Does anyone have experience with a slipped/herniated disc?

[calisoul]

I have never posted here before but in the heavies and sometime Mayb lounge. About ten years ago I hurt my neck when I raised my bottom guard for the triangle on a much bigger dude. He stacked me and basically rolled over top of me getting my back. Any way my neck hurt but it passed as a nagging pain but not unbearable. I continued to train. Pain was not that bad. In the later times the same spot started hurting more at certain times. Then my left hand went numb and the numbness creeped up to my shoulder so I went in to the hospital and they did and MRI. I had slipped my C4 C5. Its is herniated. I have had many doctors opinions on how to treat it. Of course they love to say the knife is the way. Other would love to load me up for life on opiates. One doctor treated me with anti inflammatory steroids and made me do neck traction every day. It worked but it comes back with vengeance out of the blue. I am considering epidural steroid injections along with physical therapy and neck traction. Pain pills although enticing are not an option for me. I do not think this injury is rare in this sport. Does anyone have some advice or ways you or a training partner have dealt with this in the past? I do not compete any longer and I can take what ever treatment the doctors give me. Steroids and neck traction seem to work but fuck it hurts when it hurts. Surgery scares me and does not have a 100% success rate. Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

[calisoul]

I posted this in conditioning as to not get flamed for wrong forum. I got zero response so I am posting it here so I can at least get a few responses before the mods move it. It is a serious question that I know some sherdoggers have some insight in. I'm sure I will get some stupid responses but I may get a couple that are serious and helpful. About ten years ago I hurt my neck when I raised my bottom guard for the triangle on a much bigger dude. He stacked me and basically rolled over top of me getting my back. Any way my neck hurt but it passed as a nagging pain but not unbearable. I continued to train. Pain was not that bad. In the later times the same spot started hurting more at certain times. Then my left hand went numb and the numbness creeped up to my shoulder so I went in to the hospital and they did and MRI. I had slipped my C4 C5. Its is herniated. I have had many doctors opinions on how to treat it. Of course they love to say the knife is the way. Other would love to load me up for life on opiates. One doctor treated me with anti inflammatory steroids and made me do neck traction every day. It worked but it comes back with vengeance out of the blue. I am considering epidural steroid injections along with physical therapy and neck traction. Pain pills although enticing are not an option for me. I do not think this injury is rare in this sport. Does anyone have some advice or ways you or a training partner have dealt with this in the past? I do not compete any longer and I can take what ever treatment the doctors give me. Steroids and neck traction seem to work but fuck it hurts when it hurts. Surgery scares me and does not have a 100% success rate. Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

[BRASIL WAND]

Advice? Learn how to BJJ bro


>Get stacked and rolled over from Triangle attempt


Under-Hook the leg as soon as he stands to stack you and you wouldn't have any neck injuries dummy.




>Continues training after nagging neck injury


You're just full of brilliant decisions aren't you m8?

 

[DaveHilly]

I don't have neck problems but I've been dealing with herniated discs in my back for close to five years. I was at the gym doing dead lifts incorrectly and boom multiple herniations. After about a year of painkillers I tweaked it and had to get surgery. At least for your lower back they can do a micro surgery where they go in and just shave off the herniated part of the disc. The recovery period is minimal but as with most surgery it's great to stop the pain but it doesn't solve the underlying issue.

So that surgery was in December 2012 and I felt fine but I wasn't totally right. I never really gained my confidence back to go back to exercising. As time went on the numbness came creeping back and on Nov 1 last year (2015) something happened and I was in incredible pain again, another disc herniation out of the blue! I was just sitting on a bed and stood up to incredible pain. I narrowly avoided a second surgery but this time I didn't just have numbness and paid I also had lost strength in both of my legs. Just my calfs and feet so I could still walk just not very well.

That was a scary moment for me. I honestly thought I might not be able to walk without assistance again.

I did daily decompression (similar to neck traction, i'm thinking) and used anti-inflammatories. After about 2/3 months I didn't have a need for painkillers anymore as the pain was gone but I still had my strength/numbness problems. I kept it up in conjunction with core strengthening activities and lying on special pillows to help improve the curve in my back.

It's been about 6.5 months now and I feel good, man. I have no numbness or pain anymore and all my strength is back. I go to the gym once a week to cycle and just sweat a bit! I went on a walk with my girlfriend on Sunday that was about 4 km. That was the furthest that I've been able to walk in five years because of my back issues. Discs are no joke.

