Just Picture It: Disc Desiccation

Image via wellsphere.com (not my spine)

Image via coloradospineinstitute.com

On Tuesday, after spending a miserable 30-minutes trapped inside of an MRI machine (So loud and claustrophobic! Thank goodness for yogic breathing techniques!), I found out that I have "disc desiccation" in my disc at L2-L3. Sigh. What is disc dessication? It's basically the first stages of a degenerative or degenerating disc, which means that the disc is beginning to lose it's cushioning--it's no longer as hydrated and "cushy" as it once was.  

I've been having back pain for a long time, so I guess it was good to find out the reason behind that pain, but it still doesn't make the diagnosis any less frustrating, as it means a couple of things:

-No more heavy weight-bearing or pounding (disc compressing) exercises = very little CrossFit. 
-No more deep backbends or deep forward bends = I've already been doing this when I practice yoga, since both movements hurt me, but now I need to be much more careful/strict with myself...
-More visits to the chiropractor + more massages = I'm okay with this one ;)
-More of my "lower back release routine" = again, I can handle this one.
-Get back to swimming as my primary source of exercise = I need a new "athletic" swimsuit. Seriously. 

What I'm trying to do here? Avoid being a crippled, hunched over old lady, avoid having to get "pain management" injections someday in the future, and be able to do the things I love without having pain. So, I'm looking into acupuncture, upping my daily lacrosse-ball-rolling + icing time, and taking some time off of all weighted exercises. Not the best prognosis, but not the worst, either...

Whenever things like this happen, I feel extremely grateful for everything that my yoga practice has taught me: how to take care of my body, how to listen to my body, how to modify for injuries, how to build core strength to protect the spine, and how to let go of frustration and negative energy in the body. Thank you, yoga, for giving me a place to process every life change. 

Namaste,
Mary Catherine