Bulging discs - suggestions for healing?

[SedonaSun]

Hi all,

Just got a voicemail from my doc -- I have two bulging discs in my neck that are causing numbness and pin/needles in my hand and arm. This is good incentive to get myself back on a 100% raw path, but am looking for suggestions from any of you with experience in this area.

Conservative treatment suggests bed rest, anti inflammatories, and physical therapy. I'd like to avoid the hassle and cost of PT. Actually, we have on on staff here, but he's in Ireland for a few more weeks. I'm sure he can show me more exercises when he returns.

I work at a computer all day and have bad posture (head forward.) I try several times throughout the day to correct my posture... an ongoing 'battle' to form a new habit. I started sleeping on my back without a pillow and find it surprisingly comfortable (as long as I don't wake myself with my snoring, LOL.)

In the meantime, I'm planning on picking up some pineapple (anti-inflammatory) and bed rest for a day or two...

Suggestions for neck exercises, supplements, specific foods, testimonials of bulging disc healings, websites to visit??? Bring 'em on :)

Many thanks to all who respond!

[SedonaSun]

well how incredibly frustrating... the Phys. Ass't called and I talked to her a while. She says I have "significant and impressive" bulges at C5/6 and C6/7. The 5/6 should cause the sympoms in my left hand and the 6/7 should cause the symptoms in my right hand (based on the direction the bulge is going).

BUT... it's reversed. The 5/6 issue is in my right hand, not my left, and I have really very minimal issue in my left hand and where the tingling is, that says it would be the 6/7 bulge, not the 5/6. Confusing, I know, but basically she's explaining my symptoms backwards.

I asked her to mail me a copy of the report (so I can make sure it's mine!!)

Anyhow, she said PT makes sense as a conservative approach, but she said it won't resolve the bulge and it won't help the tingling. Sooooo... why should I go?????

She said they don't push surgery there, but I got no other alternatives from her other than admittedly useless PT.

I don't go to doctors often. Don't even have a PCP or general. Can't tell you the last time I went to one. Wait, I went to the ER about 9 years ago for a possible heart issue and to urgent care about 8 years ago for incredible vertigo.

I know doctors have their place and save lives and all that, but I'm really frustrated. Even when I asked what surgery entails, she said they take out the discs, put fake spacers in and put a plate over it. Um, is it me, or is that a ridiculously fluffy way to say they'll fuse my spine and severly limit my range of motion??

So... I'm going to continue the search for alternative treatments. If any of you know of something that helps, let me know... acupuncture, etc.

Thanks mucho!

[*Angel*]

Hi Kelly,

I do have a suggestions that has helped me tremendously with my back. Svaroopa yoga it is specifically for the spine. Here is the link to the website you could order a DVD if interested.
http://www.masteryoga.org/
I had surgery years ago and suffered horribly with back pain now that I do my yoga everyday I can now lead a normal life.
Hope this helps.

Peace
Angel

[snowdrop]

to heal the spinal area you must get oxygen to the area but there is none going there directly. walking with your arms swinging naturally is the only way to oxygenate the area. specialist told me (one who avoids surgery!)

walk daily 30 minutes! and of course stay raw :D

[cindi1]

I was going to suggest yoga too. It did wonders for my lower back issue - compressed disk.

I also went to an Acupunturist and that helped tremendously with the pain so my muscles could relax and let the yoga do it's thing.

[solarliving]

Drink water. If the discs become dehydrated this can also create an opportunity for bulging.

[eatyourbroccoli]

great suggestions so far..im curious though, what is a bulging disc exactly? is it something a chiropractor could address? i remember when i was running before the ONLY way i was able to get back out and run everyday was if i saw my chiro 3 or so times a week. once i stopped seeing him bc i moved, i stopped running bc the pain without him was too annoying. maybe a chiro could be an addition to your routine?

[SchoolOfRAWk]

I ran a chiropractice office for 3 years.

I would definitely find a good chiropractor. You would start out 3x a week, minimal.

Find a Palmer grad or a Life grad (the schools)...

I think I'll start a chiropractic thread, honestly. It's SO important.

[SedonaSun]

Thanks for the suggestions so far everyone! I definitely need more water and I know eating more raw will help (and no caffeine!! Eeek!) I'm not opposed to chiropractic, but was waiting to see what the XRays and MRI showed (she originally suspected a vertebral instability, which I did not want anyone messing with! but thankfully I do not have that problem).

I welcome any and all suggestions and personal stories, both good and bad. I'm convinced my healing will come not from the traditional docs, but from eating right, treating my body right and the knowledge of those who have gone before me. :)

Are there other anti-inflammatory foods besides pineapple? I love the stuff, but eating it all day can be rough on the tummy.

Thanks!

[eatyourbroccoli]

strawberries! and cukes.

and..basically every other raw food :p

but pineapple and strawberries and cukes are at the top

[lydias]

I have some bulging discs in the neck and tmj from a car accident
I have tried everything seems like
but what has helped is E3live.com- blue green algae for the oxygen
and research Egoscue clinics or exercises- better to have specific exercises made for you
I am trying that now and seems to be improving when I do it!

