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What Causes Slight Discomfort In Lower Back Despite Wearing Lumbar Belt For Most Of The Time?
Question: Hi ,
I have been diagnosed of a minor disc bulge/(Herniation - Not sure which one is my case - Can you clarify here?? ) in mid XXXXXXX 2015 time. I have had a mix of rest and normal routine activity till now. Will upto 2-3 weeks of drugs - anti-inflammatory and nervijen tabs. i have had 15-20 days of physiotherapy sessions ( IFT + Ultrasound therapy ). Now the pain is better than what it was initially. I have started with back strengthing isometric exercises - ( mainly bow pose, press up , bridge, etc ) twice a day along with oil massage 2 times a day. I can ereally feel the muscles have become really stronger aroung lower and mid back, hips, buttocks .. I am guessing this is a good sign ?? ( IS IT ? ) ...I continue to wear lumbar belt for most part of the day when i am out of house. But still during sitting beyond 30 minutes there is slight discomfort in the lower back left region above the buttocks. Walking movements are perfectly fine.
No current medication
Current concerns :
- slight and mild nagging discomfort in the lower back left above buttock region during continuous sitting beyond 30 minutes
- slightly tight calf muscles and muscles behindthe knee caps. Thighs are perfectly fine.
- heel and ankle pain on some days when a lot of standing and walking is involved.
Current precautions being taken :
- Absolutely not doing any forward bending motions as part of any activity
- No 2 wheelers
- Avoiding car travel as much as possible
- mix of walking and sitting .. sometimes i end up sitting beyond 30 minutes due to professional requirementts,. I try to avoid this as much as possible.
- Wearing lumbar belt as much as possible.
- Sometimes i end up standing more than i sit.
Queries -
0. Doc, Can you please let me know whether i am on the right track with respect to lifestyle and posture ?? I am keeping my back abs straight when i sit. Are my symptoms of mild pain in back and musclular tightness a temporary one and a consequence of something more severe . I feel 50% better than what i was feeling a month back and i feel strong muscles are the reason. Are my symptoms mild/severe and something that will naturally heal or is there something more i need to adjust in my lifestyle.
1. How serious is my condition from the report perspective ?? I have plans to go abroad and study graduate later in august .. leaving my current job .. Am i asking my body too much doing this ????
2. Also can you suggest any safe way of doing hamstring and calf stretches without forward bending involved and without compromising my back recovery ??
3. Also can you give suggestions on how to reduce my tummy fat , which i believe is essential to back health in future... what about the right diet and abdominal workouts ??
4. Also till when do i keep avoiding forward bending.. Is it going to be this way for the rest of my life ?? Will i not be able to bend forward ever again ?? isnt it going to cause other sort of problems ?? Will i not be severely vulnerable to jerks and sudden external forces in the forward direction ?? When i just tried once getting out of my bed on the back instead of sides , it was impossible to do so , the lower back region has tootally become resistive of forward motion ?? Can i not slowly incorporate and develop flexbility to some extent in the forward direction ?? - MOST IMPORTANT
5. Is left right twisting stretches allowable for me at this stage of recovery ??
6. Am i ok with the set of exercises i am doing currently or should i add some more exercises to it ??
7. How and when will i attain full range of flexibility again in my life ??
I plan to get my cholesterol and D3 levels tested in a few days (since they were a littel outside normal range in the recent past.. I will let u know the results...
I have been diagnosed of a minor disc bulge/(Herniation - Not sure which one is my case - Can you clarify here?? ) in mid XXXXXXX 2015 time. I have had a mix of rest and normal routine activity till now. Will upto 2-3 weeks of drugs - anti-inflammatory and nervijen tabs. i have had 15-20 days of physiotherapy sessions ( IFT + Ultrasound therapy ). Now the pain is better than what it was initially. I have started with back strengthing isometric exercises - ( mainly bow pose, press up , bridge, etc ) twice a day along with oil massage 2 times a day. I can ereally feel the muscles have become really stronger aroung lower and mid back, hips, buttocks .. I am guessing this is a good sign ?? ( IS IT ? ) ...I continue to wear lumbar belt for most part of the day when i am out of house. But still during sitting beyond 30 minutes there is slight discomfort in the lower back left region above the buttocks. Walking movements are perfectly fine.
