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Jen
Jun 12, 2008 - 2:36PM
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numbness
Does anyone else have just numbness as a symptom? I don't really have any back pain, just a lot of numbness in my left leg. My MRI showed a bulging disc with annular tear and also an enlarged left S1 nerve root. Could these be causing my numbness? Or could it possibly be just muscle imbalances?
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Weight Training Paul
Jun 13, 2008 - 5:08PM
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Re: numbness
Hi Jen
Do you have numbness down the back of the leg or the front ?
I have a bulging disc at S1 level and pretty much the main problem I only have is numbness in right leg inner quad / thigh area
I think the numbness is caused by super tight muscles, the hip flexors with me
Paul
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kathryn
Jun 14, 2008 - 2:52PM
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Re: numbness
I also have front thigh numbness, I was told it was a herniated L3-4. Isn't it strange how many people think that if your leg is numb, then its not painful? I sometimes feel like crying its so painful. Cant stand, or walk slowly but oddly enough, when I'm working and moving around, I'm fine. Starting with a new physio next week who is going to supervise my LoseTheBackPain exercises. Hopefully, I;ll get some relief. Also, Dave hutchinson advised me to contact Al Melius, so I'll do that too.
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Jen
Jun 16, 2008 - 10:07AM
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Re: numbness
Paul,
Do you still do the LTBP exercises with the numbness? I tried but they seem to just make the numbness worse for me.
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Weight Training Paul
Jun 16, 2008 - 1:20PM
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Re: numbness
Hi Jen
I thinks it's important to know where your numbness is
Is it down the back of your leg your front of your leg?
Inner or outer leg
Because my numbness is down the front and on the inner side of my leg, I know it's not the S1 disc
My hip flexors and quads in general were so tight and stretching them helping the numbness with me
I think there is numbness because there is tightness and not as much blood supply
Paul
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Jen
Jun 17, 2008 - 3:53PM
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Re: numbness
At different times, I have numbness in both the front and back of my leg. And it goes down the inner side of my leg. Is that s1?
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Weight Training Paul
Jun 17, 2008 - 5:15PM
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Re: numbness
I was told s1 would hurt the back of the leg
Doesn't the stretching help the numbness ?
Paul
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Lauren
Jun 17, 2008 - 9:00PM
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Re: numbness
Jen,
I remember the day when my disc herniated. Got a pain in my back and couldn't walk right for a week. Once the initial back pain subsided, I noticed persistant pain in my butt/hip area especially when sitting, then developed numbness in my lower outside right leg and foot. One doctor thought it was periformous syndrome. It turns out, I had a herniated disc between L5 S1, which was compressing the sciatic nerve. I recently had surgery to remove the herniation and enlarge the opening for the nerve. 4 weeks later i still have foot pain and numbness. Some improvement with the hip/groin pain.
Anyone else have similar
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kathryn
Jun 18, 2008 - 12:53AM
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Re: numbness
Lauren, it may take a while for the numbness to ease, but if I can give you any advice, it is to make sure you do the correct exercises. I had surgery 9yrs ago (microdiscectomy). It provided absolute relief which lasted for 8yrs. Unfortunaely, nobody told me to correct the muscle imbalances that caused the disc to herniate in the first place. This is what has led to the same symptoms returning. My Orthopaedic surgeon advised fusion ( which i have refused) I have been doing the LTBP exercises but felt I needed more, so asked the specialist back physio attached to my surgeon if she would help. Yesterday she gave me a full assesment ( which after 30yrs of back problems HAS NEVER BEEN DONE) and she told me that my hip flexors, particularly the Right are completely out of line. Only 10% movement in the right side. She has told me which LTBP exercises to concentrate on and added 2 more of her own. She will add more as I get more flexible. The point is, I wouldn't be in this situation if I had been advised to correct these imbalances after my surgery
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rich
Jun 20, 2008 - 7:36PM
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Re: numbness
I also have numbness in my left leg and have a hard time moving the toes in my left foot. Anyone know if this will subside. My doc says that it should go away but wanted to see if anyone else has had this symptom. Just about to start the LTBP program and had a major relapse with back spasms. After the spasms I now have sciatic pain and restriced movement in left foot. Any ideas?
thx
Rich
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Steven Hefferon
Jun 23, 2008 - 10:40AM
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Re: numbness
can anyone comment on inversion and numbness...
Has any one had an S1 herniation and the symptoms of numbness, used an inversion table and found relief by using it?
Steve
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it hurts
Jun 23, 2008 - 12:50PM
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Re: numbness
i to have numbness, i havent felt my left thigh for 10 years.the numbness dosent hurt . but the back pain does l4-l5 surgical implaints .schmorl nodule defect and compression fracture along the superior end plate of l3,,faucet arthropathy at multiple levals with a bulging annulus at l2-l3 and disc hernation at l3-4 and l5-s1. bunch of big words, that mean i'am jacked up! please pass the oxycodone please. dr. house is my hero
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rich
Jun 23, 2008 - 1:49PM
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Re: numbness
Update: i currently do not have any pain but i have numbness and weakness in my left foot. When standing i have trouble lifting my toes when both feet are on the ground. When i stand on my right foot only i can move my toes back and forth. They dont go back all the way but almost there. Have no idea if the nerve is still compressed by the disc or has come off and the nerve is just severely irritated. Any guidance appreciated.
