[Peckers_Pics] Re: exercising advice for an old gay man?

I had severe pain from sciatica, that started from a herniated disc. I'd had slipped discs several times before, but never as bad as this one.It lasted for well over a year. I went to physical therapy, and was given some stretching-exercises to do, including the one that Chris mentioned above. However, the one that I found most effective was to sit on my bed, or couch, with the affected leg stretched out flat in front of me. Then I'd slowly reach down as far as possible with my arm, and try to grasp my foot, or come as close as possible, while keeping my leg straight. Then I'd grasp my leg, and try to hold it for about 2 or 3 minutes. I could feel my back stretching, and supposedly it was stretching out the spaces between the discs, making it possible for the herniated disc to return to normal.

I kept this up for over a year, without experiencing any relief, and I was beginning to think that either I'd have to have surgery, or I'd have to put up with the pain for the rest of my life. I tried to have an MRI taken, but my insurance wouldn't cover it (they'd only cover an X-ray). I really didn't want surgery, I'd heard that often it wasn't successful. But I was beginning to think that there wasn't any alternative. But then, after over a year of doing the stretching-exercises, the pain slowly began to diminish. Now it's pretty much gone, and only returns if I stand in one place for a prolonged period of time. It's not the constant severe pain that it was before. I'm really thankful, and I've continued to do the stretching-exercises daily.

I also go for a massage once a month, which feels great, and would relieve the pain while I was getting the massage, but the pain would return as soon as I stood up. Swimming was also good exercise, and relieved the pain while I was in the water, but it would return as soon as I got out.

Good Luck.

--- In Peckers_Pics@yahoogroups.com, chris <mastersofstars@...> wrote:
>
> OK this helps back pain sit i mean lay on your back on your bed take both hands and pull your knees to your chest 50 times in a row that stretches the sciatic nerve straight but it takes time do 50, 2 times a day for months it works have to be patient
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: Matt <matthend2@...>
> To: Peckers_Pics@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Sat, Dec 4, 2010 5:21 pm
> Subject: Re: [Peckers_Pics] exercising advice for an old gay man?
>
>
>
>
>
>
> From my experience massages usually help the most. When my muscle in my back get tight is usually the time I experience back pain (herniated disc). There are a number of remedies that temporarily relieve the pain, but a massage usually helps for a longer period.
>
> Perhaps some stretching, yoga, other muscle relaxing activities may help.
>
> --- On Sat, 12/4/10, Seeking LTR <wellwater2k@...> wrote:
>
>
> From: Seeking LTR <wellwater2k@...>
> Subject: [Peckers_Pics] exercising advice for an old gay man?
> To: Peckers_Pics@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Saturday, December 4, 2010, 10:20 AM
>
>
>
> Hi All,
>
> Years ago I developed some lower back pain that runs down the back of my right leg. I'm told it's caused my pressure on the sciatic nerve in my spine usually due to a bulging disc. I suffered with this condition for many years and after researching back surgery and learning that it had a less than 50% chance of success, and lots of time off work for recovery, I opted to have an "experimental" procedure called a percutaneous discectomy (p.d.). The procedure was successful and the pain went almost virtually away. Now I've put on weight and let myself go (was told the Dr. that a "gut" will greatly increase the problem of sciatic pain and I should keep my core muscles (abs) in shape) and the pain is back with a vengeance.
>
> So, I started using "The Wheel" for abs exercises, doing crunches, leg lifts, and swimming laps at the pool. These exercises began back in July and now it's December. At first the pain increased and I began to worry that I was going to become incapacitated! Now it's slowly beginning to get better. However the pain is still almost unbearable each night when I go to bed. I think my muscles and spine are slowly stretching out to relax the pressure on the nerve.
>
> My question is, would any one out there with similar issues, who has tried something that has helped, mind sharing with me?
>
> Thanks!
>
> wellwater2k@...
> Mike in Vernal, UT
>

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