Bulging discs

[LK]

Hi Shelley! I wasn't really sure about the right place for my problem. My husband fell on his back pretty badly few months ago. He has been better and worse, now his legs started to go numb, so he had CatScan done which revealed he has few bulging discs in his lower back.
His doctor told him that physical therapy might help. Now I was wondering how serius are bulging discs, and what kind of exercise he should do and what he shouldn't do. He lifts weights, and I am not sure he should continue. Any ideas? Also any ideas on any supplements he should be taking???

[shelley]

Hi LK!

OH dear that's not fun. Bulging disks (subluxions) ought to be taken seriously indeed, if left untreated they will degenerate further and the body will take steps to fortify the spine by growing bone spurs. This freezes the spine so you can no longer bend. The body considers this a fair trade-off, because the ramifications of having reduced cartilage in between the vertebrae means pressure on the entire nervous system. That stops nerve impulses both too and from the brain. That means things just stop happening, it's like being dead. So the body figures better to be immobile than dead. Make sense?

he should consult with a very experienced chiropractor. Weight lifting is contra-indicated, yep, but certain exercises and stretches should be prescribed and done faithfully.

There are ways he can help the body manage this situation nutritionally, food for cartilage for instance, but it won't do any good if he doesn't get the vertabrae back into a good position. Minor subluxions can be put back into place with flower essences, MAP and judicious mineral supplementation, but major ones need all of that AND a bit of hands-on.

Good luck!

[Peggster]

I've had one who has left me worse than before going but is very reputible. What would one look for?

Thanks. Peggy

[ono]

People with back (or any soft tissue, bone) problems may want to consider seeing a osteopath. My aunt is an osteopath, they are amazing healers. I beleive most are regular MD's plus extra training. Osteopaths also tend to be much more holistic than a regular GP.

[shelley]

Osteopaths are great - I wrote a post on them awhile back. But they can be tough to find.

My advice on how to tell a good chiropractor from a bad one is in the main pages.