degenerative back discs anyone?

[cruemum]

I have just been diagnosed with degenerative back discs in my lumbar spine as a result of a motor vehicle accident. I have been told to expect pain for life and constant physio, hydrotherapy, massage and voltaren tablets.
My life will have to change to prevent any further degeneration but as a Mum to 3 very busy boys I am unsure how to do this.

If anyone has or has dealt with something like this and has any ideas on how to combine motherhood and spinal care pleas help.

[Mother Goose]

yup, I do. I have a congenital issue for L4/L5 and L5/S1 diagnosed because I slipped to discs. It WILL degenerate as time passes. I see a physio weekly for 1:1 clinical pilates sessions. This has helped me immensely because it improves core strength which take some of the load off of the spine. I also see a personal trainer twice a week who does rehab work with me to strengthen the muscles around hip, lower back etc. In many respects, I have to learn how to walk again to help prevent relapses.

When I'm having issues, I tend to notice it is because my muscles have tightened and I do specific stretches to relieve that. I also have a daily stretching routine which helps me to minimise them getting too tight in the first place! But sometimes I'm lax with stretching after exercise which then gets me into trouble! A friend of mine with similar issues does yoga weekly which helps her.

I am also losing weight to take the load off of my spine.

I WAS on voltaren (an insane dose of 150mg a day which is 2 tablets three times a day). I found voltaren caused me a lot of problems. In any healthy person, voltaren can cause gastrointestinal bleeding - I have already had such issues before my back was diagnosed and so I am at heightened risk for GI bleeding. When on it I would get nausea, I found my periods were the worst ever (really really heavy and passed a lot of clots) which made me very anemic. So my GP put me on mobic which is much more gentle on the stomach AND I only need 1 tablet a day. Having said that, the clinical pilates has improved my core so much, it is rare that I need to take my anti-inflammatories now.

I have a 3 year old and also work as a nurse. I find that I can cope providing that I activate my core muscles correctly when I should be and also by using correct lifting techniques for everything from lifting a box to moving a patient to lifting my DD. I also have a good matress. I find that a firm one works well for me... and no tummy sleeping!!!

HTH and feel free to ask Q's if you have any.

MG

[jackrose]

I second looking into clinical pilates! It is great to have an option you can be involved in rather than passively having treatments or having to rely on pain medications (with the possible added side effects).

Having said that there is of course a place for passive treatments, it is just wise to add it on to some form of exercise specifically designed to help your back.

Just make sure it is clinical pilates and not just 'mat exercises'. This makes a huge difference.