Possible Disc Herniation/Bulge

[Sami]

Hi Charles,

Just wanted to say that I've also posted this in Ripp's Q&A, but I think the more info I can get from knowledgeable and experienced people, the better. Great show on Iron Radio too, I listen to every episode now.


I think I may have a bulging disc at L5. I had a bulging disc at L5 between 2005-2007 at the age of 22-23, with mild sciatic pain down my left side. This was before I started training, and it went away on it's own. I started training in 2009 and am still doing the novice SS. Last week I started getting an odd twinge in my back. I never felt it at the time, but would feel it the next and it usually would feel fine after it warmed up a little in the morning. Now it's there all day and I've got sciatic pain on the right side, with a little tingling in my right foot. I've still been training as usual and nothing that I do in the gym causes it to hurt (even deadlifting 130kg, squatting 100kg and OHPing 42.5kg). In fact, it usually feels better after a session, but hurts again that night and in the morning. This has all happened just before I took delivery of my new lifting belt.

I've searched the forum and seen you've recommended slightly different approaches for different people. I've got an appointment to the doctor's in the next week or so, and I'm going to push for an MRI and perhaps some physio.

What I wanted to ask was, with just this information, what would you advise with regards to training for the next week(s) until I get a diagnosis? I have the belt now and would use it obviously.

Also, what about NSAIDs for more than a few weeks? I've heard negative things about taking them for longer than that.

Let me know if you need any other information. Thanks.

[Charles Staley]

Hi Sami, thanks for writing.

And as you might imagine, my comments are speculative at best, so please filter them through your evolving attempt to diagnose your back through MRI, etc.

But with that, a few thoughts:

1) Anyone with a low back problem should be familiar with Dr. Stuart McGill's work, and his books (http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Fitness-Performance-Stuart-McGill/dp/0973501804/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257639863&sr=8-2)

2) Use the belt

3) I like Advil, and most people tolerate it very well.

4) Many non-symptomatic people have herniations and many herniations result in no symptoms. Respect your situation but don't let it define you.

5) I have clients with herniated disks who've had great success with DRX (http://www.drx9000spinaldecompression.com/). It should be easy to locate a local DC who can administer this for you

6) The lower down your leg you experience tingling/numbness the worse your impingement is. If these feelings "recede" up your leg, consider it a sign of progress.

7) If you show up healthy anything is possible. If you show up injured, nothing is possible. Err on the side of too conservative.

Hope that provides food for thought...


Hi Charles,

Just wanted to say that I've also posted this in Ripp's Q&A, but I think the more info I can get from knowledgeable and experienced people, the better. Great show on Iron Radio too, I listen to every episode now.


I think I may have a bulging disc at L5. I had a bulging disc at L5 between 2005-2007 at the age of 22-23, with mild sciatic pain down my left side. This was before I started training, and it went away on it's own. I started training in 2009 and am still doing the novice SS. Last week I started getting an odd twinge in my back. I never felt it at the time, but would feel it the next and it usually would feel fine after it warmed up a little in the morning. Now it's there all day and I've got sciatic pain on the right side, with a little tingling in my right foot. I've still been training as usual and nothing that I do in the gym causes it to hurt (even deadlifting 130kg, squatting 100kg and OHPing 42.5kg). In fact, it usually feels better after a session, but hurts again that night and in the morning. This has all happened just before I took delivery of my new lifting belt.

I've searched the forum and seen you've recommended slightly different approaches for different people. I've got an appointment to the doctor's in the next week or so, and I'm going to push for an MRI and perhaps some physio.

What I wanted to ask was, with just this information, what would you advise with regards to training for the next week(s) until I get a diagnosis? I have the belt now and would use it obviously.

Also, what about NSAIDs for more than a few weeks? I've heard negative things about taking them for longer than that.

Let me know if you need any other information. Thanks.