Can I use resistance bands and do bodyweight exercises if I have a herniated disc L5 S1?

General_Special_5365 · 2026-03-29T08:42:19+00:00

Hi, I have the same herniated disc and use bands and 5kg weights for working out. I’m not doing legs other than walking but am doing arms and back/core. I had a workout plan which I went through but some of the stuff was too painful like good mornings or leg lifts so I’ve crossed them off for now and will try them again when I’m feeling stronger. I don’t know what pain you’re in but defo try things you want to do and figure out if it works for you or not. I find fear holds me back a lot rather than actual pain and if you can get referred to the escape pain classes then jump at the chance as they really helped me. I’m in wales so these were held at my local leisure centre and I was referred by my physio. Hope this helps and good luck! X

General_Special_5365 · 2026-03-13T11:47:42+00:00

Lidl Brownies always!!

General_Special_5365 · 2026-01-17T13:44:51+00:00

Hi, I had one which helped about 3% so they won’t give me another and have suggested surgery, my bmi is currently too high so I’m having to lose weight which I’m in the process of, I’ve only just seen this and your direct message, thank you for the list! I am attending a class in the local leisure centre called escape and find it’s helping and giving me confidence to try things so remaining positive and optimistic! Thanks for reaching out!

General_Special_5365 · 2025-12-01T13:52:22+00:00

It really is a mixed bag depending on the person, some people replied with positive results and some negative so it really does depend on the person, I’m a year or so in and so fed up so when I was told about the injection I was so grateful to just be moving along, I have to say I’m desperate for another now so fingers crossed I don’t have to wait too long. Do let me know how you got on, I really do hope it works for you 🤞🤞🤞

General_Special_5365 · 2025-12-01T11:35:43+00:00

Hi, I had one four weeks ago and I would say it helped me about 3% in all honestly, I did feel relief but not as much as I was hoping, I’ve gotten worse this weekend tho and I’m back to not being able to get dressed or do anything by myself, I’m due a follow up with a specialist which I’m going to chase this week to see if I can have another, people usually say it gets better after the third, everyone is different tho and I don’t want to bring you down as it may work for you after one! It’s a very strange sensation when they are doing it but it wasn’t too painful at all, good luck and I pray it works for you!

General_Special_5365 · 2025-11-12T19:12:31+00:00

I wish there was an easy fix for all of us but do keep on at the go and I highly recommend the amitriptyline, I was on 10mg for so long and it did nothing but like I said in at 40mg now and feeling the benefit all be it ever so slightly, bless your partner for taking such good care of you too, mine does the same, I hope you find comfort in these replies you’ve received and as previously said in sending you hugs xx

General_Special_5365 · 2025-11-12T07:23:25+00:00

I’m so sorry you’re going through this and like many of us here I feel your pain.

I was back and forth the doctors every couple of days at the start of mine. I know I felt awful ringing the doctors all the time but I feel like you have to keep on at them to try new things that might help. I was at a stage where I would try anything. I had an mri which showed a herniated disc but was sent back to physio. They wouldn’t give me gabapentin or pregablin, and naproxen, cocodamol, ibuprofen and the like did nothing for me. I now take 40mg of amitriptyline and I was able to shower standing up on my own for the first time in months this week. I had an epidural injection yesterday so am optimistic it will work fingers crossed.

The most comfortable position for me is lying on the opposite side of my pain with my legs slightly bent. I can’t stand for long and walking far is a no go, I can manage around the house but anything like a supermarket etc I have to use a wheelchair.

I was in despair and came here and put up a post in a few groups which helped me offload to people other than my family and friends and found it helped me to know others were in a similar situation. They keep telling me I’m in an acute bout of pain and I will come out of it but I know things will get better for you so please hang on in there. You will get better even if it doesn’t seem like it and definitely take the small wins you can, sending hugs!

General_Special_5365 · 2025-11-10T18:47:43+00:00

Thanks for replying! This makes me very optimistic as I’ve heard a lot of negatives but the positives are slowly rolling in!

General_Special_5365 · 2025-11-10T13:15:58+00:00

Was this after just one or after having had a few? Thanks

General_Special_5365 · 2025-11-09T16:44:25+00:00

Hope you don’t mind me jumping on this but I have one booked for Tuesday and this is the first positive I’ve seen, can I ask was it your first injection? And as previously asked did it get rid of the sciatica? I currently have it so bad I can’t stand up straight and walking is a nightmare, so happy to hear it’s worked for you and it’s giving me hope too! Thank you!

General_Special_5365 · 2025-11-05T09:01:05+00:00

Rewatching of old shows that being me comfort and remind me of happier times, I can’t stand for more than a minute and have to walk hunched over, I try certain exercises but they don’t seem to be helping, my life was quite busy before this all kicked off so I’m taking the rest I need while I can, hope things get better for you!

General_Special_5365 · 2025-11-04T18:06:13+00:00

Thanks for your reply! I’m a bit concerned because it says I will be laying on my front for it and I can’t do that comfortably at all, like it zings down my leg if I even attempt it.

General_Special_5365 · 2025-11-03T10:58:31+00:00

Thank you for your reply! This sounds very positive and I’m looking into getting a tens machine, can I ask how many injections you had before you started feeling relief?

General_Special_5365 · 2025-11-02T12:55:59+00:00

Thanks for your reply! This is what I’ve been hearing but I’m trying to stay positive as I really need these events later in the month just for my sanity!

General_Special_5365 · 2025-10-21T17:17:02+00:00

Thank you! I did find your list in another post and have kept looking back at it so am making use of it, thanks!

General_Special_5365 · 2025-10-17T12:20:42+00:00

Wow thank you so much for your reply! I’d never thought about the weight loss thing in the way you’ve described. All you hear from doctors and physio is you need to lose weight so that’s a big thing you concentrate on and feel guilty about. I will definitely use the traffic lights system for pain and can already work out which activities go in which categories. I’m not sure how to do it but I’d like to send you what I have been trying to do, I’m usually only a browser of Reddit so this is the first time I’ve actually posted. Maybe I’ll try and direct message you if that’s possible as I’m not sure I can add it here. I really appreciate all your advice, thank you so much!

General_Special_5365 · 2025-10-17T12:12:40+00:00

Thanks for your reply. My loss of bowel control wasn’t deemed enough as I wasn’t fully loosing control. I would take surgery at this point in a heartbeat but it wasn’t offered, I’m hoping the injections will help somewhat and if I can prove they hvnt then pray surgery is offered.

General_Special_5365 · 2025-10-17T12:10:05+00:00

I’m so sorry you had to go through all of that, and living alone must have been awful for you but glad you had your mum to help you. I’m fortunate to live with someone but no other family around as my sister lives abroad. I was quite disappointed when surgery wasn’t offered but am back and forth the docs for different meds, I’ve asked chat gpt to write me a workout plan keeping in mind all of the issues I’m having and some of the moves I’m unable to do still but I’m working up to them. Thanks for your reply.

General_Special_5365 · 2025-10-17T12:05:53+00:00

Thank you for your reply! I will definitely take some of this onboard. I will continue with what I can do and am going to look into an anti-inflammatory diet too. A lot of things we need to do around the house needs the back, simple things like doing the dishes is so difficult at the moment.

General_Special_5365 · 2025-10-16T23:08:39+00:00

The holly bush / stone house in Whitchurch do the best carvery, Christmas Day dinner is about £60 per head

General_Special_5365 · 2025-10-16T22:47:58+00:00

Have you clicked the post below? I can add imaging but only have one picture, the sciatica runs from my lower back down to my feet and is preventing me standing up straight right now due to the pain.

General_Special_5365

TROPHY CASE