1. < Spine Health

Chronic Back Pain for Years

Posted by jlfisher56 @jlfisher56, May 2, 2017

6 back surgeries (extensive cervical and lumbar fusions) with neurological complications. Left with chronic pain. Accident happened in Nursing career 1992 and worked with first fusions until 1999 (failed fusions). At my age, and as a former nurse educator, I never wanted to had to rely on medication/s for the severe pain. Having thoroughly exhausted exploring sites using non-pharmaceutical methods, using psychological methods, biofeedback, trying to accept my limitations, i.e., I still believe somewhere...out there...is hope. The strong medicine has caused gastroparesis, further complicating my health problems. They are too numerous to write and I will not focus on them. I am looking for "help" and guidance. If I can be of assistance to anyone throughout their trials, (perhaps similar to some of what I have gone through), I will.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Spine Health Support Group.

phob | @phob | Dec 16, 2017
In reply to @dx311mddnos "Being in the healthcare field. Its difficult knowing all the side effects of pain medications. I..." + (show)
@dx311mddnos

Being in the healthcare field. Its difficult knowing all the side effects of pain medications. I am in a similar position. Too young for disability. Single. So unable to have reliable income. Knowing how the system works is very discouraging. But imma keep moving til I can't move at all. Lol

Jump to this post

@eileena. Funny you should mention IMT. That was the first therapy I tried after my fall and before the 4 joint replacements. After my fall on the ice, there was something wrong in my chest. I couldn't breathe except to belly breathe, I was in constant pain and it felt like something right in the middle of my chest that felt out of place. Like I said I live in Falmouth ME and found a practitioner right here in Falmouth. I went to this group for 3 years. Can you believe insurance paid for it? I went several times a week and we kept "peeling the onion" which he said could take a long time. There were other PT's in the office that he was training them. He was not present. I finally decided to go to Conn. to see the Giammattaeos myself in a group setting the offered. I saw Dr.(?) Giammatteo once and he prescribed arnica. I felt like it was 3 wasted years and my MD said if it wasn't working after 3 years we should stop it. I felt no better, probably worse after 3 years. It's possible IMT works but not with this group. Some of the PT's were reading from books what to do next in an entire treatment! I now see a DO who does very gentle manipulation. I am interested in chi,reiki,acupuncture and many of the alternatives because at this point I think my whole body is just so tense and could use some calming down. Sure I'll still hav e pain but I'm oping not to feel so anxious about it all the time. Thanks for responding and thank you also for info re: alternative therapies. Has anyone else had good luck with alternatives. Tired of being tired all the time and waiting for the next pill.

REPLY
jlfisher56 | @jlfisher56 | Jan 12, 2018
In reply to @jlfisher56 "Thank you Justin and I gladly will share my story if it can help anyone. It..." + (show)
@jlfisher56

