Caring for our discs

[Crystal33]

I suffer 4 levels of DDD, chemical pain from T spine disc tear leakage, and mechanical pain from associated sequestered fragment.
For several months I have been mainly resting hoping my body will improve things. There seems to be many views on what conservative care should consist of.

Conservative care to avoid an operation seems similar to post op though longer time frame, unless the op is a failure.
The following is the approach I have settled on but would appreciate views/criticism of others.

MECHANICAL/PHYSICAL:
Avoid any level of sitting, bending, lifting, or twisting that causes pain.
Lying down is preferable to sitting as it takes pressure off discs.
Gentle walk as able without pain and with good posture, straight back and shoulders.
Hydro therapy - reduced load on discs.
Other physical therapy on a no pain basis.

CHEMICAL:
Anti inflammatory as needed. Try to keep level of activity below that which causes pain, and requires pain medication, as this will cause healing setback and prolong condition.

NUTRITIONAL: Healthy diet. Drink alot of water. Glucose/sugar with each meal. Glucosamine supplement. Water seems important to nucleus. Discs contain significant amount sugars, glucosamine.
Possibly take half aspirin a day to thin blood which could help to get more nutrition into disc (a theory only). Decreased disc nutrition is a cause of disc degeneration.

BEHAVIOURAL: Sleep after lunch each day. Discs expel fluid and waste during day under compression and slowly take in fluid and nutrition overnight when they are not compressed. Having a sleep period after lunch possibly may enable the discs to take in nutrition twice a day instead of once a day. Has there been any research into this? I think i read somewhere that Dr Bertagnoli, or other eminent person, said primitive man used to live differently than us and our way of life sitting/standing most of day contributes to disc degeneration.

PSYCHOLOGICAL: Unlike most other injuries, realize and accept that it may take a few years for body to deal with problem. Therefore along the way don't raise activity level above level of healing to the point of pain as this will cause flareup and healing setback.
I read Doug's diary on chirogeek website. His operation was a failure and ultimately his own body improved his condition over several years. Along the way he suffered numerous setbacks that mostly seem to have been caused when he raised his physical activity level above the level of healing achieved by his body at the particular point in time.

[New Disc-Man]

I agree with most of what you say.

I take an increased amount of glucosamine as well as multi vitamins, calcium with vitamin D (to help body absorb the calcium), fish oil (instead of aspirin, fish oil is a blood thinner too)

Find somewhere local to do Clinical Pilates. It must be on the Refformer Machine not on the floor or mats. Clinical Pilates is recommended here before and after spinal surgery. I have met many people doing it when I was there post op who swear it has kept them off the operating table and strengthened their backs and core and body to the point they no longer need the surgery for pain provided they keep up the clinical pilates. They all see my surgeon and he is supportive of the program.

Dont go into any surgery for the relief of pain. It will most likely not give you the level of relief you want for you to call the op a success. It may even give more pain. Surgery should only be used to fix spinal defects. Most surgeons wont tell you that the surgerywill reduse your pain by x%. They normally say they think you will be x% better, structurally fixed etc. I bet no surgeon gives a guarantee on pain relief from surgery.

Be prepared for depression which comes from the time it takes to get what seems is nowhere sometimes. You can feel pretty low at times, desperate even.

And lastly, keep fit. The body will go downhill very fast if yo plan to lay around all day. It may give your disc time to heal by not agravating it, but it will be stuffed again when you try then rid your excess weight you will gain, and also you will need a lengthy time to recover from the several years of doing nothing. Get support from a trained clinical pilates person and they can help you maintain your 'rest' as well as keep you strong and fit without overstressing your spine etc.

[Gil Denis]

Hi New Disc- Man

I agree with pilates I have been involved with pilates for five years now I waiting to heal from micro disc surgery to began on the reformer only.

Thanks

Gil

[dshobbies]

By all means, it's best to try all conservative treatment before embarking on a surgical answer - however, if the disc itself to too badly compromised or already dehydrated, pt and/or waiting may not help.

I don't want to disillusion you or dissuade you from trying anything you think worthwhile, but conservative treatment doesn't always work. However, if it does, it will definitely be worth the time, effort and energy in the long run.

Good luck to all, Dale

[Crystal33]

Thankyou for replies. Pilates is something i will look into. Having a torn disc has made me apprehensive about type of physical therapy i try as i hope the tear will seal up. It's a double edged sword.
Not smoking and being a little underweight would be other things i would add.
Certainly if disc is badly degenerated nothing may help except surgery, unless maybe stem cells work in the future.
Ongoing good conservative care regime might hopefully prevent or delay degeneration of more discs in the future. There seems to be little literature on the subject.

These are cruel injuries that often do not show themselves until end stage. I think the govt. should provide some public education to young people espec about caring for their spines and discs for life.

[Crystal33]

If this works, it should fast tracked.

Disc regrowth: Mesoblast - the adult stem cell company. Regeneration of adult stem cells for regrowth of bone and cartilage.