Low Back Pain & Sciatica Mythbusting

Dr. Anthony Davis
  • 3.5 (6)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

I empower people with low back pain and sciatica to understand the facts and research about their pain, so they can reclaim the active life the love using an integrated, evidence-based approach to rehab through exercise, nutrition, stress reduction, and sleep. ✅ Watch the MASTERCLASS on Low Back Pain & Sciatica. https://visit.shapeshiftwellness.com/bbp-masterclass-5 This podcast was formerly known as Health or Hoax.

  1. 2D AGO

    072 - Annular Tear/Fissure, Disc Pain, PRP, Stem Cells

    ✅ Join our FREE Membership for access to our Masterclass, resources, video podcast, community, and more! https://app.shapeshiftwellness.com/c/free-trainings-resources/ . In this episode, we tackle one of the most misunderstood MRI findings in the low back pain & sciatica world: annular tears (annular fissures). If you’ve been told your disc is “leaking,” that your spine is unstable, or that you should never bend again… this is for you. We break down one of the most widely shared articles on annular tears and critically analyze it . What’s accurate? What’s misleading? And what’s just fear-based language? You’ll learn what an annular tear actually is. How it compares to a disc herniation. And why most MRI findings don’t mean what you think they mean. We also cover true red flags. The rare situations where disc injuries really matter. If you’re dealing with chronic low back pain, sciatica, or anxiety about your MRI results, this episode will help you stop catastrophizing your spine. And start focusing on what actually drives recovery.

    1h 3m

  2. FEB 14

    071 - Everything Makes My Pain Worse (Q&A w/ Dr. Davis & Dr. Blake)

    ✅ Watch the MASTERCLASS on Low Back Pain & Sciatica.https://visit.shapeshiftwellness.com/bbp-masterclass-5 Why do chronic pain flare-ups last so long? And what do you do when it feels like everything makes your back pain worse?In this member Q&A, Dr. Anthony Davis and Dr. Blake answer real questions from people dealing with chronic low back pain, sciatica, nerve pain, disc bulges, and fear of movement.If you’ve ever felt stuck in the flare-up rollercoaster, this episode is for you..Here’s everything we cover:• Why do flare-ups last 3–4 weeks? Is that normal?• If pain is stress-related, why doesn’t it calm down as quickly as it started?• How do you “switch off” the brain’s pain response?• What if sitting hurts… but standing hurts too?• How do I prove to myself I’m not damaged when I hurt every day?• Meditation isn’t helping my pain — now what?• Am I regressing… or is this just part of recovery?• Is sacral or glute pain actually coming from my back?• How do I overcome the fear of damaging my back with movement?• My hips pop during exercises — am I out of alignment?• If something clicks but doesn’t hurt, should I worry?• Should I adjust pelvic tilt or hip rotation during exercises?• What do you think about swimming for back pain rehab?• How do I test new exercises without triggering a flare-up?• How do I protect my shoulders during upper body training?• Does my MRI diagnosis (stenosis, spondylolisthesis, disc issues) actually matter?.0:00 When Everything Makes Pain Worse8:42 Fear, Catastrophizing & Feeling “Worse”25:24 Why Flare-Ups Last 3–4 Weeks33:20 MRI Results & Diagnosis Myths35:44 Protecting Your Shoulders37:10 Hip Popping & Alignment Fears40:30 Swimming & Testing New Exercises47:40 Relief Positions vs Real Rehab.#lowbackpain #lowbackpainrelief#lowbackpainexercises #discherniation #sciaticarelief#sciatica #sciaticatreatment..⚠️ THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE! CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE ENGAGING IN EXERCISE. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or treat. If you engage in this exercise or exercise program, you agree that you do so at your own risk, are voluntarily participating in these activities, assume all risk of injury to yourself. This content is purely for educational purposes.

    50 min

  3. FEB 7

    070 - "What If Every Exercise Causes More Back Pain?" (Q&A w/ Dr. Davis & Dr. Blake)

    ✅ Watch the MASTERCLASS on Low Back Pain & Sciatica.https://visit.shapeshiftwellness.com/bbp-masterclass-5. In this Q&A with Dr. Davis & Dr. Blake, we answer questions from our members this week about chronic low back pain and sciatica.. We talk about: - How to find the right exercises for chronic low back pain and sciatica when everything you do seems to flare up your pain - Why every exercise flares my back pain or sciatica (and what to do instead) - How to make progress with exercise when even easy movements hurt - How to know if exercise pain means damage or just nervous system sensitivity- How to handle asymmetrical pain, flare-ups, stress, and daily activity without making things worse..#lowbackpain #lowbackpainrelief#lowbackpainexercises #discherniation #sciaticarelief#sciatica #sciaticatreatment..⚠️ THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE! CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE ENGAGING IN EXERCISE. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or treat. If you engage in this exercise or exercise program, you agree that you do so at your own risk, are voluntarily participating in these activities, assume all risk of injury to yourself. This content is purely for educational purposes.

