For the past few months I've been fighting crippling pain from a protruding disc. I know at this point and the pain I feel for the rest of my life I will be doing at minimum basic exercises to ensure I never fall into this again. Although the torturous pain began in February, my first symptoms were from months earlier, beginning of September. I desperately wish I had taken the time then to start to deal with the problem, I might not be in the state I am now, or at least I would be in a better condition. So I guess if there was a message I would want to tell people it would be this.
1) It is really worth getting your symptoms checked out. It may end up saving you pain in my case, but potentially your life in yours
2) Don't neglect your back. Ergonomics is there for a reason. Try to make your workstation adapt to you, don't try to adapt to your workstation.
3) If you have it, do not forsake your good health. Revel in it. If you don't have it, do not forsake your existence.
And now to start looking for a surgeon to rip open my back to play with my spinal cord.