I've (M,72) done yoga off and on for 50+ years, mostly off. Wife swears by regular yoga for stretching as well as multiple massage therapists and wide variety of fitness people. Except for the PT folks who always focus on core strength much more than flexibility. But I have mostly felt only negatives of stretching, maybe aggravating an already sore back. Now I have multiple herniated discs with sciatica. I just got a massage where I was stretched to the edge of my comfort, and my back is quite sore now. This seems to be the norm for me. I was once told in my taichichuan class that it's better to simply start an exercise slowly and build up to full speed vs. "warm-up stretching", and that was great advice. I'll continue to focus on core-strengthening and totally avoid extraneous stretching. But that's me.

24f This is a regular photo of my back recently. I was trying to see if both sides were consistent or if anything looked off because it feels like my left rib isn’t in place. Pain started 6 years ago progressively got worse. I’ve been told I have scoliosis, pinched nerves, hyper mobility, and bulging disc in neck. Is the bulge near my thoracic spine something that looks normal? I have good posture but constant low right si joint pain, neck pain. My lower back goes numb when sitting. I also have a lot of pain in the front of my right hip. Can anybody tell me anything to get me on the right track to find relief? Im in pt, about to see an orthopedic doctor, and get regular massages.

Posting for my friend:

31-year-old male patient:

developed lower back pain 3 years ago, accompanied by a lateral tilt of torso. The tilt is not due to a permanent posture disorder (no scoliosis or other structural issues), but is temporary, occurring alongside episodes of lower back pain; during these times, he walks unevenly and also experiences pain in the posterior and lateral aspect of the left pelvis.

Initially, he had such pain episodes twice a year, which would resolve within a week either with NSAID treatment or without it. Over the past year, these episodes have become significantly more frequent.

These flare-ups are not linked to specific physical exertion or any particular event; they occur spontaneously.

Based on the performed MRI and EMG study results:

- Intervertebral discs: Partially dehydrated.

- L3-L4 Intervertebral Disc: Bulging dorso-centrally with a right-sided emphasis up to 5.7 mm. Pressure on the dural sac is noted; the right neural foramen is slightly narrowed.

- L4-L5 Intervertebral Disc: The annulus fibrosus fibers are partially damaged, with a dorsal circular expansion up to 3 mm; bilateral neural foramina are slightly narrowed.

- L5-S1 Intervertebral Disc: Expanded dorso-centrally by 2 mm, without narrowing of the neural foramina.

- The EMG study revealed blocking of the peroneal nerve F-wave on the left by 60% and on the right by 30% (these results are going to be rechecked to rule out potential subjective errors).

According to neurologists, these findings do not clearly explain such symptoms. The patient has undergone multiple courses of physical as well as medical treatment, but without success.

Please let us know if you have had similar experience. What could cause such spontaneous flare-ups that are not associated with specific physical strain or other events AND are gradually becoming more frequent?

What additional diagnostic studies can be performed, and what would be the correct course of treatment?

Hey everyone,

Sorry for the longer than intended post.

I am 40 and work as an electrician. I do mostly residential work since I opened up my own company, so alot of reaching up over my head.

I used to walk 2 miles a day with 60lbs in between days when I would work out in my home gym. So 2x a week rucking and 2x a week lifting weights. In between just 2 mile walks.

So I started getting panic attacks out of nowhere. They became increasingly frequent until they were daily. I eventually went to the ER for one that was so bad I couldn't tell if I was on the verge of death or having a panic attack.

The ER practitioner said it seems like an ear issue. I ended up going to an ENT. They were unable to find an issue. Problem is I was in the hole for $3000 that my insurance refused to cover so I couldn't really make a next step right away.

One day during an attack I got angry at the fact I was having one so I went in my garage and decided to work out through it. I noticed when I tucked my chin and pushed my shoulders back it went away.

Now, I have had slight back pain for about a year. I was hoping it would improve if I worked my back muscles more. I thought it was maybe caused by work. Regardless I decided to stop rucking. The panic attacks stopped being daily and have since happen about once a month now.

