should I be worried about my weight?

[SteelWeaver]

but i dont have pains any where else except my lower back..dont know if there's any point.

rez, your CNS includes your WHOLE spine - just because the pain is in your lower back doesn't mean that's where it's originating, or that it's not related to something else. You should get every thing checked out properly. Have you had an MRI or any scans or anything?

I had the same problem keiko had - numbness in arms and hands, but the problem was in my cervical vertebrae.

 

[rez]

rez, your CNS includes your WHOLE spine - just because the pain is in your lower back doesn't mean that's where it's originating, or that it's not related to something else. You should get every thing checked out properly. Have you had an MRI or any scans or anything?

I had the same problem keiko had - numbness in arms and hands, but the problem was in my cervical vertebrae.

i had an x-ray if that counts? it said that my pelvis was slightly out of allignment..but the osteopath adjusted it, and says its sitting straight now...

Ihave no idea, but will ask on monday. I think I will just have to take a strong muscle relaxent for the next two weeks until my studies are over..

 

[keiko]

No, an X-ray won't show everything an MRI does. That your pelvis is out of alignment is sort of vague--you could have scoliosis, you might have one leg shorter than the other, etc.

I'm all for alternative medicine when it's appropriate, but you don't want to mess around with spinal/CNS issues.

My problems showed up in my hands but it was my 6th and 7th vertebrae that were messed up. The X-ray showed I had bones, but it didn't show the real problems--the discs. Muscle relaxants spaced me out, but they didn't heal anything as it wasn't my muscles that needed attention.

If I had let it go I would have ended up with surgery and I'm not having anyone cut on my spinal cord!

 

[rez]

No, an X-ray won't show everything an MRI does. That your pelvis is out of alignment is sort of vague--you could have scoliosis, you might have one leg shorter than the other, etc.

I'm all for alternative medicine when it's appropriate, but you don't want to mess around with spinal/CNS issues.

My problems showed up in my hands but it was my 6th and 7th vertebrae that were messed up. The X-ray showed I had bones, but it didn't show the real problems--the discs. Muscle relaxants spaced me out, but they didn't heal anything as it wasn't my muscles that needed attention.

If I had let it go I would have ended up with surgery and I'm not having anyone cut on my spinal cord!

so once you had an MRI, it helped? How long did it take you to recover after that?

 

[keiko]

The MRI takes a picture. Then the neurologist could pin-point where my problem was. (I had a nerve test, too but fortunately I didn't lose any nerve function.)

Then she gave me some neck exercises, sent me to PT to learn how to do them right and I've been doing them religiously ever since. Also, she tod me no more Yoga, and no inversions. She's fine on lifting and Pilates.

It took about 2 days for the pain to abate so I could drive (numb hands? don't drive stick!) and then in about 2-3 weeks I felt like my old self. I don't sleep on my stomach, have a special pillow,e tc.

This sort of disc problem is common as gravity is out to get us. Most people opt for surgery, and some people get worse after surgery. Lower back stuff is very common.

 

[rez]

The MRI takes a picture. Then the neurologist could pin-point where my problem was. (I had a nerve test, too but fortunately I didn't lose any nerve function.)

Then she gave me some neck exercises, sent me to PT to learn how to do them right and I've been doing them religiously ever since. Also, she tod me no more Yoga, and no inversions. She's fine on lifting and Pilates.

.

what are inversions?
what exercises/type of lifting do you do now? are you restricted?

 

[jnuts]

The chiro etc. had all sorts of theories but not until I saw a neurologist did it make sense (disc problems pinching the nerves.) She gave me great exercises, I didn't have surgery and didn't lose strength.

If you can afford it or have the coverage, it might be a good plan to check it out.

I have two herniated discs in my neck C4, C5 and the exercises I was given to work on my neck did NOT work. Was wondering what exercises you were given to do.

-nuts

 

[keiko]

Inversions are like shoulder stand, head stand, fish pose-- anything that puts pressure on my neck. (you know, when you get "inverted").

I have no restricting on lifting. I don't do good mornings, but it's not exactly in everyone's regular routine, anyway. While I'm not a strength monster, I bench and squat my own weight. I don't do behind the head lat pulldowns, but why would I?


jnuts--
My discs weren't herniated, but every exercise she gave me came from "Treat your Own Neck" by McKenzie. I think my success came from (1) have a PT show me how to do them correctly and (2) taking some Alexander Technique classes to show me how to avoid strain in my every day actions.

I changed how I sit, how I sleep, how I drive, etc.

 

[rez]

I changed how I sit, how I sleep, how I drive, etc. [/B][/QUOTE]

i think this is cruitical...its when i set or drive etc that my back pain get worse. How did u change how u drive?

 

[jnuts]

My discs weren't herniated, but every exercise she gave me came from "Treat your Own Neck" by McKenzie.

Thanks! I'm going to order that book.