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Herniation and Anteversion

simon341
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05/24/2009 - 11:03am
Herniation and Anteversion
Dear Esther et al,

I have been diagnosed (over a year ago now) with a herniation at L4-L5 and L5-S1. I no longer have any radiculopathy whatsoever (although I initially had weakness and pain in my foot) and now just suffer from what feels like more mechanical muscle soreness across the lower back. I was wondering whether it would be ok for me to practice stacksitting and other practices that encourage anteversion now that I have passed the acute stage. Most recent MRIs show that the herniations have shrunk significantly, although they have not fully retreated.

Best,

SImon
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I recommend using your inner corset while you are exploring stacksitting. After you have engaged your inner corset muscles, start with just a little pelvic anteversion (small wedge) for a short period. If that feels good you can try using a wedge that is a little thicker.

Another strategy is to begin exploring pelvic anteversion first in side stretchlying and then in stacksitting. This is the order I teach these in my course. When you are lying down, the discs are much less loaded than when you are sitting. I would still prep by adding a little length first to make it super-safe. You can't really do the inner corset effectively while you are lying with your torso weighted to the bed, but you can begin by elongating your torso a little in the same way you will after you have anteverted your pelvis (i.e. raising your upper body on your arms and using your arms to push towards your feet).

If in doubt, get someone skilled to work with you or work with us over Skype.
baldy979
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12/13/2010 - 10:47am

Maybe this should have its own thread, but I have a question about "herniation" and anteversion as well.  In "8 Steps" we're warned not to stacksit or side stretch if we have or suspect having a herniated disc.  I'm wondering what constitutes hernation.  I just had an MRI done, and there's mention of small protrusion, but the word "herniation" isn't used.  I know "8 Steps" gives a little guidance on this, where it mentions the degreees of protrusion: bulging, herniation, sequestration.  I gather that protrusion short of herniation is "bulging".  Does the same warning about stacksitting and sidestretch lying apply to bulging as it does to herniation?  

simon341
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05/24/2009 - 11:03am
Thanks for the quick reply. I think it would be good for me to try the Gokhale Method 101 the next time I am back home, DC, for a good amount of time, and when I can save up enough money (college student)!
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