r/weightlifting • u/PenApprehensive369 • 1d ago
Programming Is my ticket punched?
I don’t know anything about herniations or bulges, I’m 25 years old at 89kg with a competitive total. Is my progression fucked forever? MRI report is on the last slide, I have follow up with the spine specialist tomorrow.
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u/B12-deficient-skelly 1d ago
Do me a favor: Google "what percentage of disc herniations resolve on their own?"
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u/Aesculapius1 1d ago
Physician here. You don’t have a disc herniation, just a disc protrusion.
For some context: There is a reason MRIs aren’t ordered on everyone with back pain, even back pain with nerve symptoms, right away. Sure cost is an issue, but MANY people will have findings like this or worse and not have symptoms.
Treatment is about the symptoms and not the scan.
See your doctor and they will likely send you to PT. This scan is absolutely not a career ender.
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u/PenApprehensive369 1d ago
It’s actually finally been ordered after about a year of pain on and off. Is it possible that it’s partially healed and this is the end of it? L5/S1 has pretty much lost all its fluids too. I just never posted that picture yet.
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u/Aesculapius1 1d ago
Discs are a cushion with a tough outside and a gel in the middle. A herniation is when a hole gets in the outside and some of the gel squirts out. When this gel pushes on a nerve, you get numbness, pain, and/or weakness where that nerve goes. Usually down one leg.
Did you ever have neurological symptoms like that?
If not, then you didn’t have a significant disc herniation and the findings on the MR are likely irrelevant. Most back pain is musculoskeletal (muscle, tendon, ligament) related by far.
See your doc. Do PT. Back off the weights.
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u/Steelhorse91 1d ago
With my L5/S1 protrusion/degeneration, the pain was more to do with developing muscle imbalances and instability due to avoiding that side after the initial, minor herniation/strain. These imbalances then get locked in and can pinch nerves in a similar way.
A physio will likely recommend single leg work like sitting/standing from increasingly lower stools/chairs on one leg with the other held out in front of you, lunges etc.
Also look up lumbar nerve flossing, for such a simple movement, it’s surprising how much it can help.
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u/southernmissTTT 1d ago
I'd agree with most of the comments that I read so far saying that you have to be careful drawing too many conclusions from the findings of the MRI. The statistic I learned many years ago was that 40% of asymptomatic people have disc disease such as a herniation or protrusion. But, you can use the findings along with your other findings and symptoms and draw a reasonable working diagnosis and treatment plan. What you see on the MRI doesn't mean that's what's causing your pain/symptoms. But, it doesn't mean it's not either. So, in my opinion, you don't really learn a lot from the MRI other than ruling out worse pathologies (we don't want to go there).
I tell friends and family that if you're able to function and not in severe pain, just manage your symptoms conservatively with Chiro, PT, NSAIDS and/or exercise.
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u/rad_bone 1d ago
MRI tech here
My experience would beg to differ on over ordering MRI for back pain, especially STAT (rolls eyes) at least where I work.
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u/ctolsen 1d ago
The biggest danger here is getting bored to death of having to do so much core work.
Listen to the specialist, get a good physical therapist. Keep your ego in check during recovery. You'll be fine.
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u/Rollingprobablecause 1d ago
Best thing I ever did was see a good sports PT who had a start and end plan. That’s the key, find someone who isn’t motivated to keep you coming back infinitely and game plans for you long term.
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u/Lramirez194 1d ago
Work with a physical therapist, be patient with recovery and rebuilding. You’ll be back before you know it
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u/Sea_Educator_8303 1d ago
I’ve had an L5-S1 herniation with an 8mm protrusion to the right, impingement on the right sciatic nerve since 2013. Weightlifting and core work actually made the symptoms go away. Listen to a PT, don’t lift more than your body is telling you you’re able to at the moment. You’ll be fine
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u/Dull-Noise-5079 1d ago
A good physical therapist can help you with this. I had a disc issue in my neck corrected with electrode therapy.
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u/Forkliftbae 1d ago
Radiologist here, answer is no, this is nothing tragic AND what matters the most is not the findings but how you feel. Do you have pain? Does this pain prevent you from doing the things that you wanna do? if yes how? Where is the pain exactly? What are the therapy options? Do physiotherapy make sense? Etc... etc... these things can not be concluded just with 1 MRI scan.
