Send a text

If you’ve been told you need back surgery for a herniated disc, you’re probably asking:

What’s the difference between an endoscopic discectomy and a microdiscectomy? And should I be scared?

In this episode, I sit down with two board-certified neurosurgeons from The Endoscopic Spine Institute of New York. Dr Sanjay Konakondla and Dr Albert Telfeian break down for us:

• Endoscopic discectomy vs microdiscectomy
• How each procedure is performed
• Recovery timelines and expectations
• Who is a candidate for each surgery
• Why surgery doesn’t have to be terrifying
• What “getting back to normal” really looks like

If you’re dealing with a lumbar disc herniation, sciatica, or considering back surgery, this conversation will give you clarity and calm.

We discuss how modern spine surgery has evolved, what actually happens in the operating room, and why many patients return to walking, working, exercising, and living fully again.

Whether you're researching minimally invasive spine surgery or trying to decide between endoscopic spine surgery and microdiscectomy, this episode will help you understand your options.

Find The Endoscopic Spine Institute at:
https://esiny.com/

Support the show

Was this episode helpful to you? If you would like to support my work on the show, you can buy me a coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/bedbackandbeyond
Have a positive story of recovery to tell? Head over to https://bedbackbeyond.com/share-your-story/ to apply.

Send us a text

In this hope-filled episode of Bed Back and Beyond, host CK sits down with Tara, a lumbar artificial disc replacement patient whose journey took her far beyond U.S. borders in search of relief and mobility.

After being told that spinal fusion was her primary option, Tara chose to dig deeper. Determined to preserve motion and avoid fusion, she researched artificial disc replacement, only to uncover a major roadblock: a nickel allergy. Since artificial discs used in the United States contain nickel, Tara was suddenly faced with a difficult decision.

Rather than give up, she kept researching and discovered that European countries offer titanium artificial disc replacements, making surgery possible without triggering her allergy. Though traveling overseas for spine surgery came with a significant financial burden, Tara made the bold choice to proceed.

Today, she shares how the surgery changed her life, why she has zero regrets about the medical debt, and what she wants others considering artificial disc replacement to know before making their decision.

This episode is especially valuable for:

• People considering artificial disc replacement vs fusion
• Patients with metal or nickel allergies
• Anyone researching artificial disc surgery in Germany
• Listeners looking for real patient stories and outcomes

Tara’s story is a reminder that informed patients can find options beyond the standard script, and that sometimes the path to healing requires courage, curiosity, and a passport. #spinehealth #discreplacement

Support the show

Was this episode helpful to you? If you would like to support my work on the show, you can buy me a coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/bedbackandbeyond
Have a positive story of recovery to tell? Head over to https://bedbackbeyond.com/share-your-story/ to apply.

Send us a text

This herniated disc recovery story is for anyone with a sedentary desk job who’s terrified of back surgery.

After years of sitting for work, he developed a herniated disc that left him in constant pain. He was scared of surgery and unsure if it would help — but today he’s working pain-free and encouraging others not to let fear stop them from healing.

In this video, he shares:
• How a sedentary job contributed to his herniated disc
• Why surgery terrified him
• What recovery was really like
• Why he now encourages others to consider surgery
• What life and work feel like now, pain-free

If you’re dealing with back pain, sciatica, or fear around herniated disc surgery, this story may help you feel less alone and more informed.

#HerniatedDiscRecovery #BackSurgeryRecovery #DeskJobPain #Microdiscectomy

Support the show

Was this episode helpful to you? If you would like to support my work on the show, you can buy me a coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/bedbackandbeyond
Have a positive story of recovery to tell? Head over to https://bedbackbeyond.com/share-your-story/ to apply.

Send us a text

We share Sammy’s road from misread leg pain to a clear MRI, one-stitch microdiscectomy, and a return to parenting, work, and lifting. The hard parts—sleepless nights, failed injections, and fear—give way to small wins, smarter movement, and real relief.

