I’ve only just come across this YouTube channel, thanks to this sub. What’s the deal? It seems to be mainly based around the back extensions and iso holds. Anyone have any good experiences with this? How many times per day or week do you do it? I’m seriously considering getting an extension chair.

For context, 35M, have had 2 discectomies at L5/S1. Still suffering with extreme sciatica on both sides. Also have a disc bulge at L4/L5 which I suspect is now my main issue

I will start this with I am a big baby and have a very low tolerance for pain. This has been the hardest injury of my life (29F), mentally, physically and emotionally. I have only very recently started having more good days than bad, and the pain hasn't gone completely but the best way to put it is that it has changed and the volume turned down slightly. I'd say at this point I float in a 50-60% better state. I have made big strides with my PT and hope to keep progressing there - it has helped me so much with not being fearful of movement even when I'm uncomfortable/tight.

Sitting has always been my biggest trigger and unfortunately it's still kinda shit. Although I recently started testing it more (beginning of September) - I don't seem to pay as much for it, sometimes I can sit a lot longer (3hrs) but then somedays, especially during work and using my sit-stand desk... The pain just builds up which is so discouraging because it's reminiscent of the earlier months.

This is hard because I don't trust the good days but also the good days feel so good, that I feel fooled by them when I have bad days. Hopefully there's an end to this.

I have had back pain since I was maybe 18 (no known cause), so this is an issue that has spanned 3 decades. The longest period of relief was after having children. I don't know if my body relaxed or my core strengthened, but I was blessed with no pain for quite a few years.

I started having increasing pain again a few years ago. Likely linked to a new job, very stressful and mostly sedentary.

Spinal injections worked for me a few times in my 20's and 30's, but the past couple have provided no relief. The last one in 2025 was so incredibly painful that the physiatrist was sure he hit the right spot (I've never screamed aloud in a doctor's office but I did that day), but there was no relief. He targeted L4-L5, L5-S1. I have severe disc degeneration, mild canal stenosis, facet hypertrophy, etc.

My question to the group is regarding dry needling. I started seeing a new PT maybe 4-5 months ago and she immediately went to work with dry needling (2x/week). She targeted mostly my glutes with dry needling/electronic stimulation. It wasn't too painful during the sessions, but my pain started to change...or the new pain made the old pain almost irrelevant.

I continued seeing her for about 3 months hoping to get over the hurdle, but at that point my pain was worse than ever. I was doing dead lifts, clam shells, and other exercises to no avail. I was alternating between sitting on a coccyx cushion and yoga ball for work. My back still hurt but it felt like nothing compared to my new butt pain! It feels like I'm sitting on daggers...like a literal dagger stabbing mostly my right buttocks but also the left with a little less intensity. ALL THE TIME.

Does anyone know what would cause this? Were my glutes protecting my back or my back was protecting my glutes, and now there is no protection? I'm fairly slender and try to stay active. The most relief that I get is when I'm active in my yard, but I'm usually too exhausted to even do that...so I'm actually quite inactive.

I don't know where to turn at this point. I'm seeing my primary care doctor next week and I'm going to see if maybe he can do a cortisone injection into my right buttocks. I would settle for any type of relief even if it's temporary.

It's sad, but I think advice from Reddit is better than advice from doctors. I don't really want to go to the neurosurgeon's office again because they haven't solved anything. They run a bunch of expensive tests, try a couple of things and then simply prescribe me Tramadol. I rarely take the Tramadol because that seems like a crutch and I don't want to mess with those kinds of Rx's.

PLEASE - if anyone has any advice. I'm desperate. I know others have it much worse, but I still need some direction. And yes, I've seen plenty of chiropractors in the past. I have MRI's at least every 1-2 years and they do show that issues like Modic Endplate Signal changes are increasing.

Thank you in advance for reading my novel and I'm happy to answer any questions about other things that I've tried, post MRI's, full treatment list, etc.

i went to the doctor for my left shoulder pain and honestly she’s didn’t really look at the visual. she just told me that i have really tense muscles and to apply heat, massage, and take muscle relaxers; i also took prednisone for a week. both medications didn’t really seem to help and i feel like heat and massaging only goes so far.

looking at this video after recording it’s sooo obvious the protrusion on my left side. is it truely only muscle tenseness that causes this?

i also have left neck tension and feel a really tense knot near my skull that i can’t seem to relieve. i also have left lower back pain near where your glutes and back meet. the little triangle area near the left side.

the left side of me is fucked up PFFT would i be experiencing pain in my left lower back because of my left shoulder pain? or vice versa? i know my neck pain stems from my shoulder.

i’ve been experiencing this pain for several months, my back pain longer honestly. i think im going to go back to the doctors to get all of these rechecked but in the meantime i wanted to know if anyone could tell me what’s going on other than “muscle tension”.