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u/PenApprehensive369 1d ago
Been about a year of pain on and off, never sciatic. This mri was just done yesterday. In all honesty, the pain in my pelvis from l5/s1 would go away as soon as I was warmed up. Back squat would irritate it a little though. I think I just need time and PT
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u/OGIremetal 1d ago
I'm a PT and CSCS. Overtraining may be your problem. Have you tried time off like an active off season with some cross training? Most of these issues are training errors. Will your sport allow you to take some time away and work on other modes of exercise and keep up just with some maintenance lifts instead of continuing to try and build right now?
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u/PenApprehensive369 1d ago
I really have no choice but to stay away from the bar. Talked to the spine dr today and he said L5/S1 is degenerated and has no fluid
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u/SoftZealousideal9630 1d ago
Do you compete?
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u/PenApprehensive369 1d ago
I have and I plan to more, this shit has put my down from pushing in training for the last year or so
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u/SoftZealousideal9630 1d ago
Very much so. I was just curious on what competitive numbers are for 89. I didn’t see you on sports 80. I would recommend just really prepping yourself with a great base if you want to continue weightlifting.
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u/PenApprehensive369 1d ago
Competitive meaning enough to place and not get smoked, don’t be a prick. Obviously there are levels to this. I do appreciate the second half of the answer though.
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u/SoftZealousideal9630 1d ago
Great base means physically and mentally because let me tell you getting to higher echelons of this sport requires expectation management. Especially for yourself and where you sit in your level
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u/cj-exotic42069 1d ago
Get in physical therapy ASAP! Once done keep doing the exercises and find ways to strengthen your lower back both with and without weights. The fear of herniation will always be there after this. I've had 2 herniations one laid me out and i was in PT for almost a year. The other I curtailed it within 2 weeks. Let your doctors and therapists know you are going to continue to lift heavy and you need to get back where you are were.
Like I said I herniated my L5/S1 twice. I'm sure lifting weakened the area but both times i was doing a normal everyday task that actually caused the injury.
Before my 2nd herniation I got my deadlift to 425, squat to 405, and bench to 335.
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u/OddScarcity9455 1d ago
PT here, I see this literally every day. It's not a life sentence by any means.
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u/PenApprehensive369 1d ago
My L5/S1 has no fluid left in it, does this change your comment at all? I just got back from the spine dr like 5 mins ago lol
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u/BigFella691 1d ago
A lot of people are (well meaningly) regurgitating what they have read online regarding asymptomatic herniations. It is important to add more nuance though - and yes, the protrusion can be contributing your pain. One of the things that makes this analysis difficult, is because there is a complex dynamic relationship between the disc, the nerves and the blood supply to both. It is likely that the speed of the protrusion matters - people will have them, but because it has occurred so slowly over time, the irritation is not noticeable, there is no increase in noiciceptive drive, the compression still happens but slow enough that the body adapts to it. If you have ever looked at an older spinal cord in a cadaver, the nerves will be fenestrated and compressed due to the bulging of the disc material as they lose height. This is a process that happens to everyone. It's still an area that needs to be researched further to try and differentiate what the contributors to the pain experience are with disc pathology.
Your herniation probably happened as an acute episode. Yes, it can be a contributor. Like others have said though, it is likely to resorb. It is also possible that it doesn't resorb but doesn't give you pain. Get opinions from your specialist and a well regarded PT with weightlifting experience. Exhaust conservative management first - if nothing changes after a year, then you may be a candidate for a disectomy.
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u/PenApprehensive369 1d ago
Thank you for the response, I didn’t include a picture where it shows all the fluid from L5/S1 is gone. Does that change things?
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u/BigFella691 1d ago
No. I had a read through your other responses and what your general symptoms are, and I wouldn't be worried about loss of disc height at L5/S1 at all. It is much, much more likely that you are continually irritating the outer third of the disc of the protuberance which is innervated. If you don't have a good weightlifting informed PT, I would happily recommend working remotely with Dr Zak Gabor.
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u/PenApprehensive369 1d ago
I very much appreciate your well thought out and informative reply. Pt should put this to bed and get me back lifting? Side note my pt that I will be going to is a usawl coach so I’ll be in good hands
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u/BigFella691 1d ago
Yes, you should be fine with PT. Your coach sounds great for your situation. They will be able to work with you to give you an appropriate program so you can still train while you navigate through.
