Disc Herniation & Lumbar Traction

My uncle was the athletic trainer for the pittsburgh pirates, currently with the Tamp Bay Ray's but he had given me a list of exercises to do daily and that also helped out alot.

 

Good to know, my chiropractor said he's never seen someone with such a herniation be as pain free as I am on simply a prednisone treatment. The PT has been doing some form of traction but shes unfortunately much much smaller then me so I don't feel a pull or any real benefit?

I'll have to look into these. I've been doing PT stretches but minimum progression - again it's only been a month.

 

Swimming for the weightlessness and core strengthening saved me from surgery, but I had to attack it. That means it sucked in the beginning and I refused to take a day off for months.

 

@hallux,Let me give you all some good advice, avoid surgery at all costs. Just click on my avitar, and you'll understand. I blew out my l4-l5-S1, and had my first surgery in Sept 2015, 2nd surgery in april 2016, 3rd surgery in sept 2016, and lucky #4 January 30th 2020. For 10 years I've lived with nothing but pain, 24/7 365 days a year. Eating pain pills everyday. This last surgery, they refused S1-S2, and then put 4 inch screws from them into my pelvic bone to anchor them. I'm so glad that I did this last one. I can standup straight again, and so far my walking is getting better each day. My pain levels have been reduced drastically. I put off my first surgery for 5 years. By then my lower back looked like a train wreck. So do the Therapy, mechanical stretching, anything you can think of. I even tried several injections which gave me some short term relief. I used to cycle 3k miles a year, deer hunt, camp, go fishing. Now I can't do anything, but I'm going to focus on walking, walking and more walking. Next month I'm getting in the pool at the YMCA for weightless walking. I would only recommend surgery as a last resort. Good luck to all of you

 

Yes, had a herniated disc in my back for over 11 years. Did everything from acupuncture, chiropractor, to drugs.

Finally had back surgery and it gave me my life back. L5-S1 was my problem too, my surgery was a 100% success, it was over 20 years ago also, make sure this is what you need before going under the knife. I have heard many horrible stories about failed back surgery.

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

 

I also had surgery diskectomy/laminectomy for L5S1 33 years ago and I had immediate relief after my operations. I remember waking up after the operation, wiggling my toes and being completely pain free. I have been active ever since. Some folks like myself have done well with surgery, while I have heard of others who haven't done so well. Hallux, I wish you well with whatever you opt for.

 

Yes, laminectomy also in my case. Forget about that. I truly feel 10 years younger than I used too. Make sure you have a very good doctor if you go this route. Good luck.

 

try this , it works
https://youtu.be/1Mkhj0P3Nsw

 

Lots depends on the surgeon AND the actual problem!!! I had my first (L5-S1 fusion) at 29 years old. the previous year was a living hell. As a forester, I walked all kinds of terrain 4 days a week which didn't help. Found a spinal Neurosurgeon in the Cleveland suburbs - ONLY did spinal work, which was the ticket. I went almost 10 full years until my next disc: L4-L5 blew out. I have degenerative disc disease. those ten years between those surgeries, I was probably the most physically fit in my entire life - soon to be 63. I worked normal, did sports, went out west fighting wildfires several times. You name it and I did it!! Rehab consisted of "ten exercises to get rid of your beer gut" - all strengthened my back - 3 days a week. Weight lifting 3 days a week and running every day of the week.

I have had a total of 5 lumbar surgeries and number six will happen due to some freak misstep in the woods one of these days. Only issue for me is that my surgeon is no longer practicing and may even be dead now. He did all 5 surgeries and I am glad I had them.

Everyone and everyone's problem and solutions are different, so I would caution listening to the ABSOLUTE OPINIONS.

Good luck regardless of your solution.

Forgot, I also have an inversion table that I use when my back pain is BAD. IT works!

 

Inversion didnt work well for me, I have an at home traction unit that worked for a while with 3x per week use,but back has gotten worse. Surgery happening again in April L3-L4,L4-L5,L5-S1.

 

Thanks for the information for sure, it's a lot different getting feedback from those who have had the same issue versus people who are requested by a surgeon or practice to make a recommendation. With that being said, as of January 10th I've been 95% pain free with the help of physical therapy, chiropractic work and dry needling w/ stim. With that being said I'm looking to continue this trend and hope for the best.

While I do agree this will likely work, I am unsure if something that inverted would be an immediate benefit right away. I am considering an inversion table in which I can set at a smaller amount of inversion to slowly increase the traction amount.

 

This technique has enabled him to continue lifting and securing a number WR's in powerlifting with disc problems . His body tempering protocol is now being used in the ranks of a number of pro sports too .

 

Correct. I know who Donnie Thompson is and of his work which is great however without having the extensive knowledge in which he has or access to him I do not feel comfortable performing these things.

 

@windsor , Good luck with your upcoming surgery, I wish you the best of luck. I hope that you have a great neurosurgeon that will perform the surgery. I wish that I could afford physical therapy, but they want me to come twice a week, and at $40.00 a pop, I just can't do it living on SSI disability payments. That's why I'm doing walking, and next month I'll hit the pool for walking in an almost weightless environment. Let us know after the surgery, how your doing. I'm realizing that there are many of us in the same boat of living with chronic back pain, and facing spinal fusion as a hope for relief.

 

Thanks. Lucky for me, my back is service connected. So, I have access to therapy at the VA. The surgery will be done at the VA, most likely along with folks from the university. Surgeon is the same one who did my laminectomy and removed a piece of bone that broke off.

 

I had a disc herniation at L4/L5 and L5/S1 after a fall at work.
Had to have surgery.

 

Back Pain does suck... especially Low Back... you use it for everything !

I couldn't agree more with the YouTube video that was posted. I played baseball for 15 years... catcher at that. I would have a month where I couldn't do anything because of my disc bulging and hitting nerves. I found out - do whatever it takes to take the pressure off - which for me was hip alignment and my posture... and even how I slept. If your hips are aligned and in the correct position it will relieve those discs... whether it be PT, Chiro, or your own exercises... they all work!

 

Every herniation is going to be different, and lots of factors play into alleviating the irritation. Distraction helps lots of people.

 

Back is in pain today . Finally had a Dr read my MRI honestly (chiropractor) . The neurosurgeon didn’t tell me crap . He said arthritis. I have 8 bulging discs . 3 in my neck that I knew about . Right now my lumbar spine is killing me . Been stretching a lot and using TigerBalm and muscle relaxers . Move the wrong way and it like someone twisting a knife in my lower back . L4 and 5 hurting

 

Got to get a massage gun like a hyper volt. Game changer, ten minutes a day.