What is the best non-surgical way to alleviate lower back pain associated with bulging discs in the L4/L5/S1?

Question

I have a bulging disc in my L4/L5, and L5/S1. I have had two epidurals, but none of them really worked. The pain shoots down my leg and through my hamstring and peraformis (sp?) muscle along the sciatic (sp?) nerve. I bought an inversion table, which helped a little bit, but still have back pain whenever I stand or sit. Ugh! I'm open to any suggestions that anyone might have, short of putting a bullet in my head to end my chroic pain :)

Answer 1

I also have chronic pain and have had thousands of dollars in tests done to find out there is slight bulging. But I get pain in my hips, sciatica and at the sacraI area. I have a dificult time sleeping at night, trying to find comfort. I see an ostepathic physican who has done manipulations and he said they can actually shoot steroids in me to stop the pain if it gets bad.
I was thinking of a tens unit. Massage is a temporary relief.
I use those pain patches (menthol) which seem to really help.
I use aspirin or ibuprofen on a pretty regular basis also.

Answer 2

Sorry. Surgery is the only way to alleviate the pain. It's an outpatient procedure, so what's your problem. You'll be up walking around the next day (of course, you'll be in pain from the surgery, but compared to the back pain you feel now, the pain is different and nothing compared to what you're going through now). Vicodin will alleviate the pain, but then you'll get addicted to pain medication. Have the surgery... it's worth it. My husband had the same problem and he had two discs "shaved" down to alleviate the pressure on the ciatic (sp?) nerve, which sent that pain shooting down his leg to the tip of his big toe. He was a jerk to me too because he was always in pain. Don't live your life in pain when surgery will save you in the long run. If insurance is a problem... sorry to hear about that. The cost is substantial. Vicodin helped my husband until the surgery and immediately afterward. He walked out of the hospital (the same day of the surgery) and walked the next day. After a week, he was walking around the block, which is the best thing for that type of surgery. He also took 3 years off from work while I worked to support us and our son. Good luck and I highly recommend surgery for you. Don't wait any longer... have the surgery... I promise you... your life is worth living after having this surgery. My husband is a plumber and went back to plumbing and is making more than I was while I was working. You're worth it. Please get help... I know how you must feel. It's terrible living in pain, especially constant and unrelentless. Please save yourself.

Answer 3

Dx9000 Spinal Decompression

Answer 4

There is a new procedure, non surgical called
DRX 9000 - it opens the spine. See below

Throughout the development and manufacturing process we have continued to make exhaustive efforts to ensure the quality of our hardware and software. Scientific proven techniques were at the core of the creation of the DRX9000™ By combining technology and science, today's physician can offer patients an effective alternative to surgery.

With a majority of the population experiencing back pain at least once in their lifetime, lower back pain is the most common ailment facing healthcare providers today. In the past physicians were faced with limited resources for successful treatment. With the age of technology and the low success rate of surgery, patients have become more educated to alternative treatment for back pain relief. This changing trend is evident by the billions of dollars spent each year on alternative healthcare. Can you offer your patients a highly successful, non-surgical alternative treatment?


With a vast range of treatment protocols, physicians can now offer more patients lower back pain relief. The DRX9000™ is designed to relieve pressure on the anatomical structures that cause lower back pain. This non-surgical procedure was developed for the treatment of pain and disabling lower back conditions caused by disc herniations, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, and posterior facet syndrome.



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FDA 510(k): K060735

Indications for use
The DRX9000™ True Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression System provides a primary treatment modality for the management of pain and disability for patients suffering with incapacitating low back pain and sciatica. It is designed to apply spinal decompressive forces to compressive and degenerative injuries of the spine. It has been found to provide relief of pain and symptoms associated with herniated discs, bulging or protruding intervertebral discs, degenerative disc disease, posterior facet syndrome and sciatica.

Answer 5

There's something called Lordex, it's like an inversion table but you lie on a table with a harness on your pelvis while the table separates by VERY tiny increments.

You need to ask your local chiropractor or call around in your area to see if there are drs. that use this. They will usually be chiroprators or someone who specializes in spinal diseases and treatments.

Answer 6

Have you considered going to a chiropractor? I had back problems so bad, it almost drove me crazy. I made regular visits to a chiropractor. It took years and lots of prescribed exercises. I am now pain free, but have to be careful about what I do. Sometimes my back goes out. A few extra visits to the chiropractor does the trick.

Answer 7

I'm not sure if it's the dx9000 but i had what they call decompression therapy, been good for 7 years. It's worthchecking into.

Answer 8

1

Answer 9

Did you already tried Back Pain Relief 4 Life mechanism? Go to this url : http://BackPainInstantRelief.com/ . This is able to extremely manage one and all!

Answer 10

If you're overweight... lose the excess. Here's what else works:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0684852527/103-7015834-9183013?v=glance&n=283155