slipped disk and road to recovery

I've suffered a number of prolapsed discs since I was 19 and written blogs about it (search Vulpine blog) and I felt I needed to reply because of the life changes they have caused me and not wanting anyone to suffer the same.
Firstly, a slipped disc is no small injury and if ignored can become debilitating. I have been advised to "go to bed and let your spine fuse" by top specialists. Instead I improve and maintain through weights, swimming, Pilates, improved position, change of chair/mattress/car and especially riding position. All this so I can ride AT ALL.
Now I'm a fairly bad case, but I know of worse. But don't ignore it!!! Its a sign of other factors that need changing, like bike fit, core strength, etc.
As above, see a specialist. I'd recommend a very good physio (I use/used Mark and Stephanie Edgar, who work with GB Rowing Team) as they look at whole body and underlying causes. If also get a bike fit and NOT ride until you know answers and don't feel pain. Pain is a sign.
I find most GPs/specialists are interested only in rest/pills/surgery rather than recovery and cause. If I'd followed their advice I'd be infirm.
Osteopaths have helped.
I could write a book on this. I won't bang on too much. Just please please treat it seriously, before it gets seriously serious.
Nick.

Hi ta2dwez,

I'm an osteopath, and while I'm not going to be able to do a diagnosis over the internet I would might be able to add a couple of useful points.

The pain and restriction of movement might be horrific but that doesn't always indicate a herniated or prolapsed spinal disc. There are other dysfunctions or injuries that can affect the same area (facet joint injury, ligament or muscle injury, fracture etc etc) so before you self-treat and return to activity I'd advise you to get a diagnosis from a musculoskeletal professional (Osteopath, Chiropractor, Physiotherapist, Orthopaedic Consultant etc). There is a range of orthopaedic tests that can help identify which tissues are more or less likely to be causing your pain, and treatment needs to be based on a sound diagnosis. If your therapist can't identify the cause or has further concerns they'll refer you to your GP, A&E, X-Ray etc.

Secondly, the cause of the injury is very often not down to a single event but rather due to weakness built up over time from a host of factors. Anyone who treats you should be able to help you with this and identify ways to reduce the frequency or severity of it happening again. This might be treatment and/or lifestyle advice.

Hope that helps.

[[[[[[ Just don't go too soon. I did. It was high summer, I had had the prolapsed disc for around two weeks---agony. Nice day, dry, couldn't resist the call of the road, thought it might loosen the back muscles. No, half an hour in the saddle put me right back to square one, spent the next four weeks in even worse pain. Be patient.

Very best of luck. I stopped racing and then stopped riding after I slipped mine in my teens and it took a very long time to heal. It went again in my 20s and healed fast with gentle core exercise under supervision of a physio. Since starting riding again I've found it actually helps keep me strong. I am always scared I'll hurt myself again because I'm very lax with core exercise.. This was a good reminder! Hope you make a quick recovery!

I suffered from a prolapsed disk when putting my son in bed one night, you don't realise how incredibly debilitating it is until you do it. It took a few weeks to recover enough to be ignorable. I then started being a lot more careful about my core training and stretching, touch wood I've had nothing go wrong since.

I had a terrible slipped disc episode in my early 30s. 6mths off work in 2 years, mind blowing pain killers (had 'cold turkey' coming off Diazepam 4 times a day!), couldn't even sit in a car etc etc. Cycling for me at the time was mainly commuting and a bit of pub rides. In desperation I went to a Chiropractor who sorted me out. I still go 3-4 times a year. Doesn't necessarily work for everyone but it sorted me out.

What works for me, when I do mine about once every 4 or 5 years (typically doing manual work that I'm not used to - felling trees, mixing concrete...) is gentle walking - building up to power walking over a week or two (don't overdo it though) and then on to the bike - gently at first.

Optional trip for a wrestle with an osteopath, chiropractor or physio if it's particularly bad.

At all times, if it hurts - stop. Don't mainline the painkillers - there's a risk you'll hide it hurting and do more damage. Antiinflammatories can be helpful to accelerate your recovery - but then, so can smarties

Check this guy out:

http://www.mobilitywod.com

The focus is on crossfit, but KStar is a physiotherapist and the idea is that your body should be fit for movement. The bit about body maintenance I stole from him, but it all holds true.

Well give yourself enough time to recover from the slipped disc, but there really is nothing stopping you after that. That could be a week or less, or more. Depends how badly you rupture it. Basically the pain will let you know. Though the main thing during recovery is to keep moving, you'll only cease up.

Fundamentally a slipped disc is likely to indicate postural problems I would go see a physio and see if they can recommend some body maintenance. If you don't already do stretching I would start....core strength is really what you are aiming at. You body is no different from your bike. If you had a stiff gear changer, or rusted links, you'd grease it and lube it - do the same with your body.