I recommend doing the rehab and traction because the pills, the needles, and the knife are temporary. It's gonna be hard work and it's gonna be expensive but it's the only way to correct it for good.

 

[calisoul]

Advice? Learn how to BJJ bro


>Get stacked and rolled over from Triangle attempt


Under-Hook the leg as soon as he stands to stack you and you wouldn't have any neck injuries dummy.




>Continues training after nagging neck injury


You're just full of brilliant decisions aren't you m8?

Youre a dick. I was a white belt at the time rolling with guys way better than me. Plus I was young and invincible in my mind. But yes, I know now to grab the leg when I get stacked. This was ten years ago.

 

[calisoul]

I don't have neck problems but I've been dealing with herniated discs in my back for close to five years. I was at the gym doing dead lifts incorrectly and boom multiple herniations. After about a year of painkillers I tweaked it and had to get surgery. At least for your lower back they can do a micro surgery where they go in and just shave off the herniated part of the disc. The recovery period is minimal but as with most surgery it's great to stop the pain but it doesn't solve the underlying issue.

So that surgery was in December 2012 and I felt fine but I wasn't totally right. I never really gained my confidence back to go back to exercising. As time went on the numbness came creeping back and on Nov 1 last year (2015) something happened and I was in incredible pain again, another disc herniation out of the blue! I was just sitting on a bed and stood up to incredible pain. I narrowly avoided a second surgery but this time I didn't just have numbness and paid I also had lost strength in both of my legs. Just my calfs and feet so I could still walk just not very well.

That was a scary moment for me. I honestly thought I might not be able to walk without assistance again.

I did daily decompression (similar to neck traction, i'm thinking) and used anti-inflammatories. After about 2/3 months I didn't have a need for painkillers anymore as the pain was gone but I still had my strength/numbness problems. I kept it up in conjunction with core strengthening activities and lying on special pillows to help improve the curve in my back.

It's been about 6.5 months now and I feel good, man. I have no numbness or pain anymore and all my strength is back. I go to the gym once a week to cycle and just sweat a bit! I went on a walk with my girlfriend on Sunday that was about 4 km. That was the furthest that I've been able to walk in five years because of my back issues. Discs are no joke.

I recommend doing the rehab and traction because the pills, the needles, and the knife are temporary. It's gonna be hard work and it's gonna be expensive but it's the only way to correct it for good.

I really appreciate the input bro. I don't want to go on painkillers because like you said they don't help the underlying issue and they just mask the pain. Plus I have family members who have had addiction problems And yes neck traction is the same thing as spinal decompression just a different area. I appreciate the input and I am glad to see that my first choice is the same one you went through.

 

[DaveHilly]

I really appreciate the input bro. I don't want to go on painkillers because like you said they don't help the underlying issue and they just mask the pain. Plus I have family members who have had addiction problems And yes neck traction is the same thing as spinal decompression just a different area. I appreciate the input and I am glad to see that my first choice is the same one you went through.

Yea I think staying away from painkillers is a good call. I was pretty shocked throughout my ordeal how liberally they're handed out. I've spoken candidly with my doctor about how I don't want to stay on them because they're addictive and he said that it's only really becoming something that doctors talk about and worry about.

 

[calisoul]

Yea I think staying away from painkillers is a good call. I was pretty shocked throughout my ordeal how liberally they're handed out. I've spoken candidly with my doctor about how I don't want to stay on them because they're addictive and he said that it's only really becoming something that doctors talk about and worry about.

Yeah man, they throw them out like candy. Luckily i have friends and family members that I can learn from. Some ended up methadone. No thanks on that. I appreciate your input and you hit on exactly the option I want. I love to hear you have marked improvement. Anti infllmatories and spinal decrompression/neck traction seems to work. Let me know if there were curtain anti-amflamatoriees that worked the best. Via injection or oral. Cheers!

 

[Zankou]

There are long threads about this in the grappling forum. Check them out. Cervical disk herniation, particularly C5-C6, is an exceedingly common grappling injury. For lifting, I assume lumbar herniations would be vastly more common.

