I have pain in one side of my lower body. it starts on my butt cheek, then down the hamstring and back of knee and down to my calf muscle. Also my foot is somewhat numb. I have to walk with a limp, I can sit down but it hurts to get up. Also, laying in bed hurts when I turn over. I have been to the Dr. and there is possibility of orthopedic surgery. Has anyone heard of not electing to have surgery, and have chiropractor or physical therapy/massage fix the problem? What about acupuncture will that correct the bulging disk. I saw the MRI and can see where it is a bulge, but the Dr. looks like she might be pushing surgery because it costs more money. Anyone have the same problem(s)? Serious answers by people who have had this problem before or doctors, please. Dont answer if you think you might know or are just guessing.
#1 by july on July 13, 2010 - 12:05 pm
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I had a bulging lumbar disc two years ago. In fact, it was probably partly-ruptured. I’m not sure, as my insurer refused to authorize an MRI. They also refused to pay for physical therapy. (They did send me a brochure called, “How To
Take Care Of Your Back” or some similarly-helpful title.)
Your pain sounds like the sciatic nerve http://www.gonstead.co.uk/Back-Pain/scia… is involved.
Although I’m extremely reluctant to give advice regarding lumbar injuries in a forum like this, this article on sciatica and exercises to address it may be helpful. http://www.spine-health.com/Wellness/Exe…
You may want to read more about sciatica, as most articles on sciatica address the cause as being injured lumbar discs.
I treated my back pain by putting myself on a physical therapy program (I’m a healthcare teaching assistant). After 3 months the pain had diminished.
Physical Therapy hurts. The exercises hurt. My suggestion is that you ask your physician whether he/she thinks a referral to Physical Therapy would help. Most PT’s have at least a Master’s Degree; some have PhD’s.
Surgery for this type of problem, in my opinion, should be done either in an emergency situation or as a “last resort” after methods like you mentioned have been tried.
#2 by mistify on July 13, 2010 - 1:17 pm
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I treat this type of problem several times a week. The easy answer is the vast majority can be helped if the right approach is used. Namely, can the pain be abolished or “centralized” with certain movements? This phenomenon can lend itself to a good prognosis. However, even those with constant pain deserve to be assessed unless there is a medical reason to not seek treatment.
Regarding the comment of the motor weakness in a post below: It is certainly something we have to take into consideration, but many times a focal motor deficit can be rapidly reversed with certain repeated movements and/or positioning. As long as the PT follows the established guidelines, no further harm should even ensue.
Those things being said, I would recommend you seek physical therapy from someone who is trained and certified in mechanical diagnosis and therapy. They will take you through a series of certain movements or positioning to see if, in fact, your condition is reversible (research estimates that about 70% are). In a randomized controlled trial, those patients who were given exercises that focused on movements that centralized their symptoms, 90% were much better or had complete relief within 2 weeks.
Surgery certainly might be indicated, but I would recommend you see a PT who practices this method. I’d hate to hear you went to surgery for a completely reversible condition. It is true that a small percentage are not reducible (termed “irreducible”), but it would be known within a few visits. Those are the people who tend to require surgery and/or cortizone injections.
Please visit: http://www.mckenziemdt.org for a credentialed PT or DC.
There are many different PT approaches to treating this type of problem, but this is the one supported by the most research.
#3 by Anonymous on July 13, 2010 - 7:35 pm
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unforntly like me what u ulmalgtly need for the rest of ur life ibrofen + what u r takein now they are reffered to as narotics or oppiums. unforntly they dont fully help eirher but pin ill be reduce quite a bit.
#4 by Rosa on July 13, 2010 - 8:42 pm
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My husband had the same thing . The doctors gave him the same medicines your taking and they only made him sleep .Also after about a week of taking them he fell when he tried to get his drill. They sent him to get acupuncture and get lots of massages . Nothing worked. I was so worried I didn’t know what to do . Then finally after 4 doctors seeing him they told him that nothing was wrong .Which of course was BS. I drove him to a specialist one of our friends had read about .This doctor was really young I didn’t think he knew what was wrong but he checked him from everything and asked lots of questions . After he got the x-rays the doctor showed us where the disk was broken. My husband had to get surgery .This day I will never forget because it was on my birthday .I Thank God for this doctor everyday because if it wouldn’t have been for him my husband probably would still be in pain.After surgery they had him go to therapy and do excercises for about a year . Now you should see him he can do everything especially play soccer .Good luck and please if you think anything that the doctors tell you is BS go to another even if it is expensive there has to be a good doctor out there for you also.
