JP,

Sorry about that. My story is similar but different. BTW, I talked with Aunty M and Caveman (her hubby) before I decided anything. I had a severely herniated disc between C3-4. Caveman recommended trying everything before surgery, so I did. Acupuncture - relieved some symptoms, like left shoulder and arm pain, but didn't seem to address the root cause. Drugs weren't really satisfactory unless I took more than I was supposed to and nearly knocked myself out. The last thing I tried was a chiropractor who has a traction-type machine called the DRX 9000; it should be a race car. Group Health wouldn't cover it, so I paid out of pocket, since I was also ready to visit a witch doctor. Anyway, I improved to around 90 -95%, which is as good as it's going to get. I have most, but not all of my former range of motion. But I avoided surgery, and am better instead of worse.

I'm an advocate of surgery as a last resort. Depending on the information source, after surgery about 70-75% are improved; up to 30% have no improvement; and from 5-10% are worse than before the surgery.

Best of luck to you.

Sg