Question
Hi J,I was diagnosed as having the bottom 3 discs slipped about 10/11yrs ago now and I have not had problem with them for about 4yrs but I still constantly have mild pain when I straighten the last inch or so of my back,or sometimes when adjusting my seating position I get a sharp pain but only for a couple of seconds,I guess I will have this forever but I always worry that they will prolapse again(the worst pain ever for about 2 months)is there anything I can do to stop this?

Answer
Dear Dave,

The short answer here is yes.  There are a lot of things you can do to increase the health of the affected disks even though they were bulging or herniated.

1.  Keep your diet clean and make sure that you maintain a proper weight for your frame.
2.  Limit all repetitive bending and twisting motions...these are the motions that often rupture disks.
3.  Be very careful for the first 1-2 hours in the morning concerning lifting, bending or twisting.  This is the least flexible time of the day concerning the disk, and the most frequent injury occurrence time.
4.  Maintain good posture while seated so that you do not increase disk pressure.  Seated postures create the most intra-discal pressure...more than standing.  Slumping or slouching forward places tremendous loads on the disk material.
5.  Learn stabilization exercises for the low back and recovery positions.  For example:  the bird dog exercise is great to create stability in the multifidus muscle which stabilizes the disk and joints of the low back.  
6.  Read some good books on low back stabilization such as: Anything written by Pete Egoscue or The Multifidus Back Pain Solution.
7.  Take regular care of the low back by visiting a chiropractic physician at least once a month, preferable one who has a Cox Flexion/distraction table.
8.  Lastly, consider purchasing a pneumatic device called the Posture Pump (expanding ellipsoidal traction for the spine) to utilize at home.  You can buy them on the Internet for just under $200.00, the directions and application are easy to understand and they work well to help increase the hydration of the disks, while promoting proper biomechanics and structure.  I use them with my patients weekly.

Good Luck Dave.

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net