Can a herniated disc heal on its own over time?

[Koing]

In my case yes but I think it was a 'miracle'...

2004 I had hurt myself DL. I should have dropped it but kept on pulling and I had a crazy amount of pain in my back. After this incident I had sciatica and my L4 was prolapsed. Got some scans etc. Dr's wanted to do surgery on me but since I compete in olympic weightlifting, and my coach has never seen anyone recover from back surgery to equal their PBs let alone hit new PBs I wanted to try everything else before surgery.

I saw a chiropractor. Yes I was that desperate! The one I saw knew what olympic weightlifting was about and that it was not bodybuilding or powerlifting. I guess I got very lucky and got a good one. I couldn't touch the floor after my back injury. Everytime I coughed or sneezed it hurt a lot. I would get lots of pain down my left leg as well. I was literally about a foot from touching the floor . Pre injury I could get my palms flush on the floor with any warming up.

I saw the chiro for about 10 sessions and he improved my mobility along with the stretching stuff he had me do. I could get my palms flush on the floor again but the pain was still present.

I saw his physio and she was crap so i ditched her after 5 sessions.

I saw an osteopath as well but he was crap so again ditched after 5 sessions.

I then had a 'miracle' weekend where the pain massively dropped off and I started to lift again. I started light and built up 5kg per week. Hit PBs in my first comp. I didn't compete for 9months in the end! That was 7yrs ago and I've hit all time PBs since pretty much every year.

I've only had my back go about twice in this time. It meant I couldn't train properly for two weeks.

My back is fine on the whole. It does get stiff when I sleep for too long but I don't get to sleep for too long on the whole due to work anyway

Good luck and try and stay positive (such BS but hey you got to try!)

Koing

 

[gman1987]

Looking for an update from Schfifty. You described my symptoms to a T and would love to know how things turned out for you.

 

[Schfifty Five]

Looking for an update from Schfifty. You described my symptoms to a T and would love to know how things turned out for you.

Towards the end of last year, and beginning of this year, my pain/discomfort was completely gone. I did not get surgery or injections. It just naturally healed up on its own. I could stretch/bend just like I could before I ruptured my disc.

I'm guessing what happened was maybe the inflammation of the disc reduced and was no longer putting pressure on the sciatic nerve.

However, a few weeks ago, I went down to pick up something and I tweaked my lower back which in turn re-aggravated my herniated disc some. I've healed up from the lower back pain, but there is some lingering discomfort similar to when I was in great discomfort a year ago. Not anywhere as bad, but definitely similar. I'm just going to wait this one out and let my body hopefully heal up on its own like before.

 

[gman1987]

That's encouraging. I hope my pain takes the same route. I'm about 6 months removed from injuring my back and while I'm a lot better than I was, I still don't have the same mobility in my affected leg and still get tingling when I stand. Nothing lke it was just 3 months ago but it’s still there.

 

[Schfifty Five]

That's encouraging. I hope my pain takes the same route. I'm about 6 months removed from injuring my back and while I'm a lot better than I was, I still don't have the same mobility in my affected leg and still get tingling when I stand. Nothing lke it was just 3 months ago but it’s still there.

Yeah, best of luck to you. My timeline was something like this.

Noticed pain/discomfort in March/April 12
pain/discomfort became really bad from May - Sept 12
Pain/discomfort began to subside Oct-Dec 12
Was pretty much 100% back to normal Jan 13 - April

So it definitely took me the better part of 6 months to begin healing and more like 9 months to really heal up.

 

[gman1987]

My back got stiff and sore in Nov/Dec. January something happened over night and I spent 4 weeks hobbling around and barely able to walk. After steriods and NSAID's for a month it got better but leg and hip pain kicked in. Since Feb, I have had limited mobility in my leg, and pain when standing and walking or just strecthing my leg the wrong way. My foot and leg below the knee tingles when standing and I still feel a pull and minor pain in my back when I stride (walking). At times it feels like someone is poking me in the side of my butt with a metal rod. I can actually run with no pain but thats because my stride while running is a lot shorter than walking. It's much better now than it was a couple moths ago but it is obvious I'm still not back to normal. I can now do most things as long as I don't stretch the wrong way. I'm starting back with physical therapy next week. Maybe they can get me over the hump.

 

[Schfifty Five]

My back got stiff and sore in Nov/Dec. January something happened over night and I spent 4 weeks hobbling around and barely able to walk. After steriods and NSAID's for a month it got better but leg and hip pain kicked in. Since Feb, I have had limited mobility in my leg, and pain when standing and walking or just strecthing my leg the wrong way. My foot and leg below the knee tingles when standing and I still feel a pull and minor pain in my back when I stride (walking). At times it feels like someone is poking me in the side of my butt with a metal rod. I can actually run with no pain but thats because my stride while running is a lot shorter than walking. It's much better now than it was a couple moths ago but it is obvious I'm still not back to normal. I can now do most things as long as I don't stretch the wrong way. I'm starting back with physical therapy next week. Maybe they can get me over the hump.

