Cervical Herniated Disc

[darb1]

I originally posted a thread about 6 weeks ago stating that my general practioner diagnosed me with a nerve impingement after I complained of weakness in my right triceps, lat, and pectorals, as well as some neck pain.



After my condition did not improve after a few weeks my doctor referred me to an othopedic specialist who ordered an MRI and EMG. I got the results back today and met with spine surgeon who told me I had a minor herniated disc at c7. He stated that in a normal individual this would not likely be a problem, but apparently I have a spinal canal that is narrower than most people. He also stated that he was hesitant to do a fusion on a 24 year old as it could cause problems in the future. He did mention a cervical disc replacement, however, my insurance (blue cross blue shield) does not cover this proceedure, so it is not an option as of now.



The spine doctor percribed physical therapy and referred me to a physical therapist who specializes in the spine. He also recommended traction to help stretch the vertebrae and that this in combination with the PT would allow the disc to retract back into its space over time.



Does anyone have a similar situation or have experience using traction and physical therapy to solve this problem and if so how successful was it?



Any help or personal experiences would be appreciated.



PS: I will be posting status updates regularly.

[low blow]

I think a moderator here, Str8flexed injured his cervical vertebrae a few years back. Try send him a message and see if he has any advice.

good luck darb

[darb1]

I just had my first session of physical therapy and it seemed to go well. My physical therapist is one who specializes in spine injuries, so he seemed to have a good deal of experience and knowledge on the particular condition I am suffering from.



He evaluated my affected areas and noticed weakness in the left tricep and it going to use the strength response of that muscle to guage the progress of treatment. He also evaluated my posture and noticed that I have a tendency to hunch forward when I sit down.



He showed me some stretches for my neck to help relieve tension in the cervical area. After performing some of the stretches he noted an increased strength response in the right tricep (not back to full strength but more strength than before). Apparently the stretches are creating more space in the cervical area and allowing more nerve response.



He said that we cannot speed up nerve recovery, but can create an optimal environment in for it to occur.



He is hoping to have me back to normal after 4 weeks of treatment if not sooner.



I am very encouraged by this session and look forward to my next treatment Friday.



PS: I have been laying off my upper body for 2 months and just doing cardio and legs, but plan on returning to my full weight training routine on Monday.

[Just Scrap]

I recently started to have problems with my right trap/neck area and got freaked out and thought I may have a herniated cervical disc. I read Jerome's recent post about a similar problem and started to work heavily on my posture since I sit in front of a computer all day long. I noticed an improvement as well. Try to not slouch and let your shoulders roll forward. I have been just doing scapular exercises and trying to stretch my chest area.

What type of stretches are you doing that is helping you?

[darb1]

Originally Posted by Just Scrap

I recently started to have problems with my right trap/neck area and got freaked out and thought I may have a herniated cervical disc. I read Jerome's recent post about a similar problem and started to work heavily on my posture since I sit in front of a computer all day long. I noticed an improvement as well. Try to not slouch and let your shoulders roll forward. I have been just doing scapular exercises and trying to stretch my chest area.

What type of stretches are you doing that is helping you?

The physical therapist told me it would help if I used a lumbar support when I sit down. I dont have a lumbar problem but it helps to align the whole spine. He showed me a stretch where you try to press you chin to you adams apple and then slowly move your head back and raise you chin. I have been doing it every two hours and it is surprising to feel the tension release and the muscles working back there. That is all we went over today, but I have another session on Friday and am looking forward to progressing my treatment.

Good luck with your situation, keep me posted if you have any helpful tips.

[darb1]

Trained shoulders yesterday and did one pressing movement to test out if blood flow or strength was getting to tricep. Appeared that there was about 15-20% increase in strength and some blood floe, but difficult to tell as I have not trained in 2 months. On a side note, I did notice that every time I try to flex my tricep it cramps up.

Physical Therapy today (9/11/09), therapist did some stretching of my neck which felt like it was releasing some tension, the then showed me some stretches for my middle back that would allow me to sit tall much easier and keep my lower back in and chest out. One particular stretch done on a rigid foam roll allowed me to release tension in lower back and seemed to make it easier to sit up straight. Therapist also showed me ab exercises that do not involve crunches (as crunches are basd for spine). Ab exercises felt very effective and will be incorporated in my routine from now on. I asked him about a home traction unit and he agreed that it could be helpful. I am going to call or write to my spine surgeon requesting a doctors note to get on and how to use it.

