Slipped disc...

[star-warrior]

I was using a long handled shovel and brush today and stooped over a little when *pop* a noise in my lower back saw me sprawled in agony over the sofa. It was excruciating.

The place the disc popped is about a hand's width above my buttocks, so standing up and moving my legs and feet in the car caused problems as well as trying to move from A to B.

After some strong painkillers the pain is still there but less so, thankfully. My back and hips are tired of the way I had to stand to be in a position where the stabbing pains are least... I wonder if you guys have any tips on excercises I could try to help.


TIA

 

[neditesjamais]

Been there. But mine has been from a sneeze or cough. Or getting out of a chair. Or bed.

From your description, it sounds like it's in your lumbar, the lower of 3 portions of the spine. It would not necessarily be a disk--could be lots of other possibilities, many of them muscular, not skeletal.

Any swelling and burning? Take anti-inflamatories to bring it down. Ibuprofin, naproxin, there are others. Ice packs for 20 minutes will also help bring down the flame. It my seem like a hot bath or shower or a heat pad would be good, but not if it's inflamed muscles. Did it wrong for years myself.

If you're at the keyboard, you're moving, so that's good. Keep moving and try not to get stuck in a weird position to do it. I always call it the paperclip stance. Holding everything tight to avoid hurting may actually continue to stress the very part you want to relax. Again, counterintuitive, but true.

I've gotten great help with massage therapy and less so with physical therapy. PTs are usually aligned with MDs and many you can't get in to see without first going through a doctor. CMTs--good ones--can tell what's going on under the surface by touch and treat and manipulate accordingly. I see one twice a week and is worth every cent I pay.

Last idea to consider. If you live near a race track, consider tracking down one of the vets who works on the horses. They are experts at treating muscles because their patients are VERY touchy, VERY expensive, and they can't talk. Really.

good luck.

ned

 

[KaraBulut]

Been there. But mine has been from a sneeze or cough. Or getting out of a chair. Or bed.

From your description, it sounds like it's in your lumbar, the lower of 3 portions of the spine. It would not necessarily be a disk--could be lots of other possibilities, many of them muscular, not skeletal.

Any swelling and burning? Take anti-inflamatories to bring it down. Ibuprofin, naproxin, there are others. Ice packs for 20 minutes will also help bring down the flame. It my seem like a hot bath or shower or a heat pad would be good, but not if it's inflamed muscles. Did it wrong for years myself.

If you're at the keyboard, you're moving, so that's good. Keep moving and try not to get stuck in a weird position to do it. I always call it the paperclip stance. Holding everything tight to avoid hurting may actually continue to stress the very part you want to relax. Again, counterintuitive, but true.

To add to the above- the general rule is ice and bed rest for about 48 hours and then start moving again- even if it hurts. Inactivity will make the soreness worse- even if it seems illogical.

If you haven't had an MRI or a CT, see your doctor and get one so that you know what you're dealing with and how bad it is. If you can avoid surgery, do so.

Beyond that- try everything and figure out what works for you- chiropracty, massage therapy, physical therapy, yoga... different things work for different people.

 

[BiMike]

It has happened to me twice. After seeing the Doc and being given ineffective painkillers a friend recommended a local Chiropractor who diagnosed the problem and cleared it up in three sessions, costing me about £200 in the UK.
The problem re-occured a year later and that time a couple of visits cleared it up. He warned me that having the weakness in my spine it could re-occur but touch wood I have been OK now for over three years.
One easy exercise he taught me was to stand up straight , legs apart with hands on hips. Bend back and forth for several minutes so forming an arch in your back. You probably will not be able to do it now ! At one stage before I saw the guy I ended up lying on the floor unable to move with cramp in both my legs!
I think you will need some treatment otherwise it will probably take a few weeks to clear up on its own.
Best of luck . I feel for you!
PS I see you are in the UK. The standard treatment in the UK is for your GP to prescribe the strongest painkillers that he is allowed to, but these are usually ineffective! There is a wait of several weeks to see a NHS Phsyso and generally it self heals in a few weeks! I recommend you go private for some treatment.

 

[star-warrior]

Thanks guys, you might well be right that it is the lumbar region. I've had to keep active these couple of days. I'm slowed to a snail's pace, but the pain is currently manageable.

I've tried to straighten my spine by using the door lintel and pulling my upper body up to take some of the weight off my lower back. The stabbing pain I initially experienced hasn't occured again. It does feel sore, and because I've had to keep active with a family and chores, it's kinda helped in a way. But I'm kinda lop sided when I walk. It's made other parts of the lower back feel rather stiff and tired.

Have you seen pregnant ladies lowering themselves down? I kinda like that at the moment too. Lying down makes it worse, especially when trying to get up. I've preferred to stand.

Whilst speaking to my bro last night, he suggest I lie down on a hard flat floor on my back and draw up the knee towards my chin. I'm not sure about that in case I exacerbate the problem.

Last night, a hot shower did wonders to relax me. Unfortunately, we don't keep ice cubes in the freezer. I wish I had some, lol.

 

[neditesjamais]

Frozen vegetables make excellent ice bags. Peas are the best, but corn (maize) and beans will work, too. Alternating heat and ice is good, too. 20 minutes of each.

Sure feeling for you.

 

[KaraBulut]

Frozen vegetables make excellent ice bags. Peas are the best, but corn (maize) and beans will work, too. Alternating heat and ice is good, too. 20 minutes of each.

Sure feeling for you.

There's also gel packs that you can get at most drug stores. They're handy to keep in the freezer for life's little mishaps.