Herniated disk, don't know what to do

Back in July 2019, I suffered a lower back injury that turned out to be herniated disk between my L5 and S1 vertebrae. I've gone through physical therapy and done a lot of training on my core to ease the pain and give my spine more relief. Even had a cortisone shot that helped for about 3 months. My problem is that I'll get it feeling better and then I'll be doing something I do all the time and re aggravate it. At this point I'm wondering if surgery is worth it for the pain, but idk how that will affect my lifting.

After back surgery

1/3 feel better

1/3 feel the same

1/3 feel worse

I was diagnosed with two herniated discs in 2017. I couldn't stand for more than 10 minutes without my sciatica driving me insane. A good physical therapist/chiropractor, rehab exercises prescribed by him (I would do them every day, sometimes twice a day), daily mobility/stretching, and daily Original Strength resets got me back to working out in about 8 months. Within the next 8 months, I was back to lifting heavy and finished my first GORUCK Tough (a 12 hour overnight endurance event with weighted rucksacks, heavy things to carry, and weighted calisthenics). Haven't bothered me in months.

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[QUOTE=GrouchyUSMC;1641051143]I was diagnosed with two herniated discs in 2017. I couldn't stand for more than 10 minutes without my sciatica driving me insane. A good physical therapist/chiropractor, rehab exercises prescribed by him (I would do them every day, sometimes twice a day), daily mobility/stretching, and daily Original Strength resets got me back to working out in about 8 months. Within the next 8 months, I was back to lifting heavy and finished my first GORUCK Tough (a 12 hour overnight endurance event with weighted rucksacks, heavy things to carry, and weighted calisthenics). Haven't bothered me in months.
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I mean what can we say?
I fractured two vertebra, herniated 4 discs, de-mylenated a bunch of nerves in a car accident in 2007. Did see Drs and PT and it healed enough for me to play soccer etc. More recently I've been doing chiropractic, massage, PT, and changed my whole lifestyle. Never felt better. Lifting definitely has helped my back heal and feel strong, but do it with guidance from your Docs.

I broke my back last year in a car accident(T12/L1) and fractured other vertebrates. Had surgery and now I have 8 screws and 2 rods in my back. I’m paralyzed from the waist down now. But believe it or not, my back seldom ever bothers me. It’s nerve pain in my legs that has me hurting all the time

[QUOTE=Tjadams605;1640940113]Back in July 2019, I suffered a lower back injury that turned out to be herniated disk between my L5 and S1 vertebrae. I've gone through physical therapy and done a lot of training on my core to ease the pain and give my spine more relief. Even had a cortisone shot that helped for about 3 months. My problem is that I'll get it feeling better and then I'll be doing something I do all the time and re aggravate it. At this point I'm wondering if surgery is worth it for the pain, but idk how that will affect my lifting.[/QUOTE]

I had cervical disk herniation with pinched nerve, I couldn't even lift 2 pound DB with left arm. I took physiotherapy sessions for 3 months and later even started lifting as I use to.... but then I had it again, due to the same reason of trying to lift heavy.

All I can suggest from my experience is that even if you get back, you may even come back stronger but be careful, because it can happen again...

[QUOTE=golli1982;1641239343]I broke my back last year in a car accident(T12/L1) and fractured other vertebrates. Had surgery and now I have 8 screws and 2 rods in my back. I’m paralyzed from the waist down now. But believe it or not, my back seldom ever bothers me. It’s nerve pain in my legs that has me hurting all the time[/QUOTE]

Sheesh dude so sorry to hear. I don't see you in the forums I'm in - old guys/over 35, but since you are posting here I'm hoping you are able to still lift some upper body stuff?
I was pretty fortunate to nearly fully recover after my back injury.

[QUOTE=PhDPepper1111;1641396393]Sheesh dude so sorry to hear. I don't see you in the forums I'm in - old guys/over 35, but since you are posting here I'm hoping you are able to still lift some upper body stuff?
I was pretty fortunate to nearly fully recover after my back injury.[/QUOTE]

Yeah man I’m focusing on bench now. I’m actually looking to compete again in December if things work out. I’m in the old guy catagory myself, I’m 39yrs old. I have a training log on here if you want to check it out

(When I competed commonly) I herniated a disk and it took 6 months to ameliorate. I executed yoga and cut aggressively, eating and drinking as cleanly as I could, to try to reduce the tax on the overall body which did the trick. My counsel is to avoid surgery unless you feel like you are boxed in with only one recourse.