Bulging Disk? Herniated Disk? The BIG LIE you need to know.

I´m an orthopaedic surgeon, dedicated exclusively to spine surgery. What these two gentlemen say is absolutely true. It will take some time but the concepts shown in this video will be the state-of-the art. Congratulations

My dad was recommended to get back surgery. He went to several Dr's before deciding to get it done. While he was in the waiting room waiting to be called in for surgery, he saw so many people in pain and misery who already had back surgery, he began talking with them and he saw how miserable they were. He figured he didn't want to be like those people either, so he walked out of the Dr's office. He then happened upon a book about Yoga and began do it what the book described. He did yoga every single morning the rest of his life and even began jogging and eating healthy. He's now in his 80's and very healthy for his age. I can only imagine the lessor quality of life he'd have experienced throughout his life, if he'd had back surgery. Food for thought.

10 days ago I could hardly walk. Really painful lower back pain. I happened on some of these kinds of videos, and began stretching every morning and night, along with a few other techniques. With that and also in process of dropping a few pounds, I have absolutely no pain today. Thanks so much to you guys for these videos, you have helped me immensely!

Thank you for that video guys.
During my college days I suffered a ruptured disc at L4. I was treated in a Boston hospital by an orthopedic surgeon who specialized in treating athletes. He gave me three choices: surgery, chemo nucleolysis or bed rest. We decided to go with the bed rest. I was in the hospital for 13 weeks, each week he would check the healing process by lifting one of my legs while lying down and check pain level. Surprisingly each week I gained a little bit more flexion. After 13 weeks I was released with full mobility and the spinal disc healed itself. Since then I've continued in all various athletic activities hockey, soccer, lacrosse and have never had another episode. I've learned better body mechanics so that I don't repeat the injury. I think this is exactly what the author of that book was trying to communicate, surgery is not always necessary. I'm just one example of how my disk healed itself with simple bed rest.
My biggest challenge was patience, to see if anything was actually working. In my case it worked perfectly just as the author of that book indicated.

I’m 40years old with bone spurs and L4L5 and L5S1 disc herniation. I did aggressive therapy for months with no relief. I’m one month out of surgery and it has changed my life! I can actually walk from the bedroom to the kitchen with no tears!

At 5:23 they get real, but they gloss over the pain. It’s a process that starts basically in your butt and feels like you pulled a muscle. It gradually over days or weeks moves down the back outer part of your thigh past your knee to your calf and finally your toes. It causes numbness in the toes and the pain in the leg is incredible and nonstop. Loratab gave me exactly 3 hrs of sleep at a time and I had to set my timer to take meds because if I waited too long I was curled up on all fours for a couple hours fidgeting and sweating while it kicked in. My two discs were fully sequestered. Not merely bulged. Steroid packs, and injections helped a little while it was still mildly herniated. PT and chiropractor didn’t help but the inversion table did help early on. Eventually They removed a piece of disc that had squirted out the size of my pinkie, that was pressed along my nerve column. The relief post op was immediate and life changing. I would be an addict and gone insane without micro discectomy surgery.

I swear this channel is a ministry! God bless you guys. You are so sweet, optimistic, and helpful! I just found out this morning I have bulging discs. I was getting intense burning in my right leg and numbing toes. Whatever I have to do without surgery, I'll do. Thank God the doctor told me my case is not severe, will likely just require some physical therapy, and just recommended I see an orthopedic spine doctor. I'm grateful that the pain is really something that I experienced twice within the last two years. I don't know what "triggers" it.

Great video! Where did you guys get your spine/disc model with the green ball?

You guys rule. You’re like Car Talk for physical therapy. This channel helped me rehab from tendonitis, and is now helping me a bulging disk. Thanks for doing your thing.. Keep it up.

Yes i had foot drop, terrible nerve pain for 2 years. Currently in recovery after surgery, most of the pain is gone, i can finally walk without a limp, recovery is happening faster than expected and it wasn't a very invasive procedure. Did physical therapy 3 times a week for a year and a half and it changed nothing so there are cases where you should consider surgery. Friend of mine had same procedure, he is now a state trooper who rides horse back so it couldn't have been a bad choice if he can ride a horse without pain!

I have had back pain before .. all the doctors I met, were ready with knives to get a surgery done on me.. but I kept their hands and knives away from my back .. after watching your video , I learn so much about it and feel so confident after knowing the true side of bad back .. excellent job .. I wish the entire world watch these humble and kind people , sharing so much of their knowledge and experience for people's betterment .. would love to watch more.. great job .. loads of love from India ..

I love you guys! I'd like to add... I'm 1 month post op of ACDF and Dural tear repair. During the surgery they found a Dural tear under the herniated disc because the herniated was so old and massive. The Dural tear causes more pain than the herniated discs. I'm so very glad I got the surgery because I feel so much better. I've been told "everyone has a a bulging or herniated disc but they don't feel pain so you shouldn't either". So I took the pain for 10 years and stopped complaining. I have a new doctor, went to him for shoulder pain and he knew it was from my neck... Within 1 week I was at the neurosurgeon's office and a 2 weeks after that I had surgery. My neck was so bad.
Again, I love you guys, but this type of thought can be damaging to the patient.

I am having my 7th lumbar surgery on Feb. 17th. This is not something that I take lightly! I didn't just wake up this morning and decide I just wanted to have surgery again. The damage to my back started in the 80s and continues to this day. A lot of people say to me " your nuts I'll never have back surgery" or "they'll never cut on me", but let me tell you the truth of the matter ; when you hurt so bad that even your thought process is interrupted or you can't even get out of bed without help you will be grateful for that surgery! The one bit of advice I will share is to be sure and find the right surgeon. One that has a good success rate. If I had had Blake Pearson in the beginning maybe this wouldn't be number 7!!!

