It started with a whisper. A subtle, almost ignorable twinge in my lower back while training in the gym. Nevertheless, like all whispers that are ignored, it grew louder. This was the beginning of a journey that would test my expertise, patience, and ultimately teach me about the unyielding resilience of my body and highlighting my favourite childhood phrase- I can do it.
My diagnosis: a herniated lumbar disc.
We always crave a clear diagnosis, a definitive label for our suffering. But the reality is far more complex. A herniated disc doesn’t exist in isolation; it comes with a myriad of interconnected issues. My complaint was multifactorial, each element feeding into the next.
The intenseness grappling my back began as a minor inconvenience, an unwelcome guest. By the following morning it had morphed into a relentless tormentor, dictating the terms of my day. I had diminished control of my right leg, getting out of bed or walking down the stairs became an impossible task, yet walking upstairs was oddly manageable. It’s hard to describe as it wasn’t pain, more like my back had been fused and wasn’t allowing any movement. Do you laugh or cry?
I had to ask questions, do I have a fever-No. Do I have control of my bowel and bladder-Yes, Am I in excruciating pain, do I need medical help- No (or least not right now).
With the clinical red flags out the way, it was likely my symptoms were that of a herniated disc compressing on nerves that were reducing my motor function of the right leg. Got my osteopath head on and asked myself what advice I would give to a patient.
Quick way out of discomfort and get moving out of bed was to hang forward off the bed, I don’t have any blood pressure complaints so staying in this position for 5 mins was easy. Repeated a few times and I could then get out of bed albeit not in an elegant way. Oh, what a picture, grabbing on to anything I could to help me to move. We take the simple things in life for granted. I’m someone who can normally spring out of bed without a thought. I was having to strategically think how I was going to move.
What else to do? Laying on my front offered a fleeting respite and felt even better to perform back extension exercises or holds. I didn’t require painkillers; however, I did try a cold pack and heat but neither provided any relief. With some deep breaths and holding onto furniture to pull myself up to stand straight I could move around, so I paced the house until I got motion sickness.
Having knowledge was the only reason I believe I was moving around and working just 48 hours after struggling to move out of bed. One of the most transformative exercises I did was breathing and left sided diaphragm inhibition work. The diaphragm has two connections to the lower back. It was a testament to the interconnectedness of the body.
I continued with laying on my front, suspended off the bed, back extension exercises, activating hamstrings and when possible, stretching the hell out of the muscles on the front of my thighs. To view some of these exercises and more checkout on my YouTube Channel
With any injury you can experience a fight or flight response which can throw all the other body systems array. I felt like I was present, but I wasn’t. It was pointed out to me that ‘the desire to feel good can sometimes push it further away’. Once I accept this, slowed down and respected what my body was doing did I really start to feel better.
Movement is freedom.
Today, I stand stronger, though not unscathed. Everything is a lesson, and I remain vigilant, mindful of my back, and continue my exercises. When you follow your own bodies rhythm it can be the medicine you need.
Healing is not a race; it is a marathon. Trust the process, listen to your body, and seek help when you need it. You’re not alone in this journey.
Do you feel you have had a similar experience or are currently struggling with chronic back pain then I would like to support you in your recovery.
You would be wrong to think, ‘I’ll wait a week, it will disappear’. Even if the pain and goes and you can move changes will have occurred with your walking, balance and nerves. To reduce a reoccurring episode let me help.
Book: www.sallymorris-osteomuscularneuro.com