 

[ripskater]

I posted this in conditioning as to not get flamed for wrong forum. I got zero response so I am posting it here so I can at least get a few responses before the mods move it. It is a serious question that I know some sherdoggers have some insight in. I'm sure I will get some stupid responses but I may get a couple that are serious and helpful. About ten years ago I hurt my neck when I raised my bottom guard for the triangle on a much bigger dude. He stacked me and basically rolled over top of me getting my back. Any way my neck hurt but it passed as a nagging pain but not unbearable. I continued to train. Pain was not that bad. In the later times the same spot started hurting more at certain times. Then my left hand went numb and the numbness creeped up to my shoulder so I went in to the hospital and they did and MRI. I had slipped my C4 C5. Its is herniated. I have had many doctors opinions on how to treat it. Of course they love to say the knife is the way. Other would love to load me up for life on opiates. One doctor treated me with anti inflammatory steroids and made me do neck traction every day. It worked but it comes back with vengeance out of the blue. I am considering epidural steroid injections along with physical therapy and neck traction. Pain pills although enticing are not an option for me. I do not think this injury is rare in this sport. Does anyone have some advice or ways you or a training partner have dealt with this in the past? I do not compete any longer and I can take what ever treatment the doctors give me. Steroids and neck traction seem to work but fuck it hurts when it hurts. Surgery scares me and does not have a 100% success rate. Any input is greatly appreciated.

I wish you the best calisoul. I hope you get some things figured out about your injury.

 

[71Fish]

I got a herniated C4-C5 during a weight lifting incident in about 1999. I went several years just suffering. It was tolerable, but certain days my neck hurt so bad I couldn't hold my head up. Eventually, about 2005 I had injections. For me personally the injections worked and I haven't had any issues since then.

I see a chiropractor about once per month mainly for maintenance as I don't have any real issues anymore that need attention. Have you tried seeing a chiropractor? Always go for the least invasive procedure first. They probably won't do surgery (or I would hope) until all other means are exhausted.

 

[calisoul]

I got a herniated C4-C5 during a weight lifting incident in about 1999. I went several years just suffering. It was tolerable, but certain days my neck hurt so bad I couldn't hold my head up. Eventually, about 2005 I had injections. For me personally the injections worked and I haven't had any issues since then.

I see a chiropractor about once per month mainly for maintenance as I don't have any real issues anymore that need attention. Have you tried seeing a chiropractor? Always go for the least invasive procedure first. They probably won't do surgery (or I would hope) until all other means are exhausted.

Did you have the injections directly in the neck? That is my next step and the doctor wants me to get a new MRI first. That's good to hear it worked. I am same boat. Its usually tolerable but like you said some days it fairs up and it is hard to even keep my head up.

 

[71Fish]

Did you have the injections directly in the neck? That is my next step and the doctor wants me to get a new MRI first. That's good to hear it worked. I am same boat. Its usually tolerable but like you said some days it fairs up and it is hard to even keep my head up.

The shots went directly into the disk. The shots in the neck weren't bad.
The series in my L5 were uncomfortable.

Definitely push for the shots. For some people it doesn't work, for some it works for a while, so I guess I was part of the lucky few who get complete pain elimination.

 

[Ayin]

Cervical disk herniation, particularly C5-C6, is an exceedingly common grappling injury. For lifting, I assume lumbar herniations would be vastly more common.

I got both from neither, but being an avid lifter and doing fight training allowed me to recover from both much more quickly than seemed likely, and avoid surgery on either.

 

[Hotora86]

I herniated my L4/L5 in 2005 due to heavy lifting, though it wasn't very bad at first and I stupidly ignored it. Then did Karate and Judo for several years which made it worse. I went to a chiropractor in late 2009 and he fucked it up completely.

In early 2010 even walking was painful. Doc wanted me to get a operation straight away but luckily I was recommended a physio with 30+ years of experience who changed the way I move, sit, sleep, lift etc and taught me how to train all the little supporting muscles of the lower back.

Then I got the full package therapy: traction/decompression, laser, ultrasound, hot wax and meds (anti-inflammatory and painkillers). It got better, though long walks still made me very tense and the pain would come back every few weeks - I'd use my meds then.

Since 2010 I've been doing my custom back exercises every morning (no exceptions). They take only approx 15 minutes a day but it has made a huge difference - I can use the gym (no lifting, just machines, bench and pull-ups), I can walk long distances, the pain only comes back during winter.

Sadly, there is no perfect happy end. I started getting pain in between my shoulder blades recently, went to a good physio and it looks like I've been overcompensating certain curvatures of the spine due to my lumbar issues, which put stress on the chest region - so I need to adjust my lifestyle again. I'm ready to work on that though, I've been through it once and I can do it again. And so can you.