I have been suffering with lower back issues since 2006/7. So 16 years roughly. It all began just as I lifted a Henry hoover. I struggled so much with the pain. Even though I went to many different doctors I was never actually taken seriously. During the fisrt stage of lockdown I was on furlough.and could feel my pain gradually getting worse over the few months but then went back to work and carried on as normal. Coping like I always had. Long story shorter....this year....May 19th I went to work crying this time as the pain was that bad. Just kept hoping the pain would leave me one day....it didn't. By the time I went home the only way I could relief myself from the pain this time was to lay down. But when I tried to get up and move again I could not walk. I was like that for two days. After injections, a shed load of pills, an apparent URGENT MRI scan a month later???? They said no operation. After seeing an actual consultant he asked some questions.and did some tests. He used a pin on the top of my left foot which i couldn't feel the pricks and he did the reflex test on the back of my heel and there was nothing. That's when he decided it was time for me to be operated on. My question is can you or anyone here point me in the direction of advice and aftercare to look after myself. As I have had none offered. After having the operation and being told I have DDD I am still in pain. Not as much as I was...granted but defiantely has not removed it altogether. And i still have a cold left foot with no feeling in it. I apologise for going on but I kind of feel quite alone with this atm

You two guys are a prime example of reality to what happens to us when we come to you for help. You turn things around and try to make us believe that we’re all crazy and that what we’re experiencing is not real. It’s bad enough that you try and hide the pain from those around you because you know the repercussions that follow. The snickering and gossip behind your back is very real. You are viewed as weak and a liability. I find the only people that can relate with you are the ones experiencing what you are. It’s pretty frustrating, but don’t give up. There are still some good doctors out there. You just have to find them.

After dealing with lots of pain in my left glute and lower back, I finally got an X-ray and physical therapy. Doctors office said it was degenerative changes and therapist guesses it’s a disc. These physical therapists are life savers. They’ve given me a whole arsenal of useful exercises just for my problem. I never knew having this problem weakens the muscles!! I’m building muscles and getting better each day. I’ll never do surgery unless absolutely needed. I saw my mom get so many surgeries on her back growing up and I watched her get worse and worse but she doesn’t exercise which is a huge problem.

I injured my back in 1993. I was 33 years old. Dr wanted to do surgery, second opinion was no surgery. I started stretching and had a series of epidurals. For the better part of 10 years I had pain, drop foot,and tingling in both trunks. I kept active and slowly I began to feel better.I still have symptoms but I feel 70% better than I was. I am now 60 years old still no surgery, still working on construction equipment. Every year we learn new ways to treat and strengthen. Surgery is an option only when I can't walk any more.

Nice video, I'm in the process of healing from a pinched nerve in my shoulder due to heavy standing cable pullover exercises. I felt something pull in my rhomboid area, then came the numbness down the arm and into my fingers. Its been my understanding that a disc can heal on its own with rest, so I stay hydrated and backed off the exercises to which I'm starting to feel relieved after 4 weeks. It's also my understanding that drinking plenty of water helps to keep the discs plump so they won't shrink with age.

I have a right sided herniation, and while I had pretty bad pain for a few months I’ve gained a lot of my mobility back and reduced my pain. I still get occasional pain but it has not hurt as bad as it used to in a long back.

Good advice, and I’m glad you acknowledged the need for surgery if you can’t feel your entire leg down to the toes. I’m definitely having surgery! Minimally invasive. Hoping for the best.

I felt one pain in my back...after that , 6 years later Both legs went numb, burned , & my muscles were being pulled so tight that I had big lumps in my legs. My back never hurt at that time so I was misdiagnosed with MS..about 6 weeks later through a MRI I had herniated my L5 completely backward and there were pieces of my ruptured disc laying on my S1 nerve ...causing severe pain in both legs ..then my back began to hurt after 6 weeks .I live with back pain and level 8-10 Sciatica daily.The only surgery performed was to clean up the ruptured pieces. If I don't stretch daily..throughout the day..yikes! I have no disc @L5..in my back ..the Ortho said my vertebras would fuse together since I did not get a rod to replace the disc..I was only 38 when all this occured ..been a rough time ..also.. my disc in neck are starting to herniate..hoping they don't blow 😳..stretching my neck too..it is a lifestyle now 😊

Thank you so much for clearly demonstrating what bulging and herniated discs look like and also what happens to the disc when bending forward! I hadn't understood before why the forward bend was so bad for the back! I have been suffering with sciatica for 8 months now which my doctor has put down to a possible herniated disc. I am hoping that physio will help - visits to a chiropractor didn't. I certainly don't want to go down the surgery route!

