I'm all for avoiding surgery, but it is unrealistic to believe that people suffering the excruciating pain produced by a herniated disk can force themselves to resume normal activities. I've had problems with herniated disks for many years and found that usually the severity of the pain lessens over time (with the most minimal movement necessary for basic self-care), but I did have to have surgery four years ago. No way could I run or do normal activities. So I think that this doctor doesn't really understand the level of pain produced by herniated disks.

For me, time and anti-inflammatories (both of which are non-invasive, of course) slowly provide relief and allow a very gradual resumpti...

I'm all for avoiding surgery, but it is unrealistic to believe that people suffering the excruciating pain produced by a herniated disk can force themselves to resume normal activities. I've had problems with herniated disks for many years and found that usually the severity of the pain lessens over time (with the most minimal movement necessary for basic self-care), but I did have to have surgery four years ago. No way could I run or do normal activities. So I think that this doctor doesn't really understand the level of pain produced by herniated disks.

For me, time and anti-inflammatories (both of which are non-invasive, of course) slowly provide relief and allow a very gradual resumption of normal activities. Sadly, the most relief I experienced came from using the infamous Vioxx for the last few months before it was withdrawn from the market.

I am not a runner, but perhaps the endorphins generated by running helped to ease the pain experienced by the doctor and his wife. Good for them. But to have him espousing a "work through the pain" philosophy to people in such agony that they can barely move a muscle is insulting.