Re: Question: Degenerative disc disease and chiropractic

March 4, 2007

Hi ,

I've used chiro for years for my DDD, etc.. It's worked great! I

also use an exercise ball (my chiro got me started with it!) to

stretch my L-spine- just lay on top of it and let my hips 'pull' on

the lower spine.

Have you tried Alleve? It is much gentler on the stomach- that

Ibuprophen destroyed my stomach several years ago. Naproxen is the

Rx strength of Alleve. You might want to try Lidoderm patches, they

do a lot of good for some folks. The big problem is keeping them 'in

place'. There is also a Lidocain gel that gives good releif to some

folks.

You may want to have a scheduled lay-down daily to unload your spine,

and start some core-strengthening exercises.

God bless you,

Moderator, C_P_A

" Argue for your limits long enough, and they are sure to be yours "

Bach

>

> Have group members generally found Chiropractic care helpful for

lumbar

> degenerative disc disease?

>

> I previously found good relief with the McKenzie exercises, but it

> doesn't seem to be working as well lately. Even ibuprofen, which

once

> provided total relief, is getting less effecitve. I finally broke

down

> and saw an orthopedic surgeon and he found that I have a single

> degenerated disc in the lower back (L4), with no signs of sciatic

or

> other nerve involvement. My pain is a constant annoying ache with

> episodes of several weeks of stiffness. He basically tells me I'll

> eventually need a fusion, but not yet. I've never had a problem

with

> drugs, but I have a strong family history of addiction and I want

to

> avoid narcotics so I'm considering a trial of chiropractic care.

>

> I am presently exploring treatment options for relief in the

meantime.

> I would really appreciate hearing from people with experience with

> chiropractic care for this issue. Also, I'd appreciate suggestions

on

> what questions I need to ask when (and if) I decide to consult with

a

> chiropractor. Thank you in advance for your help.

>

March 5, 2007

Robin McKenzie is a physical therpist who developed a series of

exercises/stretches for the lumbar and cervical areas. There have

been several well-executed placebo-controlled trials with his methods

(done by people other than him) and they have demonstrated benefits.

I've foudn them to help considerably. A lot of phyiscal therapists

now use his methods. He wrote a " self-help " book that you can get

at http://www.amazon.com/Steps-Pain-Free-Life-Rapidly-

Relieve/dp/0452282772/ref=sr_1_1/002-5224889-3716000?

ie=UTF8 & s=books & qid=1173115532 & sr=8-1

I think I'm ready to try chiropractic. It sounds like a nothing-to-

lose proposition. I'm reaching the point that I " m not doing things

that I want to do because I know they'll hurt, so I'm ready to try

about anything. Thanks for the feedback.