Strengthen a bad back?

[Testoman98]

Don't know why I've waited this long to get some thoughts on this, but my wife has a bad back. She has disc disease, and a couple buldging discs. A few months ago she had laser spine surgery to laser down the buldging material, which she thought helped out but recently has had more back pain. She just had another mri done & it shows some minor disc buldges. Now for years any dr she's seen has tried to get her to do physical therapy, but she gets discouraged right off the bat cause she ends up in more pain after the first few sessions. I always told her it'll be worse before it gets better, but then again I have no clue what they have her doing. She was on some strong pain killers, but stopped after the laser surgery, and doesn't want to get back on them. She's always wanted to work out with me, though her back wouldn't let her, but now that she's not in so much pain, she's thinking of starting now. I've always thought strenthening her back would do a world of good, but I don't want her hurting herself. I figure there's several peeps here who have had to train around similar back issues. Just wanna see what type of exercises she should focus on and more importantly stay away from, and obviously she wont be lifting heavy.

 

[sassy69]

One thing they always say is that your back is only as strong as your abs. To that end, there are a bunch of very basic core exercises that will work that muscle group like nobody's business. That might be a good place to start, focusing on core work before going after back-specific stuff that might promote poor form due to sore spots and secondary muscles trying to compensate for what the core muscles cant' support.

 

[Testoman98]

One thing they always say is that your back is only as strong as your abs. To that end, there are a bunch of very basic core exercises that will work that muscle group like nobody's business. That might be a good place to start, focusing on core work before going after back-specific stuff that might promote poor form due to sore spots and secondary muscles trying to compensate for what the core muscles cant' support.

Thanks sassy. I think the times she tried physical therapy they didn't focus on the core as much as they should've, if at all. When I tore up my hamstring several years ago, my physical therapist focused on my core just as much as my hammy's, and I've never felt as strong over all. Core training will be the way to go

 

[Chrisotpherm]

Tell her to hang in there with physical therapy. It hurts now because they are strengthening the area need to push back those disk into place. They will focus on the core but first she will endure some pain to get there. I have a bulging herniated disk and to fought physical therapy too because it does hurt. However after about a month and three epidural shots we are getting back to where things are normal. Tell to hang in there man, the pain never fully goes away.

So Mote it Be
Chris

 

[Testoman98]

Tell her to hang in there with physical therapy. It hurts now because they are strengthening the area need to push back those disk into place. They will focus on the core but first she will endure some pain to get there. I have a bulging herniated disk and to fought physical therapy too because it does hurt. However after about a month and three epidural shots we are getting back to where things are normal. Tell to hang in there man, the pain never fully goes away.

So Mote it Be
Chris

Will do bro, thanks for the input. It's good to hear from someone who's in a similar situation.

 

[bjg]

pool exercises and swimming ..then after a while she can start pull downs. avoid jogging and any lifting for now.

 

[Chrisotpherm]

No worries man, it sucks but it is what it is.

So Mote it Be
Chris

 

[squigader]

Don't know why I've waited this long to get some thoughts on this, but my wife has a bad back. She has disc disease, and a couple buldging discs. A few months ago she had laser spine surgery to laser down the buldging material, which she thought helped out but recently has had more back pain. She just had another mri done & it shows some minor disc buldges. Now for years any dr she's seen has tried to get her to do physical therapy, but she gets discouraged right off the bat cause she ends up in more pain after the first few sessions. I always told her it'll be worse before it gets better, but then again I have no clue what they have her doing. She was on some strong pain killers, but stopped after the laser surgery, and doesn't want to get back on them. She's always wanted to work out with me, though her back wouldn't let her, but now that she's not in so much pain, she's thinking of starting now. I've always thought strenthening her back would do a world of good, but I don't want her hurting herself. I figure there's several peeps here who have had to train around similar back issues. Just wanna see what type of exercises she should focus on and more importantly stay away from, and obviously she wont be lifting heavy.

FIND a better/another physical therapist. Seriously! It'll make her feel better about it (even if the therapist will give her the same things to do) and that's the best you can do. The pain has to be there before it will disappear, trust me on that.
Don't try getting her on some plan until the physical therapy is taken care of. This is a medical issue at this point and not one about back strengthening/fitness yet.