Case Studies - Neck Pain

Case Study: Cervical Disc Bulge

Treatment of: Neck pain and Numbness down Left Arm to Hand with Non Surgical Spinal Decompression

Condition: Multiple Cervical Disc Bulges

Patient: 49 year old male with neck pain and numbness down left arm to the hand for past 2.5 years. 

Objective findings: X-ray findings show lowered disc height at the C4, C5, and C6 level with phase II degeneration. MRI report of 2 years ago noted major disc bulge at C5 with minor herniations at C4 and C5.  

Prior Treatment: Patient had tried PT and was taking prescribed pain medication.

Initial Disability Level: Patient experiencing 7/10 VAS, 10 being the worst pain. Unable to golf. 

Course of Care: 5 times a week for 2 weeks, 3 times a week for 2 weeks, and 2 times a week for 2 weeks.

Short Term Outcome: Minimal to no pain after 3 visits of decompression.  Playing golf without pain.

Patient Comments: “I have herniated discs in my cervical C4-C6 section, we did decompression and I’m now 90% better.”

Cervical Spinal Stenosis

Treatment of: Neck pain to Left Hand with Non Surgical Spinal Decompression

Condition: Cervical Canal Stenosis 

Patient: S.C. is a 32-year-old female with complaints of constant neck pain associated with left arm and hand pain. She has been experiencing this pain for the last 8 years but has noticed it worsening over the past 6 months.

Objective Finding: MRI of the cervical spine revealed a moderate 4mm disc protrusion causing severe canal stenosis at the C4 and C5 level.

Prior Treatment: Physical therapy, Epidural injections (with temporary relief), Orthopedic recommendation of surgery.

Initial Disability Level: Pain, Enjoyment of life, and General activity Scale (PEG) score of 6.33. 

Initial Pain Level: Constant 6 out of 10 neck pain, with ten considered the worst. Daily numbness to the left hand rated at 6/10. After a full day of tending to her newborn child, the pain reaches 9/10. 

Course of Care:   20 sessions Non Surgical Spinal Decompression

Outcome:  By the end of 20 Non Surgical Spinal Decompression treatment, the patient only experiences 2/10 pain after taking care of her child all day. PEG score after treatment was significantly decreased to 1.24.

Case Study: Cervical Herniation

Patient: 42-year-old male with a history of radiating pain in his right shoulder and down his right
arm pain since 1987. He has been involved in multiple sports since childhood including arm wrestling.
In 2006 symptoms flared up with more frequency than before and did not totally resolve.

Prior Care: Chiropractic, Massage, Cortisone injections.

Presenting Complaints: Neck pain/decreased range of motion, Right thumb numbness, Right arm
pain, Headaches.

Diagnosis: Cervical Spinal Stenosis C5/6, Cervical Radiculopathy, C5/6 Disc Bulge.

Course of Care: 20 Session Cervical Axial Decompression with DRX 9000

Outcome: No headaches, no arm pain, no neck pain, improved range of motion, normal arm
strength.

Patient Comment: “I was invited to the West Coast Arm Wrestling Championships in California and won 1st place in my class. That gave me automatic birth to the United States Arm Wrestling Championships later that year. During my 3rd match or so, I felt pain radiate from my right shoulder down my right arm. Then the pain went to a 10 out of 10 just overnight, and pretty much stayed. I woke up and couldn’t lift my right hand over my head, and my right arm barely went up to my ears. At this time the pain felt like it was in my shoulder and ran down through my bicep to my elbow. My right thumb now felt numb and filled with fluid. My neck felt really tight on the right side and gave me lots of headaches. No Headaches, No Arm Pain, No Neck Pain! Range of motion and strength back to normal! Thanks to everyone for getting my life back.”

Multiple Cervical Disc Protrusions

Treatment Of: Cervical Pain, Cervical Disc Disorder w/Myelopathy, Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease, Cervical Sprain/Strain with Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression 

Patient: G.P. 35-year-old male that had cervical spine pain for the past 6-8 months. Pain radiated down
the right side with numbness and tingling to the fingers, greater on the right. 

Objective findings: MRI of the Cervical Spine indicated cervical degenerative disc disease, multiple broad based protrusions and
osteophytes ranging from 2 mm to 6 mm and severe narrowing of the central canal.

Prior treatment: Patient had used various muscle relaxers and spinal surgery was recommended.

Initial Pain Level: Pain was described as burning, constant 9/10 pain provoked by driving a car or bending his neck forward.
Acute neck pain radiating down right shoulder with numbness and tingling. Difficulty sleeping

Course of Care: 18 visits Cervical Axial Decompression with DRX 9000, Chiropractic Adjustments

Short Term Outcome: Within six weeks, patient was back to his regular levels of physical activity and feeling fit.

Patient Comment: After years of ice hockey, running two marathons, and other high impact activities, I developed several bulging discs in my neck. The pain was so severe I could not sit, stand, or sleep let alone stay physically active. I tried various muscle relaxers but they didn’t help and the only course of action seemed very invasive spinal surgery. Having seen how well AVDC worked for others, I devoted myself to their care. Very rapidly the pain started to disappear. I was back to my regular levels of physical activity and feeling more fit than ever.
There is no better patient care and genuine concern than Dr. Frye and her team. Thank you for giving me the life back I love.