Ruptured Cervical Disc

[old] Bargamon · Post by **[old] Bargamon** » March 28th, 2005, 4:44 pm

Its a long story, but I have two ruptured cervical discs, C5 and 6 area. Currently no atrophy, and little arm pain or numbness. I use heat, traction and my eliptical machine as daily routine. I consider my self very lucky and might not have to have it fused! In five years medicine will have artificial disc replacement! Gotta hold on! Exercise to increase blood circulation is the best therapy! I am expanding my home gym and the C2 intrigues me! Now I fully understand any advice or opinion is purely subjective and I would consider any internet advice as not an authority. I borrowed a water rower for a few weeks and did ok with it. My neck did not hurt any more than usual. 20min rows were just fine. I did not want to over do it. My physical theropist, and her collegues were unsure about whether it was a good idea or not. They would be conservitive by nature. I do light bench presses and other light lifting (I have a list of to do's, and what not to do!). I was wondering if anyone has experiece with a neck condition of any sort and if rowing has helped or not. The rowing motion with a good machine is not a "jerk" motion if done correctly. This I need to confirm. The water rower was smooth. I perhaps overcompensated by using my legs more than I should have. Again, sharing this information is not giving advice. There is not much information about the cervical spine. The lumbar gets all the good press! I find sharing such infomation can only help.

[old] ehagberg · Post by **[old] ehagberg** » March 28th, 2005, 7:14 pm

I had a disc in my neck rupture as well - something like 10 years ago now. It healed up - mostly - through "conservative therapy"... traction and neck braces for 3 or 4 months. Now my neck has been fine for many years (no traction or neck braces since the initial treatment), though I still prefer to sleep with a really good neck-supporting pillow to keep the stiffness and pain from coming back. I took up erging again, in earnest, about a couple years ago and even got back into rowing on the water again last spring. I'm almost up to 10 million meters logged on the erg since I started keeping track. The rowing/erging hasn't seemed to have any ill effect on my neck, nor any amazingly-positive one either. I'd just be careful, as I'm sure you are already - keep your head up and concentrate on not making any violent motions w/ your neck/head, especially at the finish of the stroke, where some people might have a tendency to throw their head forward.

[old] bill keating · Post by **[old] bill keating** » March 28th, 2005, 9:08 pm

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(ehagberg @ Mar 28 2005, 06:14 PM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>I had a disc in my neck rupture as well - something like 10 years ago now. It healed up - mostly - through "conservative therapy"... traction and neck braces for 3 or 4 months. Now my neck has been fine for many years (no traction or neck braces since the initial treatment), though I still prefer to sleep with a really good neck-supporting pillow to keep the stiffness and pain from coming back. I took up erging again, in earnest, about a couple years ago and even got back into rowing on the water again last spring. I'm almost up to 10 million meters logged on the erg since I started keeping track. The rowing/erging hasn't seemed to have any ill effect on my neck, nor any amazingly-positive one either. I'd just be careful, as I'm sure you are already - keep your head up and concentrate on not making any violent motions w/ your neck/head, especially at the finish of the stroke, where some people might have a tendency to throw their head forward. </td></tr></table>

[old] Bargamon · Post by **[old] Bargamon** » March 29th, 2005, 10:46 am

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(ehagberg @ Mar 28 2005, 07:14 PM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>I had a disc in my neck rupture as well - something like 10 years ago now. It healed up - mostly - through "conservative therapy"... traction and neck braces for 3 or 4 months. Now my neck has been fine for many years (no traction or neck braces since the initial treatment), though I still prefer to sleep with a really good neck-supporting pillow to keep the stiffness and pain from coming back. I took up erging again, in earnest, about a couple years ago and even got back into rowing on the water again last spring. I'm almost up to 10 million meters logged on the erg since I started keeping track. The rowing/erging hasn't seemed to have any ill effect on my neck, nor any amazingly-positive one either. I'd just be careful, as I'm sure you are already - keep your head up and concentrate on not making any violent motions w/ your neck/head, especially at the finish of the stroke, where some people might have a tendency to throw their head forward. </td></tr></table> These neck things are all different. I am encouraged by your story as many many similar ruptures need fuseing. I have 3 friends all needing it. THe left arm goes numb and if you lose it for good if not done. I had very little numbness. I have given up basketball and tennis as over the head activities seem to hurt the most. I miss tennis and have struggled with added weight since I had to stop. I can play golf in small doses, but that's just a good excuse to drink beer and wear loud clothes! THe eliptical gets boring after a while. The impact of running can also be felt. Ruptures don't heal, but disc material can disolve over time. I have a few bulging which is mostly what I am trying to work on. I can't lose any more discs! The neck likes exercise and activity, and I think I will be fine If I keep good form and keep the strokes "low". Thank you for your feedback!

