Getting Started

Two years ago, I herniated a disc in my lower back (L5S1). The pain was excruciating and put me in the hospital for a few days. The disc was protruding out of my spine against my sciatic nerve causing pain all the way to the bottom of my left foot. The neurologist told me I needed to have the protruding disc cut out. In the meantime she referred me to a pain clinic for a shot in my spine. Not knowing any better, I assumed this was my only option.

I posted my dilemma on Facebook and was flooded by comments from friends and family who had similar experiences. Some of them even recommended that I seek other advice and that back surgery is the last option. So I did and saw a chiropractor and physical therapist who came highly recommended from a good friend who had the same issue and never had to have surgery.

I also sought advice from another neurologist who told me that if I didn’t have it removed, then I would continue to be in pain and could even get worse. I got the impression that neurologists just wanted to perform an operation. I elected to try physical therepy first and told the neurologist that if he was right, then I would come back to talk more.

I knew that this route wasn’t going to be easy and was prepared to do what was needed in order to get better and not let this happen again. This chiropractor/physical therapist helped me tremendously (let me know if you need a referral). While I still have some lower back pain occasionally, I am able to function normally, minus lifting heavy things. The disc did heal and I don’t have sciatic pain anymore.

I realized then, that my core and leg muscles had weakened and I needed to do something to strengthen up, or I was going to continue injuring myself. I began walking, little by little, and didn’t stop. At first I could barely walk a few hundred feet without being in pain. Now, two years later, I can walk several miles a day without any concern for fatigue.

This walking has reignited a love of hiking in me which I hadn’t realized how much I missed. I love communing with nature and at the same time getting a work out in. Some hikes can be quite difficult. I’ve done several fairly long trails already and keep working my way up to longer and more difficult hikes. Someday, I even hope to do it with a pack on my back.

If anyone is interested in going along on a hike, I welcome the company. Nature is one of my medicines and it can do wonders for the soul as well.