Herniated Disc

[IHaverGolf]

Looking for anyone who has dealt with any herniated disc issues throughout their playing career.  I herniated one of my lower disc's around 2.5 months ago, and have been in PT using the mckenzie method for around 1 month, noticing slow changes as I go, less pain/increased mobility  but still nowhere near swinging.

 

Has anyone taken the non-surgical route?  This is the path I would like to take, but some days are more discouraging than others. How long did it take for your recovery?

 

 

 

 

[phizzy30]

I have 3 herniated discs.  It took a good 5 months before I was back to what I consider fully functional again after herniating my L5 and L6.  I had to wait for the inflammation to subside then do PT.  I've managed the pain quite well throughout the years by strength training my entire body but focusing on back, core, glutes and hamstrings.  Also stretching and doing mobility work has also helped.  This is a very basic overview of how I handled my disc issues but I haven't needed to go the surgical route.  It's been over 20 years since my back injuries so there's hope for you unless your herniated disc(s)are severe. 

Edited December 31, 2023 by phizzy30

[johnrobison]

Ditto^

While I'll have a flair-up once in a great while, I've avoided surgery and hope stay that way. I actually had it scheduled once but then pulled out 2 weeks away and happy I did. In addition to lots of strengthening, I've added a bunch of hip mobility over the last couple of years - if the hips are limited, more of the forces will be transferred to the lower spine.

[duffer18]

27 years ago, I herniated a disc.  For four months, I tried every conventional and alternative treatment we could find.  Nothing worked until surgery, which worked beautifully and quickly.  A small piece of the broken disc lodged against my nerve, causing unbearable pain due to sciatica.

 

No more disc problems until September of this year (one month before my daughter's wedding).  Another herniated disc.  This time, it's a big blow out of the disc.  No sciatica.  PT, exercise, walking and a cortisone shot have helped.  But there's still some pain and stiffness, and I'm weakened from very little activity for three months.  My doctor has told me I can't hurt myself anymore so has said I can start swinging.  I"m in the Boston area, so courses are closed, and I'm now startng to hit with simulators.  It's pretty brutal.  I've lost a lot of swing speed and my shots are all over the place.  Experimenting with lighter shafts because the irons I used through last summer seem too heavy for me now.  We're going to Florida in January and I don't think I'll take the sticks---not at all sure that my golf is ready for public display.  

 

The pain remains, though it's not generally disabling, though it can have an impact on my swing.  I'll spend the next tree months and hope to build up my strength and stamina---and hopefully help my golf swing.  I'll go back for some lessons in late January and February.  

 

It's possible the cortisone shot wears off after another couple of months and maybe I'll need to consider surgery.  At the moment, I'm hoping that more rigorous exercise will help me get to something resembling a respectable golf swing again.  I'm also an old guy, 71, and we heal a lot slower.  Good luck.  Most of the time these things get better and the pain largely disappears.   But that doesn't help if we're among the unlucky minority for whom the pain sticks around.

[ronnbee]

Back hurts like hell when getting out of bed- then is fine can golf with no pain bend to take ball out of  cup but every morning painfull getting out of bed,,!,,,

Edited January 1 by ronnbee

[dblinden]

You definitely came to the right place for information. Do a search on this topic and you should easily find 100's of anecdotal experiences and even more recommendations. Unfortunately, not one of these replies will have anything to do with your situation. You might as well ask for some good stock recommendations as well.