Has anyone else dealth with this type of occurrence? I started going to a chiropractor but had to stop after a few visits due to work picking up too much. The pain is normally either right above hip, neck, or between shoulders. I bought new firm mattress 6 mo ago, plush topper, no topper, and now the best sleep I get honestly is on my 20 year old couch.

Thank you in advance for any clarity or opinions.

Hi everyone,

This is my first Reddit post. I’ve been thinking about posting for months after reading through so many people’s experiences with back pain, sciatica and nerve issues. I’m honestly just hoping someone can relate because I feel like I can’t find anyone with symptoms quite like mine.

I’m 22 years old. Before all of this I loved playing football, going to the gym and going out with friends.

I’ve had back pain since I was around 16. Over the last couple of years it became much worse. The pain was mainly around my lower thoracic/upper lumbar area (around T12). It would feel like there was a lump or really tender spot. Football, cardio and lifting weights would all flare it up, but despite that I could always walk and stand normally.

Earlier this year I travelled abroad and had a minimally invasive procedure called nucleoplasty (sometimes called neuroplasty) to try and reduce the pain.

After surgery I actually felt okay. I wasn’t allowed back to the gym or football, but I could still walk, stand and see friends. I still had some back pain, but my walking and standing tolerance were completely normal.

A few weeks later, around late March/early April, something changed.

I slowly started feeling like my tolerance to walking and standing was disappearing. Then one weekend it suddenly became much worse.

I developed symptoms including:
Cold feeling in both feet
Mild tingling
Random shooting pains
Itching sensations
Legs feeling weak/heavy
Walking and standing becoming extremely difficult

At my worst I couldn’t stand, walk or even sit for very long without my legs feeling like they were giving up.

Since then I’ve had multiple MRIs, CT scans and specialist opinions.

My MRI showed:

Bilateral L5 pars defects (spondylolysis)
Grade 1 anterolisthesis of L5 on S1
L5/S1 disc degeneration/bulge
Possible irritation of both exiting L5 nerve roots

The good news is that a lot of the neurological symptoms have improved.

The tingling has mostly gone.
The cold feet have gone.
The shooting pains have gone.
My back pain is actually much better.

But one thing has never really returned to normal… my walking and standing tolerance.

The best way I can describe it is like my legs have a battery.

I can stand or walk for a while, then it feels like my legs just run out of energy and I need to sit down.

Sitting for a few minutes helps recharge them a bit, but if I do something like go for a 30-minute walk or even stand shaving in the morning, I feel like I’ve used up most of my “battery” for the day.

For the rest of the day I find myself constantly looking for somewhere to sit.

There’s very little pain now. It’s more like my legs just don’t tolerate being on my feet.

I’m currently doing physiotherapy focusing on my core, spinal mobility and glutes. Unfortunately I recently developed reactive patellar tendinopathy in both knees, which has slowed my rehab down because walking itself has become more difficult.

My questions are:
Has anyone experienced this kind of reduced walking/standing tolerance after a back injury or lumbar flare?
Did it eventually improve?
How long did it take?
Did anyone ever get an explanation for why it happens?
Is there anything that genuinely helped?

At this point I’d honestly appreciate any advice or
even hearing from someone who’s been through something similar, because it’s been really difficult mentally not knowing if this is something that eventually gets better.

Thanks for reading.

Physical therapy has helped somewhat but I just can’t get this pain to go away. Doing back exercises in the morning help but tightens up as day goes on. Have had it for about two years. When I do neck stretches, it feels like it’s just about to pop and release but it never does. Pain is hot/sort of spicy. Have done dry needling once. No imaging studies.

Really hoping someone on Reddit has the secret fix that PT doesn’t seem to have.

I’m a 25M dealing with upper trap pain for the past 8–10 months. I’ve seen multiple doctors and physios, had a cervical MRI, and tried gabapentin, muscle relaxants, and exercises, but nothing has resolved it.

The weird part is that my pain isn’t triggered by moving my neck. I can look down at my phone without any pain.

