Bulging Discs
Q. Prolotherapy works on my back and hip but my neck
is still a challenge. However I get relief from my neck pain
for about 3-8 weeks so it is worth it for me to get the tune
ups. I have 2 bulging discs. Whenever I go to the
chiropractor it gives me immediate relief for 2 days and
then the pain returns with a vengeance! It even feels like a
bone is protruding in my neck. I am trying very hard not to
use chiropractic anymore but sometimes I can't turn my neck
without it. Neurosurgeon told me I am not a candidate for
surgery because I don't have symptoms of nerve damage.
A. You case is typical of the cases that recur. Your
continued manipulation in your neck is most likely the
reason you are not getting cured with the Prolotherapy. You
should also look at the ways you ‘hold’ your neck or
activities you are doing that could be breaking down the
tissue that is being repaired with Prolotherapy. Do you
have a forward head posture? Do you sit at the computer for
8 hours per day? There is a reason you are not getting
cured of your neck pain with Prolotherapy. I have given you
several. You may want to get an evaluation by a 2nd
Prolotherapist!
Answered by
Ross Hauser, M.D.
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Reader
Response:
I have a couple questions about this response..."continued
manipulation in your neck is most likely the reason you are
not getting cured with the Prolotherapy."
1. Does the manipulation you are referring to include
gentler manipulation such as using torque-release or
activators?
2. If I don't have chiropractic, I'm concerned about the
prolotherapy-treated joints healing in a subluxed position.
What are your thoughts on this?
(I have joint hypermobility throughout my body, so my
questions refer to neck, as well as the rest of the body)
Dr. Hauser Response:
One should not get high velocity manipulation if they are
receiving Prolotherapy at the same time. It is ok to do
myofascial release, massage therapy, physiotherapy, deep
tissue massage, torque-release or activator. Prolotherapy by
definition causes a thickening and strengthening of the
ligaments. Since ligaments connect two bones together, as
the ligament strengthens, thickens and ultimately shortens
it will bring the two bones together. In other words,
Prolotherapy is a method to potentially permanently keep
bones in proper alignment. Osteopathic and chiropractic high
velocity manipulation uses supraphysiological forces to push
a bone a certain way. Obviously if not done correctly or
carefully it can easily sheer ligaments, especially
ligaments that are repairing with Prolotherapy. If you have
congenital hypermobility syndrome,
your long term best treatment in my opinion is going to be
Prolotherapy not high velocity manipulation.
Reader
Response:
I have one disc
in my neck that is degenerated and herniated (C6-7, I
believe). Most of the time it would take extreme manual
force for the chiropractor to get it back in place and the
activator (by another chiropractor) wasn't forceful enough.
It was extremely sore to the touch. After my first
prolotherapy session, the pain and soreness left. I've had
2 sessions and am extremely pleased with the
results! (patient of Dr. Mark Johnson in Tennessee)