Herniated Disk - what i did wrong and what path to take

[Dimitar Ivanov]

Hello friends and community. I am not very active user here, but in past years i log my training regularly in log.concept2.com. I love sport and i am former on water rower and since last 2 years used Concept 2 Model D. Love to bicycle and fitness as well. I considered myself as a cautious person - because as a have been in semi pro sports i saw enough what can cause the injuries such as Herniated Disk and others. I enjoy good health and happy training until i come to my worst ever mistake in my training life. Because i want to train in the mornings, not in the evenings as usual - i start to make my sessions very early in the morning before work around 07:00 am. Until that moment i have very, very rare pain in the my back - but it is something normally from time to time - because it was clearly muscular pain. I switched my regime in the summer time, short after new season starts and i successfully complete my first full marathon. My mistake was that i didn't pay attention to rising pain in the back and most important - never sit back and read what are the cons from early training - only focused on the pros WHAT A NOOBISH MISTAKE! This cost me a lot - one morning after second or third week of morning trainings - something crack in my lower back i can swear i can heard it. I used to carry a lot of pain in my life and i can handle with. But this was something terrible - i almost pee myself...terrible terrible. This very moment i realize i do something very wrong and from this point up to now i try to make the whole picture of my stupidity and ignorance.
As i saw here in the forum one old comment of FrankJ made at February 20th, 2006, 6:57 pm

Also rowing in the morning can put extra stress on the discs in the back since they swell with fluid while you sleep, and take a few hours to equalize.

Only if i had my research before the injury... However after MRI - now it is clear that i have a Lumbar Herniated Disc level L5-S1 - which is lower back.
The following link contains gallery with images from MRI - so you can look at them only if you want to:
http://imageshack.us/g/1/10411837/

I fully understand that the life doesn't end here, but for sure i shall consider this injury in every training plan for the future. So my question comes here - should i left the Concept or not. According to the doctors the forbid every rowing activity - which is not quite professional because many of them don't know what is Rowing erg. A take my time to research here if there is any people with such a injury continue to train. I found many people continue to train on their ergs with Herniated Disk. Me personally before couple of months after short rest start to lift weights in the gym... even row for a few times, but no more than 2000 meters.

My personal opinion is if you train with caution you can build good muscle structure around the spine. In matter of fact i thing it is necessary to train if you have such a trauma in order to make some muscles that can support the spine and there is a slightly chance to recover... the disc come back at its place.

I am really looking forward your opinion... maybe not as a specialist doctor, but as a persons that have a lot of experience in sports, row, pain and gain.

Best Regards

[DIYrower]

The same thing happened to me, very faint pop sound and then excruciating pain in lower back crippled me for months. It starts from lower back towards hip, leg and calf. Sciatica nerve is pressed by bulging disc so walking was like hell. No work is possible without pain. It lasted for months.
One thing I can tell you for sure - one day I went to swim, one hour swimming left me surprised, something happened there, like a pressure removed from back, and no pain was there. Thereafter I take a lot of care, though it returns sometimes wrong lifting of weight or even wearing pants i.e. lifting leg.
Lot of rest and let pain subside then exercise, including resistance training helps a lot. I am 47.

[Dimitar Ivanov]

DIYrower, thank you for sharing this and thank you for the advice. It seems logical that complex swimming can help strengthen your body and at the same time spare your spine. I will try swimming for sure. I continue with my research and it seems that hernia at disc level L5-S1 is very very common problem. If it is treated well with appropriate excessive - the disc comes into place and small hernias heal. I will try to keep information here on my progress and after months i hope i will be happy to post pictures of MRI with healthy disc. I forgot to mention that i am 28 years old. I will consult with various doctors and physiotherapist. As far as i know first thing that i should be aware is not to twist my back at its lower or at all, because it can cause pinch in the nerves, disc and spine.

Best

[DIYrower]

By the way Dimitar do you limp while walking or stabbing pain from lower back, hip thigh and calf towards left or right side or do you bend towards pain side?
I am curious to know if your symptoms are same as mine.

[PDYFlyfish]

I would consult a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialist who focuses on this type of injury. I'm an anesthesiologist. I work in a center that performs a lot of major spine surgery, ie. fusions and instrumentations. You do not want to progress to the point where this is your only option.

[DIYrower]

PDYFlyfish I think Surgery should be the last option , as it leaves you permanently disabled (limits mobility or flexibility). There is no medicinal cure other than pain killer, I am ok now without a surgery for 2 years now. And I think exercise and rest is the cause of this. I am not an expert and not entering in argue with you, only my experience.

[Bob S.]

PDYFlyfish I think Surgery should be the last option , as it leaves you permanently disabled (limits mobility or flexibility). There is no medicinal cure other than pain killer, I am ok now without a surgery for 2 years now. And I think exercise and rest is the cause of this. I am not an expert and not entering in argue with you, only my experience.

I don't think that you read his post very carefully.

Bob S.

[Clifonef]

I have rowed for years with L4/L5 hernia. However, cannot row in morning. You must be sure technique is good and that your core is rock solid. Your muscles must compress and support your spine. Exercise regime in Back Rx (book) with enhancements has worked very well for me. Weight lifting and kettle bells make it worse.

[climber511]

I have a litany of low back issues according to my MRI - including 2 herniations - several bulges etc etc . I suggest a reading of Dr. Stuart McGills Low Back Disorders (available at the library here anyway) as well as Ultimate Back Fitness and Performance by the same author - much of his work is also available online with a Google search. I also am a morning exerciser and McGill addresses this in his books along with advice on warm ups and various therapy and strengthening movements. Another "Podcast" that might be of interest to you is http://startingstrength.com/index.php/s ... _episode_8. This guy is not a doctor but his thoughts are worth listening to. I have been able to return to heavy lifting, rock climbing and rowing by following this advice and hard work with the therapy movements from McGill. Good Luck to you!

[Dimitar Ivanov]

Thank you guys. I come here to share one happy moment - yesterday (evening) i made my first rolling session (about 15 minutes) after this long period of interruption. No pain in the back. Last few months i focus my every routine in strengthen my lower back and core. Doing mainly fitness (in the evenings after work) and morning stretching exercises. In the GYM i was very cautions and focus on Hyperextensions in home plank core exercises. What you say guys is really important for sure - the core (side, front, back) area is most important thing and not only lower back, but front muscles is as important as back ones. Now i will proceed with cautions with my concept 2 and hopefully starting prepare myself for the next season.

Best Regards