One day in my late 30s, a sharp pain shot through my lower back.

“Just another fatigue-related backache,” I thought — but this time was different. The pain wouldn’t go away. Getting up hurt. Sitting down hurt. I put up with it for a while, but when it started interfering with daily life, I finally went to the doctor.

The diagnosis: a herniated disc.

An 80-Kilogram Body Had Broken Its Own Back

The cause was obvious.

My back had been supporting a body of more than 80 kilograms with zero exercise, and it had finally reached its limit. A herniated disc (intervertebral disc herniation) happens when the cushioning between the vertebrae — the disc — slips out and presses on the nerves. Along with the pain, it can cause numbness in the legs.

The doctor recommended stretching and weight management. “If you keep going the way you are, it will get worse,” he said plainly.

And Yet, Nothing Changed

I’m embarrassed to say this, but at the time I didn’t take the doctor’s words seriously.

The stretching was occasional at best. My diet, my after-work drinks, my karaoke nights — everything stayed the same as before. I carried on with the comfortable delusion that painkillers would get me through.

The desire to keep having fun was still winning. I was choosing the pleasure of the moment over my body’s distress signals.

People really don’t change until they’re truly pushed to the wall.

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Next time: Back to the doctor. The words that changed everything.

※ This article is based on personal experience and publicly available information. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease. If you have health concerns, please consult a doctor or registered dietitian. See our Disclaimer.