Lower back problems

[dennis4190]

Bulging Disc

Had an MRI yesterday and found out I have multiple bulging discs. Anyone else had this problem and what was done for it? I have had to shut down my golf because of the pain.

[jrjones60]

I had my neurologist prescribe prednisone to take down the swelling (1 tab 3 times day for 3 days...1 tab 2 times day for 3 days...1 tab per day for 3 days). It did the trick. After the 9 days of prednisone he has me taking Meloxicam 1 tab every day to keep the swelling down. Believe me when I say that I couldn't even get out of bed when the pain started. After the prednisone and now taking the meloxicam, I play 18 holes EVERY day and sometimes I even play 36. It really worked for me and no surgery, thank God. Hope this helps. By the way, I'm 63 yr old.

[Headgames]

Popped my L5-S1 disc twice (most recent event was last year - I was out 5 weeks). Depending on the severity and location of the discs in question, you could be out anywhere from 1-8 weeks, assuming surgery isn't needed.

Initial treatment (first 7-10 days) consisted of a mixture of A) some type of pain killer (percocet, vicodin, oxycodone et.) B) muscle relaxants (valium, flexoril, etc) to control for any muscle spasms associated with the pain and C) anti-inflammatories (prednisone or some other steroid) to reduce swelling.

Bed rest is ok for the first 3-5 days until the pain is under control, but after that it becomes counter productive. My return was made much easier by going to physical therapy. This mostly consisted of stretching and core muscle exercises.

It's a tough, frustrating rehab, but do the work, and the results do come, albeit slowly.

Feel better!!!

[dennis4190]

Thanks for the responses guys.

[dan360]

I had major back surgery at 21 years of age and have managed to lead a relatively normal life thereafter.

The thing I can't stress enough about overcoming injuries like this, is to stay flexible.


Yoga is your friend. Seriously.


Best of luck to you!

[divot46]

I have had a lower back disc issue since I was about 18. Also have stenosis and arthritis. After awhile, you kinda learn what you body is telling you. I was recommended surgery when I was in my late 20's and declined since they couldn't guarantee the results. Treatment included PT, anti inflamitories, and just try to be careful how you do things. I'm 6'6" so gravity just works on me more than a short guy. Stretch alot, work on your core muscles. I have come to realize I will never be as limber as a young man (I'm 53) and accept that I won't be smashing 300 yard drives any more. You can enjoy a normal life tho.

[D'KRUSHER]

Watch your posture - 100% of the Time !!! Lower Back slightly "in, belly-button slightly sucked "in" ...

eat lots of Salmon, take the Flex-a-mins-BioFlex Tablets... more rather that less-
FISH OIL...gobble'em.
Advils.... when you need too. Drink H2O.

Hang - the anckles..and Yoga - strech.

My Lower Lumbar area through all the activities I have done.. well - they cant see much of any of my discs in the MRI. So I have to do the above. I have pulled my back- slipped disc- twice.

No Smoking- No Hard Liquor. GOOD LUck !

[freshprince99]

l5-s1 problems as well as some disc issues lead to the end of my attempted professional career. im on a stretching program now as well as some physio (although not as much as i did when i was still trying to play), and trying to lose some weight. my back is getting somewhat better, ive made some swing changes (trying to get more rotary, i used to have a big lateral slide into the ball with my hips) that have taken some of the pressure off. i think with a continued effort to get in better shape and sticking to the stretching i might be able to give playing another shot. i still have a low level of discomfort every day, but when it happened the pain was such that i couldnt play golf at all, let alone walk around normally. it really sucks man, and in my case it never got "cured", im just hoping that i can get to the point where it is just uncomfortable, but i can still play regularly.

[AlohaJim]

After multiple surgeries and disc issues over the years, I remember the valuable advice of a retired neurologist. I had been "busy" trying to take care of the latest disc pain flareup with physical therapy, acupuncture, medication, stretching, light swimming therapy, etc, and was still in a lot of pain. He told me that "rest and inactivity" was highly under-rated. So the best advice I might give after going thru spine issues and golf for 40 years is "all things in moderation -- including rest", and remember that "daily activities" in your lifestyle are physical therapies already. Check out " www.chirogeek.com if Doug still has that site up. It gives an immense amount of information and personal experience on one site.

