Herniated Disk

[freeztar]

On Monday, I injured my back by bending over to pick something up when I felt a stabbing pain in my lower back. I've since been bed-ridden with ice and aspirin. The first day I could hardly walk. Making a trip to the bathroom required that I walk half-hunched over with my hands on my knees. Every step sent pain into my lower back and occasionally shooting down my legs (sometimes just one, sometimes both). Today, I woke up screaming as I apparently attempted to move my leg in my sleep and my body didn't like that idea and let me know it! It took several minutes and much pain to even squeeze the ice pack underneath me. Yet, since then (and a lot of aspirin and ice), it's been better and I just made a trip to the kitchen with relative ease and little to no pain (as long as I was careful of how I walked).

 

My wife works at a alternative medicine clinic (accupuncture, chiropractic, massage, etc.). She spoke with the chiro there and she said the symptoms sound like a herniated disk. I have an appointment with her tomorrow at 9, if I'm able to make it (syptoms have been the worst in the morning).

 

I read through this site and read many horror stories on this site, which worry me somewhat as I'm uninsured.

 

Many sources suggest getting an MRI to properly diagnose a herniated disk, but there is no way I can afford one right now. :shrug:

 

Any anecdotes regarding this are appreciated. I should know a little more tomorrow hopefully, but I figured until then it would be good to get some input and research scientific information regarding herniated disks.

 

I'm curious if anyone here has had experience with this. As I have yet to have a proper medical evaluation, I don't want to assume the worse but the symptoms do match the "immature-diagnosis" to a T.

[belovelife]

be really careful, i don't want to worry you, but if it is that bad, your spinal cord could be in jeapordy

although the actions you took have a slim chance of that possibility

i would still be careful

also, was it moving your leg or twisting your back

Human Body Muscle Diagram

if you look at these diagrams and cross refrence where your pain is

it may give you a better idea of what is wrong

 

remember muscles are attached to bones

 

and as you get older your bones become more brittle

 

but i once pulled a muscle in my back, and had similar symptoms

but in my case, it hurt for my body to hold my back staight up

and i had to lean to one side

 

(actually i had my friend who was attuned to reiki do some energy work

on my back and it got rid of it totally)

but that was like 10 years ago

 

but i would still get an MRI, it could mean your ability to walk

[pamela]

the clinic should at least be able to take an x ray as part of their protocol for treatment. Hopefully, this should show some of the problem. Sounds like your sciatic nerve is involved and that certainly can be the result of inflammation and pressure at a lower disc. If you can, take a warm bath in epsom salts this evening, this should help. Alternate ibuprofen after 4-6 hours after the aspirin. Read the attached link and see if you can identify with these symptoms and get some clarity:)

 

Sciatica - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Moontanman]

Dude, for something that serious you really should see a real doctor. Things like acupuncture, chiropractic, and massage might be ok for mild problems but you could be in real danger. when i was first injured I went to a chiropractor, he did all kinds of odd things and eventually made me much worse, it took a real doctor quite a bit of time to find out what was really wrong and i had no less than four real doctors tell me to never go to a chiropractor for acute problems and that i actually risked death if I allowed them to adjust my neck again. Acute pain should have been treated immediately with pain relievers, anti inflammatory and muscle relaxers. The idea that drugs cover up and and cause more problems is a myth.

[belovelife]

the thing is that the body produces pain as a signal something is wrong

if you take pain relievers and get rid of the pain

you could end up hurting yourself by exagerating the present problem

 

basically if you have a torn muscle

you could tear it more if you dull the pain

 

but i agree, chiropractors help for somethings

but in the case of a problem like that

you could sever your spinal chord or something like that

 

it is seriously worth going and at least getting x-rays

 

plus i know, at least here in san diego

you can go to a clinic and w/o insurance

get your x-rays just by filling a form of indigency

[pamela]

the chiropractic will take x rays and let you view them as well. Often, they will do this for free in order to get you in the door;)

Freeztar you are a sharp guy, look at the pic, you will be able to see if something is out of alignment. Most specialized doctors will work with you on setting up a payment plan, should you need therapy, injections, etc. Do not let lack of insurance get in the way of your health.Let us know the outcome tomorrow:)

[Moontanman]

the thing is that the body produces pain as a signal something is wrong

if you take pain relievers and get rid of the pain

you could end up hurting yourself by exagerating the present problem

 

Belove I have a tremendous amount of experience with pain. There is a big difference between pain relief and being drugged to the point of being able to hurt your self because you can't feel pain. If you don't believe me take a couple percocets and try to put your hand in a flame, pain relief in no way keeps you from feeling pain.

