CALGARY, Alberta — Blue Jackets defenseman Ryan Murray has been dealing with an injured disk in his lower back for a few seasons now, a vicious cycle that forced him out of the lineup for long stretches and strained the relationship between the player and club.



Two seasons ago, he missed nearly two months in the middle of the season. In 2018-19, he didn’t play again after Feb. 18, missing the Blue Jackets’ epic first-round playoff sweep of Tampa Bay and a second-round series versus Boston.



But when Murray’s lower back turned wonky again this December, he went looking for new answers to what had become a frustrating problem.



“We dealt with it differently this time,” Murray said.



Murray and Blue Jackets head athletic trainer Mike Vogt traveled to see a doctor in Canada, one who specializes in the body’s core muscles and has studied extensively the interconnected mechanics of the back.



After he...