Around 3 weeks ago, I was laid up wondering when I would have surgery to repair a bulged disc in my lower neck. I thought my chances for running the rest of the year were completely gone. I was going to turn into a fat jelly like individual that could only look at all the happy runners outside.

NOT SO! With the help of great physical therapy I am once again in the hunt for finishing The Flying Pig. The physical therapy has been the key to getting back onto my feet. Literally. Exercises, a little traction, and education about general posture for different scenarios. The hard part is really the posture, but the more you do it, the easier it gets.

I would say that anyone that is suffering from any repetitive or frequent type of pain should see an orthopedic doctor. If nothing else to just get a prescription for even a little physical therapy. If I hadn’t gone to an orthopedic as soon as I did I could have seriously damaged my spine causing long term effects. It turns out that not only was the disc bulging the two vertebrae had developed bone spurs that were actually holding the disc out maintaining the pressure. Did I know this? No. It was diagnosed originally as a problem with the arm/shoulder. How fortunate I think.

So don’t be stubborn. It doesn’t hurt to be safe.