Burning feet due to disc bulge - MRI scan

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hi,

About [B][U]April 2009[/U][/B] i got lower back pain while doing ab crunches and after about 2 months i started getting right buttock and right calf pain.

Now about 6 months later after an MRI and [B][U]swimming and physiotherapy [/U][/B]sessions i do not have buttock or calf pain but i get burning feet pain.

[B][U]The MRI scan showed mild disc bulge in L4 and L5[/U][/B]. Doctors told me it wasnt too bad and not to worry. Continue on swimming they suggested.

However I just joined yoga classes in bangalore India and went in for 2 sessions of back therapy.

I [B][U]have had right inguinal hernia surgery 1.5 yrs back[/U][/B]. I informed my yoga teacher of this and he said that it should not be a cause of worry since that would have healed already and should nto stop me from doing most of the asanas.

My burning feet is very bad and leaves me exhausted thinking about it all the time at work and home.

[U][B]Please suggest if yoga helps and what extra care should i take.[/B][/U]

#2

Sorry that I din mention. I am currently 29 yrs old. My height is 5ft 8" and weight is jst 56-58 kilos.
I am Lean.

#3

Namaste Pande_Srini,

Welcome to the Forum.

I would like to respond to just this part of all your information and questions as this is something I have experience of, not personally, but through a friend. The burning feet can be due to many reasons and I am sure you might have looked into some of them already. However, I would like to suggest the following area for investigation:

[B]Peripheral Neuropathy[/B] - This is damage to the nerves, in this case the nerves to your feet. Burning is one symptom of peripheral neuropathy, but it can also be a “pins and needles” sensation, numbness, tickling or tingling. One of the most common causes of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes and worth testing for it. Please also ask for testing of your insulin levels as in many cases your blood suger might test normal, but you might already be pre-diabetic and this is indicated by testing your insulin levels.

Other conditions that can produce burning feet is Vitamin B-12 deficiency (pernicious anemia and a problem with vegetarians sometimes), heavy metal poisoning, and circulatory disorders. Thyriod problems can also lead to burning or tingling toes.

Once you know exactly what is causing your burning feet, I know that yoga can assist in many ways, not just in terms of getting the blood circulation up and so on, but also in terms of regulating your diet and changing your mindset as well.

#4

Hi Pandara,

I did all blood tests over the past 2 days. For diabetes,Renal problems and Vitamin B12deficiency. Apparently all my tests are normal and so can i safely rule out this peripheral neropathy problem?

I haven’t done the thyroid test. Would it be very naive to assume that it may be because of the disc?Please help.

I have gone through 5 yoga sessions as of today and have been put into mild and slow surya namaskaras as well. My burning feet may have improved but I feel a very slight pain in the buttock now.

I spoke to my yoga teacher and he said that he is not making me do any forward bending asana’s and that pain may be due to starting of some surya namaskaras which he feels must be continued since it helps flexibility and improves blood circulation.

Your suggestions and directions will be much appreciated.

#5

Hello Pande_srini

Not having contact hours with you prevents me from giving you a full answer. I’m in no position to contradict what has been seen by your teacher.

What I can tell you is that I do not advocate Surya Namaskar to students with disc issues (especially if there is pain) without at very least modifying the postures. The risk (to me) outweighs the benefits. For example, students going from Urdhva Hastasana or Ardha Chandrasana to Uttanasana in the classical form will place great torque on the sacrum if they do not bend the knees slightly and/or intersperse Uttkatasana as the transition.

Avoiding forward bends in your case seems perfectly appropriate. The protocol(s) we use in Purna Yoga vary however we are always approaching with the use of asana/pranayama, meditation, and nutrition/lifestyle.

One thing I can tell you for certain, students with disc issues who are also in pain who also have an MRI showing occlusion or intrusion into the spinal canal - that student is handled very gently in a customize practice in order to create space in the spine.

gordon