A few years ago I had severe sciatica and MRIs showed that I had bulges or tears in a couple of lumbar discs. A couple of days ago, I was doing a forward stretch in yoga and since then I've had some pain, but only when I get up from a seated position and at certain movements. The pain is very mild and I have not felt the need for medication or have not curtailed my activities, except for not doing all the exercises I usually do. But I am getting pins and needles (paresthesia) on the bottom of one foot, which probably indicates sciatic nerve involvement.
However, when I had sciatica in the past, I had severe pains in my leg. I have no pain there now.
I am not insured right now and want to know if I can just rest and the herniated disc will heal or if I must have medical care if the symptoms do not worsen. (I do understand that cauda equina syndrome symptoms are a medcal emergency.)
Can I get away with not seein a doctor? Should I stop exercising and stretching?
2007-01-04 03:59:27 · 9 answers · asked by Richard G 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
Most people have some degree of bulging disks in their spine and many don't have symptoms from them. The fact that you only have experienced this pain for a couple of days says to me that you probably don't need medical treatment for it right now. But rest is not actually what you should be doing to treat it -- you need to keep moving (gently!), not lie in bed or do a lot of vegging out on the couch. Try to walk around as much as you can and do some gentle stretches a couple of times a day (nothing that seems to make the pain worse, however). Once the pain is better, you might consider adding a regular routine of Pilates to help strengthen your core muscles, which in turn will protect your back and spine from future injury.
If the pain worsens, or if it doesn't improve after a few weeks of gentle movement and TLC, then you might want to consider seeing a doctor for a referral to physical therapy.
In the interim, you might also try applying hot and cold packs to your back where the pain is (alternate the two), and if you can tolerate it, try some ibuprofen for the inflammation and pain.
Good luck!
2007-01-04 04:05:45 · answer #1 · answered by Meg 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lol....it's called chiropractic. But it's not an "alternative" treatment for herniated discs. It's the main treatment. As in its the first thing that should be done before considering surgery unless the region is either unstable (a life threatening risk of damaging the spinal cord) or shows signs of cauda equina syndrome (means the blood flow to the nerve is cut off and it could be permanently damaged). Look into someone who does Cox Distraction technique. Surgery is what you do if more conservative treatments fail. Most of the time, they get the job done.
2016-03-29 07:24:45 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had an MRI some years ago and found out I had herniated disc's. I opted not to have surgery since it was not a necessity as long as I could withstand the discomfort. Since that time I have read about laparoscopic and spinal decompression procedures that may correct my condition. In late November I read the results of a study that indicated that patients that did not have surgery fared about the same as the ones that did. So I'll keep waiting.
I don't think anyone can advise you, not knowing your exact condition other than to say see a doctor. Check out the following web site, it has a lot of good information....
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/herniateddisk.html
2007-01-04 05:49:55 · answer #3 · answered by Ret68 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Richard I had one at the L5 in 2000. I had the surgery and it worked great for a while. I know have a sore back all of the time but before I could not even walk at times. It also depends on what disc it is. Have you try therapy for it. I had that and they stretch it, and spinal shots before I went for the surgery. Everybody here will have different answers and results, the best bet is to talk with several doctors including a chiropractor.
2007-01-04 04:15:33 · answer #4 · answered by larry j 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep up with your exercises.
The only treatment other than surgery is pain meds, but you said you don't think you need them.
For your feet, look at your shoes, are they worn and need replacing? That may be all you need.
The pins and needles may pass in a few hours, as the nerve may have been irritated.
2007-01-04 04:05:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You really should get this checked out to be sure there isn't more damage than you realize. Since you have bulges already diagnosed I am wondering why you didn't get them taken care of when they were first diagnosed? Anytime you have pins and needles it needs to be checked out though.
2007-01-04 04:04:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am sure that a physical therapist can tell you what moves you made to cause this problem.
You can exercise to help but the only cure is surgery, check with your doctor to see if he recommend surgery then get a second opinion
2007-01-04 04:27:04 · answer #7 · answered by Wicked 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
1
2017-02-26 00:42:28 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it would be better to go to doc and get checked out, just in case
better to be safe than sorry
as soon as you get insurance, go to doc
be careful with your activities now, and be safe
dont stop, just be careful
2007-01-04 04:02:13 · answer #9 · answered by darkshadow300200 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