I like to post a more positive message here.
I too have what the doctor and mri says are 2 herniated and degenerated discs (l4,l5). First attack was about 6 weeks ago. I am satisfied with my progress todate and the only lingering problem is occasional buttock pain after prolonged standing or walking. But it will go away after a few minutes of rest.
I will like to post here what works for me and accepted also by the american audience.
Mckenzie exercises (backwards bending and no forward bending) is top of the list. I read somewhere that this backward pumping can even dislodge bone fragments and keep the bulge in check. Mckenzie exercise are also centralizing and this is good.
Gentle streching exercises to work the tendons and ligaments around lower body and legs. This is absolutely necessary.
Heat pad (after inflammation has gone) to reduce pain and encourage blood circulation.
Abdominal strengthening exercises but making sure no forward bending.
I do have other modalities but since they sound odd to american audiences, I will not mention them.
I change to sleeping on the floor with a thin mattress.
Extremely careful with postures.
The reason I post this is to encourage others to do more for themselves and it doesn't depend on others. I think a positive attitude also helps.
My doctor has been less than useless. All he told me was that degeneration cannot be reversed and that once bulged cannot revert.
Movements and gentle streching once the pain is tolerable is extremely important. Ignore this and there is no healing.
Inflamation is part of the body's healing process and not to be feared as long as it is not prolonged. One night about 2 weeks after the attack, I was woken up by a sudden inflammation (pain). I instantly recognised it as a healing reaction and was happy. I was sure I did not do any thing wrong that day. Sure enough, my healing accelerated after that night.
I hope this posting encourages and gives hope to others. Do the right things and the body will take care of itself. Man in its infinite wisdom invents a lot of machines and gives a lot of technical names but finally it is the body that has to heal itself.