Thank you Justin and I gladly will share my story if it can help anyone. It is very lenghty so I will try to keep it as abbreviated as possible but to the point. I can understand some of what physical therapy you "might" have gone through post-op with an ankle fusion (had a total rt knee and lt hip replacement). You are correct...long and hard.
I injured my back as a nurse involving a patient. For 2 years I was misdiagnosed as a "lumbar strain" when actually it was a cervical cord compression at C5 to C7. I did have a slight herniation at L4 and slippage and most pain seemed to come from there. My bowel and bladder were affected, legs were weak and arms. I worked in the NICU as "light-duty" using a special back brace but over 2 years continually symptoms became worse. The head of physical therapy stated my EMG showed more from the cervical or upper thorax than lumbar. I started to pronounced arm weakness, neck pain,and cervical headaches. The physiatrist stated, "I tell the doctors to always check the whole back because often the problem is coming elsewhere and not where the patient's pain is." My doctor "knew" better and thought MS but the MRI was negative.
To shorten the story, I went to the"pioneer of back surgery" in Philadelphia (an orthopedic surgeon I knew) and saw his neurologist. First glance he noticed in my face the abnormal jaw reflex and the change in the curvature of my neck into an "L" shape. I had almost a "total" compression C5-C6 and C6-C7 just about as bad. My doctor stated I should have been dead or a quadriplegic and was amazed I was even walking. I had an anterior fusion 2 years after my initial injury (1994) and then the slippage and herniation L4-L5 worsened (I was working part-time as an instructor at my hospital).
I needed trimming L4 and fusion L5-S1 with hardware posterior in 1995 and kept working. My symptoms improved with some neurological deficits remaining but not that severe. Pain only when walking too much and not taking enough breaks. As time went on, I started have all the original symptoms reoccur.
I had what is called a "failed" fusion. My fusions were unstable and areas above and below were herniating or impinging nerves. The peripheral nerves to arms, legs, bowel and bladder and now increasing pain happening more and more were becoming constant. In 1998, thorough testing (discogram, MRIs, EMGs, i.e demonstrated I had a "bad" back). I almost fell off the litter when the x-ray doctor told me.
These were extensive and because of years of the "failure", permenant nerve damage has remained even though some did get better. I had a posterior cervical fusion C4-C7 and 6 weeks later anterior cages and posterior fusion L3-S1 Lumbar area. I developed a post-op hematoma and infection of the lumbar fusion which worsened the neurogenic bowel and I needed 2 bowel operations and am left with a functioning colon but only 18 cm. The neurogenic bladder did become better in time.
I am sorry this is so lengthy but if I can help anyone, just a little more. I know length can turn people off! I developed scar tissue in the spinal cord arachnoiditis (lumbar area found in my testing before my refusions) that causes a lot of chronic pain, had nerve pain and chronic pain, which worsened as the years have gone by. Due to the nerve damage to my bowel, plus certaain medications, gastroparesis (decreased contraction of the nerves to the stomach) which can be very serious. I had botox to the LES plus take medicine to help the stomach to contract. Also, my fusion healed crooked, and I have "torticollis" (very painful), and get botox every 3 months. Many of my problems went undiagnosed for years, thus causing permanence of my symptoms to some degree.
I do apologize for the length. I do not want to bore or act like I have it worse than others. If I can help anyone or if anyone can help me. I greatly would appreciate it. I have tried many "mental" and "physical' therapies plus my TENS unit as an adjuvant but still need my chronic pain and gastric medications. Some of the chronic pain medications are continuing to "destroy" the stomach nerves which really upsets me. I'd love to get off everything but after all these years and all the complications, am loosing hope. I keep praying.
Best to you with your ankle. I am sure you have your good days as well as bad and the "weather" isn't always your friend. It is funny how so many have told me they can predict the weather from their "bone'' injuries and I must agree LOL. Take care. Joan

