bulging disks in neck and back - exercise question

MangoAmanda · January 2012

Hi Everyone!

I'm relatively new here. I have a fitness & nutrition background, but I've run into an area for which I have no experience. Last year I had a nasty fall on ice in which I landed flat back & head, and have had numerous problems ever since. I long suspected bulging disks pressing into my nerves, but the Dr's went on an MS scare, and I've had to wait a year to finally get my back MRI in Dec, and have to go back for a 2nd with contrast next week. I am 99.9% sure they found bulging disks there, as they found 2 of them in my neck pressing into my nerves. I have numbness & tingling pretty much from head down. I can't run anymore (I use to run 8K a day prior to accident), but I can walk & to hill intervals... weights have to be light as i go into muscle spasms if I do to much... so my question... do any of you have this same problem & what exercises can you do, or do you find helpful? My SIL has a similar problem, and she swears by pilates. I tried it the other day and liked it. It was way better on my back than yoga...

your suggestions please! :-D

Best wishes to you all!

ps. I haven't done any physio yet as my Dr has not recommended anything except medication to help with pain as they are still trying to diagnose the extent of my injury...

MangoAmanda · January 2012

anyone else with bulging disk issues? how bad? what exercises are you doing? Thanks!!!

Marll · January 2012

Not an exercise response, but I will tell you what happened for my wife:

During my wife's pregnancy about 2 years ago she was fine, strong healthy back and no issues carrying our son. During the birth however she was given an epidural that was botched which resulted in constant shooting pain from her lower back to her right foot. It was debilitating to the point that she could not walk at all without assistance for a month after giving birth. Fast forward 6 months and it had subsided a bit and she started to exercise to get the baby weight off.

Her first outing with Yoga she really hurt her lower spine and the shooting pain came back and she couldn't walk upright again at all. After 2 months of not improving at all she went to the doctor, who diagnosed her with a bulging/ruptured disc in her lower spine.

She was put on heavy duty steroids, which gave her relief while taking them (supressing the immune response and therefore as a by-product reducing inflamation) but symptoms got worse when she went off. She also gained close to 60lbs because of the steroids over the course of 2 months.

The doctors then started her on treatments to directly inject the disc in her spine with an anti-inflammatory agent. The injections did not work that well, and since the doctors were baffled at this, they suggested spinal surgery to fuse the last 3-4 vertabret in her lower spine together and remove the bulging disc. They said that she'd loose a lot of freedom of movement in the spine, but the pain "might' go away. She's was only 31 at the time. I knew there had to be a better answer.

During this time her diet was pretty typically American, breads, pasta, chips, meat, dairy, baked good, cheese, some vegtables (but not much) and some fruit on occasion. I was trying to loose weight as well and started reading up again on a method that we'd used years ago to loose weight, Atkins. That was a huge success for us, loosing about 180lbs between the two of us, and we only got fat again after going back to eating "regular" food. Anyway, I was looking at the data again, and then started reading up on Paleo/Primal and low carb diets and saw that they generally are great at reducing inflammation in the body.

We jumped into low carb (20 carbs a day or less) and within a week my wife could walk upright again with no problems. At 2 weeks the shooting pains went away. At week 3 she could sleep through the night without being woken up by back pain, or turn over in bed without crying because of the pain. Now 8 months later she's lost weight (though not a ton, but respectable) but more importantly her back rarely hurts. Granted she still tweaks it now and again, but usually recovers in a day or two, rather than weeks or months and will finally start to exercise and do physical therapy next year.

During this time the ONLY thing that changed was our diet, she even stopped taking all the medication that the doctors had prescribed for pain and inflammation because they didn't help anymore anyway, but more importantly, she didn't need them.

I hope this helps. I HIGHLY encourage looking into this, as this is how I started again on this path that has led my wife to better back health:

Fat Head Movie:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/196879/fat-head

Mark's Daily Apple:
http://www.marksdailyapple.com//welcome-to-marks-daily-apple/#axzz1gS9YEwgl

MangoAmanda · January 2012

Hey Thanks for the response. Sorry to hear about all your wife's problems, and I'm glad she starting to feel better. I've been into health & wellness for a long, long time. My family own a wellness ctr that focuses on holistic nutrition & remedies & live/dry blood analysis. I found out about 4 years ago that I am Celiac, but not only that, I have an intolerance for many other grains as well. And funny enough, my Mom introduced me to the Paleo Diet just before Christmas, prior to that I was Eating Clean. This one I like because it really gets back to the basics of proper nutrition too. I've also research Eat Right for Your Blood Type, and Food and Mood. I find that I work best with Eat Gluten-Free Paleo Clean & Right for my Blood Type - LOL!

