Sidelined by my Back: My Journey with Intraosseous Disc Herniation

Sidelined by my Back: My Journey with Intraosseous Disc Herniation

If you’ve been following my adventures lately, you know that the mountains are my second home. There is nothing I love more than the rush of catching air on my snowboard and the crisp wind on my face. However, lately, my body has been sending me a different kind of signal—one I couldn’t ignore.

What started as a nagging back pain slowly began to get worse. At first, I tried to push through it, thinking it was just the usual soreness from a hard day of riding. But when the pain started to interfere with my daily life, I knew it was time to see a professional.

The Diagnosis: What is Intraosseous Disc Herniation?

After a visit to the doctor and an MRI scan, I finally got some answers. I’ve been diagnosed with intraosseous disc herniation.

Essentially, this happens when the soft tissue of the intervertebral disc pushes through the vertebral body endplate and into the bone itself. My doctor explained that this is particularly common in people who are still growing and who participate in high-impact sports. For me, that meant all those years of high-impact landings and jumping with my snowboard finally caught up with me.

Creating Space for Healing

Recovery isn’t just about sitting still; it’s about moving the right way. To help things “pop” back into place, I’ve started a specialized routine of targeted stretching exercises. These movements are designed to decompress the spine and create extra space between the vertebrae, giving the disc the room it needs to settle. To keep my fitness up without the heavy impact, I’ve also swapped the slopes for the pool and the bike. Swimming and cycling have become my best friends—they allow me to stay active and strong while keeping my back supported and gravity-free.

The Prescription: The Power of Rest

The news wasn’t exactly what I wanted to hear during the height of the season: I have to take a few weeks of total rest from snowboarding.

The goal is to give my spine the time and space it needs to heal. By stepping away from the high-impact movements of jumping, it allows the pressure to decrease so the disc can recover and the inflammation can subside.

“Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is sit one out so you can come back stronger.”

Lessons in Listening to Your Body

It’s easy to feel frustrated when you’re sidelined, especially when the powder is calling. But this experience has taught me an important lesson: Your body is the only equipment you can’t replace. While I’ll be trading my snowboard for a yoga mat and a swimsuit for the next few weeks, I know that this rest is an investment. Taking the time to heal properly now means I can get back to doing what I love sooner, without risking long-term damage.

To everyone out there pushing their limits—don’t forget to listen when your body asks for a break.

I’ll be sharing my recovery journey, my stretching routine, and some behind-the-scenes life over on my socials. Make sure to follow me on Instagram to stay updated and see when I finally get back on the board!

Chill out!

Zazi