Disc Narrowing

[bythebay]

I have been experiencing low back pain that radiates to my left hip, and am also very stiff, especially in the morning. It also hurts (like a tooth ache) during the night. The toes on my right foot also bother me. I had an x-ray done in February. Findings: Significant disc space narrowing at the level of L5-S1 is present. Also, pars interarticularis defect of L5 is suspected. This is not well visualized on plain radiography and if clinically indicated, CT scan is recommended for further evalualtion. MRI is also recommended for further evaluation. Doctor informed that if the pain got unbearable I could try physical theraphy and the pain clinic for pain killers and injections. I had herniated disc surgery in 1993, thinking that this would solve the problem. After surgery I had excruciating sciatic pain down my right leg. My toes on the right leg have also been affected, and still feel different, gradually get worse. I have always been active doing walking, biking, yoga, etc. I would appreciated any insight or suggestions that could be given to me. I really would like to avoid having to deal with going to a pain clinic or having surgery.

[WalterJ]

I'm not an MD or an OMD but have you tried acupuncture?

My only suggestion is to find an acupuncturist trained in Acupuncture in China.

[InnerAthlete]

If you are asking about recourse through yoga or with yoga's help, then seek out and work privately with a well trained, therapeutically oriented yoga teacher.

Walking into a "Yoga" class off the street will not likely do much for your situation.

And, of course whatever you do, it should be in sync with your health care provider of choice- allopathic or homeopathic.