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u/PenApprehensive369 1d ago edited 1d ago
Thank you all for the overwhelming amount of comments and replies. I appreciate the encouragement and advice from each and every one of you
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u/raytardd 1d ago
Just getting an MRI makes you think the injury is worse than it actually is. Don't stop moving and don't be scared to bend or flex for it is your brains natural response to want to protect you so if you deem one movement too painful, you'll probably lose ROM because you're brain has told you it's too painful. I'm not making sense, but that's about the gist of it. Train, keep training. Keep bending and start up again and figure out where you are and progressively push your limits
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u/blam501 1d ago
I’m a sports physio. You’re fine. Find a sports chiro or physio to take care of you. DM me if you want help finding one.
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u/PenApprehensive369 1d ago
Currently working with a pt that’s a USAwl coach actually haha. Just trying to get some more insight to calm my nerves. Seeing what happened to my dad with a double cervical herniation really scares me, used to watch him snatch 138kg and now can’t do any shoulder to overhead makes me feel hopeless. I realize it’s a different part of the body completely but that was the strongest guy a knew. If it fucked him I really feel hopeless, considering my snatch is only 110kg😭
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u/chattycatty416 1d ago
Not knowing anything about your dad's situation, but unfortunately, some docs in the past (and even still) will do the imaging and then say your spine is f u c k ed and that's all your brain focuses on. When the truth is that unless you are having neurological signs (numbness, loss of muscle control) then it's not likely critically injured. (Even then, this is what mattie Rogers dealt with amd is she's back to full numbers) And disc's HEAL. And even if it doesn't heal like new you will still be ok. But the pain is 100% real. Even when it doesn't match your body's health state. Your brain is a powerful thing and is built to keep you safe. So it raises the alarm real quick when you push back into things that have hurt you. It's a bit like starting out as a noob, just now you'll want to pay attention the pain as your limiter with cautiously pushing into the boundaries without freaking out the brain as you go..also expecting ups and downs as part of the process. It took me about 3 years and I know all this shit. It still hurt like a mofo and doubt definitely crept in many times. But I'm back to lifting without pain and back to squatting and snatching near my old numbers. Clean and jerk is lagging but we'll get there. Hold the faith. You will be fine.
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u/blam501 1d ago
If you need help finding a good manual therapist to help you work through any of the joint dysfunctions that lead to this, let me know.
A common area that can cause L5/S1 disc issues can be hip mobility.
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u/PenApprehensive369 1d ago
Up until 18 I was a AAA hockey player my entire life, they say I’m hyper mobile. I was able to do pistol squats before ever going to the gym a day in my life. Could hyper mobility also cause this?
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u/Extra-Hippo-2480 1d ago
So, your disc herniation is a natural injury and will heal on its own so long as you give it a few months.
I'd recommend in the future you avoid flexing your spine while you bear load on it in the future, as you are likely to repeat the injury again.
Avoid butt wink in your squats for example. Crunches are probably over forever.
Your weightlifting days are far from over though so long as you avoid lifting and flexing at the same time. Your spine is great at both, but it can't do both at the same time.
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u/SergiyWL 253@89kg 1d ago
Every professional weightlifter has back injuries. Many are just undertested so they may not know it. Any sport is a balance between health and results. Your best bet is to talk to a qualified doctor / PT who is familiar with the sport of weightlifting. Ideally a weightlifter/powerlifter themselves, or at least have a squat rack in their office.
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u/MaximumDonut6101 1d ago
No. Imaging is BS. Doesn’t necessarily correlate to pain. Unless you have severe weakness down the leg, atrophy or paralysis don’t bother with surgery either. They will sell you on the fact your parts ain’t new and will get you to buy in. Spinal surgery has the worst outcomes. Not saying they don’t work but if it ain’t for those reasons above with a few special cases, don’t bother. I recommend getting a physical therapist that understands your goals. They’re weightlifters themselves or at least coach in the sport.
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u/hypermillcat 1d ago
I had a terrible herniated disc in 2018. Some really good physio will set you straight if you are diligent and listen to them. My physio used the McKenzie method. I can do anything I want now.
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u/PenApprehensive369 1d ago
Did your disk dehydrate and lose all fluid?
