help! need new movements!

[DimebagDarrell]

ok well ive been having back problems for like two years and have always been told its just muscle by my doctor, so i kept lifting with my problems. well, anyway, i finally had an MRI. i have:

1 severely herniated disk between my lumbar L4 and L5 verterae(bottom two vertebrae,will need surgery, and maybe pins)
another severely degenerated disk
spinal biffida
and minor scoliosis

and have been told to not put any compressive weight on my spine. i cannot do deadlifts, shoulder presses, shrugs, etc. what moves can i do to not put compressive weight on my spine? (i AM allowed to do incline stuff). please help me fill in where there are "?????" areas (im just putting the upper body stuff here, im workin on the lower body right now)

im thinking:

Chest:
1. Dumbbell bench press
2. Incline barbell press
3. Lying dumbbell flyes

Biceps:
1. Incline dumbbell curls
2. EZ bar preacher curls
3. ????? (I'd like some sort of hammer excersise)

Shoulders:
1. Incline bench reverse flye (for posterior deltoids, where you kneel on the seat, chest down, then flye backwards)
2. ?????
3. ?????

Triceps:
1. Lying french press
2. Close-grip bench press
3. Cable tricep pushdown

Upper Back/Lats/Traps (no lower back work):
1. Machine rows (with the pad to hold my chest)
2. Lat pulldowns
3. ????? (I NEED something for traps, but i just cant think of anything)

Any help you could give me would be a LIFESAVER. Thanks so much for advance, this recent development has put a pretty good damper on things.

 

[Jim1954]

Damn, that is some bad news, but I would get a second opinion. You also may have to lay off for awhile, at least the squats and deadlifts. I had to slightly hearniated discs a few years back, and was told that 90% percent of the time they will heal, mine did after a year. There are also some suppliments that are supposed to promote joint health, sorry can't think of the names right now.

I don't know much about spinal biffida, but there was a light-weight power lifting champion that had scoliosis pretty bad, and didn't even know it, his name was Lamar Gant if I remember correctly, he could deadlift with an incredible amount of weight for his weight class.

I know you can build some pretty good legs without using weights, look at some of those bike riders.

Just some thoughts, and I may be way off here, but some food for thought. Good luck, and I wish you well.

Jim

 

[DimebagDarrell]

well, it is a second opinion, its from a back surgeon, the first was from my doctor. plus, if you see my xrays and MRI youd see its way bad too. in any case, of course there will be no more deadlifting and squats, but im just trying to find excersises for those body parts listed.

 

[ponyboy]

Here's a thought...why not take some time off and let your body heal properly? Why continue to work in pain? I realize we are all working towards goals, but if you had a mouth full of cavities, would you continue to eat chocolate? If your car has a flat tire, do you drive on it and ruin your rims and alignment, or get it fixed?

By continuing to lift with severe back trauma like that you're only setting yourself up for even more problems in the future. From the sounds of it you have messed up your back quite badly already and need to work on correcting what you have done, not making it worse by continuing to lift heavy weight.

If you think that sitting on a bench lifting still isn't putting force on your spine, you're wrong. Your core muscles support every movement you do with your arms and legs. You wouldn't believe how much force is on your spine even when lying down when you add resistance.

This may be an unpopular opinion and one you don't want to hear, but you may have to consider some sort of layoff for a long time. I see cases like this quite often in my gym where I work with an advanced back care specialist, and it can take years to recover properly. Don't sacrifice your back for years to come for a few more months of lifting. Just my .02.

 

[Jim1954]

I think ponyboy has some good advice. Stay active, but don't lift, and heal for awhile, and see what the doctors say. Surgery should always be a last resort, but if you have no choice have it done. Then go from there.

Jim

 

[Mudge]

The disc is something I can't comment much on, but being VERY carefull with your back sounds like a great idea for that.

As for scoliosis though, from what I know back work is EXACTLY what the doctor ordered. I wish I could remember her name but a popular female bodybuilder about 10 years ago got her start BECAUSE her doctor prescribed working out for her back issues, scoliosis.

 

[DimebagDarrell]

well, see, this isnt going to heal on its own. ive had it for two years, the surgeon is going to give me an epidural, which is a series of three steroid shots into my spine. he says it will only help for a while, but i will 99% definitely need surgery unless something miraculously happens. and yes, i realize that sitting with weight won't help, but i didnt list anything above that has wight dangling from my body.