Dr. Jared Ament - Disc Replacement, Body Mechanics, and When Spine Surgery Makes Sense

In this episode, Dr. Mike sits down with board-certified neurosurgeon Dr. Jared Ament for a grounded, no-BS conversation about the modern spine - from body mechanics to disc replacement surgery.

Dr. Ament specializes in motion-preserving spine procedures, including cervical and lumbar disc replacement and the TOPS procedure for lumbar instability. But this conversation is not just about surgery. It’s about understanding how the spine actually breaks down over time - and how positioning, compression, and movement patterns drive degeneration long before anyone enters an operating room.

Together, we unpack:

• The real causes of disc degeneration and disc bulges

• How poor posture and anterior pelvic tilt increase lumbar compression

• What spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis actually mean

• The difference between nerve irritation and structural instability

• Why MRI findings don’t always match symptoms

• When conservative care works - and when it doesn’t

• Disc replacement vs spinal fusion

• The philosophy behind motion preservation surgery

• The TOPS procedure and dynamic stabilization systems

• How locking down a spinal segment affects adjacent levels

Dr. Ament explains how he evaluates patients with chronic back pain, sciatica, stenosis, and instability, and how he determines whether someone is a candidate for disc replacement, decompression, stabilization, or non-surgical management.

This episode bridges two important realities:

Most chronic back pain begins with mechanical stress, alignment issues, and repetitive compression.

But in some cases, structural failure progresses to the point where surgical intervention is appropriate.

Understanding where you fall on that spectrum is critical.

If you’ve been diagnosed with a herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, or chronic sciatica - and you’re wondering whether surgery is inevitable - this conversation will give you clarity.

This is not fear-based medicine.
It’s not anti-surgery.
It’s not anti-movement.

It’s a discussion about biomechanics, spine health, disc replacement surgery, and how to make informed decisions before and after structural breakdown.

Because sometimes the solution is movement.
Sometimes it’s structural correction.
And sometimes it’s knowing the difference.

Juan S

In this episode of The Fix Your Sh!t Show, Dr. Mike sits down with Dr. Emily Splichal, founder of Naboso, to talk about feet, fascia, and fixing chronic pain. Dr. Emily shares her unconventional path from podiatry and fitness to developing Naboso’s textured mats, insoles, and tools that reconnect people to their feet and nervous system. Together, they dive deep into plantar fasciitis, partial tears, regenerative injections, and why most traditional treatments miss the mark. The conversation also explores how sensory stimulation, proper foot mechanics, and global movement patterns can accelerate healing, prevent surgery, and improve balance, performance, and longevity.

This episode of The Fix Your Sh!t Show features Dr. Michael Rintala, one of the few U.S. instructors of the Prague School of Rehabilitation and Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS). Together with Dr. Mike Wasilisin, they dive deep into functional rehab, joint centration, and the role of the diaphragm, pelvic floor, and deep stabilizers in healing pain and boosting performance. They cover how poor breathing patterns, postural misalignments (like anterior pelvic tilt, kyphosis, and flat backs), and compensation lead to chronic issues such as disc herniations, sciatica, and hip impingement. The conversation emphasizes awareness—what Dr. Mike calls positional presence—as the key to reversing dysfunction, preventing injury, and building durability for life.

If you’re sitting in the wrong chair, your body knows it—and it’s paying the price.

In this episode of the Fix Yo Sh!t Show, Dr. Mike Wasilisin interviews Steven DuFresne, CEO of Anthros, and Dr. Ashley Williams, PT and seating expert. Together, they expose the TRUTH about office chairs, posture pain, and why traditional lumbar support has failed millions of people.

What You’ll Learn:

Why 80% of people suffer from back pain in standard office chairs

What pelvic support is—and how it outperforms lumbar support

The dangers of sit bone pressure and shear strain

How to upgrade your current chair (even if it sucks)

Why the Anthros Chair is revolutionizing ergonomic design

Whether you’re struggling with lower back pain, sitting 8+ hours a day, or shopping for a new ergonomic office chair, this conversation will open your eyes to what really matters: proper posture support from the pelvis up.

Learn more about Anthros: https://glnk.io/nrxy4/moveu and use code MOVEU200 for $200 off your purchase.

Today, our focus is on mapping! Our guest is the amazing Dr. Brittney Ellers, our favorite pelvic floor specialist. Dr. Ellers will explain its physiological significance, the neurological aspects involved, and the benefits it offers. Throughout the episode, you'll gain insights into the meticulous process of mapping, learning what it is, how to do it, and receiving pro tips for you and your partner.

We delve into the relationship between mapping and self-exploration for personal well-being and empowerment. Engaging in self-mapping can foster a deeper connection with one's own body.

The process can also be an avenue for addressing pain, with mindfulness and relaxation techniques potentially playing a role in managing discomfort. Additionally, involving partners in this intimate exploration, with open communication and respect, can contribute to mutual understanding and enhance intimacy.

Welcome to The MoveU Podcast, where we believe that there are 4 pillars to a pain-free life: movement, alignment, mindset, and recovery. In today's episode, we will dive deep into each pillar individually.

1. Alignment

Ensure total body alignment by understanding optimal joint positions in various postures and movements. Strive for joint centration to balance forces, preventing uneven wear that leads to pain and injury. At MoveU, alignment training exercises enhance joint ranges and postures for deeper alignment awareness.

2. Mindset

Embrace the "Fix Yo Shit" mentality, taking control of well-being by recognizing that chronic pain often stems from lifestyle choices. Empower yourself to actively learn about your body and its mechanics, viewing pain as a signal for growth.

Cultivate a mindset that sees pain not as an enemy but as a guide to what your body needs.

3. Movement

Engage in functional movements mirroring day-to-day activities, like squat, lunge, hinge, push, pull, rotation, and step. Performing these movements in alignment enhances muscle strength, mobility, and overall efficiency in posture, movement, and fitness.

4. Recovery

Dedicate a phase to mental and physical restoration, incorporating tools like stretching, foam rolling, massage, acupuncture, cold immersion, nutrition, heat, laser, TENS, infrared, and LED therapy. While medical procedures such as PRP therapy, stem cells, and surgeries are recovery options, approach the healthcare system with caution due to its complexity and potential costs.

Each of these corners plays a vital role in our lives, and at times, we may find ourselves devoting more attention to one over the others. However, the true essence lies in striking a harmonious balance between them to attain a pain-free life.

Navigating chronic pain involves:

- Prioritizing controlled movements over extreme flexibility or strength gains.

- Gradually challenging yourself within your comfort zone to induce soreness without reaching unbearable pain levels.

- Managing flare-ups with composure, utilizing recovery tools such as cold immersion, sauna, breath training, massage, and mobility exercises.

- Continuously engaging in strength and alignment training, even during setbacks.

Recognizing when to seek professional advice is crucial. Look out for symptoms like tenderness, pain on palpation, reduced range of motion, and muscle spasms, while immediate medical attention may be warranted for symptoms like loss of bladder or bowel control, progressive weakness, fever, and severe abdominal pain.

For optimal results, we recommend dedicating your efforts to MoveU exclusively, fostering rapid and remarkable changes by allowing your body to reset and realign efficiently.