Bulging Disc problems and chiropractors

[red_plague]

Hey ya'll.

I'm a 22 year old male with a bulging disc in my lower back. I was hospitalized for several days a few weeks ago. The neurosurgeon spoke with me and told me that I cannot lift for 6 weeks, then I can go light for 2 months and then heavy after that.

The issues are:

I have been out of the hospital for almost 3 weeks and the pain has gotten bad, even with pain killers and muscle relaxers. The doc told me that chirpractors couldn't help and that there's no nonsurgical fix for a bulging disc.
He basically told me to take the pain killers and do some walking to start getting better and the pain would eventually go away and the disc wouldn't be an issue.

NOW, after the visit, I have hip pain and numbness in my right leg and I stand crooked.

I was given a reference to chiro from a friend, she told me he could help.
I saw my mri's and xrays and my back is messed up big time.

Here's the big issue: I have been told, since then, (I've been to the chiro twice and am going 3x a week) chrios were BAD for your back and would cause long term damage with bulging discs if they were to try and correct it.

So basically, and don't laugh when I say this, I plan to compete in the NPC and take a shot at going pro as well as open a gym...these are my life dreams and I am scared ****less I will be screwed for life if my back is messed up.

Has anyone had these issues and what was done by you and you docs to fixed it. I have been advised to see my neurosurgeon as well as a sports rehab and spinal specialist/orthpedist.

Thanks for help in advance ya'll. I'm scared ****less, bbing and physical fitness have been my entire life and wellbeing for almost a year and half....I didn't realize it's all I do until I haven't been able to work out.

[JackG]

i have a bulging disc in my back too. i was referred to the wash u pain management team and got 3 shots in my back 2 weeks apart each. cleared it up and ive been feeling fine ever since. see a spine specialist first and they will give you your options.

[red_plague]

i have a bulging disc in my back too. i was referred to the wash u pain management team and got 3 shots in my back 2 weeks apart each. cleared it up and ive been feeling fine ever since. see a spine specialist first and they will give you your options.

Cool. Thanks for the response?

Anyone else have any advice and personal experiences?

[BennyBudg]

NOW, after the visit, I have hip pain and numbness in my right leg and I stand crooked.

I recently had the same problem without the numbness and I was diagnosed with a prolapsed disc which is more severe than a buldge. I would guess that you also have a prolapse if you have been in enough pain to be hospitalized along the way, I would be getting a second opinion.

I went to see my physiotherapist who gave me a total of 6 stretching exercises to do 4 times a day, I have been doing these for 5 days and my spine has straightened up considerably and the pain has decreased by about 85%. You are very young at 22 to have such an injury, the physio was really suprised and concerned that I had the injury at 23 which is quite rare.

My advice would be to see a physiotherapist ASAP, make sure you immediately stop all gym work until the problem is healed, disc problems can be very serious if treated wrongly.

Good luck

[Fresch]

The longer you use muscle relaxers, the worse outcome to be expected so rid yourself of those now!

Has the chiro helped at all?? Should be showing signs of significant improvement by this time.

What exercises / self management do you have?

A bulging disc is a description of a finding on investigation, not a diagnosis. Most likely some degree of internal damage to the disc. Not the end of the world, just a warning.

What caused it do you know?

[red_plague]

I recently had the same problem without the numbness and I was diagnosed with a prolapsed disc which is more severe than a buldge. I would guess that you also have a prolapse if you have been in enough pain to be hospitalized along the way, I would be getting a second opinion.

I went to see my physiotherapist who gave me a total of 6 stretching exercises to do 4 times a day, I have been doing these for 5 days and my spine has straightened up considerably and the pain has decreased by about 85%. You are very young at 22 to have such an injury, the physio was really suprised and concerned that I had the injury at 23 which is quite rare.

My advice would be to see a physiotherapist ASAP, make sure you immediately stop all gym work until the problem is healed, disc problems can be very serious if treated wrongly.

Good luck

Ok thanks for the info. I'm set up to see the dr on the this thursday. I also have an appointment to another doctor later in august. I was told to walk to avoid this getting worse with arthritis setting in. Thank you for the help, I will be getting a second opinion and getting an orthopaedist (sp?).

The longer you use muscle relaxers, the worse outcome to be expected so rid yourself of those now!

