Dr. Stuart McGill: Build a Strong, Pain-Proof Back

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

00:00:00Dr. Stuart McGill

00:02:33Sponsors: Helix Sleep, BetterHelp & Waking Up

00:06:23What Causes Back Pain?; Genetics, Dog Breed Analogy

00:12:55Tool: Skeleton & Body Type; Spine Flexibility & Discs

00:20:25Flexibility & Exercises; Discs & Collagen

00:25:43Sponsor: AG1

00:27:32Stress & Tipping Point; Athletic Tradeoffs, Triathletes

00:36:17Back Pain, Goals & Training Program

00:45:57Spine Hygiene, Back Pain, Powerlifting

00:53:33Genetics & Running

00:59:34Sponsor: LMNT

01:00:46Rehabilitation & Reducing Volume; Injury

01:07:42Tool: Training for Lifelong Fitness, Injury & Joints

01:17:40Pain Types, Biopsychosocial Model of Pain

01:26:15Coaching, Explosivity & Endurance

01:32:43Virtual Surgery & Rest, Pain Recovery

01:41:25Tool: McGill’s Big 3; Building Back Strength & Stability

01:46:39Inversion Tables & Spine Deloading, Disc Bulge, Tool: Lumbar Support

01:51:09Tool: Daily Walking; Sitting

01:55:33Deadlift & Bone Density, Glute-Ham Raise

02:06:20Training & Age, Osteoporosis, Tool: Deadlift Alternatives

02:16:47Tools: Biblical Training Week; Spine Stability & McGill’s Big 3; Shrinking & Age

02:24:16Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP); Disc Damage

02:27:56Tools: Biblical Training Week & Strength Exercises, Neck Strength

02:35:24Tools: Sword Play, Distal Limb Loading, Training for Symmetry

02:42:38Tools: Biblical Training Week, Mobility & Cardiovascular Exercises, Athletic Panel

02:49:22Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

Disclaimer & Disclosures