Herniated cervical disc.. is running(forefoot strike) safe for it?

Triathlon Forum
1

Just had an MRI of my cervical spine. A disc that has been herniated for 11 years has recently protruded out some more. My physical therapist found in an exam of the neck at that cervical disc level… a lot of tightness in the neck.

I run FOREFOOT STRIKE and so I don’t feel the pain while I run. But than there is no throbbing pain anyway. The pain is intermittent burning in my hands, arms, legs, feet. But not during running. I don’t know if the cushioned up and down would make the herniation worse, or help it, or not let it heal, or be no consequence??? Perhaps running marathon pace is ok, but an all out sprint… I don’t know???

I have had surgery(fusion) for compressed spinal cord due to a herniated disc(2 levels below the current disc problem) and calcification early last year… the pain leading up was electrical sensations. Throbbing pain only accompanied due to the ease of creating issues of hyperextending my neck from time to time. At my surgery when asked what my pain level was, I said none… currently. Surgery was necessary, regardless of how I felt, due to spinal cord compression.

I have not heard back about the results of the MRI, I have only seen the pictures and compared them to an MRI from last year and saw the extended bulge… but there is still a little room for the spinal cord to move around at that level. But not sure how easily it would be to make it worse and if running is a problem(forefoot strike)???

I do not know for sure what caused it. I just know that when I stopped sleeping on my stomach, the burning subsided quite a bit. I did an Olympic distance triathlon with aero-bars(unaggressive position)… but the burning didn’t start for another couple weeks. I have even done 2 full marathons(separated by 30 days) in the time frame but they seemed to have had no affect on the burning. A couple days prior to the MRI, I tripped while running, but did NOT hit the ground, however I hyper-extended my neck… the symptoms did NOT worsen though.

I have read things about herniated discs that say run until you feel pain… then you have to stop. But there is no throbbing pain to begin with. So what is the indicator??? There was no indicator with spinal cord compression. I would run a mile or two back then and it did not cause pain or bring on electrical sensations. And yet that disc needed surgery, unknown at the time.

I ran 6.5 miles last night. Pushed that last 0.5 mile. When I stopped at my door, the only odd thing was I could feel my pulse on the back of my upper neck and had a mild falling sensation for about 3 seconds. Then I was fine. Haven’t had that combination before, but then it was 100+ degrees out.

2

Actually running with excessive heel strike would be worse. Try landing on a bit of a flatter foot to save your Achilles :wink:

3

I have some cervical spine problems. My doc said stop running while I had pain, tingling, numbness. After that I was fine and could exercise and have been good for a couple of years now. At the time surgery was an option, I opted out and have been glad I did. If the problem reoccurs, which it probably will, I will reconsider at that time.
Having said that, I would NEVER take medical advice from a triathlon forum. You might get some ideas, but get to a doc that is good with this stuff and athletes and can diagnose and give you advice designed for your circumstance.
Good luck!

4

I don’t think running would be a cause for further herniation, although I guess it could contribute. However, once you had the fusion, you are putting more stress/weight on the levels below and further degeneration is inevitable. Good luck.

5

I was recently diagnosed with a few herniated disc, but they were my S1 and L4/5. Running, especially heel striking, would totally aggravate the issue. My doctor had me stop running for 2 months completely which definitely relived much of the pain. After that, I began running in small doses at a time focusing on mid foot striking. Ive also switched to Hokas from newtons which seem to have helped. I have run up to 5 miles now, but still continue to take it easy and slow.

If your not feeling any direct pain in the neck, but are getting the symptoms such a burning, tingling and such sensation i your arms/hands, Im sure its due to your herniated discs. I would stop running to see if the symptoms go away then decide from there. Running is a great sport, but definitely takes a toll on your body. Ask yourself which is more important, running or a healthy body? There are many ways to stay in shape aside from running. Take a break, see what happens then make smart decisions!

Either way, good luck to you!!