An MRI will conclude if you have a ruptured/herniated disc, though they cost a lot (I paid $500 ugh).

The worst pain I feel right now is trying to jump. I've been playing bball a lot lately and a couple weeks ago I went to play (after re-aggravating my disc) and anytime I try to do a quick move (driving in the lane) or jumping up high to grab the rebound, the pain level is at like a 7/10. Very painful and uncomfortable.

 

[gman1987]

I had an mri back in February. I have a ruptured disk between l4 and l5. Sucks getting old.

 

[i.khan]

Friends my wife had a L5-S1 disc herniation last 18 months back after few months treatment she didn't recovered and she had discectomy 14 months back after that she had a great time but 3 weeks back suddenly pain in her left leg started & got worst & MRI report shows that same L5-S1 disc herniation again. now i am very upset whether to go for surgery again & if yes what if its prolapse again. kindly advise

 

[MiniDoom]

for sure. I even had a neurosurgeon tell me if I could tolerate the pain for 3-6-12 months depending on the person and injury, it would heal on its own. I had a ruptured l4/5 l5/s1 a few years ago. with frequent pilates and pt took me about 6 months to loose the sciatica and pain. my pinky toe and outside of leg were numb. leg is almost 100% now but toe is still numb. I'm now in the best shape of my life and really have no more back issues. good luck.

 

[Mr_Heff]

Aggravated is an understatement.....in 2005 I had lifted a bunch of boxes and bam herniated disc L5, S1. At the time I got Chiropractic work, massage, x-ray and MRI and was FIT FOR DUTY to join the NAVY, Joined...BOOT CAMP made it worse, was Light Duty in Corps School, was FIT FOR DUTY again and then decided might as well pick a place close to home, after more PT they wanted to do a steroid injection. I was not having it, so I turned to ACUPUNCTURE as my last resort. It was the first time I had ever had any relief period! ( Please try it if you haven’t). Mind you that was 2007. Got out and was fine for two years then met my partner and got the love pounds on and add 2-3 years and you get 235...I was 168 in the military (I swam and did the elliptical everyday ) then got to 180-190 (weights/ elliptical and HOT YOGA)...then i went back to school ( who the hell has time for exercise when you work full time and do school full time?...Answer no one!) SO now 2013 I have been to acupuncture and it is helping along with ibuprofen, stretching, multivitamin, glucosamine and chondroitin, fish oil....


I will say this stretch, use an inversion table, DO HOT YOGA PERIOD ( it allows your body to stretch, detox, and it helps keep your body loose, stretched, and no in constant pain!

What works for me is swimming, stretching, hot yoga, elliptical, ibuprofen, flexeril, acupuncture and a stress free environment and LOTS OF SLEEP!

This weekend has been ok....until i put my jeans that fit just fine, except I just go them out of the dryer so of course they cling to me and aggravated my sciatica while walking.

I hope this helps someone; please find the time for YOU! All of these things i have done are low impact and still allowed me to get a great workout and feel great. Granted at first it’s a pain, but you will get there.

And my last piece of advise is EAT healthy! Fish, chicken, brown rice, veggies, lots of water/ tea, keep it simple, be consistent.

Take baby-steps first then you can walk normally and function like a normal human being.

Otherwise I feel everyone here! Sometimes you just wanna sleep! and not be bothered.

 

[indigolady]

My MRI scan reveals L4/L5 level, extensive facet arthorpathy changes resulting in pseudosolubluxation and critical spinal canal and exiting neural foraminal compromise bilaterally (whatever that means!). At L5/S1 level, there is a left paracentral disc protrusion resulting in moderate reduction in the lateral recess calibre and compression of the S1 nerve root. Bilateral arthropy changes also noted.

I've been put on gabapentin which I'm reluctant to take and ibuprofen. Whilst waiting for help (weeks probably) to see an NHS surgeon or specialist can you tell me what sort of exercises I could be doing to help myself. I did hear about the mackenzie stretches but was wondering whether my type of disc problem was ok for these. I've read about the swimming, yoga and stretching but not sure if I should do these yet. I;m scared of doing more harm than good. I did go to my osteo who gave me some acupuncture when I was climbing the wall in agony and it seemed to make it worse.

I can't sit properly for any length of time and any advice on sitting would be greatly appreciated too. I am due to see an NHS physiotherapist in 2 weeks time but in the meantime I am really struggling so any advice would be most appreciated.

Also, what kind of office chair would you recommend? Thanks and peace be with you all.

 

[gman1987]

Quick update. After nearly a year dealing with the leg, back and thigh pain I took the plunge and had a microdiscectomy earlier this month. It was a tough decision since I know that my symptoms were not as bad as what a lot of people experience. I was second guessing my decision until they wheeled me back. Turns out (so far at least) it was the right decision (for me). No more sciatica, I can walk without that familiar pain in my leg and butt. I still have a little soreness in the low back; I think it is from the surgery. I have been sure to take it easy (no lifting anything over 20lb for now), since I don't want to take any chances with reherniation. Looking forward to getting the all clear from the doc so I can start exercising. I may ask about doing some PT at my next visit so I can learn to strengthen and stretch my back the right way.

