QuestionQUESTION: About a year ago I found out I have 2 bulging disks at L3-L4 and L5-S1 and a herniated disk at L4-L5. I began to experience neurological symptoms such as numbness and foot drop about 3 months after I hurt my back. At that time I saw a neurosurgeon and a chiropractor. The neurosurgeon thought surgery was the only answer, and the chiropractor thought with some work and exercises I would get better. Of course I went with the chiropractor and I don't regret that decision. I improved within a couple of months time not 100% still some hip and knee pain but always confident that will subside as well. Well last Friday I must have done something at work and I am seriously wondering if another disk herniated. There is once again pain radiating down my leg into my knee and my hip hurts extremely bad after sitting. Anyway, what I wanted to know is after a disk herniates does it dry up? If so does it stop putting pressure on the nerves at that point? Or does a portion of the disk still protrude to cause stenosis and nerve pressure? Is it possible that I will have the same level of success with the chiropractor if another disk did herniate or is it more likely that surgery is in my future? Lastly, could I benefit from massage therapy or should I wait until a time when I am not in so much pain?
Thank You
Pam
ANSWER: the answer to all your questions is ..... sometimes.....
Most disc bulges or small herniations tend to shrink/dry up somewhat And if the pressure is taken off the nerve, most symptoms fade away. Surgery is not a perfect fix by any means....
when that disc is stabilized, the ones above and below get more pressure and can start to bulge/herniate.
Allow this to heal..... three things involved..... don't injure it more.... that means NO lifting with your back as a lever... even picking up your car keys is with your back straight and knees bent.
Good flexibility..... stretch hamstrings and back with toe touches.... take it easy.... it may take you a few months to get good flexibility... no bouncing or forcing.
Core strengthening.... situps, knee bends every day. Increase the strength and tone of surrounding muscles.
I would keep the care conservative and non-surgical unless it is not getting better over at least 6 weeks.
Massage... may help a little.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks for the information. I do have more questions. In the past when I have hurt my back I knew immediately that I did, meaning it would spasm. This time it happened throughout the day. My back began to burn and my hip, leg, and knee started to ache. I do not have excessive pain in the area of my spine though. Could this pain be from another disc herniating?
Usually I am pretty good about doing stretches. I can typically touch the floor but now I can barely lean forward. I am afraid of making it worse but also of not helping make it better. I tend to "grin and bear it" when it comes to pain so how do I know how much is too much when it comes to stretching?
FYI: I would rate my pain at about a 4, but if using the pain chart with the faces on it to judge my pain it more like an 8.
Thanks Again
Pam
Answerthat pain is from another disc swelling... a true herniation gives you severe pain that doesn't quit, but few days, may mean a mild tear that swells a little and then the swelling subsides.... but you keep injuring those and they will herniate eventually.
Easy slow stretching.... no bouncing, don't tear anything... go to the point of tightness and/or pain and stop. It will get better...... and do core strengthening
