For those with back and disc problems, a question

[phorsenuf]

I started back up on Weight Watchers and started to exercise too. Well, I have 3 bulging discs and everything I try really hurts after. Yesterday it got so bad I was in bed half the day. Couldn't even sit.

So how did you exercise, what activities helped, but didn't hurt.

Thanks!!

 

[SLM]

Congrats on starting back to WW-it was my third try when I finally lost the weight and got to foal-I've been there 8 years now. In the beginning I just started walking-not very far and not too fast and worked my way up to something physical as I lost the weight. With your back issues, I really would consult your doctor. Good luck!

 

[Luvchefmic]

First congratulations on starting WW...I injured my back in 1985 (2 swollen discs low back) when I was mismatched (BIG height difference) on an emergency ambulance call. Until then I had no faith in chiropractors at ALL ! I couldn't stand and had to crawl up the stairs in our house. I did go to a chiropractor and not only did the adjustments help me but I eventually went back to that line of work for awhile. If you can go I would recommend highly!

The biggest thing will be the weight loss will help you. I have gained weight in the last year ( unemployment + "comfort" foods + Italian genes and the weight is mostly in my hips & rear = back pain)

The other thing is no matter how much you hurt laying around in bed (been there done that) makes it worst. Sometimes you just have to push through the pain and make yourself do something. PP is right even a little walking.

I feel for you & wish you the best...please consult your Dr though if you have one

 

[phorsenuf]

First congratulations on starting WW...I injured my back in 1985 (2 swollen discs low back) when I was mismatched (BIG height difference) on an emergency ambulance call. Until then I had no faith in chiropractors at ALL ! I couldn't stand and had to crawl up the stairs in our house. I did go to a chiropractor and not only did the adjustments help me but I eventually went back to that line of work for awhile. If you can go I would recommend highly!

The biggest thing will be the weight loss will help you. I have gained weight in the last year ( unemployment + "comfort" foods + Italian genes and the weight is mostly in my hips & rear = back pain)

The other thing is no matter how much you hurt laying around in bed (been there done that) makes it worst. Sometimes you just have to push through the pain and make yourself do something. PP is right even a little walking.

I feel for you & wish you the best...please consult your Dr though if you have one

Chiropractors are out. Not my thing. I know being in bed isn't great either but when you can't sit or can't walk, then laying down feels good.

I'm up today and getting around alright, just wish I could do something to exercise. I had been doing things on my Wii fit, just not sure which one tends to aggravate things as it doesn't hurt much while I exercise, it hits me later.

I get treated through the VA and my PCP referred me to the pain clinic. Called them today and I am on a wait list for an appointment.

 

[LindaR]

Walking. Suck your gut in while doing this! Then I moved to the bicycle and elliptical.

Losing weight and strengthening your "core" (the muscles that wrap around and support your back) are THE most helpful things to function on a daily basis with this issue.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Go see a physical therapist. My dh is FINALLY recovering after about 2yrs of back pain. He did meds and injections but the thing that finally got him on the road to recovery was the PT.

I on the other hand, exercised 4 months ago and injured my lower back. I have NEVER EVER had problems before.

Basically I need to stretch daily every morning and walk if I even want to get back into to shape to be able to exercise. (insert crying smiley here)

 

[dislaney]

I have had back issues as well and I would definitely consult your doctor first. I agree with the strengthening your core. I did pilates and it helped me tremendously! Good luck!

 

[Liberty Belle]

I have two herniated discs and the best exercise for me is walking. As far as exercises for my back, every morning and periodically throughout the day I kind of roll my back forward and then put my hands on my hips/lower back and stretch my back out, leaning slightly backwards. It makes a HUGE difference in how my back feels at the end of the day.

Exercising in a pool is another option.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Chiropractors are out. Not my thing. I know being in bed isn't great either but when you can't sit or can't walk, then laying down feels good.

I'm up today and getting around alright, just wish I could do something to exercise. I had been doing things on my Wii fit, just not sure which one tends to aggravate things as it doesn't hurt much while I exercise, it hits me later.

I get treated through the VA and my PCP referred me to the pain clinic. Called them today and I am on a wait list for an appointment.

When I herniated my discs, I had to stay in bed. I couldn't move. And walking from bed to bathroom (after I finally managed to get up) caused such intense pain, I was vomitting and feeling like I was going to pass out. I think lying in bed helped me, but I also think once it feels like you can walk, you definitely should.

 

[erincon23]

My DS14 is just now recovering from what was at first a very minor back injury, but it morphed into something that ended up causing me to have to pull him out of school and homeschool. We finally found a physical therapist who does all the work in a pool -- it's basically an "endless swim" pool, looks like the size of maybe 3 hot tubs. It's been a lifesaver -- you can work on the back in the water, increasing resistance but dramatically lowering the stress on the back. In previous P.T., my son would come out basically wrecked, but with this, he's tired but not in pain. I just found this guy in the phone book, and I LOVE this approach. I would recommend it highly.

 

[CowboyCO]

I started back up on Weight Watchers and started to exercise too. Well, I have 3 bulging discs and everything I try really hurts after. Yesterday it got so bad I was in bed half the day. Couldn't even sit.

So how did you exercise, what activities helped, but didn't hurt.

Thanks!!

First off -- Ice is your friend.

Secondly. For me, when my back flares, the only things that help are massages and stretching. Then I get regular chiropractor adjustments to keep everything aligned. If you wait until you are all crunched up before going to the chiro, it isn't as effective.

Once you begin to feel better, alternate ice and heat, to improve blood flow into the area to heal.

 

[Mermaid02]

My husband got NO relief (tried massage-physical therapy-chiropractor-walking- running etc) and he finally had surgery. He woke up and had instant relief. He wishes he had it done sooner.

