E35 Stuart McGill explains the mechanics of back pain and the secrets to a healthy spine

0:00 Intro
04:23 Interview Begins
1:55:41 Interview Ends

Back pain has become the world’s leading cause of disability.

Stuart McGill has been at the forefront of non-surgical approaches to addressing back pain for many years. His 2015 book “Back Mechanic: The Secrets to a Healthy Spine Your Doctor Isn’t Telling You” is a wonderfully accessible account of his methods and perspectives.

McGill spent 30 years as a professor of spine biomechanics at the University of Waterloo in Canada. His laboratory has become a renowned destination for everyday people as well as Olympic and professional athletes from around the world who are struggling with back pain.

He is the author of more than 300 scientific publications and 3 textbooks that address issues such as lumbar spine function and injury mechanisms, patient assessment, corrective exercise prescription, and performance training. McGill also consults for many medical management groups, governments, corporations, legal firms, and elite sports teams.

He has won numerous awards, including the prestigious Volvo Bioengineering Award for Low Back Pain Research.

He released his landmark text, “Low Back Disorders: Evidence-Based Prevention and Rehabilitation,” in 2002. It changed the way coaches, bodybuilders, athletes and non-athletes approached core training. His new book, “Back Mechanic,” is written for a lay audience and addresses common misperceptions about back pain. It also provides a step-by-step guide of the McGill Method to fix back pain.

McGill and his staff have also produced a video, “The Ultimate Back: Enhancing Performance,” that synthesizes McGill’s approaches for avoiding back injury and enhancing athletic and physical performance. It is available for purchase on Vimeo.

[Kteeee]

I love when I go down a rabbit hole and find something valuable like this that has just been sitting here for years waiting for me to stumble across it

[gryphgrrl]

Very powerful episode! Fascinating discussion of elasticity/amplitude and strength/resilience in sport and backs, etc.

Medicine has so much to learn from you
This is Nobel prize level with Dr. McGill. Thank you for your work.

[eroceanos]

This was gold. As I have suffered from back pain and sciatica, I can only say: thank you, thank you, thank you!

[fitnesssoup]

I had an appointment with a specialist about symptoms I was experiencing. They said nothing could be identified as the cause. And advised me to seek psychological counseling. Then later I visited another spine center. After looking at the MRI, they said that I’d been dealing with this for a very long time. Is it unreasonable to suggest that we could have done a better job of determining the causes of what I was experiencing and begin addressing it instead of denying, ignoring it and neglecting to do anything? The incompetence is baffling.

[rexx]

Back Mechanic saved me from having to get a spinal fusion. Forever indebted to this man.

[antonomaseapophasis]

Sort of noticed people putting grip strength into programs, but this discussion was an awakening.
At least three points where one's perspective before listening to this was reorientated afterwards.

[lisa-rouletlawfirm]

Brilliant back pain expert. He notices everything, like Sherlock Holmes.
Favorite advice: minute :48, walk breakfast, lunch, and dinner time for 20 minutes since walking throughout day very helpful.
Around 1:10 mark: minimize bending first hour in morning since disk are super hydrated and stiff, to minimize injury.

[rolandalley]

What a fantastic discussion. I learn something every single time I hear Dr. McGill speak. Thanks!

[zamuelito]

This man embodies my same conception of personal trainer and therapist. Thanks for the inspiration

[barryjones]

Amazing interview with the great man. Great questions and a lovely relaxed atmosphere. Thank you for the upload.

[movementaddict]

What a wonderful interview - thank you!!

[joehudson]

Im obssessed watching my peers bio mechanics sooo interesting

[coreymartin]

I'm just past the self-assessment in Back Mechanic (recommended by a guy in the grocery store who just saw me wince one time when stepping) and, based on the testimonials I've read and the content so far, I'm quite optimistic.

I work on irrigation systems for a living, which involves bending over in every different way all day long until well past fatigue, when proper form is way out the window. I was also doing a lot of kettlebell training, but my hip hinge was supplemented with spine bending (as trained by work), and I'm fairly certain that load made things worse. I miss my Pavel training and hope I can regain the ability to train with swings and getups again.

[carrollindsay]

I have ongoing pain in my feet from an accident a couple years ago. today I was looking for a video on feet when I stumbled in Dr McGill.
His talk included information maybe beneficial to my case. Dr. was very interesting. It left me with questions for the doctor. How do I reach out to the doctor thank you.
Carrol

[GabrielGoopar]

Thank you so much, ive been told the pain was in my head for 7 years while having erectyle dysfunction at 23. I gave up and learnt to live as asexual. But everything got worse, everything got much worse I couldnt even sleep in days I never felt tired, my forehead was full of hurtful lumps and if I pressed them I was able to sleep but it would have consequences the next day, everything more swollen hair loss where the lumps were. but the lack of sleep made me feel like dying, I was legit ready to die at 30 for some random disease that was all in my head even when my body was screaming with symptoms that could be felt at touch. Anyway I started getting better after seeing quiroprachtor and physiotherapist and etc but it wasnt enough. I went to a neurologist got MRIs he said it showed nothing and I was fine besides my scholiosis. Anycow I went to a random urologist right after who insisted it was a neurological problem and he send me to get more tests and they came pretty fine again, so he insisted that it was a neurological problem according to my symptons and he gave me medication for it. It instantly worked... I dont have a diagnose, I dont know if I will ever find it, but I started taking the medication yesterday, I was able to masturbate almost perfectly fine, even the sensitivity came back, I just know that it has got something to do with my lower back that has a huge lump and I feel better when massaging it, as well as my left hip all the way to my toes that can barely feel or move. But who knows. Either way this episode gave me insight and validation, thanks to the doctor

[apexbjj]

I wish I'd heard and respond to this years ago.

[triciaodonnell]

What do you think of chiropractors making adjustments ?

[backfru]

This was awesome.
Big fan of Mr McGill!

[prevent]

I’m from New Jersey, I have suffered with back pain since 2014. I have chased every lead down and seen every kind of professional. They can’t seem to find an issue. I have been told everything from degenerative diseases to anxiety. It is so incredibly frustrating. Words can’t describe what it feels like to not be able to trust your own body. They also can not describe the fear of losing your job and everything that comes with losing your income. There are weeks In which I can not walk and then I’m up and moving. I’m in pain and aware of my movements but I can function. I need help and you seem to have a deep understanding of the back. Would I be able to setup an appointment to meet you?

[bennguyen]

Would have been nice to hear his thoughts on the state of surgical procedures.. for example, the efficacy/safety of spinal surgeon Dr. Peter Wehling's patented anti-inflammatory Regenokine / Orthokine therapy, which has the top athletes in the world flying to Düsseldorf, Germany for!

Or the theory of the late Dr. John Sarno, that suggested back pain is in your head.. even in the presence of herniated discs (ex. L5-S1(central-lateral) extrusion)!