Image 1 — Does it ever end?
Image 2 — Does it ever end?
▲ 6 r/Sciatica+1 crossposts

Does it ever end?

I have got my MRI report for my L5 S1 disc bulge which has went on for 12 months. I honestly feel like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. I can basically walk 10k steps now with hardly no pain but I can’t lift shopping bags or do the garden or it will aggravate it and make be bed bound. I’ve been told by a few doctors and a physio that I’ll need a fusion but which made me spiral then I seen a neurosurgeon who said no it’s just an L5 S1 disc bulge and it will heal and it’s left be so confused.

My problem is it’s just not healing I’m 32M and I was very active as I did this in CrossFit. All the stories I come across seem to be you can get to say 90% but can easily put your back out. I’ve just paid out for a private physio with a structured plan of exercises but I just feel is it actually going to work and will it ever heal and can I live my life how I did before I did this injury. I’m just losing the mental battle im practically disabled and I can’t seem to accept it with how active I was. Judging by the stories on here it really doesn’t seem to get better.

My pain is just a constant pain in my back I can deal with it but I have to watch every move or turn that I do or it will really ramp up then shoot down my leg. I’m just so defeated by this.

u/slwaz94 — 2 days ago

L5 S1 disc injury

Finally found a good physio who listen and understands. After 12 months of this horrible injury from CrossFit. It was my L5 S1 bulging disc and nothing seemed to help. Found this physio who is going to do my a plan but first did a posture analysis and my right side has been accommodating and taking the weight now due to trauma and me being quite scared to move. Everything has really just moved.

One of the key things I took away from this was due to my posture changes so my hip has raised then my trap has lowered this is also contributing towards my pain rather than my back hurting. I get a lot of pain in my hip. One thing that I seen on the screening of myself was my left foot has collapsed as he put it which is the arch in my foot has dropped. Has this happened to anyone else?

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u/slwaz94 — 5 days ago

Frustrating L5 S1 bulging disc injury

Hi all I feel it’s good to post on here. Currently 12 months on from an L5 S1 bulging disc with injury happened from CrossFit specifically doing power cleans although it was probably only a matter of time. I’m at such a loss been to see a neurosurgeon who says it’s very mild and they won’t do surgery (I’ve asked) said should heal within 6 months and it hasn’t.

I feel so disabled I can’t cut the grass I can’t even carry food shopping it’s really difficult and it feels like a life sentence. There’s so many stories that people have healed and others hasn’t an if mines so mild why isn’t it healing. I have tried a nerve block which didn’t work. I seen a chiropractor who actually made it worse. I’ve now been told to go swimming and I’m seeing another physio. I haven’t really done much core or glute strengthening exercises as every time I do it flares up.

It’s really effecting my life and Ino people are probably in the same boat as me I’m so used to being active and going the gym and it’s so mentally tiring not being able to do anything. Has anyone got any suggestions or been in similar situation to me? Sorry for the long post and any feed back would be great. I just feel like my life is just over I can’t see light at the end of the tunnel does it actually get better.

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u/slwaz94 — 11 days ago

Misalignment with an L5 S1 bulging disc

Just wanted to query for other people I have an L5 S1 bulging disc and my hip has raised and looks my my rib cage is more sticking out. Specialist who I’ve seen have all said this is normal as muscles have tightened up and caused this. I’ve had sports massage and doing physical therapy but yet it still looks out of place especially my hip and I can be self conscious when I’ve been told I need to start swimming.

Also they have checked my spine said that is all straight and they have said the exercise will help it straighten up but it’s been nearly 12 months and still looks not normal.

Has anyone else experienced this and did it eventually straighten up?

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u/slwaz94 — 2 months ago
▲ 3 r/Sciatica+1 crossposts

Misalignment with L5 S1 bulging disc

Just wanted to query for other people I have an L5 S1 bulging disc and my hip has raised and looks my my rib cage is more sticking out. Specialist who I’ve seen have all said this is normal as muscles have tightened up and caused this. I’ve had sports massage and doing physical therapy but yet it still looks out of place especially my hip and I can be self conscious when I’ve been told I need to start swimming.

Also they have checked my spine said that is all straight and they have said the exercise will help it straighten up but it’s been nearly 12 months and still looks not normal.

Has anyone else experienced this and did it eventually straighten up?

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u/slwaz94 — 2 months ago
▲ 3 r/backpain+1 crossposts

Tens machine/acupuncture

Just curious as with having an L5 S1 bulging disc. Just wanted to know I’ve heard if a tens machine and I am tempted to buy one. Is it like similar to acupuncture? When is the best time to maybe have either of these done?

I’m currently in a flare up and would either of these help me or would they make it even worse? Just curious on other people’s experience as I’m abit nervous about the 2 of them. Just wondering if they would help calm a flare down?

Thanks for any feedback.

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u/slwaz94 — 2 months ago
▲ 11 r/HerniatedDisc+2 crossposts

Any full recovery/success stories recovering from an L5 S1 bulging disc

Has anyone had a full 100% recovery with an L5 S1 bulging disc that went on for over 12 months? I’m currently at 9 months and about to start physical therapy. Just wondering as a lot of people have said if you get to 12 months and not fully recovered should consider surgery or is more likely permanent damage.

They usually consider should heal within 6 months but partly has been my fault as I have made it flare a few times and caused a set back. Is there anyone out there who’s actually got back to 100% full recovery and can do all normal things like running, lifting weights at the gym but has taken over 12 months to deal with?

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u/slwaz94 — 2 months ago
▲ 6 r/HerniatedDisc+2 crossposts

Just wanted to query if anyone has ever been able to return to running after having a large L5 S1 bulging disc or rehabbed successfully with this. I’m currently 9 months with this injury about to start rehab. I’ve been told by multiple doctors and physios so completely forget running again as this the worst thing to put pressure on a disc is running

Has anyone with this injury ever returned back to long distance running with no flare ups or hasn’t aggravated the disc?

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u/slwaz94 — 2 months ago

Hi I am 31 years old make. I suffered a bulging disc in June 2025. This happened in CrossFit and I have always been active and lifted heavy weights. I’ve had 3 MRI scans first 4 months I’d say did heal well but silly me went to the gym only light and went again. I’ve had a nerve block which didn’t help at all. So I had an MRI I January confirmed the bulge is only small but is there is contact on my nerve root so do have a slight pain down my leg and in my foot.

Current situation: the pain is about 7/10 in my back right now. Seen a neurosurgeon last month who said it is healing and that I should start swimming and use the cross trainer. Every time I do something for example bird dog exercises or glute raises I’ve been told to do I’m back at square one we’re im bed bound and need pregabalin. I can walk 10k steps fine but the minute I even lift a light shopping bag then boom I’m stuck in bed unable to move until the pain eases. I really just don’t no what to do I’m at my wits end I’ve even asked my neurosurgeon can I have a microdisectomy but he said he wouldn’t do surgery when it’s a mild bulge but it’s causing so much pain. I’m so used to being active so now basically crippled. Is there anyone who can help or share there views that would he appreciated.

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u/slwaz94 — 2 months ago