Jump to this post

Sorry I haven't been on in a while. I have tried a great chiropractor. Trained in Iraq and Afghanistan Troops keeping them from having surgery until it became to bad that they needed it. He is almost 40 yrs old and wonderful. I was making remarked progress until I moved into a new apartment in my HighRise. Even though I spaced out the boxing of items, maintenance moved everything and my daughter put most things away,,,I still needed a lot of things to do on my own. My pain was often a "10" and it set me back so much.My cervical fusion was so symptomatic (the dystonia) that it kept falling down on the left the only relief was a soft collar. Rest was the answer. Even steady 20 minutes physically work flair it up as of 1 week ago. December 29th had my chiropractor (didn't go in 1 month---weather and extreme pain), Today I must say I feel I am starting to round the corner. My plan was to gradually decrease my narcotics. It seems though, any sustained activity in my life will create this. It has been like this for years. Had prayed though with help from chiropractor, releasing all the tight knots I have had for years, it would make a difference? Maybe? My problem that scares me is my wonderful pain doctor decided to retire because of all the legal laws concerning narcotics. They are tying the hands of doctors so much. A "new" doctor I went to see with a nurse from my hospital for support was a waste. He had his mind made up ahead of time. All he uses are anti-seizure medications. They are also full of terrible side effects of which he thinks are harmless. As a former nurse educator, this man's knowledge was sadly pathetic, lacking, and back into the dark ages. I thought of the time when people had fibromyalgia and no tests demonstrated what it was and the doctors told all these poor people it was in their heads. Now scientifically, they have made a lot of headway into this. When I told him the serious side effects for instance of neurontin, he looked surprised at me. 2009 the FDA came out with an alert in some it causes suicide and in rats cancer (?people). Also, the side effects are as bad as morphine. On the streets it is sold illegally too. One can easily overdose on it. This young doctor told me no veteran is on narcotics as it causes hyperalgesia (heightened pain) and they are only on seizure meds. I have read many were using street heroin because couldn't get into VA and when did that usage went down. I asked my doctor who was shocked as he trained with active and vets. He stated half of them used narcotics! I have had so many complications and surgeries from my initial accident in 1992. It is a shame some of these newly trained doctors are poorly educated on chronic pain again and also tell you what your "pain" is and what you are feeling. So disgusting like it was so many years ago! Who wants a life like ours to begin with and we would like to be able to function and have some quality of life.I have had so many back procedures, psychiatric modalities to use, different medications-patches-creams, TENS, physical therapies, and my daily exercise programs I do. It is exhausting just trying to distract your body from the pain and live a full life as much as possible. Then you get a doctor who tells me, a sensitive area is because of my narcotic! My chiropractor again was shocked because my back is full of knots and muscles on top of muscles that he is separating with a special device. I told him this "doctor" never even had me in a gown or felt my back just the base of my neck and SI's. Best to you. Will try to be more on forums again. Joan

REPLY
eileena | @eileena | Jan 12, 2018
In reply to @jlfisher56 "Thank you Justin and I gladly will share my story if it can help anyone. It..." + (show)
@jlfisher56

Thank you Justin and I gladly will share my story if it can help anyone. It is very lenghty so I will try to keep it as abbreviated as possible but to the point. I can understand some of what physical therapy you "might" have gone through post-op with an ankle fusion (had a total rt knee and lt hip replacement). You are correct...long and hard.
I injured my back as a nurse involving a patient. For 2 years I was misdiagnosed as a "lumbar strain" when actually it was a cervical cord compression at C5 to C7. I did have a slight herniation at L4 and slippage and most pain seemed to come from there. My bowel and bladder were affected, legs were weak and arms. I worked in the NICU as "light-duty" using a special back brace but over 2 years continually symptoms became worse. The head of physical therapy stated my EMG showed more from the cervical or upper thorax than lumbar. I started to pronounced arm weakness, neck pain,and cervical headaches. The physiatrist stated, "I tell the doctors to always check the whole back because often the problem is coming elsewhere and not where the patient's pain is." My doctor "knew" better and thought MS but the MRI was negative.
To shorten the story, I went to the"pioneer of back surgery" in Philadelphia (an orthopedic surgeon I knew) and saw his neurologist. First glance he noticed in my face the abnormal jaw reflex and the change in the curvature of my neck into an "L" shape. I had almost a "total" compression C5-C6 and C6-C7 just about as bad. My doctor stated I should have been dead or a quadriplegic and was amazed I was even walking. I had an anterior fusion 2 years after my initial injury (1994) and then the slippage and herniation L4-L5 worsened (I was working part-time as an instructor at my hospital).
I needed trimming L4 and fusion L5-S1 with hardware posterior in 1995 and kept working. My symptoms improved with some neurological deficits remaining but not that severe. Pain only when walking too much and not taking enough breaks. As time went on, I started have all the original symptoms reoccur.
I had what is called a "failed" fusion. My fusions were unstable and areas above and below were herniating or impinging nerves. The peripheral nerves to arms, legs, bowel and bladder and now increasing pain happening more and more were becoming constant. In 1998, thorough testing (discogram, MRIs, EMGs, i.e demonstrated I had a "bad" back). I almost fell off the litter when the x-ray doctor told me.
These were extensive and because of years of the "failure", permenant nerve damage has remained even though some did get better. I had a posterior cervical fusion C4-C7 and 6 weeks later anterior cages and posterior fusion L3-S1 Lumbar area. I developed a post-op hematoma and infection of the lumbar fusion which worsened the neurogenic bowel and I needed 2 bowel operations and am left with a functioning colon but only 18 cm. The neurogenic bladder did become better in time.
I am sorry this is so lengthy but if I can help anyone, just a little more. I know length can turn people off! I developed scar tissue in the spinal cord arachnoiditis (lumbar area found in my testing before my refusions) that causes a lot of chronic pain, had nerve pain and chronic pain, which worsened as the years have gone by. Due to the nerve damage to my bowel, plus certaain medications, gastroparesis (decreased contraction of the nerves to the stomach) which can be very serious. I had botox to the LES plus take medicine to help the stomach to contract. Also, my fusion healed crooked, and I have "torticollis" (very painful), and get botox every 3 months. Many of my problems went undiagnosed for years, thus causing permanence of my symptoms to some degree.
I do apologize for the length. I do not want to bore or act like I have it worse than others. If I can help anyone or if anyone can help me. I greatly would appreciate it. I have tried many "mental" and "physical' therapies plus my TENS unit as an adjuvant but still need my chronic pain and gastric medications. Some of the chronic pain medications are continuing to "destroy" the stomach nerves which really upsets me. I'd love to get off everything but after all these years and all the complications, am loosing hope. I keep praying.
Best to you with your ankle. I am sure you have your good days as well as bad and the "weather" isn't always your friend. It is funny how so many have told me they can predict the weather from their "bone'' injuries and I must agree LOL. Take care. Joan

