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Off-Topic Bulging or Inflamed Disc

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Sergio

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Hello all, about 2.5 months ago I severely injured my lower back during some rotational land mine squat presses. I was somewhat new to these type of exercises and was most likely not maintaining proper form. I felt a “pop” in my lower back during the descent part of the movement and by the 3rd day my lower back area was in agony.

Fast forward 2 weeks from the day of the injury and the pain lessened but my lower back felt very tender. Went to a chiropractor and he diagnosed me with an inflamed disc. Prior to this injury I didn’t have a history of any spine issues.

Today, I still feel discomfort in my lower back, but am able to move and do very light KB swings and body weight TGU’s. The pain seems to be triggered by heavy load and excessive spine flexion.

My question to you all: Has anybody experienced disc issues in the lumbar region? What was the injury? How long did it take to recover? Were you able to return to pre-injury conditions?

I really miss doing my S&S sessions and hope that I’ll heal up 100% soon.

Thanks,
 
Just curious, are there any positions (standing straight with good posture, for example) where you are pain-free? If "Yes", that is probably a very good sign. But yes, please see a doctor.

My question to you all: Has anybody experienced disc issues in the lumbar region? What was the injury? How long did it take to recover? Were you able to return to pre-injury conditions?

Few years back I had issues. I've written about it before. Herniated discs, stenosis, were the medical descriptions. But from a practical standpoint, I couldn't bend forward. AT ALL! Even bending forward a couple inches to wash a dish in the sink, for example, was very painful. Walked with a limp, it was bad. I've written about it on this forum before.

I healed. It took a while. I had relapses over the years. The whole process was frustrating at times. I figured it out and got strong. Now I can do anything pain free. And I am stronger than ever. I am flexion intolerant and I've learned how to manage. I have to be careful about high volume and/or high load with flexion activities. For example, daily deadlifting at 80 or 90% of max or the 10,000 kbell swing challenge is probably not for me, even if they are effective programs. But I do perform deadlifts and kbell swings and other movements, pain free. And I am stronger than I have ever been pre-injury. In fact, my injury has made me stronger and smarter, it was a blessing, looking back on it.

Remember that this is not a death sentence. And please see a doctor. That is advice I and others will always convey. However, for me, medical advice was not my cure. Following the teachings of Stu McGill is what got me pain free. And following the teachings of Strongfirst and Brian Carroll of Powerrackstrength.com got me strong/healthy.

I also highly recommend 2 books: "Back Mechanic", Stu McGill, and "Gift of Injury", Stu McGill and Brian Carroll. Back Mechanic was my prescription, and it worked.

Regards,

Eric
 
@william bad butt Standing tall with good posture does not cause pain, thankfully. It seems like we have similar pain triggers, I too am flexion intolerant. During the two weeks after the injury I also couldn’t bend over AT ALL, it caused immense pain in my lumbar and abdomen area. I read Back Mechanic and haven’t been consistent with the “big 3”. I am going to make it a point to do them as prescribed.

You mentioned that it took a while to heal, how long did it take to feel “back to normal”?
 
You mentioned that it took a while to heal, how long did it take to feel “back to normal”?

Months or years, depending on how you look at it. And I never went back to "normal". I am different now. In fact better, in most ways. But my lower back is not as flexible as it used to be. You will never see me sitting in a chair or sitting on the ground, bending over, putting my shoes and socks on. It is uncomfortable for me. I do a lunge to put my shoes on, for example, or step on a stool. I've sacrificed stability for mobility in that area (lumbar) and improved mobility in the hips and shoulders. I had to avoid ballistic movements for a long time.

It took months to be pain free. All I could do was the Big 3 and walk. Then eventually I was able to do kbell sumo deadlifts and goblet squats on a high box, with 8-12 kg bells. I progressed from there. Last week I squatted 490 lb and deadlifted 505 lb, so I am relatively strong, compared to my former self who couldn't sit in a car (I had to laydown in the passenger seat while my wife drove me around (probably illegal and quite embarrassing)).

It took me years to fully figure it out. Because I would have relapses pushing myself too hard. For example, every 2 years I might reinjure my back and spend months recovering, starting over.

I'm sure I will learn more in future years. But so far so good, it has been a while since I've had pain.

You will figure it out. It may be a tough road, but in the end it will be worth it.

Regards,

Eric
 
Hello all, about 2.5 months ago I severely injured my lower back during some rotational land mine squat presses. I was somewhat new to these type of exercises and was most likely not maintaining proper form. I felt a “pop” in my lower back during the descent part of the movement and by the 3rd day my lower back area was in agony.

Fast forward 2 weeks from the day of the injury and the pain lessened but my lower back felt very tender. Went to a chiropractor and he diagnosed me with an inflamed disc. Prior to this injury I didn’t have a history of any spine issues.

