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Pain/Numbness

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Neck/Back/Spine • Knees/Feet • Healing Bones

Neck/Back/Spine

Q: "I am having trouble getting a diagnosis for my back pain and right leg numbness and/or burning ache feeling in my right leg. Every test that is done shows little evidence of my complaint. i.e. X-ray, looks fine, maybe a minute spasm if any; EMG, everything checks out okay, except a possible pinch nerve in L5 region of back; MRI shows small central subligamentous disc protrusions at L4-L5 and L5-S1 without evident nerve root compromise, along with slight degenerative changes of the lower lumbar facet joints. Slight indentation at the L4-L5 level of the thecal sac, but no nerve root compromise is identified. So with all of this info being vague and limited what steps would be next in your opinion. What is wrong with me in your opinion? Please Help."

A: There is obviously compromise to the nerves in your low back and going down your leg or you would not have this problem. Perhaps there is nerve root encroachment that cannot be seen on the MRI that you had taken. Inflammation that can interfere with nerves sometimes does not show up on an MRI without first having an injection of gadolinium. But to help you get over this problem, I would recommend seeing a chiropractor who uses a distraction table to pump the discs in your lumbar region and remove the interference to your nervous system. Of course there are no guarantees, but Dr James Cox, a chiropractor has done a lot of research in this area that shows very favorable results for people who are suffering like you.

In addition, you might consider taking heavy doses of B complex vitamins with additional B 6 & 12 for nerve root transmission. Do not take single B vitamins without taking a B complex in addition. Check to see if you're getting enough essential fatty acids (EFA's). Most people are deficient and they are necessary for protecting your nerves. The most concentrated sources of EFA's are cold water fish and flax seeds ground into oil and/or meal. You may take fish oil supplements as well. Under optimum conditions one needs at least 12 times as much flax oil as fish oil to get the same therapeutic effects. Take care to get a good clean source of fish oil capsules. Metagenics or Premier Research Labs have the best. I believe those are only available through doctors offices or we can mail them to you if you make a $75 minimum order.

Q: "I saw my PCP for chronic back/hip pain & he sent me to Physical Therapy 9/11/00. (Note, this is after having tried a chiropractor who quite possibly made me worse.) The PT originally said that my sacrum was rotated to the left & L5 was rotated to the right. (Suspect chiropractor may have contributed to this.) I was given a bunch of exercises & sent home to perform these without supervision. 6 weeks later, I saw no improvement, in fact, I felt worse. So, I got some adjustments to the exercises based on ineffectiveness, or the hamstring causing major percussive pain in the lumbar region (after the hamstrings are "70% stretched out"). At this juncture the PT says I'm all straightened out but have to continue the exercises to keep in alignment. 2 weeks after these adjustments are made to the exercises, I'm in even more pain. I call my PCP & he tries to set me up with a neurologist, that I can't see before Dec. 12th.

Per recommendations from friends, I call back & insist on an appointment with a board-certified orthopedic surgeon & an MRI. I am concerned that some of the exercises are & never were "symmetrical," that my ileo-tibial band (or something) appears to be in the way when I do the supine piriformis stretch & when I did the ileo-tibial band stretch there was nothing there to stretch. Also, for a front stretch that is supposed to improve my leg's ability to extend backwards when I walk, it feels like something in back is blocking my ability to do the stretch, i.e. blocking my ability to move my leg backward.

Unfortunately, I can't get an out-of-network referral with my Fallon HMO plan & there's only one orthopedic surgeon in-network. (Dr Lewinick in Fitchburg, MA) Apparently, Fallon does have a contract with Mass General and Brigham & Women's & I might be able to get a referral to someone there through a "Peace of Mind" program.

Am I on the right track with seeing an orthopedic surgeon? I am stopping all exercising until this appointment, which isn't until Nov. 20. Should I insist on someone at Mass. General or Brigham & Women's?"

