u/GroundbreakingCall45

I’m 3 months into an L5-S1 herniation. I’ve successfully moved the pain from "sharp shooting down the calves" to "constant aching in the back and thigh."

My PT says this is centralization, but the progress feels agonizingly slow and the irritation is constant. For those who had their pain move up the leg like this:

• How long did it stay "stuck" in your back/thigh before fading completely?
• What was the turning point where it went from "constant irritation" to "mostly healed"?

Looking for some light at the end of the tunnel!

• L5-S1 disc herniation (3 months)
• Initially: sharp shooting pain down the legs
• Now: pain mostly in lower back + thigh
• Intensity: not severe, but constant and irritating
• Seems like “centralization,” but progress feels very slow

Has anyone experienced this pattern and recovered?
How long did it take for things to actually improve?