[RawVee]

I have three herniated discs in my lower back. My chiropractor ROCKS. I also found when I was 100% raw that I no longer woke up with back pain. I practice yoga, too, and that helps tremendously. :D

[SchoolOfRAWk]

I posted a great thread on how to find a good chiro, etc.
It'll benefit all your health, not just your discs....
Check the Health (other) forum.

[Nani]

Wow, I was so happy to see this thread. Of course not happy that you are experiencing your neck problems. However...I also have been going through a similar situation. I actually have another doctor appointment tomorrow. A little over a month ago I started noticing that my right foot was tingling. Then it was my leg, my lower back and sides, and sometimes my right arm. Pins and needles, internal coldness and muscle weakness. I was SOO freaked out. I thought allllll the horrible thoughts....stroke, lack of B12, MS, diabetes.....brain tumor. LOL (hopefully I dont have a "Train Brumor" as my husband jokingly calls it. :D

My Doc told me he thinks I have some pinched nerves in my back....tomorrow I will find out exactly. (In the past I have had 2 herniated discs due to a car accident)

As of now....my treatments have been, anti-inflammatories, pain meds (yuck) and spine exercises along with PT.

I would definately suggest yoga! I am a diehard yoga fan! Love it! :)

As for anti-inflammatories....I have been eating alot of flax oil, pineapple, strawberries, cherries (for any pain) cucumbers and drinkin' lots of water.

I dont really have any new info for ya....sorry 'bout that, I was just so happy to be able to relate to someone. xoxo This whole tingling thing has made me a nervous wreck.

I hope you find something that helps. Many healing wishes for you!!

[richedie]

I feel your pain Kelly and I hope you get the alternative treatment you need. Any news on that?

I myself have been thinking of taking the plunge on raw foods or at least mostly raw. I am halfway there now as I eat a lot of organic fruits and veggies.....and hardly ever touch meat other than the occassional chicken dish.

I have been a life long exercise and nutrition nut but never went the raw route. I walk almost daily, hike, snowboard and have been body building for about 20 years.

I injured my back about 3 years ago and have on and off symtoms ever since. Recently I was told I may have Ankylosing Spondylitis, plus this past week started feeling tingling in my left hand along the ring and pinky fingers. I had an MRI and blood work and will see a spcialist in three weeks.

With all of this in my life, I decided to really take my health to the next level. Hopefully I'll be buying a good blender or juicer soon.

Anyway, Kelly...I hope you investigate the yoga and/or chiropractor. I am looking into specific forms of yoga.

Rich

[michigan roman]

www.losethebackpain.com helped a freind with disc problems .

the biggest factor in the healing was beleived to be the use of an inversion bench suggested by this site . the bench tilts one near upside down in order to releive pressure from the disc . i guess that helps the inflamed disc to self flush which takes away the inflamation . used the bench say 3 times a day for say 3 minutes per and within 30 to 40 days a formerly very crooked up back which had this person unable to sit for more than like 10 minutes (in other words really bad , drs wanted surgery) and taking like a minute to just get out of a car seat was healed and still is over a year later . the inversion bench was bought at a local department store , kmart , on sale for around 100 .

[richedie]

I have heard a lot of people have found relief with this bench. I also heard walking and swinging your arms to about parallel with the ground increases oxygen to the spine.

[tugboatani]

Hi, sorry you're experiencing pain and numbness. As a full-time professional sculptor spending 8-10 hours/day with my hands/arms in the air moving heavy clays on monumental works, I developed the numbness, hunched neck, tingling, and arms falling asleep at night with wrists curling into tight inward balls. Went through the whole gamut of physcians, suggested medications, etc., (last straw was a recommended psychiatrist!) till I found an old-school orthopedist, who took one look at the x-rays, pointed out the cloudy area in the thoracic vertebrae. He asked what I did for a living, how many hours per day and told me he thought I had Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, re, pinched nerves in the neck from swelling and inflammation from the repetitive movements for too many hours per day. He told me to:
1) Set a timer to go off every hour, stop what I was doing and go stand approx 3 feet away from a 'free' corner, feet just past shoulder width apart, put my hands on the joining walls at shoulder height and lean into the corner, using my hands/arms to hold me steady and do 10-15 moderate to slow 'push-in/outs' (like a vertical push-up) to break the spasms in my shoulder blades and neck, and increase circulation to the area.
2) This was followed by standing up straight and wrapping my arms around myself in a tight hug at shoulder height, then tucking my chin into my chest.
3) This is followed by releasing the hug, pulling the elbows back behind you in a chicken-wing spread, again at shoulder level as far back as you can pull them, again to stretch out the muscles and stop the spasms. Repeat the hug and chicken-wing stretch 5-6 times.
All this takes about 5-8 minutes and you can go back to work...for another hour, when you do it all over again. Took about a week of this before the burning, numbness and tingling began to go away, but have used it for 9 years now with great success when I get under pressure and 'have' to get a project out. No longer have problems with hands/arms/neck at night and only my neck bothers me a bit now and then when I forget these simple exercises.
Hope this helps! Best wishes.