degenerative disc disease

foreverhealthy3
foreverhealthy3 Posts: 111 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
has anyone been dealing with this? what works for you. I tried physical therapy and ended up irritating the sciatic nerve. went to chiropractor and was floored by the expensive treatment. I use ice pack when going to bed, which helps.

Replies

  • tomcustombuilder
    tomcustombuilder Posts: 2,225 Member
    Chiropractic is not the answer so save your money. Next to surgery there isn’t much you can do to fix the problem. Ibuprofen in safe amounts and strengthening the core will help but it mostly comes down to staying away from activities that exacerbate the pain.
  • csplatt
    csplatt Posts: 1,205 Member
    I have spondylolisthesis and some loss of disc height, some degenerative facet joints.

    I maintain my health by counting calories, NO RUNNING (only walking or cycling… elliptical also bothers me). Many of my lower body exercises are done with no weight, just body weight.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,222 Member
    It may also be expensive, but if you can be referred to a good physical therapist, I'd recommend that. They are good at assessing your particular body, recommending remedial exercises for any current factors that are unnecessarily increasing pain or creating risk for future more severe injury.

    I don't have a degenerative disk diagnosis, but do have other physical issues for which I've sought physical therapy, and have always found it beneficial. If you're in the US or any similar system where you may have a role in selecting a specific provider, talk with your friends and family about what their experiences have been at the PT practices in your area. Some are better than others.
  • bcalvanese
    bcalvanese Posts: 33 Member
    edited September 2023
    Physical therapy (as mentioned)
    If you are over weight... get to a healthy weight
    Core strengthening exercises
    Lower impact activities, like... walking, cycling, swimming, etc...
    Stretching
  • foreverhealthy3
    foreverhealthy3 Posts: 111 Member
    I did the physical therapy and ended up with sciatic which made it much worse. 45 minutes is a long time to do stretches and more. at home I could do it for 15 minute stretches and finally got rid of sciatic.
  • mtaratoot
    mtaratoot Posts: 14,259 Member
    Go slow. Get rest, but also get exercise. I've been dealing with back pain, allegedly from discs, for more years than I want to say - more years perhaps than most users here are old.... One of the things that is "supposed" to be bad for my back is sitting with my legs out in front of me. That's the position I sit in a kayak. Kayaking was one of the few things that helped. My doctor said, "If it helps, that's good."

    I have had some success with SOME chiropractors. I have had pain relief from medication, but I don't like to take it and haven't taken it in decades for the most part.

    Do you know how many chiropractors it takes to change a light bulb?
    Just one, but it takes twelve visits.... :lol:
  • wm3796
    wm3796 Posts: 98 Member
    Some people find yoga helps with this. There are several free online classes you could try.
  • Theoldguy1
    Theoldguy1 Posts: 2,496 Member
    edited January 11
    @foreverhealthy3 people start to develop degenerative disc disease really as soon as they are born so really everyone has it (but not all feel the impact of it). As the disc degenerates sometimes the change in the disc shape will cause pain, sometimes it won't. Sitting is generally rough on the back/body in general. Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles of the core is generally helpful. NOTE: since many yoga movements tend to work the core, yoga can often be helpful but exercises provided by a physical therapist will be more targeted to your specific situation.

    Most PT exercises can be done at home while watching TV (much better use of the time than sitting on a couch snacking like many do :smile: )

    If you're not familiar with them check Bob and Brad, the Most Famous Physical Therapists on the Internet. They are 2 PTs with about 60 years experience between them and 5M followers on YouTube. They have hundreds of free videos discussing various orthopedic issues. The videos include explanations on the "why" of a problem, when to see a professional and what one can do at home to help the situation.