A: Unfortunately, it's impossible for me to evaluate what is best for you over the internet. I have no knowledge of Mass General or Brigham & Women's so I have nothing to say about which is better for you. There is no way of knowing if the orthopedist will be useful. Certainly getting further diagnostic work (MRI) is useful in diagnosing your problem. The neurologist can recommend that also. A neurosurgeon is the best choice for someone to see for evaluation and treatment of a neurologic problem such as yours. Generally orthopedists recommend physical therapy and drugs before they recommend surgery - if it appears you are a surgical candidate from your diagnostic findings and dependent on the severity of your problems.

I would suggest seeing a chiropractor who does a non-force adjusting technique (and possibly lumbar distraction), Applied Kinesiology as a therapeutic and diagnostic technique, and nutrition to help with the pain and instability of your back.

Q: "I have terrible back pain and my MRI says I have slight bulging of my lowest discs in my back and there is degeneration. What can I do?"

A: Individual attention with a competent health care practitioner in your area is critical to overcome your terrible back pain. Medical doctors prefer to give medications that decrease pain, swelling and spasm. These drugs can have serious side effects though especially if taken over a prolonged period of time and according to governmental research have limited to no success.

MD's may refer you to a physical therapist who could do a combination of exercises, massage, ice, traction, bracing or ultrasound. This form of therapy is helpful to some especially because of the supervised exercise programs but not all.

Other therapies such as acupuncture, and massage also prove beneficial to many who suffer with low back pain.

Most studies around the world, however, show that chiropractors are most successful at helping people with low back pain to recover. After a careful evaluation, a chiropractor will generally prescribe a treatment program including adjustments to your injured spine, physiotherapy methods like ice or alternating ice and heat in the chronic phase, exercises and possibly nutritional recommendations to help reduce pain, inflammation and spasm without the negative side effects of both prescribed and over the counter medications.

Nutritional products that help will contain ginger, turmeric, boswelia, EPA/DHA, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C and the enzymes trypsin and chymotrypsin.

Q: "On October 1st I was diagnosed with a bulging disc between C5 and C6. I have been very focused with my physical therapy and feel it is going well. Would any type of vitamin help the healing process or any type of food? I'm a very disciplined person and would love to hear any suggestions."

A: It's good to hear you are making progress with your bulging disc using physical therapy. Yes, nutritional support would be very helpful to accelerate and support your healing process.

I can help you with three recommendations:

1) The most economical would be to take a free online questionnaire that will be forwarded to me only, upon completion, for my review. There is a dialogue box for you to include your comments to me with respect to your health, etc. From engaging in this process, you will receive a customized nutritional support program mailed directly to your home or office.

2) You can schedule a phone consultation with me so that I may review your unique needs. From this conversation I can then make nutritional recommendations you can fill either from our pharmacy or from other sources. My consultation fee is $50 for 15 minutes. If you decide to take this approach, you may call 510-526-6657 to set up an appointment.

3) Scheduling a person to person consult and nutritional physical with me in one of my two offices would be most effective. Both of my offices are in the San Francisco Bay Area: Albany in the East Bay and San Rafael in Marin County. You may call the number above to set up an appointment.

I look forward to hearing from you regarding how I may be of service. If you decide to take the most economical route, I will email the instructions to you so that you may access the online questionnaire.

Q: "I have chronic pain in my neck after working on the computer all day. I use heating pads and over the counter pain relievers but nothing gives me lasting relief."

A: Throw out the heating pad and start using ice. Ten minutes of ice applied to your neck a few times each day will get rid of the micro swelling that's causing your pain. As a bonus, ice tones up your ligaments so they'll do a better job holding up your 14-lb. head. Over the counter pain relievers may actually add to your problem by interfering with your liver's ability to get rid of toxins. If liver clean up is suppressed; you end up with irritating poisons in your blood and guess where you feel it most? That's right, in your neck or any other area that's been injured. Rather than complicate matters by using pain relievers long term, consult your health care practitioner and start using the latest vitamin, herbal and mineral anti-inflammatory supplements and foods.

