My major lower back issues started about a year ago after lifting heavy boxes of Christmas decorations. After that day, I could barely walk, couldn't stand up straight, everything was a mess. I went to get an MRI and was prescribed a strong anti-inflammatory.

I was told that it was a torn Annulus Fibrosis by that doctor, and another doctor told me it was bulging discs. No one told me how to fix this, other than PT, ice heat, stretching, etc. Same crap that everyone says.

Before this, I was in the best shape of my life. I was weight training every day almost. Also, I was running and doing heavy cardio. After this injury, I have had to completely stop everything. I could barely lift the grocery bags without aggravating the symptoms. I was feeling hopeless.

Over time, I fought and fought to remain active, but every form of exercise made things worse. Even the elliptical at the gym and the stationary bike worsened my symptoms. However, I NEEDED to get exercise. I wasn't going to let myself go.

I never thought walking was even considered an exercise. I figured it was just something lazy people did just to feel like they were doing something. However, I was noticing that being on my feet for a long while was actually helping. So I started getting up and walking every day, right after breakfast for about 15 minutes.

I also discovered DDPY Yoga which has been helping me tremendously. I thought folding myself into these positions would make things worse, but it has actually been helping. Just have to modify some positions to your liking.

After 9 months now, I've improved a lot and am about 90% better. The point i'm trying to make about back issues is that to get better, YOU HAVE TO WANT IT!!! You have to get up, stay active, seek all your treatment options, and be your own doctor. Most doctors don't know what's going on with backs, so you have to figure it out on your own.

Hope this inspires you guys to work on getting better.