DISH (diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis) or Forestier's

I have a Rolf Structural Integration practice and get a lot of work from colleagues that keeps my body in balance to gravity. I also use a gyrotonic machine to keep as much movement happening in my spine as possible. Walk 2 miles every day for core strength.

That is great. Core strength is so important if one physically can accomplish it. So glad I developed that early on in life. Helps so much. But sometimes all the exercising I want to do in my mind, physically I can’t do. I know with DISH it is important to move but it can go against you if you overdo it. I pray for all of you that you can be as strong as your body allows. 🙏❤️‍🩹

I appreciate all the likes. It’s good to feel like you are contributing to possibly helping others.

@robrob I was looking up gyrotonic machines and these look like some very specialized physical therapy equipment and there are a lot of different pieces of equipment. Can you describe what types of movements you do and how it helps your spine? It looks interesting. I see there are also studios that offer this type of physical activity.
Jennifer

I’m presently using my older TENS machine for my lower back pain which had become extremely painful forcing me to bed. My wife fixed the electrodes on my lower spine making an X over the scar at L4 & 5. After an hour of 35 the pain was gone as well as this morning. Anyone not familiar with the TENS machine let me know!

@jenniferhunter
Hello Jennifer and Thank you for the welcome to Connect!
The best way to describe my “Health Maintenance Routine” is to list what I do or have done. I’m also constantly pivoting to adapt to challenges as they arise, so here goes!

***MEDICATIONS***
*NAPROXEN
(Discontinued 4/3/24 thinning my blood too much & causing uncontrollable bloody noses)
*CYCLOBENZAPRINE
*TURMERIC
*LIQUID FISH OIL
(Stopped for 1 month so nose can heal/ also thins the blood)
*CBD GUMMIES
*WOMEN’S PROBIOTIC

***PHYSICAL AIDS***
*SALONPAS PATCHES & LIDOCAINE ROLL ON
*ICE/ HEATING PAD
*COMPRESSION SHIRT *COMPRESSION BELT
*CUSTOM ORTHOTICS
*HAND-HELD MASSAGER/ FOAM ROLLER & TENNIS/ LACROSSE BALL
*HANDICAP PLACARD

***EXERCISES***
*YOGA
*WALKING
*SWIMMING
*BIKE RIDING
*HIKING
*ZUMBA (modified)

***PAIN MANAGEMENT***
*CHIROPRACTIC CARE
*SWEDISH MASSAGE
*TRIGGER POINT INJECTIONS: Done by my (Physiatrist)
*HEEL INJECTIONS: Done by my (Podiatrist)

I Hope anyone who reads this will find something helpful that works for them; learn something new; or feel inspired to try something new!

Thank you for your reply and yes, we can always learn something from somebody in the same boat. Best of luck always!🙏

Worth reading if you have DISH.
Whilst we are all similar we physiologically are very different, so that which works for me may not for you.
I have found great relief from most DISH impacts, pain and mobility, whilst I'm not completely back to normal I have had a huge possitive result.
Firstly, diet, eat nothing absolutely nothing processed, no cereal, bread, packaged foods of any variety, bar a few listed later on.
If you truly wish relief and normality back in your life. Stop eating processed foods and substitute foods and oils.
I tried many "healthy" diets no experience spared on Natural foods supplements etc etc absolutely no help.
You need to eat as a Carnivore,high protein Beef from a reputable source, ie: conventional grass fed not meal fed. Eggs, Broccoli, Cabbage raw vegetables, or steamed and drink the water, don't tip that out. Butter, Coconut oil, Apple cider vinegar.
Exercise like a 30 year old, just start slow by progress rapidly, push hard protein and exercise.

Hi Mitchell. I thank you for posting. I looked over most of your items that you seem to be able to eat. Some of those things I have trouble eating. But I’ve also had my gallbladder removed. I love eggs, but they don’t love me, but I do eat them occasionally and find that if I boil them That I can actually eat the eggs that way. Usually, I end up taking the yellow out and just eat the white protein.
You are right. We are all different and what we can handle. I seem to do better with a higher fiber diet. I keep the pain at bay with getting some injections, Just had knee injections and doing better there.
But I think you’re right in trying to eat as naturally as you can.
Continue doing what you’re doing because it sounds like it’s working for you. Unfortunately, I have had G.I. issues my whole life. So some things just don’t work for me . I wish everybody good luck and maybe some of you can incorporate what Mitchell said and it’ll work well for you. 🙏

That which works for me.....
I start my day around 3am.... with a hot Tumeric tea mix, with cold pressed Olive Oil (2 tea spoons) 1 teaspoon of hight years Manuka Honey, as a drink.
Relax for a while then back to bed, can't get past waking up at this time.
For breakfast at 06:00, three boiled eggs, with 2 table spoons of quality Apple Cider Vinegar on 1 piece of toast with Butter.
Lunch is Beef steak with steamed Spinach, Bok Choi small amount of Onion, drink the water after steaming very lightly.
Dinner usually a light meal Yogurt with Kiwifruit or other non- high Sugar fruit.
Work-out with a Bowflex and free-weights at least 3 times every day.
I have two old back fractures, bilateral hip replacements, left elbow joint replacement, right elbow joint total rebuild, neck & lower back DISH, all Trauma related after 65 years of accidents, Military & Civilian employment.
After further Medical illness, I decided to just go all out and take control back, no more Medication (once every few weeks only for a break from headaches) I take Panadol extra, Yes this has been a hard push through the pain barriers, but after a few Months I am near my best heavy lifting weights again. Muscle mass certainly works for me.
Hopefully this is some help to others, good luck push hard, no exceptions, don't surrender to can't.