Herniated disc material....

[life-lover]

My physio said to me last week that a herniated disc can generally be managed and eventually recovered from, through continued exercise. She also said that material from inside the disc that is pushed out when a herniation occurs can be 'squashed' back in through specific movements and exercises.

I wondered if anybody had heard of this happening before?

Dan

 

[bullsfootball]

Hi,

The body absorbs the material that comes out of the disc over a length of time. The exercises can move the bulge away from the nerves.

A good exercise for this is the back extention.

Lay on your front and push your upper body up with your arms keeping your hips on the floor. Hold for a few seconds then lower. To start with do a few sets of 8 then build it up.

You also need to do some hamstring stretchs as these will become tight and your sciatic nerves will tighten as well.

Hope these help

Olli

 

[J-Dawn]

Cheers Olli

I've been doing the back extension, but it doesnt feel like its doing anything; there isnt even a feeling of stretching. But I will look at doing some hamstring stretches.

Dan

 

[stormeve8]

It doesn't feel like its doing much but it does. It slowly and safely moves the disc away from the nerves.

Hamstrings: lay on back, lift one leg towards you with your hands behind your thigh for support, pull leg towards you slowly and try and straighten your leg, if you cann't it doesn't matter just do your best, hold for 30 seconds then lower slowly. change legs and do the same. Do 3 lots on each leg.

Olli

 

[Pompal 09.]

Sorry to persist.

Went back to the physio last week and she said that she had given me some twisting exercises that had probably aggravated the condition. No problem, she advised me to do a different set which seem to be having a ‘LITTLE’ effect, but still it seems to be something.

I wondered what the experience was of others who have recovered from sciatica. Has anyone suffered from severe (and I do mean severe) sciatica and recovered by way of exercises? If so, how long did it take and was the recovery noticeable or did it sort of get better without you realising?

Sorry to keep going on but I would so, so, so appreciate any advice anyone could give me.

I just really need reassurance that I can exercise my way out of this….

 

[Pompal 09.]

Today I was listening to a podcast I recorded from the BBC website about back pain. (Medical Matters Case Notes May 27)

The programme maker had a problem with a disc causing considerable pain in his leg. This was shown under MRI to be a small fragment of the capsule (if I recall properly) which was ejected when the disc bulged. This piece was trapping the nerve.

Back problems should right themselves in about six weeks apparently and beyond that it's probably worth visiting your GP.

Try the podcast for interest if not applicability if you've not got the same problem....

 

[BilligCialis]

Cheers Mac.

Have been back and forth to the GP and am currently going through physio while being prescribed 800mg of modified release Ibruprofen. But I'm still at a loss as to whether or not my regime of exercise will resolve the problem in a noticable period of time or whether its a case of keep doing the exercises for 6, 12, 18, 24 months until the sciatica simply ebbs away.

 

[locationdesalleb[sn]

There has been a development in my situ.

Last night I lay on my front after having a warm shower and I did my stretches but in addition to my normal routine, I tried something different. I clasped hold of my feet while laying on my stomach and pulled as if to bring them up to meet the back of my head. I did this a couple of times and then went back to my normal exercises.

Today, there has been a noticible reduction in the severity of the sciatica and I wondered (if this isnt too much of a silly question) is this a good sign?

Cheers,

Dan

 

[llpvmlwm]

Hi,

Could be but you will have good days and bad days. I would ask a physio if its a good stretch.

I hope it is a good sign and if it helps i would keep doing it but get some advice first.

Olli