looking for experiences w lower back pain.

[DEbluedude]

8. I was one day away from an injection.

I was experiencing lower back and leg pain that I attributed to sciatica. The pain, and depression that came with it, slowly became unbearable, and I decided to seek professional help. Went to an orthopedic specialist and was diagnosed with spondylolisthesis. (Yikes, I thought, what the hell is that?) A big word for slipped disks. In my case L4 - L5.

Physical therapy didn't help at all. I am very active and I had been doing the stretching exercises I was given at PT for years. Pain management was next with the recommendation for steroidal injections. I set up the appointment but decided against it at the last minute as I had seen friends that went that route and they told me that they basically had a 3-to-4-month respite from the pain but no real progress from the condition.

I started researching certain exercises found on you tube. Clamshell glute bridges, bird dog, fire hydrant and planking. Twelve minutes a day. The results were almost immediate. I was astonished. To this day, I'm still a very active 69-year-old. I still hit the gym 3 - 4 times a week with a weekly HIIT spin class. (down to one class a week from four, in my prime).

As someone said earlier in the thread, you will always have some pain. I do. But it is tolerable and I'm not complaining. I'm grateful to be healthy but, I have to work at it. I would recommend trying different stretching, take a yoga or Pilates class, and if you are not in the best of shape, GO SLOW. Increase a little each day. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised what the body can do if you treat it well. Good luck!!