Big thumbs up for this video. The following long rant is to help other people who have injured their lower back and think they may have a herniation or slipped disc, and are lucky enough not to need surgery. There is another way.
Three weeks ago exactly on my last dead lift I heard three distinct and loud pops from my lower back(so loud i heard them over the music in my headphones). I dropped the weight just inches off the ground and knew immediately I had done something very stupid. I tried to push out an extra rep at heavy weight and my form slipped. I felt like I was going to black out for a good 5 minutes. I couldn't bend over and after another 5 minuted I had a lot of trouble removing the weights from the barbell and re-racking everything. I managed to hobble to a chair and continued to feel light headed for at least 10 more minutes. Finally I mustered up the courage to head home. Being that I don't have insurance or money to spend on a doctor visit I did what most people do and consulted the internet. My worst fears were confirmed. Everyone who has experienced the same thing as me suffered either slipped or herniated discs.
I was devastated, but I knew if I had any chance at recovery I had to be proactive about my injury and do everything I can to rehabilitate myself. Immediately I began icing my lower back and taking ibuprofen. For the first two days I didn't do much of anything else, but slowly I felt the pain subsiding and my rage of movement increasing slightly. The next day I laid down and rolled on a tennis ball and then a wooden practice hockey ball, very gently. That afternoon I had a localized cryotherapy treatment and i continued icing and taking ibuprofen. I began doing light stretches the next day in bed and on the floor(cat/cow, child's pose, sphinx pose, etc), and after rolling on the tennis ball and hockey ball i used a supernova ball and a foam roller. Then I went in the pool. In the water my ROM was much better and my pain was dramatically decreased. I was careful but I started by doing leg swings, trunk twists and using the steps in the pool to elevate each leg for a stretch. I let the water assist me while i tried to bend forward for a toe touch and realized I had a long way to go.
Over the last three weeks I have been doing these things every day, ibuprofen and icing less and less. I did go for one more localized cryotherapy and EDM massage treatment which I feel helped quite a bit. I began lightly exercising with a resistance band after about week 2 and started building back up walking longer distances. The first day I walked half my usual route with the dog(about 1.5-2 miles) but by the third or fourth day I was able to walk the full 3.5-4 mile route without feeling any pain after. Still every day using the foam roller, ball, stretches and exercises.
I have been very meticulous about not re-injuring myself. Taking things slowly and only slightly progressing each day. A few days I have done no exercises and only stretched(lazy days are necessary too). Today I walked the dog 4 miles, jogged around the backyard for 20 minutes and hit the heavy bag(lightly) for another 30 minutes, cycled for an hour at a relaxed pace and went through a heavier resistance band routine. No pain, basically full ROM. I am healing better using active and intelligent rehabilitation and PT techniques than I ever thought I could. Initially I thought I would never be able to touch my toes again. Today I can with no pain. I only feel some slight soreness in the morning when I wake up and some sort of sting when rolling on the hockey ball(the kind of good pain that brings relief after like it is breaking up stiff tissue).
My plan is to take at least another 2-3 weeks of this path, slowly progressing every day and reassess how I feel then. If I am not completely pain free with full ROM and no A.M. soreness or tension when stretching by week 6 I am going to see a Dr/get an MRI (I will have saved enough money by then). The point to all of this is exactly what the video states. Surgery should not be the first option and these gentlemen along with many others on youtube have shared a wealth of knowledge that can help you recover better and faster than you ever thought, as long as you are careful and take it very slow. I took my time to write all this because it has been a profound and very eye opening experience in my life to not over-exert yourself and to not jump into anything. In the past I went the surgical route for plantar fasciitis and in the end the only thing that actually helped was to ditch the soft squishy high arched shoes and regain strength and mobility in my foot through PT and weight loss. Hopefully this helps anyone coming here looking for hope, I know that when I first hurt myself I thought it was going to be a major life changing issue. Good luck.

These videos are really helpful for us to understanding our conditions and know what to expect and do. Too frequent doctors got angry with questions like what does it mean, or which side is my disc bulging towards. The videos certainly help facilitate these procedures, saving doctors time, may be even PT. And we can ask more productive questions by learning more. I hope more people will find out this channel. I learned that the disc has this cream donut content, instead of a solid piece from the clinic. This makes the visualization of our movement impact much better. and trying to understand what the MRI report is saying. And when I go see my PT, it was the MRI we based on most. Not as much as how I feel pain. Perhaps next time I will talk about my pain more.

I take their point and by 5:30 they finally get to explaining when you should have surgery but I fought this sort of rationalization for 7 years while in extreme debilitating pain. With the latest in minimally invasive orthoscopic, laser and now even Ozone/Oxygen discectomies, doctors should no longer wait once this is causing pain. Waiting causes lost time to pain and suffering, other health problems due to being immobile and in pain and permanent damage to nerves.

I’m a Disabled Veteran. Due to a military injury, I had a two-level artificial cervical disk replacement 4 years ago. This video came out 1 year before.
After a long recovery and lots of PT, and discipline, I feel much better than I did before the surgery on most days.

20 years ago I started having radiculopathy down my left arm. it felt like ants crawling on me, electric shock, muscle spasms etcetera. The doctors did a lot of shall we say passive treatment before they finally had me go in for the MRI. Before that I went to a chiropractor. The chiropractor x-rayed me , didn't see anything and then proceeded to manipulate my spine by pushing down mid back and then up toward my neck, hard! which in effect pushed all of the already herniated disc material ( which by the way is akin to crab meat, not liquid) out of the disc and further into my spinal cord. The pain, which had already been excruciating, was unbearable.. By the time I had the MRI there was a dent in my spinal cord so the material was not only just compressing an ancillary nerve but the entire spinal cord at that level (C4/C5). I had the discectomy and fusion, after which the pain was gone immediately. I did have a recurrence of pain probably from one of the adjoining structures which had weakened from from the discectomy and fusion, but I had a nerve block to that level and I have not had an issue since. I'm now 61 years old. Neck is ok. Not perfect. Will never be, but pain free. However, because of age related degeneration, I'm having low back pain and sciatica down the left leg, which pain indicates a likely L4 L5 herniation or bulge. I won't be going to any chiropractors, though.

I have herniated L4-L5 and L5-S1, pressing on sciatic nerve.
I got an injection, helped maybe 30%. WALKING HELPS A LOT. Time in the pool and doing pliomettics in the pool also. Just bought an Inversion table off Amazon, that seems to be helping also.

Excellent teaching techniques! The demonstration of a bulging disc should help those unfamiliar with actual anatomy. I've had nearly 20 years of crazy times due to spinal injury exacerbated by the "pain clinics" and surgeons. Avoid surgery if possible, but if it MUST be done, follow up with a really good physical therapist. Research!!

I had a micro discectomy L5-S1. Previously 22 years of pain, Physical therapy, cortisone injections, spinal cord injections, chiropractic hocus pocus, traction, everything. Immediately after the surgery I had relief. I never have back pain. I follow the guidelines and do not do aggressive sports. My lifestyle is more like Tai Chi, swimming. Careful safe, excercise. Zero pain...four years now.. before I was bedridden for weeks sometimes with level 10 pain... wish I had surgery much earlier.