Jump to this post

Sorry to hear of your pain. I found a great chiropractor not far from my home in a place called Bastyr University Clinic. They teach Chiropractic there along with other alternative medical remedy based (including herbals and homeopathic) methods. She is a light touch type of chiropractor who gently makes corrections. With other parts of your body involved it is probably not simply your neck. A big part of my last problem stemmed from a fall onto my left elbow resulting in a bad tear to 4 tendons of the muscles that are the girdle surrounding the scapula. I have suffered with TMJ that made me think I had something called Trigeminal Nerve problems. I still have ringing in my left ear and have a slight hearing loss at the 6000 frequency as shown by audiograms taken after the fall. I have also had six months of PT to strengthen the muscles following the surgery to correct the tear.

What I am attempting to say is that cervical problems are not necessarily all located in your neck, but can stem from the surrounding areas including your shoulders. Be sure to look at your entire upper trunk muscular system and your nerves as well as your tendons and ligaments.

I hope you are able to get some help as it is not only painful, but debilitating as well and opioids are not the entire answer. Maybe someone can simply give you some very gentle massage to keep your neck and upper back free moving? I, like most other humans, have suffered from pain and don't really like to take the opioids. I have to take magnesium when taking opioids to keep from bowel lock up.

REPLY
jlfisher56 | @jlfisher56 | Jan 12, 2018
In reply to @jlfisher56 "Thank you Justin and I gladly will share my story if it can help anyone. It..." + (show)
@jlfisher56