    This video discusses degenerative disc disease in general
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAEvxlSIQ8I

    Exercise demonstrations:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-xMNbNT2as

    Their main website
    https://www.bobandbrad.com/

    Link to videos on specific body parts
    https://www.bobandbrad.com/our-programs

    Good luck.
  • tomcustombuilder
    tomcustombuilder Posts: 2,225 Member
    Try hanging from a bar as it stretches out the spine also if you strengthen the muscles of the core it takes a lot of stress off of the spine

    The bar hang will either feel good or hurt so if the latter don't do it.
  • Theoldguy1
    Theoldguy1 Posts: 2,496 Member
    tomcustombuilder wrote: »
    Try hanging from a bar as it stretches out the spine also if you strengthen the muscles of the core it takes a lot of stress off of the spine

    The bar hang will either feel good or hurt so if the latter don't do it.

    Also super good for most shoulder issues.
  • elisa123gal
    elisa123gal Posts: 4,324 Member
    edited January 11
    I'd listen to your body.. what is working? Ice at night. So do that.. Maybe try to take ibuprofen for a week..and try to get the pain under control or dissipated. Then do what works for your body.. maybe it is slow stretches and slowly trying a few things.
    I had a painful achlies tendon injury for a few years. My biggest mistake was listening to Physical Therapists on youtube and all their ideas. .including that Bob and Brad. Those suggested exercises and stretches kept me in pain and I was despondent..thinking i'd never be pain free again.
    When i listened to my body and stopped all that. I took ibuprofen for a week.. massaged my leg and calf a few times a day.. rested..and wore great tennise shoes with cheap insoles.. I couldn't believe i had no more pain. I'm still in disbeleif...it has been a few months now..





  • tracydr01
    tracydr01 Posts: 3 Member
    I find yoga and swimming are the most helpful for me. I use you-tube for yoga.
  • sollyn23l2
    sollyn23l2 Posts: 1,755 Member
    Theoldguy1 wrote: »
    tomcustombuilder wrote: »
    Try hanging from a bar as it stretches out the spine also if you strengthen the muscles of the core it takes a lot of stress off of the spine

    The bar hang will either feel good or hurt so if the latter don't do it.

    Also super good for most shoulder issues.

    I really hope this is a joke...
  • Theoldguy1
    Theoldguy1 Posts: 2,496 Member
    sollyn23l2 wrote: »
    Theoldguy1 wrote: »
    tomcustombuilder wrote: »
    Try hanging from a bar as it stretches out the spine also if you strengthen the muscles of the core it takes a lot of stress off of the spine

    The bar hang will either feel good or hurt so if the latter don't do it.

    Also super good for most shoulder issues.

    I really hope this is a joke...

    Most definitely not.

    https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/dead-hang#benefits

    https://www.onebed.com.au/eliminate-shoulder-pain-with-a-simple-and-easy-exercise/

  • sollyn23l2
    sollyn23l2 Posts: 1,755 Member
    I wouldn't do it, but that's just me.
  • tomcustombuilder
    tomcustombuilder Posts: 2,225 Member
    sollyn23l2 wrote: »
    Theoldguy1 wrote: »
    tomcustombuilder wrote: »
    Try hanging from a bar as it stretches out the spine also if you strengthen the muscles of the core it takes a lot of stress off of the spine

    The bar hang will either feel good or hurt so if the latter don't do it.

    Also super good for most shoulder issues.

    I really hope this is a joke...
    if you have no underlying shoulder issues it great for shoulders.

  • sollyn23l2
    sollyn23l2 Posts: 1,755 Member
    tomcustombuilder wrote: »
    sollyn23l2 wrote: »
    Theoldguy1 wrote: »
    tomcustombuilder wrote: »
    Try hanging from a bar as it stretches out the spine also if you strengthen the muscles of the core it takes a lot of stress off of the spine

    The bar hang will either feel good or hurt so if the latter don't do it.

    Also super good for most shoulder issues.

    I really hope this is a joke...
    if you have no underlying shoulder issues it great for shoulders.

    Except he said it's great for shoulder issues.
  • Retroguy2000
    Retroguy2000 Posts: 1,848 Member
    Seconding the benefits of hanging for shoulder health. I credit hangs for helping with a tennis elbow issue I had too. Side benefit, improved grip strength.