 

[minkydog]

I started back up on Weight Watchers and started to exercise too. Well, I have 3 bulging discs and everything I try really hurts after. Yesterday it got so bad I was in bed half the day. Couldn't even sit.

So how did you exercise, what activities helped, but didn't hurt.

Thanks!!

Well, when I herniated 2 discs a few years ago I ended up going to PT. It was well worth the time and money. She taught me some exercises that didn't hurt my back and actually made the situation better.

If your back continues to hurt, I would suggest you see your doctor and talk to him about a few weeks of PT. You really want to take care of it now, before you make things worse. The longer it goes on, the more damage occurs.

 

[minkydog]

Chiropractors are out. Not my thing. I know being in bed isn't great either but when you can't sit or can't walk, then laying down feels good.


I get treated through the VA and my PCP referred me to the pain clinic. Called them today and I am on a wait list for an appointment.

Glad to see you're going to a doctor. I would never let a chiropractor touch my back. My sister goes to the chiropractor. Of course, she has to keep going back for "adjustments" that seem to never end. She went last year for six months to treat her neck. Her hands were going numb and she was having "zings" down her arms. She finally gave up and saw an orthopedist. Guess what? She had a fractured cervical spine with bone chips resting on the spinal cord. Her doctor about passed out when he heard about the chiropractor! They had her in surgery the next morning, cleaned out the spinal canal, put some hardware in, and she woke up with NO pain, other than her very small incision. That experience has put us ALL off of chiropractic.

 

[phorsenuf]

Well, when I herniated 2 discs a few years ago I ended up going to PT. It was well worth the time and money. She taught me some exercises that didn't hurt my back and actually made the situation better.

If your back continues to hurt, I would suggest you see your doctor and talk to him about a few weeks of PT. You really want to take care of it now, before you make things worse. The longer it goes on, the more damage occurs.

I saw my PCP and after the MRI results came in and I was referred to the pain clinic. They sent me my questionnaire which I filled out and sent back about 3 weeks ago. I called today and I was told they have no appointments and that I'm on a wait list. I did get a postcard in the mail that I have a neurology consult this week. Not sure if it is related to the back or my PCP set me up with one because I use to have one up north.

I get treated through the VA so one never knows. LOL

It's aggravating because I have no idea what I should or should not be doing. I had started doing yoga again, which I love but maybe that's what irritating it or possibly making it worse.

I figure I'll see what happens at the neurologist. If it's not for the back then I guess I'll call my PCP and see what she thinks.

It's just so frustrating because I don't know what to do.

 

[golfgal]

My DS14 is just now recovering from what was at first a very minor back injury, but it morphed into something that ended up causing me to have to pull him out of school and homeschool. We finally found a physical therapist who does all the work in a pool -- it's basically an "endless swim" pool, looks like the size of maybe 3 hot tubs. It's been a lifesaver -- you can work on the back in the water, increasing resistance but dramatically lowering the stress on the back. In previous P.T., my son would come out basically wrecked, but with this, he's tired but not in pain. I just found this guy in the phone book, and I LOVE this approach. I would recommend it highly.

I was going to recommend swimming or water aerobics too.

We did a lot of water therapy with our dog when she had her hip surgery and even the vet said she recovered beyond what he expected because of it.

 

[Magic Mom]

Call them back and explain that you are on a wait list for pain management, so you want a referal for physical therapy. Even when you do get into PM, PT can help A LOT. The physical therapist can give you exercises, teach you how to do common chores the right way, massage, tens therapy, etc.

DON"T start yoga until you know which moves are OK and which aren't. You don't want to aggravate the situation anymore than it already is.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I was so bad I could hardly get up out of the chair sometimes. The worst was having to bend over and pick up the dog poop. First having to get down there, ouch, then having to get back up.

It helps to strengthen your abdominal muscles. I also walked on the treadmill, rode the bike, pilates, basically things that didn't involve me jumping up and down.

Acupuncture saved me, I avoided epidural injections and finally got to a point where it's not an issue anymore.

 

[rie'smom]

Because of a bad back, I do flex breathing by Greer Childers. I saw a book on this about 12 years ago and liked it. Then after a while I put it away. After a hysterectomy I went from a size 6 to a size 12 over the course of a year. One night I saw an infomercial about flex breathing on VCR tapes. I started again and in 1 month I went from a 12 to a 6! The moves are similar to yoga moves and there's a funny breathing technique you do right before the pose. My kids call it crazy breathing. Tomorrow my daughter and I are starting it again. BTW, I've stayed a size 6 for years. Whenever I felt my clothes getting a little snug, I'd start the flex breathing and my clothes would fit after a few days. The whole routine takes about 15-20 minutes.

 

[Jennasis]

What exercises were you doing?

Before my herniation, I was running 2.5 miles a day and working out (hi weight) on the nautilus machines. Then the pain. Crippling, agonizing pain...down the leg. Leg and foot went numb. Chiro made it a million times worse. I couldn't sit, stand, walk, or lay down without crying in pain. My friend (a pain physician) sent me for an MRI. An hour after the test he calls me and says "Don't MOVE. I'm referring you to a surgeon. Until then, lay down and stop moving at all".

I had blown my L5 disc outinto my spinal cord. A monster size hernia (biggest my surgeon had ever seen). I was in surgery 5 days after the MRI. Pain free the second I opened my eyes in the recovery room. They simply removed the ruptured part of the disc. No hardware or fusion.

In Physical therapy post-surg I walked on the treadmill and lifted small handweights. Eventually graduated from PT only to have a setback when I returned to work on the farm. Surgeon sent me back to PT where we decided on more stretching and core stengthening and elliptical at the gym. No running or walking. Nautilus weight machines okay on LOW weight high reps.