The little zaps could be muscle spasms but they are normally painful. How do you know you have bulging discs? What kind of diagnostic test were run? Tell us a little more please it would be helpful. Fwiw i've had two spine surgeries, and as I write this I know of two bulged discs and one herniated in my own back. Most of the time these can be treated conservatively, ie physical therapy, manipulation (chiropractor) but you really need to know what is wrong before making any decisions. Have you seen a neurosurgeon yet? Let us know a little more and maybe we can give you some advice on how to procede.

I had a mri the past may that's where they saw two buldging disc.The neurosurgeon said it would clear up and and said I didn't need surgery.I was happy and he sent me to pt for a month.That was a year ago.I went to see another Dr. And he did an epidural on me.That was awful,very painful and took about 2 weeks before it went back to my regular pain.Will not do that again it did not help.My back is tender and hurts everyday.If I take enough advil it can get me through the day.I wear heat packs to work and that helps.I can't do alot of things any more ,the silmple everyday things hurt me.The twinges do not hurt they just scare me.Seams like something is going on and of course i.M going on vacation next week for 2 weeks and hope for the best.I want to try a cyropractor or actupressuer(spelling) when I get back,because the Dr.S are not helping.Thanks for your help rose

Bella

i don't want to sound discouraging to you. I don't know if you know this or not, but about 50% of the population have herniated or bulged discs, out of that percentage about 90% don't even know it. What i'm saying is the bulging discs may or may not be the problem. If the bulge isn't enough to cause stenosis, then I would say the problem lies somewhere else. Either arthritis, or just age, i'm 36 have had two fusions and neither of them were for the herniations at those areas, I have some bad bone and we are trying to stabilize my spine. Honestly, some hot packs, rest and strengthening exercises should be adequate. If you would like you can email me and i'll explain the regiment I have done, with alot of success. Good luck. I also think a chiro may do wonders for you. Good luck and enjoy your vacation.

You don't sound discouraging at all.Actually you make me feel that I will be ok.The dr, also told me that almost everyone has buldging disc and I do have some arrthirus in my spine.He also said most people also have arthirus in the spine to.I hurt my back just twisting to reach for something.The pain was awful like i've never have had before it got a little better but has hurt all thus time.I guess I want to be like I was before this happened and it doesn't look good.The twinges have been something new and I was worried,but I guess it will go away hopefully.Thanks for your email it is a comfort to talk to someone who has been there alot.I wish you lots of luck and I think I will try a chiro.

Bella3 ~

disabledcoastie is a very comforting person with very good advice. Disabledcoastie has been a wonderful asset to my board and a great member as well. :)

imshirl

Thank you very much.I will

I also was told I have a bulged disk. Have you done any exercise on your own? It has helped me a lot. I have been trying real hard to get my back in shape. I bought some yoga videos which helped tremendously. I also have an ab lounge machine that I bought and use and an eliptical machine. Dont give up! I have had back problems starting about 2 or 3 years ago. I am only 37 and am fed up with it. I decided I must do something about it. It wont get better on its own.



Mark

Yes I do stretches every day but if I over do it I am in pain for a few day so i'm careful.I would like to do some that are right for me but not sure which one.Thanks

Bella,

send me a private message with your email address and i'll send you some exercises that will help in your recovery.

Disabledcoastie,

can you post those exercises so maybey more of us can learn from you?

I would like to have the exercise.I have also been having pins and needles feeling in my back which is very weird feeling.I hope it goes away soon.Thank you!

Hi there! Just try to be careful of some chiropractors(sp) one was working on me one time and he said oops and I felt it, of course, I could not prove anything, especially being in the back, he just said that he felt that he could no longer help me anymore and I agreed and left the office in agony. There is good and bad in all specialties, I have learned to do my own p.T., yoga, light pilates. An elderly man told me one time that "growing old ain't for sissies," I have learned how true that really is as I live in pain a lot and do the best I can and just hope tomorrow will be better.
Good luck to all of you!

Blue,

i would love to, however the associated pictures text and etc, the file is large and don't think it will be able to be posted. I will try to expain them however when I have a little more time to devote to the task than I do today.

Thanks disabledcoastie,

ill be waiting for your information. As far as my opinion on chiros, they did not do a whole lot for me excepty string me along and take my money. I have seen 2 different ones. What has helped me the most is stretching and exercise. I can recommend 3 different yoga videos that have helped me losen my muscles and helped regain strength in my back. I also use an eliptical machine and an ab lounge machine that I bought. The 3 vodeos I like are yoga zone "stretching for flexability", yoga zone " yoga for a strong and healthy back" and anchor bay's 'healing yoga for aches and pains". I like these because they are more for beginners and the instructers move slow on the routines. They also dont have you do anything crazy that would allow you to hurt yourself. I have other videos but dont care for them because if I kept up with the instructers I probly would hurt myself.