[old] ehagberg · Post by **[old] ehagberg** » March 29th, 2005, 12:10 pm

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(Bargamon @ Mar 29 2005, 10:46 AM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>These neck things are all different. I am encouraged by your story as many many similar ruptures need fuseing. I have 3 friends all needing it. THe left arm goes numb and if you lose it for good if not done. I had very little numbness. </td></tr></table> I was lucky I guess. I was also in fairly good shape and just 26 when it happened, so even though I did have numbness in my left thumb and first 2 fingers as well as diminished elbow reflex and even lost some muscle in my left pectoral... everything was pretty much back to normal after a few years. Now I'm 36 and I get the occasional stiff neck but none of the other symptoms at all.

[old] schweinlew · Post by **[old] schweinlew** » March 29th, 2005, 5:22 pm

I ruptured an L2 disc about five years ago. On the advice of my physician and his threat of surgery, I stopped running and playing basketball. Erg rowing seemed like a non-impact alternative, so I tried it. Since then, I have had very little back pain and have taken up rowing on the water. I'm not any good at it, but I try and I guess that counts for something. I think the rowing has actually strengthened the support muscles and thus helped with the sciatica and other symptoms. Maybe I just wanted it to work badly enough, that is to say that I sympathize with your situation. Either way, I attribute much of my recovery to rowing on a C2 erg and on water. Please let me know how it works out for you--either way. I would hate to make any recommendations to folks I know on the basis of my one anecdote. Will William E. Schweinle, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Psychology Director of Academic Evaluation and Assessment University of South Dakota 414 E. Clark St. Vermillion, SD 57069 (605) 677-8869

[old] bill keating · Post by **[old] bill keating** » March 29th, 2005, 6:14 pm

I do not have ruptured discs but fifteen years ago I developed a significant problem with my neck caused by excessive distance running. Had to stop running. I always wanted to try rowing but it seemed that it would certainly stress my neck and make my problem worse. Foolishly I waited ten years before I actually asked Concept2 about my beliefs. Long story short, I bought a machine and have not had even a hint of a problem with my neck despite a great number of meters over these past four plus years.l Other activities, especially weight lifting have just been an adventure. Some work fine and some not at all. I do find that anything that I have to do which involves extending my arms over my head and adding stress of any kind will result in problems. And, as some others have already said, the right support for your head and neck at night are very important. For impact free exercise, it is hard to beat. Just work on achieving the right form as soon as possible. Good luck. Bill Keating Ancient Mariners <table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(Bargamon @ Mar 28 2005, 03:44 PM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Its a long story, but I have two ruptured cervical discs, C5 and 6 area. Currently no atrophy, and little arm pain or numbness. I use heat, traction and my eliptical machine as daily routine. I consider my self very lucky and might not have to have it fused! In five years medicine will have artificial disc replacement! Gotta hold on! Exercise to increase blood circulation is the best therapy! I am expanding my home gym and the C2 intrigues me! Now I fully understand any advice or opinion is purely subjective and I would consider any internet advice as not an authority. I borrowed a water rower for a few weeks and did ok with it. My neck did not hurt any more than usual. 20min rows were just fine. I did not want to over do it. My physical theropist, and her collegues were unsure about whether it was a good idea or not. They would be conservitive by nature. I do light bench presses and other light lifting (I have a list of to do's, and what not to do!). I was wondering if anyone has experiece with a neck condition of any sort and if rowing has helped or not. The rowing motion with a good machine is not a "jerk" motion if done correctly. This I need to confirm. The water rower was smooth. I perhaps overcompensated by using my legs more than I should have. Again, sharing this information is not giving advice. There is not much information about the cervical spine. The lumbar gets all the good press! I find sharing such infomation can only help. </td></tr></table>

[old] Bargamon · Post by **[old] Bargamon** » April 1st, 2005, 2:45 pm

These are encouraging stories! Yes, I will not base my decision on those experiences. SO I expect mostly postive stories, or perhaps others will extend experience's of others. With the prices of these machines so steady on E-bay, even if after a year or so of use, it seams 75% of value is retained on used equipment! The benefits far outweigh the POTENTIAL for any problems! These threads have also convinced me what a nice activity it is by the very nature of how commited so many of you are! I tried kayaking a few times (calm water) and found the strokes very awkward. Canoe strokes were better (lower hand motion). I have a strong desire to be on the water! I might have to save up for a skull!

[old] Bargamon · Post by **[old] Bargamon** » April 12th, 2005, 11:38 pm

Just placed an order for a new concept2! After lurking in E-bay and used machines going for $600 or more, I feel a new machine is a great value never the less! New website is excellent! I look forward to continuing my quest with the "erg" (cool, I can hang with new slang!) and perhaps one day even get a boat and not be a poser! This world wide community of rowers is a neat thing and I have learned much in reading up! Nice support group and hope to not just learn, but share positive experiences of success. If not, Y'all can bid on my machine on E-bay! I am building out a new home gym and am happy to make this my first addition to my eliptical, weights, and im looking at a "spinner" bike. Regards, Bargamon

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