 

basically if you have a torn muscle

you could tear it more if you dull the pain

 

Highly unlikely, unless you were really trying to push yourself past any reasonable limits.

 

but i agree, chiropractors help for somethings

but in the case of a problem like that

you could sever your spinal chord or something like that

 

it is seriously worth going and at least getting x-rays

 

A real doctor is in order here, a chiropractor might help with a limited chronic problem but not acute pain or extreme injury, would you go for an adjustment if your leg was broken? I've been there tried that, chiropractic is not for severe injury. chiropractors rely on the fact that most modest injuries get better no matter what. Like a cure for the common cold that works in 5 to 7 days. Only a real doctor can give a real estimate of how badly you are hurt.

 

plus i know, at least here in san diego

you can go to a clinic and w/o insurance

get your x-rays just by filling a form of indigency

 

In most areas the emergency room of the local hospital will see you no matter of your ability to pay and free clinics help as well, oh were is free health care when you need it!

[freeztar]

Rather than answer each post individually, I'll respond to all in this post.

 

I'm definitely not taking any risks with this and did not mean to imply that chiropractic was the only course I plan to take. I actually have a chiro that I've been seeing for years, but I stopped going in October when my insurance was cut off because of unemployment. I'm quite familiar with chiropractic medicine and would never trust a chiro that did not suggest seeing another medical professional for situations beyond their ability. Btw, Moon, it sounds like you had a bad experience. When was it that this happened? Chiropractic medicine has matured quite a bit over the years. I certainly would advise interviewing *any* doctor you visit. There are good and bad docs in every speciality of medicine.

 

Tomorrow, instead of going to my chiro, I'm going to the clinic where my wife works because it will be free. She will do nothing more than palpate and give me traction.

 

In chiropractic traction-massage, the patient lies face up with a pillow under the knees. A system of rollers then moves up and down the spine, gently stretching and massaging the muscles of the back. Traction-massage usually is performed just before an adjustment to relax the spine, making the adjustment easier to perform, more comfortable, and more beneficial.

 

Many chiropractors also use more traditional traction in which traction devices are applied to elongate areas of the spine. This treatment helps separate the vertebrae resulting in disc decompression, reduced nerve root pressure, and decreased pain.

Chiropractic Therapies

 

My brother has had the same problem and he said that traction was very beneficial for him. I wouldn't mind getting an xray, but it wouldn't be free and comes with the additional cost of radiation coupled with the fact that xray is not a diagnostic means of identifying herniated disks. If the chiro recommends an MRI, I will get one somehow (freezy passes his hat around).

 

I tried the ibuprofen alternation with aspirin, but ibuprofen has never been very effective on me and I found that aspirin is much more effective in this case. I might try alternating with naproxen next. My brother recommended alternating with tylenol, but tylenol is not an anti-inflammatory.

 

Also, I'm quite certain that this is not sciatica (my wife deals with sciatica all the time and she would know right away) and I'm almost certain which lumbar and which muscles are involved. The benefit of having a wife as a massage therapy (besides the obvious benefit ) is that she can palpate and tell me which muscles she is touching when I react. :shrug:

 

I'm quite certain it is not serious in the sense of "not walking again" and such. In most likelihood, I'll return for some more traction sessions next week and hope that fixes things on its own.

 

Of course, prevention is the best medicine, so once I am better, I'm starting an exercise routine. I'm slightly overweight (out of shape) and this is just one more reason (the best) to shed some pounds and strengthen my muscles. I've read accounts of people having re-occurrences after getting better and not changing their lifestyle. This experience is a real eye-opener and I do not want to go through this again.

 

The above is the best case scenario I think. Fingers crossed that it doesn't take more than this.

 

Thanks for the comments everyone! ;)

I'll let you know how it goes.

[belovelife]

you know a good valerian root tea could help relax your muscles

so it they don't pull as much

although i don't know the reaction of the valerian root with anti-inflamitories

but even a little focused medatation to relax the muscles in your back could get rid of some of the pain

[freeztar]

you know a good valerian root tea could help relax your muscles

so it they don't pull as much

although i don't know the reaction of the valerian root with anti-inflamitories

but even a little focused medatation to relax the muscles in your back could get rid of some of the pain

 

Thanks belove. It's funny that you should mention that because my wife brought me home some supplements yesterday called MyoCalm. It's a mix of calcium, magnesium, passionflower, and valerian root. :)

 

They do seem to be helping. Matter of fact, I'm going to take a couple right now.

