My BJJ training comeback was short lived. The bulging discs in my back are still an issue and something I really need to get on top of, before I leave in a little over a month.
I really haven’t had a problem with them since 2008, when I first started feeling back pain which turned into sciatica – many visits to doctors, X-rays and MRIs and a few neurosurgeons later, and it eventually came good without the need for surgery.
Intensive physio/a huge focus on core strength, water aerobics, personal training etc.
The good run I have had since though is something I have taken for granted – and doing Jiu Jitsu, it was only a matter of time before my lack of ‘back maintenance’ caught up with me.
Trying to describe what’s going on in my lower back is hard – when I’m standing and walking I feel no pain. Sit/bend down or stand up though, and it’s excruciating on one side, into my hip joint and thigh.
Straightening my leg to stretch is tough, as is raising it in a straight position.
Getting out of bed in the morning would have to be the worst. Sometimes it takes me a good 5 minutes to work out the least painful way to get upright. So you can see how this ‘injury’ is not conducive to rolling!
All I’m allowed to do at the moment is light stretching and moderate walking – and I’m starting to see the extra kilos creep onto the scales.
BUT I must stay positive, must do everything I can to help myself and get strong, so I can get back to the sport I love.
gypsy girl in gi 
Wow. I hope things sort themselves out for you… soon! 😦
Dude, that sucks. I know exactly the pain. 7 years ago I had a discectomy and lamenectomy for the same thing. That pain is evil. I was working in the city at the time, and I caught the train, I had to begin standing about 5 minutes before my stop because it was so painful… So I can totally feel your pain.
Its hard, because everyone is different. In hindsight, I would have tried more before having surgery. But to be honest at the time I thought that was the only option, and I got to a point where I couldn’t walk, so it was becoming an issue… But back then I literally did no physical activity, I drank lots of beer and generally led a pretty unhealthy life.
7 years later, I have 2 kids, been training (muay thai and BJJ) for about 2 and my back has never been better. Thankfully one of our club owners is an excersise physiologist so I owe a lot to her. But the last 2 years is when it has really improved. In between kids I was advised I needed another operation… Glad I never though. I still have some back problems, but its mainly to do with muscles and posture and the way I compensated for the pain, but Im slowly sorting it out, and its annoying, but its not too bad…
Good luck and I hope you get back on the mat soon!
Thanks so much for posting this – it’s made me feel a lot more confident of getting back to BJJ despite the back troubles which I know will be with me in some way for the rest of my life.
Another (different) Doc visit tomorrow so hopefully I leave this guy with a real plan of attack, instead of “lie on the floor, rest and take anti inflams’ heh.
After my surgery the surgeon told me to rest for six weeks, then I’d be fine… He also told me I wouldn’t be able to play sport again, or run, or garden, and I’d need to take it easy… At the time I only cared about not being able to garden! They even told me I wouldn’t need any rehab!?!? Wtf?!?!?
But then I ended up at Metamorphica MMA, and with the right management I’m now kickboxing and rolling! And not careful rolling… I roll roll!
You’ll be back… You just need the right plan of attack, and determination, which I sense you have a lot of.
I learnt a lot from my back problems, the importance of doing it all properly and strengthening your back in the right way. When I get slack I ache like a mofo… Like right now… Lol.
It’s not the end though. There are a lot of fighters who have had back surgery, I think rener or ryron gracie have too. Don’t be disheartened. No matter what happens I’m sure you’ll be back!