Melika
Level 2 Valued Member
I've had neuro issues both similar and different. While I do have disc herniations in my cervical spine, I also have Multiple Sclerosis and I used to have symptoms of a pinched nerve or TOS (doctors weren't sure which it should be). I say "used to have" because ever since 2015 when I started correcting my posture with the training from Esther Gokhale all of my radiculopathy issues in the upper body resolved. I still had some neuro issues from the nasty MS relapse but the rest all went away.
I actually work in Injury & Rehab so I feel it is important to point out that disc issues don't always result in pain and pain isn't always connection to disc issues. Pain is an independent thing involving the nervous system and doesn't have to be related to a current injury at all. I am by no means saying that you are not injured, but it is important to understand that the injury can occur even without disc involvement. You can even have pain from old injuries because the nervous system in more sensitized or, if you will, more inclined, to send pain signals if it feels even remotely in danger. Obviously, don't ignore pain and imaging is always a good resource but don't get so absorbed in diagnosis and imaging that you give up or stress about it overly much. Understand that pain is an expression of your nervous system.
Keeping a very strong core (not the "core" most people I hear talk about, but also the deeper muscles all down the spine and those that form the "inner corset" which actually help lengthen the spine and create disc space) which I learned from Esther Gokhale has gone a very long way in my life. I have only had one of my patients follow my suggestion to get the Gokhale book (this patient had severe cervical radiculopathy) and I hardly ever see her anymore. She only comes in once or twice a year for some maintenance. I highly recommend Esther Gokhale's book Pain-Free Back: Natural Posture Solutions for Pain in the Back, Neck, Shoulder, Hip, Knee, and Foot for everyone really. Most of us, especially in the Western world, have horrible postural habits. Will good posture always cure the problems? No, but it certainly makes a world of difference and continues for the rest of your life.
Not related to disc issues but related to pain, injuries, and overcoming: I changed my diet to remove inflammatory foods so that my body could heal. My MRIs at the time of my relapse showed lesions covering both my brain and spine. I was functional, but weak and constantly fatigued because of constant pain, erratic sensations, etc. My body was attacking my central nervous system. For four years I barely had the energy just to work (I only worked 27hrs/week) and every other day I was completely wiped. As 2019 began I started having a little more energy and a lot less pain. I had some intense, lingering nerve pain related to my MS so I began taking CBD (no THC) oil in March 2019 which amazingly worked. For the rest of 2019 I kept testing and pushing just a tiny bit more and pausing to see what my body would let me do. Through 2020 I began making steady gains. In Aug 2021 I began KB training with S&S. In Dec 2021 I joined a gym where every trainer is StrongFirst certified. Today I am still dealing with various weaknesses caused by the nerve damage, but thankfully the pain isn't there. Each weakness I find is another thing to conquer. For example, in 2020 I regained the ability to stand on my left foot without the ankle joint rolling and dropping me- but I didn't know that was weak until I took a bad fall because of it! Most of the time I discover my weaknesses while I am trying to do other things. The body has an amazing ability to compensate so sometimes they are hidden. Once I find them, I create a strengthening program for myself. I consult specialists I work with in physical rehab if I'm not sure how to reach my goal. If you aren't sure how, then a good chiro, physio, or trainer can help you. This year I am training to become a firefighter. How far I've come!
Healing will take time. Your healing, no matter your path, will happen as long as you don't allow yourself to become a victim. YOU HAVE POWER. Don't let your challenges steal your power or your hope.
I actually work in Injury & Rehab so I feel it is important to point out that disc issues don't always result in pain and pain isn't always connection to disc issues. Pain is an independent thing involving the nervous system and doesn't have to be related to a current injury at all. I am by no means saying that you are not injured, but it is important to understand that the injury can occur even without disc involvement. You can even have pain from old injuries because the nervous system in more sensitized or, if you will, more inclined, to send pain signals if it feels even remotely in danger. Obviously, don't ignore pain and imaging is always a good resource but don't get so absorbed in diagnosis and imaging that you give up or stress about it overly much. Understand that pain is an expression of your nervous system.
Keeping a very strong core (not the "core" most people I hear talk about, but also the deeper muscles all down the spine and those that form the "inner corset" which actually help lengthen the spine and create disc space) which I learned from Esther Gokhale has gone a very long way in my life. I have only had one of my patients follow my suggestion to get the Gokhale book (this patient had severe cervical radiculopathy) and I hardly ever see her anymore. She only comes in once or twice a year for some maintenance. I highly recommend Esther Gokhale's book Pain-Free Back: Natural Posture Solutions for Pain in the Back, Neck, Shoulder, Hip, Knee, and Foot for everyone really. Most of us, especially in the Western world, have horrible postural habits. Will good posture always cure the problems? No, but it certainly makes a world of difference and continues for the rest of your life.
Not related to disc issues but related to pain, injuries, and overcoming: I changed my diet to remove inflammatory foods so that my body could heal. My MRIs at the time of my relapse showed lesions covering both my brain and spine. I was functional, but weak and constantly fatigued because of constant pain, erratic sensations, etc. My body was attacking my central nervous system. For four years I barely had the energy just to work (I only worked 27hrs/week) and every other day I was completely wiped. As 2019 began I started having a little more energy and a lot less pain. I had some intense, lingering nerve pain related to my MS so I began taking CBD (no THC) oil in March 2019 which amazingly worked. For the rest of 2019 I kept testing and pushing just a tiny bit more and pausing to see what my body would let me do. Through 2020 I began making steady gains. In Aug 2021 I began KB training with S&S. In Dec 2021 I joined a gym where every trainer is StrongFirst certified. Today I am still dealing with various weaknesses caused by the nerve damage, but thankfully the pain isn't there. Each weakness I find is another thing to conquer. For example, in 2020 I regained the ability to stand on my left foot without the ankle joint rolling and dropping me- but I didn't know that was weak until I took a bad fall because of it! Most of the time I discover my weaknesses while I am trying to do other things. The body has an amazing ability to compensate so sometimes they are hidden. Once I find them, I create a strengthening program for myself. I consult specialists I work with in physical rehab if I'm not sure how to reach my goal. If you aren't sure how, then a good chiro, physio, or trainer can help you. This year I am training to become a firefighter. How far I've come!
Healing will take time. Your healing, no matter your path, will happen as long as you don't allow yourself to become a victim. YOU HAVE POWER. Don't let your challenges steal your power or your hope.
