'herniated' disc

So I woke up a week ago with severe pains radiating down both legs... I was finding it impossible to sleep without perscription painkillers and moving about was difficult. A whole week later I decide to go see my GP. He makes an attempt to diagnose my problem, but after 7 minutes (typical maximum length of a NHS GP appointment) he decided that a trip to a Physiotherapist is in order. Thankfully I have Bupa medical insurance, so I get referred to a private physiotherapist (no 5 week waits for me). I turn up at the physio, and after 40 minutes of tests and treatment I find out that years of sitting at a desk for long periods typing into a computer has finally taken its toll on my lower vertebrae. So my physiotherapist wants to try drastic measures to correct the problem... here is a list of what I can and cannot do: 1) I cannot sit down except to use a toilet or eat. 2) My new position for "@ rest" is lying on my front. 3) No matter what, from now on I must get up every 20 minutes and walk around for at least 60 seconds 4) Every 60 minutes I must carry out corrective stretching exercises 5) No heavy lifting So in my line of work these prove interesting objectives. Even when my physiotherapist decides I can sit again, he wants me to use a gym ball. You know, one of those big silver rubber balls you all lean over down the gym. my physio informs me that if I can balance on that and keep the correct posture, then I can sit down.... So if you ever see this guy walking towards you pushing a silver rubber ball and dragging a laptop case on wheels (yeah, I have had to ditch my nice rucksack laptop case for now) spare a thought as to why and remember that you to can end up like this if you don't take care of your back.

Posted at 12:24AM Sep 05, 2007 by binwooke in Personal  |  Comments[1]