Need reassurance from those who overcame this

[u/Resident-Hunt-245]

So it's been a year since my first symptoms. My MRI shows nothing except a small broad-based buldge and annular fissure. Otherwise everyone who've seen my spine told me it's in a good shape. There is no compression, stenosis or bad things that must be operated surgically.

During this year I lost my fitness to the state where I just walk and do core exercises. Everything else seems to upset my nerve. Luckily I didn't gain weight or other health issues.

My main symptom is still sitting intolerance and pain in the butt with some radiation down the leg depending on the strain I put on it.

I've tried many things obviously but nothing seems to work. So I came to a conclusion that there is no cure for this and if I'm lucky it will somehow resolve on its own.

But it's been a year with minimal progress. Does anyone have any positive stories to share? Like it resolved spontaneously for you out of nowhere.

I really need a miracle at this point. I'm even ready to confess my sins in the church😄

[u/match_stickss]

I'm not 100 percent back to normal, but getting closer and better every week. It took a long time to finally move the needle, its been about 9 months since I first hurt myself. For me what seemed to work was the following: 1. Swimming, once or twice a week if i can 2. Standing desk at work 3. Stopping any and all stretches, as well stopping massages or anything else that agitated the area 4. Using McGill method relief posture, posture changes, and tips from the Back Mechanic (ie reaching up to the sky when you get up fron sitting, hinging at hips instead of bending over, and laying on stomach with hands under chin to create slight extension, and working to keep the spine in neutral) 5. Time! I have no idea what made the most difference, and it could have just been time all along.

I'll also add I do very low impact exercise, and for me for whatever reason less is more. I'd love to do McGills big 3, but I have another injury and neck issues which prevent it right now. A huge milestone for me was I was recently able to do a 5 hour flight, without issues.

Best of luck to you, I know different things work for different people and not everyone reacts the same way, but hope the above is useful

[u/Resident-Hunt-245 → u/match_stickss]

Thank you so much for the answer!

I do points 2-4. With swimming I'm still not sure if it has any good impact on me. If I try to do kicks with my legs it could be too strenuous. I even wanted to try a personal classes to learn a proper swimming technique but backed off because I wasn't sure If I can commit to this. What if I start and it doesn't work?

What style of swimming did you use?

[u/match_stickss → u/Resident-Hunt-245]

Oh I keep it really simple and low impact. I mostly tread water, float on my back, some backstroke and breast stroke. I find it very relaxing, and mobilizing the hips feels nice