As far as golf. The core twisting motion exacerbates disc herniation and resultant inflammation and nerve root irritation. If there's gel leaking from the inner disc then that acidity makes things that much worse. Like stepping on a toothpaste tube with a crack on the side.

Advice is to do only what does not cause or increase pain. If it's just putting, then that's that. Spine problem recovery is measured in months and years. Be patient. The old fitness adage " work thru the pain " doesn't work for this situation. What does work is "let pain be your guide. At any one moment things are either; staying the same, getting better, or getting worse. Adjust lifestyle activities and therapies so that things are always improving. Three months from disc herniation is the acute phase. Take it in increments from there.

Try back supportwear to help guard the area, help support your core while you heal, and also protect things as you return to golf.

good luck.

[wombat50]

I have been "down in my back" many times. More then anything it is work related but I'm sure overdoing anything in golf doesn't help.
I tried swinging like John Daly one time and it took a week to get over it.
One thing I have learned to totally avoid is riding as a passenger in a cart and hanging onto the grip in the edge of the cart roof. That really tweaks my back.
I mostly walk now.

[Laneo]

during weight lifting and some training when I played a little bit of football I'm sure I squared improperly; or with the wrong form. That said I was in a golf tournament and after reaching the 10th tee I collapsed due to a extreme lower back pain; that said it was like a complete loss of control, no pain in th legs, just a immediate back spasm. I went to a back doctor; forgot what it's called and they recommended me for 6 months if physical therapy twice to three times a week. I have 2 stress fractures in my lower
vertebrae, and the therapy helps build the lower and inner core muscles. Also, heat and cold packs + a massage, I'm glad not only I had this sort of problem, since I'm 17 - college golf is in the near future, and wanting to continue my golf career is extremely important to me. I can post some of the exercises they gave to me; including a stronger and better posture and maybe that can help you guys out.

[kesler]

I am 90 days post surgery. Started in January 2010. After PT, pills, chiropactor, shots and accupuncture I could not take it anymore. Thay all worked however all were temporary. I had surgery from L2 all the way to S1. . Its a long healing processs however at 90 days post I can play once a week for now. You can PM me if you want to go over this. It may go away on its own or it may not.

[JP101]

[quote name='dennis4190' timestamp='1283286480' post='2671916']
Had an MRI yesterday and found out I have multiple bulging discs. Anyone else had this problem and what was done for it? I have had to shut down my golf because of the pain.
[/quote]

I also have multiple bulging disks in my back along with Scoliosis. I missed a season of college golf due to pain and have had to withdraw of golf tournaments because of it in the past. I am now pain free and have 0 problems with my back. Best advice is DO NOT play when you have pain, it will only get worse. Wait for it to go away and then begin to work on your core and stretch. I started doing P90x and have never had any problems with my back since. P90x yoga made me a ton more flexible and body is stronger than ever. Best advice I can give from my similar experience.

[easycheesy]

Go see Dr. John Sarno (NYC) or read his books and check out the video lecture. Had crippling pain, couldn't walk, had to crawl to the bathroom. Had steroid injections, saw chiropractors, acupuncturists, pain mgmt specialists (aka traditional back and pain mgmt doctors) at NYU, etc etc. Nothing worked except Sarno. Do some research and decide for yourself. Pain free with ZERO restrictions for a couple of years now. PS - if you do some research on it... you must realize he is not saying it is all in your head, he is saying that your brain, emotions create the physical situation (oxygen deprivation) that causes spasm and the other issues you are having. Of course i cannot tell you if Sarno would diagnose you as suffering from TMS (sse his books), but if that was the diagnosis then you may not have to live with crippling pain. If you are on the West Coast there is also a guy named Dr. David Schechter that trained with Sarno who is in the LA area.

PS - these guys (once acute pain subsides) argue to get moving and not worry about the pain, so the opposite of all the "experts" out there.

Good luck man and i would also encourage the others who are "dealing" with the pain via some sort of "pain management" to at least explore Sarno as a possible solution. Living with chronic pain is no way to live.

PS - P90 or P90X are both awesome btw once you can get moving again.