disc prolapse

The disc prolapse is one of the most common diseases in our society. The herniated disc is based on muscles that are too weak, mostly in the lumbar region. The intervertebral discs sit between the swirl of spinal column and take care of them Damping between the vertebrae so that they do not break in the event of shocks and allow the vertebrae to move freely. If our back muscles are too weak - for example due to a job that primarily takes place while sitting - the intervertebral discs get space to slip. This effect is favored by a large Height, overweight and lack of movement in general. Although I would say that things don't apply to me, it has gotten me again.

Why do I get a herniated disc

I had a herniated disc seven years ago (at the age of 35). At that time, however, the points described above met in my direction. Tall (194cm), overweight (120kg), sedentary work (office) and the cause of the overweight was of course a lack of exercise. Added to this was the New Economy typical Stress.

But three and a half years ago I just got the curve

The consequences of a herniated disc

The consequences of a herniated disc can be briefly described as follows: pain, pain and again Pain! You have to imagine it like this - I'll describe my case here, but the symptoms can of course vary from case to case.

My herniated disc is pretty far down in the lumbar spine. My disc has expanded to the right and is now pressing on a nerve (root syndrome). The actual herniated disc only hurts slightly on the disc. The big problem is the phantom pain caused by the pressure on the nerve. For me it's the right side and the whole right leg hurts like hell. If I walk a few steps, I have to stop after about 50 meters and then try to relieve the nerves a bit by leaning to the left, unfortunately this means that I only lean in protective posture move and additional pain occurs in other parts of the body.

The muscles in the legs and back also harden simply because of the relieving posture, which unfortunately slows down the healing process. Especially the initial phase of a herniated disc is a tightrope walk between taking it easy and not rusting. By permanent rice the nerves inflamed the whole thing too. The resulting swelling increases the pressure and, unfortunately, the pain as well. The result: An even more intense one protective posture and more consequences.

What can I do about a herniated disc?

The herniated disc is bad enough and I want to be positive about the future. Think Season planning 2018 I probably won't be able to keep it - and that makes me very sad - but I want to get back on my racing bike and competing as soon as possible. Since I already have a little experience with it, I hope this helps me. When I had the first herniated disc, it took me over 12 months to become reasonably pain free. But as I said, I was still overweight and not athletic. This time I have to be more careful that I healing process not slowed down by my ambition.

Acupuncture for herniated disc

I was at one two weeks ago Traditional Chinese medicine woman (TCM). I had heard that before Acupuncture in herniated discs real miracles can work. Since the long-awaited snowboard vacation was supposed to start a week later and I still had at least a glimmer of hope to be able to ride very carefully, I decided to go to the Acupuncture made an appointment. I've never had acupuncture before so it was a whole new experience.

After a short anamnese then it started. I lay down on the table and the doctor began to insert needles, whereby the needle insertion is more of a dialogue between the patient and the doctor. They need to know if they hit the right spot. I was indeed very impressed with the connections within the body. After all the needles were in place, I had to lie there for about 30 minutes. When the acupuncture needles were removed after half an hour, I immediately felt better. I was able to complete the 5 minute walk home, as I said: I usually have to stop every 40 seconds because the pain just gets too bad. I spent the night in a positive mood and wanted to go the next morning Gym to ride easily on the spinning bike. As I said, I have to protect myself from myself

Of course, it wasn't just easy cycling, I also made some equipment. I thought doing something for the muscles can't be bad. In the evening I felt worse again, I had overdone it.

vacation and relaxation

Two days after the acupuncture I went into the Ski/snowboard vacation with the family, I couldn't ruin their vacation. For unfortunately it was clear that I was not on my Snowboard can swing and rather has to play chauffeur. So I had a pretty easy week. On the last day of vacation, I had the idea of ​​swinging onto the board again, I just couldn't help it. Three times idiot hill and then I'm up the mountain. I was able to drive once and it felt damn good! Unfortunately, of course, I didn't do myself any favors and my pain got much worse again. As I said: I just have to protect myself from myself.