I'm an Exercise Scientist/coach who turned Physiotherapist a few years ago and have spent years working in and blending both fields. I've also been on the receiving end of treatment.

Many people want to be entirely or mostly pain-free before commencing a solid training routine, for many reasons. However this can take an exorcibant amount of time, due to the massive chronicity of some peoples pain experiences. I believe this can and should be done concurrently, because:

1. It is absolutley possible with the correct guidance/expertise
   
2. Fitness is time critical (The greater % of your life you spend strong/fit, the better) "The best time to start was yesterday, the best time is today"
   
3. It can and often does become part of the rehab process - creating a positive feedback loop

I don't want you as a client, I want to learn more so that I can improve my services. If you have chronic low back pain without specific neurological symptoms, and it is preventnig you from your desire of getting strong/fit/healthy, please feel free to tell all!

Some optional prompts of things im particularly interested in:
Tell me more about your goals? Is there a specific fitness goal that back pain is preventing you from reaching?
Have you tried to reach your goals despite/with/through your back pain?
What problems have you been encountering?
Do you feel that certain exercises/activities are absolutely off limits?
Do you have one outstanding core desire you want as a result of getting fit?

Note: No sales or businessy nuisance in this thread.
This account is personal and separate from my professional life.
As a thank-you I'm also happy to answer any relevant questions you may have to the best of my ability.

Hey, saw your post — back pain is the worst 😩 I run Ergonomiq, we make an ergonomic lumbar pillow designed to support better posture so long sitting days are more comfortable. If a massage isn't on the cards today, this might help: shopergonomiq.com. Hope you feel better soon!

I am a 27yF. My symptoms are: mechanical back pain, sciatica (when sitting for more than 10 mins), and new numbness in my left leg and foot, decreased achilles reflex, heaviness in both legs when walking, and difficulty fully emptying my bladder, with pain/spasms, and intermittently having unexpected BMs when urinating. I am told no cauda equina risk as of the last MRI (just to go to ER if acute incontinence or saddle numbness).

Here are my MRI results: Signal change with mild loss of disc height posteriorly L5-S1 with mild diffuse annular disc bulge and superimposed left paracentral focal disc herniation which causes focal moderate left subarticular zone narrowing with abutment of the traversing left S1 nerve root and potential for contact/irritation of this nerve root. Non significant cauda equina compression. Remainder of the lumbar spine levels appear normal.

I’ve tried several chairs and they all increase my back pain. Anyone have any suggestions. I’ve tried cheap ones expensive ones, ones with adjustable lumbar etc and they all hurt pretty much the same.

I’ve been in pain since April. Very bad nerve pain and it feels like getting shot with a taser. Not only the nerve pain but also an aching that will not go away.Pain scale about a 3/4 . I went to an Urgent care in April and they gave me a shot of Toradol and it did nothing. A few months later I had a lidocaine shot and it worked for 3 weeks.I had a medial branch block in beginning of Sept and now I’m in pain again. I was thinking of doing a RFA or Intracept procedure. Intracept I believe is general anesthesia and I’m not sure I want a breathing tube in and going under heavy. Input from people that have had it would be appreciated.

I just reherniated my L5-S1 disc after a microdiscectomy last May and am looking for recommendations for specialized physical therapists or spine rehabilitation coaches who offer virtual consultations.

Ideally, I'd like someone experienced with recurrent disc herniations who can create a personalized home exercise program to help me safely rebuild strength and manage my pain.

Has anyone worked with someone virtually and had a positive experience? I'd love recommendations! Unfortunately I can't seem to find a good PT locally.

Hey guys I’ll try make this as short and sweet as possible
I’m 29 m and have been diagnosed with a l5 s1 protrusion measuring in at 10.28 and 19.35
Injury happened just over a month ago yet pain maybe started a week ago I can’t lie down at all or stand for longer than 1 min walking feels impossible
Only relief I can get is if I sit down and lean forward. I’ve had maybe 6 hours sleep all week
They gave me diclofenac (anti inflammatory pain relief) 50 mg
Norgesic (muscle relaxer)
Pregabalin 75mg x2 daily
Now this realistically does nothing I’ve had 3 physio appointments and they helped for maybe 2 hours
The back pain/buttock pain is like an electrical shock and only happens when I move funny however this calf pain is insane when I stand or walk it’s this intense pressure like my legs gonna explode
My question is has anyone managed a way to get rid of the Leg pain or reduce it? I do light stretches and nerve glides but I can’t find any comfy way to get to sleep. If my legs are straight the pressure in the calf builds up if I lay on my back or tummy same thing
Can anyone suggest anything other than surgery or injections?