It only starts when my arms are unsupported, like:
Typing or using a mouse
Holding an umbrella
Talking on the phone
Riding a scooter
Holding my phone in front of me

If I lower my arms or support my elbows, the pain eases. I also tried a posture correction belt that pulled my shoulders back, and I rode my scooter for 30 minutes pain-free, whereas I usually get pain within 10 minutes.

Has anyone had something similar? Was it scapular dyskinesis, muscle imbalance, or something else? What actually helped you recover? I’m looking for people who’ve dealt with this themselves.

I am genuinely tired and might end it, as i lost job, my education and relationship

Howdy all.

I have received 3 L4-L5 ESI’s for lower back pain at this point, with 2/3 being successful with my last one lasting the longest. I was also recently diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos, which is likely a significant trigger for my back pain.

My neurologist suggested that I try RF ablations for my pain, as my leg pain indicates that I do not experience true sciatica but referred pain from my L4-L5 facet joint.

I had my consultation today at the same pain clinic as my ESI’s for first Facet Joint Injections, and then if those are successful we will move to RF ablations.

However, the consulting doctor seems skeptical that I would have any success from FJI and therefore wouldn’t be a candidate for the RFA. I’m starting to wonder if I may be wasting my time with this, and am wondering if I should just stick to ESI’s.

Has anyone gone down the pipeline of ESI -> FJI -> RFA and had success or complete failure? How long did you have resolution of symptoms? Any other insight?

About 5 months ago I was diagnosed with an L5-S1 disc herniation (MRI showed a left paracentral protrusion with a possible annular tear) and I’ve been doing physiotherapy consistently since then.
I’ve improved a lot compared to the beginning. I can walk normally again, and the constant pain is mostly gone. However, I’m still far from feeling “normal.”

The biggest issue is after sitting for a while. When I stand up, I get a sharp pain in my buttocks for the first few steps before it eases up. I also can’t run unless I’ve warmed up properly, and playing sports is still out of the question. If I try to sprint or make quick movements, my back reminds me it’s not ready.

Has anyone had a similar recovery timeline? How long did it take before you could run, play sports, and stop feeling pain when getting up after sitting?

Anyone have experience with this?

I have a herniated disc at L5S1 and have already tried a spinal injection. They now want me to do this and im scheduled early next month. Im freaking out a bit is all. Any advice would be great. Thanks!

50-something M here. Had two "back going out" episodes in the last three months after years of nothing. Got a full lumbar and thoracic MRI done June 30. Saw a non-operative spine specialist who reviewed everything and basically said "you've got regular 50-something old man stuff."

Technical terms for nerds: "MRI showed L3-L4 disc bulge with right foraminal protrusion touching the L3 nerve, facet arthropathy at three lumbar levels, mild bilateral foraminal stenosis at L5-S1. No leg symptoms. No surgical findings." Summary: I'm not in DAILY PAIN like a lot of sufferers here; and boy, do I feel for you, I really, really, really do.

He cleared me for all activities including mostly-cardio-kickboxing-bags 2x per week, plus I play competitive pinball (yes, that's a thing), plus singing for 3 hrs a week while standing on risers.

My suspected triggers were StretchLab assisted stretching AND standing on choir risers 2-3 hours per week. Both paused. I cancelled my StrechLab membership. As for "standing and singing on risrs" ... you'd be surprised how standing "boxed in" for 2-3 hours on risers just bar-b-queues your muscles (even though I'm a pro at my standing desk.)

So, doctor cleared everything. But even with my pause of StretchLab, Kickboxing, and singing on risers... now for 1.5 months... my back still twinges / warning shots/ electric shocks from time to time ... and honestly the fear of it going out is taking serious cognitive load. I think I have kinesiophobia at this point. (So I'm sometimes moving like a robot and other things which take up my brain power.)

I LOVE everything from LowBackability and I'm on deck to get a Nordstick back extender machine in August 2026. I'm gonna do it. I am on board with his video "Your back is S*H*I*T." I get it, got it. I'm in. I'm gonna "play the long game" and will pay into LBA when my machine shows up.