Cycling with a herniated disc

Luckily I still have one Trekking bike standing in the basement because on one of mine Road bikes I don't want to sit down yet. I will first repair the flat foot and then hopefully at least be able to ride my bike to work, we will see whether it is due to the pain. But I hope the six kilometers on the bike aren't as painful as the few hundred meters to the subway.

How is it going now with my herniated disc?

I have to take it easy now and take it easy on myself

  • The inflammation goes down
  • The swelling decreases
  • The pain goes away
  • I can get out of the relieving posture again

I've been sleeping sitting up for four weeks

No joke, it's a sorrow! For over four weeks I've been sleeping sitting up in the living room every night because I'm in excruciating pain when I'm lying down. Sleeping sitting up is not really relaxing, but I have to get the pressure off the nerve so that the inflammation goes away.

Herniated disc progression and healing

There is a long road ahead of me now, judging from the experiences of others 3 to 12 months. I can probably smear my season into my hair if I don't have the Wunderwaffe against my herniated disc and my back pain. I will do everything I can for my return to my home for the next few weeks and months Athlete Life do and keep you up to date at least weekly in this post, in the hope that you can learn from my mistakes but also from my successes.

Herniated disc diary

At this point I record my illness and healing process, feedback and tips are always welcome.

Week 1

It all started with a lumbago, at least that's how it felt. I was almost immobile and was struggling to get home. I couldn't walk, lie down or stand up properly. Three days later I felt that I had a herniated disc. Because I've had one before, I was able to interpret the pain on the nerve well. I went to the doctor immediately, of course, and he suspected the same thing. Nevertheless, of course he has to go to me MRT send to ensure further treatment. But the MRI appointment had to wait two weeks because I wanted to go on my planned snowboarding holiday in between.

Week 2

In the second week I still had hope for a miraculous healing. I did, of course, but went to work anyway. I have to mention that as a product manager I don't have to do any physical work. I was immediately given a standing desk and I was able to change my posture often, which is very helpful with a herniated disc. As already mentioned, I made an appointment with a doctor Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) because I had heard that Acupuncture can work real miracles. It helped for a short time, but unfortunately not in the long term. Since I immediately went on vacation afterwards, I wasn't able to book follow-up treatments right away.

Week 3

Off on vacation! Man am I glad we have one now VW Bus to have. You sit in a VW bus much more relaxed than in a limousine. Because the legs aren't as stretched, the long and consistent pose doesn't hit the back as much. In addition, we have an automatic and this offers significantly more leeway in the seating position.

Snowboard go into the water a lot for me, of course, but the holiday was nice anyway. The weather was perfect and I was able to teach my boys how to snowboard without actually standing on the board. Sleeping was really annoying. We were on holiday with three other families and shared a holiday home, of course I slept sitting up in the living room at night. That must have seemed very bizarre to the others, but no one complained. They just understood me and my back.

Week 4

The fourth week slept sitting up. All attempts to find a pain-free position while lying down have failed. Surely you can imagine that you don't sleep very deeply while sitting! I've put a good amount of pillows around me so that I don't keep banging my head, but unfortunately I still wake up in the middle of the night quite often. Accordingly Braindead I am now unfortunately. From forgetful to tedious I have everything to offer. The pain has subsided slightly.

At the beginning of the week I had to go back into the tube to MRT. I received the pictures immediately and the report goes to mine Doctor, who will probably put together a therapy for me. In the end, however, the images from the MRI only confirmed my doctor's diagnosis. The dented intervertebral disc and the inflammation can be seen immediately on the pictures, even without findings.

In the middle of the week I was really fed up with the severe pain from walking! My approx. 250m walk to the train and the 100m from the train to the office took me about 20 minutes together. Due to the severe pain caused by the inflammation of the nerve, I had to stop every few meters and bend over to take the pressure off the nerve. After a few seconds I can walk a few steps again. At least when I walk I definitely look older than I really am. In any case, on Tuesday, after the MRI, I sat down and repaired my trekking bike. Afterwards I drove up and down the street to see how the pain was. Behold: pain free!!!

