doing it!

Are you doing the nutrition recommended above?- this should help any approach you are taking.

"....my doctors says you must do a surgery for your back....", and ,
unfortunately, if things turn for the worse again, you have tried everything else,,,, surgery may be necessary.

How to chart improvement? Keep a diary, note what you can and cannot do- WRITE it down, memory is short and often incorrect!- writing it down will preserve a correct evaluation worthy of comparison.

How to chart improvement? See a health professional who periodically examines you- particularly functionally: strength, range of motion , ability to carry out activities of daily living.

"....my doctors says you must do a surgery for your back....", of course, invasive surgery with possible complications and possible unforeseen side effects is your last resort.  But it is an option.


"....now i can walk without any pain !! ...", sounds like you are making progress.  Keep up what you are doing, be patient.

Good luck.


I wish you good luck and good health naturally.


Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com    (Email newsletter)  

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