Who has had a herniated disc?

[Lonestar94]

Have you started physical rehab?

Steroids didn't do anything for me.

Long and disciplined physical rehab did it.

But really different tricks for different folks, you need to find the right path for you.

Did physical therapy everyday for 10 weeks.. no results. Also did chiropractor for months and nothing.

Went for the injections cause I was desperate and running out of options..even if they are temporary but some people said they cured their problem..like one guy in this thread. So I ate the cheese. I don't want a quick fix I want it GONE.

Now that I have gotten an MRI done and have more information about the problem I'm thinking about going to a really good physical therapist, like someone that does work for college football teams.

Thing is, what I've been diagnosed with (facet joint syndrome) is not anywhere close as severe as a herniated disk or the like. My pain has never radiated down my legs. It's all in my mid back.

 

[Lonestar94]

Have you started physical rehab?

Steroids didn't do anything for me.

Long and disciplined physical rehab did it.

But really different tricks for different folks, you need to find the right path for you.

Did you have a herniated disk?

How long did the physical therapy take for you to notice results?

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Did you have a herniated disk?

How long did the physical therapy take for you to notice results?

Oh yes! I've got the MRI to prove it! LOL!

5mm herniation between my C4/C5.

Steroids wouldn't touch it.

Started on organized physical therapy (while waiting on a possible surgery route). Did organized PT for two months... Actually more like 10 weeks. 3 times a week.

Then did it at home every day. 20 minutes a day. This went on for several more months.

I could begin to see some positive help... but it was s-l-o-w! And that's what kept me from following up on the surgery.

I can't say it's totally healed because there are a few days a year when I definitely feel it– usually after some kind of physical thing that I shouldn't have done. And I'm not talking about lifting stuff.

For example last winter I was out shoveling and instead of using both arms, I got lazy and was trying to push the snow, like in a push-broom fashion and that created an issue for me.

Then other time I forgot I was tall D) and I got into my Fusion with my head too high and whacked it on the roof of the car, which jarred my neck.

It's stuff like that. Normal wear & tear is no problem for me.

 

[Lonestar94]

Oh yes! I've got the MRI to prove it! LOL!

5mm herniation between my C4/C5.

Steroids wouldn't touch it.

Started on organized physical therapy (while waiting on a possible surgery route). Did organized PT for two months... Actually more like 10 weeks. 3 times a week.

Then did it at home every day. 20 minutes a day. This went on for several more months.

I could begin to see some positive help... but it was s-l-o-w! And that's what kept me from following up on the surgery.

I can't say it's totally healed because there are a few days a year when I definitely feel it– usually after some kind of physical thing that I shouldn't have done. And I'm not talking about lifting stuff.

For example last winter I was out shoveling and instead of using both arms, I got lazy and was trying to push the snow, like in a push-broom fashion and that created an issue for me.

Then other time I forgot I was tall D) and I got into my Fusion with my head too high and whacked it on the roof of the car, which jarred my neck.

It's stuff like that. Normal wear & tear is no problem for me.

Thank you for telling your story. I am finally wising up and going back to physical therapy, the first time I went I had only a Xray done, since then Ive had an MRI and I know more about whats causing the problem. I'm gonna do what you did, try it for a few months and it it doesn't work do surgery.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Thank you for telling your story. I am finally wising up and going back to physical therapy, the first time I went I had only a Xray done, since then Ive had an MRI and I know more about whats causing the problem. I'm gonna do what you did, try it for a few months and it it doesn't work do surgery.

What does your physician say?

 

[Lonestar94]

What does your physician say?

He told me I have facet syndrome and assigned steroid shots. The shots didn't work so I told him about going back to physical therapy. He is trying to get me to go to his therapists downstairs but I am wanting one that has history with athletes (ex: one that does work for college football teams) And has more experience with younger guys.. I am only 20

Pretty much I want an excellent therapist cause I've been down the PT route before and wasn't impressed.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

He told me I have facet syndrome and assigned steroid shots. The shots didn't work so I told him about going back to physical therapy. He is trying to get me to go to his therapists downstairs but I am wanting one that has history with athletes (ex: one that does work for college football teams) And has more experience with younger guys.. I am only 20

Pretty much I want an excellent therapist cause I've been down the PT route before and wasn't impressed.

Gotha!

 

[vlad]

He told me I have facet syndrome and assigned steroid shots. The shots didn't work so I told him about going back to physical therapy. He is trying to get me to go to his therapists downstairs but I am wanting one that has history with athletes (ex: one that does work for college football teams) And has more experience with younger guys.. I am only 20

Pretty much I want an excellent therapist cause I've been down the PT route before and wasn't impressed.

I had a similar experience with PT- but found a "sports and spine" medical office and they seem to get it more. If you go somewhere and they just tell you some exercises to do but don't pay super close attention to your form, then I'd advise find someone that does - there are people that really care, just tough to find them.

Honestly after taking some time off from the personal trainer ( i was trying to strengthen my core and fix my posture, not be a muscle dude), going back to him, focusing on neutral spine positioning in everything i do, and now when I get up, roll around I flex the hell out of my glutes and try to keep my core engaged, that as help.

Good luck - this first happened to me when I was 24, dealt with it okay for a number of years, but at 36 it kicked my *** and I'm SLOWLY recovering.

 

[Jenky]

I had a similar experience with PT- but found a "sports and spine" medical office and they seem to get it more. If you go somewhere and they just tell you some exercises to do but don't pay super close attention to your form, then I'd advise find someone that does - there are people that really care, just tough to find them.

Honestly after taking some time off from the personal trainer ( i was trying to strengthen my core and fix my posture, not be a muscle dude), going back to him, focusing on neutral spine positioning in everything i do, and now when I get up, roll around I flex the hell out of my glutes and try to keep my core engaged, that as help.

Good luck - this first happened to me when I was 24, dealt with it okay for a number of years, but at 36 it kicked my *** and I'm SLOWLY recovering.

Yep, if you do all that stuff in the gym for any exercise, you'll usually protect your lower lumbar and minimize the risk of injury. I caught on to this years ago, and I apply it to real life situations such as shoveling snow or picking up boxes off the ground. You're core has to be tight and you should put tension in your legs. Incorporating the valsalva maneuver is a MUST!