Ep 16: Overcoming Pain, Injury, or Surgery to Build Strength and Recover Quickly

Last year, I went under the knife for a microdiscectomy, a type of minimally invasive spine surgery where a portion of a herniated disc is removed using microsurgical tools.

In this episode, I share my story of what happened, how I dealt with low back pain in the context of health and fitness, the surgery and recovery process, and lessons I learned along the way.

I hope my story sheds light on some productive ways to think about pain and injury and even inspires you to consider multiple options when faced with a situation like this.

Medical Disclaimer
One last thing. I am NOT a medical practitioner and am NOT dispensing medical advice in this podcast. Everything I say is my personal opinion and experience. Do NOT use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition. Consult your own physician for any medical issues!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro
06:18 - Different types of pain
10:18 - Book recommendation for lifters dealing with pain
12:10 - Things to try before considering surgery
13:53 - My surgery process
19:27 - Movement is the key to recovery
20:51 - A surprise surgery two months later
21:48 - One year after back surgery

RELATED LINKS

• Book about dealing with pain through screening and corrective movements:
  Rebuilding Milo: A Lifter's Guide to Fixing Common Injuries and Building a Strong Foundation for Enhancing Performance (by Dr. Aaron Horschig)
• Starting Strength article about "pin firing" for elbow tendinopathy:
  Elbow Tendonitis: How It Occurs and What to Do About It

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