Has the chiro helped at all?? Should be showing signs of significant improvement by this time.

What exercises / self management do you have?

A bulging disc is a description of a finding on investigation, not a diagnosis. Most likely some degree of internal damage to the disc. Not the end of the world, just a warning.

What caused it do you know?

I was told to walk and or do the eliptical machine and not lift for a while. I've been in too much pain to walk too much and I haven't lifted in almost 3 weeks. I was told to start strecthing daily to help with the right side of my hip, the chiro told me it was really tight and the pain would ease up as I started stretching it more.

I was hurt like this last year from stiff legged deads ( I have since stopped deadlifting because I cannot seem to get good form down). My back bothers me on and off and this is the worse it's been. This time around I was in the middle of a set of squats.


Another kink in the system is that I lost my job on Saturday and I'm broke, I called about COBRA today and was told my coverage ended on Saturday and that I needed to send them info based on my previous insurance.

Goddamn guys, I'm more depressed than ever and my life reall sucks right now. Thanks for help ya'll.

[Fresch]

Ok thanks for the info. I'm set up to see the dr on the this thursday. I also have an appointment to another doctor later in august. I was told to walk to avoid this getting worse with arthritis setting in. Thank you for the help, I will be getting a second opinion and getting an orthopaedist (sp?).



I was told to walk and or do the eliptical machine and not lift for a while. I've been in too much pain to walk too much and I haven't lifted in almost 3 weeks. I was told to start strecthing daily to help with the right side of my hip, the chiro told me it was really tight and the pain would ease up as I started stretching it more.

I was hurt like this last year from stiff legged deads ( I have since stopped deadlifting because I cannot seem to get good form down). My back bothers me on and off and this is the worse it's been. This time around I was in the middle of a set of squats.


Another kink in the system is that I lost my job on Saturday and I'm broke, I called about COBRA today and was told my coverage ended on Saturday and that I needed to send them info based on my previous insurance.

Goddamn guys, I'm more depressed than ever and my life reall sucks right now. Thanks for help ya'll.

Damn your medical / insurance system sucks big time.

Chronic problem, wil take time to settle, but a bulge is not a death sentence.

Chiropractic can demage the disc is not done properly.

Exercise (say McKenzie exercises) and flexibility and cario work all important.

[HRK (herb)]

and hope for your lifting future.

I've had 3 back surgeries. 2 in 2001 and 1 in 2003. I blew L5/S1 in 2001 and L4/L5 in 2003. Both were 1.5 centimetere (.6 inches) bulges that compressed the nerve to the point I wasn't able to feel my toes or the outside of my shin.
Along with some crazy muscle spasms.

It took about 6 months before I was able to squat or deadlift again. I took my time, perfected form and worked core.I did have to give up Mauy Thai and for the most part running but Now I am able to powerlift at a competitive level. My squat is 440 and dead is 475 @180lbs.

For you the good news is that you can still feel your toes so surgery is not needed. Bad news is, it is gonna take some time to get better.

I have some suggestions that will help keep you in shape and make you back feel better. This advice comes for 10 yrs as a trainer and I"m currently in school to be a chiropractor.

To stay in reasonable shape, sign up for deep water running classes. I know it sounds gay but it will let you do some cardio with out the compression on you back. Give it a try.
Second, start working core hard crunches, slow and steady and with meaning. think about sucking your belly button to your back.
ABSOLUTELY NO TWISTING MOTIONS - for awhile anyway
for LB strength - supermans - lay on you stomach, arms out in front, lift you chest and arms up, hold for 10, relax repeat.

ICE, ICE, ICE. and avoid hi impact.

good luck.
Herb

[Fresch]

and hope for your lifting future.

I've had 3 back surgeries. 2 in 2001 and 1 in 2003. I blew L5/S1 in 2001 and L4/L5 in 2003. Both were 1.5 centimetere (.6 inches) bulges that compressed the nerve to the point I wasn't able to feel my toes or the outside of my shin.
Along with some crazy muscle spasms.

It took about 6 months before I was able to squat or deadlift again. I took my time, perfected form and worked core.I did have to give up Mauy Thai and for the most part running but Now I am able to powerlift at a competitive level. My squat is 440 and dead is 475 @180lbs.

