Question
Hi,
 I am having back pain for the last17months and recently had mri scan which says degenerative disc disease mith mild diffuse anular disc bulges(L4-L5)andL5-s1 levels)causing bilateral neural
foraminal narrowing.I am having right upper shoulder pain for last 15years.Is this pain caused by disc problem?Could you just tell me how bad is the condition ?I am a nurse by profession on leave just now.what are he exercises i have to do to strengthen my back?I have 11months old baby and this pain started after i become pregnant.could you please tell me is there any problem of having another baby at all?
Thanks in advance
Nisha

Answer
Hello, Nisha,

Degenerative disc disease is misnamed; it is not a disease of the discs -- it's the consequence of long-term disc compression due to hypercontracted paraspinal muscles.  It's a mechanical breakdown.

The upper shoulder pain would not be caused by a disc problem but by either muscle fatigue or nerve compression (same cause), with any disc compression being a secondary effect.

Strengthening the back is the wrong approach.  The muscles are already too contracted.  Relaxing the back muscles into a new postural set is the correct approach.  That may also necessarily involve freeing the muscles of the front of the trunk.

Without knowing more of your condition, I can't answer your question about having another baby.

What I can say is that you would do well to undertake somatic education to bring your muscular tensions under control.  The techniques are more sophisticated than are used in most physical therapy.

May I recommend some brief articles of mine:

http://www.somatics.com/back_pain.htm
http://www.somatics.com/chronic_back_pain.htm
http://www.somatics.com/back_pain_terms.htm

They explain more and provide leads for getting help.

I can provide a recommendation for self-help resources, if you wish.