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 Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Helix Sleep: https://helixsleep.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman 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 Disclaimer & Disclosures