The ergonomics of your work station could be a problem. Follow the 90 degree rule: Knees, elbows, hips and shoulders should be 90 degrees. Look straight ahead, or down slightly, never up. When doing data entry, never turn your head more than 30 degrees, right or left.

Almost every patient I see carries their head forward of their shoulders. This puts incredible stress on the neck and shoulders. Work with a health provider who can teach you exercises to get your head back on top of your shoulders, and assign a part of your conscious awareness to keeping it there.

Q: "I have been seeing a chiropractor for over 6 months for pain located in my neck and the back of my skull. I started having lower back pain as well as pain in my hips and legs. At times, I cannot walk or even lift a glass of water. Driving can be very painful as well. However, it only happens occasionally and most of the time, the pain is only minimal. I recently had an MRI and a EMG both of which came out normal. I'm gettting more depressed each day because there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with me but I this back and shoulder pain won't go away. Should I continue with the chiropractic treatments? It helped the headache but nothing else."

A: That's good news the MRI and EMG were both normal. And its good your current chiropractor has helped you with headaches. But it sounds like you have reached the end of the line with respect to what he/she can do for you now.

You might try another type of chiropractic care e. g craniosacral to reduce the pain in your body.

However, with the multiple sites of pain that you describe, you also need to take a biochemical approach to get rid of systemic inflammation. With so many parts of your body hurting, we know your whole system needs help.

You can address systemic inflammation with a change in what you eat and with nutritional supplements. I am able to help you in both of those areas. If you visit my website again www.drlindaberry.com and click on the Nutriscan link on every page you will be able to access a free questionnaire that will help you feel better and get out of pain. The answers to your questions will come only to me. If we need to discuss any issues that come up, you may schedule a phone appointment with me by calling 510-526-6657.

I will be happy to work with you to resolve the pain that is spreading to more parts of your body.

Q: "You come highly recommended by my friend Linda. I saw her at a meeting yesterday.

She is somewhat aware of a peripheral neuropathy I have had for the last 5 or 6 years. I am seeing a good Kaiser neurologist and have, in the last 6 months, started seeing a homeopath I like very much in Pt. Richmond.

A goodly portion of my feet, toes going back to my heels, are numb and, ironically, hurt 24/7. I have tried several different things, including four homeopath remedies, and nothing seems to accomplish much. The condition slowly worsens, by that I mean spreads. I now have difficulty sitting comfortably for very long. And a recent nerve problem cropped up in my right forearm. It is slowly rectifying itself, but I am definitley not back to full strength after it acted up some 2.5 weeks ago.

I did acupuncture a few years ago. I had what I would call roving joint pain. The acupuncture worked well. The only area where it did no good at all was my feet. The neurologist nailed the problem a few years ago by finally sending my blood to a DNA lab in Maryland. It is called HNPP, Hereditary Neuropathy with a liability towards Pressure Palsies. According to the lab, I am missing a cell or two we normally have. So, I don't know what can be done about that.

I also have what I would call a 'compressed flesh' problem, that is to say when my flesh gets compressed, it reacts angrily. If I carried a very heavy bag with a strap over my shoulder for any distance, I would get a welt. I personally think part of this has to do with an immune system that is not as strong as it should be. I never get sick and am in pretty good shape at age 60, but I have been under lots of stress over the past few years so feel that may have something to do with it.

I have known Linda for 5 or 6 years. She's great and I value her judgement, which is why I am writing you. To be honest, I have never visited a chiroprator and have not had a belief in this mode of treatment. But, Linda felt so strongly that I should contact you, that I am. I mean no offense. I just haven't been on the chiropratic bandwagon. So you might give me some comments as to what you think you might be able to do with this genetic disorder; if it's anything you think your work might positivly affect. Thanks for taking a few minutes to consider the above. I appreciate it and look forward to any comments and direction."