So the next day I preferred to cycle the 6 km to work - I usually do that even when I'm healthy - than to walk the few meters to the train station. Of course, I drove very relaxed and refrained from short traffic light sprints, but in the end I'm only 5 minutes slower than usual. The drive to work by bike was not only painless, I also had less pain afterwards. I assume that the slight movement in the pelvis is good for the muscles. The movement ensures good blood circulation with very little exertion. In addition, I can sit up straight when I ride my bike and make a reasonable straight movement with my back and legs, because I don't have to change into any relieving posture due to the lack of pain. Of course, the pain comes back when I have to walk a short distance or stand for a long time. But I have a feeling that cycling will help me with my intervertebral disc helps!

So from now on I'll be cycling to work every day and believe me, it's no fun when we're below zero. But you can protect yourself against the cold, but unfortunately not against the pain. Because I have now found a kind of small therapy for myself and I still rely on the doctor who might also have something helpful for me, I am optimistic. My goal: Being able to get back on the road bike in three to four weeks. I don't want to give up my season just yet, I had planned so much and I know I'll make it! I will start the season a little later than planned, due to the good weather and mine screwed up intervertebral disc throw a spanner in the works. I'm sitting here on the sofa again and after the end of this update I'll be sleeping again, but not for long!

Week 5

Between heaven and hell

Now there are even subtitles. But that's how I feel and that's why my week 5 Diary coming so late. I actually have to mine first body sensation interpret. It's a constant up and down, the only thing I can say for sure is: It's slowly getting better.

After I started my everyday life again at the weekend, I felt a little worse than at the end of the week before. Maybe it was because I was with my little one on the soccer field on both Saturday and Sunday. No fun at all at this temperature and it also stormed a lot! In general I think that the cold out there isn't good for my back overall and the pain when cold increases. I assume that the muscles are not as supple then as they are in milder temperatures. Speaking of muscles! I get angry every time I look in the mirror. At the risk of repeating myself: I've never come out of the winter so fit and well trained, I was very, very proud of myself! Unfortunately, I'm not quite as crisp anymore.

Getting up tomorrow is not easy for me anyway - I don't mean my tiredness - I'm suffering a little morning stiffness (is it really called that). My sleep doesn't seem to be 100% relaxing for my body, I'm always a bit tense and stiff. At the moment it's even worse, because I can't lie down. I sleep sitting up on the sofa and you don't always sit up straight, even though I've become a true expert in the field Build pillow castles am. Somehow you lean to the side again and the next morning you don't know whether the pain is coming from the intervertebral disc or from sleeping crookedly.

That still helps me the most Cycling. The only movement I can do without going completely crooked and in a relieving posture. That pedaling splints

  1. Warm up my muscles
  2. To soften my muscles a little
  3. To ensure mobility in the area of ​​the lumbar vertebrae

Unfortunately only on my trekking bike, I don't dare to ride my racing bike yet.

This week - I'm a bit late with the update - there are definitely a few coming Hammer In addition: I have an appointment for ear acupuncture!!! A friend of mine said: it definitely works wonders. I no longer believe in miracles, but I'm still very optimistic and I'm looking forward to telling you about this event next week.

Week 6

A new hope and hopefully the turning point...

In my Herniated disc diary Last week I already promised you a hammer, my little one Cliffhanger so to say: I was with the ear acupuncture!

As you know, I already had it with me Acupuncture of Traditional Chinese Medicine (short: TCM) tried shortly before my vacation.

What are the differences between traditional medicine acupuncture and French ear acupuncture?

Acupuncture in TCM

Acupuncture in traditional Chinese medicine is based on entire body instead of. When positioning the acupuncture needles, the acupuncturist follows the so-called Meridians. According to the latest findings, the meridians run in a similar way to the fascia in our body. Needles are inserted along the entire affected meridian. As far as explained by a layman, a traditional Chinese medicine doctor can probably explain the whole thing to you a little better.