 

[pc1955pc]

How much does a MD cost?

 

[Mehta]

Hi, My family member has a slipped disc (L5-S1) for about 8 months now. She took epidural injection 6 months back and now she is currently on bed rest for past 2 months. She tried doing physiotherapy exercise for 2 weeks but the pin only increased. She can barely walk for 5 minutes. What do you suggest. Her BMI is within the normal range, but still doctors keep on saying she should shed weight, I don't understand why?

Your help in this matter is much sought & would be very appreciated.

You can reply me at rmehta26@gmail.com

Thanks.

 

[Mehta]

@Sociallychallenged: Pls share your email id with me.

 

[SP33Demon]

Had a minor herniation playing football on the beach to where it was insanely painful and I couldn't put on socks. It took 15 minutes to get in the car to drive. That was about 3 years ago, now I'm deadlifting around 450lbs and just did an 18inch rack pull of 550. I'm a firm believer in working your abs heavily as well as your entire back. Before my injury, I had never done a deadlift heavier than 225 nor did I do heavy ab and lower back work. Also a big advocate of using an inverted table during rehab to stretch the spine out and get spinal fluids moving in the area.

 

[solidstar]

I had been diagnosed with sciatica in 2010. I have not chose to undergo any surgery but the pain was really killing me. I have tried all possible medication but to no avail. I also underwent physical therapy but still not working.My last option was to see a chiropractor and finally something worked for me. I still have episodes of lumbar pain that radiates to my legs from time to time. I just rest and do some stretching and take B-complex vitamins. In a few days, I am recovered. I guess this will be with me forever but I am glad that I finally know how to address it.

 

[LukeEdAllen]

Hey guys, sorry if I am posting in this thread my question, I dont mean to take away from the original poster... I just didnt see the point of starting a whole other thread.


I have recently got had an MRI where I have a L5S1 disc herniation... I just wondered if any of the knowledgage guys here on this stuff (SociallyChallenged? ) could take a quick lookat my MRI report, I wasnt sure about the end bit, where it says 'neural foraminal stenosis' from the report does this sound like a degenerative condition to you? Where the nerve space is narrowing, as I have had this herniation pain for 9 months now, or does it seem like the nerve passage is narrowing _as a result_ of the herniation (which seems to me it will resolve once the disc material retreats right?)

Pictures of the report I uploaded

http://s18.postimg.org/byd94at9l/IMG_20141008_WA0018.jpg

http://s17.postimg.org/4qoqai0yn/IMG_20141008_WA0019.jpg

Thanks for your help everyone

 

[Eos]

Hey guys, sorry if I am posting in this thread my question, I dont mean to take away from the original poster... I just didnt see the point of starting a whole other thread.


I have recently got had an MRI where I have a L5S1 disc herniation... I just wondered if any of the knowledgage guys here on this stuff (SociallyChallenged? ) could take a quick lookat my MRI report, I wasnt sure about the end bit, where it says 'neural foraminal stenosis' from the report does this sound like a degenerative condition to you? Where the nerve space is narrowing, as I have had this herniation pain for 9 months now, or does it seem like the nerve passage is narrowing _as a result_ of the herniation (which seems to me it will resolve once the disc material retreats right?)

Pictures of the report I uploaded

http://s18.postimg.org/byd94at9l/IMG_20141008_WA0018.jpg

http://s17.postimg.org/4qoqai0yn/IMG_20141008_WA0019.jpg

Thanks for your help everyone

You should see your specialist for answers. Sorry...

 

[LukeEdAllen]

You should see your specialist for answers. Sorry...

I would do this, but I have relocated due to employment and I am nolonger able to do so... besides there are people here in previous posts that have not only suffered the same condition I am posting about, but have even undergone surgery for the condition. I would value their feedback as much as a medical practitioner given my current circumstances, but thanks (i think?) for your response.

 

[LukeEdAllen]

anyone?

 

[inachu]

We are about 5 years away from an FDA approved new method to making the discs back to their normal size after they sometimes get permanently get compressed like a jelly doughnut pushing out all the jelly.


The technology is 100% natural and was shown on NBC4washington

The cost should be under $500 per disc.

People can sign up for the free trials and for many it has saved them from committing suicide as back pain can really reduce your life choices.

 

[LukeEdAllen]

hi Gman87 how is ur back now? Any updates? Also if anyone has socially challenged email contact could they please share it with me? I would like to try make contact with him.

 

[inachu]

There is no "HEALING" of a ruptured disc until a report from last year or so came out detailed in my earlier above post.

They can remove the disc or add to it but because it is compressed it will bend the nerve making it very raw all the time and as if something snapped because it has extra wiggle room now since that disc is compressed. Once they get this new invention out then your disc issue and anyone elses will be be like new condition again.