Herniated Disc
The end of running?

By Dr. Tim Maggs 

Q: I was diagnosed with a herniated disc in my neck which caused “pinching” of my C7 nerve resulting in numbness of my thumb and first two fingers (along with a great deal of pain). I am being treated with Vicodin, Skelaxin and Prednisone. The doctor said my X-rays were normal, but he said we needed to do an MRI. My questions; Could this be from running? Could it be from stress or poor mattress/pillow?  When can I begin running again? The doctor said he wanted me to learn some neck strengthening exercises, but didn’t mention anything about my running. 

A: It is not uncommon for someone to suffer with a herniated disc at the C7 level. The symptoms described are quite common. The drugs Vicodin, Skelaxin, and Prednisone are certainly common and are designed to help reduce symptoms, such as inflammation, muscle tightness, and pain. But, by no means is a chemical treatment a cure for a physical problem. 

Typically, if you suffer from a true herniated disc, your spinal biomechanics are abnormal, suggesting your spine is imbalanced, locked at certain levels, or twisted out of its normal position. Unfortunately, most doctors don’t know how to read X-rays from a biomechanical perspective. First of all, you need your X-rays taken in a standing position. Secondly, the doctor must know how to interpret them from an athletic and biomechanical viewpoint. If the first comment is, “The x-rays are normal and you need an MRI,” you must at least consider the fact that the doctor might not be capable of interpreting biomechanical information from your X-rays. X-rays show alignment, curvature, and positioning of the spine, while an MRI will better highlight soft tissue problems as well as disc herniations. 

Running, and the compression associated with it, could certainly be a contributor to the problem, but it is highly unlikely that running alone could cause such a problem. In most cases of herniated discs, joints lock up due to a prolonged, ongoing stress to a certain area of the spine, thus producing increased demands on a specific disc. This demand will eventually produce a bulging and ultimate herniation of this disc. If, however, an underlying problem exists, running can certainly aggravate the problem and prevent the necessary healing process from taking place. 

This can only be answered by your treating doctor. If he or she isn’t experienced in biomechanics, then you need to find someone who is. The release to allow you to resume running is one that must be done at the right time and only after corrective rehabilitation. Each and every person who has a problem such as yours needs to have specific guidance with regard to when running can be resumed.