Mild herniated disc

[sync]

I've been having some lower back pain for some time now and recently saw a doctor about it. MRI showed a mild herniation in my lower back. Because of the herniation, my sciatic nerve is giving me some problems. I've cut back (very reluctantly) on my weight training and my martial arts to try to let it heal on its own. However, it's driving me nuts not to continue with my workout and MA routine that I had been doing.

Has anyone here had a similar problem? If so, what kind of treatments helped you? I'm really trying to keep from going under the knife, but at the same time I hate not being so active. Any suggeestions?

[JSun]

Read this (http://spine-health.com/Topics/conserv/sciaex/sciaex06.html). I've spent big bucks at a chiropractor before with little luck. I have the best results stretching and getting massages. Three massages generally are enough to knock out any of the back pain caused by my herniated disc.

[aikiMac]

Chiropractor first. They're specialists of the spine, and can tell you if chiro adjustments or massage or surgery would be best.

[Mixitup]

I've a good ostyomyologist?? think thats how it's spelt in Manchester treats a lot of Thai Boxers, sorted my sons back out in 1 session after 2 years with the NHS.

I'm sure there are good one's in Brum, but finding a good one is the hard part. We travel from N Wales for ours, it's only an hour away for you.

If your interested I could PM his phone number, he might be able to recommend someone nearer to you.

[aikiMac]

I've a good ostyomyologist?? think thats how it's spelt in
Osteomyologist ? (http://members.aol.com/crowclin/osteop.htm)

[JSun]

Chiropractor first. They're specialists of the spine, and can tell you if chiro adjustments or massage or surgery would be best.

You've got to watch some chiropractors. Spinal subluxations are absolutely not the root cause of all your physical ailments like some D.C. would have you believe. It's like any branch of medicine. Beware of the quacks. Surgery should absolutely be the last resort.

[Mixitup]

Osteomyologist ? (http://members.aol.com/crowclin/osteop.htm)

That's the fella :)

[sync]

I've a good ostyomyologist?? think thats how it's spelt in Manchester treats a lot of Thai Boxers, sorted my sons back out in 1 session after 2 years with the NHS.

Thanks, but I'm in Birmingham, Alabama (U.S.), not England. What is NHS, BTW? And what problem was your son having with his back? Was it a herniation as well?

[CanuckMA]

Sync,

Sory if this is late.

Been there, suffered that.

Try a good chiro or physio. If the herniation is not too big, spinal decompression might work. Something as simple as an inversion table could do the trick.

I ended up with a 1"X1" hernia and surgery. The recovery sucks. 3 months before complete resumption of activities. But right now (it's been 3 years) that part of my body is probably the only one that doesn't hurt. :o

[BGile]

Hi,
What lumbars are involved? I had a couple of surgeris at L5/S1 in the 70's.
It has been pretty good considering the fact that I had 2 in 3 years.

Go to an orthopedic/neuro and find out. Forget the others. Get therapy from a proper location (the O/N will tell you) Nothing to fool with.

Regards, Gary

[Stevebjj]

I realize this is an older thread, but I have two troublesome, herniated discs in my lower back. Suffice to say that 8 months of diligent chriopractic care left me with a 3 inch tilt in my hips, unable to stand up straight and severe sciatica. I finally came to the realization that they were doing more harm than good.

I took about a month off and then found a traditional physical therapist. After 3 months, I was like a new man. I still do back exercises, but my opinion of chiropractic care (read: So, how are you... lie down and I'll crack your back just like I do EVERYONE ELSE. There. It's going to hurt a little, but you ARE getting better. Trust me. Let's do the neck, too... just for fun. I'll see you tomorrow. That'll be $20 please.) is less than positive.

[rtkd-badger]

Hi,
What lumbars are involved? I had a couple of surgeris at L5/S1 in the 70's.
It has been pretty good considering the fact that I had 2 in 3 years.

Go to an orthopedic/neuro and find out. Forget the others. Get therapy from a proper location (the O/N will tell you) Nothing to fool with.

Regards, Gary
I agree, a chiro cant see what is going on inside where a MRI can.
I wasted a small fortune on chiros and bone jerkers of all sorts, I eventually asked my GP to refer me to a ortho, one MRI later and surgury from L3 to S1 and I am back kicking again.

