Question
I have a bulging disk in the L5-S1 location.  I was diagnosed with this back in 2004, never had to much of a problem with it, little pain down the left leg/butt area but not bad enough to stop me from doing most things.  About mid-March this year, not sure what i did, but the pain was incredible, had a hard time standing up straight or sitting down.
I went to a chiro for the first time and it seems to be better.  I was told that my vertabre were a little 'twisted' around the bulge and that my right leg was 8mm shorter than the left.  When doing leg stretches my left leg was not as limber as the right.  Stretching my right leg, laying on my back, and just lifting the right leg up, I could get it about 90 degrees, left leg, only about 30.  Chiro said that my muscles on the left side are very tight and probably causing some of the problem as well as the issue with my twisted vertabre, the shorter right leg.  I wear a heal insert in my right shoe now to help correct.  I still have some pain, especially right at the top of the butt or tailbone area.  Is this related to the disk or the adjustments from the chiro.  Also, she suggested an inversion table, how long should I spend on it, frequency as well, do these work to diminish the pain?  I know it will never be fully healed but am i on the right track to keeping it to a minimum.  I really want to play golf again, I was really good and I'm only 31 so i feel i'm young enough that I shouldn't have to worry about this.


Answer
You are on the right track with the treatments.  The bulge will eventually resolve as long as you stay with the treatments and do the exercises that are suggested.  I'm unsure about the inversion table, I do not use them, and I am uncomfortable giving you advise about that, but if the doctor you are seeing suggests it, go for it, ask them about timing and frequency.