Running with a herniated lumbar disc?

[Mike Gallagher]

I wonder if anyone has any experience recovering or helping people recover from a herniated lumbar disc (left side between L5 S1). My is about 3 months old now (I reinjuried it mt. biking on March 23rd) and I am still having some very minor numbness in my left leg.I have to doing light workouts with low impact machines but it's boring. I really don't want to push things and add to the problem. I am also doing stretching, core strength and some light yoga and massage.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how best to get back into trail running? What is the likely healing process for a disc? Timeframes? My doctor says that some reabsorb and others don't.

I appreciate any comments.
Mike

[Mike Gallagher]

Update May16 - To anyone who may go through this same type of injury: I am back to running regularly (5-10 miles per run) and pretty much recovered (95%). I guess the nerve got used to the disc pushing against it because I think it's too soon for it to have reaborbed. I'm doing yoga and being careful with my back (sitting straight, doing core exercises, etc.). So far so good. Phew, what a relief!

[Adam Reyer]

Yes, very luck, Mike, considering the constant physical stress you put your body through. Indeed, it seems these things do come and go, if you treat them right. As you know, I like a great Chiro (like Andy Smith, Tim Scheuerman) who also knows A.R.T. and Graston for back problems, that way they can also handle the stiffness which, invariably comes, from "protecting" you back. But I presume disc problems need their TLC, stretching and strengthening. My wife Amy swears by Yogo for the flexibility and strengthening needed to keep her disc problem at bay. Good luck!

[Dr. Corey]

Hi Mike,
I found your question as I was browsing some websites. I am a sports based Chiro that emphasizes exercise in all means possible without pain of course. I great Chiro is your best bet. One that has either a Flexion/Distraction (Cox) table, or a Decompression Table (more pricey). Along with strengthening and avoiding traumatic exercise, you should be back to normal in no time, of course this depends on size of herniation and your body responses to care.
FYI, a disc does not get reabsorbed, in fact there is inflammatory reactions that happen once the disc matter invades the spinal column. Once this happens, the body reconizes this as an invader to the body. It attacks the disc matter as if an infection. There are special cells that do this. This inflammatory response is normal and needs to happen, yet controlled. With proper care the pressure of the disc matter and the inflammation together can be taken off the nerve, thus alleviated your symptoms, however the problem may persist for awhile longer or even move to other side!
Have a great one, I hope this helps
Dr. Corey

[Mike Gallagher]

Dr. Corey,

Thanks for your thougths. It is really appreciated. So far this summer I have been doing well. I just ran a 10 mile road race and had no problems with the lower back at all. Mt. biking quite a bit too. I only feel very minor sensations when I twist or stretch hard (like playing beach volleyball yesterday) which I guess is the nerve touching the herniation. Good to know about how the body deals with herniations too. Hopefully it will contine to reduce. But I'll head to the Chiro if things don't continue improving or get worse. In the mean while I'll continue with the streaching, yoga and core exercises between the cardio.

Thanks again,
Mike

Thanks again,
Mike