Disc Bulge + Physio

[anonymous-user]

[redacted]

[gareth h]

I had chiro due to similar issues (previously she had sorted other issues), her manipulation of my back put recovery back by several weeks and was bloody agony for a few days after, it might not be part of the healing process.
It was only time that healed, but I have discovered yoga since and my back is a lot easier and more flexible as a result.

[mph1977]

gareth h said:

I had chiro due to similar issues (previously she had sorted other issues), her manipulation of my back put recovery back by several weeks and was bloody agony for a few days after, it might not be part of the healing process.
It was only time that healed, but I have discovered yoga since and my back is a lot easier and more flexible as a result.

that's the chiroquacktic for you Gareth...

unfortunately disc issues have no easy fix, physio etc can make improvements but by improving core strength / posture / getting you to cthink aobut and correct asymtery etc ...

[911Ads]

Worth giving acupuncture a go..I had a a bulge at l5 causing sciatica- I thought I had damaged my ankle with the pain but the physio realised it was my back. After a couple of sessions the pain was significantly less.
I was one of the people that didn't believe in sticking needles in you would help, but it helped me, alot..

[mclwanB]

Second recommendation for acupuncture- really helped me. 4000 papers published on the subject in scientific journals so far!

Once it has settled important to take up(gently) some form of stretching exercises such as yoga or pilates. Need to start very slowly

[tactical lizard]

I did the same to my back three years ago, after two years of being afraid to do anything I had lost a lot of my back strength, leg strength and weight through muscle wastage.

I found this site

http://healaherniateddisc.com/

I started dead lifting and squatting under the supervision of a physio, started at 20kg deads and 40kg squats, yes it waswas that bad!

Now I'm up to 60kg deads and 100kg squats, and back to the gym full time.

Exercise is the way forward.

[Ranger 6]

Unlike the exercise suggestion surgery was the only way out of my crushed disc problem. Google Wallis ligament.

[mph1977]

Ranger 6 said:

Unlike the exercise suggestion surgery was the only way out of my crushed disc problem. Google Wallis ligament.

which ultimately will be a decision made by a Spinal surgeon ( whether Ortho or neurosurgeon by initial specialist registration ) , but the vast majority of GPs/ physios/ personal trainers / Osteopaths are likely to fairly quickly reach a point where they are saying you ought to be seen by a specialist ...

[jshell]

mph1977 said:

chiroquacktic

L2/L3 disc went for me, specialist and good physio sorted it right out.

No fecking way would I go to a chiro and risk that on a disc.

[zeDuffMan]

mph1977 said:

which ultimately will be a decision made by a Spinal surgeon ( whether Ortho or neurosurgeon by initial specialist registration ) , but the vast majority of GPs/ physios/ personal trainers / Osteopaths are likely to fairly quickly reach a point where they are saying you ought to be seen by a specialist ...

And surgery should/will be seen as a last resort. Complications from back surgery aren't pleasant and can rarely be sorted.

[Ranger 6]

mph1977 said:

Ranger 6 said:

Unlike the exercise suggestion surgery was the only way out of my crushed disc problem. Google Wallis ligament.

which ultimately will be a decision made by a Spinal surgeon ( whether Ortho or neurosurgeon by initial specialist registration ) , but the vast majority of GPs/ physios/ personal trainers / Osteopaths are likely to fairly quickly reach a point where they are saying you ought to be seen by a specialist ...

That's exactly what happened. The physio suggested a referral, the GP concurred and following an MRI the spinal chap suggested the Wallis ligament. Life changing for me after 15 years of pain and problems.

[mph1977]

zeDuffMan said:

mph1977 said:

which ultimately will be a decision made by a Spinal surgeon ( whether Ortho or neurosurgeon by initial specialist registration ) , but the vast majority of GPs/ physios/ personal trainers / Osteopaths are likely to fairly quickly reach a point where they are saying you ought to be seen by a specialist ...

And surgery should/will be seen as a last resort. Complications from back surgery aren't pleasant and can rarely be sorted.

exactly but that is a decision to be made by the specialist and the risks / benefits discussed with the patient ... not a reason to put off seeking referral in favour of lining the pockets of quacks

[Mrs Muttleysnoop]

4 years ago OH had a titanium cage fitted. Post op appointment with the surgeon, he told us OH's spine was in a worse condition than the MRI showed.

OH does 30 mins of pilates every morning and does a class once a week. He got back riding his motorbike less than a year after the op but can only ride for just over 30 mins before discomfort sets in.

[Johnny]

I had an L5/S1 herniation for years. Injured initially when I was around 18 I think.

I spent years just getting on with it. In 2005/6 I was going to have surgery but decided against it. I spent more time after trying to strengthen my core and training really helped but the problem was always there still. Some mornings I couldn't even bend enough to get my socks on...

I went back to the docs and went through the whole process again - physio, acupuncture, specialist, epidurals, more physio... I was pushing for surgery.

In the end it took so long that the consultant I was under retired. When I saw the new guy he recommended me for spinal fusion as soon as he saw my MRI.

I had the fusion in March 2013. Was up and walking the same day, doing light exercise within a few days ( push ups at home etc) and back in the gym after a few weeks (again, taking it VERY lightly) and ended up riding the RideLondon 100 in the July.

Without doubt it was the best decision I ever made. Before surgery I couldn't squat or deadlift due to the pain/lack of movement/strength. Now I can do all no problem.

I was 38 when I had my surgery. I'm not sure how old you are OP but I wouldn't rule surgery out if it's an option at some point. Certainly mot based on my experience anyway.

[dreamer75]

Similar here although L4/5. Had osteo, then years of physio and exercises. Then a microdiscectomy. Then a year later a fusion - by this stage the disc had prolapsed so much the bones were rubbing on each other and damaging their surfaces.

My recovery wasn't as quick as Jonny's (it had been going on severely for several years so I was probably quite weak, and the bones were damaged) but I just realised it was 4 years in January since the op. SInce then I've given up racing (paddock work just too hard on my back) but got my PPL, took up skiing and mountain biking, and generally life is pretty normal. Not entirely pain free and I can't walk far or stand around without pain, which people think is weird when I say "I can't go for a wander but let's hurtle down that hill on ski/bike instead" I know which one I would rather have !

It is a personal decision though and I put off the surgery for as long as I could. I think you just "know" when it's time.

[Johnny]

Well, at least you have the decent prescription meds eh!?

[Johnny]

It does indeed.

Horribly nasty and addictive if taken for any amount of time though.

[dreamer75]

Be careful with the Tramadol. I got addicted to it after the fusion surgery, which I didn't realise until cold turkey hit me - that's VERY unpleasant!!!! Had to wean myself off over time.