[belovelife]

this is a good reiki medatation

 

take 10 deep breaths

picture a crimson ball of warmpth at your heart

then visualize it slowly moving, just slow enought to feel the warmpth move with it

to your area of pain

then visualize the warm crimson ball moveing back and forth along the area

in a gentle massaging fashon

the whole time taking the time to have focused breathing

[pamela]

you had alot more info than you led on and a massage therapist to boot;) sounds like you have this under control. Let us know how it goes:)

[freeztar]

For several reasons, I didn't go to the chiro today. But, I got up today and am walking around at about 90% capacity! I'm still taking it easy and I still plan on going to the chiro next week, but I'm starting to think that it may heal on its own (I am still young). I'm wondering now though if maybe it's not a herniated disk? Is it normal for them to heal on their own, with the help of ice, dietary supplements, and down time? Could it be something else?

[Turtle]

For several reasons, I didn't go to the chiro today. But, I got up today and am walking around at about 90% capacity! I'm still taking it easy and I still plan on going to the chiro next week, but I'm starting to think that it may heal on its own (I am still young). I'm wondering now though if maybe it's not a herniated disk? Is it normal for them to heal on their own, with the help of ice, dietary supplements, and down time? Could it be something else?

 

Yes; could be. Hard to find a source not selling something, but this outfit looks innocuous enough:

 

Credentials: GlobalSpine - About Us - Our Mission

Our Mission

GlobalSpine was founded in 2002 by a group of health professionals in Christchurch, New Zealand.

 

The main goal to provide people with a comprehensive and unbiased resource for understanding, preventing, and seeking appropriate non-surgical treatment for spine and spine-related disorders. Now Globalspine covers back and spinal experts from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and many other countries.

 

Advice: Acute back pain: Immediate action by Globalspine.net

IMMEDIATE ACTION

An attack of acute back pain can be severe and disabling. It may immediately follow a strain, such as lifting an excessively heavy load or a fall. Sometimes, however, the effects of the injury may not become apparent until you wake the following morning and experience difficulty in getting out of bed because of pain and stiffness. In either case there are several measures you can rake to help relieve your symptoms and prepare yourself for an exercise program to speed recovery.

 

In general, any period of rest following an acute back problem should not last for more than 24-48 hours. Even during this rime try to encourage, if the pain allows some movement in your back - you may be able to do a gentle knee hug lying on your side. Once the pain has abated so that you can undertake a greater variety of movements, you can start to mobilize your back with some gentle exercises.

 

An early return to normal activities reduces the risk of your problem becoming a chronic condition. ...

 

Good luck. :evil:

[belovelife]

did you try that meditation (in your own form) ?

 

good to hear you feel better

[CraigD]

Sorry to hear about your injury, freeztar! ;)

For several reasons, I didn't go to the chiro today. But, I got up today and am walking around at about 90% capacity! I'm still taking it easy and I still plan on going to the chiro next week, but I'm starting to think that it may heal on its own (I am still young). I'm wondering now though if maybe it's not a herniated disk? Is it normal for them to heal on their own, with the help of ice, dietary supplements, and down time? Could it be something else?

A simple strain to the complicated system of muscles and tendons that support your spine, involving no injury to the spine or its connecting disks, can be a debilitating as you describe, and can heal on its own.

 

In such cases, over-the-counter meds that’re more muscle relaxant than anti-inflammatory, such as Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) rather than aspirin can be more effective (though, unlike aspirin, should not be used for long periods).

 

The upthread advice looks good to me. :hihi: I’ll add only that the definitive diagnostic tests for a damaged spine or spinal disk are a CT scan or an MRI. If you are un- or underinsured, this can be very expensive, so if you continue to feel 10+% better each day, I advise you to just keep doing what you’re doing (or not doing) until you’re completely recovered.

 

:D On a bright note, I’ve noticed that people who have had injuries like yours often gain respect for good lifting technique, and better yet, exercise to improve back strength. There appears to be some neurochemistry involved – pain actually enhances memory formation, so that you literally can’t forget to be more careful of your back in the future.

 

There’s evidence that this memory enhancing effect is general, so now could be the ideal time to study some difficult subject you’d like to retain unusually well. ;)

[freeztar]

That's interesting Craig. Do you have links to such studies?

 

(perhaps it would make for a good thread on its own?)