If this is your first visit, check out the community guide. You will have to Join us or Sign in before you can post.
Bulging Disc Nerve Pain

Hi Folks,
Hope you doing okay.
I have recently been diagnosed with a bulging disc that is impinging on my left nerve root, causing sciatica. I have been to loads of private physiotherapists as the NHS physiotherapist was very poor, i just wanted to get out of pain. All seem to give mixed advice, but i am awaiting a referral to a pain clinic from my GP too as the pain down my leg makes me very depressed.
However i wondered what exercises i can do, as some physiotherapists state its hard work but over 6 months to 1 year the disc bulge can go back. What types of exercises do i need to be working on please? Some physiotherapists have given me strengthening exercises, some have told me to use a lumbar stretching device. Some have told me to focus on McKenzie exercises, however i really do not want to worsen anything.
Thank you for any help you can give to try and get me out of pain. I appreciate your time reading my comments.
Jimmy
Hope you doing okay.
I have recently been diagnosed with a bulging disc that is impinging on my left nerve root, causing sciatica. I have been to loads of private physiotherapists as the NHS physiotherapist was very poor, i just wanted to get out of pain. All seem to give mixed advice, but i am awaiting a referral to a pain clinic from my GP too as the pain down my leg makes me very depressed.
However i wondered what exercises i can do, as some physiotherapists state its hard work but over 6 months to 1 year the disc bulge can go back. What types of exercises do i need to be working on please? Some physiotherapists have given me strengthening exercises, some have told me to use a lumbar stretching device. Some have told me to focus on McKenzie exercises, however i really do not want to worsen anything.
Thank you for any help you can give to try and get me out of pain. I appreciate your time reading my comments.
Jimmy
Replies
I'm sorry this has continued to cause you pain, and that you haven't found much relief from physio. Have you ever had a pain clinic referral? I have had several over the years and have found them to be helpful.
Have you tried things like heat or ice to reduce pain? I know this can really help some people
Please do let us know how you get on and if there is anything else we can do to help then please do let us know!
Scope
Tell us what you think?
Complete our feedback form to help us to improve your community.
Scope
Tell us what you think?
Complete our feedback form to help us to improve your community.
I’m really sorry to read how much pain you’re in and travelling 58 miles each way for nothing is ridiculous. Please let us know how you get on with your next appointment.
Are you happy with the possibility of being retired? If not, it might be worth consulting ACAS (https://m.acas.org.uk/) or EASS (https://www.equalityadvisoryservice.com/ and finding out what your rights are.
Scope
If you have a few minutes to spare, we'd appreciate your feedback on our online community.
Lots of our members have been through the PIP process, so if you have any questions at all or need some help with that, just let us know.
Scope
If you have a few minutes to spare, we'd appreciate your feedback on our online community.
Scope
Tell us what you think?
Complete our feedback form to help us to improve your community.
I had the same injury. McKenzie exercises, Bowen Therapy and Alexander Technique are all supposed to help, but I can't afford them ATM. I found that massage, stretching and heat helped somewhat. I had a microdiscectomy after 12 weeks, and have had chronic pain since, but my outcome wasn't the norm! If advise that if you'ref offered surgery, do your research first!
The body does usually slowly reabsorb the disc material, but it does take months-a year. I wish I'd known that.
Scope
If you have a few minutes to spare, we'd appreciate your feedback on our online community.
Scope
Tell us what you think?
Complete our feedback form to help us to improve your community.
Scope
Tell us what you think?
Complete our feedback form to help us to improve your community.
TK
I wish you the very best of luck and please do let us know if there is anything we can do to help.
Scope
Tell us what you think?
Complete our feedback form to help us to improve your community.
I have been sent pain management who gave me 6 spine injections that didnt do much, had hydrotherapy and normal physio and just having to change on different medications because my body gets used to them so quickly.
My fingers are crossed for you that you get some pain relief and the help that's needed. So frustrating when your not getting answers and having to deal with pain.
It takes so long to get answers and to get some relief from the pain, I'm still have trouble after 4 years.
I currently have started to try cbd rubs, oils and tablets. It takes the edge of a bit but it's not a full cure of pain
All the best
I think once you get problems with back its like a domino effect a everything els starts to give up. I also have problem with my right knee. Got sent to orthopedics and more physio and then said injections.
The hydrotherapy pool helped beacuse it is warm and takes pressure of limbs. Maybe worth suggesting next time you see doctor.
I had to stop the pool during to being a lady and I'm not having much luck in that department either.
For pain I'm on pregabalin, Zapain, Amitriptyline, Naproxen and tramadol. All pain management suggest is injections and Morphine, that I'm not allowed to go on beacuse I'm only younger and if I want/ can have kids then I wouldn't be accepted to go to fertility.
I also have neurological problems, anxiety and depression. Hardly surprising really.
So for me it's been having to learn to live with the pain and keep changing tablet doses. I just feel lucky I have an understand partner.
I had to give work up about 4 years ago and had help of the union. Since then things have got worse due to lack of activity from pain. I do try and move as much as I can throughout the day as suggested by specialist.
Have also had counselling and CBT training to cope with anxiety and depression.
I really hope you get the right balance to managing pain and if ever you want to just have a little moan or need to chat, someone will always be hear to speak
GP just don't want to do anything anymore whatever happened to prenvention is better than cure xxx
What does one do if gps don't help I've had pain for yrs my shoulders are rubbish I can't even left my arms without pain in my neck and arms my balance is terrible