Herniated disc - treatment options

#1

My wife (36 y/o) has a herniated disc in her lower back and is constantly in pain. She has tried several treatments including stem cell therapy twice, which gave relief for a couple months each time. She recently had a nerve ablation in the area but it didn’t help at all. The next step the doctors are recommending is an epidural.

She takes painkillers and does cold plunges daily which helps manage the pain.

Most of these treatments are just to manage the pain not really treat the underlying issue. I’m curious if anyone here has had this issue and if so did anything work?

I have offered her Rapamycin, which she has taken several times. I have some BPC-157 coming we can try as well. Any other treatment suggestions are appreciated.

1 Like
#2

You probably know about Dr McGill but just in case….

This is who I would listen to and seek help from if I had a back issue.

3 Likes
#3

I have read of recent improvements in the composition of synthetic disc cushion material but cannot recall the reference. If she can hold on for awhile of perhaps construct a sociogram contact network to identify the most advanced specialists in that area, non-destructive relief may not lie too far in the future. i can share what we did several years ago to identify the one physician most likely to save the life of a mentor with advanced prostate cancer patient if you would find it helpful.

1 Like
#4

This doesn’t address a herniated disc directly, but in general, rapamycin appears protective, FWIW:

There are many studies and presentations addressing this, including on youtube:

2 Likes
#5

PEMF (Pulsed Electro Magnetic Frequency).
Search site for several discussions.
Really works.
Takes some time.

Also worth checking out John Sarno’s books:

John Ernest Sarno Jr. was Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, and attending physician at the Howard A. Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, New York University Medical Center - Wikipedia

The Mind Body Prescription

Really any of his books.

1 Like
#6

Has she had a consultation with an orthopedic surgeon specializing in spine surgery? I saw a man last year, who had spinal stenosis, herniated disc, terrible pain and could barely walk. He underwent disc replacement surgery and laminectomy. He could now walk without pain and said he regained 1-1/2" in height.

2 Likes
#7

FWIW…

Ozone disc injections work to relieve pressure on your spinal nerve by shrinking the herniated portion of the disc. The injections do not reduce the disc height or alter the normal anatomy of the disc. This is a significant difference to surgery which decreases the height of the disc and always alters the disc anatomy.

Got to Italy{this is where this procedure was developed]

Will cost a fraction of what you will be charged in the USA.

Search “Ozone disc injections” in PubMed you will locate many publish papers.

1 Like
#8

I second this. Read Stuart McGill’s books and watch some of his interviews on Youtube. You’ll lean a lot of valuable information about managing all types of back problems.

5 Likes
#9

A third recommendation for McGill. He has a few books out and there are plenty of YouTube videos. I suggest the “Back Mechanic” book.

2 Likes
#10

Thank you all for the responses.

A quick search shows me that their are ozone practitioners in our city, that might be step 1. We’re also looking into the PEMF option. She has discussed with a spine surgeon but generally the thought is that she too young for surgery, but we’ll see.

Will look into McGill’s books and videos as well.

I’ll keep you updated as we go on what works and what doesn’t.

1 Like
#11

@Joseph is “Prolozone” the same treatment as what you are referring to? Ozone

#12

No, that is I modified version, the person who coined the word “Prolozone” applied for / has a patent, ™,©,®, etc (using a catchy name to justify $$$$$]

Do a search /review on PubMed,
“Herniated discs ozone”

See this link to start;

located /review the paper’s publish in Italy.

Some “physician” will try to justify $3,000 for an injection.

Cost is $150.00 or less in the rest of the world.

Review published papers.

Below is from a simple search.

“Is prolozone the same as ozone therapy?”

Prolozone therapy is a type of ozone therapy that uses a needle to inject ozone into the joints or tissues. It is combined with vitamins, minerals and in some cases natural medicines. It’s usually used to treat conditions like arthritis, tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, and other chronic as well as acute pain conditions.

“How much does a prolozone injection cost?”

The cost is $135 per injection + office visit with the practitioner. Injection therapies are frequently utilized to treat conditions involving musculoskeletal injury, dysfunction and pain.

The above cost is published at;

I have no interest in the above clinic or any clinic.

I preformed medical ozone treatment(mostly by MAHT) for several medical doctor’s for well over a decade.
Have personally meet or known anybody that is/was anybody in the medical ozone field on the planet.

#13

You perform this procedure? What do you use to guide needle? X-ray? CT?

#14

I preformed mostly MAHT.

Not injection into discs.

I organized and arranged several “medical treatment training for physician” in the mid 80’s in Germany and other countries.

On one of the training trips, the teaching physician {I do not recall his name right now, would have to look him up] was the person who developed this procedure{injection discs]. He demonstrate on my personal friend{an MD], injecting several of his discs right on a conference table at the hotel we where having the training course. No type of imaning, preformed several shot in less the 5 seconds. My friend felt no pain at all.

1 Like
#15

If a surgeon says she’s not ready for surgery, lucky her. Once doctors start cutting on the low back, the chances of a lifetime of pain are much higher.

As a longtime sufferer of low back disc issues, I have been to some of the best back doctors in the US and have found that there is no drug fix, but a multipronged approach that starts with daily walks, physical therapy (2 to 3x a week), chiropractic appointments ( I prefer a non-force technique called DNFT), daily hot and cold treatments, use of a tens unit, I also will use an inversion table and Motrin.

To goal is to build strength and stability around the disc, while fighting the inflammation. Once you strengthen the back and core, reduce inflammation, the pain should subside.

5 Likes
#16

This is the goal of the McGill program.

2 Likes
#17

I damaged my back lower back in my 20’s (big wave crashed me headfirst into a sand bar). Chronic pain by my mid 50’s, i spent up to three days on the floor unable to stand.
I tried lots of Cartalax bioregulator peptides, and other treatments (HGH) hyperbaric chamber all provided, small insignificant improvements.

Anyhow what actually worked was injections of Placental MCS exosomes into my back, last year , it fixed me up, no pain now. I did have to do multiple treatments however probably 6 in total.

You may have seen Dr Ed Park Videos on exosomes, youtube.

#18

What was the cost, per injection?

What was the dose?

I assume you used Kimera exosomes. As Dr Ed Park MD is a proponent / user, he has stated he uses this brand{Kimera] on himself and his family.

#19

I didn’t have access to Kimera exosomes, or Dr Park, though that would have been my first choice, if i lived in the USA.
I used Exovex exosomes, that’s the same brand I see Sandra Kaufman was using in a video on youtube.
Cost wise i spent around 20K in total on Exosomes.

#20

I’m a neurosurgeon. Forget the rapamycin. It’ll do NOTHING. It is not a cure-all. That’s a myth. BPC-157 may provide some relief - I take it everyday for my joints as I am a competitive powerlifter. In that context your wife should begin a LIGHT strength training program with a qualified professional (ideally with a DPT, CSCS). Inversion therapy may also help her. Statistically speaking, things tend to improve over time, so be patient. And remember, surgery is ALWAYS a last resort.

2 Likes