Paul has cervical radiculopathy (from a bulging disc) - advice?

Thanks a bunch, Paul, for sharing your personal experience... very valuable ;)  (Oh, and might add:  time and rest ;)

Glad that offered you some relief...so no supplement, treatment or drug proved helpful, I am so sorry, I truly feel your pain.  I will stick with the triple threat of chiro, massage, and then two days later, accupuncture unless the Doc finds something in the CAT scan.  Thanks.

Thanks for sharing with us.. great information

So sorry you're going through this, Paul.

Western medicine has plenty of strikes against it, but there is no better set of tools than the ones you have described: the x-ray, MRI, fMRI. All the turmeric infusions in the world are not going to get you an MRI.

I can almost explain what magnetic resonance imaging is and how it works, but that's a far cry from what needs to happen.

Go to a hospital, and simply have the tests done. They may be bastards, but they're practical bastards. A lot of hospitals won't chase after someone with no provable income, people below the poverty line.

Just go in a show them plainly that you haven't got money, and it is possible they will slash the bill deeply.
Perhaps in Missoula there is an equivalent of what we have here in San Antonio called Carelink, by University Hospital.  This is a special one-hospital system only program where medical services are rendered to people who have no way to pay for them, by people going to medical school to do this. That's the exchange. But every floor is overseen by a real doctor who is also their teacher.

I have been very grateful to them in the past.

old topic by the way... so what helped the most Paul? (i did not read the whole thread maybe it was mentioned)

edit: i think permaculture is better medicine than.... medicine

edit: just started reading back through the thread...
the inflatable neck brace is awesome!

nancy sutton wrote:Thanks a bunch, Paul, for sharing your personal experience... very valuable ;)  (Oh, and might add:  time and rest ;)

I'm not Paul, but in reply to folks wondering what worked and what didn't work, a large part might be what Nancy wrote:  time and rest.

Thankfully, Paul did recover and has been up and very mobile since mid-2016.

There were some neck stretching and support devices in the early months that helped (a cervical collar - the foam kind you see folks wear for whiplash - was probably the simplest/best), though he was advised not to rely on those too much, otherwise the neck and shoulder muscles could atrophy. Once the prescription med that helped ease the pain best was on board, Gabapentin (sp?), a nerve medication originally developed for seizures, the neck devices didn't seem to make that much difference and were no longer used. Paul only took that med for a few months, and was able to easily and quickly drop it when the pain and his mobility improved (contrary to some warnings we received). We/I worked very hard to feed Paul an anti-inflammatory and nutrient-dense, healing diet from the beginning, with the goal of 4 cups of veggies in each meal, three meals a day. It was a goal, not very often reached, and one that I still strive for.

These are my observations, of course, as Paul's partner and caretaker (with some other awesome support from Sharla, Sara, and others, too!) during that time. Paul's thoughts might differ a bit from mine on what worked.

This is my first posting here.

Regarding back pain, I would like to add the following, this is from my forum, which is (optically) at least as brown as yours :
============================
1.) get your atlas fixed http://www.atlantotec.com/en (most important step, most people are affected by an Atlas misalignment "thanks" to the highly unnatural birth posture most women use nowadays, this reduces the birth canal by 30% (see naturesplatform.com, gynecological section), this forces doctors to apply force to get the baby out, this shifts the atlas, later the bones get hard and this person will then have a misaligned atlas probably for the rest of his or her life, if this makes any symptoms is dependent on the graveness of the misalignment),
2.) buy a good inversion table
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=inversion&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Ainversion
(dont forget to use it as well )
3.) Get the rene quinton seawater ampullas (from the french pharmacy at http://anonym.to?http://www.purepara.com/fr/complements-alimentaires/26922-quinton-hypertonic-30-ampoules-3401565989262.html ) to refill the vertebral disc fluid
4.) try a kneeling chair, for example "varier balans"
5.) If you have sciatic pain, try the exercises at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbZzeO4P9YA, they should help immediately!
You should also try squatting (as already mentioned in the earthing section, see http://naturesplatform.com):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGXP_FH5TF4
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Another factor is btw natural radiation fields at the sleeping place, aka if you cannot dowse / divine I suggest you go and get someone who can. Or ask your dog or cat, cats search radiation and sleep there, dogs flee radiation and sleep at radiation free places if they can. So, if you are lieing on a water vein, this WONT BE GOOD for your long term health. You can also see this phenomenon in nature and in times past you could see it on walls, "old walls" have another composition and this is the reason why you can optically see "flame like"-discoloring which gets caused by water in there because the water is kept there by the radiation field of the water vein. This looks very interesting, dont have pictures though. I am german and have german literature about all this.

