Anyone out there with slipped dics/other back problems?

dsjohndrow

From my obesity, age, lack of fitness, a lower-back injury in my 20s, and a dislocated vertebra in a car accident, I had a lot of issues. Here are some things that helped.

- Losing weight
- Ultrasound treatments
- Lower-Back massage
- Heat and hot tubs
- Good shoes
- Hydration!
- Back belt for the gym
- Managing my standing and sitting time at work (chair!)
- Stretching
- Core exercises
- Anti-inflammatories
- Not picking up heavy objects.
- Chiropractic treatments
- Balancing loads as small as a few bags of groceries (like 2 in each hand instead of 4 in one.)

I was in bed for 15 weeks with the dislocated vertebra. Due to aging, it "went out" a lot and I'd be down for days. Now I run 40-50 miles a week, and I am still a very careful about picking things up, opening doors and exercises that twist. I can tell you that I am virtually pain free!

L4GFOREVER

I have a back injury from riding horses when i was young. I have lost 140lbs but after i lost the first 80 my back pain went away. I did see a chiropractor who showed me exercises to strengthen my core and back muscles which did help. Swimming is a great exercise. I didnt swim though. I started off with 10 min exercise 3 times a day in the begining because of my weight and to prevent pain and injury.

MissDwood

I had a herniated disc in May 2013 and had to go to therapy, pain killers, etc. I also have a sciatica. I have found that doing Viniyoga to strength my back and align my hips works very well. I also do a lot of stretching. These types of pain can have you feeling like you want to give up, but dont!! Pay attention to form and take note of what works and doesn't work for you. I have purchased a lot of low impact workouts that are not too hard on the body. One of the main things I know I cannot do several days in a row is run! And even though I love to run I have to take it easy on my body. 80% is eating and 20% is exercise so keep up with your eating habits because you can still lose weight even though your not in the gym for hours

char2274

Hello
I am recovering from back surgery so I know what your limitations are. I am 7 month post op and have started a walking plan. I walk 30 mins every day that I can. Start by walking slowly then gradually speed up at your own pace. My neuro surgeon suggested walking,recumbent bike and swimming. He also recommended taking it slow. Good luck

kellygirl5538

Yes hurt my back 2 months ago.The Chiropractor helps a lot! I had to stop the insane working out.

FerretBuellerr

I'm sorry to sound immature but.... "slipped dics" LOL!! :laugh:
I'm thinking you meant slipped "DISCS".

OMG :embarassed: LOL I didn't even realize that I spelled it wrong. Ohhhh this is embarrassing, hahahahaha

sharonfoustmills

3, 4, 5 in my back- so 3 problems in a row

walking actually helps it a lot, so that is an exercise I can definitely do

avoid jarring activities

swimming is great

I went for physical therapy about six years ago, and they taught me some weight lifting and yoga moves to help strengthen my stomach muscles (all muscles that support your back are actually in your abdomen)-- if you've never had therapy or have not had it recently, I really recommend going and letting someone show you "the moves".

I try to be very careful with my back when exercising, and for the most part exercise makes it feel better, rarely does exercise make it hurt- but again, I am careful what exercise I do.

dym123

I had a herniated disk that pressed against a nerve in my leg about 10 years ago, I started doing yoga and exercises that strengthen my core. Haven't had a problem since.

danireis

I have something wrong with every vertebrae in my lumbar. I have been recovering with DDP Yoga
www.ddpyoga.com

RockClimber69

Herniated disc in L4/L5, chronic epicondylitis, chronic compartment syndrome (had surgery on one leg a few years ago), destroyed knees from weight lifting, dead carpal in wrist from weight lifting........basically I'm a mess.

What I do for fitness: I run, bike, power walk and lift heavy things! I have learnt over the years to listen to my body. If it says stop, I stop and good form is paramount! But that's me...I will push until I can't anymore. Listen to your doctor!

cynsationp

Work on strengthening your core and lose weight. This will help protect your back. Water exercises, yoga, and walking can usually be done at your own pace. As you increase your strength and flexability you can increase your pace. It takes a long time. I have disabeling back issues(stenosis and lower back reconstruction with rods and screws) but am doing this on my own. I hope to be able to see a big reduction in my pain levels.

Snow3y

I've got 3 vertebrae which are broken, and have grown them now into their place (stayed broken) .. Don't even know how it happened!

Another thing that's happened, was a pinched nerve .. Anyway, that's long healed by now, took about a year to recover properly..

Last thing (wasn't really an injury) but my middle vertebrae sticks out like I'm an underweight child, kinda gross! Think I'm meant to be a hunch back child but I have forced myself to straighten out.

carrieo888

At the age of 5 (over 40 yrs ago), I had a spinal tap go wrong and so I have lower back spasms all the time. I see a chiropractor once a month, and a deep-tissue massage therapist 2-3 times a month. Knowing that strengthing my core would decrease issues, I started working with a trainer last January. Both chiro and massage therapist have noticed a difference in how my frame is better supported, and I am down to deep spasms about once a month instead of weekly.

