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In this hope-filled episode of Bed Back and Beyond, host CK sits down with Tara, a lumbar artificial disc replacement patient whose journey took her far beyond U.S. borders in search of relief and mobility.

After being told that spinal fusion was her primary option, Tara chose to dig deeper. Determined to preserve motion and avoid fusion, she researched artificial disc replacement, only to uncover a major roadblock: a nickel allergy. Since artificial discs used in the United States contain nickel, Tara was suddenly faced with a difficult decision.

Rather than give up, she kept researching and discovered that European countries offer titanium artificial disc replacements, making surgery possible without triggering her allergy. Though traveling overseas for spine surgery came with a significant financial burden, Tara made the bold choice to proceed.

Today, she shares how the surgery changed her life, why she has zero regrets about the medical debt, and what she wants others considering artificial disc replacement to know before making their decision.

This episode is especially valuable for:

• People considering artificial disc replacement vs fusion
• Patients with metal or nickel allergies
• Anyone researching artificial disc surgery in Germany
• Listeners looking for real patient stories and outcomes

Tara’s story is a reminder that informed patients can find options beyond the standard script, and that sometimes the path to healing requires courage, curiosity, and a passport. #spinehealth #discreplacement

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Was this episode helpful to you? If you would like to support my work on the show, you can buy me a coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/bedbackandbeyond
Have a positive story of recovery to tell? Head over to https://bedbackbeyond.com/share-your-story/ to apply.

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This herniated disc recovery story is for anyone with a sedentary desk job who’s terrified of back surgery.

After years of sitting for work, he developed a herniated disc that left him in constant pain. He was scared of surgery and unsure if it would help — but today he’s working pain-free and encouraging others not to let fear stop them from healing.

In this video, he shares:
• How a sedentary job contributed to his herniated disc
• Why surgery terrified him
• What recovery was really like
• Why he now encourages others to consider surgery
• What life and work feel like now, pain-free

If you’re dealing with back pain, sciatica, or fear around herniated disc surgery, this story may help you feel less alone and more informed.

#HerniatedDiscRecovery #BackSurgeryRecovery #DeskJobPain #Microdiscectomy

Support the show

Was this episode helpful to you? If you would like to support my work on the show, you can buy me a coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/bedbackandbeyond
Have a positive story of recovery to tell? Head over to https://bedbackbeyond.com/share-your-story/ to apply.

Send us a text

We share Sammy’s road from misread leg pain to a clear MRI, one-stitch microdiscectomy, and a return to parenting, work, and lifting. The hard parts—sleepless nights, failed injections, and fear—give way to small wins, smarter movement, and real relief.

• first signs of nerve pain mistaken for hamstring strain
• MRI, below-the-knee symptoms, and surgical red flags
• opioids, pregabalin, and trying medicinal cannabis
• cortisone injection limits and why it informed the choice
• surgery day expectations, one-stitch outcome, immediate relief
• early recovery tactics: walking, log rolls, grabbers, no BLT
• gym return with traffic-light exercises and safe substitutes
• managing flares with hydration, mobility, and pacing
• parenting through pain, mom guilt, and reclaiming cuddles
• long-tail nerve healing, fear of reherniation, building trust

If you are a listener and you have a positive story of recovery from a back or neck injury and you'd like to share it on the show, head over to bedbackbeyond.com and click share your story

Support the show

Was this episode helpful to you? If you would like to support my work on the show, you can buy me a coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/bedbackandbeyond
Have a positive story of recovery to tell? Head over to https://bedbackbeyond.com/share-your-story/ to apply.