Professor Stuart McGill

NEW PODCAST on Keen On Yoga: @keen_on_yoga Adam and Stuart M. McGill delve into the complexities of back pain, emphasizing the importance of individual assessment and understanding the unique stories behind each person’s pain. They discuss the roles of genetics, exposure, and psychosocial factors in back health, as well as the significance of appropriate stiffness and proper posture. The conversation also touches on the impact of physical culture, the importance of moderation in physical activities, and the need for tailored approaches to managing back pain. KEY POINTS • Genetics plays a crucial role in determining individual back pain susceptibility. • Each person’s back pain story is unique and requires thorough assessment. • The psychosocial context can significantly influence pain responses. • Yoga practices can sometimes exacerbate back issues if not approached mindfully. • Stiffness in the spine is a material property that can be beneficial when managed correctly. • Moderation in physical activities is essential for long-term health. • Back pain is a symptom, not a diagnosis; understanding the underlying cause is key. • Proper posture is vital for spinal health and can prevent pain. • The hip hinge is an important movement pattern for maintaining back health. • Everything in physical performance involves trade-offs; balance is necessary.

New Huberman Lab podcast out now: HOW TO BUILD A STRONG PAIN-FREE BACK with Dr Stuart McGill - On the new episode of the Huberman Lab podcast 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. - You can find the episode in all formats by going to hubermanlab.com. It’s linked there and time-stamped in detail so that you can navigate quickly to the topics most of interest to you. - Meanwhile, put any questions you have in the comments section below this post and as always, thank you for your interest in science! - @hubermanlab @stanford.med @stanford @backfitpro - #neuroscience #science #ciencia #neurociencia #back #pain #exercise #strength #big3 #physiology #physicaltherapy

Next Summit: October 2, 3, & 4, 2026 in Gravenhurst, Canada 🇨🇦 Open to all health care practitioners and clinicians, trainers and coaches! Backfitpro.com to save your spot!

Congratulations to Josh Lerner in Renton, USA on becoming McGill Method Certified! Welcome to the team 🎉 Josh successfully passed the written and practical components of the Certification Exams and is now listed on Backfitpro.com as one of our McGill Method providers.

Go watch Dr. McGills lecture on YouTube “Can A Disc Heal, Adapt, Or Be Managed?” Context matters. Science > memes. . There’s a lot of “internet personalities” that completely misrepresent Dr. McGills work on the spine. Rarely have any of them ever fully read his work or comprehended it. You’ll notice them in the comments section below. 🤷🏼 . This lecture explains the details & context that most miss.

McGill Method Summit crew! We had a fabulous weekend with 15 more clinicians from around the world at Backfitpro. 💪🏼

This lecture is NOW LIVE on YouTube‼️Link in Bio https://youtu.be/jZRzNpS6yaI?si=nirCpuf5HL_45k7G Get together with your colleagues and watch it this weekend or coming week. Discuss the lecture material and find your truth for enhancing spine resilience and performance. 💪🏼

Always learning when I spend time with my friend @backfitpro

OUT NOW, on @mad_scientist_duffin ‘s YouTube Channel This isn’t just another interview. @mad_scientist_duffin sat down with Dr. Stuart McGill to talk honestly about back pain, training, and all the stuff people get wrong online. They get into flexion, pain science, injuries, and how to actually train without messing yourself up long term. No fluff, no internet arguments, just a real conversation. If you train, deal with pain, or coach others, you’ll get something from this. 00:00 – Introduction and Overview 03:11 – Addressing Criticisms and Flexion 10:46 – Epidemiology and Risk Assessment 14:04 – Core Endurance and Spine Hygiene 18:58 – Coaching and Performance Nuance 21:40 – Adaptation and Tissue Science 33:02 – Mechanisms of Disc Resolution 36:07 – Case Studies in Strength and MMA 44:49 – Refining the Assessment Process 50:25 – Neuroscience vs. Biomechanics 55:29 – Reintroducing Load and Progressive Training 01:00:37 – Future Directions and Closing

You think you know what Stuart McGill teaches. You don’t. We sat down and challenged everything — the flexion debate, the “too conservative” label, the pain science critics. He didn’t dodge a single question. His views have evolved. The nuance runs deep. And if you’ve been forming opinions from Instagram clips and second-hand takes — this one’s for you. Full conversation on YouTube. Link in bio. https://youtu.be/Oh3-kUVduvA @backfitpro

Meet the President of Backfitpro Inc, Sarah McGill. She obtained her Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Guelph, and has been heavily involved with running Backfitpro for the last ten years. Sarah grew up around her father, Stuart McGill, in the lab, clinic and lecture halls, watching lives change based on his scientific research and clinical work with patients. This inspired her own practice as a Certified Personal Trainer and McGill Method Certified Practitioner seeing clients with low back pain in Collingwood and Bracebridge, Canada. Sarah is passionate about the mind, body, spirit connection and integrates her various training in breath and energy into her sessions. When not in the office or clinic, you will probably find Sarah at the ocean or lake, sailing, paddling and working on her surfing, or spending time cooking with friends. Fun fact: Stuart’s students named her! After she was born, he asked his students to write three girls names on a paper and submit it before they left the lecture that day. Sarah was a very popular name and both Kathryn and Stuart liked it too! You can get in touch with Sarah at [email protected] regarding certifications, courses, seeing a McGill method provider, ordering a Backfitpro chair, books, back supports, videos etc. She is here to help guide you to your most resilient self.

Brian Carroll in Florida, USA achieved the highest level of clinical competency in the McGill Method to address difficult low back cases, becoming one of our McGill Method Master Clinicians! Congratulations to Brian Carroll! 🎊 @briancarroll1306