No current medication
Current concerns :
- slight and mild nagging discomfort in the lower back left above buttock region during continuous sitting beyond 30 minutes
- slightly tight calf muscles and muscles behindthe knee caps. Thighs are perfectly fine.
- heel and ankle pain on some days when a lot of standing and walking is involved.
Current precautions being taken :
- Absolutely not doing any forward bending motions as part of any activity
- No 2 wheelers
- Avoiding car travel as much as possible
- mix of walking and sitting .. sometimes i end up sitting beyond 30 minutes due to professional requirementts,. I try to avoid this as much as possible.
- Wearing lumbar belt as much as possible.
- Sometimes i end up standing more than i sit.
Queries -
0. Doc, Can you please let me know whether i am on the right track with respect to lifestyle and posture ?? I am keeping my back abs straight when i sit. Are my symptoms of mild pain in back and musclular tightness a temporary one and a consequence of something more severe . I feel 50% better than what i was feeling a month back and i feel strong muscles are the reason. Are my symptoms mild/severe and something that will naturally heal or is there something more i need to adjust in my lifestyle.
1. How serious is my condition from the report perspective ?? I have plans to go abroad and study graduate later in august .. leaving my current job .. Am i asking my body too much doing this ????
2. Also can you suggest any safe way of doing hamstring and calf stretches without forward bending involved and without compromising my back recovery ??
3. Also can you give suggestions on how to reduce my tummy fat , which i believe is essential to back health in future... what about the right diet and abdominal workouts ??
4. Also till when do i keep avoiding forward bending.. Is it going to be this way for the rest of my life ?? Will i not be able to bend forward ever again ?? isnt it going to cause other sort of problems ?? Will i not be severely vulnerable to jerks and sudden external forces in the forward direction ?? When i just tried once getting out of my bed on the back instead of sides , it was impossible to do so , the lower back region has tootally become resistive of forward motion ?? Can i not slowly incorporate and develop flexbility to some extent in the forward direction ?? - MOST IMPORTANT
5. Is left right twisting stretches allowable for me at this stage of recovery ??
6. Am i ok with the set of exercises i am doing currently or should i add some more exercises to it ??
7. How and when will i attain full range of flexibility again in my life ??
I plan to get my cholesterol and D3 levels tested in a few days (since they were a littel outside normal range in the recent past.. I will let u know the results...
Brief Answer:
Replies are below.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I have noted your symptoms, MRI report findings, measures taken by you and the progress so far.
First of all, I would like to congratulate you for the excellent measures taken for getting better. Also, you have made a very good progress so far, by any standards.
0. You are on the right track. Your problems are moderate in nature. Muscle tightness is temporary and would get better with time.
1. Your problem is moderate in intensity. You can safely plan to go abroad without expecting any problems.
2. The best way would be join a gym, where there are equipments for each set of muscles. Until then, you can sit on a height and flex and extend your knees.
3. Cut down sugar, carbohydrates and fat in the diet. Also, do abdominal crunches in lying down position.
4. It is temporary. I expect you to get better in another six weeks. You can gradually start forward bending after six weeks from now. This is definitely not going to be for the rest of your life.
5. Yes, you can do that.
6. You can continue the current set of exercises and no extra exercises are needed at this point of time.
7. Within six months, you would be almost back to normal. However, you should continue doing exercises in future too.
Please let me know the results of cholesterol and Vitamin D3.
I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in
Replies are below.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I have noted your symptoms, MRI report findings, measures taken by you and the progress so far.
First of all, I would like to congratulate you for the excellent measures taken for getting better. Also, you have made a very good progress so far, by any standards.
0. You are on the right track. Your problems are moderate in nature. Muscle tightness is temporary and would get better with time.
1. Your problem is moderate in intensity. You can safely plan to go abroad without expecting any problems.
2. The best way would be join a gym, where there are equipments for each set of muscles. Until then, you can sit on a height and flex and extend your knees.
3. Cut down sugar, carbohydrates and fat in the diet. Also, do abdominal crunches in lying down position.
4. It is temporary. I expect you to get better in another six weeks. You can gradually start forward bending after six weeks from now. This is definitely not going to be for the rest of your life.
5. Yes, you can do that.
6. You can continue the current set of exercises and no extra exercises are needed at this point of time.
7. Within six months, you would be almost back to normal. However, you should continue doing exercises in future too.
Please let me know the results of cholesterol and Vitamin D3.
