Ask a Physical Therapist

-skian-I have 4 squashed discs (C7-T4) and have been doing my physio every day for it since August. (Full confession: I missed last night I got to bed really late and my gf is visiting, only the 2ⁿᵈ day I have ever missed) It is not that doing anything hurts it, during activities it is mostly consistent, but it is a constant everliving pain, is that something to expect for the rest of my life? Painting/drawing/writing letters hurt because I bend my head forwards to see detail. Also if I keep my chin down but tip my neck back sometimes it makes a loud sort of squishing noise and feels like a sharp crack in my spine with shooting pain down and up into my skull base. It really sucks and I expect the answer to be yes, this is life now. It is just sad that I never am not in pain 9 months in :/

I am an optimist and generally cannot predict the future, especially for chronic pain. Will the pain ever go away completely forever? Likely not but maybe! I assume you are young. You'll have better and worse days. Just know that these type of symptoms can take a long time to resolve. There is always an option to trial injections though they are not a fix.

SkierPTI am an optimist and generally cannot predict the future, especially for chronic pain. Will the pain ever go away completely forever? Likely not but maybe! I assume you are young. You'll have better and worse days. Just know that these type of symptoms can take a long time to resolve. There is always an option to trial injections though they are not a fix.

Thanks! I too am an optimist, I was just curious what squashed discs actually mean, No one will give me an answer if they ever return, or are now squashed for good. Thanks for taking the time to do this, a true legend🤘 And yes, I am only 25.