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christopher2100
New member
What up bro's, was wondering for those who have herniated disc, is there any preventative supp's any of you use. I have two herniated disc L4&L5..... any help appreciated............
Herniated Disc !!!!! ouch........
- Thread starter christopher2100
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christopher2100
New member
I have read up on that b4 and it consist on healing tendons and ligaments. not sure spinal discs fall into that category. but thanks bro..............
christopher2100
New member
Thats one thing i dont think i can do, i feel if i go to a chiro i will be hook on treatment like a crackhead on rock!!!!!!!
christopher2100
New member
Thats a good gig..... My gym also has a trainers gym with PT's and Chiro's. Maybe ill take a stroll in there and see what they recommend. I am just looking for something to prevent my back from spasming up ya know.
christopher2100 said:
And why would a disc become herniated? Because of laxity in the joint and just whats holds the vertibrea in place? DING DING DING!!! tendons and ligaments.
Heal the supporting structures and it will take the stress off the disc so it can heal. The herniated disc is a symptom, not the actual problem.
revolutionofthemind
New member
Chris,
I can talk from experience here, as I've broken L5, and blown the discs at L5/S1, L4/5, and L3/4. First and foremost, don't let them rush you off into surgery. As far as supplements, I've had big time improvement with Glucosamine Chondriton, MSM, and Hyaluronic acid, fish oil, vitamin C. The fish oil is mainly to help reduce the inflammation. Vitamin C is an important component of the cartilage matrix. The Gluc/Chond. and MSM also helps with cartilage repair. Hyaluronic acid is effective enough that doctors are also using at as an injection into new acute joint injuries. That being said make sure you use a decent quality brand to make sure the bioavailablity is decent when taking it orally. And not to sound like every other nutritional guy on a soap box, but proper hydration is critical. As we age, our discs naturally dehydrate, and stiffen, losing some of their natural elasticity, which increases the likelihood of injuries like bulging discs and ruptured discs. Chronic dehydration can accelerate that aging process leading to early injury, and/or slow healing way, way down in those that already are injured. Stay away from alcohol and cigarettes while this is healing as well.
A few other things if I can suggest them to you. One if your gym has a warm water pool, therapy pool or anything like that, get in there and use a floatation device to just hang in the water. I use the long foam rolls and simply wrapped it around myself below the arms. The hanging for 15 to 20 minutes applies a very gentle form of traction, and increases the space between the vertabre, which reduces the pressure on the damaged discs, and can relieve some of the pressure on the nerves, if there is one or more compressed nerves with this. If you tolerate this well a few times you can use some light (5lb) ankle weights to increase the traction a little. DO NOT BE A STRONG GUY HERE AND USE 10lb weights or more, you will regret it.
The biggest drawback to this is often times when you get out you feel the pressure again as gravity is doing its job, although to what extent you feel this is dependent on your core strength. An excellent way to get this relief to last is to use a warm whirpool immediately after the warm water hanging and let the jets directly massage the muscles on both sides on the middle and lower back.
A few last notes, in my experience some of the best orthopedic institutes in the country, as well as physical therapists are ill equiped to bring about long term relief. The tendency among ortho docs these days is to go in and take the disc out. The problem with this is all the work of that joint is passed to the joint/disc above it, and pretty soon that one is blown, and you end up having this fusion surgery march right up your spine. Also, in my experience, all the core work, ab work, back work the physical therapists tried to do, only aggravated it. Once I started doing none of that and started using a full body strengthening program, my core and back muscle strength and endurance improved synergistically without directly working and aggravating those muscles. Once you have gotten good relief for several months and have good strength without pain, then its time to add the core work back in.
Everything I have said here, is not intended as medical advice; and is my opinion and experience only. For medical problems it's important to consult a licensed physician you trust. That being said I spent four years trying to get over this injury, seeing orthopedists, neurologists, physical med specialist, physiatrists, Physical Therapists, Radiologists, and you name it. They were all good people with the intent to help. However, two surgeries, epidurals, direct nerve root blocks, mylograms, discograms, MRI's , CAT Scans, failed to significantly reduce the pain. In fact, the docs told me I would never work again, would never lift more then 20 lbs again, couldnt change a tire again, or be on a ladder again. In everyone of these things I have proven them wrong. I woke up one day in pain, sick from nasty drugs likes Lyrica, (dont take it - it caused me to go from 214 to 272 in a short period of time), and utterly fed up and tired of being poked and proded and cut all to no avail. I ended consultations with all of the docs expect the family doc to write scripts. I studied everything I could get my hands on about health, nutrition, supplements, rehab, strength training and bodybuilding. Then I did pretty much everything they told me not to do. I got in the gym and I started getting myself moving, with free weights and cardio. Five months into, I've added flexibility training, yoga and sport conditioning into the mix. In six months I have been able to get off the oxycontin and reduced my pain more then the docs did in 4 years, and it didnt cost anywhere near the 200K the medical shit did. This is just my experience and story for what its worth to you. Obviously this isnt recommended for everyone. Rest is key. Although the numbers very from study to study, 75% of these will resolve on their own in time with rest and healthy consumption habits.
