Medical scams are as prevalent as high priced audio scams. Take it from me--I'm in the medical field and have been through the audio scams as well. Everyone wants to make money at what they sell. The honest way to make money is to have the patient's interest foremost, earn their trust, and then attract more patients based on this record.
First, get the proper diagnosis. Just because the MRI shows herniated discs doesn't mean that the anatomic findings correlate with your pain or other symptoms. (Sounds familiar--specs on the amp don't have a strict correlation with sound quality). To establish correlation, see a neurologist, do the nerve conduction velocity and other tests, to see if the abnormalities in the nerve tests correspond to the specific herniated disc. You have FOUR herniated discs, so how does any doctor know which disc(s) should get surgery? DO THE NERVE TESTS. In the old days, a great neurologist would do a careful exam, and establish the correlation without doing the tests. Today, they do the tests to make more money, although also to more firmly establish the correlation for legal reasons. The only time surgery for herniated discs is absolutely necessary is if the nerve to the muscle is being pinched and then the muscle is atrophied. You have to restore strength to the muscle, so you do the surgery. In the appropriate cases, surgery is dramatically successful and worth the risks. But the risks are obvious--inadvertent collateral damage, scar tissue years later, etc.
Maintaining muscle strength is important, but it can be done at my moderate level of routine fitness. At your advanced level, you are pushing the envelope and risk further injury.
If it is established that the herniated discs are the root cause of your symptoms, there are alternatives to surgery. First, lose a little weight. I study your body as carefully as I listen to your videos. You are well built, but your veins don't show as prominently as compared to pro body builders in the magazines. So I estimate you could lose about 20 lbs of fat. Do the body fat analysis at the gym or with a body fat scale you can buy at Bed Bath Beyond, etc. The goal is 15% for the non athlete or 10% for the advanced body builder. Second, talk to the orthopedist/sports medicine guy/surgeon about inversion tables. The table straps you in so you can "stand on your head" which takes the weight off the herniated discs. Over time, people with routine back pain feel better, but I don't have much experience with people with herniated discs. Lately, there are commercials for tryTeeter.com.
It is worth seeing holistic MD's or DO's about prolotherapy, platelet rich plasma, stem cells for healing. Get Dr. David Brownstein's book on "Ozone: The Miracle Therapy." I met Brownstein in 2008. He has a chapter on orthopedics and has used ozone to treat several problems ranging from routine back pain to herniated discs. He practices in Michigan. You can see him on youtube.
Maybe you will be attracted to smaller lighter amps, like my IceEdge which is arriving Mon. Sometimes I think that you like heavy amps because they help build your muscles!
First, get the proper diagnosis. Just because the MRI shows herniated discs doesn't mean that the anatomic findings correlate with your pain or other symptoms. (Sounds familiar--specs on the amp don't have a strict correlation with sound quality). To establish correlation, see a neurologist, do the nerve conduction velocity and other tests, to see if the abnormalities in the nerve tests correspond to the specific herniated disc. You have FOUR herniated discs, so how does any doctor know which disc(s) should get surgery? DO THE NERVE TESTS. In the old days, a great neurologist would do a careful exam, and establish the correlation without doing the tests. Today, they do the tests to make more money, although also to more firmly establish the correlation for legal reasons. The only time surgery for herniated discs is absolutely necessary is if the nerve to the muscle is being pinched and then the muscle is atrophied. You have to restore strength to the muscle, so you do the surgery. In the appropriate cases, surgery is dramatically successful and worth the risks. But the risks are obvious--inadvertent collateral damage, scar tissue years later, etc.
Maintaining muscle strength is important, but it can be done at my moderate level of routine fitness. At your advanced level, you are pushing the envelope and risk further injury.
If it is established that the herniated discs are the root cause of your symptoms, there are alternatives to surgery. First, lose a little weight. I study your body as carefully as I listen to your videos. You are well built, but your veins don't show as prominently as compared to pro body builders in the magazines. So I estimate you could lose about 20 lbs of fat. Do the body fat analysis at the gym or with a body fat scale you can buy at Bed Bath Beyond, etc. The goal is 15% for the non athlete or 10% for the advanced body builder. Second, talk to the orthopedist/sports medicine guy/surgeon about inversion tables. The table straps you in so you can "stand on your head" which takes the weight off the herniated discs. Over time, people with routine back pain feel better, but I don't have much experience with people with herniated discs. Lately, there are commercials for tryTeeter.com.
It is worth seeing holistic MD's or DO's about prolotherapy, platelet rich plasma, stem cells for healing. Get Dr. David Brownstein's book on "Ozone: The Miracle Therapy." I met Brownstein in 2008. He has a chapter on orthopedics and has used ozone to treat several problems ranging from routine back pain to herniated discs. He practices in Michigan. You can see him on youtube.
Maybe you will be attracted to smaller lighter amps, like my IceEdge which is arriving Mon. Sometimes I think that you like heavy amps because they help build your muscles!