Well, I just got the results back from my MRI that I had yesterday and it confirmed that I still have two pretty badly herniated discs (L3/L4 and L4/L5). I was originally diagnosed with this about 10 years ago after experiencing pain and numbness in my leg, but the pain had nearly gone away for the past 8 or so years after several rounds of epidural shots. For the past 9 months though the pain has been pretty bad in my lower back, and it's getting to the point where I have to do something about it. My doctor reccomended IDD (Intervertebral Differential Dynamics Therapy), and from what I've read it sounds fairly promising. A co-worker of mine has gone through a treatment of it with good results, but I wanted to see if any of my other Clutch bbs brothers have any experience/opinions on it. Surgery is absolutely out of the question, as I would rather deal with pain the rest of my life than get back surgery. Here's a link with more info on IDD if you're interested: http://www.iddtherapy.com/whatis/index.htm
I also have the same problem, very badly herniated disks in the Lumbar spine, so thanks for posting this, but I never heard about this procedure before. I did do physical therapy for 14 weeks, which consisted of excercises, some kind of pulsing device on my spine, ultrasound, and massage on the spine. But my discs are so badly damaged it didnt help. It helped relieve the pain a bit, but it's still there. So, I'm also going to do the ESI's. As for the IDD, I would still give it a shot, everybody's body responds differently. I agree with you on the surgery, a big no-no. Did your doctor tell you what procedures are involved in the therapy treatment?
What caused your back problems. Is it from lifting heavy weights and such? I have some back pain on and off again, but it happens only after I've been lifting more weight than I should be.
i had back surgery back 2001, but that was because their was a tumor that had to be removed. and if you can avoid surgery, do it. it is a long, painful road back to full health. i would just do research and ask doctors about certain therapy's.
No, there was never a real clear cut injury that caused the back problems. It just started one day and has gradually gotten worse. It doesn't hurt any more or less after I go to the gym, it's just a constant pain.
Harrisment, Keep me updated on how that goes if you try it. The wife is due for an MRI this week and we already suspect she has some ruptured disks. I wish they had something like this 10 years ago when I had back surgery (5 ruptured disks). Would have saved me 2 months on a walker.
I'm very interested in hearing how it goes as well. I'm about sick of soma and vicodin.....they just make me sleepy. I want to feel "normal" again.
When I had my disc herniated, I could felt my left leg dying... it was getting weaker and the pain was ridiculous (had a jolly good time at the Rockets' Summer League). I opted for surgery before my leg completely died. I wish I had done it a bit sooner since now I'm left with a permanent numbness/weakness in my left leg... it's not too bad, but it's noticeable. This was about 3 or so years ago. After the surgery the doc said my sciatic nerve was turning purple and he wasn't sure how I could walk around with that much pain. Hope your therapy turns out alright. I opted for surgery because I didn't want to be popping pills or be in pain the rest of my life and didn't want to wait so long that I'd completely lose the use of my left leg.