But I can tell you I felt absolutely awful, before finding out I was Celiac, I was just like your wife, but without the bulging disks. I couldn't sleep at night, I had injuries where I couldn't figure out how I got them (sprain ankle feel, pulled muscle without exertion, sore tired muscles all the time) extreme fatigue, migraines, upper abdominal pains, sinus infections, lung infections, breathing difficulties, heart palipitations... man I was falling apart. I've had none of those problems since going gluten free. My Celiac attacked my nervous system more than my digestive system, which is why I believe I am having more of the numbness and tingling and shooting pain up my leg (bone deep) up my legs & arms, and stabbing dull numbing pain in that one area of my lower back than my SIL who has the same problem.

Glad to hear of other people looking into more natural ways of healing. I am not a big one for meds as they never seem to work for me. I just weaned off Amitryptaline because I found it didn't work, and only cause major water retention. My Dr wanted to get me on something called Lypicor (sp?). Which when I went on line I practically choked seeing all the horrible side effects. Didn't seem worth it to me. I'm a little wary of surgery, but if there is no other option, what can you do. In any case, so far so good... I have the same pain, but before the meds, I could barely walk & had trouble speaking, but so far, day 4, I'm OK. I starting taking pH balancing & a nervous system balancing by a Naturaceuticle company called Pascoe that are helping as well (they are a natural remedy company out of Germany nearly 200 yrs old - they are a part of their regular medical system, & you need Rx for it there, here though you can get them in specialty vitamin stores).

Thanks for sharing, and I wish you and your wife & family all the best & good health for 2012

meggyannpt · January 2012

Even though a doctor hasn't recommended it yet, I would say get in to see a physical therapist. They can provide you with exercises to relieve pain, plus give you ideas on how to stay active without aggravating anything. If you can get moving again it can be very helpful. (I'm a physical therapy student, trust me, PT's are experts on this stuff!)

Good luck, and I hope you feel better!

MangoAmanda · January 2012

Thank! I'm sorry to say that I've contemplated physio, but haven't acted upon it yet. I know what exercises can stress the back and I'm staying away from those. I can walk comfortably 3.5 mph max with an incline up to level 6 max. I won't push anymore. I use to be a "no pain no gain", "suck it up, buttercup" kind of approach to my workouts, but I know I can't do that now, so I'm finding it challenging in a different way to just do things like pilates and light weights & stretches ;-). But your right, I don't think there will be any harm in making a physio appt.

Best wishes!

LilytheMighty · January 2012

Hi Amanda,

As someone with disc herniations I know your pain. This advice comes from 15 years old managing it myself: See a physiotherapist. Find one who is up to date on the latest info. When I hurt my back at 17 I had doctors advice disc fusion- a terrible idea. I found an amazing physio who showed me how to move properly and improve my core stability. Find a physio who is all about movement and not surgery, although that may end up being an option you take as I don't know of the severity of the bulge.

It won't always be this bad, I am vigilant with my back exercises and now mostly pain free and doing zumba 5 times a week.

I love the attitude shift you mentioned. Doing Pilates will almost certainly be beneficial but find a good teacher.

Good luck, hope that helped

Lily

MangoAmanda · January 2012

Thanks Lily, I'm going to check with the physio centre in my area that came highly recommended to me. I can't believe you do Zumba! I use to do martial arts, and I miss is so much. I hope one day to get back into it... hopefully sooner than later...

Best Wishes!