I have this exact issue, only my treatment so far (including surgery which did nothing) has addressed the herniated disc, and not the Retrolisthesis. I’ve been in chronic pain for over a year now. Just waiting for the doctors to come to the conclusion/s that I already know so that I can get the appropriate treatment. 🤦🏻‍♀️

I'm glad I saw this video. I just got an MRI and was told I have protruding disks in L1,L2 and Sacrum. I was offered Surgery or Pain Management. I opted for the Pain Management. I am also scheduled for Phy. Therapy tomorrow. My last Dr. thought it was Sciatica which makes good sense. It gets so bad that I sometimes can't walk, at all. I'm 69 and they told me it's a natural part of aging. I was hoping you would show some method of fixing it or at least to manage it. Do you have a video on that aspect?

I hate foot tingling, numbness and after doing the exercises you guys recommended for a few weeks almost all the tingling gone. I would only have surgery if I was dragging my foot behind me! I know too many people that have had back surgeries only to still have the pain. Thanks

Dealt with back pain for almost 15 years. Last year I finally decided to get check cause it was so mad. They scheduled and MRI and apparently I wasn’t lying all these years and I have 2 herniated discs 🤦🏻‍♀️

I had a herniated disk at the age of 45. it pressed on my spinal cord, it bulged right into my spinal cord and I had pain down my left leg and buttocks for 10 months straight, 24 hours a day. I would cry every day.
My doctor told me I could either have surgery right away if I couldn’t stand the pain, or I could wait it out 6 months and see if retracted by itself. I waited 10 months and all of a sudden it was gone. I was told that if I waited past six months, it could cause permanent damage, But I waited 10 months anyway because I was scared of surgery. The disc retracted on its own and I no longer have had that problem. That was 20 years ago and I’m fine.
Just so it never happens again, I have limited myself to not running, jumping or even swimming( my back would arch and hurt my back )or anything else that could cause an impact on my spine.

I love you guys. You are the best. I'm having back pain for 3 years and everytime I go to doctor and get my MRI done, it says disk bulge in L5. But I was 200% sure that it's not where my pain is coming from. After watching this video, I got my GP to give referrel for a rheumatologist who found out that I have SI joint problem, not in disk. So thank you very much guys

i had a major herniated disc that impacted my spinal cord and caused my right leg to feel like it was on fire and being electrocuted while at the same time it felt like a knife was being wedged in my spine. it was the worst pain i have ever felt in my life, and i still have a bit of weakness and foot drop from it, even after surgery. back issues are no joke, and i hope all of you guys in pain in the comments find help. i know what youre going through.

I have an left annular tear at l4/l5 with a 3mm broad based disc protrusion. Lots of hamstring, calf and back stretches has helped the pain heaps. Still in pain every morning but it’s gone better but still dealing with glute and calf pain which stops me in my track at times.
6 months in, hoping I get better in time but realised a disc herniation is a life thing
And it’ll only get worse once we hit our older stages, I’m only 25
Stay positive guys

Man, I really love your videos! Really helps me understand my symptoms, having a bulging disk, and also calmed me a bit. Going to find a good fysiotherapist right away. Keep up the good work!

I had a herniated L5 and a bulging disc L4 that I lived with for many years with severe sciatic pain (couldn't stand or walk for more than 5mins before I needed to sit). After Physical Therapists, needles in the spine, inversion tables and getting addicted to Vicodin I finally had surgery, was home the same day and pain free since. That I waited so long and lived with that pain for so long was criminal when the fix was so easier.

I’m 28, I’ve been having a few spinal problems due to such a physically demanding job, I’m going in for my first disc surgery (1 of 3) on 1st October, having my L5-S1 replaced as it’s prolapsed and I’ve been living with severe chronic sciatica down my right leg for almost 3 years causing numbness, weakness, foot drop and I fall occasionally, and just recently I’ve now developed sciatica in my left leg too. I’ve tried everything and nothing has worked, chiropractors and physio made it all worse, and no amount of pain medication helps even in the slightest! I’ve been off work for so long now it caused me so much stress, depression and now I’m constantly fighting with my own mind after a failed suicide attempt.
I really hope this surgery helps! 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

I fit that study you represented exactly to a T. I'm in my 40s and was in the 50% with no pain. Had an MRI and noticed there was a slight bulge on C 4-5 disk. Its really important to catch these things early on to accommodate what needs to change in your lifestyle asap!

Sharing my experience to help others:
I suffered from L4-L5 disc prolapse (herniated disc, slip disc) due to lifting heavy weights in the gym. I had constant pain running down my legs, wasn’t even able to sit or walk. It was the worst phase of my life, I was on bed for 4 months completely. Almost 1 year since the injury, I am now able to go out regularly, walk as much I want, only thing that I’m avoiding is running.
Doctors gave me muscle relaxants, pain killers which didn’t help. When the effect of pain killers subsided, I felt increase in pain as pain killers increase your sensitivity towards pain. Doctors also recommended for surgery. Many of my family friends, some of which are doctors themselves suggested me to avoid allopathic treatments and surgery; as even after surgery patients report issues and one of my friends had to go for another surgery after 10 years.
Being 28 years old, friends and family recommended to take rest and let it heal on its own. As it’s even scientifically proven that the disc heals on its own through disc regeneration. Here’s what really helped me:
* Homeopathic medicines: Colocynthis, Avena Sativa, Hymusa Syrup, Rhus Tox, Kali Carb (The first day I took these medicines, I instantly felt the reduction in pain and better mood and sleep. Believe me this reduction in pain was not like that of painkillers. Homeopathic medicines push/trigger your body to heal the injuries on its own)
* Maharasnadi Kashayam/Kadha: Ayurvedic medicine to help with joint issues
* Avoid sugar, alcohol, processed foods (like bread etc., anything made in a factory)
* Spinach (On the days I had spinach, I could clearly feel more reduction in pain the next day. Spinach has a lot of vitamins and minerals, that would have helped the recovery. I tried taking vitamin/mineral supplements as well, but those didn’t have the same effect. Spinach has many compounds other than the commonly known vitamins/minerals like kaempferol. etc. )
* Pomegranate
* Yoga poses or Physiotherapy with backward bending motion (Initially I was only able to do poses like raising my head up while lying on my stomach, increasing the curvature slowly, later kept doing the cat-cow pose)

