Herniated Disk

[dgenders]

Hi. I have a ruptured disk (L5) and was told by surgeon that I need surgery. I don't have much pain (don't take pain tablets), but have good days and bad days of relative pain. This has been going on for months but is improving slowly. I sleep well at night but can feel the pressure on my nerve if I bend in certain ways. I am aware that the body can eventually absorb the fluid, but am curious to know if there is anyone out there who has had a similar experience and if they have healed, remained constant or worsened. Any advice / comments will be appreciated.

 

[Scarpozzi]

#1. When you speak to a surgeon, they want to operate
#2. When you speak to a doctor, they prescribe pain meds
#3. When you speak to a chiropractor, they'll schedule endless adjustments

Basically, the problem you run into is that you can trust no one 100% to watch out for you. They are biased experts and will make decisions based on their expertise, which won't always be in your best interests. Sure, you can let him operate, but be aware that you may be worse off.

When I was 22 years old, I picked up a heavy object that I shouldn't have. I lost the ability to move my left foot because the swelling around the disc in my lower back caused what's called 'foot drop' syndrome. I was 22 and learned that I was human. I have bouts with it from time to time, but 13 years later, I don't take meds every day for it. I usually tweak it every year or two and take oral steroids if things get really bad along with some mild muscle relaxers like Skelaxin (short half-life).

I started running again 6 weeks or so ago and my back pain returned. Both of my hips were in terrible pain and my back had been popping and making all kinds of noises. The good news is that in forcing myself to run, I've started doing fire hydrants and donkey kicks in core workout that has strengthened my lower back muscles. Honestly, that's half of most people's problems...it take effort to work those muscles out. And by effort, I just mean, normal workouts don't touch them the way targeted core routines do.

If you just now ruptured the disc, give yourself 3-6 weeks to heal up. I suggest going to a Primary Care physician and staying off pain meds. Get a steroid dose pack or a shot if you're brave (I stick to the oral dose) and some Skelaxin. Try to get up and walk every 15-20 minutes. Rest on your chest with a pillow under your chest to help keep your spine in alignment. Don't lift over 20-30 lbs and be careful sitting and standing.

 

[TheGardener]

I guess it depends on your level of pain, pain tolerance and patience while it hopefully heals. I do know that back pain can be mild to excruciating, as I have a bulging disk. I was on ibuprofen for pain for more than two years, up to 3 times a day. No prescription stuff.

I underwent all kinds of tests to identify it... MRI, CAT scan, electrical tests, blood tests, test for ticks, etc. etc. Nothing conclusive. I was told the the bulging disk shouldn't have caused the pain I was having. Also I lost 20 pounds, not trying. I probably wasn't as interested in eating. Then after the two years, the pain went away. Well I still have aches, but not intense pain. So live with it. Also I've put back the weight. Darn it.

Keep in mind that if you are going to have surgery, have it this year. Could be changes (i.e. regulation in reimbursing doctors for surgery) in Obamacare that might work against you.

Also if you need a new mattress, get one. Backs are very sensitive to mattress sagging.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I've been dealing with a bad back for a couple of years. In that time, I've run multiple marathons and close to 20 other races due to a chiropractor(also a sports medicine Dr) and a physical therapist that have kept my back and hips functioning. My chiro has helped me by using active release techniques to stretch out my IT band and hip flexors while my PT has helped keep my hips/ribs in alignment as well as help me strengthen my core and hips.

I finally decided to get a MRI done a few weeks ago and discovered that I have multiple herniated discs, multiple discs with severe disc degeneration and two other spine issues. My chiro(who has been chiro for the US Olympic gymnastic team and Jamaican track team) will only treat my hips now as he can't do anything for my back anymore and recommends that I stop running. My PT believes I can still run but need to limit my running and my pace as I'm currently training for the Marine Corps Marathon.

On Friday, I'm seeing a spine specialist in hopes of getting an additional opinion and hopefully a cortisone injection to help relieve the inflammation in my back so that my PT can continue her work.

I would seek a second opinion as well as seek a PT. Surgery should be your last option. Rest alone will not resolve your issue. And there's nothing wrong with taking pain relievers. I currently take Alleve twice a day.

