Herniated disks are usually suffered by people in their 30's and 40's. Research shows that a predisposition for slipped discs may occur in families, often affecting several members (like my Aunt).

 

Herniate means to bulge or stick out. Discs are defined as the soft cushions between the bones of the spine. Herniated discs are common in the lumbar spine, a part of the backbone that is between the bottom of the ribs and hips.

Initial treatment for a herniated disc usually involves resting the lower back area, maintaining a comfortable posture and allowing only minimal activity for a few days or up to several weeks. This resting period results in relief from any spinal nerve inflammation (drugs). More activity is often permissible after the pain medication is taken for at least two days. In addition, physical therapy may be beneficial under the guidance of a physical therapist. Physical therapy remedies may include traction, ultrasound and electrical muscle stimulation (!). A main goal of treatment is to decrease the amount of muscle spasm a patient is experiencing.

Most people suffering from a herniated disc can recover in about four weeks, or sometimes longer.

Activity, stress or mechanical problems often cause herniated discs. A herniated disc may even be caused by a single excessive strain. The compression and sharp pain a person feels down the leg because of the slipped disk, is called sciatica.

Sciatica can cause intense pain along any part of the sciatica nerve pathway - from the buttocks to the toes. If the nerve is compressed, symptoms may include a loss of reflexes, weakness and numbness besides severe pain. Sciatic nerve pain can make everyday activities such as walking, sitting and standing difficult.

Piriformis Syndrome is caused by an entrapment (pinching) of the sciatic nerve as it exits the Greater Sciatic notch in the gluteal region. Many weekend athletes and people who spend long hours sitting are prone to this syndrome.

The athlete's cause is primarily due to improper stretching and warm-up exercises as well as overuse during activity. In this case it is most likely that the piriformis muscle is irritated and usually in spasm.

For the patient who sits for extended periods of time, their primary cause is due to contracture of the piriformis muscle. In this case the piriformis muscle is shortened and does not allow for the smooth movement of the sciatic nerve during leg motion. Prolonged sitting can hamper your successful recovery.

My Egg Cream (a tribute to the Brooklyn original)

1 soup-spoon sized scoop of vanilla ice-cream

chocolate syrup

milk

seltzer water

 

In a large cup (like the plastic kind you can take home from a Yankee game), cover the small ice-cream soup with chocolate syrup, then milk. Mix with the soup spoon, enough to mostly combine but not mash all the ice-cream. Fill remainder of cup with seltzer. Drink. Repeat as often as needed.

Tuna Salad, Take Two

1 6oz can solid white tuna in water, drained

2 TB mayonnaise

juice from half a lemon

1/4 or 1/2 medium red onion, peeled, thinly sliced and roughly chopped

2 tsp capers

black pepper, to taste

flatbread / wrap

 

In a mixing bowl, with a fork, break the tuna into small, pieces. Add all ingredients. Combine thoroughly. The mixture will be a bit drier than you expect. Can be held in refrigerator for a day or so until ready to serve.

 

I wrapped half of this mixture up in a very thin sort of flatbread, but any wrap would two. Makes 2 sandwiches.

 

Note: If tomatoes were decent, I would add them

Quiche

2 TB butter

1 small onion, small dice

1 10-oz pkg frozen spinach, thawed and drained

1 pre-made pie crust (hey, I'm sick!)

3/4 cup grated gruyere cheese

4 eggs

heavy cream

1/4 t nutmeg (though I have used pumpkin pie spice and it was good)

 

 

In a skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter Add onion. Saute until soft, maybe 7 minutes. Add spinach and combine well. Remove from heat.

 

MORE MORE

 

Alt: Add mushroom too, saute with onion, but B hates them. Or tomato.

Quesadillas

 

tortillas

cheese

scallions

optional: salsa, hot sauce

 

MORE

 

Beans

(I usually do this with Black, but sometimes Pink)

 

1 15.5-oz can beans (Goya is my fav), rinsed and drained

small bunch of cilantro, rinsed, de-stemmed and chopped

 

In a small saucepan over medium-low flame, heat the bean until they are warm. Add cilantro, combine well. Serve immediately or removed from heat, then quickly re-heat when ready to serve.

Yes it's that easy and rinsing the beans gets rid of excess salt and gook.

Carrot Curry Soup

1 large leek (white part and some lower green), cleaned and medium sliced

olive oil

3-4 large carrots, cut into 1-inch rounds

1 medium-large Yukon gold potato, cut in 8 pieces

1-2 inches fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced

2-3 vegetable bouillon cubes

water

curry powder

1 cup milk, room temperature, not cold from fridge

Croutons, optional

 

1. Over medium heat, slowly bring water to a boil in a kettle or pot.

 

2. Sauté the leek in olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until the leeks start to break down, about X minutes. Add the carrots. When the carrots are starting to soften, about XX minutes, add the potato and the ginger. Stir to combine and coat. Add bouillon cubes and enough boiling water to cover the vegetables by 1-2 inches. When the water boils, lower the heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes, until the vegetables are soft but not mushy.

 

3. With a slotted spoon, transfer the vegetables to a blender or food processor. Add X cup of the liquid. Puree to desired texture. I like a true puree but leave it as chunky as you wish.

 

4. Transfer puree back to pot. Combine with the remaining liquid.  Add the milk, stirring until you reach the creaminess you desire. Add curry. Stir and cook for about 5 more minutes. Ready to serve. If desired, top each bowl with croutons. If not serving immediately, store soup in refrigerator (I leave it in the le creuset) for up to 5 days.

 

Note: broth v. b cubes

Chickpeas instead of potato