[JustTim]

August 2014 I was taking suitcases out of a vehicle and a few days later found myself in so much pain that I threw up while trying to get out of bed. Went the physical therapy and steroid route. Not very much results. To the point that three months later I bent down to pick up a piece of paper and could not get up. After 45 minutes of laying on the floor swearing in pain my daughter called 911 and I took the first ambulance ride of my life. I walk 5 miles a day, but for two months could not walk from my bedroom to the kitchen.

I have collapsed disk at L2/L3 and to a slightly lesser extent L4. Four doctors said surgery was the only answer. I went to that many trying to find a different answer as I had heard so many stories of failed back operations. Plus a few years ago a 25 year old kid that worked for me went in for “minor” back surgery. He left St Francis Hospital in a hearse. They cut a blood vessel, did not realize it and he internally bleed to death.

Instead of surgery I went with steroid injections in my back and a chiropractor. Both helped somewhat. The chiropractor suggested I try Yoga. Weird thing for a socially conservative midwestern kid (who is now 60), but at that point I’d try anything.

Yoga saved me. I started with restorative and now do mixed level. I can now keep up with many of the guys 20 plus years younger than me. A friend had a bad back since a car accident a decade ago. I convinced him to try Yoga and he has had similar positive results.

Is my back perfect now? No, but probably close to what it was before I realized it was damaged

You should talk to your doc about Yoga.