    Endorsed by Bob & Brad here.

    https://youtu.be/bI9KZVdFSmQ?si=5pU5Gf39HbDQphBV

  • Retroguy2000
    Retroguy2000 Posts: 1,848 Member
    Back on the original topic, ymmv but some things come to mind:

    1. Get a better mattress if you think it will help. And/or, a small pillow between your knees can help.

    2. You need to strengthen the muscles around there. Obviously start small, based on what you can do, and progress from there. Any acute pain, stop immediately, and return next time to something a bit easier. Do yoga stuff like cobra stretch, bird dog, planks. Avoid crunches, Superman's, and twisting under load.

    3. Maybe swimming can provide relief, while allowing you to get some exercise.

    4. Losing weight. Mostly through diet.

    5. Not an endorsement, but I saw a YT guy I like, Mark Lewis, talking about the benefit he got from an inversion table. He wasn't pimping the product, he said he felt better after he started using it, but he isn't claiming the product was directly responsible. So you can see what he's talking about, here's the vid.

    https://youtube.com/watch?v=N3L1Lp6ljs0
  • Theoldguy1
    Theoldguy1 Posts: 2,496 Member
    Retroguy2000 wrote: »
    Back on the original topic, ymmv but some things come to mind:

    1. Get a better mattress if you think it will help. And/or, a small pillow between your knees can help.

    2. You need to strengthen the muscles around there. Obviously start small, based on what you can do, and progress from there. Any acute pain, stop immediately, and return next time to something a bit easier. Do yoga stuff like cobra stretch, bird dog, planks. Avoid crunches, Superman's, and twisting under load.

    3. Maybe swimming can provide relief, while allowing you to get some exercise.

    4. Losing weight. Mostly through diet.

    5. Not an endorsement, but I saw a YT guy I like, Mark Lewis, talking about the benefit he got from an inversion table. He wasn't pimping the product, he said he felt better after he started using it, but he isn't claiming the product was directly responsible. So you can see what he's talking about, here's the vid.

    https://youtube.com/watch?v=N3L1Lp6ljs0

    The inversion table is basically the same motion related to the back as hanging as @tomcustombuilder mentioned above.

  • Theoldguy1
    Theoldguy1 Posts: 2,496 Member
    tomcustombuilder wrote: »
    sollyn23l2 wrote: »
    Theoldguy1 wrote: »
    tomcustombuilder wrote: »
    Try hanging from a bar as it stretches out the spine also if you strengthen the muscles of the core it takes a lot of stress off of the spine

    The bar hang will either feel good or hurt so if the latter don't do it.

    Also super good for most shoulder issues.

    I really hope this is a joke...
    if you have no underlying shoulder issues it great for shoulders.

    Actually per the resources I posted and the Bob and Brad video poste by @Retroguy2000 hanging can help reverse issues causing pain.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,222 Member
    My fully-credentialed official physical therapist (when I was being PT-ed for shoulder nerve impingement) endorsed dead hangs as safe and possibly beneficial, though he did suggest that I add some scapular pull-ups as well.

    I have no idea whether they're safe for someone with degenerative disc disease, though: That would be a good physical therapist question.
  • Retroguy2000
    Retroguy2000 Posts: 1,848 Member
    Theoldguy1 wrote: »
    The inversion table is basically the same motion related to the back as hanging as @tomcustombuilder mentioned above.
    Yes, but as Mark Lewis pointed out in the vid, you can't grip very long while hanging. Also, the table allows for different angles I think.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,222 Member
    edited January 13
    Retroguy2000 wrote: »
    Theoldguy1 wrote: »
    The inversion table is basically the same motion related to the back as hanging as @tomcustombuilder mentioned above.
    Yes, but as Mark Lewis pointed out in the vid, you can't grip very long while hanging. Also, the table allows for different angles I think.

    Having done both, they feel very different, FWIW. Oversimplifying, the dead hang has a lot of feels in the shoulders and a bit of top-down spinal stretch. The inversion table is more relaxed and feels like there's more extension in the spine and hips, pretty mild shoulder.

    I still wouldn't assume either is safe for someone with degenerative disk disease, without personalized medical input of some kind on that question.

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