How to fix Lumbar Disc Extrusion

Lumbar Disc Extrusion ≠ Surgery by Default 🚫🔪

A lumbar disc extrusion sounds alarming—but in many cases, the body has a strong capacity to heal when the spine is loaded progressively and intelligently 🧠🏋️‍♂️

🔍 What the evidence shows 📊

Disc extrusions have one of the highest rates of spontaneous reabsorption 🔄

Systematic reviews report ~60–70% partial or complete reabsorption ✅

Extrusions & sequestrations reabsorb faster than bulges or protrusions ⏱️

Structural changes are commonly seen within 3–12 months, with the largest improvements in the first 6 months 📅

Why exercise matters 💪

🔍Exercise does not “push the disc back in” ❌

Instead, it helps to:

Restore spinal loading tolerance 🧱

Improve trunk & hip strength to offload the spine 🦵

Reduce fear, guarding, and deconditioning 🧘‍♂️

Support circulation & inflammatory processes linked to disc healing 🩸

Key point ⚠️ Rest alone rarely leads to full recovery.

👉 The right exercise, at the right time, at the right dose makes the difference 🎯

Clinical takeaway 🩺 Pain ≠ damage.

MRI findings must always be matched with symptoms, movement, and function 🧩

If you’ve been told you have a lumbar disc extrusion and feel unsure what is safe to do:

👉 Get assessed properly and follow a structured rehab plan—not guesswork 📋

References 📚
Zhong et al., Spine Journal – Higher resorption rates in disc extrusions & sequestrations

Chiu et al., Clinical Rehabilitation – ~66% reabsorption with conservative care

Macki et al., Neurosurgical Focus – Most changes occur within 6–12 months

#lumbardisc #discextrusion #discresorption #backpainrecovery #spinalhealth