[AllieB]

I had been having lower back pain and a large knot, probably from riding horses. I never went to the doctor to be diagnosed but i tried getting someone to walk on my back and that didnt help nor did a heating pad. But my dojo found this new streatching thing called an inversion table and that is so far helping my back it puts you upside down or half way where you can do streatches and excersizes like upside down situps but it is said to re allign your back im not sure if that is true yet (we have had it for a week) but check it out if you wanna heres a link

Hope it helps not sure about herniated discs tho

http://inversionusa.com/?OVRAW=inversion%20table&OVKEY=inversion%20table&OVMTC=standard

[g-bells]

AllieB has a good suggestion i have a friend who spent at least 1 1/2 yrs going to a chriopractor with no help and then he did some research found an inversion table and it has helped his back troubles

[rubberband]

When it comes to Chiropractors you have to search to find one who is into complimentary medicine and not attached to alternative medicine... A good Chiro will use X-ray or MRI to aid in diagnosis and will work with you to fix your problem through exercise and tips on proper body movement... also a good chiropractor will use ultra sound and interferencial thearapy as well as on ocassion an activator to relax the muscles as part of the adjustment... Stay away from the used car salesman type who want to you pay for a year in advance... just keep in mind that all fields of medicine have bad apples... you just have to take the time to find the right one...

steve

[Stevebjj]

[snipp]A good Chiro will use X-ray or MRI to aid in diagnosis and will work with you to fix your problem through exercise and tips on proper body movement... also a good chiropractor will use ultra sound and interferencial thearapy as well as on ocassion an activator to relax the muscles as part of the adjustment... [snip]That's what did it for me. I left the chiro, but went to a real doctor who did an mri and x-rays and then referred me to a physical therapist who used a combination of massage and ultrasound, alongside an exercise and flexibility program that was hell for about a month and then made ALL the difference in the world. I'm convinced that I'd be on disability now if I had continued with chiropractic care for any longer.

[DragonHeart]

It seems that the western american man, all eventually suffer from back trouble. If we were told to stop every half hour from bending over forms and do back bends to push the disc back into place, we would not be up against this painful problem! It seems everyone I know was suffering from this. Until now!
I literally crawled into class andl Grandmaster laid me on my stomach and used a tennis ball, Yes a tennis ball, and used it like accupressure to push the disc back in place.
It created a weard feeling pain that had me growning, but when I heard the pop, he said to lay still for a half hour and put Tiger Balm on the effected area.
I got up and walked out of classs with not pain. That lasted for 10 yrs and now it's rearing it's ugly head again, and they want to fuze me. (No Way)

I am seeing a Naturpathic Doctor and he recommended a natural anti-inflammitory called Xanthone Therapy! Put the word xanthone in the pubmed site and see the huge stack of scientifc testing that has been done on this miracleofnature product that is helping hundreds of thousands of people.
I have been on it for 2 months and not only did my pain go away but my blood pressure is back to normal and I feel better than I can remember in my whole life!

Check out more testamonials at www.mangosteenexperiences.com
Let me know if you want to give this a money back guarentee try and get back to me so you can see if something natural can help you along with X rays, M.R.I's if you feel any nerve pain down your legs.
Master has had us using hair and irus analisis and for years we have chased around finding 20 plus remadies that have helped, but I have never whitnessed anything as powerful as Xanthone Therapy!
I am back to having master doing snake throws on me and walk without a limp and above all (NO PAIN)

Back trouble is no fun and I know exactly what it means to crawl to the bathroom and feeling like your life would never be the same again.

IMHO I would try a natural food and core strengthing streaches before I would have someone practicing medicine write a perscription for me again!

Ancient Chinese Proverb
It is easy to dodge a spear that comes in front of you
but hard to avoid an arrow shot from behind.

[EternalRage]

I have several herniated/dessicated discs in my neck, confirmed by MRI and a neurologist. What also really helps is modifying your training - ie in grappling, for guillotine and escape drills, I request like maybe 50% resistance instead of going all out. Pain management is about smart training as much as drugs and therapy.

[Screwi]

can't speak from personal experience (thank god) but my colleague has had back problems since she was in a car accident, where she suffered 2 slipped discs. she swears by acupuncture.

i've had minor problems, but i've found that strenghtening and strtching the hamstings and lower back has done wonders for me.