A: You certainly have a complicated problem. One of my favorite sayings is, "The nervous system is intricately simple and simply intricate." All medical professionals make their best guess based on all the available signs, symptoms and data from tests/examinations/history. We then institute a program of care, see how our patient responds, then modify the program to get better results whenever possible.

The fact that you have never tried chiropractic care for your problem is encouraging. The type of chiro care that I give uses a sophisticated system of reflexes including lymphatic, acupuncture, and vascular, as well as biomechanical balancing of muscular and bone segments.

In addition to my hands on chiropractic work, I work with patients nutritionally. Often with hereditary disorders, there's a metabolic pathway that is blocked that is inhibiting function. By giving greater than ordinary amounts of specific nutrients we are often able to restore function where there was none.

That being said, I have a lot to offer you in the realm of healing that you have not tried before. I would be happy to work with you to unravel potential repair mechanisms that have yet to be explored in your care program to date.

As a first step, one simple thing you might try with your MD is to have him/her give you some B 12 injections. Even if your blood levels of B 12 show up normal, there still might be a functional deficiency in your body. A functional test for B 12 deficiency is the blood level of homocysteine. Many docs prefer to do a clinical trial of B 12 injections without testing since they can do no harm. B 12 deficiency is often implicated in neurologic problems such as yours.

Q: "Can a Nerve entrapment in the elbow cause a person lot of back and neck problems?"

A: An elbow problem can certainly reflex up to the neck and cause problems there. If you are in pain, you often hold yourself in funny positions and are restless at night while sleeping which might contribute to back pain. I would recommend you look for a chiropractor who does Applied Kinesiology to help you diagnose and treat your elbow, neck and back.

Knees/Feet

Q: "I have numbness in my right foot when I stand in one place or walk slowly. When I am busy walking I never experience this numbness. I have been to a chiropractor and a doctor. I am now doing stretching exercises through a PT. Do you have any idea what is causing this condition?"

A: Either the biomechanics of your lower extremity or low back and/or pelvis are out or there is a circulation problem.

You might have the blood pressure checked in your feet by an MD to rule out that problem and go to see a DC who specializes in Applied Kinesiology or sports medicine to figure out the biomechanical problem. It might also be a problem with your feet. An astute podiatrist may be a help here.

A nutritionist or a DC/MD who practices nutritional medicine would also be a useful resource.

Q: "I have sharp pains in the bottom of both of my feet at night that feel like little pins being put in my feet. It keeps me awake at night. Can you please help me? Thank you very much."

A: The worst it could be is a sign of heart disease. Are you diabetic? Perhaps you have a condition called plantars warts. You may be lacking in B vitamins, Omega 3 & 6 and /or the essential fatty acids. You might also have a nerve problem. Seek the help of a qualified health care practitioner in your area to diagnose your problem and to help you find a solution.

Q: I am looking for a vitamin... all I know is it is called Multiplex. A patient that comes into the doctor's office where I work was having trouble with his feet. Very painful, burning, aching, had tried everything. He was told he was lacking vitamin B's and was put on this vitamin called Multiplex and within 72 hours no more problems. I have had very painful feet for 2 years now, fingers go numb during sleep, ankle aches on right foot, heels very painful when standing any length of time. I have bought very expensive shoes and nothing helps. Do you know what vitamin package I am referring to? I have had bone density test, nothing I have tried helps. Can you help? Thank you in advance.

A: We carry an excellent B vitamin complex called Glycogenics. I don't know what Multiplex is but I would be happy to send you some Glycogenics with a minimum $75 order. Call 510-526-6657 to place your order. I would also recommend Multigenics as a broad spectrum Multivitamin mineral to complement Glycogenics and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) to help heal your nerves.

Q: "I am looking into having my big toe on left foot fused. I was wondering what restrictions would I have to go through for the rest of my life?

I have had three surgeries on the same site; this would be number four. I have had two opinions, and both doctors agree I need the surgery. I am 43 years old, and I can't find anything about the restrictions I may have after the procedure is completed."

