What is the best treatment for lumbar+thoracic disc bulges? Pls.see MRI info. Can...

[Tinytears]

...massage push them back in? MRI = L2/3; minimal disc bulge +mild facet hypertrophy + minimal stenosis. L 3/4; minimal disc bulge + moderate mild/moderate "to that are Rowe's is greater on right. Minimal stenosis". L 4/5; minimal disc bulge. Moderate facet arthrosis. Mild foramina narrowing. L5-S1; mild disc bulge. Moderate facet arthrosis. Disc bulges/small protrusions w/ minimal osteophyte formation at T 5/6, T 6/7, T 7/8,T 8/9, T 9/10. Schmorl's node + associated degenerative changes superior endplate T 10.
Range of motion and strengthening exercises, 2 x/ week for 6 weeks recommended.
This was due to a horse back riding injury, 11 months ago. If I stand, sit, or walk for any length of time, or lift, I stay in pain for several hours to several days. I am treating pain lightly with ibuprofen, as I take several other meds and don't like mixing any more than have to.
Any expert, or personal experience, or alternative medicine opinion is appreciated. Is recommended treatment enough? I am longing to horse back ride again, garden, walk dogs, etc. I am female and turn 57 today. Please help if you can. Thanks!

 

[Josh]

1) Physical therapy and surgery have the same long-term outcome (at a year from your pain/injury).

2) Massage cannot push them back in.

 

[Richard C]

Tinytear, what you have is a lot of arthritis in the spine coupled with some narrowing of the exiting points for the nerves. The bulges are not what worry me as they could have been there since birth with the only way of knowing is if you had an MRI years earlier that showed there was none. I am not sure of what the therapist is going to do so it is impossible to comment on that. What symptoms are you having other than back pain? By the way, happy birthday to you! This is going to be difficult as I am not able to evaluate you but there are some exercises that you can do at home until you are seen. I would also recommend that you pay special attention to your posture at all times. Strengthening exercises would also be a recommendation of mine. Here are the movements that I would recommend that you try. If they cause pain or increase your levels of pain stop them. Some of the movements might not seem to fit your problem but do them anyway for in the scheme of things they do. Sit in a straight chair such as a kitchen chair. Raise the left arm up as high as you can and then lower it. Now do the right arm and you will find that one arm rose up higher than the other. Start with the arm that rose up the highest. Raise that arm up as high as you can for 30 seconds and then rest it for 15 seconds. Repeat that twice more and then do the other arm exactly the same way 3 times. Now turn the head to the left as far as you can without pain and then to the right. One direction will turn further so start with that direction. Turn the head in that direction as far as you can without pain for 30 seconds and then rest for 15. Repeat that twice more and then do the opposite direction exactly the same way 3 times. Now get up and walk around. There should be a lessening of pain and more mobility should be found. Return to the chair and keep the hips and feet planted. Turn the body to the left as far as you can without pain and then turn to the right as far as you can without pain. Start with the direction that turns the furthest. Remember not to enter into any area of pain. Turn the body in that direction as far as you can for 30 seconds and then rest for 15. Repeat twice more and then proceed to turn in the opposite direction exactly the same way 3 times. This is the last movement and the most difficult. Bring the Left knee up as close to the Right shoulder as possible and then do the Right knee up as close to the Left shoulder as possible. One combination will get closer to the shoulder so start with that combination. Bring the knee up as close to the opposite shoulder as possible for 30 seconds and then rest for 15. Repeat this twice more and then do the opposite combination exactly the same way 3 times. Remember not to enter into any painful areas but stop short of them. Do these movements at least twice a day and more if possible. Upon completion of the series get up and walk around. There should be a lessening of pain and more mobility should be found. Hope this helps.