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.

Send us a text

When Susan first felt pain in the back of her leg in 2018, she had no idea a tiny disc herniation would nearly destroy her life. After losing 100 pounds, the 34-year-old healthcare worker expected to feel better, not worse. Instead, she found herself unable to sit, sleep through the night, or live without constant agony from sciatic nerve pain.

Susan takes us through her 14-month journey of seeking help while fighting a healthcare system that initially dismissed her as "too young" for surgery. The pain became so unbearable that she contemplated suicide, revealing the profound mental health impact that chronic back pain can inflict. Though cortisone injections provided temporary relief, they became less effective over time, reinforcing her need for a more permanent solution.

Following her microdiscectomy, Susan experienced what many surgical patients do - continued pain that made her question whether the procedure had worked. But after eight weeks, something remarkable happened - the pain disappeared. Now five years post-surgery, she remains essentially pain-free and has transformed her life completely. A woman who once avoided the outdoors due to anxiety now kayaks, hikes challenging terrain, and embraces physical activities she never imagined possible.

This episode offers something critical for those considering or recovering from disc surgery: proof that long-term success is possible. Susan's powerful testimony reminds us not to let surgical statistics intimidate us - the 80% success rate represents real people who found their way back to living fully. If you're struggling with herniated disc pain or recovery, this conversation will restore your hope that life can indeed return, possibly better than before.

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.

Send us a text

Phil shares his 30-year journey through four back surgeries, from a herniated disc at age 22 to a successful spinal fusion in his fifties, proving that recovery and returning to an active lifestyle is possible with the right approach.

• Developed first herniated disc at L5-S1 at age 22 despite being very fit and active
• Underwent laminectomy followed by microdiscectomy at L4-5 four years later
• Returned to full athletic activity after surgeries, even running the LA marathon
• Successfully advocated for himself through the healthcare system to avoid lengthy delays
• Experienced third herniation requiring another microdiscectomy, followed by fusion six months later
• Found fusion recovery surprisingly manageable with proper preparation and the right surgeon
• Achieved complete pain relief following each surgery, including fusion
• Emphasizes importance of physical therapy for optimal recovery
• Advises not waiting too long for surgical intervention when clearly needed
• Recommends being in good physical condition before surgery for better outcomes

If you have a positive story of recovery from a serious back or neck injury, please visit bedbackbeyond.com and click "share your story" to be featured 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.