I wish you the best bro, these mofo's are a bitch.
I can talk from experience here, as I've broken L5, and blown the discs at L5/S1, L4/5, and L3/4. First and foremost, don't let them rush you off into surgery. As far as supplements, I've had big time improvement with Glucosamine Chondriton, MSM, and Hyaluronic acid, fish oil, vitamin C. The fish oil is mainly to help reduce the inflammation. Vitamin C is an important component of the cartilage matrix. The Gluc/Chond. and MSM also helps with cartilage repair. Hyaluronic acid is effective enough that doctors are also using at as an injection into new acute joint injuries. That being said make sure you use a decent quality brand to make sure the bioavailablity is decent when taking it orally. And not to sound like every other nutritional guy on a soap box, but proper hydration is critical. As we age, our discs naturally dehydrate, and stiffen, losing some of their natural elasticity, which increases the likelihood of injuries like bulging discs and ruptured discs. Chronic dehydration can accelerate that aging process leading to early injury, and/or slow healing way, way down in those that already are injured. Stay away from alcohol and cigarettes while this is healing as well.
A few other things if I can suggest them to you. One if your gym has a warm water pool, therapy pool or anything like that, get in there and use a floatation device to just hang in the water. I use the long foam rolls and simply wrapped it around myself below the arms. The hanging for 15 to 20 minutes applies a very gentle form of traction, and increases the space between the vertabre, which reduces the pressure on the damaged discs, and can relieve some of the pressure on the nerves, if there is one or more compressed nerves with this. If you tolerate this well a few times you can use some light (5lb) ankle weights to increase the traction a little. DO NOT BE A STRONG GUY HERE AND USE 10lb weights or more, you will regret it.
The biggest drawback to this is often times when you get out you feel the pressure again as gravity is doing its job, although to what extent you feel this is dependent on your core strength. An excellent way to get this relief to last is to use a warm whirpool immediately after the warm water hanging and let the jets directly massage the muscles on both sides on the middle and lower back.
A few last notes, in my experience some of the best orthopedic institutes in the country, as well as physical therapists are ill equiped to bring about long term relief. The tendency among ortho docs these days is to go in and take the disc out. The problem with this is all the work of that joint is passed to the joint/disc above it, and pretty soon that one is blown, and you end up having this fusion surgery march right up your spine. Also, in my experience, all the core work, ab work, back work the physical therapists tried to do, only aggravated it. Once I started doing none of that and started using a full body strengthening program, my core and back muscle strength and endurance improved synergistically without directly working and aggravating those muscles. Once you have gotten good relief for several months and have good strength without pain, then its time to add the core work back in.
Everything I have said here, is not intended as medical advice; and is my opinion and experience only. For medical problems it's important to consult a licensed physician you trust. That being said I spent four years trying to get over this injury, seeing orthopedists, neurologists, physical med specialist, physiatrists, Physical Therapists, Radiologists, and you name it. They were all good people with the intent to help. However, two surgeries, epidurals, direct nerve root blocks, mylograms, discograms, MRI's , CAT Scans, failed to significantly reduce the pain. In fact, the docs told me I would never work again, would never lift more then 20 lbs again, couldnt change a tire again, or be on a ladder again. In everyone of these things I have proven them wrong. I woke up one day in pain, sick from nasty drugs likes Lyrica, (dont take it - it caused me to go from 214 to 272 in a short period of time), and utterly fed up and tired of being poked and proded and cut all to no avail. I ended consultations with all of the docs expect the family doc to write scripts. I studied everything I could get my hands on about health, nutrition, supplements, rehab, strength training and bodybuilding. Then I did pretty much everything they told me not to do. I got in the gym and I started getting myself moving, with free weights and cardio. Five months into, I've added flexibility training, yoga and sport conditioning into the mix. In six months I have been able to get off the oxycontin and reduced my pain more then the docs did in 4 years, and it didnt cost anywhere near the 200K the medical shit did. This is just my experience and story for what its worth to you. Obviously this isnt recommended for everyone. Rest is key. Although the numbers very from study to study, 75% of these will resolve on their own in time with rest and healthy consumption habits.
I wish you the best bro, these mofo's are a bitch.
