Question
" I have a reptured disk in my lower back,causeing pain down my right leg.about 2 mounths ago i went to an Orthopedic surgeon,i was on Methylpred for about 3 weeks,also Darvocet for pain.My back started getting better to the point where there was no pain.I am still takeing Piroxicam.no pain at all for about 3 weeks,now i can feel a little pain again in my upper leg and lower back, is their something i can do to prevent this pain again,i dont know if i can go through that kind of pain again.maybe excerise?"


Answer
Dear Pearlie,

Please see the articles on back pain at somatics.com/page4.htm for detailed answers to your questions.

In brief, it is my experience that ruptured (not herniated) discs are a surgical situation that can be helped post-surgically by somatic education.  Herniated discs can be helped without surgery, although the recovery time is variable according to the severity of the situation at the start.  Most back pain results from overcontracted back muscles, which can be retrained (retraining is different from stretching or strengthening).

The program, Free Yourself from Back Pain, details the difference between "ruptured" and "herniated," and is usually sufficient for people in the latter category, although the best approach is to work with a practitioner of clinical somatic education.  (see somatics.com for access to practitioners).

with regard,
Lawrence Gold