nerve impingement..exercise..what are options?

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jacquelineforde

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Posted previously after 1st nerve root injection for L5/SI DDD with bulging disk and nerve impingement (previous 2 steriod injections) . Still waiting for follow up and in meantime have joined gym to try to help. However I feel like my pain may be getting worse. How do we know what is "normal" pain anymore? My trainer has assigned weight machines to build upper leg muscles and upper torso as well as core strengthening floor exercises. He has seen my MRI but I have to say I am very dubious about these weight machines for my condition. Anyone advise?
Also, can anyone advise me on what other steps I still have available to me before fusion becomes the only option. I've been in increasing pain for 3-4 years, now it's daily and my mood is at an all time low (understatement!). I just don't know what I'm supposed to be asking of my surgeon now.
 
Jay,

I would think it would be best to get exercise do's and don't's from your doctor or physical therapist, so I would suggest checking with them instead of relying on a trainer. Many exercise programs for back problems focus on core strengthening and pilates programs are often recommended. My surgeon recommended avoiding any flexing or twisting of the spine and was a strong advocate of walking as much as you can tolerate.

HTH!
 
I would definately NOT see a trainer. You need to be working with a trained physical therapist that specializes in treatment for the lurabar spine. Have your surgeon recommend someone to you. I am surprised he hasn't already.

Also, my PT program involved weights as well, and it did nothing but cause excruciating pain which sent me to the ER. I was also given exercises which required me to twist and extend my spine backworRAB. I was very uncomfortable with these exercises and they caused tremendous pain. All the research I did about my condition specifically said not to do movements like this.

Luckily, I was being supervised by a doctor within the PT clinic, and he told me to stop the program and get surgery. It was hurting me and not helping me. I am having a fusion April 7th.
 
Hi all.......

This is an interesting topic to me. I, myself, had tried PT. After 2 months of going to PT 3X a week, I decided and I did ask my doc, to join the gym. I felt as if I could do what the PT was doing for me. The main thing is core strengthening exercises. At PT, the machines the therapist had me using did have weights. Not much weight but I was using weights. When I started going to the gym, I first started out by walking the treadmill for at least a mile. Then I moved on the the leg machines and ab machines. I used low weights. I was more doing repetition < low weight to tone> than weight. It was to build my pelvic and back muscles. I tried doing the back muscle weight machine but found that to be a bit too painful for me. My doc did ok for me to use the weight machines, in fact, he thought it was great I was doing this. I did,however, end up having a fusion after all was said and done. I am in recovery and on my next appt. with my neurosurgeon, I am going to ask can I start back using low weight machines. My hamstrings are extremely tight. I do have some leg pain and I feel as though I need to get back to the gym and try to strengthen my body back. When you go through such a major surgery, you loose a LOT of muscle strength. Actually, having a bad back, you loose lots of muscle strength hence the reason to strengthen your muscles. The muscles help support your back. I feel so weak...... I didnot get to walk near as much as I should have after my surgery. It is cold where I live and it snows and gets icey. I am gun shy of driving in it as that is 1 reason why I have a bad back......I wrecked in ice and snow, landed in a ditch full of ice and snow and hurt myself good ha. UGH and a month later, I was rear ended. Anyways......my opinion is......try your best to strengthen your body the best you can, because, if you get in need of a fusion surgery, at least your body will not be as weak. I do think being physically fit helps recovery.....

LYNN
 
Thank you all so much for your input. I can't emphasise enough how useful I find this site as my relationship with my spine specialist is not very good.

Perhaps I wasn't detailed enough about my history though. Between SI joint injections and nerve root injection I was sent for 6 weeks PT. He did some stretching, tried one acupuncture (which ended in my spasm actually bending the needle!) and sent me home with core stretching exercise list. He also said PT was doing nothing for me and that the nerve root injection was the way to go. I hadn't read up on that and thought it was another step at "curing", when I now understand it is purely diagnostic to find which discs and nerves are affected for any future operation. This really got me down as I want to avoid any fusion as all costs, which is why I decided to join the gym. My initial idea was swimming and pilates only, but the gym offers a plan too, which is why I took my MRI in (I was impressed the trainer actually requested this!). He has put me on the treadmill and bikes for 15 mins each, but also 3 leg machines, and some others that build upper chest, and they are all with light weights of 15k at 15 repetitions 3 times. He says this will build muscule strength in upper legs and chest that will also support the spine muscles (or worRAB to that effect). The pilates instructor knows about my back and mentioned no twisting and bending so I skip them in her routines. Do you think I should skip the machines completely?
I will of course mention all this in detail to my doc but the next appointment is still a month away and he often makes me feel that he doesn't have much time or inclination for me, the relationship is very strained, which is why I've brought the question here. I just feel quite lost still and I'm about two years on of my "treatment" path, after about 5 years of ever increasing pain. I don't feel in control of anything happening and don't even know what my next step is now that I have had my first nerve root injection (reduced pain about 2 days after then back to normal). I am also hoping to get put back on a pain management waiting list as I have never had any yet. All opinions and knowledge so welcome at this time, thanks.
 
I personally wouldn't do the weights, but that is because it sent me into a severe pain cycle. (I believe it was a corabination of the weights and the back extensions). But I guess it is up to you and depenRAB on your specific injury. If you feel the weights are not hurting you, then try them. They will build strength.

The injections never worked for me either. I have done two, and with the second one, I also had one day where I thought it might work, but then it didn't. They were done at an outpatient surgery center, so my bills for each were several hundred bucks, so even if I had been offered to do another one, I would have said no. I knew I would just be prolonging the inevitable, and spending more money in the process.

Sorry you have been suffering for so long. Hopefully this trainer program will bring you some relief so you can avoid surgery.
 
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