hi,
thank you for providing the brief history of you.
since you mentioned about the numbrness and
tingling, it is can be assumed with almost 99% accuracy that it is
radiculopathy.
That means - the pain, tingling and
numbness is travelling across the course of the nerve.
Recommended to meet an ortho and get the MRI of neck and lower back to check the extent of injury in the spine. we can only find the
disc prolapse,
disc protrusion, or disc herniation on the MRI scan.
Once the extent of injury is known the next step is taken depending upon the impact of pain.
First - Resting the neck and back
Second - Medication for pain, if pain is unbearable
Third -
physical therapy , as early as possible to be initiated for not allowing the muscle wasting and quick recovery.
Fourth - back to action.
As you asked about
acupuncture, it is not bad to try out but it will only provide you a symptomatic relief.
The real cause is the weakness in the spinal muscles and abdominal muscles . Along with this the muscles of the neck region. The cause is the degenerative changes. It occurs due to wear and tear or it may be an ageing factor.
With exercise 100% of my patients have recover and back to action. So will be the case world wide.
In very few cases where the pain is unbearable they undergo surgery.
Well, it.is the last option to try out.
Also, recommend you to meet a physical therapist as he/she will help regain strength in the core, back, and neck. Also a overall body conditioning will help on a later stages.
In few cases epidural injection is recommended but it's not a first line of action. As I said, it all depends upon the patient pain bearing factor.
also, 99% of the best surgeon in Orthopedic and spine speciality will prefer the physical therapy. As it helps alot
With the grace of God I wish you a good health.
Regards