Now I lift weights, do isometric exercises, practice yoga, etc. in addition to my usual endurance walking. As someone else on this thread mentioned on this thread, FORM is critical. I don't ever throw on my MP3 player while I'm lifting weights or doing yoga because I need to really focus on every minute piece of the form (head correctly aligned, pelvis tilted properly, feet in proper position, etc.) to make sure I'm doing it right. Also it's very important to listen to your body. There are several yoga positions I know I can do, but they also tend to trigger spasms. I back off and/or modify as soon as I feel like it's too much; as I get stronger, I know I'll be able to go farther.

Good luck on your journey!

Krishna_Veni

Degenerated discs at D10 -D11. Now doing squats and yoga.

SimplyMeLucia

I've had a back problems since I was 14, when someone hit the truck I was in. For months after that I had horrible pain, had a few different pain killers I had to give up cheerleading. Needless to say I started gaining weight, my back has never recovered. If I over do things like walking, lifting or bending to much in one day I tend to have to stay in bed because I get muscle spasms. I've been able to workout using my stationary bike and elliptical its been pretty easy on my back haven't noticed any added pain. Next I want to try zumba! my goal is to lose 100 pounds with a bad back, maybe after its all said and done most of the pain will go away as well:)

CaptainMilda

Hi there,

I have an chronical illness called Bechterew disease, which for me includes severe pain around my pelvis, inflammation in pelvis and fingers. plus I've had herniated disc in L4/L5. I also have arthritis+sensory disturbances in my hands and fingers, which makes it harder to hold unto weights, but I do my best, using lighter weights.

I can't walk in a slow pace, I have to walk faster in order to not be in any pain. I can't run anymore, but I use a stepper, ride a bike and whenever I can I go for a swim - can only do backstroke. I have a special program, when it comes to back and abs workouts, got it from a specialist and it works for me.
Pilates and Yoga work wonders, but watch out for the some of the harder exercises, they can cost you pain, so modify.

Listen to your body, stay focused.

K_Mcfadden321

I have lower back issues and my dr recommended stretching daily (specific lower back stretching) and strengthening core. So I figure Pilates takes care of both of those things Also, running does not bother me unless I over do it.

DebbieLyn63

I have a thoroughly screwed up spine. An accident 20 yrs ago left me with a broken neck and exploded disc in my lower back. Medicine used during my back surgery to relieve swelling, Depo-Medrol, (which is what they use in ESIs and is NOT supposed to be used around the spine, since a huge class-action suit in the 90s), got into my spinal cord, causing a chronic inflammatory condition called Arachnoiditis. Within a few years, The nerves of my lower spine had clumped together and adhered to the spinal canal wall, (Cauda Equina Syndrome), and I ended up in a wheelchair with excruciating pain in my back and legs and muscle weakness and numbness in my legs. Life really sucked for a while.

after years of learning to take it easy, ice packs, anti-inflammatories, and muscle relaxers, I managed to make it from wheelchair, to walker, to cane. But along the way I picked up about 80 extra lbs, which didn't help matters.

I started here a year ago to lose the weight. I knew from past experience that low carb is how my body lost weight the best, and with a family history of Diabetes, I knew I needed to cut down on the carbs. Within a few weeks I realized my pain levels had dropped significantly. I no longer woke up in severe pain, taking an hour to get moving every morning. I was needing less pain meds, fewer muscle relaxers, and I was sleeping better. My moods were better. I had more energy.

Then I heard about the Paleo/Primal plan and heard stories of how people were managing their pain, inflammation, T2 Diabetes, arthritis, MS and other autoimmune diseases by eating this way.
I realized that when I cut out processed sugars and starches, then I had cut grains out of my diet, and replaced them with healthy fats. This is a major component of the Paleo/Primal plan.

I have never been one of those 'health nut' people, and when the gluten-free craze started a few years ago, I had to admit that my eyes rolled back in my head and I tuned out the rhetoric, thinking they were all crack-pots.

Well, now I am one of those crack-pots. I have seen first hand what eliminating gluten, processed sugar, and most grains from my diet has done for my body.

I can walk without my cane most of the time. I can ride my recumbent bike for an hour at a time. I can get up off the floor without having to crawl to the couch! lol
And I am 50 pounds lighter. Bonus!

I will never be able to sit in a straight back chair for hours, or run, or do a whole lot of walking, as the scar tissue will always be there, but I am at a place that I had given up hope of ever being again.

I SO WISH, I had known about the connection between food and inflammation 20 years ago, before so much damage was done.

But I know it now. And I can share my knowledge and experience with others, in hopes that they can save themselves from years of suffering.

So my prescription for back issues-

Keep at a healthy weight.
Exercise moderately, but listen to your body to not overdo it. (recumbent bike and swimming has worked for me)
CORE EXERCISES! (planks!)
Ice packs and anti-inflammatories (but watch your stomach. Celebrex has been a Godsend for me)
Be mindful of posture and body mechanics

And experiment with eliminating inflammatory foods from your diet.

:happy: :happy: :happy: :happy:

dmpizza

I injured my back age 14, and it very much controls my workouts, even at age 50.

When it does hurt, I take the rest I need, usually 1 or 2 weeks.

nichi123

I had a slipped disc a few years ago. I have always had lower back problems. I know this might not help right now, but the more weight I lose, the better my back becomes. I hope yours improves too