Trained back today. Light workout trying to get right lat signals to fire and contraction to take place. Strength seemed to be on par with left side, although other back muscles could be taking over workload. Very little blood flow or pump to right lat, but appeared there was some.

Doing cardio this weekend then back to weight training Monday. I will be following my regular routine, but going light and working on contracting affected muscles and reestablishing mind muscle connection and nerve signals.

Will be following this training split:
Sun: calves, abs, cardio
Mon: shoulders
Tue: arms
Wed: legs
Thu: back
Fri: chest
Sat: off

[Just Scrap]

I just posted another thread cuz I have something similar but not the same thing, I don't think. It has to do with something being pinched cuz I can feel it every time I do a certain motion, especially when I chew with my jaw. I'm going to my doctor tomorrow which is actually a follow up. I'm going to push heavily for an MRI.

[wrkt]

Originally Posted by darb1

The physical therapist told me it would help if I used a lumbar support when I sit down. I dont have a lumbar problem but it helps to align the whole spine. He showed me a stretch where you try to press you chin to you adams apple and then slowly move your head back and raise you chin. I have been doing it every two hours and it is surprising to feel the tension release and the muscles working back there. That is all we went over today, but I have another session on Friday and am looking forward to progressing my treatment.

Good luck with your situation, keep me posted if you have any helpful tips.

I'm glad I found this thread. I've been having pain on the left side of my neck, trap, and shoulder area, even radiating down my arm, more tris area. The worst part is my left arm is giving out while I do chest press. I'm wondering if it's possible to have pinched something while doing squats - maybe the bar was sitting too heavy on my spine? Dunno.

[Al Swearengen]

Originally Posted by darb1

I originally posted a thread about 6 weeks ago stating that my general practioner diagnosed me with a nerve impingement after I complained of weakness in my right triceps, lat, and pectorals, as well as some neck pain.



After my condition did not improve after a few weeks my doctor referred me to an othopedic specialist who ordered an MRI and EMG. I got the results back today and met with spine surgeon who told me I had a minor herniated disc at c7. He stated that in a normal individual this would not likely be a problem, but apparently I have a spinal canal that is narrower than most people. He also stated that he was hesitant to do a fusion on a 24 year old as it could cause problems in the future. He did mention a cervical disc replacement, however, my insurance (blue cross blue shield) does not cover this proceedure, so it is not an option as of now.



The spine doctor percribed physical therapy and referred me to a physical therapist who specializes in the spine. He also recommended traction to help stretch the vertebrae and that this in combination with the PT would allow the disc to retract back into its space over time.



Does anyone have a similar situation or have experience using traction and physical therapy to solve this problem and if so how successful was it?



Any help or personal experiences would be appreciated.



PS: I will be posting status updates regularly.

sorry to hear but yes i been there done that myself. i had a major herniation at C5-C6 and i used traction and PT to get through and in my case since i had severe pain for several weeks i did 3 cortisone shots in my neck which really helped me. i am happy to say that was 17 months ago and i'm lifting heavy today without incident.


here is my MRI from April 08 and you can see how badly herniated mine was and it healed without surgery. good luck man.

[darb1]

[QUOTE=Al Swearengen;384706161]sorry to hear but yes i been there done that myself. i had a major herniation at C5-C6 and i used traction and PT to get through and in my case since i had severe pain for several weeks i did 3 cortisone shots in my neck which really helped me. i am happy to say that was 17 months ago and i'm lifting heavy today without incident.


here is my MRI from April 08 and you can see how badly herniated mine was and it healed without surgery. good luck man.



Wow! Great story Al. My hernia is minor so it is very encouraging that yours healed without surgery. Thanks for sharing and giving me hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

[Al Swearengen]

[QUOTE=darb1;384898051]

Originally Posted by Al Swearengen

sorry to hear but yes i been there done that myself. i had a major herniation at C5-C6 and i used traction and PT to get through and in my case since i had severe pain for several weeks i did 3 cortisone shots in my neck which really helped me. i am happy to say that was 17 months ago and i'm lifting heavy today without incident.


here is my MRI from April 08 and you can see how badly herniated mine was and it healed without surgery. good luck man.



Wow! Great story Al. My hernia is minor so it is very encouraging that yours healed without surgery. Thanks for sharing and giving me hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

no problem man good luck with it as i'm sure in time it will be fine for you.

[1trapman]

Hope you can keep it updated. I'm going through almost same injury sounds like (sucks). I was even told I have the narrowing of spinal area?

