bulging disc: - Page 2

Steve Leuty wrote:
> heat pad on my lower back). I'm getting depressed and want to go out and ride some but I'm affraid
> that might agrivate the injury even more. Steve Leuty

Then ride. Get an avenue cruiser if you need to, bar extenders on a mountain bike, whatever. I find
that if I *need* to ride, even crap pedaling like that feels great.

--
--
Lynn Wallace http://www.xmission.com/~lawall "I'm not proud. We really haven't done everything we
could to protect our customers. Our products just aren't engineered for security." --Microsoft VP in
charge of Windows OS Development, Brian Valentine.

It would be highly unlikely you could "feel" a budging disc with your hands, more likely tight
muscles around the spin due to guarding for weakness and/or disc pain.

Is it painful to touch, if so, then likely you need surgery. If not, you may be able to treat it
through agressive PT. Ask your PT about traction. If your disc doesn't have an external tear,
that can help.

Good luck.

"Steve Leuty" <steverl@inebraska.com> wrote in message news:3F5AB4D0.9030708@inebraska.com...
>
>
> Michael wrote:
>
> >Regardless of the cause, you need to do the following:
> >
> >Increase Hamstring flexibility Increase Back Strength Increase Abdominal strength Lose abdominal
> >weight if that is a problem for you
> >
> >Position changes that you might find helpful:
> >
> >Lower saddle Raise Handlebars Shorter stem
> >
> >
> >Michael Ross, MD www.bikedoctraining.com
> >
> >
> At this point in time, I'm seeing a physical therapist and she is working to ease my pain and
> suffering. I'm also doing some stretching (yes, hamstrings and the works). My back pain is
> decreasing but the bulge is still there. I can feel it constantly. Is is a good idea to do back
> strengthening with a bulging disc? I've not touched my bike in almost three weeks and have become
> stagnant (lying on my couch with a heat pad on my lower back). I'm getting depressed and want to
> go out and ride some but I'm affraid that might agrivate the injury even more. Steve Leuty
>
>
>
> -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1
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"Steve Leuty" <steverl@inebraska.com> wrote in message news:3F5AB4D0.9030708@inebraska.com...
>
>
> Michael wrote:
>
> >Regardless of the cause, you need to do the following:
> >
> >Increase Hamstring flexibility Increase Back Strength Increase Abdominal strength Lose abdominal
> >weight if that is a problem for you
> >
> >Position changes that you might find helpful:
> >
> >Lower saddle Raise Handlebars Shorter stem
> >
> >
> >Michael Ross, MD www.bikedoctraining.com
> >
> >
> At this point in time, I'm seeing a physical therapist and she is working to ease my pain and
> suffering. I'm also doing some stretching (yes, hamstrings and the works). My back pain is
> decreasing but the bulge is still there. I can feel it constantly. Is is a good idea to do back
> strengthening with a bulging disc? I've not touched my bike in almost three weeks and have become
> stagnant (lying on my couch with a heat pad on my lower back).

I have been going through this for over a year now (from a car wreck).

I'm getting depressed and want to go out and
> ride some but I'm affraid that might agrivate the injury even more. Steve Leuty

My advice (on top of endorsing what Dr. Ross and your MDs have told you) is to stay in touch with
the bike using a stationary trainer to keep your fitness up beyond nil. Nothing feels worse than
having days and weeks pass where you have not turned a pedal. If you want to be safe, do stationary
rides and during those sessions you will sense how much your back can take. An addition, it will
make a tremendous difference in your fitness when you do hit the road. What you want to avoid at all
costs is losing all of your fitness and then trying to go out on the road without having even sat on
the bike for weeks or longer. Trust me, the stationary trainer is your bridge back to a normal life
with your bike when you are ready.

One more thing below...

"Steve Leuty" <steverl@inebraska.com> wrote in message news:3F5AB4D0.9030708@inebraska.com...
>
>
> Michael wrote:
>
> >Regardless of the cause, you need to do the following:
> >
> >Increase Hamstring flexibility Increase Back Strength Increase Abdominal strength Lose abdominal
> >weight if that is a problem for you
> >
> >Position changes that you might find helpful:
> >
> >Lower saddle Raise Handlebars Shorter stem

When looking at reach (to accomadate injuries), people usually go to the stem first. In this case,
your back may respond better of you look at saddle position first (before stem length) to adjust
reach. Sometimes the seat angle is what is putting pressure on your back and it feels like the stem
length would solve it.

Try pushing the saddle forward a bit first and then adjust the stem if necessary.

> >
> >
> >Michael Ross, MD www.bikedoctraining.com
> >