I suffer from degenerative disc disease. Any suggestions on treatment other than physical therapy?

Question

My doctor wants me to go for PT, but my back hurts worse than it did when I was originally diagnosed with three herniated discs. He looked over notes from my chart that were over two years old. I am really shocked he didn't want me to go for a MRI. I take several pain/muscle medications. Unfortunately, I can only take them at night. I am a stay at home father, so I take care of my daughter during the day. Can anyone suggest anything, please??????

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

I've got Spinal Arthritis too (same as Degenerative Disk Disease, just easier to type).

The first thing I can suggest with all certainty is to seek a Neurosurgeon. Orthopedists are no good for spinal problems.

My guess is you'll need surgery. If they recommend the steel or bone grafted pins in your spine tell them you want the synthetic disks. That surgery is much less invasive than the standard back surgery and while it's only been available for a couple of years there are good preliminary results for it being more successful than your standard surgery.

Source(s):

If you're afraid of surgery then seek a chiropractor first, Just be warned, A chiropractor could end up doing more harm than help, and at that point, a trip to the operating table will be forthcoming.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Very helpful AND informative! Thanks a lot!!!

Answer 2

Find a reputable Chiropractor and they will help you tremendously. They can instruct you on therapy as well as helping you first hand. Check it out!

Answer 3

they can give you a cathader that injects some sort of steroid/pain reliever directly at the site. It usually relieves pain for up to 6 months.

Otherwise you can try accupunture.

Surgery maybe? Disc Fusion? Your doctor is the person who should anser this question.

Answer 4

follow your doctor, or try another doctors opinion, look for a specialist!

Answer 5

well - I had a bunch of info for you, but lost it :-(
I feel for you, I had 5 hern discs, one ruptured crushing my sciatic nerve. Had surgery in 2000 and still suffer side effects. PT can be helpful if they have you doing the right things, didn't do diddly for me tho. My recommendations to you - yoga. Your main goal should be to stretch & strengthen those core muscles. If you are over weight, lose it...you won't get any relief if the weight of your body is the culprit. If you can afford it, try to meet with a personal trainer a few times - one who is experienced with disc injuries. Also, find a yoga instructor who is experienced with back issues. There are lots of resources out there for alternitive therepies for disc disease. As for pain meds, there are so many side effects (long term effects) that make italmost not worth taking...although, I'm sure at this point you need it to sleep. There is a homeopatic treatment out there - I can't think of the name right off - that I took that did wonders. You can ask at your local healthfood store. It's specifically for nerve pain. maybe Hypericum Perforatum but I'm not 100% sure on that. the homeopathic remedies are pretty straight forward and easy to pick out, they're little white bee-bee type pills that you let dissolve in your mouth a few times a day. But believe me, this one worked wonders for my pain and I was able to function - as I was also a stay at home parent of 2 small kids. Anyway, good luck to you! Do some research on alternitive therepies to avoid surgery, get into a yoga class (even if it's only a few classes to learn the poses then going it alone) and strengthen those core muscles

Answer 6

This formula is to repair damage to tissue, muscle, and bone. It promotes growth of new cells and bone, correcting and healing problem areas.

Formulae:
Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Arnica, Comfrey, St. John’s Wort, Plantain, Mullein, White Oak Bark, Scullcap, Lobelia, 180,000 h.u. powdered cayenne, Organic Aloe Vera Gel, Castor Oil, Peppermint Oil, Wintergreen Oil

This formula is to repair damage to tissue, muscle, and bone. It promotes growth of new cells and bone, correcting and healing problem areas. It has helped many people, horses, dogs and cats with such problems as back pain, torn ligaments, arthritis, cuts, pulled muscles, knee injuries etc…. Place 1 1/2 cups of Extra Virgin Olive Oil in glass pan. Warm on low heat on stove. Add and mix with the oil 1/8 cup each of the following dried, powdered Herbs:
Arnica
Comfrey
St. John’s Wort
Plantain
Mullein
White Oak Bark
Skullcap
Lobelia
(1 cup total)

Also mix 1/4-1/2 cup of 180,000 h.u. powdered cayenne into the Olive Oil. Let the above mixture warm for 1 to 2 hours on low heat, stirring occasionally. (Do not boil.) Remove from heat.

While the above mixture is warming, in a separate bowl, mix the following ingredients in a blender until white and creamy:
1 quarts Organic Aloe Vera Gel
1 1/2 cups Castor Oil
1 ounce Peppermint Oil
1 ounce Wintergreen Oil

(You can replace Peppermint and Wintergreen Oil with Tea Tree Oil.) After the Oil and Herb mixture is cooled, strain the herbs from the oil using a cotton cloth. Add the herbal oil to the blended ingredients and blend in the blender again. The formula is now ready to use. Put in bottles and store in the refrigerater. Makes 2 quarts.

Helpful Hints:
KEEP REFRIGERATED. To powder Herbs place in small electric grinder ($10-$12) and shake while grinding. Do not worry about exact measurements. You can add more or less of any ingredient. If you do not have a certain herb, use the the ones you do have.

To make a poultice, mix with slippery elm bark until desired consistency then apply to area. CAUTION! This is a very powerful formula and will break-up and release toxins in the body. Do not put poultice on area until after applying Formula for a least 3 days. This gives the blood stream and immune system a chance to build up its defenses. When you do wrap, put poultice on and then put cotton muslin (cotton sheet) over poultice, then wrap. Do not re-use wrap unless it has been washed because this formula is also drawing toxins out of the system. Leave wrap on for 2 hours then progress up to more time if human/animal does not seem ill.

Source(s):

healmarketplace.com