Thanks for the info on the yoga tapes bluefastback! Also looking forward to the excercises from disabledcostie.
How long have you had a bad back bluefastback ?Thanks again

Hi bella3,
my problems started 3 years ago. I am an auto mechanic who spends a lot of time bending and twisting my body. My first injury was from bending over a fender working on an engine for a long period of time I then went to slightly twist my body and all of a sudden I had a sharp pain in my lower back. I did not seek medical attention at that time. I did not think that I could have really hurt myself. I was wrong. I just took it easy for a while and wore a back support on and off. Second time 1 years latter my back was getting sore for a week and then I helped my girl friend move some furniture. That was a huge mistake. Massive sharp pain in lower back. I could barely walk. This time I went to the chiro. He took xrays and told me a couple of months I would be better. When I would ask how much longer do I have to see him he would say not much longer your back is looking better. I kept asking if I should be doing any stretching or exercise. Nope dont do that . After 7 months I stopped seeing him and went to someone else. I seen the new chiro for 3-4 months and then stopped. I could not afford it and thought if I lighten up my activities I would get better. 3 months latter I woke up and could not get out of bed. Massive pain in my lower back and right leg was numb. I then went to a regular doctor that the insurance company wanted me to see. He took xrays and gave me aspirine and muscle relaxers and strarted me on physical therepy. That was a joke. After 3 -4 weeks and I was not better, the doctor sent me to a specialist who deals with back injuries. The new doctor gave me an e.M.G. And told me I had a bulging disk. I now wish I had an mri done. That seems to really tell the doctors whats going on with back problems. I seen him and at p.T. For 4 months. He did give me muscle relaxers and an anti-inflamatory to take. I dont think they did much. They relaesed me from there and told me I was almost completly healed and that I could continue doing exercises and stretching at home. So I was released. So 6 moths of on and off back and leg problems I had enough. I have done a lot of research on the internet and as of 1-1-06 I told myself that enough was enough. I am 37 years old and should not feel like 107. I lost my job and insurance in september. I having been trying very hard to do daily exercise, stretching, maintain good posture, sleep on my back. All these thing I feel are helping. When I started doing yoga I did not realize how stiff my back and legs were. Also how weak my back and legs were. I have seen great improvement amd realize it is a long and slow recovery. Back injuries wont heal themselves. Im trying to get myself in shape so I can go back to work and not reinjure it again and lead a normal life again. Well, thats my story.

This whole back thing is really life changing.I'm 55 and have been super active so it's pretty depressing.I also do light stretches night and morning with a heating pad before I get out of bed. It's been a year for me I did have an mri which I had to ask for and they said I had two buldging disc and I can feel excatly where they are.Dr. Said I would be fine with some pt.Not! I have done all I can.I also twisted my back just turing to grab a brush,the worst pain of my life. I have always done alot of heay lifting and not thinking anything about it,after a year i,m still doing the light stretches because if I do anything new i.M in pain for up to a week.I will try one of the yoga tapes. There has to be something that can help.Stay strong and keep up your yoga.Bella

Hey guys,

sorry it has taken me so long to reply, i've been running around to doc's and doing aqua therapy and just haven't taken the time to write.


Exercises

#1 wall stretch, stand with your back against the wall and squat, then stand repeat 5 times

#2cat stretch, get down on all fours and raise your back (like a cat does when cornered) and the hyper extend the other way, repeat 5 times

#3 permaforma stretch, sit with your back flat against the wall, stretch your legs out in front of you. Take one of your legs and cross with your foot at the opposing legs knee, and pull the crossed knee(the one raised up) toward you to stretch your hip and thigh, do other leg, you should feel your sciatic nerve stretching, hold this stretch to a count of ten and release, switch legs and repeat, do 5 reps each leg.


#4 flat leg lay flat on your back and raise on leg vertically at a time, you should use your stomach as much as possible, this will stretch the hamstring and strengthen your stomach, do 5 reps each leg

#5 while laying on your back, raise one knee at a time and pull toward your chest hold the stretch 5 reps each leg

#6 while laying on your back pull both knees toward your chest hold the stretch 5 reps

#7 pelvic tilt, while laying on your back, pull your pelvis upward using only your stomach muscles, do 10 of these

#8 since you are on your back, do 20 crunches

#9 sitting with your back flat against the wall, lay your legs out in front of you, spread them and try to reach your toes, hold the stretch do 5 reps

#10 stand and twist side to side

important note: these are posted for information only as stretches that were given to me to perform. Use these at your own risk, use common sense if it increases your pain stop immediately. These exercises can reduce some leg symptoms and if you can strengthen your stomach muscles can relieve some back pain. I have used these with mixed results, i've been through therapy more times than I can count, sometimes they have helped sometimes they haven't. Good luck

My hubby also has bulged disk in back. I can tell you this. At first 2 yrs ago when his injury 1st happened he saw a chiro. And it helped, he closed his l&i claim then about a month later it got worse. Now he has arthritis in his back and has been outtta work since 11/05 and has to be retrained in a new field of work. This is the other thing I know. I got on the internet and did my own research this is what I found. With back injuries like this after a long period of time the muscles become I guess you could say outtta wack. A chiro only manipulates the bone!!!!! What needs to happen is the muscles have to move as well. In pt for hubby they would send him home with tape on his sides this was stretching the muscles back to where they needed to be. Chiros do help but for injuries like this no!!! A good pt is one of your best options