exercises for slipped disc

flynn2426

Hi guys, just to clarify I'm not looking for medical advice, about 5 months ago I pulled/slipped a disc in my lower back, the pain in my lower back has gradually gotten better but the pain is now down my right leg (numbness/sometimes sharp pains etc) been to 2 different physios and no joy, went to the doctor today and she put me on 2 weeks of diaphene and i might need an MRI,

Question is has anyone had a similar injury and what exercise would ye recommend doctor said swimming, I was thinking cycling also as its less impact and pilates maybe

Cheers guys

11wingnut

Cycling is not recommended, but i done it and found it good also mountain walking and ,rowing, I am no expert but these worked for me.

Aye Bosun

I'd think about going to see a neurophyscio for advise on exercise..I'd hazard a guess what your problem is but it's not allowed on this forum but from my own experience that's what I'd do. There is a great guy in the beacon hospital and another over the north side of you're from dublin. Google it

jlm29

Sounds like you need a specific exercise to stretch that particular nerve- another Physio might be helpful - it's an awful shame the two you've seen haven't benefitted. I too could guess at what exercise you need, but you'd really be better off having someone show you!

cletus van damme

if the pain shoot down your leg it is possiblily your sciatic nerve.

I had similar issues and swimming did help.
I also did stretching in the pool but this was self diagnosis.

I'd recommend acupunture as superior to any exercise (in my case it was anyway) - I went to the guy opposite the central bank in dublin - he does the hard sell on packages but in fairness he did sort me out with several sessions.

Unless it was a singular accident I'd spend time figuring out why this happened...posture, Pc positon at work , sleep position etc...
I cannot recommend this enough , you'll have to do this cos nobody else will.

Something above did work as I'm 100% pain free now.

calfmuscle

There is bad advice in literally every post above. Plus either your two physios are crap, your not doing your exercises, your doing something that keeps reinjurying your back or your expectations are wrong!

You need to see a good physio, work on your programme and I mean work on it! If they are telling you to lie on your tummy every hour then do it!

Alf Veedersane

calfmuscle wrote: »

There is bad advice in literally every post above. Plus either your two physios are crap, your not doing your exercises, your doing something that keeps reinjurying your back or your expectations are wrong!

You need to see a good physio, work on your programme and I mean work on it! If they are telling you to lie on your tummy every hour then do it!

All of this.

Go to a good physio who will give you a set of stretches and exercises and do exactly what they tell you to do.

cletus van damme

calfmuscle wrote: »

There is bad advice in literally every post above. Plus either your two physios are crap, your not doing your exercises, your doing something that keeps reinjurying your back or your expectations are wrong!

You need to see a good physio, work on your programme and I mean work on it! If they are telling you to lie on your tummy every hour then do it!

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

All of this.

Go to a good physio who will give you a set of stretches and exercises and do exactly what they tell you to do.

humour me and point out what I said that was "bad"

jlm29

cletus van damme wrote: »

humour me and point out what I said that was "bad"

Me too please!

calfmuscle

cletus van damme wrote: »

humour me and point out what I said that was "bad"

Giving generic exercise advice that may increase his symptoms and suggesting acupuncture for an acute injury.

Alf Veedersane

cletus van damme wrote: »

humour me and point out what I said that was "bad"

I was just referring to the crap physios bitso maybe 'all' isn't correct.

But with a slipped disk, I'd be inclined to only take advice from a good physio who has assessed it directly just because it's something you can't afford to get wrong

Tipsygypsy

Agree with above. Find a good Physio and follow their instructions to the letter.

My torn disc has benefitted from Physio, massage, swimming and yoga (with a very experienced instructor) over the years. That said its been recurrent for 6 years and even as I type I'm immobile awaiting nerve root injections.

Good luck with it. I know your pain.

cletus van damme

calfmuscle wrote: »

Giving generic exercise advice that may increase his symptoms and suggesting acupuncture for an acute injury.

really :rolleyes:
maybe you should read what I wrote then.

the acupuncture fixed me where physio failed.

but yeah go ahead
- blast the guy who lived through it, fixed it and is now 100% pain free.

flynn2426

Thanks for all the advice guys, was at the doctor and she reckons I need an MRI that a slipped disc usually heals by itself in 6-8 weeks, gonna try one more physio first cheers guys

Alf Veedersane

flynn2426 wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice guys, was at the doctor and she reckons I need an MRI that a slipped disc usually heals by itself in 6-8 weeks, gonna try one more physio first cheers guys

Where are you based?

Might get some recommendations.

brownej

flynn2426 wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice guys, was at the doctor and she reckons I need an MRI that a slipped disc usually heals by itself in 6-8 weeks, gonna try one more physio first cheers guys

Unfortunately a slipped disc may never heal. I've had mine for a long time but with proper management its fine (most of the time)
An MRI will show you exactly which disc is damaged and how badly and if it is directly impacting a nerve. MRIs are relatively cheap to get done however your health insurance company is unlikey to cover it unless the MRI shows nerve issues.

A good physio will be able to give you exercises to do and assess how bad it is. you will probably need to go multiple times or even go on a regular if infrequent basis. A good physio will know more about these issues than your local GP, unless your GP is specialised in this area.

Keeping and maintaining a strong core is very beneficial for lower back issues. Alot of people benefit from pilates (I know I do). Your physio will advise what you can do and when you can do it. Doing random exercises from the internet or popping along to a pilates class is not advisable until your physio tells you that its safe to go.