Herniated Disk -- Do they ever Heal?

tjitsu · 07-09-2009, 12:27 PM

Hey guys, I recently found out that I have a "moderate to severe" herniated disk between c6 and c7 causing tinging and muscle loss of my right arm. Anyway, I've been training on it for a while, but I finally decided to get it checked out ( I'm in dental school and I should be able to feel my hand when working on a patient). While I haven't seen my nuerologist yet, I'm curious to what I'm in for. Can I ever train/compete jiu jitsu again? Can they heal themselves? If I get surgery (fused or artificial disk) can I train again AND practice dentistry? This is ridiculouos, I'm only 23. Thanks guys

boisefireman · 07-09-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjitsu

Hey guys, I recently found out that I have a "moderate to severe" herniated disk between c6 and c7 causing tinging and muscle loss of my right arm. Anyway, I've been training on it for a while, but I finally decided to get it checked out ( I'm in dental school and I should be able to feel my hand when working on a patient). While I haven't seen my nuerologist yet, I'm curious to what I'm in for. Can I ever train/compete jiu jitsu again? Can they heal themselves? If I get surgery (fused or artificial disk) can I train again AND practice dentistry? his is ridiculouos, I'm only 23. Thanks guys

I had the exact same thing two years ago. I started to have my right tricep shrink. I finally had c5 c6 disk removed a bone chip from my sternum inserted and a plate screwed over the top. I returned to bjj in 8 weeks and have had no problems. I got the bulge from dumbell clean and presses. A guy in the gym had the same thing but no surgery. It took about two years for the pain and tingling to stop. It might have left permenate damage

bjjaz · 07-09-2009, 12:48 PM

I work at a disability office and those kind of problems are usually degenerative, meaning it can only get worse over time. Talk to you PCP about options and like the above person mentioned surgery may have to be an option which sucks. Don't plan on being comfortable by the time your like 60 though.

Delbjj · 07-09-2009, 01:38 PM

I had the the same problem. No it never goes away, but it can get better.

I had a c7 disc kill my arm three years ago. The nerve took 2.5 years to regenerate. I have stay up with going to the Chiro or I will have pain in my hand and arm. I still train all the time and have learned how to protect my injury over time.

Good luck!

Lookyoung · 07-09-2009, 01:41 PM

My neck is totally jacked up I have a C5/C6 disc herniation with bulging at C6/C7. I had muscle spasms in my tricep area and numbness to my thumb and index finger. I have had this injury since august of 2006 and it has cost me about 5 months total of bjj class. I have had flareups usually like 3 months out of the year but other than that it has been ok.

I know this is going to sound crazy but I don't believe in disc surgery. Read a book by John Sarno on mind body disorders. He has 3 books on the subject read all 3 and let me know how you feel afterwards. It worked well for me.

boisefireman · 07-09-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lookyoung

My neck is totally jacked up I have a C5/C6 disc herniation with bulging at C6/C7. I had muscle spasms in my tricep area and numbness to my thumb and index finger. I have had this injury since august of 2006 and it has cost me about 5 months total of bjj class. I have had flareups usually like 3 months out of the year but other than that it has been ok.

I know this is going to sound crazy but I don't believe in disc surgery. Read a book by John Sarno on mind body disorders. He has 3 books on the subject read all 3 and let me know how you feel afterwards. It worked well for me.

I am living proof neck surgery can be very successful. With all you problems that keep coming up what is your solution? I would think you would want this pain and problems over

Edit: I just googled john sarano and it is interesting

Lookyoung · 07-09-2009, 05:23 PM

I would say motrin and positive thinking. My grips in my hand are very strong. If someone starts losing strength than I would say its serious and than you could consider a few different methods. But in the medical field you have 4 options for your disc problems.

1. Anitinflammatory pills. Also a doc proscribed me anti seizure medicine before to calm the nerve down and this also worked well.

2. Physical therapy

3. Epidural injection.

4. Surgery.

I took the 1st 2 options and not the 3rd and 4th. The problem with surgery is that many people still have pain and they dont get better.

Lookyoung · 07-09-2009, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boisefireman

I am living proof neck surgery can be very successful. With all you problems that keep coming up what is your solution? I would think you would want this pain and problems over

Edit: I just googled john sarano and it is interesting

As far as my problems go my pain is manageable when it flares up usually. I don't think I would ever have surgery. Most Docs especially neurologists and Orthopedics surgeons like to operate right away. this is how they get paid. When I went to a pain clinic the guy wanted to give me an epidural injection because I had pain for 2 weeks. I refused. Another doc wanted to do a cervical fusion I refused and I felt like I made the right choice.

Neck workouts, Positive thinking, Reading John sarno books, advil.

Lookyoung · 07-09-2009, 05:37 PM

I would also like to add anyone who has disc problems stay away from 200 plus pound whitebelt newbs ( Especially former wrestlers) or cardio machines. I am a bluebelt now and I tend to shy away rolling with aggressive whitebelts with something to prove because of my neck . In our fundamental classes the teacher will line up all the bluebelts and we will do positional sparring with whitebelts. This is when it is dangerous for someone with disc problems to get hurt.

I remember once we were doing positional sparring were I am on the bottom and I have to retain guard. My opponent was a 6"5 240 pound whitebelt newb. This guy went at me like it was a street fight smashing my face to the ground. I was able to get him in half guard and finally swept him from there but the reward is not worth the risk.

NOTE IF YOU HAVE DISC PROBLEMS STAY AWAY FROM 200 POUND PLUS WHITEBELT NEWBS.

crossman · 07-09-2009, 06:09 PM

It's pretty cut and dried these days for treatment. No nerve involement = rest, advil/muscle relaxants/ PT. Numbness/tingling/muscle loss = CT/mri/nerve conduction then most likely surgery. Herniated disk only = quick surg quick relief/no loss of range of motion. If disks are degenirating= fusion loss of range of motion depending on how extensive a fusion is done.