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P.
Jun 23, 2008 - 7:31PM
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Re: numbness
Hello, I saw this topic about numbness and was hoping to see that it eventually goes away.
I had a microdisectomy last year for a disc herniation at L5/S1. My leg pain has gotten better than it was before surgery, but the numbness is still there and gets worse even from just walking a short distance or exercising.
I just got another MRI and it shows that I now have a disc buldge on my left and central side L4/L5, and I also have another buldge forming on the right where I previously had surgery (L5/S1), scar tissue and what I'm MOST concerned about is an "asymmetric enlargement" of that same nerve root, the actual nerve itself!
I'm very discouraged right now because the more I try to walk and stretch and do mild strengthening exercises, it's not doing any good and only aggrivates it and makes the tingling worse. MY PT was pressing on my back to find the tender pressure points. , when he pressed on where I had my surgeryand, that spot it hurt terribly when he massaged it! Then that made my left side hurt even worse.
My back hurts more now than it did before surgery. If I remember correctly I had more leg pain and my back didn't hurt, but the MRI showed an extensive herniation. Does that mean my nerve is permanently damaged "the asymmetrical enlargement"? Can a herniation cause permanent nerve damage it left too long untreated? It was only 3 months.
The doctor said that it just takes time and that I wouldn't be able to do some of the things that I used to do before, but it's been almost a year and I can't even go bowling, I am limited in everything I do. I guess it could be worse, but before surgery I was very mobile, and now I'm just managing the back pain and tolerating the numbness. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks in advance!
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Dave Hutchieson
Jun 24, 2008 - 8:30PM
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Re: numbness
Hello P.
The every first thing that you need to do is to find out where your body is out of balance.
I'd suggest you buy the LTBP system.
Once you have it, you ned to send in photos of yourself [ front, back, left and right ].
This will allow the LTBP people to assess whether you have a forward tipped pelvis, forward head and shoulders etc.
This will be the starting point for your stretching and strengthening program.
Unfortunately, many Physical Therapists and doctors just give out generic stretching programs without looking at postural dysfunctions and musculsr imbalances.
If you don't purchase the program for whatever reason, try to find a CHEK or Egoscue practioner near where you live.
They usually do a very good job of assessment.
Let us know how you do with that and then we can go from there.
If possible, get an x-ray done of your pelvis from the front.
This will give a wealth of information.
Also get an x-ray done of your lumbar spine from the side.
Try to find a Pettibon System chiropractor and get your C1 vertebra checked out.
Finally, get your Sacro-iliac joints checked out.
Sounds like a lot, but it is all necessary.
Every person who has followed my recommendations on this website has either become completely pain free or are well on their way to being so or have had substantail reductions in their pain.
Good Luck
Dave Hutchieson
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P.
Jun 25, 2008 - 12:23AM
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Re: numbness
Wow (LOL) that is a lot of info., but I will get started. The doctors and pts have made it sound hopeless for me and I was scared, but from reading this website and message board, it sounds so easy. I appreciate your response and will give it a try and keep you posted. Thanks again! Peggy
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Dave Hutchieson
Jun 25, 2008 - 7:30AM
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Re: numbness
Peggy
Although I have great respect for doctors, most of tem don't know their a** from their elbow as far as back pain is concerned.
Not their fault.
It's simply due to the fact that they have never been taught spinal bio-mechanics in a proper manner.
I was told I'd never walk properly again [ I had to drag my right leg to meet my left leg ].
Through my own research and a good therapist I'm now walking just fine.
I was told my spine was in such bad condition that even major surgey may not work.
All wrong.
My spine is well on it's way to full recovery.
Hang in there.
Dave
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Kaye Halpin
Jul 1, 2008 - 12:19PM
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Re: numbness
I am using an inversion seat. Will I get the same benefit as a table? I've been using it for 1 1/2 weeks, and I'm almost fully inverted for 10 mins. I have a herniated disc at L2/3- Docs wanting to fuse and saying I will be paralyzed if I don't have surgery. I have numbness in butt, front thighs and knees after walking about a 1/4 of a block. Not much pain from sitting and lying down. I have been doing LTBT for 2 1/2 mos. for BTP and FHN. Can't say I am better but at least I know the problem and what I have to do. I am more aware of my posture. I have ordered the back joy.
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Dave Hutchieson
Jul 1, 2008 - 12:40PM
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Re: numbness
Kaye
Before you think of surgery, please call my muscle therapist Al Meilus on 1-727-547-1233 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-727-547-1233 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. He'll talk to you for free.
He has saved many, many from surgery.
Good Luck
Dave Hutchieson
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