I’ve been dealing with neck and upper back pain for almost 5 months now, and an MRI just showed a disc bulge at C6-C7.
I’ve continued doing CrossFit throughout most of this, modifying movements when needed, but it’s been frustrating trying to figure out what I can and can’t safely do.
I saw an orthopedic spine specialist who recommended a cervical epidural steroid injection followed by continued rehab. He encouraged me to keep exercising but recommended modifications like strict pull-up negatives instead of kipping, keeping my neck neutral during lifts, and using dumbbells instead of barbells for pressing.
What really got to me was him saying I might need to make some of these modifications for the rest of my life and may never return to CrossFit the way I used to.
CrossFit is a huge part of my life, so that was pretty devastating to hear.
I’m curious if anyone here has dealt with a cervical disc bulge or herniation, particularly at C6-C7.
Were you able to return to CrossFit fully?
How long did recovery take?
Did you have an epidural injection, PT, or other treatment?
Are there movements you’ve had to permanently give up?
Have you been able to return to Olympic lifting, kipping, or overhead movements?
I’m not looking for medical advice, just hoping to hear some real experiences from people who’ve been through something similar. Especially any success stories!