DH has a Herniated Disc in neck....SPAM me with info - personal stories of Tx/recovery,...

[oaksie68]

After a couple of injuries caused by carrying a big ol' TV by himself, slipping and falling (causing reinjuring), and finally, struggling to get a MAD toddler into his car seat, my DH really injured his neck shoulder area this past weekend.

He went to a pain specialist that is a DO, who thought it was a pinched nerve, but wanted him to get a MRI, which showed a herniated disc in the neck area.  The doctor Rx'd oral steroids, pain meds ( first one which he couldn't tolerate, 2nd one he could, but not as much pain relief).  Now, after getting the results of the MRI which showed a herniated disc, she now wants to do an epidural for pain relief.   She also wants him to go to PT.  Not sure what else she will recommend.

I'd love to hear personal stories of those who've had herniated discs, especially in the neck area.  What course of treatment did you follow, how well did it work, and would you do anything differently? 

Additionally, I would like to research this issue further, so as to be able to help guide my DH through the healing process.  Please spam me with good websites, books, research, etc.!  I'd especially like to find info on how to help him heal by more "natural" means (I guess I mean accupuncture, chiropractic, herbs for healing/inflammation reduction/pain relief for starters).

TIA for any and all help that you all could offer!

[goldenwillow]

NAK

I fractured my neck (C6 and C7) in a MVA 2 years ago.  I have tried a lot for pain relief.  I do a work trade with a friend of mine whom is an acupuncturist.  He teaches Qi Gong which I am starting to practice and have had relief thus far.   

http://skagitacupuncture.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4&Itemid=4

http://nqa.org/

[Ttarail]

I treat herniated discs anywhere along the spine. I use osteopathic techniques, at least what
Osteopathy used to be and some are still trained in. You can call all the osteopaths in your area and ask about what manual training they have had or if you don't mind sending him to another type of practitioner you can go to Upledger.com to find a very experience person in your area. You can look me up for a comparison, Iahp.com/ttarail.
Also some acupuncturists and non-mainstream chiropractors can be amazing. So PTs are really good @ this. I'm considered a manual PT. For long term treatment, teaching him to use his body correctly to prevent re-injury, Alexzander technique.
There is a high percentage of patients with slipped dics that completely heal with alternative treatment. MRIs have a cumulative radiation effects so the least one can have in a lifetime the better.

[raksmama]

I agree about Osteopathy! When well trained, a good Osteopath can do wonders for the neck. I have had degenerative disc disease in my neck for many years but am in less pain that I was 10 years ago!

The other thing that helped me was developing awareness as to how I held my neck. I have a tendency to hold my head forward, something that a lot of people with neck pain do, so I had to learn to change that. As well I had to change my sleeping habits (on my back with the top of my shoulders as well as my head on the pillow and a towel wrapped around my neck keep it from moving into strange positions in the night).

These things have helped me and I imagine  they  would also help some one with a herniated disc.