[nmpennypacker]

I had a disc injury about two years ago, so this is fresh for me. I've always been pretty active and consider myself to be in really good shape, but I started running longer distances leading up to a marathon and bad things happened. I think my hamstrings tightened up, which pulled on other things, and it all came to a head during a golf swing where I could hear an audible crack. Pain was 9/10 and I couldn't stand up straight for a solid month.

After 12 months of trying many things, including 6 months of PT, I believe the following things to be true: - Walking is better than sitting because it gets things moving - Ice as soon as possible if you have a flare-up - Strength core/training is essential. I have always been in good shape from a cardio perspective, but never lifted weights. Now I have 12 weight-lifting exercises that I do 2 sets of 20 at the gym twice per week. Also, I do 40 lunges on a Roman chair at home every day, which my physical therapist told me is the single most important exercise.

It's a lot of work and it takes a lot of time, but I seem to recover faster if I have a flare-up, and they're not as severe. Also, I feel like I'm in better shape overall. It's nice to have some muscle instead of being a noodly-ass dude who can run a long way.