EE03,

I just reread all of your posts and was curious if the PM doc you are seeing is a spinal PM doc. Suffice to say I agree with Lara but also wanted to say a SPINAL PM doc will point you in the right direction. Lara is right, you don't want to make things worse. I also agree with Supernova; I tried cervical traction years ago and vowed...never again! Lumbar PT, at least certain exercises, made me worse. But thanks goodness the PT had the sense of mind to have me stop. To make a long story short I had pelvic floor dysfunction which I did NOT know at the time.

In any case I just wanted to mention that besides having lumbar injections, PT, RF's and aqua therapy, my PM recently ordered a lumbar orthrosis for me along with a TENS unit AND a muscle stimulator vest. It is all from RS Medical if want to take a look at their website. I should clarify that that lumbar piece is not the typical brace it works a bit differently. And the TENS is just great. But what I love is the muscle stimulator vest!! It really helps to get the knots out of my upper back since I have issues with that from having had two cervical fusions. It really feels like I have had a massage when done and I am able to stretch so much better.

Having said all of that I wish you well but please be careful. And as Kay said, lumbar mechanical traction might help some people but I think it really depends on what is really going on. And I will just add from the cervical spine standpoint...

When I was in traction for that and before any surgeries, yeah it felt great while in the contraption. But darn it if it didn't feel like the discs just slammed back down on the facet joints causing even greater pain once I was done. I remember very well just getting back into my car to go home and in utter agony. And just to clarify...I didn't have the PM doc then that I have now. And, well, I needed injections AGAIN to get it all calmed down. So, since that time my current spinal PM has said...don't let anyone touch your neck again! And, hey, after 10 years of this stuff...I agree. So, go easy.

Kathi and everyone,

Thanks for sharing all your stories. I really do appreciate it. I'm still recovering from RFA to the cervical facets and that had me holding off on this too. I'm feeling better about not going for this without seeing the orthopedic doctor. My PM doctor is an anesthesiologist turned PM doctor and he treats spines. He has been treating my cervicals. I was getting my records together to take to him to see what he thinks he could/should do, but its worked out well that I'll see the ortho before him. I'll post about what the orthopedic doctor tells me after I see him.

Thanks for being here