I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Doc,
Thanks a lot for the reall positive feedback .. Some more queries as below -
1. Past few days .. I have been feeling slight heavyness in the lower portion of my body including the stomach .. I dont get that sense of freeness and lightness as a normal person .. Tere is no particular pain in the back during normal activities except for portion from mid -thigh to ankle .. this uneasyness can be described by a bit of hardness/fullness/pulling feeling and a bit of tingling/numbness in the feet when i sit for > 15 mins .. I will be going for a followup consultation with my ortho doc .. Do you suggest any physical examination with a neurologist/spine specialist ??? Or is my symptoms going to be fade naturally .. and i shouldnt be too worried and go about my daily routine ... ??
2. Around 1.75 years back , I had a low back pain complain .. i didnt have any MRI taken then .. Back then it was solved in 1 month through physiotherapy and Neorelax tablets .. Does this information hold any relevance in the context of now ?
3. I believe my body stiill has muscle spasms due to restricitve mobility in the past few months.. Any suggestions on how i can start feeling light again and release all the uneasyness in my body
4. Should i continue any oral medication ?? Currenly i have none ..
5. Sometime i feel really low on confidence thinking whether what if this gets worse :(
6. My weight is around 72 kg and height around 172cm ..with a bit of tumy fat which i want to get rid of totally ...
Thanks a lot for the reall positive feedback .. Some more queries as below -
1. Past few days .. I have been feeling slight heavyness in the lower portion of my body including the stomach .. I dont get that sense of freeness and lightness as a normal person .. Tere is no particular pain in the back during normal activities except for portion from mid -thigh to ankle .. this uneasyness can be described by a bit of hardness/fullness/pulling feeling and a bit of tingling/numbness in the feet when i sit for > 15 mins .. I will be going for a followup consultation with my ortho doc .. Do you suggest any physical examination with a neurologist/spine specialist ??? Or is my symptoms going to be fade naturally .. and i shouldnt be too worried and go about my daily routine ... ??
2. Around 1.75 years back , I had a low back pain complain .. i didnt have any MRI taken then .. Back then it was solved in 1 month through physiotherapy and Neorelax tablets .. Does this information hold any relevance in the context of now ?
3. I believe my body stiill has muscle spasms due to restricitve mobility in the past few months.. Any suggestions on how i can start feeling light again and release all the uneasyness in my body
4. Should i continue any oral medication ?? Currenly i have none ..
5. Sometime i feel really low on confidence thinking whether what if this gets worse :(
6. My weight is around 72 kg and height around 172cm ..with a bit of tumy fat which i want to get rid of totally ...
Brief Answer:
Replies are below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
1. This tightness/heaviness would fade away gradually. There is no need to worry.
2. This may not be relevant now. However, exercises for back should have been continued.
3. Physiotherapy is the best solution for that.
4. Oral medications are only for temporary relief of pain. If you have pain, which you can not bear, you can take pain killers.
5. Positive outlook is required, as it would help you get better sooner.
6. Diet control and exercises would help you in achieving that.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Replies are below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
1. This tightness/heaviness would fade away gradually. There is no need to worry.
2. This may not be relevant now. However, exercises for back should have been continued.
3. Physiotherapy is the best solution for that.
4. Oral medications are only for temporary relief of pain. If you have pain, which you can not bear, you can take pain killers.
5. Positive outlook is required, as it would help you get better sooner.
6. Diet control and exercises would help you in achieving that.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Doc,
I am attaching the blood test reports of mine that i had got done today .. They include vitamin D, cholesterl and TSH level. PLease analyse and let me know..
I am attaching the blood test reports of mine that i had got done today .. They include vitamin D, cholesterl and TSH level. PLease analyse and let me know..
Brief Answer:
Minor abnormalities are present.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
There are minor abnormalities noted.
1. Vitamin D is low- you would need vitamin D supplements.
2. TSH is high, which is suggestive of hypothyroidism. You would need to be seen by an endocrinologist. You may be started on thyroid supplements.
3. Cholesterol (LDL) is high and HDL is low. You need to take low fat diet and do regular exercises.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Minor abnormalities are present.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
There are minor abnormalities noted.
1. Vitamin D is low- you would need vitamin D supplements.
2. TSH is high, which is suggestive of hypothyroidism. You would need to be seen by an endocrinologist. You may be started on thyroid supplements.
