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Pain/Numbness - 2

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Injuries & Exercise

Q: "I am a very active, healthy, 59 year old male. Recently I had a routine chest x-ray, and everything was fine, but there was a note at the bottom that there was "Moderate Degeneration Of The Thoracic Spine." I am totally asymptomatic and I wonder what I should do next. I have run over 20,000 miles in my life, and have a small frame. Is degeneration of the spine normal with aging, or should I seek medical assistance?"

A: This is information you may not want to hear. A colleague of mine who holds 3 licenses: podiatric, naturopathic and chiropractic says that when you reach the age of 50 you shouldn't run anymore. His learned opinion is that it puts too much stress on your joints and will damage them. What he does himself and recommends for others is to put a pack on your back and load it full of weight and go hiking or climbing stairs so that you get your aerobic challenge without jamming your joints. I agree with his opinion.

Relative to seeking treatment, who knows. There is an expression, "If it isn't broke don't fix it." I don't know if I totally agree with that. However, there is also an expression, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." I recommend a chiropractic evaluation that takes into the account the relative resistive strength of your muscles to see if they are evenly balanced side to side and to check the range of motion of the individual thoracic segments with motion palpation. Chiropractors do that best. I recommend a DC who practices Applied Kinesiology or at least Motion Palpation to help you answer that question. Just because you don't have pain now doesn't mean that the bio-mechanics of your spine are optimal. In fact, the evidence of spinal degeneration says otherwise.

Q: "I got hurt in an auto crash 2 months ago and my doctor told me to take it easy so I just come home from work and sit in front of the TV but I'm not getting any better. What am I doing wrong?"

A: If you haven't seriously broken a bone get up off that couch and start moving. The sooner you get active after an injury, the better your chance of a complete recovery. When you move, big muscle action drowns out small pain fibers. Your joints produce pain-relieving substances. Circulation is increased, eliminating pain producing chemicals and delivering healing reinforcements via your bloodstream. Use common sense. Don't overdo. Here's a case where a good chiropractor can be a lifesaver. Chiropractic increases your ability to move freely while decreasing pain. The California Chiropractic Association has a list of doctors who vow to adhere to high practice standards. Call them at 916-387-0177 for a referral in your area. Also, try the American Chiropractic Association for referrals in your state.

Q: "Somehow (martial arts, weight lifting, hiking, sitting at the computer??) I recently developed sciatica with pain from hip to ankle. Stretching the piriformis muscle etc. helps but it does not seem to totally go away... Any suggestions? Do you give seminars?"

A: Sounds to me like you need a good examination and treatment by a Doctor of Chiropractic who addresses muscular as well as skeletal problems. No, I'm sorry, I do not give seminars. I am certified to teach Universal Tao healing techniques that support musculoskeletal balance and strength, if you are interested.

Q: "I wonder if you can help me. About four years ago my boyfriend went horseback riding and injured his shoulder when the horse started to canter. He hadn't been riding before and thinks he tore muscles in his shoulder and spine, which have now become scar tissue. He is quite aware of his body - he used to be a contemporary dancer - and he has tried numerous treatments but none have helped the pain to subside. He has been waiting and waiting to see a physiotherapist at our local hospital but it will be at least a year before he gets to see anyone.

He is in a lot of pain (especially at night) and this is really getting him down. The thing is, no one seems to know exactly what's wrong and have not given him a clear diagnosis. He is doing Yoga now to relive the pain which helps a bit but not much. I hate to see him in so much pain and I fear he may be getting into a deep depression. Other treatments tried are: Shiatsu, Chiropractors, Osteopaths, Cranio Sacrial Therapists, acupuncture, sports and regular massage, sports physios.

Do you know of anything else he could try?

A: Your boyfriend would benefit from taking a scoop of micro-filtered, cold processed whey powder that is sweetened only with Stevia. I could get you set up with an account with a company that makes this high quality product. The company is called Vitamin Research Products. You can get whey protein in many places but it may not have the active immune globulins that are necessary for repair unless it has been properly processed. And, if its sweetened with fructose, sugar or artificial sweeteners, it will only increase pain and inflammation.

He could also try Wobenzyme N. That enzyme formula has been used successfully by European and Olympic athletes for decades to help them recover from injuries and excel in their sports. I can help you get that too if you would like.

Miscellaneous

Q: "What could be the cause of my neck making that popping sound every time I turn my neck? Its really annoying. I can put my fingers on the spot on my neck and turn my neck and feel the movement when it pops. What could cause that and how can I fix it. Could it be a bone spur. I don't have any pain, it's just annoying and gets on my nerves."

A: A popping sound in your joints is often from gas escaping from the connective tissue cushion between bones. That cushion is filled with a nitrogen gas and when you move the gas escapes and causes a popping sound.

If this happens consistently though its an indication of instability in that joint. Tendons hold bones together and ligaments attach muscles to bones. If they are weak or over stretched they won't be able to hold your joint in proper alignment causing excess motion and popping. It could be a result of an accident where your neck was injured, poor ergonomics / posture when performing daily activities, or sleeping in bad positions e.g. on your stomach or on a pillow that lifts your head up when you are lying on your back.

Your best bet is to see a chiropractor who also does exercise instruction to help you regain proper mechanics in that joint and strengthen the supportive muscles, ligaments and tendons to hold the proper alignment.

If you don't get it taken care of, it's possible you'll develop arthritis in that joint from abnormal wear and tear caused by continual popping.

Q: "Dr Berry, I have a 14 year old daughter with a small problem. She recently told me that every time she bends down or does any physical movement her bones pop. I have heard that pooping bones is very bad and can give you physical problems. First I thought that her problem was because she's growing but she told me that her knees hurt sometimes. Her bones pop everywhere from her finger bones to her toe bones. Is this normal? should I take her to the doctor?"

A: No, it is not normal and could become problematic. It may mean that she has tendons and ligaments (which hold the bones together and attach the muscles to the bones) that are too loose. I doubt that a standard doctor is going to be able to do anything for your daughter. However, I recommend taking her to a Health Coach or a chiropractor who teaches exercises and does nutritional supplementation. To find a Health Coach in your area call: 800-463-2701. Exercises to support the strength of the muscles may help your daughter, along with supplements to support ligament and tendon integrity.

Q: "I am emailing you to figure out why I am having the pain I am having. For the past two days now, my skin has been hurting (I know this may sound funny, but it's true). The areas in which I hurt are the back of my shoulder, my stomach area, and between my breasts. The pain feels like a mild sunburn and is painul to the touch. I have not had a sunburn nor have I had those parts of my body exposed to the sun for any period of time. These areas just all of a sudden started hurting two days ago.

I have been exhausted lately, and easily disturbed. I have had times where I feel faint, and light headed. I sleep longer and still feel just as tired when I wake up in the morning as I did when I went to bed the night before.

Can you please help me out and let me know what your opinion is, and what I should do. Your advice is very much needed and appreciated."

A: This is an unusual set of symptoms. I suggest you check with a healthcare practitioner to do some blood work. A standard CBC could give an indication of an allergic resposne or infection. You may need to go further in testing though, if those are normal. Perhaps you were exposed to a tic bite and are having Lyme Disease symptoms. I would not delay. Please go see someone who can diagnose this problem right away.

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