Thank you Justin and I gladly will share my story if it can help anyone. It is very lenghty so I will try to keep it as abbreviated as possible but to the point. I can understand some of what physical therapy you "might" have gone through post-op with an ankle fusion (had a total rt knee and lt hip replacement). You are correct...long and hard.
I injured my back as a nurse involving a patient. For 2 years I was misdiagnosed as a "lumbar strain" when actually it was a cervical cord compression at C5 to C7. I did have a slight herniation at L4 and slippage and most pain seemed to come from there. My bowel and bladder were affected, legs were weak and arms. I worked in the NICU as "light-duty" using a special back brace but over 2 years continually symptoms became worse. The head of physical therapy stated my EMG showed more from the cervical or upper thorax than lumbar. I started to pronounced arm weakness, neck pain,and cervical headaches. The physiatrist stated, "I tell the doctors to always check the whole back because often the problem is coming elsewhere and not where the patient's pain is." My doctor "knew" better and thought MS but the MRI was negative.
To shorten the story, I went to the"pioneer of back surgery" in Philadelphia (an orthopedic surgeon I knew) and saw his neurologist. First glance he noticed in my face the abnormal jaw reflex and the change in the curvature of my neck into an "L" shape. I had almost a "total" compression C5-C6 and C6-C7 just about as bad. My doctor stated I should have been dead or a quadriplegic and was amazed I was even walking. I had an anterior fusion 2 years after my initial injury (1994) and then the slippage and herniation L4-L5 worsened (I was working part-time as an instructor at my hospital).
I needed trimming L4 and fusion L5-S1 with hardware posterior in 1995 and kept working. My symptoms improved with some neurological deficits remaining but not that severe. Pain only when walking too much and not taking enough breaks. As time went on, I started have all the original symptoms reoccur.
I had what is called a "failed" fusion. My fusions were unstable and areas above and below were herniating or impinging nerves. The peripheral nerves to arms, legs, bowel and bladder and now increasing pain happening more and more were becoming constant. In 1998, thorough testing (discogram, MRIs, EMGs, i.e demonstrated I had a "bad" back). I almost fell off the litter when the x-ray doctor told me.
These were extensive and because of years of the "failure", permenant nerve damage has remained even though some did get better. I had a posterior cervical fusion C4-C7 and 6 weeks later anterior cages and posterior fusion L3-S1 Lumbar area. I developed a post-op hematoma and infection of the lumbar fusion which worsened the neurogenic bowel and I needed 2 bowel operations and am left with a functioning colon but only 18 cm. The neurogenic bladder did become better in time.
I am sorry this is so lengthy but if I can help anyone, just a little more. I know length can turn people off! I developed scar tissue in the spinal cord arachnoiditis (lumbar area found in my testing before my refusions) that causes a lot of chronic pain, had nerve pain and chronic pain, which worsened as the years have gone by. Due to the nerve damage to my bowel, plus certaain medications, gastroparesis (decreased contraction of the nerves to the stomach) which can be very serious. I had botox to the LES plus take medicine to help the stomach to contract. Also, my fusion healed crooked, and I have "torticollis" (very painful), and get botox every 3 months. Many of my problems went undiagnosed for years, thus causing permanence of my symptoms to some degree.
I do apologize for the length. I do not want to bore or act like I have it worse than others. If I can help anyone or if anyone can help me. I greatly would appreciate it. I have tried many "mental" and "physical' therapies plus my TENS unit as an adjuvant but still need my chronic pain and gastric medications. Some of the chronic pain medications are continuing to "destroy" the stomach nerves which really upsets me. I'd love to get off everything but after all these years and all the complications, am loosing hope. I keep praying.
Best to you with your ankle. I am sure you have your good days as well as bad and the "weather" isn't always your friend. It is funny how so many have told me they can predict the weather from their "bone'' injuries and I must agree LOL. Take care. Joan

Jump to this post

I do thank you for your advice. That is why I like this chiropractor. He does the massage, Russian TENs to stimulate enkephalins which last longer than our endorphins, and heat of which I do exercises with/and without his assistance (iso).
My cervical is extensive fusion and I have cervical dystonia (deviated to the left) The trapezius is very painful as well as all the muscle attacked to the skull. Used to give me daily migraines that caused nausea and often vomiting. My lumbar fusion is extensive from L3-S1 and I have scarring into the spinal canal (arachnoiditis).The pinched muscles keep the nerve sheaths from allowing the nerves to glide causing pain.That is what I like with this doctor.
My (RT) knee and (LT) hip are replaced so I am limited in some walking and things I would like to do and be more mobile. I try to do the exercises for core strength and my chiropractor states heat is the best to rid toxins. He does and I have learned to do myofascial release. Not easy to do on your own back but helps.
My problems started in July 1992 and I was paralyzed from the waist down from a cervical cord compression and given the wrong treatment. That is why besides the failed back fusions, I was left with complications. Topamax helps me. Not as bad a Neurontin but all meds have their use and side effects. Neurontin is very constipating like narcotics.
I was blessed to have the "Pioneer" of back surgeons in 1994 who did my first fusions and saw my misdiagnoses. I am not a big person for medications but when nothing else works, low dosage of certain agents to start should be tried. Even pain patches of Lidoderm, Teracin i.e. It is just knowing after more than 30 years of being a medical professional ( professional RN) and a former instructor, having some young doctor "tell" a patient how, what, and why they feel what they do is totally wrong. It is going back to the old days when I took care of those poor suffering patients. I don't want to be one of them and I am afraid many chronic pain people are going to be because of all the new opioid laws.

