My advice for those with lower back injuries - specifically disc herniation

[zipzap]

Originally Posted by Willie

Of course. BUT. I just went for a "check up" with my PT, almost exactly a year after my first epidural (back story: I heard a horrible noise come from my back and it freaked me out). She was AMAZED at how much stronger my back is now. Of course, there's always a threat of it popping again, but the PT said that with all of the scar tissue and the back strengthening work I've done, there's no greater risk than there ever was. Meaning, it could easily pop again if I'd gotten the discectomy.

(Turns out, the noise I heard was probably either scar tissue breaking up, or some sort of joint manipulation)

Since they remove some of the disc during surgery, there is slightly less chance of things moving around, but true, nothing is gauranteed.
I did find out that since discs do shrink as we age, there is less and less issue with the nerve pain as time goes by.
And your body will adapt after a while as well, it all just depends, everyone is so different.

[UConnJulie]

Mmmmm ... not necessarily so.
Some people develop more pain as time goes on. Things calcify, scarring occurs, etc.

[zipzap]

Originally Posted by UConnJulie

Mmmmm ... not necessarily so.
Some people develop more pain as time goes on. Things calcify, scarring occurs, etc.

Yes you are right- I forgot about the scarring and such. I guess it's pretty impossible to know exactly how your body will repsond one way or the other. I just hope I never have to go there again......

[xanderd]

My back has dramatically changed in the last 2 weeks.

I have gone from being in agony when simply lying flat (face down or face up), with searing pains in my hamstrign and glutes, to being able to get a good nights sleep.

The pain is moving from my leg to my back. generally I get a mild pain where my glute meets my ham, and a very achy, tight, sore back now. thats loads bette than it used to be.

The only thing I have done differently is accupuncture - after 3 sessions it started improving. It could just be coincidence, or the act of lying face down for 20 minutes...not sure

I would recommend anyone to try accupuncture as its relatively painless and I've been told that if it hasnt worked after 4 sessions it wont work, so theres no need to get sucked into long courses of it.

I have also met the orthapaedic surgeon and he recommended against surgery at this time for a few reasons:

-the pain doesnt go below my knee - surgery is most effective at removing leg pain
-my pain is variable - need another scan to check whats going on
-my disc is very crushed and dehydrated - apparently if this has gotten worse he 'might not even be able to find the disc' if he operates.

I have another MRI in 5 weeks.

[UConnJulie]

Glad to hear you've gotten some relief.

[jchiero]

i want you to encourage you in your pursuit of a neutral spine. julie suggested this and she is correct.

assuming that your damage is not structural (bone or nerve related). the most important thing you can do is to have your spine in a neutral position during all of your movement patterns walking, sitting, pushing pulling, ect...

in order to do this your transverse abdominus must activate at the right time during movement. if it does not activate your spine will not be neutral. if you add the force of resistance training you will damage yourself further.

so please be patient. i went through similar circimstances and it is awful, but i am better now and it led me to my career in PT.