 

[purbeast0]

i had a partially bulging disc that i jacked up while squatting wrong back in like 2006.

to make a long story short, i had nagging pain for 5+ years, then in 2012 or 2013 or something, i started looking for an inversion table on craigslist and i purchased one.

in 5 days, using it for 5 minutes a day, 2x a day, my back felt better after those 5 days than it had ever felt in the previous years.

i'm not saying it will help everyone, but it helped me, and i hadn't squatted or deadlifted since before then, and now i'm up to doing heavy weights again. i will still tweak it every now and then, but it's MUCH better now than it was before. i think also being able to work it out and strengthen it, due to the decompression that comes from the inversion table, helped a lot.

 

[bradley]

Consume more collagen forming foods and supplements.

For instance, bone broth will not only give your body the materials to heal your herniated disc and form stronger bones, but so many other benefits.

Also supplement with hydrolyzed collagen (or the aminos glycine, lysine and proline) vitamins C, A, K2 and D3 and also silica. And make sure you are getting adequate protein, at least .8 grams per lb of body weight.

A great anti-inflammatory in the meantime is holy basil or ursolic acid capsules. I'd even recommend grapeseed extract being better than willow bark extract (ie conventional aspirin.)

My back, discs, joints, ligaments and tendons have never been stronger.

 

[Chocu1a]

Also recommend getting an inversion table. It will help alleviate pressure on the affected discs.
I have severely degenerated discs in my L5& L7 vertebrae. I have had disc surgery, tried acupuncture, pain meds, physical therapy, & even nerve blocks. Only thing that has kept me off pain meds this past year is the inversion table. It has also allowed me to return to the gym to strengthen my core. It got me up & moving after 2 days of use. Haven't had any problems in almost a year now.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt...ng-stock-of-bone-broth-sorry-no-cure-all-here

Scientists agree that bone broth's so-called ability to heal and restore collagen is probably overblown.

William Percy, an associate professor at the University of South Dakota's Sanford School of Medicine, isn't convinced that the collagen in the bones and joints that go into bone broth will do much for your skeletal system.

"Since we don't absorb collagen whole, the idea that eating collagen somehow promotes bone growth is just wishful thinking," Percy says. Instead, he says, the digestive system will break down the collagen into amino acids, and the body will use these building blocks wherever they're needed.

Kantha Shelke has a different take. She's a food scientist and spokesperson for the Institute of Food Technologists, and a principal with the food science and research firm Corvus Blue LLC.

She says that if you want to build collagen, you need more than bone broth.

"Eating a diet rich in leafy green vegetables is ideal," she says. "Plants offer richer sources in collagen building blocks and, in addition, provide nutrients not found in sufficient quantities in meats or broth."

People, please read actual information on this shit and not what your friend or mother or advertising company told you. Seriously.

 

[bradley]

http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt...ng-stock-of-bone-broth-sorry-no-cure-all-here
People, please read actual information on this shit and not what your friend or mother or advertising company told you. Seriously.

That article is just dumb. Bone broth also heals the gut, increase gallbladder function and helps raise immunity, GH and test levels. People eat mostly muscle meat and not the bone or organ meat and it creates an imbalance. Consuming either bone broth, hydrolyzed collagen or the amino glycine also helps to promote higher quality sleep.

Anyhow, bone broth has been around for ages and will be around long after this latest trend expires. My advice to carnivores is consume the entire animal.

But you keep countering information like mine and continuing believing what the power structure wants you to believe. They ultimately have your best interest at heart. Seriously.

 

[McLovin]

Consume more collagen forming foods and supplements.

For instance, bone broth will not only give your body the materials to heal your herniated disc and form stronger bones, but so many other benefits.

Also supplement with hydrolyzed collagen (or the aminos glycine, lysine and proline) vitamins C, A, K2 and D3 and also silica. And make sure you are getting adequate protein, at least .8 grams per lb of body weight.

A great anti-inflammatory in the meantime is holy basil or ursolic acid capsules. I'd even recommend grapeseed extract being better than willow bark extract (ie conventional aspirin.)

My back, discs, joints, ligaments and tendons have never been stronger.

What multivitamin would you suggest?

Would this work?

http://www.optimumnutrition.com/products/optimen-mens-multiple-p-180.html

or

http://www.wholeearthsea.com/product/bone-health-multivitamin-and-mineral/