# I'm sick of people telling me I'm not going to get better. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 25, 2003, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-people-telling-me-im-not-going-to-get-better/184318 "2003-06-25T16:51:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![katie1341](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/91b2a8/32.png) [@katie1341](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/katie1341)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-people-telling-me-im-not-going-to-get-better/184318/1 "2003-06-25T16:51:34Z")
For the last 3 weeks, I have been suffering from a herniated disc and attendant cyatica (sp?) from the disc pushing on the nerve. I feel like someone is shooting flaming arrows down my left leg, and my left foot goes numb from time to time. I am not a complainer, but sweet Christ on a crutch, this is absolutely the most painful thing I’ve ever had to deal with. I’ve been sleeping in a recliner because I can’t get comfortable in bed. ``` I work in a relatively small courthouse, and it doesn't take long for eveyone to know everyone else's business. As soon as anyone finds out I have a back problem, s/he immediately seeks me out and tells me how his/her cousin, parent, sibling, spouses, etc. had the same exact problem, and NEVER GOT BETTER. Invariably, I will be asked what my Dr. is doing for me. Traction, and it does seem to be improving the situation, albeit slowly. No, sugery is probably not going to be necessary. Oh, comes the response, but you HAVE to have surgery, traction will make you feel better for a while, but (insert suffering person's name here) had traction and eventually had to have surgery anyway, and NEVER GOT BETTER. You are going to have this problem for the REST OF YOUR LIFE. OK, in the grand scheme of things, it could be worse, It's not life-threatening, I'm still able to come to work, and it is getting better (slowly but surely). But could someone, please, just one time, tell me about someone who had the same problem and then GOT BETTER?? ``` ---
**Author:** ![mjcocat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@mjcocat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mjcocat)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-people-telling-me-im-not-going-to-get-better/184318/2 "2003-06-25T17:10:42Z")
For what it’s worth, my grandpa had the same problem a few months ago. He was in the worst pains. The doctors tried everything, but nothing worked. Their final option was surgery, he was forwarned that this might not even make a difference. He went ahead with the surgery and everything turned out great! The pain went away almost instantly and he was on the quick road to recovery. I’ve never seen someone in so much pain, but rest assured, it will get better. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-people-telling-me-im-not-going-to-get-better/184318/3 "2003-06-25T17:27:51Z")
Well, I have the same problem, and while it does reoccur from time to time, I did, in fact, get better without surgery. Of course my problem is slightly different than yours - I have siatica secondary to untreated scoliosis. However, yes, I did get better, but I have to take care of my back. Hows that? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![klas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a587f6/32.png) [@klas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/klas)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-people-telling-me-im-not-going-to-get-better/184318/4 "2003-06-25T18:00:57Z")
Katie - if you are near Atlanta, try a technique called Zentherapy. I have seen so many people with so many problems, lots of them being told only surgery could help, or tough luck, try this and it has worked wonders. Here is a practioner in Atlanta: Ed Clark, LMT, NMT - Matrix Int’l Bodywork Institute Atlanta, GA 30312 Telephone: (404) 525-2588 Fax: (404) 522-7293 e-mail: [edclarklmt@mindspring.com](mailto:edclarklmt@mindspring.com) Clinical Massage Therapist & Somatic Bodyworker with over 10 years experience! Integrated Deep Tissue Massage, Neuromuscular Therapy, TMJ, CranioSacral Therapy, Orthopedic & Sports Massage, Zentherapy Bodytherapy, Myofascial Release, Muscle Energy Technique, & Strain/Counterstrain. Classes available. Here is the link that tells about Zentherapy: [http://www.zentherapy.org/](http://www.zentherapy.org/) ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-people-telling-me-im-not-going-to-get-better/184318/5 "2003-06-25T18:00:58Z")
Katie; I’m sorry you’ve got all that negative energy to deal with on top of your injury. It certainly doesn’t make it any easier to maintain a positive attitude. A compressed disc and the Sciatica that ensues are difficult to overcome, but it can be done with the right doctor and physical therapist. And, as Alice said, you will have to take care of your back in the future. Maybe that’s what they all meant by “it’s never going to get better.” You have to change your body mechanics. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-people-telling-me-im-not-going-to-get-better/184318/6 "2003-06-25T18:47:15Z")
> [@](#): > > ZENTHERAPY® recognizes that from birth to death, life is flow of energy. This energy takes shape by our attitudes, our emotions, and our bodies. Zentherapy® releases the natural form of the body from the abberations caused by physical, chemical, psychological and spiritual traumas. > > THESE ABBERATIONS MISALIGN THE BODY and block the free flow of energy within the body and between the person and the universe. The blocks and misalignment prevent a person from realizing the full potential and experiencing the oneness of all life. Once blocks are removed and the structure is aligned, the body, mind and spirit will move to a higher plateau. You’ve got to be kidding. This board is about fighting ignorance, not promoting it. Please show me a single properly-conducted clinical study that supports any of these claims. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-people-telling-me-im-not-going-to-get-better/184318/7 "2003-06-25T18:52:34Z")
My mother has the exact same thing—sciatica due to a herniated disc. I did some research and found that in 80% of cases, the herniation is naturally reabsorbed into the body—though it can take months. My mother’s found that steroid injections have provided some relief, though doctors differ on that. Surgery for any back pain is a _last resort_ (especially in my mother’s case, as she’s 81). So, yes, you may be in for a long haul, but odds are you _will_ get better. And _do_ avoid that “Zentherapy” like the plague. ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Bruce\_Daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Daddy)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-people-telling-me-im-not-going-to-get-better/184318/8 "2003-06-25T19:01:59Z")
