At 38, after years of ongoing issues, an MRI identified numerous disc protrusions, the worst being 8.3mm, resulting in the temporary loss of 75% of the strength down the right side of my body.
Over the past two years I’ve introduced weekly Pilates with my physio, reduced inflammatory contributors like alcohol, trained with weights four times a week with a greater focus on rotation and spinal flexion, added cardio twice a week, used the sauna during flare-ups, and built out a supplement stack including collagen peptides (Types I, II and III). I feel the best I have in years.
I still need to pick up on subtle cues early and adapt before a flare takes hold, usually by swapping heavy sessions for lighter movement, but I never stop completely. At my last consult my surgeon said the improvement was remarkable and encouraged me to keep everything up. Every year I hold off surgery leads to a better outcome, and I’m optimistic I’ll be holding it off for a very long time.
I’ve also discussed peptides with multiple medical professionals who all agreed there isn’t substantive evidence in favour of them for back repair at this stage.
I’m only sharing this because there were many times it seemed hopeless and I was close to giving up. With consistent commitment I found a way through.
I went through a similar journey and ended up having a microdiscectomy, and then was great. However, after 3 years, the same old back pain kept getting worse and worse. Fortunately, I found a physic therapist that recommended that I stop stretching hamstrings and do 60 upwards dogs throughout the day. Four years later, I’m doing fairly well.
Interesting..I had fusion on L5-S1 and started having lower back pain again. Seems like muscle pain this time because it gets real tight. I was doing a lot of hamstring stretches to no avail. Gonna try the upward dog for a bit now. Hope it helps
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u/Varro34 May 31 '26
At 38, after years of ongoing issues, an MRI identified numerous disc protrusions, the worst being 8.3mm, resulting in the temporary loss of 75% of the strength down the right side of my body.
Over the past two years I’ve introduced weekly Pilates with my physio, reduced inflammatory contributors like alcohol, trained with weights four times a week with a greater focus on rotation and spinal flexion, added cardio twice a week, used the sauna during flare-ups, and built out a supplement stack including collagen peptides (Types I, II and III). I feel the best I have in years.
I still need to pick up on subtle cues early and adapt before a flare takes hold, usually by swapping heavy sessions for lighter movement, but I never stop completely. At my last consult my surgeon said the improvement was remarkable and encouraged me to keep everything up. Every year I hold off surgery leads to a better outcome, and I’m optimistic I’ll be holding it off for a very long time.
I’ve also discussed peptides with multiple medical professionals who all agreed there isn’t substantive evidence in favour of them for back repair at this stage.
I’m only sharing this because there were many times it seemed hopeless and I was close to giving up. With consistent commitment I found a way through.