Are there any exercises for this condition, thanks.

Cinderella, anything you can do to strengthen the muscles that support your spine will help.

There is a home traction device that allows you to apply Frequent Variable Traction. It's called the iso-trac. I've used it and I believe it helped slow things down, but my discs were way too far gone before I started using it. I believe they have a website... I can't post it here because of Healthboards rules, but you shouldn't have any trouble finding it. (iso-trac)

Mark

Thanks Mark, unfortunately my muscles are too tight to strengthen, I thought some stretches may help?

Anything you can do to increase your strenght, flexibility and fitness will help. You do have to be careful not to engage in exercises that will hurt you. Some help from a physical therapist who's experienced with spine patients might be a good idea.

I've never heard of muscles being too tight to strengthen. You must ease into a program that will loosen what needs to be loosened in order to strengthen what needs to be strengthened!

Good luck.

Mark

Hi Cinderella: One of the best exercises for the low back is simply walking! Walking strengthens the lumbar area and it is good for depression (which is common with chronic pain). I would suggest asking your doctor for a referral to physical therapy. The therapist can prescribe exercises and stretches just for you, keeping your unique back problems in mind. Also, a physical therapist can show you proper stretches for your condition. Muscles spasm to protect nerves that are being pinched. My muscles are very tight, but I stretch anyway, especially my hamstrings. These muscles are important to stretch because if they are too short, they pull your pelvis in an incorrect position for the lumbar spine. Good luck and take care, Patmg

Great advice from mmglobal:

Anything you can do to increase your strength, flexibility and fitness will help. You do have to be careful not to engage in exercises that will hurt you. Some help from a physical therapist who's experienced with spine patients might be a good idea.

and from Patmg:

One of the best exercises for the low back is simply walking! ... My muscles are very tight, but I stretch anyway, especially my hamstrings. These muscles are important to stretch because if they are too short, they pull your pelvis in an incorrect position for the lumbar spine.

After my herniated disc was surgically repaired, I started doing hamstring stretches twice a day, and walking 2 miles after stretching. Learn about trunk stabilization exercises, and always maintain "neutral spine" posture while walking. Just a few visits to a physical therapist who treats spine patients will help you learn what to do. I am not sure that there is anything you can do to reverse the narrowing, but you can support your spine with strengthened muscles so that the intervertebral space doesn't narrow further.

Warmly, HNP

[This message has been edited by HNPatL4L5 (edited 05-28-2003).]

Thanks guys for your suggestions. I am a walker, I walk everyday if I can, I go to the shops and end up buying stuff I dont need just so I can walk there!!! I have other back problems that are being investigated perhaps I will get some answers soon. Thanks.