Looking for a specialist...

granitehawk15

Does anyone happen to know where I might be able to track down those specific exercises or perhaps find some written instructions for them?

bluerider2 said:@granitehawk15/">@@granitehawk15

Is there any place I can find these specific exercises or instructions for them?

Try searching online for "Core Stability" or "core stabilization training." You might also look for "Back extension with stability ball" or "Ball crunches" for abdominal work. If you dig around a bit, you'll find plenty of options like the Ball Superman, Ball Hamstring Curl, Ball Russian Twist, Prone Iso-Ab Series, Ball Pullover, or the Ball Arm/Opp. Leg Raise. These are all incredibly effective exercises that don't require a gym membership—all you need is an inexpensive stability ball. The idea is that the ball supports your back while its instability forces you to engage deeper, making the movements much more efficient. Some variations don't even require the ball, just the floor...👍

granitehawk15 said:If you head online and search for terms like "Core Stability" or "core stabilization training," followed by things like "Back extension with stability ball" or even "Ball crunches" for those abdominal muscles, you’ll find an absolute goldmine of exercises. I'm talking about stuff like the Ball Superman, Ball Hamstring Curl, Ball Russian Twist, Prone Iso-Ab Series, Ball Pullover, or the Ball Arm/Opp. Leg Raise. Honestly, they are all incredibly effective workouts that don't require a massive gym membership since a stability ball is so inexpensive. The real beauty of it is how the ball supports your spine during the movement while its inherent instability forces your body to work much harder, making every rep deeper and more efficient; though, keep in mind, some of these can even be done on the floor without the ball at all.👍

That was just a quick thought from me, so thanks for reading. 🙂

skockica said:Just believe in yourself! Go see a chiropractor, ask them to recommend some exercises, and then just work, work, work...
And don't go blaming the chiropractor if things don't pan out, because at the end of the day, you're the one in the driver's seat of your own destiny!!!

Actually, chiropractors aren't trained or licensed to provide kinesitherapy—basically, physical therapy through specific exercises.

granitehawk15 said:I even tried physical therapy, but honestly, it was a total waste of time. The exercises they have you doing there feel more like something meant for ninety-year-olds.

I’m not sure where you went or what kind of rehab program you were in, but we use stability balls and exercises here that aren't even easy for twenty-year-olds... if I gave those to a ninety-year-old, they probably wouldn't make it through the session! 😁

granitehawk15 said:Just search online for "Core Stability" or "core stabilization training," then look up things like "Back extension with stability ball" or "Ball crunches" for your abs. If you dig around a little, you'll find tons of these exercises—stuff like the Ball Superman, Ball Hamstring Curl, Ball Russian Twist, Prone Iso-Ab Series, Ball Pullover, or even the Ball Arm/Opp. Leg Raise. They're all incredibly effective workouts, and you don't even need a gym membership since an exercise ball is pretty cheap. The whole idea is that the ball supports your back while its instability forces you to work harder, making everything much more efficient. Some of these can even be done without the ball, just using the floor...👍

What you're describing is what we call dynamic stabilization programs here in the States. Honestly, it’s probably the best thing out there for lower back pain right now. Besides the stability ball, people often use those small rubber balance pads for their hands and feet—they're super unstable! But that's exactly the point. Because you have to fight to keep your balance, you end up engaging those tiny stabilizer muscles along the spine, which is absolutely crucial for fixing lower back issues...

Maria Gomez6 said:Has anyone actually been to the Cybex center in Chicago? Or maybe seen Dr. Miller over on Michigan Avenue?

Honestly, Cybex is a really solid choice. As for chiropractors... I wouldn't touch them for my neck issues if you paid me. They might help for a second, but they can also mess you up so badly you won't even know what hit you...

Yeah, it looks like that first neurologist was the one who messed things up. 👎
Yesterday, I saw another neurologist to get a second opinion—mostly so I have some leverage when I finally meet with the neurosurgeon (just in case). This professor basically tore everything apart; he trashed my previous doctors, their procedures, and all my test results, suggesting I redo half of them.
He told me straight up that the damage is extensive. From what he can see, my muscle tissue is essentially ruined, and the whole situation is pretty grim. He recommended physical therapy, though he’s skeptical it’ll actually do much. He knows some top-tier neurosurgeons, but spinal surgery in the neck is incredibly high-stakes. Even if it works, there's a massive risk of failure, and if it goes south, you're looking at paralysis or losing function in your arms. It feels like I'm backed into a corner with no real way out. After the appointment, the nurse had to practically escort me out because I just couldn't pull myself together. 🙄

On the flip side, the doctor I worked with for my EMG told me she didn't think it looked quite that dire. She mentioned that patients usually deal with much more intense pain and insisted I start physical therapy immediately, noting that many people manage to recover that way.

I honestly don't know what to think anymore or who to trust. 😲 I'm bouncing from specialist to specialist, paying through the nose, only to have the diagnosis get progressively worse every couple of days. I'm completely confused.

From what I gather, surgery should be the absolute last resort. Has anyone here dealt specifically with a cervical disc protrusion and potentially surgery? If so, could you share some insight?

Also, is there a real risk that my condition could deteriorate significantly and compromise the success of a future surgery if I decide to try physical therapy first?

Casey Palmer5 said:What you're describing is what we call dynamic stabilization training. Right now, it's the gold standard for lower back issues. Beyond just using stability balls, they use these small rubber pads to support your palms and feet—it’s incredibly unstable. But that's the whole point; you have to fight to maintain balance, which engages those tiny stabilizer muscles along the spine. Strengthening those is absolutely vital for managing back pain.

