First Encounter with Pain
I remember the first bouts of pain that radiated down both legs when I was 19 for months on end. It was this constant ache that made me just want to sit down all the time. Back then, I had no clue about the impact of back pain on the spine and nerves.. I tried looking things up, but most of it didn’t make sense. Eventually, I saw a doctor who suggested I get an MRI. The results came back as an “L4-L5 disc bulge with disc degeneration
The Rabbit Hole of Research
From there, I fell into a rabbit hole. I spent countless hours wondering what had caused this pain, what the mechanics behind back pain were, and—most frustratingly—why it was happening to me. I was supposed to be young and healthy, not constantly aware of whether my glutes were activated or my core was engaged, terrified that my sciatica would flare up again. I didn’t want to move. I walked with extreme caution. The constant worry made me spiral into a deep hole of self-pity, thinking I was doomed forever. The internet didn’t help. I self-diagnosed myself with every new thing I read, and it only made me feel more lost. I got so wrapped up in it that I even changed my degree from law to something in the medical field, because this whole experience had changed me so much.
Why I Started This Page
So why did I start this page? Because I wish I had the knowledge I have now when I first started my research. Don’t get me wrong—there’s a lot of information out there about the body. In fact, there’s almost too much. For beginners, it can be overwhelming. It often feels like it’s the end of the world when you’re trying to piece together your symptoms. There are lists of “dos and don’ts” for every condition, and you end up speculating even more.
My Objective
If this page can help even a single person feel a little more guided and not alone in their journey, I would be over the moon. The main takeaway here is this: don’t absorb everything you read. Stay consistent with whatever works for you and—most importantly—MOVE. Healing doesn’t happen without movement. Don’t let yourself fall into the same self-pity I did, or it will hinder your recovery.