I can tell you now, i’ve had bulged and herniated disc’s and i can tell you even on strong meds, i’m still ALWAYS in pain. Have been trying some of your exercises 🤞🏻🤞🏻

I have a ruptured disk L4-L5 from a weight lifting accident when I was 19yo. Pain was pretty extreme. I discovered that the pain is caused by inflammation push against the nerves, bad enough to drop me t my knees. I discovered this because I took an anti inflammatory horse pill that a friend of mine had due to kidney stones, and my pain lessoned considerably. What I did from that point is lift weights, just nothing to do with my back or spine. Working my legs, arms, chest etc. so I did not put strain on that part of my body. When lifting weights your body releases a natural anti inflammatory and by working out other parts of my body it cleared the pain from my back. Now just working out like that, and sleeping with a thick pillow between my legs to keep my spine aligned, is all I need. I knew at the time that getting a spinal fusion was not going to solve the issue and figured it out on my own.

I had terrible sciatic pain and an operation when I was 41.
I’m now 43 and still have the same pain, the operation made no difference. Luckily the operation was carried out on the NHS… I almost paid £10k to go private! Wish I’d seen this video earlier!

Thank you guys for sharing this. I recently got diagnosed with a lumbar herniated disc. I have decided to do physical therapy instead of getting a epidural steroid shot and surgery.

The ending “or we’ll come out and slap ya” 😂😂 sent me into orbit. Great video thank you so much. Nice to hear surgery isn’t the only option. Came to this video after doing a yoga video for bulging disc. Thanks guys very helpful

I am 18 years old and have a disc protrusion, as well as a bulging disc in my lumbar spine. This was very helpful, thanks!

I’m 22 just had back surgery for l5-s1 , it’s a life changer I couldn’t walk because my heal and hamstring were in so much nerve pain and no stretching or routine was helping

Excellent. Thx for showing her book. I’ve had back issues forever (nurse and big babies).
My lower back would “go out” maybe once a year. After left hip surgery that wasn’t successful the lower back pain became more frequent I opted for an RFA and lo and behold…. lower back pain daily. Just don’t do it. I spend money for decompression at the chiropractor which helps temporarily. Certain ideal stretches unable to do because of hip’s lack of range of motion. Fun. Could be worse Thx for sharing such good stuff gentlemen! I bought your small massager. It’s perfect. Some folks grab it and say it’s powerful enough on level one! Wimps haha.

Beautiful content substance wise if you guys could get the audio on point it would make your guys's content a lot more enjoyable and aesthetically pleasing to the ear thank you guys for all your hard work

I’m 36 was almost paralyzed waiting to have a discectomy. Because of that wait I have permanent numbness in my posterior Rt leg. Also that led to 3 more surgeries with two fusions and a cage at L4L5 and cage at S1. As an ER RN I would tell people do not have surgery unless you can’t do your daily activities or have severe nerve pain.

New information for me. I recently got over what may have been a lumbar disc problem, and I was on a stroller for over a week. Since then I've climbed ladders, run a jack hammer, walked a lot and I'm feeling better. I am 60 and realize I should not over exert my back.

Great advice !!! just got diagnosed as having a C6 bulge that’s been causing numbness down my left hand . two deep tissue massages , yoga and PT have already reduced the symptoms to like 20% and hoping to fix it permanently without surgery

You two are great to watch, lots of info. I had an operation back in 1997, I had an herniated disk in the L4-5 area. Now fast forward to now. I'm having the same problems as I did back in '97. I believe it's the same thing, feels like it anyway. My pain specialist is pushing me to get a Stimulator placed into my lower back. I know of two people that had the procedure and they have had major problems with their units. Sirs, what is your take on the stimulator? Any info is greatly appreciated, and thank you in advance.

My lowest 4 vertebrae are fused. I did have lower back problems around 18 years of age, was told it was because of the congenitally fused vertebraes, but I ignored the advice and did nothing. After a year the pain (only when carrying heavy things) went away, so it probably was just some sort of unrelated growing pains around the sciatica or spine. In any case the fused vertebraes never caused me any problems, I have no back pain an terrible posture most of the time, and am considerably older now. Body knows how to deal with your spine (assuming nutrition is ok and you're not poisoning yourself)

So glad I stumbled onto this video!! My back and neck are a mess !! I’m currently getting PT and I was curious if I’m doing more harm than good!! 👍

Bob and Brad, thanks so much for all your videos dealing with the back, disc bulges, sciatica and related exercises. I've learned so much. Most importantly, I've found the exercises to have amazing results.

Had my discectomy on my L5 disc in 1992, when I was 31. Best thing I ever did. It gave me my life back and got me off naproxen, which was giving me intestinal bleeds. So grateful for socialized medicine in Ontario! Of course, with all the budget cuts since then, if I'd herniated my disc AFTER 1992, I'd probably have just been handed a bottle of percs or oxy's. Physio was very important and helpful post-op, but not instead of surgery. And stay away from chiropractors! There are MANY snake-oil sales types in the low back pain racket. I have nothing but contempt for anyone who would exploit someone suffering in so much pain by stringing them along, promising relief after "just another session", when proven and safe surgical options are available. I suppose in the US there are some doctors who will recommend surgery for a pimple or hangnail, but in my opinion, anyone suffering the sciatica I went through should have the surgical option available to them as soon as possible, regardless of their circumstances.

