Anyone with a herniated disk? Advice on what to do.

[bikinpunk]

Long story short: I ride BMX and have had back troubles for over 3 years. I've known I have a herniated disk for about 6 months now and the specialist suggested I see either a chiropractor or get physical therapy. I've been dealing with this for a while now, but here lately I'm worried about it. My foot literally goes numb when I stand up for longer than 3 minutes, and my back is extremely sore most of the time. I usually take a couple ibuprofen before I do something active because I know it will hurt. The past couple days it's really been sitting heavy on my mind that if I don't get this resolved now, I won't be able to enjoy adult life.

This is where I need advice. I had heard on the radio about a new chiropractor opening up in the city where I work who has the machine that "stretches" your back apart. I was told by a previous chiropractor that this could help the disk "slip" back INTO place over time. However, at the time when I was told this there was nothing like that here. I'm considering giving this new method a shot, but I'm not sure. I really do need to get on the ball here whether I see him or go the more conventional chiropractic way.

Anyone with experience/results here, let me know. This is truly something I'm concerned about.

[SIcBoy]

i would do it, if it might help,
let them strech you, but i dont know anything about this but sounds like it might help

[FTalento]

The stretch machine is good and will bring some relief. Try an ice bag on the lower back for say 30 minutes. And stretch - keep your hamstrings loose. This will relieve a lot of pressure from lower back. A massage will also work. Good luck.