Treatment for bulging disks..Alternative medicine or what? HELP?

Question

I have had problems with bulging disks for the past 2 years. I am tired of taking anti inflamitorys and pain meds on and off just to "control" the pain and maintain some sort of normal life. I recently went to an Alternative medicne Chiropractor and discussed treatment including accupuncture and therapy to cure the problem not just medicate the pain.

My problem is... My insurance will pay most of the treatment if I just go to a spine surgeon and have epidural injections for pain and if that doesn't work then back surgery...But it coveres very little if I am treated by the alternative medicne Dr.'s.

Should I just do it? $$$$$

I guess my question is...Has anyone tried alternative medicne and had good results?

Thank you again.

Answer 1

I hate to tell you this but there is no right answer. Each person is an individual and has had different circumstances and traumas throughout their lifetime. Every doctor or healthcare practitioner will try to fit you and your issue into their box. Have you ever noticed everyone has the 'answer'? How could they all be right? How could they all be wrong?

You have to do your research. Find someone who you trust and respect....and give it a try. Sometimes you may need to try many things before you solve the problem. And many times all the things you try will have a cumulative effect which will result in you getting your final desired outcome.

But, a good rule of thumb is to do the least invasive to the most invasive. Remember, if they cut or operate there's no turning back. But, if you take a homeopathic as the practitioner above suggested, it's pretty non-invasive and you will do almost no harm. But, if you operate there's a huge risk there.

Yes, its going to take time and money possibly. And unfortunately everyone looks to insurance companies to bail them out, where most of our health problems have been our own doing and are very lifestyle related. Often if a person changes their lifestyle; diet, exercise, stress reduction, reduce emotional stress, they will notice substantial improvements in their physical health.

If it were me I'd avoid the surgery and use it as your very last option. And remember one thing when you ask for multiple opinions from orthopedic surgeons....that surgeons are trained to do one thing---SURGERY! So, that will be their usual option. If a carpenter only had a hammer, what tool do you think he'd use? Just do your research.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I have the same problem.

After speaking to many about the possibilities out there it became apparent that one way or another I was going to end up having to have surgery.

I decided to do the injections first, when I found that recovery time could be as long as 8-9 months with the surgery. However, the injections aren't working very well as far as the pain goes (I can walk now without looking like a total spaz though) but I want better results. So I know I am going to have to have the surgery. My dilemma is, where the spine in concerned, how do I put my total trust in a doctor that has the ability to heal or cripple me with one wrong move?

Good luck in your decision. I know the pain is crippling.

Answer 3

I feel for you, as I was in the same situation.
One drug that I highly recommend is Neurontin. The generic name is Gabapentin. My sciatica had me paralyzed for about 3 months. After a week or so of the Neurontin, I was up and walking pain free. Keep in mind this only deals with the pain....the problem is still there. Ultimately I had the surgery. I was so happy I did!! My L4/L5 and L5/S1 disks were severely bulged. I had a diskectomy to the above disks as well as a lamenectomy to my L4, L5, and S1 lamina. My total recovery time was just under 3 weeks.
Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Traction helps relieve pressure.
Epidural steroid injections only for radiating pain down a leg, not back pain. Surgery only if large fragment in spinal canal, failed conservative treatment or bowel and bladder dysfunction..
MRI can fool you. Many people have bulging discs without back pain and some people have no bulging discs but have severe back pain
Best to go to a pain specialist (usually an anesthesiologist or physiatrist) to rule out other causes (facet pain can mimic bulging disc pain, as can other causes)
Sometimes they can do cryoablation, or neuroablation (both done in a clinic under sedation), thus preventing a surgery.
By the way, there are alot of failed back surgeries because they have a surgery but the problem was not their disc.

Answer 5

The following Homeopathic Remedies will relieve and cure your bulging discs without any side effects or complications without any side effects or complications of any kind, ARNICA MONTANA 30, RHUS TOX 30, HYPERICUM 30 all three together half hour before meals three times a day and take SULFUR in 200 once every third day first thing in the morning.
Take Care and God Bless you