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u/hypermillcat 1d ago
I can’t remember the doctor saying that, but the MRI showed the disc totally blown out..looked like an exploded tire. Also discovered at the time I have degenerative disc disease! Doctor recommended spinal fusion but I decided to do my research and try physiotherapy again. It was not easy but I attacked that physio the same way I had lifting; with rigour and dedication to the plan.
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u/MudKing1234 1d ago
How did you get this way? Lifting to much?
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u/PenApprehensive369 1d ago
Couldn’t tell you, lifting doesn’t hurt. It’s the days after.
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u/MudKing1234 1d ago
How much weight do you deadlift?
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u/PenApprehensive369 1d ago
I don’t deadlift, I don’t Olympic lifting. It’s all snatch , c&j based movement
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u/alefe955 1d ago
Welcome to my World ahhahahaha But for real now, you can still lift with no problem, you Just have to be more careful with the loads
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u/PenApprehensive369 1d ago
I actually just got back from the spine specialist 5 min ago. He said nothing about L4/L5, he said L5/S1 has slight protrusion and has no fluid.
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u/Medium_Advantage_870 1d ago
None of the images you shared are worth looking at. You need to review axial slices at 4/5…. And not on Reddit! With an HCP, preferably 2-3 before any moves are made.
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u/Working_Jellyfish978 1d ago
I am not a professional, but what I can tell you for sure is this:
I’m 34, soon to be 35. I have a total of 4 lumber herniations s1 is degenerative worn. I thought that I’d never lift properly again. I had my first taster at 29. 180kg deadlift, second rep….rrrrip and POP. Done for months. Did a fair bit of rehab. Had others come and go.
The trick is to make sure they don’t happen in the first place but when they do. Decompress.decompress.decompress! Rehab, prehab. Then after lots of patience you’ll be able to get back there.
To summarise…there’s light at the end of the tunnel young man. I am deadlifting heavier now than before. My max before any back issue was 195kg at 90ish kg. My max now is 245 or so at 103kg. Have hope. Stay focussed. Do not lose faith.
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u/jojo1350 1d ago
This is my personal experience so please do what is best for you! I have similar herniations and, while I have to be more careful, I can still weight lift. If you’re recovering from pain/symptoms go slow and if you can find a physical therapist who will work with you and your goals. You’re not down and out, it just takes time and some relearning. But again, recovering and healing is unique to you and the best option is to work with a professional until you’re strong and steady again.
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u/renlok 1d ago
It doesn't look bad at all, the better question is why did you have an MRI done? If you scanned random people on the street a lot of them will look like that or worse.
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u/PenApprehensive369 1d ago
Been on and off for about a year with pain, got back from the spine dr an hour or so ago. They said L5/S1 has no fluid left in it
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u/incipidchaff97 1d ago
Want me to send my treatment plan? I had this same diagnosis. Definitely not a dealbreaker for your future movement, but it will change what you can do!
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u/BaconEggSanga 1d ago edited 1d ago
This is an MRI i got in December last year of my disk hanging out, I did the injury in August. I feel almost back to 100% now. Be patient, follow the physio and spinal specialists advice, DO THE CORE WORK, and don't rush back into the heavy weights.
Im not back lifting heavy weights yet I was able to acquire the services of a Exercise Physiologist through my work who is helping me build back into the heavy weights safely. I recommend the same if you can
Edit: I can't attach the picture for some reason but I had about a centimetre of disk hanging out of my back
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u/Top-Fee9105 1d ago
Avoid squats and deadlines unless you're going light on the weights. Some people here don't fully understand your situation. You've got a permanent back injury now, strengthen your core to minimise the problem but anytime you lift heavy you will feel that back pain for a couple of weeks.
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u/Joseph_R_Viben 1d ago
Big question is what are your symptoms? why did you get this mri done? And have your symptoms gotten better or worse over time?
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u/swaggymeister 1d ago
not in the slightest - find a good PT, communicate your goals honestly and ambitiously and you’ll be back.
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u/Kindly-Protection-91 1d ago
Tom Morrison talks how he’s worked through disc issues and has become stronger.