REPLY
eileena | @eileena | Jan 12, 2018
In reply to @jlfisher56 "Thank you Justin and I gladly will share my story if it can help anyone. It..." + (show)
@jlfisher56

Thank you Justin and I gladly will share my story if it can help anyone. It is very lenghty so I will try to keep it as abbreviated as possible but to the point. I can understand some of what physical therapy you "might" have gone through post-op with an ankle fusion (had a total rt knee and lt hip replacement). You are correct...long and hard.
I injured my back as a nurse involving a patient. For 2 years I was misdiagnosed as a "lumbar strain" when actually it was a cervical cord compression at C5 to C7. I did have a slight herniation at L4 and slippage and most pain seemed to come from there. My bowel and bladder were affected, legs were weak and arms. I worked in the NICU as "light-duty" using a special back brace but over 2 years continually symptoms became worse. The head of physical therapy stated my EMG showed more from the cervical or upper thorax than lumbar. I started to pronounced arm weakness, neck pain,and cervical headaches. The physiatrist stated, "I tell the doctors to always check the whole back because often the problem is coming elsewhere and not where the patient's pain is." My doctor "knew" better and thought MS but the MRI was negative.
To shorten the story, I went to the"pioneer of back surgery" in Philadelphia (an orthopedic surgeon I knew) and saw his neurologist. First glance he noticed in my face the abnormal jaw reflex and the change in the curvature of my neck into an "L" shape. I had almost a "total" compression C5-C6 and C6-C7 just about as bad. My doctor stated I should have been dead or a quadriplegic and was amazed I was even walking. I had an anterior fusion 2 years after my initial injury (1994) and then the slippage and herniation L4-L5 worsened (I was working part-time as an instructor at my hospital).
I needed trimming L4 and fusion L5-S1 with hardware posterior in 1995 and kept working. My symptoms improved with some neurological deficits remaining but not that severe. Pain only when walking too much and not taking enough breaks. As time went on, I started have all the original symptoms reoccur.
I had what is called a "failed" fusion. My fusions were unstable and areas above and below were herniating or impinging nerves. The peripheral nerves to arms, legs, bowel and bladder and now increasing pain happening more and more were becoming constant. In 1998, thorough testing (discogram, MRIs, EMGs, i.e demonstrated I had a "bad" back). I almost fell off the litter when the x-ray doctor told me.
These were extensive and because of years of the "failure", permenant nerve damage has remained even though some did get better. I had a posterior cervical fusion C4-C7 and 6 weeks later anterior cages and posterior fusion L3-S1 Lumbar area. I developed a post-op hematoma and infection of the lumbar fusion which worsened the neurogenic bowel and I needed 2 bowel operations and am left with a functioning colon but only 18 cm. The neurogenic bladder did become better in time.
I am sorry this is so lengthy but if I can help anyone, just a little more. I know length can turn people off! I developed scar tissue in the spinal cord arachnoiditis (lumbar area found in my testing before my refusions) that causes a lot of chronic pain, had nerve pain and chronic pain, which worsened as the years have gone by. Due to the nerve damage to my bowel, plus certaain medications, gastroparesis (decreased contraction of the nerves to the stomach) which can be very serious. I had botox to the LES plus take medicine to help the stomach to contract. Also, my fusion healed crooked, and I have "torticollis" (very painful), and get botox every 3 months. Many of my problems went undiagnosed for years, thus causing permanence of my symptoms to some degree.
I do apologize for the length. I do not want to bore or act like I have it worse than others. If I can help anyone or if anyone can help me. I greatly would appreciate it. I have tried many "mental" and "physical' therapies plus my TENS unit as an adjuvant but still need my chronic pain and gastric medications. Some of the chronic pain medications are continuing to "destroy" the stomach nerves which really upsets me. I'd love to get off everything but after all these years and all the complications, am loosing hope. I keep praying.
Best to you with your ankle. I am sure you have your good days as well as bad and the "weather" isn't always your friend. It is funny how so many have told me they can predict the weather from their "bone'' injuries and I must agree LOL. Take care. Joan

