It doesn't make sense to give someone exercises when they can't fully stand up straight. You should schedule an appointment with a chiropractor, preferably one who does spinal decompression. This will help you manage the pain due to the disc bulging. Once you are out of pain and moving around a little better, you should be given exercises to strengthen and stabilize your spine. This is what chiropractors are extremely good with, and as long as you stay compliant with your regular visits, chiropractic care can help you out a lot.

Since you have a 14 year history of back problems, I would imagine that somewhere along the line, one of your doctors would have ordered some imaging studies to evaluate your spine...X-rays or MRI. If not, then it is high time for you to have this done. Usually bona fide disc problems in the lumbar spine will involve some nerve root irritation that will elicit symptoms of radiating pain or numbness. This could be one reason for your limp. Also, discs can displace without actually herniating, and cause a joint-locking phenomenon as the body goes into a protective splinting, causing what has been described by certain authorities as "sciatic scoliosis", due to the distortion it creates in the spine. This can be caused by a sneeze. Oblique view X-rays will often reveal facet imbrication in these types of patients. After 14 years of putting up with this, you need to see a spine specialist and get a comprehensive exam.

Hi there! I have a life-long history of spinal problems, too. Your story sounds similar to mine. I have some scoliosis and disc issues. I became a Doctor of Chiropractic in part because of how much Chiropractic helped me. Chronic, long-term back pain can have many underlying causes, and you should start with a good Chiropractic examination with x-ray and possibly MRI. This will help rule out other pathology that may be causing pain.

Discs don't "slip", but they can bulge and the fibers holding them can weaken and fray like the fibers of a braided rope. Pain with sneezing (Valsalva) is a significant clue to underlying disc problems. Thankfully discs can get better, especially in younger people like you. But, proper diagnosis and specific treatment is critical to having a good outcome for the long run.

When I was your age, I thought I would always have back pain. There were times when the pain was so bad it almost made me vomit. But, I now know that with the proper type of Chiropractic care, specific disc/core exercises, nutrition, and an active lifestyle, I hardly ever have back pain and I lead a very healthy life. That mix is what I help my patients find and live. It sounds like that is what you need. I would see a chiropractor who specializes in individualized care and will take the time to help you find the proper combination of adjustments, nutrition, exercise and lifestyle that will allow you to heal and live well.

If there are no underlying pathologies to deal with, my goal for you would not be to "manage" your pain and help you live with it, but to restore function so you don't have any pain to "manage".

I wish you the best!

Dr. Jeff

If you have never been to a chiropractor, then I would start now.

Pain with sneezing (valsava maneuver) is a sign of spinal and costospinal intrinsic muscle weakness/instability. You have a high degree of inappropriate mechanical loading via multiple spinal subluxations and possible scoliosis. This is usually accompanied with a sluggish postural reflex (spinocerebellar pathway). With your history, you should seek out a trained professional in spinal reshaping www.IdealSpine.com ...see the doctor locator) and a little known but highly effective practice of ELDOA's www.AustinELDOA.com orwww.legacyperformwell.com). Decompression therapy may also be wise to investigate.

Best in your pursuit. You absolutely can get well and it will require a little bit of a process...but very worth it.

From what I understand you're currently 26 years of age and you've had back problems for at least the last 13 years. When you're a 13 year Dr. inform you that you had 3 "slipped" disks how exactly to the make that diagnosis. Diagnoses like that cannot be made by x-rays but only by an MRI of your lower back. The terminology slipped disc could mean anything from a disc that extruded from the disc space to a disc bulge which in most adults is a normal aging finding. At 13 years of age though is not.

Your back pain could have in origin from the joints in her lower back or if the pain is radiating below your lower back such as into your buttock and thigh or leg could be related to irritation of one of the nerves.

Based on what you have written I would suggest to get a thorough evaluation by a pain management specialist which could include Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation doctor or a Anesthesia fellowship trained pain management specialist. If you have not already had an MRI of her lower back that would be very useful moving forward especially trying to determine the diagnosis and a well thought out treatment plan.

13 years of this kind of back pain can make you start to question everything. Never knowing if you are going to move the wrong way, sleep the wrong way, sneeze, it can make you crazy. The good news is that lasting relief is possible with appropriate chiropractic care and appropriate rehabilitation exercises.

Getting the pressure off your low back so that it can heal properly or as best it can at this point is the critical first step. Find a chiropractor that will take the time to review your history, explain to you what (s)he is looking for, how they are going to treat it, what you are going to have to do at home, by the way this should not come from a tear off sheet that is given to every back pain patient, and how everyone will know that it's as good as possible so you aren't just waiting for the next sneeze to start this all over again.

The good news is that most people with the appropriate chiropractic care feel better within the first five treatments.

Its amazing that you have experienced this kind of pain for so long. I guess you haven't been to a chiropractor yet? You need to get to one quick!. You need to have it treated properly and have MRI's done to see what kind of "slip disk" is that you have. Remember that if you treat the symptoms with exercise, ice/hot, physical therapy or pain medication...you will keep on treating the pain for a very looong time. Get to the root of it and have it checked and fixed before it gets worse and would need a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic surgeon.

Many people have found relief with KB-C from www.naturessunshine.ca or .com

It is inexpensive and usually fast acting.

Helping Herbs and Wellness 419728

That's a long time for someone your age to have back problems and they sound pretty severe. Ask your friends and family if have a great chiropractor to send you to or check on-line reviews. They will carefully examine you and determine what the problem is. From that point, appropriate treatment can begin and hopefully bring a huge improvement in your quality of life. PS--keep in mind that medicine for pain, although sometimes may be truly needed, does not fix the problem, and allows it to worsen while you don't experience the symptoms.