L4 & L5 disc herniation

[joatmon]

Had an L5-S1 herniation in October 2013. It was so bad I could barely walk. Went to the doctor and got a cortisone shot and referred to a specialist. Cortisone shot helped a lot with pain, but still had lots of numbness down my left leg, particularly in my foot and toes. Specialist recommend surgery as soon as possible. I said no thanks. Decided to try acupuncture first at my mom's insistence. Sounded like malarkey to me, but decided to give it a whirl. After my first session almost all the numbness in my foot was gone. After second session, no numbness. Did a third session for good measure. I was back to 100%. For a year. Herniated it again October 2014. Tried acupuncture again. Nothing this time. I guess this is somewhat common. After a second herniation, recovery takes longer. Ended up doing physical therapy. That got me fixed up after several weeks. I still do my stretches everyday and go to the gym often to keep my core stong and tight. Fingers crossed that I don't go and mess it up again somehow this October.