Sharla Kew wrote:On the Brosh pain scale (attached), he's been hanging out in the 6 to 10 zone.
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I'm sorry to hear about Paul's condition. Not to make light of it, but laughter is always good medicine. I laughed out loud at the 7-12 illustration: it describes intense pain so well!

I experience what is probably a similar condition due to curvatures in my spine and especially in my neck, in my case. I may also have a hairline neck fracture.

My symptoms include muscle spasms in the neck at the base of my skull where the tendons attach. The pain usually comes when I stand to cook or do the dishes.

Computer work aggravates the condition. The exercises help to strengthen my core muscles, which may also help with Paul's condition.

I also do some gentle neck rolls, tilting head down, back up then tilt head to look at one ormbit and then the other and returning to normal upright head position in between, and tilting head ears to shoulders and return. Just relaxing and letting the weight of the head do the work. Sometimes, pressing on the attachment points where the tendons meet the base of my skull helps to relax the muscle spasms.



Of course, in Paul's case, it may only aggravate his condition, so if more pain results, don't force any of the exercises.

This sort of pain can be quite debilitating. I wish good success in treating the condition.

While the original post started 4 years ago, I did want to add some input for anyone currently having these issues.  

As a natural healer for well over a decade (high level energy healer), I can tell you that chiropractic, Western Medicine, acupuncture, and other modalities do not come close to touching what a high level energy healer can do.  That said, what you put into (and on) your body, can have detrimental effects.  Some people did touch base with snippets of information on diet and inflammatory foods.  One noted that the inflammatory diet actually made her partner’s pain/condition worsen.  That is likely due to the fact that he was now not taking enough of the omega-6 for inflammation (yes, we need some inflammation in times of injury and certain types of healing).  Most find that the 1:2 ratio works great for the right balance of Omega 3 to Omega 6 etc oils, and is considered to have the most anti-aging effects (of healthy fats).  It is also important to note where those oils are coming from; rancid oils from the store or any pill form (which is shown in studies to be very ineffective).  Also sprouted nuts/seeds (this is the only way one should eat nuts/seeds due to the mineral blocking phytic acid in them), are a weak form of Omega-3 and the body needs to convert it into a usable form as well.  However, wild caught fish (not farm raised) with higher amounts of Omega-3, are superior as a highly utilized Omega-3.  Omega-3 pills are not in natural form, and have been modified via an extraction process, that the body does not recognize it as food/usable form.  Yes, these pills can have a buffering effect, by the effects are very short-term.  Eliminating all grains (due to the gut damaging and inflammatory lectins), unless you properly ferment the rye and wheat and keep the cooking temperature low enough to not destroy the beneficial phytase enzyme.  Rye and wheat are the only grains you should be fermenting and eating, if any grains are consumed, because they have enough of the phytase enzyme to neutralize the mineral binding phytic acid (by mineral binding, it is in the sense of not allowing them to be absorbed by the body – and also contributes to kidney etc stones along with a diet that has oxalates (oxalates help form crystals via mineral binding).  Oxalic acid foods are not the problem; our bodies cells actually require oxalic acid, but it’s when we do things like overcook vegetables etc that turn that oxalic acid into a damaging and mineral binding oxalate.  A.G.E. (aged glycation end products) are damaging to the cells much like oxidative damage, and happen when we do things like overcook meat or eat a higher amount of sugar combined with higher protein or higher fat.  