Jump to this post

Until now I had never heard of enkephalins. Looked it up on EncyclopediaBritanica.com. Very interesting. I think Russian TENs may be what my PT uses. I looked it up on start page.com and the unit I saw lots very similar to what I have had used on me in Chiropractic offices and at my PT's clinic. My PT uses ice and stem after the session is done for my shoulder.

REPLY
lioness | @lioness | Jan 12, 2018

I can tell you my chriopractor uses the tens first then puts Ice on top ,then turns tens on.Before he works on me this relaxes the muscles. I have a tens at home it is this brand Homeopathic K have bought some of there massage items also.

REPLY
1 reply
jlfisher56 | @jlfisher56 | Jan 13, 2018
In reply to @lioness "I can tell you my chriopractor uses the tens first then puts Ice on top ,then..." + (show)
@lioness

I can tell you my chriopractor uses the tens first then puts Ice on top ,then turns tens on.Before he works on me this relaxes the muscles. I have a tens at home it is this brand Homeopathic K have bought some of there massage items also.

Jump to this post

Love my TENS also. Now, my chiropractor states the new therapy is heat and not ice and explained why. I understand. Years ago that worked great. At times at home yes but more so ice. So I asked my two doctors their opinion (not to go against my wonderful chiropractor), what they thought. Ice is find. What he said is true but if ice works, it is decreasing the nerve pain. That is why I am getting relief. Yes the heat is ridding the body of all the wastes and toxins that increase pain but use ice if it works better. So, when he works on my back, I prefer heat to rid the toxins. At home with my TENS and just during the day or sleep when pain,,,ice.

REPLY
jlfisher56 | @jlfisher56 | Jan 13, 2018

I use ice but at my chiropractor heat to get rid of the wastes and toxins as he states. He told me that is the new protocol but at home, didn't give me as much relief. I asked my doctors and they stated the ice is calming the inflammation of the nerves, that is why it works better than heat so just use that. What the chiropractor said is correct but, if ice works just use it and this is why. So it is rare I use heat. 15 years ago I often did. Rarely at home though now. I do use my TENS a lot but it is a regular TENS.

REPLY
2 replies
eileena | @eileena | Jan 13, 2018
In reply to @jlfisher56 "I use ice but at my chiropractor heat to get rid of the wastes and toxins..." + (show)
@jlfisher56

I use ice but at my chiropractor heat to get rid of the wastes and toxins as he states. He told me that is the new protocol but at home, didn't give me as much relief. I asked my doctors and they stated the ice is calming the inflammation of the nerves, that is why it works better than heat so just use that. What the chiropractor said is correct but, if ice works just use it and this is why. So it is rare I use heat. 15 years ago I often did. Rarely at home though now. I do use my TENS a lot but it is a regular TENS.

Jump to this post

The calming of the nerves is most likely what my PT intends when it is used at the end of the session. My shoulder injury did radically affect the nerves and I could not move the arm without significant pain until about 2 months post surgery having PT 2X weekly with the 10 minute ice & stem sessions at the end. Now, 7 months post surgery I have only slight twinges when I raise the arm to have both arms meet midair above my head. I still have some weakness when I extend the left and it still trembles when I solder so is not so useful to hold the wire in place to allow the soldering to be done at work.
But now I'm reducing my visits to 1X weekly.

REPLY
jlfisher56 | @jlfisher56 | Jan 13, 2018

That is wonderful to hear of progress. Pray it continues for you and your rehab continues to make such terrific success! Good to have positive news!

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.