I'm so glad you published this. I have this discussion in my office over and over, and with primary care doctors. Bulging discs are NOT abnormal, and by themselves do not require surgery. The only things we fix surgically are leg pain or weakness from nerve or spinal cord compression, and movement exacerbated back pain from instability, and that is ONLY if it doesn't get better after exhausting all non-surgical options. Everything else on the MRI is irrelevant. Your description is spot on, and your explanation of when surgery becomes necessary is perfect. Foot drop and incontinence should prompt an MRI and a surgical evaluation right away. Otherwise, give it a few months and try your non-surgical options before going to a surgeon.

Hey guys! I've been having a lot of neck burning and upper back pain. Went to a chiropractor and after making desk adjustments at work my upper back pain and tightness is basically gone. However I have a lot of burning going on in my neck! Got an MRI that reported a disc bulge c4 and c5 so he recommended non surgical spinal decompression. I find it helps but for short periods of time. What's your opinion on non surgical spinal decompression? Can you point me to any studies that show it works or doesn't? Any advice? Thanks!

My L5 moved. Never had so much pain in my life. I had an MRI - showed herniated disc at L5. Had a CT guided injection a few days later. Even though there is a recovery period I am not in the screaming pain that I had and each day is a bit better.

I thank you for this. I have a 12 mm disc herniation at L5-S1 but knowing what i know i will not get surgery. This just continues to encourage me

I have a herniation at l4 l5. I am a big guy (6'6" 295) but prior to the deep nerve pain setting in, I ran my own landscaping and hardscaping business. Hard work and long hours. I hurt myself sometime around september of last year (1st week). I took a job installing glass and slowly got out of the landscaping for the time being. I worked at this job for almost 4 full months before succumbing to the pain. I have since been laid up and patiently waiting for surgery to be approved. I am not taking any meds and I am not active. Any sort of activity and the pain becomes too tremendous to sleep. I am in a vicious cycle because I know I should be active but that activity fires up the nerve and it starts going like a jet engine. Its like I am being asked to stick my hand in a blender. Quality of life is zero and I dont know which direction to go. Is there any chance this disc will dry out and shrink and leave me alone? -Tom

I'm pretty sure that those high percentage numbers of folks with disc herniations without pain ARE NOT the folks looking up your info. I've got sciatica that is to the point I can barely use my right leg and it's absolutely EXCRUCIATING. I can't even leave the house. Surgery is definitely not something I'd rush into but this situation is unbearable...wish I knew someone going through this I could talk to..

Micro discectomy worked for me. 100% sciatic pain and lower back pain eliminated. Recovery is a bit tough the first week post op though but not unbearable by any stretch. Was only on a dose or two of flexeril the first 2 days, didn’t even touch my Percocet. Had a world class neuro work on me though. Your experience may differ.

I have a herniated disc L4-L5. It happened at work after I slipped in a flooded cement area. I continued to work despite it ,but it got worse. I ended up going to an Ortho who gave me an epidural but didn't want to do surgery when I was covered at the time. I also tried exercises from videos I saw online, but I ended up getting worse. One morning I woke up before work to shave and I fell to the floor. My back gave out and my whole left leg seized up with horrible cramping pain down to my toes, yet its also dead numb on the left side of the leg. I have a sciatic nerve problem now. I'm in so much pain I can't even go grocery shopping at the store with out spending the next 3 days in bed disabled. I lost my job because while out seeking treatment my supervisor got workmans comp involved even though it was past the 2 year time limit. This started a fight with the insurance companies and I ended up getting denied and being uncovered. While the fight went on the doctor wouldn't see me at all because of the coverage dispute in progress. Not being treated I couldn't return to work. So hear I am not able to get back on my feet, broke, and just wishing tomorrow doesn't come.

Hello and happy to have found you. A CT scan revealed abnormal findings at L4 L5 with significant pressure on thecal sac and both nerve roots caused by combination of bulging discs, facet arthropathy and grade 1 spondylolisthesis. My concern is the thecal sac pressure.

Just recently had an MRI, and the pain management doctor scared the crap out of me , saying that I am probably going to need surgery definitely in the near future otherwise I may go paralyzed, my pain has only started a few months ago which is giving me sciatic pain through my left buttocks through my leg and around my foot. I am praying that I don't have to go through any surgery. I work in construction and I know when I originally hurt my back , way back in 2007. Out of nowhere it started bothering me a few months ago.

I had a disc herniation (L5-S1) and it was hitting my spinal cord. Very painful. However, I suppose I was fortunate (?) that the disc was degenerating as well. It's been 17 years (I was 24) since my back went out and I couldn't walk. I have a cane for bad days, but I did physical therapy, injections, chiropractors and thankfully the disc finally degenerated enough and is just a sliver. No more of the severe, intense pain. However, I now have spondylolisthesis and my hips have bursitis (from all of the years I walked funny to compensate shifting the pain). I'm not using a cane anymore. I wanted to avoid surgery so bad after talking to a surgeon and other people who have had it (spinal fusion). The people I talked to ended up worse or with nerve damage and needed future surgeries. Hang in there people! It can be debilitating at times, but avoid surgery until you are completely immobile for an extended period of time. I have pain, but I know my limits and triggers. It still sucks, but it's better than surgery. Good luck everyone! Sending hugs!
p.s. One thing that can make a world of difference is a quality mattress. They are very expensive, but you are worth it. See if you can get a prescription for one and you can write it off on your taxes. I'm still on the hunt. I bought a pricey tempurpedic memory foam and another type of memory foam. No matter what I do (side sleeper), my butt/hips create the pit of doom in the bed after time goes by. They are wonderful in the beginning though. I also have a herd of pillows on my bed for propping my hips, knees, back, etc. Those help beyond measure.