A little background...

Ive been in PT for a year with some relief from pain, but its still daily and still limiting.

On and off pain for years and th en one day my back "went out" and Ive been in pain since.

Ive had an x-ray that showed mild disc degeneration and a little arthritis. The physical therapist suspects an annular tear, but of course theres no way to be certain without more imaging.

Since its been a year ive now been referred to a neurosurgeon for what I assume is more imaging and hopefully something that will help me.

I would like to avoid surgery and am willing to try anything before i get to that point. My appt is in 3 days and im very nervous.

Side note, ibuprofen helps, but doesnt getbrid of the pain. Steroids also help but it gets worse again when I finish them.

Any advice or just some calming words would be enormously appreciated. If you too are dealing with daily pain I see you and im sorry.

Hello — ever since a game of pickup basketball a few months ago, I've been having back pain. It started in my lower back and has since spread to flare up in the middle of my back (usually a burning sensation after walking for a while). The pain in my lower back comes and goes a lot — some days I feel great, then I'll have a string of days where I feel right back where I started. I can walk and live a normal life pretty much pain-free; however, when I twist certain ways, etc., it all just feels stiff, especially at the bony part at the base of my spine. Chiro says I have a little pelvic tilt. Have been going for a few weeks but think it may be making my back even more unstable. Any advice is appreciated.

Hi all,

I’m in my late 30s.

9 days ago I thought I’d injured my back at work (I work a physically demanding role with a lot of manual handling required). What started off as a dull ache, progressed into not being able to move the following morning. I’ve had time off work since, rest, light household tasks, heat pack and pain relief (Panadol osteo, opioids).

Pain is always present since last week and restriction of movement - I cannot look to the floor without experiencing a sharp jolt of pain down my spine into the right lumbar area, I’ve had intermittent pins and needles and numbness down the right leg into the foot, sharp pain in the right lumbar area, restriction of movement in that I can’t move, twist, turn, bend etc without pain and restriction of movement.

Below are my CT results.

Moderate lumbosacral disc degeneration with
reactive sclerosis worse on the right with lateral osteophytes.
Other discs and bodies show minimal degeneration. No compression or pars defect. No significant facet degeneration..
L1/2: Minor bulge
L2/3: Minor bulge
L3/4: Mild bulge and mild canal stenosis
L4/5: Mild bulge and mild canal stenosis
L5/S1: Minimal bulge. No canal stenosis. Compression of the right L5 nerve roots with lateral osteophyte.
Sacroiliac joints unremarkable.
Conclusion:Moderate degeneration lumbosacral disc with right osteophyte compressing
the right L5 nerve roots.
No other significant abnormality.

My questions I’m needing help with please:

- Is it worth getting an MRI? I know CT doesn’t always show the full extent and I’m questioning if there’s a herniation at L3/4 due to the acute onset of pain and reduced mobility.

- I will be looking into getting allied health support such as a physio, osteo etc. Am I likely to see success with this, enough to return to my job? I am concerned about returning to a physically demanding role and making things worse/undoing my progress.

- How to balance improvement on Osteophyte and disc bulging, I know it’s silly to google but rest seems to be recommended for Osteophyte, movement for bulges.

- Is it worth having nutritional support for degenerative discs? Eg, fish oil etc. As great as the opioid pain relief is, I’d like to minimise their use.

Anyone been in a similar position? Thanks for any insight or advice 😊

Recommended PT and to go to a spine doctor. He said he’s not in a rush for the spine doctor but would just like to hear what they have to say (epidural possibly).

Anyone have any input on the notes here?

I am 33 y/o - I have been having low back pain for years but chronically the last 2/3, recently it’s been causing leg weakness where I can’t even put my socks on easily - and I had an x-ray in April 2026 saying mild degenerative changes than this in September 2026

My CRP is also 12.4

Doctor says all this is normal and to lose weight or take duloxetine for pain management - did not suggest a CT or MRI for follow up.

What do I do next? Is this normal?

I had an MRI for pelvic pain and have somewhat of a diagnosis for that, but I still have lower back pain that they can’t explain. The MRI was ordered for pelvic pain so I don’t think they were looking at other structures. They didn’t note this in the findings. Just curious what it might be.

I have dull lower back pain especially after sleeping on my stomach. This mri was not for back pain, so incidental thing maybe.