A: In general, whenever one joint is fused the joints before and after that joint get more stress on them. Its not optimal, but it's the best that can be done given a particular set of circumstances. It sounds like that joint has caused you lots of stress already. Maybe this is the best possible solution.

Q: "I have a problem with my knees. The pain gets worse as the day goes on. I'm on my feet a lot but I thought exercise was good for you. My brother, cousin and dad all had to have knee surgery. I don't want to take that route. How can I stop the pain?"

A: You may have a problem with your feet. Check your shoes. Do you wear down one side of the shoe a lot faster than the other? Do the arches of your feet collapse towards the ground when you stand? Are you starting to get a bunion on your big toe? If so, you probably need a custom made arch support called an orthotic. A podiatrist or a foot savvy chiropractor can help you with this problem and extend the healthy life of your knees. Work with a chiropractor, trainer or physical therapist for exercises to strengthen your knees. Drink a half ounce of water for every lb of body weight. (eg: A 160 lb person should drink 80 oz of water/day, minimum.) This helps create more cushion in your knee joints. Follow an anti inflammatory diet: increase fish and vegetables. Avoid peanuts, red meat, chicken, (especially the skin), dairy products and eggs. Try nutritional supplements like ginger, boswelia, tumeric, quercitin, bromelain, trypsin, chymotrypsin, EPA/DHA, and devil's claw to decrease pain and inflammation!

Healing Bones

Q: "I am desperately searching for some clues as to what is causing my scapula and arm problem. I was in an auto accident 8 weeks ago and broke my collarbone. I immediately started seeing a chiropractor to help with my neck and what I thought was muscular pain. After 6 1/2 weeks my family doctor referred me to an orthopedist because my collarbone was not healing. When seeing him, he stated that while my collarbone wasn't healing, he wouldn't do anything to treat it surgically for at least 6 months. He did not address the pain in my scapula and down my left arm at all. My chiropractor ordered an MRI on my neck and the results were pretty good, a bulging disc T4-T5 was the greatest problem. I don't know what to do. My scapula and arm hurt so much at times that I can hardly tolerate it and other times it is ok. Do you have any ideas what I could do next or what may be causing this pain? I am willing to do anything. I am a respiratory therapist and perform bronchial drainage on patients full time and really want to be able to return to work in the same capacity I once was in. I am now using only my right hand and it is getting old. Please help if you can."

A: You certainly are faced with a difficult situation. Pain is a multifaceted problem. Additional protein could help. The best form is chill processed, micro-filtered whey protein sweetened only with Stevia.

Enzymes can be very helpful. Wobenzyme N is a formulation that has been used successfully in Europe with athletes for decades. You need to take that on an empty stomach.

Isometric exercises might be helpful. That way you strengthen the surrounding muscles without putting motion into the injured musculoskeletal structure. If that makes it worse, of course stop.

Alkaline minerals can help reduce pain and facilitate the healing of bones. Those would consist of calcium, magnesium, copper, manganese, etc. A great supplement is microcrystalline hydroxyappatite for bone healing. At 83 my grandfather fell off a ladder breaking his lower leg. I got him started on the MCH and his orthopedist was amazed at how quickly his fracture healed. Microlactin is a concentrate of whey that is helpful in reducing pain. Fish oil does the same as well as the herbs, turmeric, ginger, Boswelia and bioflavinoids.

To make it easier on your self, I would suggest visiting my web site www.drlindaberry.com and clicking on the Health Coach (NutriScan) hyperlink that appears on every page. That will give you access to a questionnaire that will enable you to purchase a customized supplement designed specifically for your needs. The results will be sent only to me so I can further tweak the formula to suit your needs. If you choose to follow this path, be sure to identify your self in the email dialogue box that will come up after completing the questionnaire so I'll know it is you. Please include in the email that you are the one who wrote to Ask the Doctor with the broken collarbone.

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