I hurt my back almost 6 months ago. Have cried every day since because of the pain and overwhelming feeling of doom. I am very active and, up until two weeks ago couldn't even make my own bed. I have been working my butt off every day at rehab and have had to accept that I can't do what I used to do. You need to learn new limitations. If you do this, you will improve. I have a MASSIVE L5 disc extrusion. This means the disc material is out in my spinal canal BIG TIME. IT presses on both the left and right nerve roots, so I get sciatica down both legs. Used to make me urinate without warning. I was told by two chiropractors and three medical doctors I needed surgery sooner than later. I told them to * off. I went to work (to prove them wrong). Unrelenting work. It has been very very hard. This type of injury is not a mild injury, it's not a moderate injury, it is a very severe injury. I think because people can't see it per say they down play it. It changes your life and not in a good way. I have had to slow way down in everything I do. For example, shaving my legs is a totally different chore now. Pushing to go to the bathroom, pushing my clutch in on my car, getting in and out of bed, sex, work, walking, picking something up from off the floor, etc.....the list goes on. The good news is in spite of my cauda equina (lower part of the spinal cord) being pinched in half from the disc herniation (along with both nerve roots), I am getting SO MUCH BETTER. No one thought it was possible. You have to listen to your body. You have to be your own investigator and think to yourself....."ok, what did I do yesterday to cause this flare up." You have to do it over and over and over and over again. You WILL eventually figure out a lifestyle that will let your body heal. Your body WILL heal. It FRIGGING WILL HEAL!!! You have to baby it for like a year and a half or maybe even two years. I know it sucks, but it's better than a low back surgery that may really make it permanent. I am healing. I am so much better now. I have had no injections, taken very few pills and refuse surgery. Now I just have to make sure I give it a couple years without re injuring it. That will be another really hard part. I don't know If I could go through this again. All you people out there listen to me......you can heal, you just have to change your lifestyle. At least for a few years. After you are healed you should be able to do some of and maybe most of what you used to do. Of course this depends on age, other underlying issues, drinker, smoker, you get the picture. Take your vitamins EVERY DAY and try to be good most days. You can do this. If I did it with the massive herniation I had, anyone can. I am 39 years old and very healthy and active........or was anyway. Will be again. Step it up a notch and get in the gym. Start swimming and doing lots of stuff in the prone position. This means with your tummy down. Get those legs up and those arms up. Torso off the ground. You have to start building your back muscles. They are way more important than your stomach muscles. Think back muscles and listen to your body. If you feel anything at all you do might in a tiny way be aggravating your back/leg then you MUST stop doing it. You are your own investigator. You can do this!!!! YOU CAN!

Just wanted to add a welcome to Neuro Talk...

I have, as my PT and surgeon call it...a very complex back! I do recommend the exercises to the stomach because they will help the back to be stronger. Also, try to keep your hamstrings stretched out...Through the years ice to the back has helped especially to help with swelling. I'm only eight months out from my last back surgery and I can tell you I am so much better! We do have a forum Spinal Disorders & Back Pain. I have posted the link below...

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum22.html