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!