What are holistic advice after a X-ray, MRI, and CT need for surgery?

@ikcooley I’m sorry your experiencing this numbness. Getting good orthotics may help and massage to help relax the muscles in that area. Orthotics would straighten your gait & align your gait. They have helped me immensely. Also, pay attention & be aware of your posture. I had a herniated L4/5. I just walked and walked. If you do walk, please use a cane or walking stick for stability I did not have the numbness, just pain in my leg and I was getting drop foot. I did not have surgery, I just worked thru it. That was back in mid 90s & I’m doing fine. Our bodies are amazing. Have you thought about chiropractic treatment to relieve pressure or even acupuncture. I gave done both and find the treatment very helpful. Injections , IMHO, are hit and miss. I do not think it is a lasting fix & in some cases cause more damage, according to friends & docs. Good luck. Blessings

Thank you for your suggestions. I can walk about 6 blocks before I can’t feel my feet. If I sit down and bend forward I get relief. And I’m good for about another 4 blocks.

I’m m hoping a good PT person will have posture suggestions. I haven’t started yet, but soon.

Hello and welcome to Mayo Connect. I had gait issues, not from numbness, but from repeated hip issues and surgeries. PT was most helpful in assessing my gait as well as strength and balance.
I would suggest making sure you are being referred to a Registered Physical Therapist who deals with complex issues, not a large clinical practice where the PT sees you once and turns you over to an assistant for a "standard" set of exercises.
Also, don't be embarrassed to carry a cane if you need it. My Mom made me do it while I was awaiting hip replacement (she was in a wheelchair herself) and said "If you fall down, I can't help you!"
Sue

I’m 76 and had episodes of right leg/buttocks pain on and off for 4 years. Sometimes foam rolling helped, other episodes would finally go away with little intervention. Last December I got an MRI and an injection shortly after. MRI confirmed profound stenosis at L4-L5. Injection was to L2-L3 because there wasn’t enough space in the L4/L5 to place the fluid. I proceeded with pretty standard PT and got back to walking again without pain. In March the pain resumed despite 30 minutes per day of PT assigned exercises. Pain steadily worsened with a new round of PT. I opted for fusion of L4-L5 in mid-July. Pain at that point was very disabling. Leg pain was gone immediately after surgery and the recovery was smooth. I’m back walking without pain. Foot numbness has not gone away. I bought walking poles to assure balance and increase speed up and especially down hills and to get in some arm exercise. Haven’t used them on hills yet. I used a cane during the last episode pre-surgery and found it helpful mostly to warn others away in crowds so I didn’t get knocked over. PT did not help during my last episode and in fact worsened the pain. If you can improve your symptoms by flexing your back (the shopping cart posture) that signals the nerve to your legs is being squished. These nerves in my case were undergoing permanent damage (hence the persisting numb feet). Nerve glide exercises might help (minimal help for me but will start them up to help the L2-L3 area). Releasing the pressure surgically can help. I’m so glad I got the surgery. Walking without pain is wonderful!!