So . . . about a year and a half ago I injured my back. 2 bulging disks and 1 herniated disk in my low back. Had 3 months of physical therapy that did absolutely NOTHING until they tried traction. Once I got on traction, I started making major progress. Went from barely being able to walk to dancing, etc. Unfortunately 3 weeks after that started, I maxed out on my insurance and had to stop going.
Since then I have pretty much plateaued with healing. It neither gets worse or better. My last physical therapy session was about a year ago and I am at the exact same place I was then.
What's the issue??? Mainly my right hip. The therapist even thought it was something to do with my previous endometriosis. Or . . . maybe the way my body compensated for my disk herniation. My back issues are on the left side, but all my pain is in and around the right hip. I even have thought that perhaps it is a result of dancing so much on the right side (ATS).
Has anyone had a similar injury? I'm sooooo frustrated. I'm only 26 . . . that's way to young to have to hobble around like I do. Yoga is almost impossible for me as the poses cause unbearable pain. Bending over is impossible . . . I don't even attend any dance moves that require back bends.
I considered returning to physical therapy and insist that they start traction on day 1. Maybe more would help me get better??? But, that would be kinda pricey as I haven't yet met my insurance deductible for the year.
Any help would be appreciated. What should I do? Are there any stretches / exercises / treatments you think would help? What do you think the issue is? Please help!!!!! I'm 26, but I feel like I'm 62!!!!! It sucks!!!!!
I offer no help, just hope you feel better soon. As someone who is under-insured, I understand your frustration. It does sound like you should head back to physical therapy. Did they offer you any other alternatives?
In the past, I had posted a link to the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, which you might find helpful. They have a brief article on herniated disks. Common Dance Injuries - SPINE. I know it probably doesn't help much. I'm sorry you're in such pain.
Have you tried accupuncture? Something outside of the typical western medicine-I have had it done and know a number of people who have had it help with all sorts of things. Of course, not knowing anything about your condition, I'm just suggesting. You might at least go consult an accupuncturist to see if it could benefit you.
I offer no help, just hope you feel better soon. As someone who is under-insured, I understand your frustration. It does sound like you should head back to physical therapy. Did they offer you any other alternatives?
In the past, I had posted a link to the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, which you might find helpful. They have a brief article on herniated disks. Common Dance Injuries - SPINE. I know it probably doesn't help much. I'm sorry you're in such pain.
That's a very informative website. Thanks for showing it to me. I'll use this site in the future. Thanks for the sympathy. Yeah . . . I tend to think since the traction was helping . . . maybe I should give it another shot? Can you get too much traction though???
Have you tried accupuncture? Something outside of the typical western medicine-I have had it done and know a number of people who have had it help with all sorts of things. Of course, not knowing anything about your condition, I'm just suggesting. You might at least go consult an accupuncturist to see if it could benefit you.
This is a thought . . . is it expensive? I kinda doubt my insurance would cover such a treatment.
If physical therapy helped, you should raise hell & highwater to get back into it. Go back to your primary care physician and discuss.
Because you're so young, you have a much better chance of healing up & getting better than when you're older. Also, since it is hugely affecting your quality of life - now is the time to intervene. ANd given it is your back & hip - you need professional help -- at the least, to guide you into the best regimen to heal you up and prevent further injury - which can follow you for the rest of your life. Also, a professional can also help you correct imbalances in muscle development.
I have a screwed up hip - and was in constant pain and had limited mobility from my teen years on. It actually NEVER occurred to me to try physical therapy. However, I did start lifting weights (since I had no experience, it's a wonder it worked) - once my hips and back muscles got stronger -- a huge amount of the daily pain went away. It was like the heavens opened up and showered down bliss upon me.
Anyway, it sounds like you've had major trauma -- so getting proper care & guidance (even just to get you started with the right exercises, weights, movements - yadayada) is important.
Curious...did the PT suggest/recommend any exercises to do? I've had PT and OT for two separate issues and each time, the therapist gave me exercises to do on my own. Secondly, I also have bulging disks which is something my chiropractor told me upon on my getting diagnosed, that this is something that is going to be around and not go away overnight. So I have good days and I have bad days. She gave me stretching exercises to do on my own (which helps to an extent when I do them consistently). Good luck and I hope that your pain is relieved.
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Thanks for your input. I appreciate it very much. My PT did give me like 2 stretches to do, and I usually do them before and after I dance and usually sometime during the day. They do loosen me up a bit but don't get rid of the pain.
It's weird, but sometimes I feel like my right hip is always twisted forward and up and when I look in the mirror, my right hip is higher than my left. I can straighten it out, but it is quite a task and when I relax again, it just goes right back . . . . Yikes!
Thanks for your input. I appreciate it very much. My PT did give me like 2 stretches to do, and I usually do them before and after I dance and usually sometime during the day. They do loosen me up a bit but don't get rid of the pain.
It's weird, but sometimes I feel like my right hip is always twisted forward and up and when I look in the mirror, my right hip is higher than my left. I can straighten it out, but it is quite a task and when I relax again, it just goes right back . . . . Yikes!
I"m no doctor, PT etc, but... I pulled my iliopsoas in the end of 3 week yoga intensive in India. I felt a strong painful pull in my hip and my right leg was about an inch longer than the left! I was barely walking. Luckily there was an osteopath guy at the course who made this magic adjustment that allowed me to walk again. However it took several weeks and some strong anti inflammatory pills to heal. What I'm saying is: get professional help!
I have a compression between L4 and L5. This causes siatica, sometimes mild, sometimes horribly painful. I have found that there are several stretches which done carefully are helpful. Downward dog, plank, sun salutation directly into what ever you call the straight down and touch your toes pose.
Childs pose is great, too, for a nice relaxing stretch. Do it both facing the mat and on your back. Resist the urge to pull your legs to your chest. Trust gravity!
The other poses which I have at times found to be helpful, but should be done with extreme caution if you have a pre existing condition is either Lord of the Fishes (or half Lord of the Fishes) and the belly twist. These need to be approached with caution for obvious reasons.
The only other thing I can suggest, and I know it has helped me, is to really work on strengthening your core muscles. This will help to support your skeleton and take some of the strain off of the injuries.
{{{HUGS}}}
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Thank you all for your advice and support! I went to the doctor today and start physical therapy round 2 tomorrow morning. Hopefully, my body heals soon! Thanks sooooooo much!!!!
OUCH!!!!!! Injury help please!!!
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