Seeking Spinal Specialist and New Physical Therapist

S.,
I am a physician working in an area where we see a lot of neck herniated discs.
I LOVE good physical therapists. Your primary doctor should be able to refer you to physical therapy. One group is Sister Kinney. The location I think is excellent is the Fridley location on University.
If your pain has been going on more than 2 months another group to try is Physicians Neck and Back Clinic. They are physicians and can address if a conservative NON surgical approach will help. They have an intense exercise program or strengthening that helps a lot of people. There is a clinic in Coon Rapids. (The docs are all good. Dr. Coulter is one of my favorites.) They also can refer you to neurosurgeons who have a nonsurgical bent if needed.

Good luck with this frustrating problem.

I don't know what part of the cities you live in but Dr. Robert Staeheli (Stay-lee) is a chiropractor that comes to your home without upcharges for the convenience. He believes in family and desires families that recognize the benefits of chiro for overall health. His pricing is very resonable and he even has family plans for well visits. The number is ###-###-####. His email is ____@____.com.
Because I used to work for him and have dealt with insurance in almost every capacity, I find it difficult to believe that your insurance "won't touch it." Most health plans these days do have chiropractic coverage. Are you hearing this from the chiropractor or did you phone your insurance yourself?
Good for you for trying alternatives before a drastic surgical procedure! (You have my empathy about the dog.)

Hello,
I haven't responded to these postings before, but I felt compelled to tell you about my doctor, who is wonderful!
His name is Sharief Mikhail at Minnesota Spine Rehab. THey are located in St Paul, by United Hospital. This might be a little far for you, but well worth it. The pbone number is ###-###-####. THey are really good about working with your insurance and offer a variety of treatments. Including tradidtional physical therapy (by very compitent therapist) Message, ultrasound, tense machines and other devices. THey offer other supports depending on your specific case and are always willing to work with your schedule.
I understand you are looking for something family friendly, but let me say it like this. If you have something serious, like a back injury, you NEED to take care of yourself. Otherwise you willnot be playing with your beautiful kids like you hope to. I don't recommend taking your kids with you to therapy because you really have to concentrate with what you are doing. The therapist insist on it. The are with you 100% and there is no time for anything else. I just hope you reconsider the "family-friendly" aspect and work on yourself!
Good Luck!

If you have a good Chiropractor that you like and are improving, stick with it. As you get better you will not have to go as much. You only get one spine, and it effects every part of your body. If you are really having a hard time paying for it( not just that you are used to insurence doing it for you)talk to your chiro, maybe they can work out a payment plan, do trade, or something. My husbands office is very similar and they want people to get the care they need.

My husband is in the same situation you are. The only relief he gets is from a neck stretcher (no idea what it is called). Insurance paid for part, if not all of it. My guess is the pain will work itself out eventually. You should try to figure out if it was a single event that caused it, or if it is a habit you have that might be causing it. I have two herniated lumbar discs that have given me grief for years, but the pain comes and goes. Hang in there.