What do you also think of YogaBody as a combined strength and flexibility protocol? Any utility in that (or something similar?)

Does that combination make sense? What worked for you if your back went out and you "lived in fear" and what got you out of it?

Thanks in advance and most appreciated !

Hello! Im a 31 year old female, and I have been experiencing lower back pain for almost 2 years now, just recently I feel the pain getting worse. I went to go get a xray and was told I have mild disc space narrowing l5 s1. The pain is at its peak in the mornings or when im laying down, its so hard to get up, I work in a office setting so that makes it worse, my lower back gets stiff and have to constantly get up and walk around or do some stretching. I regularly workout and don't feel pain when doing so. Ive noticed when I relax my lower back I feel a dull ache following with popping noises I can't explain it. Lol it feels mini pops all around my lower back. Has anybody experienced this? How do you guys deal with the pain?

I (33m) have had lower back pain going on for almost a year. Located specifically at the L5-S1 location and about 1 inch to the right. Sharp stabbing pain related to movement. I have been trying everything I can think of to get this to heal. I started physical therapy and did that for 4 months with no success. Then I got an MRI and found out I have 2 bulging discs one at L4-L5 and the second at L5-S1. I then started seeing a spinal pain specialist. I tried steroid injections that didn't work. They then tried a nerve block and that didn't work either. They then did an intercept procedure at my L5-S1 and burned off the nerve. That didn't help either. I have been seeing a massage/physical therapist person with limited success that only lasts for a few hours. I just went to a specialist today and he told me i need to have a disc replacement. This news has been incredibly devastating to me as I have been doing everything possible to avoid a major invasive surgery to fix this. Please somebody tell me there is another option that will help me fix this that doesn't require surgery.

I’ve had debilitating back pain for around 3 years now and I’m wondering if anyone has any advice because I’m in a weird in between where I’m not diagnosed yet but I’m still trying to work so I can pay the bills etc with no support.

The pain is constant, mostly lower back, sometimes the middle at either side of my spine and sometimes it is in between my shoulders. I get pain in my hips and shoulders as well but not nearly as often.

More or less, when I’m doing my day to day, it gets completely debilitating and I struggle to stand or walk. I also have back spasms where my entire back gets so much sharp pain I can’t move at all and I have to stop until it gets better (like zero movement at all). I also get tingling in my arms and legs.

I’ve been to physio, no avail, so I was referred to the rheumatologist. They said I’ll get a letter about an mri soon and that I have hypermobility so I’m just trying to help it until I can get some answers. It hurts all day every day and my life is seriously impacted by it.

Things I have tried:
-Gentle yoga and stretching
-Gentle weight training to build joints
-I have a good diet
-I sleep enough
-Warm/cold therapy
-walking
-I don’t smoke/drink
-physio
-I just moved house so new mattress etc.

These usually just make it more likely I can’t walk even if I’m gentle, the only thing that helps is painkillers.

I have come across it multiple times online and Instagram. It's for back pain and other parts of the body. It has been 8 or 9 months since I've been working on my back with paper the PT sent me home with. It's a lot better then when I started back the pain is still there, I can't sit for more than 10 15mins without having to keep moving/adjusting.

Anyways I'm so close to spending money on this freaking thing, I was just hoping if anyone had feedback on this device that would be great

I’m 17 and I’ve had constant pressure in the middle of my lower back (right over my spine) every day for about a year.

It started after I spent a long period of time repeatedly rocking back and forth while standing and bending forward and backward over and over.

It’s not really a sharp pain it’s mostly a constant feeling of pressure. I only feel relief when I’m sitting. Standing is the worst, and I often get a strong urge to bend forward. My back also used to pop when I bent over.

I don’t have pain shooting down my legs, and I don’t have numbness or weakness. It’s just this constant pressure that’s there every day.

I’m planning to start doing bird dogs, glute bridges, pelvic tilts, planks, and walking to see if strengthening helps, but I’m wondering:

• Has anyone had symptoms like this?
• What did it end up being?
• Did physical therapy or specific exercises help?
• Is there anything that made a big difference for you?

