If you have a disc bulge, it is possible for it to heal on it's own in time, with conservative treatments, but sometimes they don't and then some surgical intervention is needed.

Even if it did heal on it's own though, I don't know if you would be able to return to weight lifting.

The problem is this.

You do not know what is wrong with your spine, so to advise you as to what is wrong or what to do is not possible, nor are we doctors to be able to fully diagnose you.

Since you say you have no health insurance and can't afford to pay the bills out of your own pocket, you might try the emergency room of a major hospital to be seen.
That way you might be able to get some idea of a possible diagnosis and a possible direction to go for the medical care that you need. You might even end up with an MRI of your spine by going to the ER.

Beyond that, there really isn't much any of us can tell you about what is wrong with your spine.

The only other suggestions I have is to not continue running, weight training or any other type of exercise.
Without knowing what is and isn't wrong with your spine, any of these things could potentially make your spine and whatever problem you have worse.

You could try some ibuprofen for your pain, it may help to reduce the inflammation as well.

You can try ice to help relieve the pain.

If ice doesn't work, you can try moist heat.

Beyond any of that, there is nothing else that can be advised.

As for your question on how long it can take for a disc to heal on it's own, it could be several months if it does and that would usually involve physical therapy with a trained physical therapist, and if that doesn't work, then epidural spinal injections can be tried or a course of a medrol steroid pack.

If none of that helps, then the discussion goes to surgery.

Good luck

Fran

Hi there

I feel you need to drink more clean water.
The Psoas muscle runs from T12 and all the lumbar vertebrae to the inside upper part of the thighbone (Greater trochanter) It holds the natural curvature in the middle and lower spine by pulling the lumbar section forward and downwards. This muscle works on the kidney meridian energy.
When we become dehydrated this muscle goes into under energy and foreshortens, pulling the lumbar section of the spine forward and down. The pivot point would be at L3. The upper lumbar vertebra will move slightly forward, and the lower lumbars slightly backwards. This causes friction at T12 and L5
and affects the whole sacroiliac joint.
The hamstrings attach on the lower part of the pelvis (ischium) and the nerve that controls the hamstrings exits the spine at L5.
Nerve impediments at that level will foreshorten the hamstrings making them prone to injury.
Don't drink coloured soft drink as they tend to dehydrate. You might have a problem digesting water because of a chlorine allergy. In that case get a filter.
Massage a couple of neuro lymphatic points on the spine just above the waist level with the lowest rib. You can do this with your knucles. do this about 10 times a day for 30 seconds at a time. We can't massage the muscle itself, because it is inside the pelvis behind the viscera so have to use trigger points. The next 2 points are on the bony protuberances on the back of the pelvis (PSIS's) This will reset the spindles in the hamstrings

Good luck

kinetico

Since you dont have health insurance, find out how you would be charged for chiropractic adjustments. I dont know how much they charge where you are but here, mine charges $35.00 per adjustment without insurance. Many of them will more than likely work with you on the charge and payments. I pay monthly. It may take 12 adjustments but it will be worth it. Sounds like you have a pinched nerve or buldging disc like me.