Meat does not require much to be considered overcooked, and we really shouldn’t be eating meat well done.  Pasteurized dairy (on top of grain fed cows), is highly inflammatory and promotes gut damage as well as helps feed the bad bacteria in the gut (as does whey, improperly fermented soy sauce, sugar/fructose – fruit, high starches, alcohol, etc.  Healthy gut bacteria also feed on complex starches (grains not included, as they contribute to leaky gut, food sensitivities, inflammation).  Nightshade veggies can have similar effects in inflammation, typically for people who have a leaky/inflamed gut (white potato, eggplant, hot peppers, bell peppers, goji berries, etc).  Nut and other oils (other than coconut, 1st cold pressed extra virgin olive oil, and low heat/non pasteurized grass fed butter) are extremely inflammatory and too high in Omega-6 etc.  Keeping toxins low in the body, by trying to eat organic foods that were grown in nutrient dense soil, as well as avoiding products that use chemically made or irritating ingredients.  German Chamomile is as effective if not more effective in studies, than the NSAID drugs on the market.  You can steep the tea and then refrigerate/freeze it for cosmetic anti-inflammatory applications.  Some people may utilize the poultice application, and should work just as good minus the additional anti-inflammatory effects of the cold/ice.  I don’t want to write a novel, so I’ll stop there.  For high level and faster healing, seeing a high level energy healer is something that will leave you speechless.  Quantum Energy Healing/Kundalini Activations should be terms that healer is familiar with and practices.  If not, your results of energy healing may not be very effective.  As with anything, there are a lot of fakes in our field.  I personally have aligned people’s spines via energy and no touch.  I access their energy meridians and chakras, flow the energy and activate it as high as possible each time, to promote (for most) permanent healing.  The body will even physically vibrate/shake with the activation of kundalini energy.  Some speak very badly of that energy activation online, but clearly these were not legitimate healers.  This energy lies within the body, and was meant to heal us at a very rapid rate.  When Western Medicine doctors tell a client/clients that they’ve healed 99.9% faster than anyone they’ve seen and doctors come to see you as clients, you know there is no smoke and mirrors or trickery.  It’s easy for people to be skeptical, until they experience it for themselves.  With a mixed Native American background, this was my natural intuitive gift, and will do this work till the day I leave this world.

I'm a big guy too. Over 6'5" and Over 280lbs. We are more prone to wear and tear.

Inversion Table! a sturdy one.

You don't need to go full hang - even a 30° - 45° inversion is enough to decompress the spine, which can both give temporary relief and help the disks heal. ( Plus it makes you feel good )

how did I get here?  oh, yeah, researching and relating to back pain.  It's years later, and I've no idea if you are still suffering, Paul - but I found this a great thread (granted I only have made it through 3 pages so far) for advice in general.  

My thruppence (2 seems so skinflint and mean):
I've tried many things on this thread, and will continue to read for the spirit of help as much as for the interesting tidbits I've not tried (very cool, I'm taking notes), but something that is changing my life entirely is what I call my personal and private 'chirogator' - you'll see, hang on.

Funded a kickstarter for the back greenamagig, got impatient and bought the neck iceberg off amazon, laughed through the VERY EARNEST developer's update emails (bless him, he's Korean), and then entirely missed out on the full combo package.  

pah.  

but still, I would say better results (*I* like to be in control of what happens with my back when he's feeling poorly) than massage or chiro.  and whay whay cheaper (though there is a wince at first sight).

Let me find the linkybob https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/isospine-and-isoneck-relieve-back-and-neck-pain/x/4545521#/ .

