I had a dream there was a new post what revealed the new album release date. Is this a sign of updates to come or am I just getting a little too obsessed?
Well, can’t just be a *little* obsessed, I suppose…

I first met you and Jim Cooper at my sister’s senior piano recital at Wheaton. At the time, you had really long hair and were talking excitedly about a mock-hair metal band you were thinking of forming called, Majestica.

Since that time, I’ve been a big follower of Detholz! Some years ago, you guys played an encore for my wife and I, that being Kiss Me in Space. We were the saps who kissed for the first time to that tune.

Anyway, I injured my L5 S1 disc when I was 18, and I’m now 37. I’ve done everything, including a version of the Vax-D traction device. Besides that, I’ve done the legitimate form of Pilates, seen dozens of physical therapists, done the underwater treadmill thing, seen a few chiropractors, had about six cortizone injections, tried accupuncture, had tons of massage, tried walking and other forms of low-impact exercise, learned about a hundred different stretches, lost 30 pounds to take the pressure off, tried hanging rightside-up and upside-down, and finally, surgery (microdisctectomy). The surgery fixed my main problem, but sort of created another. I’m on a mild painkiller for the indefinite future, although I don’t intend to be on it forever as I don’t like taking drugs if I can help it.

I’ve talked to literally dozens of professionals over the last 20 years, and the one thing I can say, for sure, is that you’re not a candidate for fusion. Although several people I’ve seen have tried to get me to go this route, fusion is really only for folks who are in so much pain that they’ll do absolutely anything to get rid of it. If the pain isn’t making you want to commit suicide, than there are other options open to you as far as surgery goes.

Feel to email me or reply to this comment to discuss. No one solution is for everybody, and most “professionals” simply aren’t. There simply is no consensus out there as to what is the actual answer to this problem.

Andrew, I know I speak for many people, when I say that you’ve already passed on a great deal to all of us. I wish we could help you more.