For you the good news is that you can still feel your toes so surgery is not needed. Bad news is, it is gonna take some time to get better.

I have some suggestions that will help keep you in shape and make you back feel better. This advice comes for 10 yrs as a trainer and I"m currently in school to be a chiropractor.

To stay in reasonable shape, sign up for deep water running classes. I know it sounds gay but it will let you do some cardio with out the compression on you back. Give it a try.
Second, start working core hard crunches, slow and steady and with meaning. think about sucking your belly button to your back.
ABSOLUTELY NO TWISTING MOTIONS - for awhile anyway
for LB strength - supermans - lay on you stomach, arms out in front, lift you chest and arms up, hold for 10, relax repeat.

ICE, ICE, ICE. and avoid hi impact.

good luck.
Herb

Supermans are awful if you have an acute low back problem. They hugely increase intradiscal pressure. So no no no!

Until you have very very good core strength, do not do hyperextensions, supermans, v-sits etc etc

[Skidmarx]

Buldging discs go away over time, check with your doc about getting cortizone shots from your local pain clinic.

Just be glad you don't have degenerative discs(my wife does), cuz' that's a lifetime of pain.

[red_plague]

Thanks for all the help ya'll. MY life is basically falling apart right now and it's great to have bros giving adivce and encouragement.

[mags94impala]

Ever since I can remember I have always had some lower back issues, I played tons of basketball when I was younger but I have always been a big football player size guy. I injuried my lower back about 7yrs. ago and ever since then it had given me small issue and then 2yrs. ago my lower back really got bad, tightness. I then went to visit my family chiropractor and he did his magic and it helped a ton, many people will say don't visit one they will make your problem worse. Well if you think about it your disc is under pressure so what chiropractors do is move your disc in such a way that they help relief pressure and allow fluids and blood to flow through the injuried disc aiding it to heal. I have the same problems that you have discribed, numbness in my right quad and that's because your siatica has been affected by your injury. The numbness has gotten way better because I have been doing stretches at least 3 times a week and I do a casual walk on the treadmill for 30mins. and I saw a chiropractor for 12 visits. If you decide to see a chiropractor ask him how he does his adjusting, some chiros adjust and massage your back as well which helps relief the tightness. My wife got me a membership to her clinic Massage Envy, massage helps a ton.

P.S. I lifted heavy a couple of years ago and I don't plan to return to heavy lifting its not worth it, but I do plan to return to the gym as soon as my back heals. Squats are fantastic at working the legs but can be a killer for you back, personally I don't think proper form helps just to much pressure on your discs.

P.P.S. Rest your body, stretch and get physical theraphy of some sort for the first monts. God bless.

[j_neatherlin]

Chiropractic can demage the disc is not done properly.

source?

[E Thug]

I herniated my L5/S1. It wasn't that bad, I had no numbness, but the part that bothered me the most was that I had no strength in my calf. My calf would contract very weakly when it tried to do planter flexion. The three things that helped me a lot were:

1. Ice - Ice on the lower back for 20mins as many times per day as possible. 3-4x a day would be ideal. Ice is the ultimate healer and it gave me immediate relief. Make sure ice is in a plastic baggy, DO NOT USE A COLD PACK! That's for pussies, ice in a baggy, on the skin.

2. Stationary Bike - Make sure it is the bike were you are seated up straight and high. Put the seat all the way up, so that when you pedal, your knees are completly straight at the pedals lowest point.

3. Pool - If you can swim, then swim. Swimming laps would also give me relief from my lower back problems. I was able to swim rather vigirously as well. I am not saying you should too, but take some nice relaxing laps and make sure you kick and get some blood flowing down your legs.

I also have access to a Lou Simmons Reverse Hyperextension machine. This stretches out my back like none other. I try to do these 2-3x a week and they seem to have helped a lot.

Good luck man. I am sure you will be fine. Herniated Discs take time, and when I say time, I mean lots of time. We are talking about recovery that will take at least 8 weeks, but you are probably looking at more like 20+ weeks. But herniated discs do and will heal. Keep strong man, I know how you feel.

[Al Swearengen]

Buldging discs go away over time, check with your doc about getting cortizone shots from your local pain clinic.

Just be glad you don't have degenerative discs(my wife does), cuz' that's a lifetime of pain.