IsoSpine and IsoNeck.  just your typical modern iron maiden.

well now, how do I control K that ugliness I wonder.

Hey there, I have dealt with bulging discs in my neck and lower back for a while now, and I can share what really works for me.

First I will share that I am a large man. I am 6'2" barefooted. I have weighed as much as 425 lbs, but am at a much more comfortable 230 now. Losing that weight help me the most.

This pain comes from inflammation. The first thing I need to do switch to an anti-inflammatory diet.

This means water and tea only for drink, no sugar, no grains, select carbs. Lots of water, all the time.

Anti inflammatory supplements are great: tumeric, ginger, tart cherry, etc.

Next I need to ice the affected area. Ice it for 20 minutes, then let it heat back up.

I repeat this hourly. Once a day I will lay flat on the ground with a rolled up towel placed under the curve of the neck. I remain like this for 10 minutes the first day, and increase this to 30 minutes over time.

After a while, I am able to introduce some more stretching. Stretch everything! If I stretch my hamstrings, I am sure to stretch my quads an equal amount.

Some things that have helped me have been hanging from a bar and also an inversion table, but not the table for the neck!

Walking running and jogging barefooted are great too.

Finally when all healed up, I return to strength building exercises, but am sure to stay in balance. If I work out the back, I need to do equal work to the chest. Yoga is also great!

A chiropractor can help a limited amount as well, but I don't want to waste too much money on them!

Sharla Kew wrote:Paul is in a bad way, folks.

An easily-ignored twinge of back pain has blossomed into cervical radiculopathy, and he is currently in so much pain that he is unable to use the computer, read, or sleep without the help of Valium and painkillers. On the Brosh pain scale (attached), he's been hanging out in the 6 to 10 zone.

He is going to be out of action for at least a week, possibly for several weeks. On top of this, it is already a crazy busy time for Jocelyn, so please send them both good vibes.  

Cervical radiculopathy, also referred to as radicular pain, is a somewhat broad term for symptoms of any "condition that irritates a nerve in the cervical spine (neck)." The good news is that it's probably not caused by a herniated or ruptured disc, but he will be getting an MRI soon to make sure. The likely culprit here is long hours at the computer, so consider this a reminder to get up and stretch.

He wanted me to post about his condition not only as an update to his loyal public but to ask for help and advice. Does anyone have experience dealing with cervical radiculopathy, or any kind of spinal nerve pain? We seek tips for exercises, stretches, remedies, meditations, and anything, really.

I'll post updates on this thread as things unfold.

It has been a very long time since I posted an update ....

I saw a surgeon (that my insurance assures me does not exist - and yet there he was) that specializes in this sort of thing.   He said he was going to schedule the surgery for five weeks out because there was a 50/50 chance that the problem will simply go away.   And then he sent me to a PT office where the guy set me up with some exercises.

I remember being in the PT office waiting room being in some very serious pain.  Maybe 6.5 to 7.

If I'm on by back with my right arm out, the pain goes down to a 2 or 3.  When I get up, i would have about a minute and a half until the pain would go back up to 6.5.  But when I would get on my back, the pain drops almost instantly.  So I spent months on my back.  

I would sit up to pee and eat and stuff.  I would eat in one minute rounds.   And I would do some of the exercises.  

Gradually, over a month, I got to the point that I could be upright for about five minutes.   Another month and I could do 10 minutes.   Eventually an hour.  

Eventually I could be upright all day, but if I were to stand for about three minutes, my right leg would go numb.  And after the numb, when I would sit down, it would feel like my leg was filling up with ice water.  If I walked briskly I could go 10 or 12 minutes.  So I would sit a lot.   Recently I had to stand to wait in line for about half an hour - that's when I realized that this issue seems to be all gone.

About a year ago my arm started to hurt a bit from time to time.   In the last six months or so, I am fortunate that people here would make me jello or something with chicken bone broth - that did a lot to help.  And I found the stuff about those exercises and have been doing those again - I think the exercises really did the trick.  