French ear acupuncture

As the name suggests, acupuncture in this case only takes place on the ear. On the right ear in men and on the left ear in women. The ear puts the human in human beings standing on their heads in an embryonic position. If you take a closer look at your ear, you can even see it. I admit, with a bit of imagination. It is then stung at some standard points and the affected areas. Again the addition: So much for my dangerous half-knowledge.

ear acupuncture
This is what my ear looked like during acupuncture

So my right ear was used for treatment and the lady diligently inserted needles. When the needles are inserted, it doesn't hurt that much, actually you don't even really notice the pricking. A single needle pulled something, the second one from the top of the picture. The needle was also extremely stuck and difficult to pull out.

In the first session, the lady first wanted to get my body out of the relieving posture and straighten it. She said that we must have at least three sessions and then she is optimistic that we will get a good result and that it can significantly relieve my pain.

Result of the first session

I noticed improvement on the day of the treatment. I felt something straighter and my wife could confirm that. After the first night - which I still spent sitting on the sofa - I felt a little better. The big difference for me: I could walk better and longer! Slowly, but I was able to walk and the pain didn't build up as much. The following night I for the first time for over five weeks slept in bed again. Only on the left side - because the right side still hurts too much - but I was able to lie down and by the end of week six I was even able to lie on my back for a short time.

It's getting better, with decent steps, and of course I have an ear acupuncture appointment again in week 7!

Week 7 - The breakthrough

Such dear people! I've thought long and hard about calling the seventh week of my herniated disc journal "Breakthrough." First of all: I haven't broken anything! In fact, I made the breakthrough!

I had my second acupuncture appointment last Tuesday and I already told you that I felt a lot better after the first session. The lady - let's call her a sorceress - started to sting and already said that she won't be coming back next week. Of course I can always call if I have problems, but you do not suspect. I have to admit that I felt a little worse the following day. It was a very strange feeling! My posture was significantly better, but the pain was still there. From that day on, I started doing a few exercises every night, which my wife (she's a Pilates instructor) showed me. These exercises are intended to help rebuild my inner core muscles without straining my spine with brute force exercises. There were also some stretching exercises that I always added after training - only about 15 minutes.

I'm telling you: I got needles in my ears and did gymnastics like an old grandma, but I can move very well now.

Because I was now able to stretch my legs again without aches and pains, I got back on my racing bike on Friday and rode a 40km lap. Really great! And because it went so well, I did the same thing again on Sunday.

So I'm going to ride a few more of these easy laps next week so that I can get back into training afterwards.

Really crazy: I still can't walk longer distances, but riding a road bike that FITS! It also has to start slowly, because it's already mid-May MSR300.

Week 8

Hello dear racing bike community! This update is going to be a bit shorter and STILL more optimistic, not only because the weather has gotten a lot better out there, but because I'm back to driving. As I wrote in week 7, I rode my racing bike on Friday and Sunday and at least did tours between 40km and 60km. After that I drove on Tuesday and Wednesday. That was almost 200km in six days, really cool. After that I had a 5-day break for time and back reasons, after all you have to recover and of course I felt my muscles after such a long break due to illness.

I am now in week 9 and rode a really brisk 50km ride on Tuesday, with an average of over 30km/h - you can already feel the legs - and on Friday comes the first quiet 100km ride on the Large house tour over Wilhelmsburg - Geesthacht and Tatenberg. I'm looking forward to. That at least makes up for the cancellation of the Tour d'Energie this year.

Until next week, when I will report whether my back can withstand longer distances in the saddle or whether I have not protected myself from myself again.

Riding a racing bike against / with a herniated disc

Week 13

You haven't received an update from me for over five weeks, ashes on my head. The nice thing is, there's a good reason for it! In my last update from week 8 I already wrote that I'm back on my racing bike. After that everything just happened so fast and one thing led to another. I was able to ride properly again, found my footing and my Herniated disc is history.

Since then some long tours driven. For example 250km solo in the Harz Mountains and last weekend the Mecklenburg Lakes Circuit (MSR300). 300km of the finest marathon! From now on there will be tour and training reports again. If any of you have detailed questions about my herniated disc program, you can contact me at any time: kontakt[AT]rennrad-hamburg.de. I'm not a doctor or a medical professional, but I was able to help myself very well.

Countdown

In two weeks I want to be back on my racing bike.

The training is within reach!

Nothing more with countdown

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