Back problem , spinal problem , disc bulge

I am so thankful to Expat Woman, based on this thread for instance I am now going to Excellency for physiotherapy for my back, they are amazing! Highly recommend them.

If you are looking for a South African trained physio as RuthM suggested, I can highly recommend Marcel Schmidt at PhysioArt. He helped me with an elbow problem I had for more than a year to get me free of pain again. You can visit their website to get an idea if he will be able to help you. What I like about Marcel is that he has a sport and physio background. http://physioart-uae.com/

I have an L4/L5 disk bulge and herniation, I have three times now been completely incapacitated for several weeks (literally unable to straighten up, regardless of pain I physically have no movement, even a physio cannot force my body to straighten). I also have a C5 bulge as well. I have seen a few doctors in Dubai (when I have been in an acute phase) and generally they are very keen on surgery, however the doctor I have privately seen in the UK (Clinical director at a leading NHS London Hospital but also works out of private consulting rooms), has advised at this stage surgery is not necessary and rehabilitation is both safer and could potentially yield better results. His opinion is that unless you have severe neuro issues or several acute episodes (that is completely immobile for several weeks) then surgery should not be performed at this stage as whilst it may alleviate pain it may also leave you with a less than fully mobile spine afterwards. However if you are not interested in sports at all (I ski a lot and need my back to be fully functional) then you could consider a spinal fusion or diseconomy but if you want to remain fully rotational then best to avoid surgery except as a last option and if you do consider surgery I recommend going to Europe (namely Germany - Munich Apex Spine Center) where they have great success with endoscopic spinal surgery (if you are suitable for this). One other thing to note is that severe spinal issues are not always caused by bulging discs, in fact many people have bulging discs with no symptoms at all, it is possible something else may be causing the pain. I myself also have an SI joint issue that causes more problems and has been treated with physiotherapy. Therefore first port of call could be a good physiotherapist. I recommend someone who is Australian or South African trained (this is coming from a Brit). The training in Australia and South Africa is quite different to the UK and they tend to do more work with physical manipulation (like an Osteopath of Chiropractor) rather than just gentle tissue work and exercises. My original injury was in a Canadian ski resort and all of the Canadian Physiotherapists there were trained in Australia! Physiotherapy does require a lot of commitment though as it is imperative to recovery to do exercises and to stay fit but continuing to do exercises on a maintenance basis. So far the best physiotherapist I have seen in Dubai was at Optimal Fitness in Studio City, I think her name was Robyn. Up and Running have a good reputation and I am sure a google search may be able to find you other Aussie and SA physios. I recommend looking for someone with a few years experience in their home country, preferably in a hospital/clinic environment with other physios (not individual private practice) who has been in Dubai for less than five years. Good luck hope he feels better soon.

I also recommend Excellency in Downtown. I have major compression of the lower spine and issues with my shoulders - all sorted thanks to their approaches.

Hi, Hubby had a back problem. Two years ago, we went to Saudi German hospital. After the MRI, it was found that he has a minor bulge in L4/S1. He went through physiotherapy and was fine. 3 days ago, while I was delivering our second baby, he had severe pain in his back. Really bad time :( I myself can't move and he is also having severe pain. Any good doctors here? He wants to go to USA but it would be a long flight + it would be really difficult for me to take care of two kids without him Get your husband to see a chiropractic, my friend has a disc bulge and i took her to see my chiropractic and he said they only way to get that out is with decompression therapy...its like a bed that stretches you, she was so much better after a few sessions and she could barely walk before. we see dr sean miner at California chiropractic center in healthcare city. i have also see dr charles there too, he is very good also.

Hi, If your doctor suggests you should follow a rehabilitation program do try the guys in Excellency Center, in Downtown , next to the Palace Hotel. All the team is so polite and they are amazing with the treatment. My husband has osteoarthritis and an L5-S1 problem and after seeing all the physio’s in Dubai he tried the guys and he is now after one year with no pain! Wish you best of luck!

Well that is a stroke of luck! I had my cervical spine fused 16 months ago and also have spinal stenosis in my low back. Pain in my low back has gotten significantly worse over the last three weeks....to the point where I finally booked to see an osteopath. I see Dr Malcolm Gregory this afternoon, happy to hear others have had success with him! I would have happily tried to pack him in my suitcase when we left DXB........have never been able to find an osteo as good since. Coincidently I had my fusion done 16 months ago and have never looked back although the sciatica keeps rearing it's ugly head. Sorry to read that you are having problems. I have faith that Malcolm will give you relief you need.;)

Well that is a stroke of luck! I had my cervical spine fused 16 months ago and also have spinal stenosis in my low back. Pain in my low back has gotten significantly worse over the last three weeks....to the point where I finally booked to see an osteopath. I see Dr Malcolm Gregory this afternoon, happy to hear others have had success with him!

My DH also had issue in L4/S1 which started six months back, while pain killers would help to provide relief, my DH visited Dr. Malcolm Gregory (Osteopathic Health Centre) which has helped him to almost eliminate the pain. Best of Luck, i know its not easy for you and your husband. Good sound advice ShafzzZz. I suffered the same issues in same area with the added complication of spinal stenosis, for 35 years. While in DXB Malcolm kept me pain free and mobile, he was amazing. The trick for me was to deal with the attacks when they happened in order to carry on as normally as possible. I decided to put off surgery or any major interventions until I was back in my home country. It is possible to live with these issue but important to have a go to solution when needed. IMHO a long trip across to the states in his current condition would only make things worse,the best thing for back issues is managing the pain and rest. Not sure about your home situation but maybe get help from a maid agency to take care of the day to day issues until you are both mobile again. Hope you both feel better soon.

My DH also had issue in L4/S1 which started six months back, while pain killers would help to provide relief, my DH visited Dr. Malcolm Gregory (Osteopathic Health Centre) which has helped him to almost eliminate the pain. Best of Luck, i know its not easy for you and your husband.

Try this guy at the Dubai Bone & Joint Centre in Healthcare City, Dr. Zbiggy J. Brodzinsky. He's a spinal specialist and my DH let him operate on his upper spine while he had to be awake!!!!! 04 423 1400