    58 min

  4. JAN 31

    069 - Will I Ever Heal From Chronic Back Pain & Sciatica? (Q&A w/ Dr. Davis & Dr. Blake)

    ✅ Watch the MASTERCLASS on Low Back Pain & Sciatica.https://visit.shapeshiftwellness.com/bbp-masterclass-5.In this Q&A with Dr. Davis & Dr. Blake, we answer questions from our members this week about chronic low back pain and sciatica..We talk about:- What to do when you're in chronic pain and struggling with motivation?- How long does it take to feel better and heal from chronic back pain & sciatica?- How to continue to be functional, improve mobility and strength, and continue to live a meaningful life, even when you're recovering from chronic back pain, disc herniations, nerve pain, or sciatica?..#lowbackpain #lowbackpainrelief#lowbackpainexercises #discherniation #sciaticarelief#sciatica #sciaticatreatment

    49 min

  5. JAN 11

    068 - BEST EXERCISES To Safely Squat With BACK PAIN & SCIATICA (Complete Guide)

    ✅ Watch the MASTERCLASS on Low Back Pain & Sciatica.https://visit.shapeshiftwellness.com/bbp-masterclass-5. If you’ve been told you can’t squat because of back pain, disc degeneration, a disc herniation, a bulging disc, or sciatica, this video will show you how to safely rebuild your squat step by step—without flare-ups, fear, or reckless advice . Squats don’t damage your spine.But trying to squat before your body is ready can absolutely make back pain, nerve pain, or sciatica worse.In this video, I break down every physical prerequisite required to squat safely, including: • Core stability and intra-abdominal pressure • Spinal extension strength (to resist spinal flexion under load) • Hip mobility and ankle mobility • Glute and quad strength • The ability to move your hips and legs without excessive spinal movement

    19 min

  6. JAN 4

    067 - ONE exercise to FIX your low back pain INSTANTLY? (DOCTOR REACTS)

    ✅ Watch the MASTERCLASS on Low Back Pain & Sciatica.https://visit.shapeshiftwellness.com/bbp-masterclass-5.Low Back Ability makes some BOLD claims about curing low back pain and sciatica. Does he really have the ONE exercise to magically CURE low back pain INSTANTLY? Will this really work if you have disc degeneration, disc herniations, sciatica, nerve damage, SI joint pain, or a spondylolisthesis? Are back extension exercises, jefferson curls, and nerve stretching exercises really the best exercises for chronic low back pain and sciatica pain relief?..#lowbackpain #lowbackpainrelief#lowbackpainexercises #discherniation #sciaticarelief#sciatica #sciaticatreatment..⚠️ THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE! CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE ENGAGING IN EXERCISE. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or treat. If you engage in this exercise or exercise program, you agree that you do so at your own risk, are voluntarily participating in these activities, assume all risk of injury to yourself. This content is purely for educational purposes.

    40 min

  7. 12/28/2025

    066 - Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Pain Relief Exercises - Avoid These Stretches! (DOCTOR REACTS)

    ✅ Watch the MASTERCLASS on Low Back Pain & Sciatica.https://visit.shapeshiftwellness.com/bbp-masterclass-5.Is your SI joint really out of place?.Is your SI joint actually unstable?.Is your SI Joint even the cause of your pain?.As usual, I'll be contrasting this fear-mongering by showing real peer-reviewed research that debunks these outdated and fearful myths. .BUT - with my biomechanics experience as a college anatomy & physiology professor, and Doctor of Chiropractic, I'll also show how he gets the basic biomechanics wrong in the first place. .I'll give you practical alternatives and evidence-based tips to overcome chronic pain and get active again. .#lowbackpain #lowbackpainrelief#lowbackpainexercises #discherniation #sciaticarelief#sciatica #sciaticatreatment

    31 min

  8. 12/23/2025

    065 - If I WOKE UP With BACK PAIN Tomorrow, Here's How I'd FIX IT FAST

    ✅ Watch the NEW FREE TRAINING on Low Back Pain & Sciatica:https://visit.shapeshiftwellness.com/beyondpaintraining.If I woke up tomorrow with back pain or sciatica, and my goal was to calm the pain, stop the flare-up, and get back to normal life and exercise as fast as possible, this is exactly what I would do.In this video, I walk you step-by-step through a research-based, non-scary plan for acute back pain and sciatica flare-ups—the same framework I personally use and teach to people dealing with both new injuries and long-term chronic pain.This is not about fixing posture, correcting alignment, or chasing MRI findings. It’s about calming your nervous system, reducing fear, restoring safe movement, and rebuilding confidence in your body.In this video, you’ll learn: • What to do immediately when back pain or sciatica flares up • Why fight-or-flight makes pain worse (and how to shut it down fast) • Why hurt does NOT equal harm, even with disc bulges or degeneration • The best short-term pain relief options (and why none of them “fix” you) • How to figure out why the flare-up happened in the first place • Why MRI findings like disc herniations are often normal and not dangerous • How visualization and mindset affect pain recovery (without woo-woo nonsense) • When and how to safely start exercising again • Why graded exposure to real-life movement beats “perfect rehab exercises” • How to stay mentally healthy while recovering from back pain or sciaticaThis approach applies whether: • Your pain just started yesterday • You’ve been dealing with chronic low back pain for years • You have sciatica, disc herniations, degeneration, or stenosis • You’re afraid to move because you don’t want to “make it worse”I’ve personally lived with chronic pain for over a decade, and I’ve worked with people who’ve recovered after 10, 20, even 30+ years of back pain and sciatica. There is always a path forward...✅ Watch the NEW FREE TRAINING on Low Back Pain & Sciatica:https://visit.shapeshiftwellness.com/beyondpaintraining.#lowbackpain #lowbackpainrelief#lowbackpainexercises #discherniation #sciaticarelief#sciatica #sciaticatreatment

    12 min
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Ratings & Reviews

3.5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

I empower people with low back pain and sciatica to understand the facts and research about their pain, so they can reclaim the active life the love using an integrated, evidence-based approach to rehab through exercise, nutrition, stress reduction, and sleep. ✅ Watch the MASTERCLASS on Low Back Pain & Sciatica. https://visit.shapeshiftwellness.com/bbp-masterclass-5 This podcast was formerly known as Health or Hoax.

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