It’s been a few months now, and you’re STILL dealing with some neck pain or back pain. Your Doctor has sent for some scans and the report comes back saying “There is vertebral osteophytosis and a moderate posterior disc bulge at L4/5 with mild central canal stenosis.” How many questions flew through your mind reading that? What the hell is that?! Do I have to see an orthopaedic surgeon? Will it shift or pop out of place? My back is STUFFED!
Amongst other questions, you are still dealing with the pain. Whether or not this scan has brought some comfort knowing, but now you have to figure out what it means for you and how to deal with it.
DO NOT freak out
Disc bulges are not always serious. They are common and can be found in people WITHOUT pain!1 Understand that your spine is incredibly strong! Your discs are tough! They do not slip, your vertebrae will not easily shift and you can NOT ‘pop’ your back out. Not even Chiro’s move the spine. It is honestly THAT bloody strong! Not only that, a disc bulge is not permanent. Look at these percentages of reversal!2With some time and management, it may resolve itself!
DO NOT isolate yourself
It is not the end. You still have the capacity and ability to move and continue with life. Keep yourself involved with the people and activities that you LOVE to do! You’re not alone with this and you can still enjoy other aspects of your life. If you do have significant pain at rest or with movement, seek some professional help for self-management strategies and therapy to improve your movement capacity.
DO NOT stop exercising.
Exercise is one, if not THE, best way you can look after your spine. Know your current movement and position aggravators and work around that. Maintaining exercise, whether its specific spinal rehabilitation or general physical activity – this will play a huge role in spinal mobility, stability and LONGEVITY! Lifting is NOT necessarily bad or dangerous for you. It all depends on your current pain levels, loading tolerance and what your body is conditioned for. Walking is the MOST UNDERATED exercise there is. It’s simple, free and will do more for your body than you think! If you’re not sure what exercise you should be doing – consult an Exercise Physiologist or Physiotherapist as it is all individualised!
So, take a breath. It’s not all over. Keep yourself mobile and do what feels good for your body and mind. This is not always serious and it is something you can influence!
Author – Caitlyn Huth Exercise Physiologist/Coach
REFERENCES
- Brinjikji W, Luetmer PH, Comstock B, et al. Systematic literature review of imaging features of spinal degeneration in asymptomatic populations. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2015;36(4):811–816. doi:10.3174/ajnr.A4173
- Chiu CC, Chuang TY, Chang KH, Wu CH, Lin PW, Hsu WY. The probability of spontaneous regression of lumbar herniated disc: a systematic review. Clin Rehabil. 2015 Feb;29(2):184–95