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How can I improve my chronic pain

6-28-18 I injured myself while I was at work.  I moved a box at work incorrectly at work and caused three disks in my neck to bulge out.  Work Comp eventually found a way out of it being their problem and I found a neurosurgeon that seems to be okay to help me with treatment.  Today the situation is this according to him.  I still have the disks that are bulging, but it is not bad enough to operate on so he sent me to physical therapy and wanted injections.  He also told me the following during one of my appointments "PT and the injections are merely band aids and will not fix your issue"  So its not bad enough to fix and the only treatments available will never fix it....   Its getting close to 2 years and this severely impacts my daily life and what im allowed to do.  I haven't been able to exercise much during that time and I have put on over 20 lbs and to some extent now suffer from depression.  What can I do???
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20803600 tn?1546262537
COMMUNITY LEADER
Disc bulges are very, very common, especially as we get older. As long as there isn’t a herniation of the disc, or tear in the annulus (out covering) of the disc, there is no contact with the nerve roots or spinal cord- surgery generally is not recommended. Regular stretching, exercise, TENS, and injections of steroids to try to reduce inflammation and pain are the typical treatments. Physical therapy must be done on a regular on going basis, not only at appts to see the benefit of it. It is typically painful at first, but as time goes on, things usually improve.
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