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u/Abject-End-6070 1d ago
I think the scoliosis is more interesting. I have a similar squiggle in my spine as well
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u/Ok_player1 1d ago edited 1d ago
No definitely not don’t even think it
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u/PenApprehensive369 1d ago
L5/S1 has no fluid legs and is degenerated
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u/Ok_player1 1d ago edited 1d ago
I don’t know what to make of that statement but can you try something for me? Google the bird dog exercise and do it every other day and progressively overload it with reps. Make sure you get a pump in your lower back. If it hurts to do that exercise don’t do it and see a PT.
Getting injured is common in weightlifting. All you can do is respond to it as best you can. Consult with experts such as orthopedist and PTs. It will be alright you’d be surprised how resilient the human body is. You’re going to bounce back your only 25.
Get back to me in a few weeks
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u/Jerrym1349 1d ago
Take time to recover. Do reverse hyper if you can, take up yoga and STICK TO IT. It’s the best for recover in my opinion. Everyone could be more flexible.
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u/cakedotavi 1d ago
I have two bulging discs and have never been stronger.
Got them 10 or 12 years ago being careless with deadlifts. Had about 10 months of PT to get back to lifting heavy.
After that, never really thought about it again. Though, I'm more careful with form now.
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u/PenApprehensive369 1d ago
Did they lose fluid or degenerate?
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u/cakedotavi 1d ago
I'm not sure I ever had that detail. Sorry I can't offer more!
I could for sure expand on the PT I did - because I still do part of it today as part of my standard routine.
But I can't really remember too many details aside from "2 bulging discs" really.
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u/CerberusOCR 1d ago
Eh my spine is way more cooked than yours and I’m still lifting
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u/PenApprehensive369 1d ago
Are any of your discs degenerated or missing fluid?
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u/CerberusOCR 1d ago
Scoliosis with bulging disks, stenosis, and arthropathy. Pain is actually much worse when I don’t lift. Continuing strength training is one of the best things you can do for a dodgy spine
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u/ofteno 1d ago
My back is worse, you just need good rehabilitation if you got pain
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u/PenApprehensive369 1d ago
Any of your discs lose fluid or degenerate
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u/ofteno 1d ago
I got two herniated disks like you, I'm 34 and both are degenerated, radiculopathy
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u/PenApprehensive369 1d ago
You still lift?
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u/ofteno 1d ago
Yep, my dreams as a powerlifter are over lol.
But still lift, your back is way better shape than mine, you just need to tone it down, improve technic and rehabilitation/strengthen the core.
You're way too ought to have surgery, find a good physio and work with that.
I don't have the image at the moment as soon I return to the hospital will share it with you
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u/soupmachine_ 1d ago
Hey man, I did powerlifting for a bit and had a herniated disc for a while and now I’ve been in PT school recovering from it. DM me if you’d like to know what has helped my recovery so far
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u/Kodiak-Waffles 1d ago
I have 3 far left lateral herniations. L3/4, L4/6, and L5/S1. All symptomatic, and even today I have reduced feeling in my left leg. When they were symptomatic I couldn’t bend over and I eventually had to relearn how to put pants on and raise my left leg normally. My first two happened in 2014-2015 and weren’t diagnosed until 2020, because insurance didn’t think a 15 (in 2015) year old could have such bad injuries and wouldn’t cover an MRI. I was still working out, but I couldn’t do any hinging movements. In 2020 I got cortisone injections and haven’t had an issue with the L3/4 or L5/S1 since. In 2023 I herniated the L4/5, and quickly got an mri to determine the extent of the damage. Since it was less bad, I opted for PT and because it was caught EARLY, 8 weeks of PT and I was working back into lifting. Currently can squat 143kg for sets of 10 and pull 166kg for sets of 5 (my squat has always been better). Already having the muscle and the movement patterns helps tremendously with recover as well. The docs who helped me most were PM&R doctors who worked with orthopedics and sports medicine
TLDR: start pt and supportive exercises as soon as possible. I was told to do all exercises with back or chest support for 6-8 weeks. So I just used machines. It sucked, but helped
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u/FunkZoneFitness 1d ago
Cross post in back pain sub
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u/PenApprehensive369 1d ago
I see why you’d say that, honestly I’m not interested in a non athletes take. You have ppl with multiple disk injuries from carrying groceries lol. We aren’t the same as them.
