can neck fusion patients recevie adjustments?

[cheryl stewart]

I was wondering since I am fused at c3-6 if a chiropractor could do anything for my c2/3 and c/7-t1? Or should I just stick with gentle manuel strecthes? SOmetimes it feels like it needs more, but of course I can't get my neck popped like I used too.

[jss]

Cheryl,

I can't tell you if you can be adjusted by a chiropractor, but I can tell you my relevant experience.

I had fusions at C4/5 and C5/6 in 2000 and 2002. In December 2007 I had significant symptoms in my left arm. An MRI showed "severe spondylosis" at C3/4 and "bilateral stenosis" at C6/7; above and below the fusions. I had four epidural steroid injections by May 2008 with only modest relief. After ONE chiropractic adjustment in August 2008, I was 100% symptom free until September 2009.

BTW: The chiropractic visit involved all kinds of nasty and frightening pops and snaps from my neck.

When symptoms returned with a terrible vengeance over a year later, on Sept 22, 2009, NOTHING helped until I had a double cervical ADR.

Will chiropractic give you that kind of relief? Probably not. Will chiropractic make you worse? Maybe, maybe not. Nobody knows.

That was my experience, and I wish you the very best.

Good luck, Jeff

[Justin]

I was wondering since I am fused at c3-6 if a chiropractor could do anything for my c2/3 and c/7-t1? Or should I just stick with gentle manuel strecthes? SOmetimes it feels like it needs more, but of course I can't get my neck popped like I used too.

Hi Cheryl,

I would avoid high velocity manipulations on your cervical spine and I would stick with muscle energy techniques (manual stretching).

Just my