Article Rundown

• My experience with BPC-157 and TB-500
• Where these peptides fall short
• Are these peptides useful for back pain?
• My final thoughts on these peptides

My Experience with BPC-157 and TB-500: What They Work For and What They Don’t

This video is a follow-up to my recent discussion on the peptides BPC-157 and TB-500, where I covered what they are, how they work, and what they may be beneficial for. If you haven’t watched that video yet—which I highly recommend—you can find it [HERE].

In this second installment, I’ll dive into my personal experience using these peptides, along with insights from my clients. I’ll discuss where they’ve shown significant effectiveness, where they fall short, and whether they are worth considering for back pain injuries.

My Experience with BPC-157 and TB-500

In my experience, these peptides have delivered outstanding results for acute tendon and muscle injuries. I have personally used them in my pecs, shoulders, quads, and hips at the generally recommended dosages. For these types of injuries, the effects have been remarkable—reducing inflammation and increasing blood flow to the injury site.

I’ve seen individuals sustain severe hamstring tears, with extensive bruising and swelling, only to return and hit a deadlift PR just 5-6 weeks later after using BPC-157 and TB-500. Achieving a personal best in squats or deadlifts so soon after nearly tearing off a hamstring is nothing short of astonishing. Similarly, I’ve experienced significant benefits in my own shoulders and pecs, as have many of my clients dealing with soft tissue injuries like muscle or tendon damage.

Where BPC-157 and TB-500 Fall Short

On the other hand, I have not seen these peptides provide much benefit for chronic injuries. Individuals with long-standing shoulder, pec, knee, hip, or back issues generally do not report significant improvements.

Specifically, for back pain, these peptides seem ineffective for conditions involving ligaments, facet joints, disc-related problems, or any structural issues beyond muscle tightness or soreness. Most people suffering from chronic back pain or debilitating spinal injuries have more complex damage than simple muscle strains. In these cases, BPC-157 and TB-500 are unlikely to offer meaningful relief and would likely be a poor investment.

That said, if someone has a torn back or core muscle—such as an abdominal muscle, latissimus dorsi (I’ve torn my lat and external oblique deadlifting before), quadratus lumborum (QL), or erector spinae—these peptides might offer some benefit. However, this type of injury is relatively rare. The majority of back pain cases stem from disc issues, facet joint problems, ligament damage, or a combination of factors. In these cases, the real issue is inflammation, which not only affects the muscles but can also lead to secondary injury mechanisms within the muscles themselves. While these peptides may help alleviate some symptoms of a back injury, in my experience, they aren’t likely to make a significant difference for the typical discogenic or facetogenic back injury. 

There is no evidence suggesting that BPC-157 or TB-500 can repair collagen, facet joints, nerves, or spinal discs. At best, they may help reduce inflammation and provide temporary pain relief, but they will not address the root cause of your pain like they would for soft tissue injuries. Additionally, injecting these peptides near the spine is not advisable, as it could potentially make things worse in the long run.

Are These Peptides Worth It for Back Pain?

When it comes to treatments marketed as “miracle” solutions for back pain—such as Discseel, stem cells, PRP injections, and peptides like BPC-157 and TB-500—I generally recommend saving your money. These procedures lack strong scientific evidence proving their effectiveness for lower back injuries.

In fact, I almost always advise against intervertebral disc injections, as they often cause more harm than good over time. Discseel is a slightly different case and may have its place, but it’s still crucial to do thorough research before considering such a procedure. If you want more information on whether a treatment like this might be right for you, you can check out my previous video [HERE].

Final Thoughts

While BPC-157 and TB-500 have shown incredible results for soft tissue injuries involving tendons and muscles, they are not an effective solution for lower back pain. I have yet to see any compelling evidence—whether from my clients’ experiences or scientific research—demonstrating that these peptides can truly heal spinal injuries the way they do for other injuries.

Instead, I recommend saving your money and focusing on proven methods for addressing back pain. Reading Back Mechanic and Gift of Injury, getting a comprehensive assessment to determine the true cause of your pain, and rebuilding your spine based on your specific injury and goals will provide long-term benefits. This approach will save you time, money, and unnecessary suffering, getting you back to feeling and performing better much faster than relying on peptides.

If you think a consultation would be the right step for you, you can learn more about that [HERE].

BRIAN DOES ONLINE AND IN-PERSON COACHING!

Back Injured Average Mary or Joe who wants their life back

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Lift and exercise coaching & cueing to troubleshoot form

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