3. Cholesterol (LDL) is high and HDL is low. You need to take low fat diet and do regular exercises.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Anything drastic there that i need to be worried about ?? My father had a heart disease before 53 and succumbed to that ..
- The thing is currently at my stage, i may not be able to do rigorous exercise due to back condition.. So i will continue to do low intensity exercises twice a day
- Can you prescribe me some vitamin D/D3 supplements so that i can take them right away ???
- my TSH when i last checked in around september 2014 was about 4.2 .. Could the current high reading of ~8 be just an anamoly ???
- Are my cholesterol levels alarming ??? I dont smoke/drink .. I hardly eat outside foods .. i eat full EGGS about 3 times a week .( Should i cut this DOWN ?? )
- The legs still pain quite a bit when i happen to walk and sit around for half a day.. the right leg seems to have a pulling effect behind the knee .. What can i do to ease this ?? Which of ice/heat can help ?? What apart from ice/heat should i do to alleviate the pain in right leg ??
- The thing is currently at my stage, i may not be able to do rigorous exercise due to back condition.. So i will continue to do low intensity exercises twice a day
- Can you prescribe me some vitamin D/D3 supplements so that i can take them right away ???
- my TSH when i last checked in around september 2014 was about 4.2 .. Could the current high reading of ~8 be just an anamoly ???
- Are my cholesterol levels alarming ??? I dont smoke/drink .. I hardly eat outside foods .. i eat full EGGS about 3 times a week .( Should i cut this DOWN ?? )
- The legs still pain quite a bit when i happen to walk and sit around for half a day.. the right leg seems to have a pulling effect behind the knee .. What can i do to ease this ?? Which of ice/heat can help ?? What apart from ice/heat should i do to alleviate the pain in right leg ??
Brief Answer:
These are minor abnormalities.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
You can take TAB TAYO 60 K once a week as vitamin D supplements for 12 weeks.
In a good lab, the chances of error are less.
Cholesterol levels are mildly high. You can continue eggs, but do not eat fried stuff and sweets.
Heat, IFT, traction, ultrasound, etc are useful in reducing pain. Please enquire with the physiotherapist regarding these.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
These are minor abnormalities.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
You can take TAB TAYO 60 K once a week as vitamin D supplements for 12 weeks.
In a good lab, the chances of error are less.
Cholesterol levels are mildly high. You can continue eggs, but do not eat fried stuff and sweets.
Heat, IFT, traction, ultrasound, etc are useful in reducing pain. Please enquire with the physiotherapist regarding these.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi doctor ..
From past 1.5 days ..I am feeling a very slight burning sensation just above the lower spine . left side .. Also upon arching backwards ..the vertebral / joint adjacent to the burning region feels a slight pain upon external press in the arched back position only ...
From past 1.5 days ..I am feeling a very slight burning sensation just above the lower spine . left side .. Also upon arching backwards ..the vertebral / joint adjacent to the burning region feels a slight pain upon external press in the arched back position only ...
Brief Answer:
Related to the same problem.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
I have noted your recent symptoms. These are also related to disc bulges in lumbar region with minor impingement of the nerves.
Same treatment would help in that too.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Related to the same problem.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
I have noted your recent symptoms. These are also related to disc bulges in lumbar region with minor impingement of the nerves.
Same treatment would help in that too.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Doc,
Is cod liver oil supplement a good option once a day for a few weeks as a dietary supplement ?? Just to gain strength and come up to normal levels ??
Does ice pack aggrevate the pain in the back ???
should i included calcium supplements alongwith once a week vitamin D3 ( Tayo 60k ) supplements too ?? If yes , can you prescribe one ??
Is cod liver oil supplement a good option once a day for a few weeks as a dietary supplement ?? Just to gain strength and come up to normal levels ??
Does ice pack aggrevate the pain in the back ???
should i included calcium supplements alongwith once a week vitamin D3 ( Tayo 60k ) supplements too ?? If yes , can you prescribe one ??
Brief Answer:
Cod liver oil may be taken.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
Yes, you can take cod liver oil once a day for few weeks.
Ice pack is used for treating pain, so, it should not aggravate the pain.
Calcium supplements are not needed for you.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Cod liver oil may be taken.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
Yes, you can take cod liver oil once a day for few weeks.
Ice pack is used for treating pain, so, it should not aggravate the pain.
Calcium supplements are not needed for you.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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