Hi I'm a new member and I'm looking for any advice.
Here's my story. About 6 weeks ago, I lifted someone up about 130 lbs and held them on my shoulders while on a trampoline for about 30 seconds. After putting them down about five minutes later I began epxerienced pain in the lower right side of my back and extreme tightness. About 10 minutes after this I realized that when bending down to touch my toes I couldn't go passed my knees, and also my right leg was having pain/numbness. Anyway that is how I herniated my L5-S1 disc.

After this I began seeing a Chiropractor and Acupuncturist. After the first week my pain in my back went down but I was still experiencing limited range of motion and numbness down my right leg. Anyway it has been 6 weeks now since this happened and I currently feel good. I no longer have any pain in my back. My symptons now are: When I wake up every morning I still have a little numbness in my leg, and limited range of motion. However after about an hour my range of motion is back and the numbness is gone. If I sit for a long period of time when I get up I have some numbness in my leg but again after about 5 minutes of walking it goes away. If i lie in the supine position when my right leg is lifted about 50 degrees I still get pain in my low right back. My MRI which i got 2 days ago confirms I do have a minor herniation in L5-S1.

Here is my dilemma I'm a very active male, a goalie in hockey , and love working out. I want to be able to play hockey again and I have been working out lightley already just no back or legs. I worked core on a ex ball for the first time in a month (my chiro told me I can't but i didn't listen) on monday, and I felt great the next day, actually since working core I feel better than I ever have. My chiropractor doesn't want me doing anything because she says I can make it worse. However I feel fine and not doing anything gets me depressed. My acupuncturist who is my uncle told me since I feel almost 100% definitely work core, do a light workout with no back or legs, and I can play hockey with a Back Stabilizing belt. I want to be 100% and feel no more symptoms.

My doctor (general doctor) about a week ago prescribed me anti-inflamtories, muscle relaxers, and lidoderm patch. I haven't taken or done anything he said because I don't feel any pain and my chiropractor said that will only take away my pain when I take it no actually make it better. She also said muscle relaxers may help or worsen the problem and they make me drowsy. Since I feel almost 100% i'd rather not take a chance at making it worse.

A lot of people have told me to take physical therapy. They said since I almost feel 100% therapy will help me get to a complete recovery.

I now do not know what to do. I want to play hockey, and workout. I feel fine get occasional numbness but no pain in my back at all. I don't want to take pain killers or muscle relaxers. And most importantly I want to feel no symptoms at all including numbness. Should I start physical therapy and drop everything else? Is it safe to play hockey? Should I work core and workout lightly, minus my back and legs? Please help me!

Thank You and sorry for this loooong post.