To ask for your tried and tested relief methods for slipped disc pain?

@@AnnaSteen what did physio do? Deep massage

@jellyjellabi does massage therapy make it feel worse initially

Read 'Healing Back Pain' and 'The Mind Body Prescription' by John Sarno. An osteopath recommended it to me and it completely transformed my life. I've been pain free for 15 years now.

Swimming back and crawl NO breast stroke

I had a bulging disc and have never felt pain like it. Even childbirth was a breeze compared to that

Physio (private) who also had bone manipulation training helped. I get twinges now and again but luckily not the intense moment of it 'going' yet.....

DH found an osteopath helped after just one visit and within a few days the pain had reduced 50%. Still working on it as only last week. He has had the pain 6 weeks or so.

Please ask your doctor to refer you to a spinal consultant,.who will look at x-rays of your back and decide if steroid injection is a reasonable option, or a discectomy...you should not be living in pain

Yes agree. I can’t do breaststroke as it aggravates but crawl and back are fine.

I've had 1 removed then had another slip so had steroid injections no pain since(touch wood) that was 5 years ago, had DD since and since no pain during pregnancy

My specialist told me to swim and it has had a massive impact on my back pain - good impact that is. Even when my disc went earlier this year I got into the pool within a week and admittedly I just floated at first but slowly build back up to swimming. Only front crawl and backstroke - no breaststroke.
Otherwise I use tens a lot as it really does help. Also cold and anti inflammatory pills but realise you can't take those. My chiro is also a god send and he's put me right many times when nothing else will. But make sure it's someone you trust and who will take the time to learn your spine.
Good luck

I swim every week. More if I can plus core exercises.

Ice. Volterol

A good osteopath if it flares.

But as soon as I stop swimming it gets stiff again. I think I will have to swim for the rest of my life!

Steroid injection followed by weekly physio and x1 hour physio exercises a day, nurofen + and Panadol, baths with Epsom salts and losing a stone in weight sorted me out. Also had a herniated disc. Took two years to get back to normal however I won’t go running or go to exuberant exercise classes anymore and I don’t lift anything even remotely heavy if I can help it. Good luck!

I've two slipped discs with nerve compression. One lumbar and one cervical. I've had that stretchy out machine and a few sessions of acupuncture. Both really helped!

Should have refreshed before posting

OP, what is the stretching rack thing? I’ve got a bulging disc at l5 and been referred to neurosurgery but I do almost anything to avoid the scalpel

Traction, massage, painkillers and physio exercises all eased mine a bit on a temporary basis, surgery fixed it.

Ice packs work for me better than heat - but you should only put it on for 10 mins (not 30) every hour. When I first did (nearly 15 years ago) a combination of strong pain relief, chiropractor visits were my only comforts.

My back went again recently (it seems to go badly every 4 or 5 years) - mainly the above still works. Has your chiropractor given you some stretches? Even if painful it's important to try and keep moving a little. - so little gentle walks - even if round the house.

My chiropractor is a God-send. At it's worst I was seeing chiropractor 3 times a week. After my most recent visit, I don't have to go back until mid-September (which my bank balance appreciates)

Yes, IDD does sort of stretch you, I suppose but it targets the specific disc and decompresses the spine. I think that's how it works but I only know that from my friend's and reading leaflets at the clinic while waiting for my appointments. I don't have a disc problem just general aches that my osteopath keeps at bay. 🙂

I also have a slipped disc in my lower back. I do find that exercise helps. Also had a steroid injection but it didn't last long.
I find that the Yoga with Adriene, lower back pain session is a god send. It works so well and is only about 16 minutes.

Word of warning I am currently nursing a bad 'burn' for enthusiastic use of an ice pack. Actually gave myself frostbite. Make sure you cover the pack with a towel and check your skin regularly. I am not sure how long I had it on my skin but it was a new icepack that retained its icy coldness longer that others I have used. It has been annoying cos I have not been able to swim.

My consultant was also very wary of surgery but I guess it depends how bad it is. His advice to me along with usual pain relief and exercise was to avoid stress as our perception of pain alters when we are stressed.

Don't sit!!! Whilst it's flaring lay or stand.

I slipped t3&t4 together, I was given an exercise to aid it slipping back. Lay flat on your front, push your arms up as if doing a push up, arms shoulder width, and push your shoulders up but keeping your pelvis flat to the floor along with your legs and feet on the floor, head down. Hold for ten seconds, lower down, then repeat twice more, and repeat every couple of hours during the day. Mine slipped back after three days but was advised to continue for seven days.

You have my sympathy, it's excruciating.