There are few types of surgeries that actually have a name for when they are unsuccessful, but FBSS is short for Failed Back Surgery Syndrome. Some people go through with it and wake up with no improvement at all. Sort of like trying to change parts on a car without a proper diagnosis.

Folks with referred leg pain have a better chance of a desired outcome from surgery than some one with mostly back pain. An MRI can look like a disaster and yet the patient has no complaints, or the complete opposite is true where someone is in agony and the MRI looks fine. Symptoms and imaging have to agree with an examination before you decide to go down the surgery route.
Look up a microdiscectomy on YouTube. Operating on the lower back is not as risky as dealing with vertebrae higher up where the spinal cord hasn't split off into the horse tail of various individual nerves. It's (relatively) straightforward and most are up and walking the next day, albeit gingerly, and with a restricted set of activities. YMMV of course and you'll never be 18 again no matter how well it goes.

I'm really interested in getting one of these inversion tables about reading (and watching) some of the reviews.....

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/l-3fxVYdb8w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

That's great Baz, if it comes pre-installed with her I'll have two. It'd also make dining at the Y a whole lot easier. ;)

Don't know if you are serious or not :D

+1 on the inversion table from me. I occasionally "tweak" my back...never doing heavy lifting, etc. it always seems to happen bending over to pick up a paper clip or something, but I can be "laid up" pretty bad. I don't exercise on it or even use it on a regular basis...but when I need it, I hang upside down (5 min) for a few days, and all is well. Works wonders (for me), but it all depends upon the nature of you "injury". I've had mine for 6-7 years and dad has had one for longer (which convinced me after using his).

Thanks for the input, KC.

Yes I'm serious about getting one.

Seems like a very economic approach for just the occasional minor back pain.

I just bought one 3 days ago and, though I was skeptical at first, it's made a big difference. I've been using it twice a day for about 10 minutes per session and it's helped alot....thanks for the tip!:cool:

Alex

Great! I love mine. I fly for a living and sit a lot so the table really helps. A normal fitness regimen does too, of course, but the table really fixed my occasional back pain.

Thanks again for the tip on the inversion table.

I found one for sale locally and have a call in to inquire for purchase.

It's like the one on TV --- the EP 560 model. Asking $160.00 which sounds pretty good for me as long as there's nothing broken.

Will keep you posted - thanks again!

I bought a pre-owned Life Gear table for $140.00 off of kijiji.ca:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1391377019.jpg

I found that at an angle of about 75 degrees (i.e. not quite vertical) seems to be the most "comfortable" for me!

At what angle do you have it set at and how often do you use yours BE911SC? Have you developed any ankle problems (from being suspended) at all?

Alex

FYI: WOOT has a deal today for the Teeter 560 model Inversion table for only $229.99. I just ordered one and with shipping the total came to $249.94.

Their ad says "blemished" but usually that's not a big deal - some of these are probably pre-owned and sent back after the buyer changed their mind - so they can't say they are "sparkly brand new".

Here's the link:

Teeter Hang Ups Blemished EP-560 Inversion Table

I messed up my back several years ago moving furniture. Lower back shooting down the leg, typical sciatic issues. Managed it for years with Advil, finally demanded that my PCP refer me to a specialist. An MRI revealed that I had a herniated disc, narrowing of the nerve cavity, and my lowest vertebrae was formed in two pieces (supposed to be one) at birth. After a shot I'm probably at 90%, and stretches get me most of the way to 100%. I suffered for years because my PCP messed around with medications that I didn't want to take, stretches, therapy, etc. In the span of a few weeks it was taken care of. So don't hesitate to push your doc if things aren't working.

A well equipped fitness centre will have a number of machines for working the different core muscle groups. You want to keep that lattice work of muscles conditioned, so that your spine gets the support it needs.

Working the inner core muscles can be done without machines, and is best done with the assistance of a trainer.

Yup, inversion table and ab exercises are what has kept me able to work.