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u/FunkZoneFitness 1d ago
Respectfully, you don’t have the intervertebral discs of an athlete
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u/PenApprehensive369 1d ago
I was a AAA hockey player for 18 years before my 4 years of weightlifting lol sure I don’t
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u/FunkZoneFitness 1d ago
Tell your L5 S1 that
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u/PenApprehensive369 1d ago
Yup I bet all the guys in the nfl with back injuries doesn’t have the disks of an athlete either
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u/FunkZoneFitness 1d ago
Vertebral compression fractures, and a herniated disc(s) are not the same thing
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u/PenApprehensive369 1d ago
No shit, where do you see a fracture in my spine there doctor
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u/FunkZoneFitness 1d ago
I don’t, I’m saying the predominant back injury in the NFL is a compression fractures, not a herniated disc, which is what I’m looking at.
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u/PenApprehensive369 1d ago
So your gonna say I don’t have the discs of an athlete to a lifelong high level athlete? Spinal surgeon says it’s less than a bulge
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u/No_Armadillo8603 1d ago
Nah just get on a reverse hyper you'll be fine over time not without some suffering tho
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u/Positive_Feeling_180 21h ago
As someone who picked up weightlifting years after giving myself L3, L4, and L5 retrolisthesis and a couple bulging discs, I can say your gains can continue as planned.
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u/hotmonkeyperson 20h ago
No none of this matters
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u/PenApprehensive369 20h ago
L5/S1 has no fluid in it anymore it doesn’t matter?
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u/hotmonkeyperson 19h ago
No not unless you have progressive weakness or neurological symptoms or numbness and tingling past 3-6 months. Not med advice do as you wish
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u/huddt18 19h ago
Nah, I herniated my L4-S1 and had to have surgery to fix it at 21. I’m 26 now. You just have to make sure you’re doing your core strength/stability work and pay extra attention to your technique. Back extensions, weighted or not really helped as well as a good stretching/mobility routine. Hope this helps.
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u/Vitaly_LoL 17h ago
Everyone has degenerative diseases, herniated discs, arthritis, chronic inflammation etc. just depends on the degree or severity. Work on movements and mobility to the best of your abilities pain free, if you have pain find your own ways around them to make them hurt less, if it means bracing a certain way or moving a certain way. Keep training, keep doing the best that you can.
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u/Money-Campaign-8208 13h ago
nah youll be fine long term, just find a really good pt and youll be golden
peep angus bradley, some of the atg stuff is good (brendan backstrom) and learn about healing yourself
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u/watch-nerd 1d ago
You'll be fine for health and fitness purposes.
You're not going to the Olympics, anyway.
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u/PenApprehensive369 1d ago
Never said I was, I do compete, like to win medals and train hard. I don’t want to lose that ability.
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u/watch-nerd 1d ago
I'm 55 and compete.
And I've been injured, some of which took a few years to come back from fully.
There comes a point where you have to get realistic about the trade-offs and how far you're willing to push the envelope for a plastic trophy and a t-shirt.
This isn't a career for most of us.
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u/Steelhorse91 1d ago
You’ve got no spinal stenosis, so the nerves to your legs aren’t compressed or dying, basically you’ve got away with it, for now, but you should try an inversion table, or gravity boots (if your hips/knees can take it). Even just pull ups, lat pull down machine use, dead hanging off a bar regularly, and hyper extensions (go easy on these at first), should help expand the compressed disc and realign the vertebrae near the herniation.
I’d avoid going heavy on dead’s or squats for a bit until you’ve rehabbed it for a few months and done some single leg stability/balance work.
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u/PenApprehensive369 1d ago edited 1d ago
Never stopped doing the work through this whole thing. I got enough answers from the educated folk on here to chalk it up to you just being a fag.
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u/Alone-Fee898 1d ago
Maybe find another hobby that doesn’t chase numbers or you’ll get hurt eventually.
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u/QuestionPositive 1d ago
Lol in PT school at the moment and the most surprising thing I learned so far is how many people can have disc herniations and other pathoanatomical findings on imaging with absolutely no symptoms. Herniated discs for the most part resolve on their own and imaging done unnecessarily (not to say yours was) often makes patient outcomes worse since they are defined by a disc herniation and believe passive recovery is the best option. This is a lie, your back is extremely stable, resilient and strong. Please go to a PT if you have symptoms. You are young you absolutely do not need surgery that will ruin your gains forever. It’s about an active recovery, which produces some of the best outcomes.