Dislocated discs, muscle lock, how?

Question

I had a pain on both sides in my neck two weeks ago. Because I had a wrist pain last year and after 3 visits to the physio(nhs) sorted that out, the trouble was in the neck, I tought I should go and have whatever hurts now sorted again.
Yesterday I went to a physio(private).Today I am so sore that I can hardly move. I was told that I had 3 dislocated discs in my neck and a muscle lock under my sholder blade, what ever that means. My discs have been out for some time and according to this physio(private) last year they were not put back in to place by the other physio(nhs) when they should have. I have no idea how or when I dislocated these discs but I feel a lot worse today than before I went for the treatment. I screamed my head off during this treatment. Need to go again in two weeks and I am not sure if I should. Could he be hurting me so I go back and pay more or is he doing better job since I am paying?
How do you dislocate discs in your neck, appart from being in a accident?

The pain in my wrist last year lasted 8 months until the physio in the hospital, to which I was reffered by my doctor, found that the problem was in the neck. I had my wrist x-rayed but never my neck. Because all the time I was put through pain and took so long for physio to find the problem I just decided to go private. No I am not so sure what to do, I just don't want to be in pain, but I do feel that the national health service doesn't have the time for me.

Answer 1

I've never used the term "dislocated" (perhaps its a British phrase), but I'm assuming is refers to either a herniated or bulging disc. This can happen due to years of bad posture or for other unkown reason.

When treating someone with pain of discal origin, McKenzie outlines several safety mechanisms that should be used to prevent further progression of the problem. First, is identification of "direcitonal preference"...there are certain movements or positions which may help either centralize or reduce the pain immediately after perfoming the movement. Next, is the concept of "no worse." Treating a person who has true mechanical pain should NEVER leave a person feeling worse immediately afterwards. The disc is a dynamic structure and it should let you know right away if the movement you are doing is wrong. Sometimes, the movement may be painful, but if it should never be worse than prior to the movement. The ONLY time it is acceptable feel worse if it is centralizing...meaning, the pain has moved from the more peripheral parts of the body to the center of the neck. Centralization can leave someone with more pain than it was in the arm; but aslong as it is moves to the center, this has been shown to be an accurate indicator of good prognosis. The third thing to consider is: when did the pain become worse? If it wasn't immediately after treatment, it is probable that something happened since the last visit that caused a rexaccerbation of the condition (sleeping wrong, too much time lying on the couch, too much time on the phone, etc).

However, it sounds like you had an immediate increase in your pain. It is possible that either A:
1. You have an entrapment or disc extrusion (versus a simple bulge or herniation) which requires surgical consultation
2. Your physio does not follow the above practices as outlined by McKenzie. You can obtain a list of a credentialed providers by going to http://www.mckenziemdt.org.

If your pain is truely discal in origin, you should never walk out of the clinic feeling worse (except in the presence of the centralization phenomenon).

Answer 2

You need to go back to your GP and ask for an MRI scan and an urgent referral to an Orthopaedic specialist. I assume your physio means "prolapsed" discs because you cannot "dislocate" a disc, there is no such thing and if they are using this terminology dump them as they don't know what they're doing! Please be aware that a physio is not a doctor and certainly cannot make spinal diagnostics relating to disc problems without seeing an image of your spine such as an MRI - X-ray does NOT show the disc conditions!!!!

Go to your GP and explain it all and yes physio can make things worse if they don't know what they're dealing with. No more physio til you know what's causing the pain and have a proper diagnosis!

Discs cannot simply just be put back in place like say a dislocated shoulder - conservative means might help you but badly prolapsed discs often require surgery, particularly if they are impinging on nerves, this is potentially very serious and you need a scan to determine exactly what the situation is with the full spine. If there is nerve pathology involved it can certainly cause muscle spasm. Also, suggestions that discs can just slip out from sitting too long in one position is complete nonsense, these are strong weight-bearing structures and it is generally accident/trauma or possibly muscle imbalances that cause them to prolapse/degenerate.

Answer 3

Same problem different person. My arm tenses up from my fingers to my shoulder and draws up like a pretzel. This was so bad once that it developed and spread until it was on both sides and went from my temples to my knees. The doc said it was like whiplash, but it happened over an extended period of time(I was driving 22 hours a day for two weeks straight). The way I cured the prob was by personally doing traction on my neck, meditating, taking Pharma Kava, quitting my job, and finding the time to have great sex, honestly speaking I believe the sex has more healing potential than anything else, when you have overworked for monthes. For me it is the only thing that will make me totally relax, oh yeah, and a good bottle of wine, soft music, candlelight, and a compassionate lover can do wonders for your ego as well as your physical being.
About the dislocated discs, you can slip discs anytime from being in the wrong position for too long, like sitting at a desk in front of a computer monitor. The next thing to happen are cluster headaches or Bell's Palsy, and believe me you don't want that to happen.
This last episode I experienced I also went to an acupuncturist, and that provided temporary relief, but there again, I was fortunate because I had three beautiful ladies doing the acupuncture, and it WAS nice just to be there in the same room with them. Psychological stimuli such as this can have amazing results.

Answer 4

I don't know how on earth you dislocated the discs in your neck without an Accident. You should see an orthopedic specialist for this condition. Do not see a physical therapist. You need a professional examination and treatment. This is far too serious.

Answer 5

I don't think physio is the right thing for you, and if you're paying him, he might not tell you that. My mum slipped on ice years ago and six months later was in agony with her back and ended up having the disc taken out as it had slipped and crumbled. 9 years ago my dad had one of his discs removed and the vertebrae either side were bolted together. My aunt is often slipping a disc but has worked out a way of exercising to put it back in. You really need to see a proper doctor to get referred to a specialist.

Answer 6

If you dislocated discs, then you need to have first, a X'ray of the neck to know which one is dislocated. Most of the time pain in young people in neck and back is due to muscle spam, due to certain activities and their postures. so check it out if there is indeed dislocation and then proceed, with massage, pain medication and then with the medical advise.

Answer 7

you need to go and see a doctor and get a hospital referral! don't mess around with back problems, they can be very serious!

my mum started off with dislocated discs and now has a spine disease that is causing her discs to crumble and has had several operations. she can't walk properly anymore!

seriously see a doctor for hospital referral and get a professional opinion. physios cannot give you a proper diagnosis.

Answer 8

Ask your doctor about an exercise routine. Regular exercise, such as walking three times a week, may reduce neuropathy pain, improve your muscle strength and help control blood sugar levels. Gentle routines such as yoga and tai chi might also help.