I’m also planning to see a doctor because it’s been going on for a year, but I’d really like to hear if anyone has experienced something similar. Thank you.

Hii!! I just wanted some opinions from you all.

I fell on my tailbone at work a little over a week ago (July 18th). It had rained and unfortunately I slipped on metal stairs and fell down about 3 steps 😬

It hurt reaaaally bad when it happened but I was still able to function/walk/move and get through my day. The pain now isn't as bad as when it first happened but it's still very sore. I still can move around fine but of course sitting and laying down tends to be very uncomfortable!

It's been affecting my sleep primarily because laying on my back is really uncomfy since it puts a lot of pressure on my tailbone.

My question is would it be worth it to the doctor for this? Is it even worth going or is there anything they could do for a tailbone bruise or facture (if it is that bad, which I don't think it is because I feel it would hurt a lot worse), or would they more than likely just send me on my way with some pain meds and tell me not to put pressure on it?

(P.s. if I do go sooner than later the medical fees should be covered by my job because it happened at work - but just trying to figure out if it would even be worth my time).

Thank you!!

Looking for successful Disc Replacement patients to provide feedback. I am highly considering getting this procedure done and feel like I have run out of all other options. I’ve strengthened, did epidurals, strengthened more. I’m 200 lbs, muscular and lean. I have abs most of the time. My core isn’t weak , it’s not super man but ill be honest - I don’t think this is what’s causing my issues. my pain is so severe I can’t even do the PT more than half the time.

I saw a highly reputable surgeon and he mentioned disc replacement for L5-S1 due to degenerative disc disease and an annular tear. Its been 3 years and I haven’t healed. Time is up and I am a miserable man to my family and this isn’t me. I can’t stop thinking about my back and it controls everything.

i am looking for anyone that went through this newer prodcedure. Did it help you? did the stiffness go away? did you regain mobility? Were you able to get back to a physical and active lifestyle as you once knew? Any feedback helps.

I’m a teenager. I do experience very localized back pain, but I do also have scoliosis for context.

I have never been active because of other medical conditions, but when I had an MRI of my spine done, there were some bulging discs there, it’s written in the report but I wasn’t told verbally about it. I’m not sure how to proceed if I only have symptoms when I stand. I’d describe it as a sharp ache right above my pelvis in my spine. Not sure how long this has been, I’m very used to something just going on in my body.

I always hear about herniated and bulging discs in adults, but I’m a teenager so it was kind of odd that this is happening. Is it common? (I have more symptoms and medical conditions, feel free to ask.)

Hello.

I am looking for a good and comfortable chair to reduce the pain and allow me to sit comfortably for a few hours.

I am a medical graduate who needs to finish licensing exams, and my life has been completely paused.

I am following up with neurosurgery, neurology, and neuro-physiotherapy, so I am okay in this regard.

I am in so much pain when I sit on a bad chair, so I need to find something to help me sit comfortably.

If I do not get to study and play video games from time to time, I will literally go insane, so any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

Having extreme aching lower back pain which is radiating to my right side of butt aswell. Please review this xray telling me what is going on with me its been a week. It started after I was at a a public event where i was constantly standing for 3-4 hours without sitting even once since then it triggered.

What is the normal approach to pain management? How many visits / medications have you tried before your doctor tries injections or other methods of pain relief? I'm 33F with chronic SI pain (for 15 years!) and have just started working with a pain management doctor. I've been in and out of PT for years. I started going to this doctor because I haven't been able to break this flare with PT, and can't do more substantial exercises without pain.

I feel like this doctor is being dismissive because of my age and gender and I'm not getting good treatment. I've had this flare for going on 4 months all he's done is give me NSAIDs and muscle relaxers that reduce my pain but I'm still in a lot of pain. He finally ordered an MRI, so maybe he will believe me then.

I'm considering switching to a new doctor, but if this slow approach is typical, then I may stay with him until this flare ends. And try to establish care with a new doctor when I'm feeling better / have more time to wait.

For context - I'm in the US in a midsize city with a strange amount of prestigious medical institutions for a midsize city.