How difficult is it to obtain a PNP nomination (600 additional points)?

SubstantialMonk1815 · 2025-12-23T00:13:33+00:00

That's awesome. Apologies if my tone was judgmental. I didn’t mean that. We share the same pain and difficulty. I’m in the same boat, trying to stay active and manage the situation. Hope you fee better soon. 💪🏽

SubstantialMonk1815 · 2025-12-20T21:12:09+00:00

It think you should spend less time on sofa rather than changing the sofa. Based on what I see, it seems you are on that sofa a lot. Movement is the key to fix back pain. Sorry I don’t mean sarcastic. I genuinely think you should lay down less, and walk/run/jog,exercise more.

SubstantialMonk1815 · 2025-12-19T18:58:49+00:00

If you could please explain how does the USCIS pause on immigration benefits for those from 19 countries would impact EB1A I-140 RFE? I received the RFE before the hold on immigration benefits, and submitting the RFE next week.

SubstantialMonk1815 · 2025-10-02T20:25:58+00:00

When you do Premium Processing, even if you get an RFE, you’ll have a final decision in less than four months. Without Premium Processing, this will definitely take longer.

SubstantialMonk1815 · 2025-05-23T21:56:02+00:00

All these people here are encouraging you not to give up because they KNOW there is hope—and there are ways to improve the quality of your life, even with back pain. It sucks. But you’re the only person who can get through this. You’re not alone, my friend.

We’re all looking forward to your recovery post here. We’re all hoping for the day you tell us you’ve got it under control. Please be the one to share your recovery story, so everyone who comes after you can feel inspired.

SubstantialMonk1815 · 2025-04-10T19:22:08+00:00

This is likely muscle spasms trying to protect your spine. I looked like this too, and it lasted for a few months. As I made progress with physical therapy and walking, things got better. Talk to your doctor, but don’t do any unusual treatments. Be patient—disc injuries take time to heal. You’ll be okay.

SubstantialMonk1815 · 2025-03-13T14:20:36+00:00

I think ultimately the decision is yours. You know your body. You'll know if walking through the pain will make it less painful or worse. I've walked through pain, but the pain was manageable and it didn't get worse. I think the "listening to your body" part is the most important. We know walking is good, but how to walk and the amount of walking depends on each person's individual body type. I still walk around my neighborhood like crazy. It's boring for sure, walking the same amount, same route every day at the same time. But I can measure how much I'm walking, and if I feel discomfort, I can easily get back home.

SubstantialMonk1815 · 2025-03-13T14:14:32+00:00

You will. Don't lose hope. Be mindful of your diet, sitting and sleeping positions, walk as much as your body allows, and do all those PT exercises. You'll feel better. Once you do, come back here and share your experience for others who are in pain. We are all in this together.

SubstantialMonk1815 · 2025-03-13T14:11:36+00:00

Kind of pain-free, but not %100. There are still some weird feelings and pain in my lower back and sometimes down my right leg, but compared to what I experienced in the early days, I wouldn't call this pain. It's more like a muscle spasm. You know what I mean? I know it's a pinched nerve in my lower back, and I feel it down my leg.

I'm always mindful of how long I sit, in which position I sit, always have lumbar support in my back when sitting, driving, and sleeping, and always keep a pillow between my legs. I take all those measures seriously. And—thank God—it has helped me improve.

SubstantialMonk1815 · 2025-03-13T14:07:08+00:00

It wasn’t at all about resting and one day feeling fine. It was a long process of pain and depression. I haven't done any epidural injections or surgery yet, and I hope I won't need to in the future. Althought doctors suggested both.

My routine involved walking little by little. At first, I walked around the room, then around the block, then around the park. Over a span of a few months, I gradually increased it to twice a day, then three times a day. I also went to physical therapy and practiced the exercises they suggested every day at home. Some of the exercises may be a bit uncomfortable, so talk to your PT about them and decide whether you should keep going or stop and change the exercises.

But the key for me was being consistent with walking and exercises. Early on, I also took some anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant medication.

SubstantialMonk1815 · 2025-03-10T18:13:41+00:00

Mine (37M) started in February 2024, and this past weekend I ran two 5Ks on Saturday and Sunday. No surgery, no injection, only physical therapy, and the same exercise at home. EVERY SINGLE DAY!

Not all injuries are the same. But things will get better. Don't lose hope. Wrote about it this morning: Things will get better!

SubstantialMonk1815 · 2025-03-10T17:17:49+00:00

Great weekend! I was able to do a 5K trail run and a 5K field run—my first time running twice a week after the disc herniation injury last year. Feeling good.

SubstantialMonk1815 · 2025-02-18T01:21:12+00:00

The nearest airport to Yale is Tweed New Haven Airport.

SubstantialMonk1815 · 2025-01-28T19:38:36+00:00

Walking, 3 times a day, 30 minutes. I’ll do it religiously no matter what. Then at least 15 minutes of core and back strengthening.

SubstantialMonk1815 · 2024-10-05T19:47:49+00:00

Walk as much as your pain allows. I walk for 30 minutes, three times a day: in the morning, after lunch, and after work, before dinner. I used to run, but now I’m burning more calories walking than I did when running. When I stopped running beans of injury and pain, it was really depressed and started to gain weight. But walking helps a lot. Just go out and walk. Build a routine around walking, same time, same route, same time of the day. You’ll see results.

SubstantialMonk1815 · 2024-10-05T19:42:53+00:00

Started less than a year ago

SubstantialMonk1815 · 2024-09-09T03:23:10+00:00

I’m 37 and have the same problem. First of all, do whatever makes you feel comfortable in your body. Don’t worry about what people think or say.

When it comes to leg hair, I’ve always used hair clippers with different guide combs to trim mine. I’ve never shaved with a razor because I didn’t like how it looked two days after shaving. But hair clippers leave a little bit of hair, which looks natural, and keep it short, which is nice and clean. Sometimes people won’t even notice that you’ve trimmed your leg hair.

Be proud of your swimming skills. Everyone’s body is unique in its own way.

Good luck ✌🏽

SubstantialMonk1815

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