The way I was told is everyone has degenerative disc disease, it's also known as aging, just a fancier term.

[mjemirzian]

I don't think I'm ever going to try stiff legged deadlifts after reading this thread.

Did you ever see an experienced personal trainer about squats and deadlifts? Everyone is different and if the trainer has a strong kinesiological background in those exercises they can help you customize your form in a way that works best for your body.

If you do a set of squats or deadlifts and your lower back is hot in temp. while your glutes/legs are cold, you're making too much of your lower back do the work.

[j_neatherlin]

The way I was told is everyone has degenerative disc disease, it's also known as aging, just a fancier term.

i've seen x-rays of people in their 60's with no degenerative disc disease.

[red_plague]

I don't think I'm ever going to try stiff legged deadlifts after reading this thread.

Did you ever see an experienced personal trainer about squats and deadlifts? Everyone is different and if the trainer has a strong kinesiological background in those exercises they can help you customize your form in a way that works best for your body.

If you do a set of squats or deadlifts and your lower back is hot in temp. while your glutes/legs are cold, you're making too much of your lower back do the work.

I've tried a lot of things for deads, but never can get the form down.

My squats are fine, front and reg squats are one of my fav exercises.

[red_plague]

I just got off the phone with a friend (working on the dating part....lol), she said to take it easy and to make sure to get referred to a spinal specialist/orthopedist...so I go in tomorrow night, I'm getting a reference.

Anyways, she was like be very careful in recovery b/c screwing up again could be by by to bbing. This freaked me out even more, but hey girl's a future doc and hardcore athlete (sigh...what a babe eh?) so I figure she know's what's up.

It's a little creepy to think that one little disc being out of whack could screw me up forever.

So, I'm waiting nearly 4 weeks to get back in there with the docs' approval and I'm thinking I won't work legs until I feel very good....maybe even for two or 3 months.

How do ya'll with a bulging disc overcome the fear when lifting back and especially legs...I'm a squat fanatic, if I don't squat, I haven't done legs.

I was thinking heavy leg ext and lunges, then hack squats, then front sqauts with emphasis on the contraction, not weight.

When I get back in the gym, I'm making sure to focus on the form and contraction, not the weight.


Anyways, as I've said, ya'll are great help and great bros. It's good to know others have overcome injuries like this.

On a side note, I know IGF1 and gh help with ligaments and tendons, does anyone know if gh might help with discs? One would think it helps regenerate them, if it helps with ligaments and tendons.

[Al Swearengen]

i've seen x-rays of people in their 60's with no degenerative disc disease.

What percentage of people in their 60s though?

[j_neatherlin]

What percentage of people in their 60s though?

i see X-rays of a lot more young people than I do older people, but actually probably about 25% (of the ones I've seen) show no signs of degenerative changes.

it's true, in a way, that "wear and tear" will result degenerative changes, but if the biomechanical integrity of the spine is sound and there are no major injuries, there is a very high likelihood that no degeneration will occur.

[Fresch]

source?

Spinal manipulation can have adverse effects.

[Multiple disc herniation after chiropractic manipulation]

Rev Med Univ Navarra. 2004; 48(3):39-41 (ISSN: 0556-6177)

Ruptured cervical disc after spinal manipulation therapy: report of two cases.

Spine. 2002; 27(3):E80-2 (ISSN: 1528-1159)

Herniated disc with radiculopathy following cervical manipulation: nonsurgical management.

Spine J. 2006; 6(4):459-63 (ISSN: 1529-9430)

[mwhitehead]

Thanks for all the help ya'll. MY life is basically falling apart right now and it's great to have bros giving adivce and encouragement.

You've got to focus on why the disc herniated (and it's not your squat cause you've done that a thousand times without the problem) and not so much on the herniation. Go to Egoscue.com and click on "find a clinic" and see if one is close enough to get to. Call them up and tell them I sent you for a free consultation. We will make sure you understand why this happened, what the problem is, and how to fix it. If there are no clinics close buy the book Pain Free by Pete Egoscue and read it and then start the exercises in the "Back Pain" chapter. Let me know how it goes.

Matt Whitehead

PS don't worry...you can recover from this and get back to doing everything you want, just have faith and look for the answer that rings true with your instincts.