So my cervical radiculopathy stuff seems to be all gone now.  No surgery.  Just a shift in food and PT.  I wish I knew this stuff when the pain first hit - it could have saved me months of agony.

Hi, glad you are doing better Paul.

For all who have pain in the (Back not the other place) Look up Postural Alignment Therapy. Or PT Blocking. I use the Egoscue Method myself. As I have mentioned once on another thread, after nine months of the therapy (20 minutes a day) I grew an inch. Eventually the discs regrew. I've had back and neck pain for over 40 years. I still have low levels of pain but that I can deal with.

I had this dream maybe 2 or 3 weeks ago.  In and out of mind that morning, then coming across a post with regard to Paul's health reminded me of it.

We are in something like a class room.  Like a dozen people, none of whom I remember, other than Paul, who seems to be leading a discussion.  Think it was about health?  All pretty foggy prior to the bit of the dream I recalled, one of the rare ones where I get very specific continuous sentences.   Those tend to stick like this did:

After Paul says something, I suggest a person shouldn't really expect to be healthy without Fire, water, wind, spirit.  The Earth food, is one of a number of equally necessary fundamental pillars of health, and health works better if you don't emphasize one over another.

Paul fairly explodes at this suggestion.  Like, "not in favor of your opinion, that's some bullshit!"  (Don't recall actual words here, just a glaring negative reaction that had me kind of shrinking inside myself, like whoops I shouldn't have said that.)

Next thing I know, Paul gets right in my face and is like "why would you think something so preposterous!?!"  (like, again I only remember my own concepts and his physiological reaction)

Think about it, Fire, like inner fire like burning quite a few calories in a relatively short time period using your muscles.  And that outer fire, catching sunbeams on your mostly exposed skin.  Let's not assume that eating D fortified foods works half as well as distributed synthesis over the entire surface of your body, just the tip of the sunbeam iceberg, and Water, as in the water you drink and the water you sweat. Wind, as in breathe, like deep and relaxed, and also like you just ran a sprint till you collapsed.  Spirit, like your thoughts and more common emotional state.  All these things are on equal footing with Earth food if you are trying to build health.  The Bon Tibetans have been saying this shit for eons.

Paul's facial expression changes, something clicked and now he's considering the concept rather than rejecting it.

End of dream recall

Don't mean to be a psychic stalker HAHA.  One of those dreams, what a bunch of brain static....postcards from the unconscious.  Return to sender, address unknown (Northern Exposure : )

I’m a private contractor by trade in Commercial and Home building industry a bogus industry for housing at 170 ponds. Not a good thing when standing on a 8” thick concrete 9 foot tall wall and reaching down to grab a concrete form that is only 8 foot tall and pulling it up and over into the center to be stacked for a form truck to pickup by crane. What works for me is getting the Latic acid out first by using HUMIC & FULVIC ACID. Once the excoriating pain starts to subside, I start doing the CAT COW exercise. Stopped using chiropractors. You have to watch what you eat if you become a desk jockey. If you work hard and burn a lot of calories cabs are needed and salts. It’s not like I can juice celery on the job site to replenish the natural salts unless I am working out of a motor coach.

Retired chiropractor here. A few questions I would like to ask. Do you have a pronounced head forward in relation to your shoulders something seen typically in someone who stares at a phone all day. Is there more tenderness on one side of your neck or the other. Is there any pain radiating down your entire arm or are you having any tingling in any particular finger. Do you have forward rounded shoulders that your shoulders are in a sense sort of trying to meet each other by your chin. Is the majority of your pain sensation in the back of the neck ? If you answer yes to the majority of the questions I have asked I would simply start by trying to stretch the front of your body meaning your pecs, the anterior neck muscles gently. Email me if you are interested in finding out more.

I don't know how my shoulders and neck compare to others.  Here is a video of me