Carolyn_79 · January 2012

Hi Amanda,

I suffer from bulging disks as well. I'm going to begin physio soon since my family doctor has prescribed that to help deal with it. I'm currently doing the 30 Day Shred and have had no issues. Then this past Saturday I decided to run on the treadmill which has aggravated my back and I'm in pain again. I get the same tingling sensations which means it's hitting a nerve. For me, when it's severe there is no way I can exercise. I just wait for it to get better on it's own and then resume activity. My pain is not that bad today so I am going to do my video tonight and see how it goes. I know what you're going through.

nailed479 · January 2012

Personally I would go to the chiropractor and do what he tell you to do.

microwoman999 · January 2012

I have a response but I want to read what everyone else says and I don't have time right now. I will be sure too I also have two bulging discs in my back one of which pushes on my sciatic nerve! Talk soon!

luv2Bsilly · January 2012

I feel your pain too...I had bulging discs in lower level of back. L3 and L4 and had two outpatient surgeries then had a spinal fusion, 2 yrs ago. Lately I have done something and my sciatic is killing me again, the pain down the leg and in but butt cheek.

I will NOT have another surgery, it was a solution at the time as I couldn't walk or do anything I was in so much pain. But I can't lift anything heavy now, I can't mow the yard and it's something I think can be helped with exercise and diet. I was glad to read the post on here about the low carb, that is what I'm trying. They say every lb you are overweight is equal to 4 lbs of pressure on your bones and joints, so thats alot if your need to lose 70 lbs like I do.

I myself found PT no help at all...swimming was the best thing for me. I can't afford to join a gym right now so I walk. Walking helps alot I think, and anyone can do it. Sounds like you have a good grasp on things, wish I would have had more information and not that the surgery. But hindsight is such a wonderful thing:) Good luck!!!

nire54 · January 2012

i have a very bad back also. (have had surgery and the whole bit) I find that I can ride on a recumlent bike ( i think that is how you spell but not sure) helps alot., I also went for aqupuncture and find that really helped. I also do aquacises and also teach it. Good luck

keywestsunset · January 2012

I have a bulging disc in my back, confirmed with MRI. I did physical therapy and they focused on strenghthening my core, which has always been weak and I had a c section 2 years ago so then my muscles were really weak. When I exercise, I focus on holding my abs in so my back isn't taking the brunt of the force, like when running. I still have pain but I have had fewer acute injuries by focusing on holding my abs. I still have to remind myself to do it though, its not habit yet.

fatgirlzrule2 · January 2012

Personally I would go to the chiropractor and do what he tell you to do.

^^^^NOT THIS!!

My husband had some pain in his neck, with tingling/numbness shooting down his arm. He went to a chiropractor and had an "adjustment" done on him. The next evening he was in so much pain we took him to the ER. They gave him all kinds of pain meds and nothing would lessen the pain. (He is a former pro wrestler, so he is use to dealing with pain). He slept in an upright chair with his arm up and across his head for the next 3 days.
Long story short, after arguing with many doctors he finally found one that would operate on him (one wouldn't cuz my hubby is a big guy and the doc was scared to do the operation). He had his ruptured discs removed (C6 & C7) and fused. That was over a year ago, and he finally got to go back to work, but a few months ago started having severe pain again and has since lost his job. We are sure that he has more discs that are bulged. He is trying to lose weight so he can go back to the specialist and not have to argue as much if has to have another surgery. lol
But seriously, don't go to a chiropracter....we saw a lawyer about this whole thing, and he told us that the one we went to should not have done an adjustment on him. Any GOOD chiro wouldn't touch you with bulging discs, but you never know, and we are living proof.
Sorry to ramble and I apologize for not actually answering your questions. Good luck!!!

MangoAmanda · January 2012

Hi All,

Thanks so much for all the responses. I can't believe how many people I run into now that have ruptured disks! I know I will not go to a chiropractor, quite honestly I'm scared to death of them... something about popping and cracking, I've never liked any of that. But I was told my my SIL who's back Dr told her not to go to Chiropractor for ruptured disks. I was even told by a chiropractor not to go to one for a ruptured disk... believe it! I find that I can only walk right now (it's been a year) and do pilates once a week. I'm very strong still, but my muscles still shake quite easily, and I can only do a little at a time. And I went dancing Saturday night, and thought I was being careful, but obviously with the way I've been feeling the last couple days, I over did it. No Zumba for me yet ;-)

I just had my MRI with contrast last week. The results are in but my Internal Med Dr said she cannot help me, the areas of concern they found are Neurological in nature. I had to call my Neuro to let her know the results were in & get them from Internal Med, so I probably won't hear from them till later this week.

Best wishes to you all!

Take care all, and thank you for your advise!

microwoman999 · January 2012

Well I see many people have said what I would say so good luck hope all turns out well!

bulging disks in neck and back - exercise question

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