Lower Back Pain Treatments. Trying to Avoid a Fusion.

@pat75 Thanks, Pat. Even if you're not ready for surgery, you might be interested in this discussion I started about how to face fear of medical procedures. At the beginning is a video I did for a podcast and we talked about some of this. For me, this was a very important life lesson that could only be learned when the time was right. I knew I needed surgery and I kept seeing surgeons who didn't want to help me (not at Mayo), and I was always anxious every time I was meeting a new surgeon about what my outcome would be. I had skyrocketing anxiety every morning for 4 months when I thought about having spine surgery. It was real.... and necessary because my spinal cord was compressed so I knew I couldn't escape, and I couldn't let my fear make this decision. The day that I began to turn things around was the day I asked myself why I was doing this to myself? As I sought an answer to that mystery, I began to unravel and understand and make friends with my fears. The day I had spine surgery, I asked my surgeon to see me before the procedure because I wanted to thank him for helping me, which he did. Gratitude chases away fear, and I was even curious and looked around in the operating room.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-can-i-defeat-my-anxiety-about-medical-tests-and-surgery/
What did you learn in your mindfulness program that has helped you?

I had a tubal ligation and they said I have two fishy clips tho I had the laser surgery..but I thought the sealed my tubes with the lasers.... But my back hurts worse than pregnancy contractions but I don't know what to do ...any suggestions

What level of stenosis did you have. Doctors keep saying my L5 disc is too deflated and due to the location of my disc bulge,
I need fusion. I don't want to be fused.

Severe L4/L5. Obviously ever case is unique. I was getting severe sciatica shooting pains which are gone since I started following the method and did a one day posture training class with Esther. I’m now active hiking and skiing without surgery.

I had L5/S1 fused 10 years ago and have had pain ever since. Don't do it. See if you can get a Disectomy to remove the bulge.

Hello I wanted to post Re disc degeneration disease , bulging disks
I was diagnosed with it at 17 years old cervical and then later spinal nerve root compression. Mine was due to trauma rather than “ wear & tear” or age growing up I did all I could to swim and strengthen muscles to take pressure off bones. Lower back it’s so have slipped disc , L3/4 nerve compressed in older now. Been in servere pain but I have lost core strength so I’m doing planks now.

From what I’ve read about fusion it can work for some but can change stability of the spine and put pressure on other vertebrae. I agree the D thing sounds a lot safer and I think it’s micro surgery

Do you do the class online? Where is Esther located?

Esther is located in Palo Alto, in CA Bay area. My class was in Scottsdale, AZ. Classes are held worldwide including by her certified teachers. Schedule should be on the Gokhale Method website.

So who is Esther and where is the class ? I don't know if that can help me. I have no disc left between L4-5 and others starting to go. I was also told I need fusion but also warned that problems could occur above and below the fused area (by the same surgeon who suggested fusion) but my pain is bad after I walk and especially going up and down stairs. It seems like it's getting worse only on my left side. So what can I do ? My problem is because of the disc degeneration more than bulging discs I think. It's hard to sort everything out. Advice appreciated.
'