I’ll tell you something, my mother is a big proponent of this school of thought, and when you are bed ridden two weeks at a time, around every three months at age 37, and have been going through it getting progressively worse for the last ten years it’s pretty infuriating to know be told to try all these different things before I get surgery. How long should I try them for and stay in pain? Not to mention every type of person has a different “miracle cure” from cbd or thc oil, to inversion tables, to chiropractic, acupuncture, and even grounding yourself to earth on a bloody mat so that the electrons can neutralize the free radicals in your body. How long should I try each quacks remedies before I get to do the surgery that completely took care of the pain of THREE PEOPLE I PERSONALLY KNOW????? I can’t stand this garbage, there are people out here in real pain and can get real help for it but now chiropractors get to use the prefix “doctor” even though they are NOT PhDs or MDs so gullible people get to waste tons of money on what they’ve been told will work before realizing it and just go get the surgery they should have had in the first place.

Friends don't let friends get fusion's.
Bob and Brad are passionate about learning as well as teaching.

I am 27 years old and have been diagnosed with bulging discs on my L4 and L5 disc. I took medicines for one month and after that I felt better.. and so after one week, without even thinking the pain might be back, I carried a 3kg watermelon from my door to the fridge. And the night after that, the pain came back. I was so disappointed to myelf. Like, how stupid I was! Plus, I am having muscle strain for almost three years! I can still feel it until now.. I can't sit straight, I can't sit on a plastic chair, I can't sit on the floor even if i lean my back on the wall or somehing like pillow.. it's killing me!

4:17 It is a good model to show the stresses on the disk. But the lower vertebra in the demo is flipped upside down. The pedicle should be at approximately the same height as the upper vertebra. Also the disk bulge (in green ball) should be creeping along the pedicle and anterior face of the superior articular process of the lower vertebra to show how it would compress a nerve and could possibly cause pain.
I totally agree that a bulging disk is quite common and may not cause any pain. There can still be space for the nerve even with a disk bulge or complete loss of disk height. It just depends on the shape of the vertebra.

This video helped bunches. L3 bulge pinching the nerve, with terrible leg pains, numbness, etc and really wanted other views before rushing surgery. Thanks ; )

I feel like a lot of people downplay the pain of this. Back had been hurting for months, then I leaned down one day and my knees gave beneath me and I fell, and my back had been hurting so bad I can't walk, and it feels like my back has 0 support, without a brace, after a few steps I just cant support myself with my legs. It feels like my right leg especially just cant support my weight without just buckling under me. It feels like DEATH when I move the wrong way and then it just sends tingles down my right leg and my lower back feels like someone is just stabbing me with a blunt piece of iron, just ramming it right into the back of my hip almost. When I get out of bed it feels like I got hit by a bus. It's no joke for those of us that feel symptoms.

The key to what they suggest is AGGRESSIVE physical therapy. You can't just go thru the motions with these stretches and exercises, you really have to push yourself before you see any benefits. That's the case with me anyway.

A couple of years ago I had a herniated disk L5-SI, it has now shrunk or dried up now with a reduction of my vertebral space. I have back pain flare ups everyone and then. What do y'all think about inversion tables to "stretch out" the spine for relief?

I have two herniated discs (l4&l5) one is pushing on my sciatic nerve causing a fair amount of pain. I've been dealing with this pain for over 6 months now, 5 of those month without any prescription narcotics (which I was prescribed for having 4 wisdom teeth removed). I've been through physical therapy, which helped but I feel the pain is slowly returning to how it was prior to the therapy. Finally I gave in, decided to go for a second opinion, and am now waiting for a second mri. Hopefully I'm makong the right decision to end the pain finally as I'm only 26 and I work every weekday.

I had a MRI after a horse riding accident back in May, resulted in extreme back pain and a displaced radial neck and head fracture that healed on its own luckily (I participate in rodeo sports - y’all physical therapists and orthopedic surgeons can thank me and my insurance for my patronage later lol). 2 bulged discs are l4-l5 and l5-s1, facet arthritis with hypertrophy, a synovial cyst and a hemangioma was the radiologists report.
Needless to say, my lower back is miserable. But when I went back to my primary care, he said most likely it’s the cyst and facet joints that are causing the lower back pain (right lower back/butt hurts into the hip and down my leg) and the SI joint on that side. Bulged discs are on the left hand side on which I have zero pain. They’re doing a diagnostic injection tomorrow for the SI and facet joints.
That said, at my ripe old age of 34 (it’s not the age, it’s the mileage!) I need to prevent this from getting worse because that’s rodeo career ending. What kind of exercises would you have a patient with this kind of damage do? Overall I’m pretty muscular, and obviously core muscles being a critical in shape muscle to ride a horse and turn at top speed and not fall off.
Or, I’d the injection proved the SI joint is the culprit and I’m not interested in maintenance injections, do fusions generally have a good outcome that don’t require PT maintenance, or at least extended PT?

I am 26 years old, I had an inguinal hernia mesh repair about 7 years ago.
A few months back I went to Kickboxing and my back started killing me, since then I experience pain in my back on and off - I’ve felt it low / mid and upper back but mostly lower. Sleeping is becoming uncomfortable, my eyes are dark so I assume my body is not getting much rest , I get bloated and have trouble passing gas or stool sometimes. I just constantly feel my back, one day recently it even hurt when I was breathing as if there was something every time I took a breath in, haven’t gone to a DR bc no insurance but I am working again, and hopefully soon I save enough to go get my self checked. Any tips / pointers anythinggg would be highly appreciated!

First of all, thanks for the informative video,
however I have a question regarding disk herniation. You guys explained how it comes with age but will heavy exercises such as deadlifts (proper form) speed up the rate of which the herniation develops?

