Two years ago I had three herniated discs repaired, L3, L4, L5. I did go to physical therapy, and felt that the therapist I first saw was really helping. She left the clinic, and the next therapist was so extreme, that my pain doubled two fold. I dreaded the sessions, as after I had to take extra pain meds, which I was trying to get away from. Then I went to a spine specialist (and one of the best in northern Caliornia) and when I told him what was happining, his advice to me ( and not to anyone else) was:
"If it hurts , don't do it. Walk, walk, walk as much as you can, and do some very mild pilates to strengfthen the core muscles, but only if it does not increase the pain."
( holding in my stomach lying down for small counts progressing to longer times if comfortable) I walk about four miles a week, and could do more as it helps my back so much. I am starting some different and very mild stretches, very mild, and progressing slowly to longer stretches. At first it really hurt, so I backed down to a slower rate, and now it is definitely better. The moral of my story, we are all indivciduals, and the rate we recover might also be relative to our ages, and our sense of purpose. I am 66 years old, and know that if I keep doing this, there is no question I will feel better and better. Surgey may not be the perfect answer, but it is sure preferable to the debilitating sciatica, back pain, depression and a growing (then) need for more and more pain killers. Hang in and do your best .Prayer is also a wonderful comfort.
Susie
dude you got it right.first you gotta have the right PT if you don't they just kill you,don't know what they're doin'. i have only had luck w/PT 1 time,after bilateral knee surgery.w/my back injury after car accident,no.after injections into the area i shattered my vertebrae,no tried it twice.i believe in massage therapy w/a person who knows what they are doing. both my parents one in NM one in CA the CA good the NM he did it hisself,went found out what to do then did it religously,they are both good now,well they have new things going on.if it hurts too much ask doc to cut back for awhile to heal some more.i am going to try aqua therapy next.good luck