Host Andy, a physical therapist, and co-host Andrew, an exercise physiologist, interview “San Diego Mike” about finally getting relief after about 13 years of recurrent flare-ups from an L5-S1 disc herniation. Mike describes an active lifestyle (basketball, surfing, climbing, tennis, beach volleyball) and years of cycling through multiple PT clinics, self-remedies, and frequent ibuprofen without understanding triggers or root causes; he recalls being told surgery would require disc replacement and he’d likely have to live with it. A recent PT helped him identify flexion-related and jerky-sport movements as flare triggers, adopt core bracing and hip-hinge strategies, and build sport-specific strength (RDLs, squats, band hips), allowing continued volleyball and fewer symptoms, with remaining fatigue and occasional leg sensations. The wrap-up highli ...