Ruptured L5 - S1: Needing a pick me up

I have massive disc degeneration between L2, L3 and L4. It ended my professional horseback riding career - or so I thought. 6 months of intensive PT (5 days a week) and they have stabilized. I am now working on getting my core strength back up so I can go p/t at my desk job and almost f/t riding again by next summer.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR BACK. Let it heal properly before stressing it. The longer you take care of it, the better chance it won't get angered easily.

I have found that injuries often open up other avenues of awareness and working out for me. I was able to lose my first 60lbs two years ago, but I developed plantar fasciatis in my right foot, so I couldn't run anymore (thus the weight loss stopped). Since then I had to work around the pain, try other activities, and become more aware of my body.

I'm about 8 months in with this injury and it's just starting to show progress, but you know, I realized that I never paid attention to my body like i should have before....so now I'm more attentive. I stretch more, I focus on my form and not just slamming through the workout.

In essence, I actually enjoy my workouts more.

You can do it. The body is an amazing tool and we can always learn from ours.

Hey there ~ I can totally relate! I certainly wasn't as active as you are, but enough to have to make some small changes in the activities I can do.

In the Fall of 2009 I was functioning as usual and my low back started to hurt and within a month I was unable to get out of bed. MRI showed two disc herniations at L4/L5 & L5/S1. Fast forward 2 years and I'm still a bit tentative with what I do. I've been thru adjustments, supplements, spinal decompression therapy, PT, 3 epidural injections, massage ~ even had 2 surgical consults because after all that, I was still having sciatic issues and numbness in my right foot. Both surgeons advised against surgery and to continue with my conservative treatment, which now just consists of regular adjustments, massage, cardio & strength training. I walk A LOT and can ride a bike (sitting up straight), do yoga, swim & do weights to work my arms, upper/lower back, legs & core. The terrible back pain is LONG gone, but I still have sciatic issues if I push it too much and my foot will most likely always be partially numb ~ but I can live with that. If you take it easy & do as advised & and not push yourself ~ you should recover fully. Your spine is what holds the rest of your body together ~ and it needs to be treated with care.

Wishing you a full recovery!!!

When I was going thru PT I also walked [as much as the discomfort would allow] - outside & on the treadmill. Had to keep those joints movin'! I was also able to do the incumbent bike on days I felt good AND did daily stretches. I followed all my doctors' orders and still haven't FULLY recovered - but that's MY healing history.

The horrible, pillow-screaming pain WILL pass, it's just a matter of time, time, time. And take the time, as much as it kills you to be less active, don't push it for awhile, even if you start feeling better. It will benefit you in the long run.

Wishing you the best!

Back pain is a nightmare. I spent most of last summer and fall in agony after a bad fall from a horse. (My SI joint was knocked out, seems a common injury for riders!). I wouldn't wish that pain on my worst enemy. Physical therapy and strengthening my core has significantly helped, and I'm mostly pain-free. I have some discomfort after long runs, or challenging rides, but no real pain.

My husband had two ruptured disks in his lower back. He had a hemilaminectomy, and since the surgery, has gone on to be a powerlifter. He started going to the gym to strengthen his core, and now can bench press in excess of 500 pounds. You can get through this!