Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] Hi. Per an MRI report done 6 years ago, I have bulged discs at L4 & L5 with S1 involved. After doing aggresive yoga last March, the back flared up and I now have hip and groin pain that sometimes radiates down the front of my leg to the foot. I also have CRPS. I had a block done for L3 & L4, started pool therapy, and nothing is helping. Are there any PT exercises that might help? My doctor is ordering another MRI.
[|AI|]  Hi, thanks for writing to Chat Doctor. As you have Lumbar disc disease in multiple levels, you are not supposed to involve in any activity that produces strain over your lumbar spinal musculature, which worsens the disc prolapses. Physiotherapy will have little help in alleviating the articular pain (radiating pain) and is useful only in treating Chronic low back pain. A repeat MRI scan is always helpful in assessing the present condition of your disc disease. The general management guidelines for a lumbar disc disease are as follows -- Maintain optimum body weight, if you are obese-Avoid lifting heavy weights as it imparts more strain on your back-Avoid excessive forward bending activities as it will worsen the disc protrusion. If you want to bend forwards, do it with your hips and knees flexed.- Use a lumbosacral back support to stabilize your spinal muscles- Intermittent pelvic traction might be helpful to cause a regression of the protruded disc- Physiotherapy is needed to strengthen your back muscles. Physiotherapy has to be done only after the acute pain has subsided.- Use analgesics like Advil or alive and muscle relaxants as needed. Vitamin B12 supplements & Pregabalin may be helpful. If your fail to improve with the above measures, an Epidural steroid injection may provide good symptom relief for a few months. Hope this information is helpful. Good day