L5-S1 disc degeration with annular tear

by Jessica
(Melbourne )

Hi Sarah,
I haven't had a chance to read through the questions but my friend referred me to you as I am in chronic pain. I was diagnosed a few months ago with L5-S1 disc degeration with annular tear. I've been in and out of pain for the past 2 years. I had my second child and got back into walking and the gym and somehow when i bent down one day i could not get back up so it started from there. The pain got better after about 2 weeks and then went back to doing light gym work. This then happened another 5 times after where I would just do a minor movement and I'd end up bed ridden..when I do get the pain I can not walk and heavily put on medication for the pain which leaves me in bed, I have 2 small children and I am only 29 years old, I can not stay like this. I have had physio in the past but felt they were just taking my money and not fixing the problem. Please tell me what I can do? I am now as we speak in pain and I have not did anything to cause it again, i have been off doing any form of strenuous workouts for the past 2 months since I found about the problem by MRI. I've tried to do things to strengthen up the core but I'm finding my back hurts when I do this?

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Jun 27, 2013
 you're in crisis too
by: Sarah says:

Hello Jessica,
Like Jane in Scotland (see previous Ask Sarah's) you seem to be in crisis. You must read the www.simple back pain website very thoroughly. (Best to do this lying down on your back with your lower legs up on a pile of pillows. Or better still, you on the floor and lower legs up on the sofa). Read all about the way to 'appease' your spine in crisis. There is a mass of information there. How to sit etc etc. You need all this.
You mention previous gym strenuous workouts which I feel rather implicates these in the past (I do say gymnasiums keep me in business!). Basically you have to get your spine out of the acute crisis spasm and then you have to start the spinal decompresssion.
You may need medication too, although very short term. You can read about this in 'Medication for Low Back Pain' on the same website.
Sarah

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