Bed BACK and Beyond

Christine King

Sharing positive stories of recovery after a herniated disc or other spinal cord injury.  Join herniated disc champion CK as she has informative and encouraging conversations with other back injury survivors.  From people who elected to have back surgery (microdiscectomy, laminectomy, fusion, etc) to those who used more conservative methods, plus all things in between, join our podcast, and let's talk about how life can move beyond the bed after injury.  If you are dealing with the isolation and despair that often accompanies a serious back or neck injury, then you'll love being a part of these stories of hope and recovery.Subscribe, and enjoy the show!www.bedbackbeyond.com

  1. No Fusion, No Regrets: One Patient’s Journey to Artificial Disc Surgery in Germany

    JAN 29

    No Fusion, No Regrets: One Patient’s Journey to Artificial Disc Surgery in Germany

    Send us a text 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 fusionPatients with metal or nickel allergiesAnyone researching artificial disc surgery in GermanyListeners looking for real patient stories and outcomesTara’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  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.

    1h 1m
  2. 10/23/2025

    How Caroline Elise Beat Debilitating Neck And Back Pain Without Surgery

    Send us a text We share Caroline’s road from years of “muscular” diagnoses and relentless flares to a non-surgical recovery driven by neutral spine training, careful load management, and the right physical therapist. Surgeons advised against cervical surgery for pain alone, and that guidance opened the door to lasting change. • early low back aches and severe neck spasms dismissed as muscular • MRI confirming cervical disc degeneration and rupture at C5–C6 • temporary wins from epidural injections and anti-inflammatories • surgeons’ caution on pain-focused neck surgery and fusion • Reddit-led search for an advanced manual therapy physical therapist • breakthrough with neutral spine, deep neck flexors, rib control • integrating posture cues into daily life, sport, and sleep • return to swimming, running, and acro yoga with smart regressions • residual tingling when supine and how she manages it • hope for young patients underdiagnosed with disc issues If you are a listener with a positive story of recovery from a serious back or neck injury, head over to my website, bedbackbeyond.com, and click share your story. I would love to include your voice on the show. 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.

    37 min
  3. 04/10/2025

    Hope After the Darkness: A Long-Term Herniated Disc Success Story

    Send us a text When Susan first felt pain in the back of her leg in 2018, she had no idea a tiny disc herniation would nearly destroy her life. After losing 100 pounds, the 34-year-old healthcare worker expected to feel better, not worse. Instead, she found herself unable to sit, sleep through the night, or live without constant agony from sciatic nerve pain. Susan takes us through her 14-month journey of seeking help while fighting a healthcare system that initially dismissed her as "too young" for surgery. The pain became so unbearable that she contemplated suicide, revealing the profound mental health impact that chronic back pain can inflict. Though cortisone injections provided temporary relief, they became less effective over time, reinforcing her need for a more permanent solution. Following her microdiscectomy, Susan experienced what many surgical patients do - continued pain that made her question whether the procedure had worked. But after eight weeks, something remarkable happened - the pain disappeared. Now five years post-surgery, she remains essentially pain-free and has transformed her life completely. A woman who once avoided the outdoors due to anxiety now kayaks, hikes challenging terrain, and embraces physical activities she never imagined possible. This episode offers something critical for those considering or recovering from disc surgery: proof that long-term success is possible. Susan's powerful testimony reminds us not to let surgical statistics intimidate us - the 80% success rate represents real people who found their way back to living fully. If you're struggling with herniated disc pain or recovery, this conversation will restore your hope that life can indeed return, possibly better than before. 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.

    33 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Sharing positive stories of recovery after a herniated disc or other spinal cord injury.  Join herniated disc champion CK as she has informative and encouraging conversations with other back injury survivors.  From people who elected to have back surgery (microdiscectomy, laminectomy, fusion, etc) to those who used more conservative methods, plus all things in between, join our podcast, and let's talk about how life can move beyond the bed after injury.  If you are dealing with the isolation and despair that often accompanies a serious back or neck injury, then you'll love being a part of these stories of hope and recovery.Subscribe, and enjoy the show!www.bedbackbeyond.com

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