I had pain down my leg for over a year now. And part of my foot is turning numb now. I am always in pain and even morphine type meds don’t make any different. Going for an MRI next week hoping for surgery because I can’t live with this pain anymore 😖 I had a MRI about 2 years ago where there was starting degeneration on L4, L5 and S1. Does that sound like it could be a slipped disc? My doctor thinks it’s piriformis issues however I can tell the pain starts around L4 or L5 and travels everywhere from there (hip, knee and foot on the right side)...I really hope the MRI will be clear!

I had a disc removed last year, Ive always suffered with back pain in my teen years. I sure did feel when the disc popped out and hit my nerve, I have honestly NEVER felt pain like it in my life! I had a emergency op as the disc was crushing my nerve and had bowl movement problems and now 1 year on I have bad nerve damage in the back of my left leg & buttocks and some down the back of my right leg too. I tell you when it gets bad it sure is NO joke 😭

Yes, you must fully explore non invasive treatment before surgery. Back surgery is 50-50 at best and can make things worse.

If it's already bulging out of the back into the small of the back, caused by ignorant actions - and, all the sciatica pain down the right leg, and major spasms seem to have disappeared over time, for some unknown reason...What are the options as we age? Are there less dangerous procedures readily available to people who suffer silently from this condition? Also, what's the reasons when it's may be congenital birth defect? Thanks for your informational videos on this subject. I'm sure the majority of people hardly think about it as an issue - if they don't have any issues with bending forward!

I am 19 years old and have had back pain since I was 14. I just found out from an MRI that I have a bulging disc. Prevents me from doing a lot of exercises

I was going through physical therapy and got worse. My physical therapist became alarmed and sent me to an orthopedist. I had an mri and found out I had a herniated disc and a bone fragment pressing on the nerve. I now have a consult with a surgeon.
Exercise at this stage is impossible and I have drop foot and can hardly walk. S
Sometimes an mri is just what you need.

Yay, I'm dealing with foot drop right now from herniated disk. I'm getting an MRI soon. I'm scared that I may need surgery. I will try everything to not need surgery.

The PAIN!
I have experience with second and third degree burns. Large portions of my skin were burned. But the pain that my herniated disc caused in my leg, all the way down to my foot, was MUCH worse then the pain of those burns. Then after surgery, it was like the surgeon had just flipped off a switch. The pain was gone and didn't come back.

I have a bulging disc on L5/6 and did the steroid injections twice a year until they stopped working. 10 weeks ago I had RFA-radio frequency ablation and have been pain free for about for about 4 weeks. I was initially reluctant to try it but had ran out of options other surgery. It worked do well for me. I opted to be put in twilight for the procedure. There was very little side effects other than very warm sensation on the treated area for about 2 days. Ask your Dr. if you are a candidate for RFA

I just love the both of you 😀thank you for your expertise knowledge and help in this painful situation most of us are in

My cervical disc is bulging inward into the spinal canal. 2 fingers on each hand and half of hand numb. I'm doing physical therapy now and it is helping a bit. There are some studies that suggest that PT can help certain kinds of bulges. Also it takes 9 1/2 months for it to resolve. Alpha lipoic acid may help with the peripheral neuropathy.

Bardzo fajny film. Dziękuję panowie. Pozdrawiam.👉👍

I get pain right down to the top of my foot. Numbness on my thighs. I’m 25 and have dealt with this for 5 years now. 😓 Cortisone injections helped, and I’m apparently not a candidate for surgery. But this has affected my entire lifestyle. I’ve just come to accept that I’ll never be as active as I once was and it’s pretty upsetting. I want kids, and I’m worried I’ll be bedridden if my body has to carry that much extra weight. 😭

It was my understanding that newer research shows that the pain is largely due to inflammation on a damaged disk, not the disk touching the nerve itself. So that's one reason back surgery doesn't always work.

In hard to diagnose cases of lumbar back pain, does it ever make sense to try hard to get a "vertical MRI" (i.e., with axial load) rather than just a "regular MRI", which is where a patient is simply lying on a table horizontally, and thus not subject to the same forces of gravity? For example, could there be varying degrees of "disc density" that could affect what happens, over time, to the body when it is in the vertical position (i.e., normal functional position) throughout the day?

I recently looked up the exact description of my MRI and terrifyingly found out that while disc sequestration is common, the location is rare and much worse and all of the medical articles say that surgery should be done sooner than later because of serious neurological deficits can happen!
This is what my MRI describes,
Note is also made prominent soft tissue in the left ventral epidural space posterior to the L4 vertebra this was not present previously ( the radiologist is referring to my November 2013 lumbar MRI done at the same place) and may represent a free disc fragment,this results in significant mass effect on the thecal sac.
At L3-4 concentric disc bulging and moderate facet joint hypertrophy result in thecal sac impingement with bilateral foraminal encroachment.
I recently looked up the exact description of my MRI and terrifyingly found out that while disc sequestration is common, the location is rare and much worse and all of the medical articles say that surgery should be done sooner than later because of serious neurological deficits can happen!
This is what my MRI describes,
Note is also made prominent soft tissue in the left ventral epidural space posterior to the L4 vertebra this was not present previously ( the radiologist is referring to my November 2013 lumbar MRI done at the same place) and may represent a free disc fragment,this results in significant mass effect on the thecal sac.
At L3-4 concentric disc bulging and moderate facet joint hypertrophy result in thecal sac impingement with bilateral foraminal encroachment.
I did have mild bulging discs in 2013, and 2 of them are now described as mild, 3 are not described as mild they were all described as mild back in November 2013 and I had diffuse degenerative disc disease then and now,but I didn't have spinal stenosis until now.

10 years with herniated l5-s1. Without drugs I felt better 3 days after surgery than I did walking into the hospital. Best day of my life. They cut me open and it came out like cheesewiz. Presurgery I was told the pain was all mental.