Just when the fishing was getting right

[Dan Sweeney]

I had to have an L7-S1 dyscectomy about five years ago (30 years old and already down one disc in my back). It had been pretty awful but I've had little to no trouble with it since, so if you continue to have issues and need a recommendation, I can shoot you a good name to try.

For less major stuff, I have used Hines chiropractic in Rogers for years. Dr. Joe in particular is very good. I'm sceptical of chiros in general, but approve of the Hines in particular.

[hoglaw]

L5-S1 you mean? That's where my trouble is. Disc dessication - it's dried out to the point that it doesn't do its job anymore. It started about seven years ago and would put me down for a week solid every so often. It's worse than a herniated disc in the sense that there's no fluid left to herniate. It used to get just horribly bad. But I've been nearly pain free for quite a while now. It will hurt and get uncomfortable, but not to the point that I need to take anything other than ibuprophen. If I'd lose some belly weight it would get a lot better.

The key for me has been doing things I was afraid to do previously like deadlifts, front and back squats, snatches, and cleans. Learning the olympic lifts has been a lot of fun, but they really hit your entire posterior chain hard. You have to walk a fine line between working and over-working. But your body will lie to you and tell you that things hurt. I made myself lift even when it was uncomfortable, and the added strength in all of those muscles has really helped protect my spine.

Also, flexibility in the hamstrings is extremely important, and none of us have it once we start getting older. You have to work your back side out really hard, and stretch it harder.

[Smallieguy87]

I herniated L5/S1 about 10 months ago while in the gym. Prior to that my back has always been healthy and never really ever gave me trouble. Learning to deal with it especially when you've always been blessed with a good back was difficult. The first 2 days I mostly tried to rest (laying on my back) and used cold packs with ibuprofen. After that i always got up to walk as much as possible! Walking and stretching kept me loose in the hamstrings and lower back which helped me a great deal. Sitting for more then 15mins or so was always painful so i just did what i could on my feet and often. fast forward those 10months and i'm almost completely back pain free. I have full range of motion and flexibility. I've gotten back to doing lighter weight deadlifts, front squats( it may not be a good idea to do back squats but each injury and individual is different) etc. i forgot to add that while i was injured i was still able to do pullups which actually worked great since that provided some traction for my back.

[Guest]

My biggest problem is sitting at a desk, 40 hrs per week.

Have any of you converted to a standing style desk?

Im really leaning that direction.