In short my advice is: get help from a good physio, change the way you move, ask for tailored exercise and make it your daily routine. Keep in touch with doctors to keep an eye on your progress. Surgery is the last resort.

Best of luck and don't give up - recovery is possible!

 

[calisoul]

Thank you everyone for your input. I am going to get the new MRI and have the injections in the disk. I like the idea from Hotora86 on seeing a physio to strengthen the muscles that would prevent it from coming back. Ill bump this this thread if works and let everyone know. It will be a while because I understand it is a series of multiple injections over a period of time.

 

[danthemanlovesatan]

I have never posted here before but in the heavies and sometime Mayb lounge. About ten years ago I hurt my neck when I raised my bottom guard for the triangle on a much bigger dude. He stacked me and basically rolled over top of me getting my back. Any way my neck hurt but it passed as a nagging pain but not unbearable. I continued to train. Pain was not that bad. In the later times the same spot started hurting more at certain times. Then my left hand went numb and the numbness creeped up to my shoulder so I went in to the hospital and they did and MRI. I had slipped my C4 C5. Its is herniated. I have had many doctors opinions on how to treat it. Of course they love to say the knife is the way. Other would love to load me up for life on opiates. One doctor treated me with anti inflammatory steroids and made me do neck traction every day. It worked but it comes back with vengeance out of the blue. I am considering epidural steroid injections along with physical therapy and neck traction. Pain pills although enticing are not an option for me. I do not think this injury is rare in this sport. Does anyone have some advice or ways you or a training partner have dealt with this in the past? I do not compete any longer and I can take what ever treatment the doctors give me. Steroids and neck traction seem to work but fuck it hurts when it hurts. Surgery scares me and does not have a 100% success rate. Any input is greatly appreciated.

I had a really bad time with my neck, and spent a grip on doctor's visits and visits to a physio who would focus on machine based treatments. Both told me to rest, and things just never improved.

I switched over to an osteopath who emphasizes stretching and strengthening exercises, and that's when things turned around.

You also need to pay attention to all of those workplace poster advice about keyboard, monitor and chair placement.

 

[Phlog]

I herniated my L4/L5 in 2005 due to heavy lifting, though it wasn't very bad at first and I stupidly ignored it. Then did Karate and Judo for several years which made it worse. I went to a chiropractor in late 2009 and he fucked it up completely.

In early 2010 even walking was painful. Doc wanted me to get a operation straight away but luckily I was recommended a physio with 30+ years of experience who changed the way I move, sit, sleep, lift etc and taught me how to train all the little supporting muscles of the lower back.

Then I got the full package therapy: traction/decompression, laser, ultrasound, hot wax and meds (anti-inflammatory and painkillers). It got better, though long walks still made me very tense and the pain would come back every few weeks - I'd use my meds then.

Since 2010 I've been doing my custom back exercises every morning (no exceptions). They take only approx 15 minutes a day but it has made a huge difference - I can use the gym (no lifting, just machines, bench and pull-ups), I can walk long distances, the pain only comes back during winter.

Sadly, there is no perfect happy end. I started getting pain in between my shoulder blades recently, went to a good physio and it looks like I've been overcompensating certain curvatures of the spine due to my lumbar issues, which put stress on the chest region - so I need to adjust my lifestyle again. I'm ready to work on that though, I've been through it once and I can do it again. And so can you.

In short my advice is: get help from a good physio, change the way you move, ask for tailored exercise and make it your daily routine. Keep in touch with doctors to keep an eye on your progress. Surgery is the last resort.

Best of luck and don't give up - recovery is possible!

It's amazing people still believe in chiropractic methods. It's based on nonsense. When people need a mechanic for their car it's not like they plump for the guy that tells a good story, they go for results, empirical understanding etc.. Mind blowing.

 

[cincymma79]

It's amazing people still believe in chiropractic methods. It's based on nonsense. When people need a mechanic for their car it's not like they plump for the guy that tells a good story, they go for results, empirical understanding etc.. Mind blowing.

You know there is documented evidence for them being effective

 

[Phlog]

You know there is documented evidence for them being effective

That's just people being effective at physiotherapy etc. Chiropractic method beliefs are demonstrably false. The inventor believed spine manipulation would cure tuberculosis, both his sons died from it.