so in 2005 I had a dorsal/left side lower back disc bulge/protrusion. Since then it gets aggravated from time to time and now happens more after I train, especially the low bar squat, deadlift, romanian deadlift, or any strenuous hip flexor exercise or passive rotation of the spine holds like you would see in yoga. Once it’s in pain, it’s worse when I drive or sit for long periods if time, and after I do any sort of passive traction (hanging). The traction or stretch feels good in the moment but gets worse as I get back to movement. Flexing the lower back seems to help momentarily (during the High bar squat) but worsens after the workout. The pain is pulsating, constant (off and on) and goes into my left testicle and sometimes to my lateral quadricep. I don’t notice and loss of strength just an aggrivating pain. My assumption is that some kind of structural deformity near the transversii of the Lumbar spinal column (L3/L4/L5) os getting irritated, inflamed and swollen, to where the swelling is temporarily pressing on nerves that go to the testicle, thigh, etc. I try to move and work through it as best as possible but its draining and stressful trying to manage the pain. So far no therapy has helped other than time, ibuprofen, and heat.
Sorry to hear you’ve been dealing with this issue for a while. This may be worth having a consult on: Contact Us | Barbell Medicine.
Overall, although the problem you are perceiving is the disc and/or tissue such as the musculature (note your usage of “it” several times in the OP), this isn’t likely as straightforward as a disc problem and “it” is causing you pain but rather you are the one experiencing pain and this experience can be effected/magnified by a plethora of variables. A consult would likely be beneficial to work through some of the narratives you’ve been supplied and beliefs you have about what’s going on and how to handle the process vs text format.
We have solid evidence that discs heal and we can’t ignore the high prevalence rate of such findings in the asymptomatic population. You may find this blog of benefit: Loading...