• first signs of nerve pain mistaken for hamstring strain
• MRI, below-the-knee symptoms, and surgical red flags
• opioids, pregabalin, and trying medicinal cannabis
• cortisone injection limits and why it informed the choice
• surgery day expectations, one-stitch outcome, immediate relief
• early recovery tactics: walking, log rolls, grabbers, no BLT
• gym return with traffic-light exercises and safe substitutes
• managing flares with hydration, mobility, and pacing
• parenting through pain, mom guilt, and reclaiming cuddles
• long-tail nerve healing, fear of reherniation, building trust

If you are a listener and you have a positive story of recovery from a back or neck injury and you'd like to share it on the show, head over to bedbackbeyond.com and click share your story

Support the show

Was this episode helpful to you? If you would like to support my work on the show, you can buy me a coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/bedbackandbeyond
Have a positive story of recovery to tell? Head over to https://bedbackbeyond.com/share-your-story/ to apply.

Send us a text

If you’re scared about neck fusion surgery, this video is for you.

Angie is now three months post neck fusion, with 30 screws and two rods, and she’s feeling strong, hopeful, and genuinely good. In this video, she shares what life really looks like after surgery. Not the horror stories. Not the worst-case scenarios. Just honest recovery, healing progress, and encouragement for anyone facing cervical fusion or spinal surgery.

Angie talks about:

• What recovery feels like at the 3-month mark
• How her body adapted after major neck fusion surgery
• What surprised her most during healing
• How fear before surgery compared to life after
• Why she wants others to know there is hope on the other side

If you’re preparing for neck fusion surgery, supporting a loved one, or early in recovery yourself, you’re not alone. Stories like Angie’s are proof that healing can happen and that life after cervical fusion can be full again.

💛 This video is meant to encourage, not replace medical advice. Always consult your surgeon or care team about your specific recovery.

Support the show

Was this episode helpful to you? If you would like to support my work on the show, you can buy me a coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/bedbackandbeyond
Have a positive story of recovery to tell? Head over to https://bedbackbeyond.com/share-your-story/ to apply.

Send us a text

When back pain turned into a herniated disc, rehab nurse Mary feared her nursing career was over. After months of pain and tough decisions, she chose to undergo a microdiscectomy — and it changed everything.

In this video, Mary shares her personal recovery journey, the fears she faced, and the steps that helped her heal physically and mentally. If you’re struggling with a herniated disc or considering back surgery, this story offers hope, insight, and real recovery tips from someone who’s been there.

Support the show

Was this episode helpful to you? If you would like to support my work on the show, you can buy me a coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/bedbackandbeyond
Have a positive story of recovery to tell? Head over to https://bedbackbeyond.com/share-your-story/ to apply.

Send us a text

We share Caroline’s road from years of “muscular” diagnoses and relentless flares to a non-surgical recovery driven by neutral spine training, careful load management, and the right physical therapist. Surgeons advised against cervical surgery for pain alone, and that guidance opened the door to lasting change.

• early low back aches and severe neck spasms dismissed as muscular
• MRI confirming cervical disc degeneration and rupture at C5–C6
• temporary wins from epidural injections and anti-inflammatories
• surgeons’ caution on pain-focused neck surgery and fusion
• Reddit-led search for an advanced manual therapy physical therapist
• breakthrough with neutral spine, deep neck flexors, rib control
• integrating posture cues into daily life, sport, and sleep
• return to swimming, running, and acro yoga with smart regressions
• residual tingling when supine and how she manages it
• hope for young patients underdiagnosed with disc issues

If you are a listener with a positive story of recovery from a serious back or neck injury, head over to my website, bedbackbeyond.com, and click share your story. I would love to include your voice on the show.

Support the show

Was this episode helpful to you? If you would like to support my work on the show, you can buy me a coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/bedbackandbeyond
Have a positive story of recovery to tell? Head over to https://bedbackbeyond.com/share-your-story/ to apply.

Send us a text

Support the show

Was this episode helpful to you? If you would like to support my work on the show, you can buy me a coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/bedbackandbeyond
Have a positive story of recovery to tell? Head over to https://bedbackbeyond.com/share-your-story/ to apply.