In this episode, my guest is Dr. Stuart McGill, Ph.D., a distinguished professor emeritus of spine biomechanics at the University of Waterloo and a world expert on spine anatomy and physiology, back pain, and rehabilitation. We discuss the most common sources of back pain, how back pain can be assessed (including self-assessment techniques), and how to design a personalized recovery plan to reduce back pain.
We discuss how to train for lifelong fitness, reduce injury risk, and protect your back and joints based on your age and personal goals. We also discuss how to prevent back pain, build core stability, and explain how “McGill’s Big 3” exercises protect and strengthen the back. Dr. McGill, who is exceptionally fit in his late 60s, describes his low-time investment, personal training routine, and the specific exercises he uses for mobility, strength, and cardiovascular fitness.
We also discuss controversial issues in the back pain and rehabilitation field, including how pain originates, the biopsychosocial model of pain, and treatments such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP). This episode provides clear, actionable tools to strengthen, prevent, and remedy back pain and injury so you can be pain-free while enjoying sports, exercise, and daily activities at any age.
Access the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com.
Watch the clip on back pain relief and spine anatomy that accompanies this episode.
Demonstration of The McGill Method
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Timestamps
00:00:00 Dr. Stuart McGill
00:02:33 Sponsors: Helix Sleep, BetterHelp & Waking Up
00:06:23 What Causes Back Pain?; Genetics, Dog Breed Analogy
00:12:55 Tool: Skeleton & Body Type; Spine Flexibility & Discs
00:20:25 Flexibility & Exercises; Discs & Collagen
00:25:43 Sponsor: AG1
00:27:32 Stress & Tipping Point; Athletic Tradeoffs, Triathletes
00:36:17 Back Pain, Goals & Training Program
00:45:57 Spine Hygiene, Back Pain, Powerlifting
00:53:33 Genetics & Running
00:59:34 Sponsor: LMNT
01:00:46 Rehabilitation & Reducing Volume; Injury
01:07:42 Tool: Training for Lifelong Fitness, Injury & Joints
01:17:40 Pain Types, Biopsychosocial Model of Pain
01:26:15 Coaching, Explosivity & Endurance
01:32:43 Virtual Surgery & Rest, Pain Recovery
01:41:25 Tool: McGill’s Big 3; Building Back Strength & Stability
01:46:39 Inversion Tables & Spine Deloading, Disc Bulge, Tool: Lumbar Support
01:51:09 Tool: Daily Walking; Sitting
01:55:33 Deadlift & Bone Density, Glute-Ham Raise
02:06:20 Training & Age, Osteoporosis, Tool: Deadlift Alternatives
02:16:47 Tools: Biblical Training Week; Spine Stability & McGill’s Big 3; Shrinking & Age
02:24:16 Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP); Disc Damage
02:27:56 Tools: Biblical Training Week & Strength Exercises, Neck Strength
02:35:24 Tools: Sword Play, Distal Limb Loading, Training for Symmetry
02:42:38 Tools: Biblical Training Week, Mobility & Cardiovascular Exercises, Athletic Panel
02:49:22 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter
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