[darb1]

Physical therapy today went well. The therapist showed me some more ab exercises that would allow me to work my core from various angles as well as give me some more options for ab work. He also showed me how to work my lower back in a manner that would not put stress on the spine. After doing a few of the lower back exercises I can tell that they will be a great alternative to my current low back routine and will actually allow me to work the muscles in that area better.



After that I asked him to critique the form on some of my exercises and see if my back would be in jeopardy. I will be making a change to one exercise but other than that, he way satisfied with my form provided I keep the spine in alighnment and not allow the head to creep forward.



Trained shoulders Monday and it was a pretty good workout (considering my condition) had some blood flow to right tricep but still not near as much as the left.



Trained Arms Tuesday and it also was a good workout. Overall a somewhat minor pump considering I have just taken 2 months off it will take time for the muscles to reajust. Definately noticed that the right tricep was getting blood flow but again not as much as the left. Also noticed that locking out on repetitons or flexing the muscle caused cramping. Should go away though as the muscle connection reforms.



Next physical therapy is Friday Sept 25, so until then I will continue my new exercises and keep an eye on my form.



PS: Picked up a cervical traction unit for home. PT said it would help but I may only need it for a few minutes a day or every few days or when my neck feels tight. Will contact my spine surgeon to see how much weight to use.



Feeling very optomistic and hopeful for a full recovery within the next 8 weeks, look for posts as new developments occur and recovery improves.

[1trapman]

Did your doc or Pt mention if the cramping was part of the healing or if was a bad thing? I get the same exact issue.

[Al Swearengen]

Originally Posted by darb1

Trained Arms Tuesday and it also was a good workout. Overall a somewhat minor pump considering I have just taken 2 months off it will take time for the muscles to reajust. Definately noticed that the right tricep was getting blood flow but again not as much as the left. Also noticed that locking out on repetitons or flexing the muscle caused cramping. Should go away though as the muscle connection reforms.

it will take time for the left to regain strength because of the nerves being compressed from the disc bulge.it has nothing to do with blood flow it's nerve compression and thus is where most strength comes from your CNS.

PS: Picked up a cervical traction unit for home. PT said it would help but I may only need it for a few minutes a day or every few days or when my neck feels tight. Will contact my spine surgeon to see how much weight to use.



Feeling very optomistic and hopeful for a full recovery within the next 8 weeks, look for posts as new developments occur and recovery improves.

i have one and my PT started me at around 20lbs 30 seconds on 30 seconds off for about 15 minutes total.

[darb1]

Originally Posted by Al Swearengen

it will take time for the left to regain strength because of the nerves being compressed from the disc bulge.it has nothing to do with blood flow it's nerve compression and thus is where most strength comes from your CNS.




i have one and my PT started me at around 20lbs 30 seconds on 30 seconds off for about 15 minutes total.

Thanks Al, any other tips or info you have on recovery would be appreciated.

[1trapman]

Any updates? I get that terrible cramping also.

[darb1]

Completed last physical therapy session Friday (9/25). PT said that we have addressed the posture issues, adjusted my form on several exercises to protect my spine, and the disc has begun to heal. He showed me how to use my newly aquired home traction unit and said that I can feel free to call him if I have questions.



PT Friday I just did a warm up, and then he stretched my neck and mid back and then critiqued a few exercises I had concerns about.



Overall I am very happy with the progress in physical therapy, especially considereing it only took 4 sessions to address the issue.



I am feeling great, obviously not back to 100 percent, but I have been back training for 2 full weeks (taking it easy obviously). I have been dieting to stay lean and have had good pumps in the gym and am seeing some great results (saw veins in my thighs for the first time ever Friday night after a week of low carbs then eating a pizza).



I am able to get a pump in my right tricep, the cramping when I flex the muscle in nearly gone, and the strength is coming back. I am also able to get a pump in my right pec and get a moderate contraction, and strength is returning. My lat is coming a little slower, but I am able to get a moderate pump, decent strength, but am still working on contracting the muscle (still rebuilding mind muscle connection).



Recovery will likely be ongoing for the next few weeks to months as the nerve path reform and mind muscle connection reforms. Provided I am more self aware in the gym and careful on posture and exercises, I am confident that I will make a full recovery within a matter of months. The key will be to avoid any reinjury to the disc in the future and avoid aggrevating it.



In terms of returning to old form (before injury) my upper body is still a little behind, legs are looking great, seperated and lean. Right now bodyfat about 6-7% if I had to guess, and I am about 205 lbs.



I will keep posting on this tread as my training and recovery improve, although not as frequently.