#5 by OhWell (Kiss my cute furry feet) on July 13, 2010 - 9:56 pm
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I had 3 seriously bulging disc’s in my lower back. I was treated with medications that were only effective when I was taking them. Really it’s a dangerous way to go. I got physical therapy with little real relief.I too was offered surgery, but back surgery can leave you with permanent serious problems, and constant pain ( have a friend who is now on disability from back surgery) Finally, I went to a very good Chiropractor and I stuck with him. I actually saw him for about a year. The time I had to see him became less and less often. He completely fixed my back. It has been 5 years If I get a “hitch ” in my back, it rights itself within hours. I bend to pick something up, or look over my shoulder to change lanes when driving and I will feel my back shift back into place. I swear by my Chiropractor! If you want you can email me. I know you are probably not even in my state, But I could give you the name and of my Chiro and he might be able to give you a referral in your area. Good Dr.s know good Dr.s. I know if I moved and needed a chiro, I would call him and ask who he might recommend where I was.
#6 by Anonymous on July 14, 2010 - 2:22 am
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the doctor doesn’t want you to have surgery because it costs more. the fact is, the more you wait to fix this, the more chance that you would permanently damage the nerves supplying your leg. pain and numbness lower than the knee is usually hard to reverse doing traditional non surgical treatment. I don’t advice you to go to a chiropractor, he/she will pop your back and add to the problem because a bulging disc is cause from an unstable joint and weak supporting muscles. go for physical therapy and acupuncture … if the problem is not resolved in two weeks seriously consider surgery.
#7 by Alanna on July 14, 2010 - 6:29 am
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Just like to start by saying that everyone is different and it is such a tough decision to make. I know I felt very alone when I injured my back so I hope this helps. A year ago I injured my back, herniated 2 discs, crushed my spinal chord and did nerve damage. I had severe pain (even painkillers could not take the edge off) in my left leg, it started as a pain/lump feeling in my left butt cheek then all the way down the sign of my leg into my foot, I also had numbness at times. I ended up in hospital, MRI’s, scans etc. I was adament that I wasn’t having surgery because I have had friends who have ended up worse and I wanted to try a more conservative approach first so had a spinal injection of cortisone. These don’t work for everyone, you just have to try. Although the surgeon didn’t think it would work because of the severity a year later and I’m doing better, I still get a little pain in my foot but that’s about it. It has been a really long journey and really depressing at times too. My journey has been check ups with my surgeon, physiotherapy, anti inflammatories and painkillers, and core strengthening exercises to relieve the pressure off my back. My physio wouldn’t even touch my back to start with he just gave me some great exercises to strengthen my core and told me to walk lots (hard in the beginning when it is so painful). It is confusing when money comes into it and I’m in Australia so didn’t really have that problem as everything was paid for anyway. I am now off painkillers and able to drive now (short distances) and work 16 hours a week on a gradual return (my employers are fantastically supportive). It may sound a bit hippy and I was skeptical at first but I am taking a new herbal treatment called “nalgesic”, it is so helpful that it is like gold here and pretty hard to get but for me works better than the other drugs ever did, it is just the spice turmeric, when I run out I just take a teaspoon of it a day. I would say….try anything to avoid surgery if you can, if you can’t then that’s ok too, I know the pain and people who haven’t had this problem just cannot understand how debilitating it really can be. I have also got some great aids for sitting and supports for my back which have helped, especially driving. Sitting is bad, try to only sit for 10 minutes at a time (if you can!) and walk if you can too. Please make sure you go to someone trustworthy for treatment, research them well. My advice, try conversative approaches first then look into surgery. Good luck, keep your spirits high as I know it can be really tough. If you want to contact to for any more info, please email me. Alanna
#8 by Digital Age on July 14, 2010 - 8:12 am
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The doctor is giving you pain killers. What you really need is an anti-inflammatory agent: you need a steroid.
Not an anabolic steroid, lol, like bodybuilders take…I’m talking about a cortisol type steroid, and anti-inflammatory.
That is the short term fix.
The long term fix is to have an operation.
#9 by Jazmin on August 22, 2010 - 12:21 am
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OMG, you have the same thing my mother does and i’m trying to find everything I can to help her! and nothing does, so if you possibly find something that helps or heals it can you please post it?
#10 by paula on September 25, 2010 - 8:13 am
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I have a bulging disc touching a nerve it gives me the same pain and numbness. I have been going to physical therapy and it worked wonders. In therapy for about amonth and feel 60% better.