I killed a disc in my lumber back in January from too much rowing/running/weights followe by sitting at a desk for the next ten hours.
A couple of months of visits to a good chiropractor, a month in the swimming pool - all led me to realise that sitting in a car for my 45 min commute didn't help much either. So, still in pain, I hopped back on my bike for the commute. And thank *insert your preferred deity here* I did.
Complete relief from pain WHEN cycling, and a faster recovery than before when off the bike. This coupled with a once a month visit to the back-crack doctor, and I'm happier (pain-management) than I have been for a long time.
Herniated? Who knows, but from a really bad slipped disc, my 26 mile commute has helped a lot.
John
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Recess (aka John)
www.recess.co.uk
"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day."
Frank Sinatra