Take it from someone who has suffered from a bulging disk in the lower back for more than six years, it is a painful and uncomfortable place to be. Now realize that there are different kinds of disks such as a disk that will bulge for a while then stop somehow and there’s no more pain until it is irritated again. This is what happened to me. Irritation, well, I do not have a clue as to what started my back problems. One day they just started. After not being able to stand the pain any longer, I visited my doctor who then sent me to a back specialist (orthopedic specialist) who then recommended that I have an MRI (__________) done. The MRI is very easy and painless. You lay very still with headphones on if you wish, in a very big round tube looking machine. As you slide into the machine it feels like you are entering a shell, where pictures are taken as it rotates you. Not upside down, thank goodness. I wouldn’t want to loose my lunch in such an expensive machine!
After the MRI was completed, my specialist evaluated the x-rays and consulted with me about what he’d found – a bulging disk. Which is simply one of my lower disk protruding out slightly. He decided to prescribe an anti-inflammatory that is used to relax the area and to offer a temporary form of pain relief.
We talked about potential back surgery as a last resort, even though at that time, I couldn’t even hardly lift one leg at a time to tie my shoes nor could I even bend half way over to touch my toes. I was referred to a therapist for at least 12 visits at one of my local hospitals. With apprehension, I waited for the therapist to contact me to set my first visit. After about a week and a half, I received that call. We set the appointment, and within two days, I was sitting in front of who would be my official back therapist for every visit.
On my first visit we talked about where the pain was located, how intense the pain seemed to be as well as how long had I been in this pain. In that same visit I was poked, measured to see how low I could bend, the height of my leg lifts, and more. This was considered my evaluation. We then proceeded to the therapy room where all kinds of exercise equipment was set up for use by every therapist and their clients.
First, I was placed on a hard bed like station where I was shown a few strethching exercises which will be illustrated later. Of course, I was told to do these strethes no more than five to ten times. Only the amount that I could handle this first time. My therapist then proceeded to have me move slowly to a big round rubber ball. I thought to myself, are you kidding? Well, I did it, and at the slowest pace, I’m sure no one else has ever seen.
After the evaluation, the stretching, the final step was the relaxing of my lower back muscles. This procedure was performed with a very well insulated, “heating pad.” There were three to four towels on top of this oversized heating pad so you’re not burned to a crisp while laying on your back. Another precaution the therapists takes is to offer you the “buzzer.” Well, the buzzer has a red button which allows you to contact the main front desk Justin case you’re overheating.
In all honesty, everything done to me and provided for me on my first visit and the eleven visits thereafter surely helped my condition to greatly improve. During my last three visits, my therapist placed me on their “traction” machine. This machine is attached to your chest and hips. Just as the word indicates, this machine pulls you and either holds you in place or pulls you then releases you, then pulls you again and releases you for a certain time period. I was held in place from 10 to 15 minutes. After that, the specific place on my lower back was massaged with a electro-sonic machine. An attendant rubbed this device over my lower back to relieve the pain from the earlier traction. This did help a great deal. I am now able to move about much more smoothly and in most situations, without any pain. And believe me for a while there, I didn’t believe that I’d be able to do laundry, wash dishes, pick-up clothes, vacuum, sweep and mop floors ever again. Hey, do you think I made the right decision to improve my back problem? (smile) May be I should have milked it for all it was worth!
As promised, below you will find great exercises for lower back pain. They have really helped me, but do understand that before doing any of these or any exercises when you are already having major back issues, please consult your physician first. They may refer you to your very own therapist, or at best design your own exercise program.
To your health,
Denise Coley
Pictures of basic stretching exercises:
Additional Back Stretching Exercises:
More Back Stretching and Strengthening Exercises:
Even more Strengthening and Stretching Exercises given to me by my own Therapist:
