The Front Row

As a neurosurgeon, I agree with the majority of the comments in this thread about getting into see a neurosurgeon or orthopedic spine specialist and be cleared by them before continuing with the manipulations. It is not uncommon for "pinched nerves" or radiculopathy/radiculitis to occur after a trauma such as a car accident. The key to selecting the best treatment modality depends on the MRI she had done. If she has a large acute herniated disk surgery very well be the best option to prevent long term neurologic deficits. It is also quite common for patients with seemingly asymptomatic underlying degenerative changes such as degenerative disk disease, foraminal stenosis, etc to suddenly become symptomatic in these situations as there is a significant inflammatory process that can occur after the trauma. These usually respond better over time by breaking the cycle of inflammation and taking pressure off the nerve through more conservative measures such as PT, traction, inversion tables, manipulations, medications, etc.

If you are in Columbus, I would recommend you go see Dr Gary Rea. He trained me and is one of the best in the business. Straight shooter and will point you in the right direction whether that is surgery or one of the other options listed in this thread.

My injury to a "T"! Anti-inflammatorys, electric stimulation and massages eventually did the trick! The massages were NOT fun!

Sorry, I made a blanket statement that was a little to pointed.

I do however have a healthy distrust of the entire medical industry, which is sad. I think it comes back to the insurance companies and the struggles they've created for Dr's, which in turn have lowered many Drs standard's. It's been my experience that many Dr's pack their waiting rooms and create hour plus long delay's in scheduled appointments not because they care about the poor huddled masses, but because they make more money doing it.

I've had this discussion/debate with numerous Drs and I understand the issues they deal with, but don't excuse some of their choices. Don't even get me started on hospitals. I was literally pulled out of my SUV through my tailgate which they had to have preyed open. By a miracle the cage of my vehicle wrapped around my body. The surgeon who rebuilt my arm(12 screws for the arm, my wrist was also broken with significant bone fragments amongst other issues-My arm was literally flopping around) was a leg specialist, of course I don't find out until my follow up apt. I waited for 4 hours on a bed after my head got checked out and was only a severe concussion after my arrival. My arm was never supported/braced during this time. They blamed the "shift change", but I wasn't attended to for 2hrs at one point, of course after I was questioned thoroughly about my insurance during which time I pleaded to have my arm supported. I didn't receive any attention during those 2 hrs until I literally started screaming and then another person in a bed a few curtains started screaming as well. Sorry, I'm getting off track here with just one of my litany of experiences over the last 2 years that leave you feeling helpless, rather than helped, but I digress.

Back to your comments. I don't have to trust my physicians unequivocally and if you do you are naive in my opinion. Physicians are human beings and susceptible to laziness, greed oversights and mistakes just like anyone else. In fact the checks and balances of medical decision making to me are frightening as it's grossly opinion based and can and will vary and as such a second opinion of any major medical issue should be sought. Malpractice Insurance is bank breaking for Drs for a reason. "I damn well better trust them" I'm sorry but to me this is the god complex(not referring to you directly), I did and I will pay for my trust for the rest of my life.

Don't get me wrong, I personally know good Drs, who are genuinely good people and friends. And you're right, my approach to selecting someone who is in charge of my health has changed drastically. I had to learn the hard way and if my cautionary tale can prevent future pain for others than it's a good thing.

I'm sure many Drs got into the idea of being a Dr because they wanted to help others, but unfortunately the fine line between having idealistic intentions and the bottom line become blurred for some(not all).

Chiropractors are not real doctors. I would sooner take medical advice from a hair dresser than a chiropractor.

You need to see a real doctor. Get a referral to a specialist like ortho. Have him/her work up your girlfriend and then you will have a real medical professional's opinion. They do great things now a days with spinal injuries. I had pinched nerves in my cervical region (C4-C6) due to arthritis which pinched off the spinal cord and caused me a kind of pain I wouldn't wish on anyone. I would sit there and watch all the muscles in my arm just spasm uncontrollably. They fixed it. Pain is gone. I have a small plate, six screws, and a cadaver bone in my neck but the pain is gone. GONE. I wish I could remember the name of the guy who did my surgery. He was an ortho guy who did a fellowship for this sort of stuff.

The thing about these injuries is that over time it gets worse. The longer you put it off going to the doctor and getting it fixed the more nerve damage is being done. I have a minute amount of permanent nerve damage which consists of a pins a needles feeling in my index finger that never goes way plus a mild desensitivity to just the top right portion of my hand. Fine trade off but I wish I had gotten the procedure sooner.

I'm giving you the best advice you are going to get. Take her to the doctor TODAY before she risks PERMANENT nerve damage.

I'm a Radiology Physicians Assistant and licensed in MRI / CT . If you get a second send me a pm. I'm going out the door (on call) and will get you some info

This may be the most uninformed and ignorant post of all time. Truly ridiculous.

I guessing by "pinched" nerves that the MRI revealed disc herniation's, they should have told you that when they read the results. Simple disc protrusions can be treated conservatively, the chiro can adjust, or use a traction decompression technique like Cox flexion distraction. There are more complex and severe forms of herniation, look up disc extrusion and sequestration, these are more serious and would warrant some form of surgical intervention. In to the negative comments about chiro's I have read thus far, I am currently enrolled at a chiropractic college, the education I have received here is much better than that which was offered 10-20-30 years ago. Their are chiro's that are completely against MD's and what they do, I see them as my colleagues, and that when it comes to whats best for the patient you have to put dogma's and philosophies aside. What form of treatment is your chiro performing, and did he read the MRI or the MRI report.