Today, I still feel discomfort in my lower back, but am able to move and do very light KB swings and body weight TGU’s. The pain seems to be triggered by heavy load and excessive spine flexion.

My question to you all: Has anybody experienced disc issues in the lumbar region? What was the injury? How long did it take to recover? Were you able to return to pre-injury conditions?

I really miss doing my S&S sessions and hope that I’ll heal up 100% soon.

Thanks,
Something that has really helped me with my back was magnesium chloride baths. I actually spoke in another post regarding this. This isn't your drug store Epsom salt, you can get at health stores or online. I use 2 cups In the tub 20-30 mins. The results I've seen from arthritis to disc problems are remarkable. Of course check with a health care professional first. It's cheap 10-15$ but really makes a big difference hope that helps.
 
Yes abosutly , but it did take a couple to get a maximum effect. Magnesium chloride is some of the most amazing compounds I’ve ever used. It’s safe, cheap, and needed in the body for over 300 enzymatic reactions. I would combine the baths with genacol collagen, 2000 mg of MSM for a maximum benefit. Check with a doctor first of course:)
 
I've had a few ruptured disks that give me a bit of trouble every now and then. It's always the same things that the trigger it for me now, either flexion with a twist or any form of butt wink under load. If I avoid those things I mostly fine. A lot of the time a disk extrusion can heal but it can take quite a while to regain full structural integrity and can be easily re-injured again from the same movement pattern.

The back mechanic showed me how to avoid anything that could cause a problem and the McKenzie method helps to reduce the disk extrusion if I'm I ever move the wrong way and re-extrude it. After it's healed the Ido Portal squat routine works as really good maintenance to keep the lumbar spine mobilized and help prevent re-occurrences but you really need to feel your way into them after a back injury as sometimes they just aren't suitable depending on what the problem is.

A back injury is a good teacher, once you've had one you really learn the value of perfect hinge and squat mechanics.
 
Back pain is one of the most misunderstood conditions. According to literature up to 70% of people with back pain don't have anything to point to on MRI or CT Scan. Vice versa, large proportion of people walk around with bulging disks pressing on all sorts of structures without any symptoms. What it means is that if someone has back pain and imaging shows bulging disc it doesn't necessarily mean the symptoms are caused by the disc.

It is not reasonable to give medical advice over the Internet, but generally if the pain is limited to the back, is not irradiating to the legs and there are no sensory deficits (numb areas on the legs) it is reasonable to wait up to three months for the symptoms to subside. Big flag is so called motor deficits: weakness in the leg muscles and especially incontinence. If you have these see a doctor ASAP.

Back pain is an interesting phenomenon. It is not the disease of the back itself, most of the time, but the condition of the central nervous system. A response to a pattern of movement that the brain for some reason perceives as undesirable. In a way similar to a phantom limb pain (when the patient feels pain in an amputated limb). It is covered by the Neuro-Matrix theory of pain by Melzack. That's why physio interventions - postural exercises, strengthening certain muscle groups, changing movement habits, stretching etc. - work in back pain.

Lots of people swear by the Foundation Training, below.

 
@Damiola

It is not reasonable to give medical advice over the Internet, ...

and then you go on to give medical advice.

... but generally if the pain is limited to the back, is not irradiating to the legs and there are no sensory deficits (numb areas on the legs) it is reasonable to wait up to three months for the symptoms to subside.

Back pain is ... not the disease of the back itself, most of the time, but the condition of the central nervous system.

Anyone experiencing back pain is advised to seek out a medical professional in a timely fashion. If I was going to put a time frame on allowing one's back to be in pain, it might be three days in the case of something not too severe, not three months, and in the case of severe back pain, I'd recommend seeing a doctor immediately, via a visit to an emergency room if necessary. Then it should be a doctor's call what to do next.

-S-
 
Lots of people swear by the Foundation Training, below.
This demonstrates several things that are pretty much the opposite of how we teach people to breath: raising the rib cage, the student hikes up her shoulders, etc. I cannot comment on whether or not what she is shown doing would be helpful for someone experiencing back pain, but I certainly wouldn't recommend the regular performance of what she's doing lest breathing and moving that way become a habit.

-S-
 
Yes abosutly , but it did take a couple to get a maximum effect. Magnesium chloride is some of the most amazing compounds I’ve ever used. It’s safe, cheap, and needed in the body for over 300 enzymatic reactions. I would combine the baths with genacol collagen, 2000 mg of MSM for a maximum benefit. Check with a doctor first of course:)

@Colby Hey there, so i tried the magnesim flakes and i did feel some relief. Thanks for that reccomendation.
 
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