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← Return to Chronic Back Pain for Years
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First, I'm so sorry that you are experiencing this pain and suffering after your previous surgery for your cervical spine. Falling is a dangerous thing for all of us as we age, and even more so since your recent successful surgery. At the risk of repeating myself, I would like to suggest that you try ART (Active Release Technique) before you opt for another surgery. I know ART has prevented for over a year my needing major back surgery for my L4. My practitioner has worked on various other debilitating pains in my left shoulder, my TMJ, and my cervical radiculopathy over the past few months. Every time it has worked to relieve the pain. I see him this morning for the second treatment on my lumbar area since I awoke with acute pain and inability to walk last Thursday. I am much better after the first treatment and have been able to walk for limited amounts of time since the Friday treatment.
This is why I would like to see you check out ART treatments before the invasive surgery. Please let me know how you feel about this option. You are facing difficult times right now. I'm glad you have this forum to connect with others who are having chronic pain as well. Your contributions and expressions of support for others here are so important for so many. I hope you find relief for your pain.
Gailb
Volunteer Mentor
Replies to "@grandmar First, I'm so sorry that you are experiencing this pain and suffering after your previous..."
Please follow your surgeon's advice and your intuition about ART. I know you are good at being your own advocate. I thought maybe you had considered ART in the past, but I didn't remember for sure. My surgeon was skeptical about ART at first, and his only advice was not to let him do any "adjustments on my spine. My ART practitioner only works on my muscles, and was fine about not doing bone manipulation. I understand your concern about the possibility of losing your surgeon. Follow your body's needs. Your surgeon certainly knows your condition much better than I could ever know. I'm glad you are seeing a reputable surgeon who is advising you. It's so important to have excellent doctors who encourage communication with them.
Warm regards,
Gailb
Volunteer Mentor
Thank you for your advice.
I am very particular when it comes to the docs I see.
I will travel 2 hours to see someone.
I do VERY thorough research to find what I consider the best based of peer and patient reviews, education, fellowships, training, etc.
I do get my therapeutic massages and that helps, even though it is short term.
I have to see her more often.
Right now I go every 3rd week for 90 minutes.
I think I am going to go every 2nd week for 60 minutes (90 min. would be too expensive, so often).
Thanks again!
Ronnie
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@gailb
Hello!
I actually DID some research on the ART you previously suggested.
I also went as far as to find one close to me.
At my last visit with the neuro-surgeon, I brought it up.
He said it was another chiropractic procedure and felt it could do me more harm than good.
Now, this guy has approved of me continuing with the pain doc for my lumbar spine and to return for therapeutic massage.
He was just against the ART practitioner.
I am VERY well aware that I need to be my own advocate!
I am afraid if I do go, and I will still need surgery, I will lose his talents.
He is a very talented surgeon who is very well rated on all websites and I really don't want to lose him.
I just don't know???!!!
Ronnie
(GRANDMAr)