Spinal stenosis diagnosed at age 40 with major spinal decompression surgery and fusion over 6 vertebrae (thoracic - extremely rare). I am still working to overcome limitations almost 8 years later. I sometimes regret the surgery but it was either that or paralysis.
Add in early onset arthritis and hip impingement and it’s a miracle I can even walk (one hip replaced already and putting off the other).
I so wish I could ride a bike again. It was one of my supreme joys as a younger man logging thousands of miles on my titanium steed. I keep my old bike hanging on the wall as a motivator to reclaim the saddle someday.
With that said, I hit the gym 4-5 days a week focusing almost exclusively on stretching and strengthening my core. I do a bastardized version of yoga for about an hour a day and after 6 months or so am finally starting to feel some progress. I often feel that I have to work twice as hard to get half as far though.
I have no illusions about being 100% pain free. I have good days and bad days. Keeping the weight off and eating healthy has made a huge difference in my quality of life.
On top of all the other shit I also have a herniated disc in my neck.
Found this on Amazon and it’s really helped. Doesn’t take much. A few mins a day does wonders.
https://www.amazon.com/NeckPro-II-Cervical-Traction-Device/dp/B003DLV9IU