I was lucky enough to have a close friend who works as a top-tier personal trainer here in the States, and he got me started on a program like that. There are plenty of variations, but the core philosophy is highly individualized; they build the routine specifically around your unique physical needs. He even had me working muscles I didn't realize existed, all of which turned out to be essential for my back health.
Regarding physical therapy, I was referring to the traditional kind, usually done through an insurance provider. I was placed in a group session alongside people in their 80s. It passed by quickly, but honestly, it didn't do much for me. I suspect there are far more effective private options available...
For me personally, a chiropractor was a lifesaver, and helped my wife significantly when she was dealing with neck issues. It really comes down to finding someone you can trust. When they are properly trained, these professionals truly know their craft. We have an excellent chiropractor here in San Diego, and every adjustment he makes is precise and intentional; he wouldn't make a move without knowing exactly how it will affect the body...

Maria Gomez6 said:Could things get significantly worse and mess with my chances of a successful surgery if I decide to try physical therapy first?

Honestly, as long as you’re working with a professional who actually knows their stuff, physical therapy can only help. Just keep in mind that you really need a personalized plan designed just for you, not some generic group workout class at the local gym.

I’m a little confused by what that neurologist meant about your muscle being "destroyed"... In what way exactly was it destroyed?...

He reached that conclusion through palpation because that specific part of the disc is pressing against him. The doctor who performed the EMG says it’s hypoplastic, but he disagrees; he’s demanding a second EMG and arguing that it’s actually hypoatrophic.
I’m a layman, obviously, but from what I’ve read, people deal with these issues for ages—dealing with chronic pain until nerve damage sets in—which is why they aren't rushed into surgery right away.
So, I don't quite follow: how is it possible for me to have such extensive damage from a relatively minor protrusion after only about a month?
Both neurologists are top-tier specialists, and I'm stuck between them. The one I saw yesterday really caught me off guard.

I think they're making some pretty wild guesses...

I just hope things aren't quite as bad as this scare made them out to be.. 😱

Alexander Ward71 said:My daughter just had her first checkup, so we'll see how things go from here. 🙂Scaling and polishing$100, which means I'm paying out of pocket, but hey, if the work is solid, it's worth it.
To be honest, I don't really trust private practices; I always feel like they're going to rip me off like a total amateur, but what can you do? I don't have much of a choice.

Yeah, I went to them once. Got a filling, paid the full price, and the damn thing cracked in just two weeks. They didn't even fix the tooth properly.

My personal take: there aren't many great dentists out there. I've cycled through several. Honestly, my best experience was with my dentist back in elementary school, way back in the old days.
Whatever she fixed stayed perfectly intact—nothing ever broke or gave out.
Right now, I'm seeing a doctor who's... okay, I guess. Not amazing, but not terrible.
If anyone has a recommendation, please help!

I suppose I should probably mention that skockica was here. Maybe it doesn't even matter, really. I guess I just felt like saying it. kaže:
I wonder what the typical cost for a gastroscopy is these days. I guess it depends on the clinic or if you're using your insurance through something like Blue Cross, but it can vary quite a bit. Also, does that procedure usually include testing for H. pylori? I think it might, but I'm not entirely sure. Maybe I should double-check with my doctor.😕

I went in for an ultrasound and a gastroscopy about two weeks ago at the Mayo Clinic over on 29th Street. I guess both of them ended up being pretty uncomfortable for me. $233It’s quite a bit, I suppose. But you can order it specifically for a gastroscopy, so that’s really all there is to it, I guess. $117It doesn't hurt at all. They usually just run a quick culture test for bacteria, and you’ll have the results by the next day. I guess you can typically get seen within a day or two if you're lucky.

Man, I know at least two people she actually helped out.
Stay away from surgery!

skockica said:It seems to me, Maria Gomez6, that this post is lost. It belongs in the psychiatry forum. Based on your answers, it’s clear you don't trust anyone, least of all yourself.
You have problems!!!!!
Trust yourself. Go see a chiropractor, ask for some exercises, and then exercise, exercise, exercise.....
And don't go blaming the chiropractor for any failure, because people make their own destiny!!!

@skockica: Be constructive. Stop attacking people. Does it make you feel better to drop these little "outbursts" like that? Someone asks for help or experience, and you snap back with comments like this... give it a rest. If you don't have a constructive critique, keep it to yourself. 🙄
You're entitled to your opinion, but posts like this are a complete waste of time and energy. Go spend your time doing those "highly effective" exercises of yours instead of lecturing us "old ladies." 👎

I won't engage in a back-and-forth here, but I couldn't let a post like this pass without commenting.

I need help ASAP! Is there any dentist out there who will just fix or seal a tooth without making a huge scene or asking a million questions? Is this even possible?? I’m honestly feeling pretty desperate here! 😢

Give that super attack a shot😉😁

Andrew Morgan69 said:Yoga works; I personally know two people it helped.
Stay away from surgery!

I’ve heard yoga can be beneficial too, but did those people also deal with a herniated cervical disc?

I can't seem to find any solid information anywhere. A neurologist mentioned it at a symposium, then another specialist concluded that all my previous scans were essentially useless—that the situation is dire. He suggested I could go through him to see one of the top surgeons in the country, but that might actually make things worse: an irreversible outcome, regardless. 👎(But I would need to trust him implicitly, so maybe there is still a way... 😕)???

After hearing those comments, I felt like I was already becoming disabled. My mind started racing with every worst-case scenario, and I just couldn't settle down. 😢