The Laminectomy Avoidance Protocol
The Laminectomy Avoidance Protocol is rooted in the belief that movement, when applied with clinical precision, is the most powerful tool for spinal preservation. Our method rejects the inevitability of surgery by integrating expert-led physical therapy with advanced biomechanical analysis. We work to identify the specific loading patterns that cause pain and compression, replacing them with spine-sparing techniques that allow you to rebuild strength without the risk of further injury.
In addition to careful work on the BikeErg and SkiErg, I’ve added light, supervised resistance training to support the muscles around my spine and major joints. The goal isn’t heavy lifting, but steady work that keeps strength, control, and balance as we try to avoid the need for surgery.
Central to this success is a rigorous process of monitoring movement. By observing how your spine responds to load in real-time, we provide a diagnostic feedback loop that ensures every repetition of every exercise is therapeutic. This isn't just a generic workout; it's a medically-guided transition from chronic pain to functional resilience, designed to work in synergy with your body's natural biomechanics to make avoiding surgery a realistic outcome.
Position, Posture, and the BikeErg
Spine-Sparing Work on the SkiErg
The BikeErg is optimized to build cardiovascular capacity without the axial loading of traditional cycling. By precisely adjusting the cockpit for an upright, neutral spine, we eliminate the micro-trauma associated with lumbar flexion and poor posture, making sustained aerobic health a cornerstone of surgery avoidance.
Working on the SkiErg introduces a safe, vertical pulling motion that strengthens the posterior chain while decompressing the vertebrae. Proper technique—focusing on hip movement rather than spinal bending—provides a full-body metabolic stimulus that protects high-risk surgical sites while building elite-level functional strength.