Um, hello? **Q.E.D.**? Did you not read the part about _oneness_ and the _higher plateau_? 😃 Oh, and sorry about that Katie. I hope a) you get better and b) people stop being inconsiderate. Don’t count on b). Go dogs. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-people-telling-me-im-not-going-to-get-better/184318/9 "2003-06-25T19:06:25Z")
Ohhhh…the higher plateau! Well, that makes it all sound and scientific then. 😉 Oh and to the OP: excuse my rudeness for not offering my sympathies and well-wishes too. Hang in there. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Tiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Mama\_Tiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Tiger)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-people-telling-me-im-not-going-to-get-better/184318/10 "2003-06-25T19:14:03Z")
When in my 20s, I had a nasty bout of sciatica. I’ve never learned the actual cause (this was pre-MRI days, and I wasn’t about to let them do anything else to me), but with patience, some good physical therapy, and a good stretching and exercise program, it went away, never to return. So hang in there, give it some time, and do what your doctor suggests. Oh, and a good massage therapist never hurts, to help ease up some of the muscle spasms that may be aggravating your pain. (I’m talking genuine massage therapy, not Zentherapy, so don’t flame me, folks!) I had another back injury in my 30s that was basically resolved by some WONDERFUL massage, so I’m a firm believer in relief of muscle spasms to help with pain relief. Best of luck!! ---
**Author:** ![earthpuppy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8c91f0/32.png) [@earthpuppy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/earthpuppy)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-people-telling-me-im-not-going-to-get-better/184318/11 "2003-06-25T19:17:27Z")
**Bruce\_Daddy** , that’s _dawgs_ ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-people-telling-me-im-not-going-to-get-better/184318/12 "2003-06-25T19:23:11Z")
My brother was dating a girl that believed in all that universal energy flow crap. So anyway, I thew my back out moving some stuff at work. She clears off my coffee table and put her hand on my tailbone and I think my head and told me my flow was off. She put some voodoo drops under my tongue and a bunch of other crap. I asked her how long it would be before I felt better and she said two or three days. Guess what? It always takes two or three days to get better when I throw my back out. She’s making over $100,000/year doing this crap in Boulder (where else?). She refused to tell me what was in the voodoo drops. Being a child of the seventies, I took it anyway. 😉 I only did this because I hadn’t seen my brother in nearly two decades. He kept saying it only works if you believe in it. Boy, did THAT piss her off!!! ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-people-telling-me-im-not-going-to-get-better/184318/13 "2003-06-25T19:27:03Z")
$100,000 a year??? Screw science. Where’s my pointy hat and robes? Fetch me my Quartz Crystals! ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-people-telling-me-im-not-going-to-get-better/184318/14 "2003-06-25T19:28:44Z")
Hmmmm, Boulder, eh? [Eve packs her suitcases and her voodoo drops and gets ready to fleece the rubes] ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-people-telling-me-im-not-going-to-get-better/184318/15 "2003-06-25T19:29:58Z")
Yeah, she goes to big symposiums all over the country and some dude (who they all worship) tells them how to read the knobs on yer head. She has regular customers who pay $75/hr or more for this crap. Such a deal! ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-people-telling-me-im-not-going-to-get-better/184318/16 "2003-06-25T19:29:59Z")
Yeah, she goes to big symposiums all over the country and some dude (who they all worship) tells them how to read the knobs on yer head. She has regular customers who pay $75/hr or more for this crap. Such a deal! ---
**Author:** ![DaToad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@DaToad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaToad)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-people-telling-me-im-not-going-to-get-better/184318/17 "2003-06-25T19:37:17Z")
Katie, I have the same problem in my 4-5 lumbar disc. About the pain, I agree and empathize. My injury (car wreck) occured in 1973, when I was 25 yrs. old. It took two full years before I recovered - without surgery. I still have flare-ups and have to be very careful when lifting anything heavy or awkward. I know nothing of the ZENTHERAPY®, but I do some specialized exercises that my physical therapist taught me, and I have found that chiropractic manipulations also help when it’s bothering me. I wish you a full and speedy recovery ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-people-telling-me-im-not-going-to-get-better/184318/18 "2003-06-25T19:43:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by klas \* > \*\* > Ed Clark, LMT, NMT - Matrix Int’l Bodywork Institute > Atlanta, GA 30312 > Telephone: (404) 525-2588 Fax: (404) 522-7293 > e-mail: [edclarklmt@mindspring.com](mailto:edclarklmt@mindspring.com) > Clinical Massage Therapist & Somatic Bodyworker with over 10 years experience! Integrated Deep Tissue Massage, Neuromuscular Therapy, TMJ, CranioSacral Therapy, Orthopedic & Sports Massage, Zentherapy Bodytherapy, Myofascial Release, Muscle Energy Technique, & Strain/Counterstrain. Classes available. Wow! He’s got experience in nearly all the snake oil arts! ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-people-telling-me-im-not-going-to-get-better/184318/19 "2003-06-25T19:44:54Z")
**katie1341** , the only way I’ve ever found to shut such “well-wishers” up is to say, “Thank you for your concern, but I really don’t care to discuss this any further.” “Well, you know it won’t get better until…” “Thank you for your concern, but I really don’t care to discuss this any further.” “But you know, my brother-in-law’s vertebra actually _exploded_ and…” “Thank you for your concern, but I really don’t care to discuss this any further.” Lather, rinse, repeat. ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-people-telling-me-im-not-going-to-get-better/184318/20 "2003-06-25T19:52:07Z")
> [@](#): > > Wow! He’s got experience in nearly all the snake oil arts! I can see you and I will soon be out of jobs, **NurseCarmen**. I’d be a little worried about someone showing me how to “release” my facial muscles, though. Especially if they can’t spell facial. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-people-telling-me-im-not-going-to-get-better/184318.md?page=2)