Hi, thanks for writing to HCM.
As you have
Lumbar disc disease in multiple levels, you are not supposed to involve in any activity that produces strain over your lumbar spinal musculature, which worsens the disc prolapses.
Physiotherapy will of little help in alleviating the
radicular pain (
radiating pain) and is useful only in treating Chronic
low back pain.
A repeat MRI scan is always helpful in assessing the present condition of your disc disease.
The general management guidelines for a lumbar disc disease is as follows -
- Maintain optimum body weight,if you are obese
- Avoid lifting heavy weights as it imparts more strain on your back
- Avoid excessive forward bending activities as it will worsen the
disc protrusion. if you want to bend forwards, do it with your hips and knees flexed.
- Use a lumbosacral back support to stabilize your spinal muscles
- Intermittent pelvic traction might be helpful to cause a regression of the protruded disc
- Physiotherapy is needed to strengthen your back muscles. Physiotherapy has to be done only after the acute pain has subsided.
- Use analgesics like advil or aleve and muscle relaxants as needed.
Vitamin B12 supplements & Pregabalin may be helpful.
If your fail to improve with the above measures, an Epidural steroid injection may provide good symptom relief for a few months.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day