endl

Hello, I injured my back playing Rugby three years ago and have been told I've got a degenerate disc with a load of associated problems and that there isn't alot that can be done so I'm stuck with the limitations and day to day discomfort. I used to weight train and would like to get back into it but I'm not sure if I can do so safely.

Does anyone have any experience of training with such an injury? Could you reccomend a program that might even help the injury and improve my flexibility? I'm particularly concerned about leg exercises due to the load through my spine etc.

When training in the past I used to follow a hardgainer type philosophy two or three fullbody workouts to failure concentrating on multi joint movements per week, I guess thats out the question now. Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks.

Metalman777

Hey hey.. I had a bad back for 5 years until I discovered Dr. John Sarnos book, Healing Back Pain.. Trust me friend there is nothing wrong with your back.. I suggest picking up this book asap.. It saved my life basically..

Mm777

Rich46yo

End Ive had 7 , yes 7, low back surgeries. I currently have a intrathecal morphine pump in my stomach wall, that delivers morphine into my spinal fluid at the lower 3 levels of my spine. 12 years ago my doctors told me I'd be in a wheelchair in 10 years. Today I was tossing 250lbs around off the bench like it was nothing. Not impressive when compared with some of the iron-heads here. But not bad for a guy legally crippled.

In short not only "can" you continue to lift weights but you absolutely "must". With your back condition you are going to have to remain strong to remain functional and only weight training, along with cardio,specific back/gut exercizes/stretching, can allow you to retain this function. Most people would say "see your doctor first". But lets face it, most medical doctors dont know shit about rehab, most of all surgeons. Whatever you do avoid surgery if you can help it. Many back surgeons have the ethics of Ghengis Khan and will flim-flam you onto that operating table for the cash. Be aware that proving medical malpractice from a back surgery is one of the most difficult cases to win. In nots so bad in Europe, where they do half the sugeries with the same 6 mo results, because medicine is socialized. But in the USA? When a surgeon looks at your MRI and see's a new Ferrari parked outside his house? Enough said right?

I bet the best thing for you would be a Chiropractor with a background in sports medicine. This kind of doctor can accomplish miracles with back pain. Chiropractic medicine is for real, take my word for that. And Ive seen it all brother in the 14 year nightmare Ive lived thru. Surgeons dont like to tell you that disc's can heal on their own. A chiropractor can do this. I'd have been better off staying with my chiropractor then going to a surgeon.

Back to weighlifting. You have to first start off a session with a series of floor back/stomach strengthening exercizes, along with stretching. There are no exceptions to this rule. In fact I havnt missed a day of at least doing this series of stretches/strengthening in years. Its your stomach and low back muscles that support your back. Then I'd go into a good 3 day a week routine that works everything. Start off light and take your time. Your body will tell you if theres a problem. If there is then you can find another lift to work a body part. Even after all Ive been thru, 2 laser discechotmies, 2 lamanectomies, a fusion, and 2 M-pump procedures, I basically have no limitations of the exercises I can do. The exception is running. That I had to give up. But I still do squats, still do sitting overheads with dumb-bells, still do dips.

But each time, after each injury/operation, I had to start by crawling out of bed and walking around the block. Like you I had a background of playing sports,working out, and re-habbing from injury. This helped a lot. It will help you. Weightlifting has allowed my to go back to full duty at work and to still be able to participate a little bit in sports with my son.

The bottom line? Not only "can" you do it. You "must" do it! Good luck and if I can help you at all please dont hesitate to ask.............take care..............Rich

"Death to Tyrants"!

Saturday Fever

You need to work on your trunk. Once your trunk is stable, you'll be able to protect the injured areas of your back.

A note for inspiration: Louie Simmons has had numerous surgeries and to this day lives with degenerative discs around L4 and L5 (I believe). He squats 931 pounds and he's in his 50s.

So like you've been told already, you can do it, you just need determination and a set course.

yay.

endl

Wow thats inspiring thank you for your responses, I was just about getting to the stage of living like an old man because thats what the doctors told me I should do and now I know I should get back in there and get training again, thanks. I'm going to give it my best shot.


By the way I'm only twenty three, doctors shouldn't be telling anyone that young that should they. I've had enough of the medical proffesion!

endl

I'd really appreciate knowing what you mean by the trunk exercises, could you suggest a program I could start with?

I've had some dealing with physio's and they've given me core stability execises that have just ended up focusing the pain further up my spine rather than stopping it. Those exercises were all about static contractions of the pelvic floor muscles, which mine seem to be pretty good compared to some athletes I know so it can't be that. I think I need something a bit more real, with a bit of movement.

Thanks again for all your advice