The appropriate place is with a physical therapist.

But, what you should really be doing first, is seeing a spine specialist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Your GP is not qualified to do anything more than read a radiology report of your CT scan.

Usually an MRI will be done to provide far better visual views of what is going on with your spine.

Once those tests are done, then a good spine surgeon attempts to match the images with your symptoms.

A reading of an MRI or CT scan is only a small part of the diagnosis of spine problems.

You need to take your CT scan pics and reading and see a spine surgeon first, before doing anything else.

Good luck

Fran

I agree with littleonefb.

Best to get some professional advice before starting an exercise program.




Tony

Hi there, I am 25 and have an L5 S1 lumbar discecotmy in 4 weeks time, I have been living with this horrendous pain for 6 months, It was only discovered after an ambulance ride to Hospital in the worst pain ive ever felt. I have been to physio, and I find that accupuncture works wonders (4 hours pain free - BLISS) I have about 6 needles usually. I agree that the disc pretrusion can only be seen by MRI, Try and insist that you get one. I wish anyone with this type of injury/pain well, I know all too well how much it hurts (makes grown women cry) I wish everyone well with their recoverys following operation - of which I have to have 6 weeks lifting NOTHING and being reliant on others for nearly everything.

I'll be back to good health 3 weeks before xmas....best present I could ever get.

Terri (New Zealand)

i've got L5,L6,hernated(buldging) aganist my siatica nerve.from my lower back,hip,testical,down the leg to my toe.At times i can't hardly get up, down walk. i live on all no prescription med.,cause i have bad habits with pills. the worst thing is my two toes next to my big toe goes into charlehorses and severe cramping.i had mri got 1 injection.as soon as i stood up i felt my toes and was wiggling them, an they felt great..wife thinks sugery will kill me!!

JonT,

I also have a disk bulge at L5/S1. This is my second major episode of sciatica and I can definately understand the situation. I am a nurse and if I am unable to resolve this problem without exercise, I will be unable to pursue my career (which I am VERY passionate about).

What I'll say first is surgery is ALWAYS a final option. The trauma of surgery (especially when it's not necessary) can sometimes make matters worse.

At first, once the cause has been found, it is best to go to your GP and get a referral to see an exercise physiologist or physiotherapist. They have the knowledge to be able to set out an exercise regime that will SLOWLY build up the strength in your back. The key is doing it slowly, and by seeing a professional they are able to instruct you on the exact way an exercise should be performed. (The pool is a great place to stretch and exercise because it takes the weight off your spine and allows for more comfortable movement.)

A big thing to remember is to NEVER go past the point of pain. As soon as you feel any twinge of pain, stop - return to a "neutral position" and rest. You are the best judge of your body and how it feels, so be aware of your body (its alignment and action of the muscles) and don't over do it!

You might find "back flexion" to be of some help if you have a bulged disk. But again, be very aware of the pain you feel during this - only go as far as you feel comfortable. If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't so stop. Just google back flexion and you'll be right. Start off doing 1 set of 10 reps daily (1 rep every 5-6 seconds). At first, you might feel an aching sensation in your lumbar/sacral area, however this should settle. Back flexion works by manipulating the bulging disk back into its proper place.

Good luck with everything mate. And ALWAYS get a second opinion, even a third.

Take care.

i'm going to see my third nerosurgon in 2 weeks the fisrt one said she could fix everything. the second on said they would not touch me. good luck.streching and straing don't help. get medical help.

this has been going on for 2 years plus c345 hernated none growing !spurs! an arthritis! naturally with the pinched nerve down to my finger an cold.this has been going on for 12 years. so is the neck causing more preasue on my lumbar to my toes get charlehorses