Back Injury and Squats??? Help

[hottxjock28]

Two months ago I got diagnosed with a herniated disc in the lower part of my back. I've been receiving physical therapy and am currently suffering no pain, but my back is still stiff and weak. I haven't been able to do any leg work because of this but I'm dying and need to get back on track. Has anyone else had this problem? Can anyone give me any suggestions for a leg routine that will help me avoid reinjuring my back until I'm completely healed? Any advice is appreciated.

 

[cwc73]

leg presses, leg extensions, leg curls...
these are all excercises that have your back supported by a pad. I would ask the doc if it is ok for you to do hyperextensions on a machine. They make my back feel good.

 

[riverrock]

I can tell you from first hand experience how much I feel for you as I suffered the exact same thing. One of the keys is to keep away from everything that keeps your back weak like a bad mattress, tight fitting jeans that makes picking up objects more difficult, watching TV by slouching in front of the TV, poor posture in front of a PC etc. Then.....in the gym I would recomend you to do some hyper-extensions with no weight, some ab exercises to take the pressure off the abs when doing your squats later as you need strength here too, and there is nothing stopping you doing free bar squats for a few weeks with good technique. Then, as my man above says, leg press and curls can be done as normal due to the good posture on these pieces of equipment anyhow. Works for me and I'm back squatting 200KG again.

 

[curgeo]

When doing leg presses in your condition, be very aware that the pelvis does not tilt when doing them. When you feel or see your butt start to roll, reverse the movement. If allowed to roll you will place stress on the back.

Like the others said, reverse hypers are a great exercise to help get fluid into the sacrum which can help the healing process. Abdominals done standing will also help strengthen the core...taking pressure off the back. If your abdominals are weak, your lower back has to compensate for it and it could lead to lower back pain and injury.

What did your Doctor say about the disk? Did they say the PT will heal it? If so, you should work on more movements to strengthen the lower back like good mornings and pull-thrus. Follow the Doctor's advise. If he said to stay away from squats for a while make sure to do it. If he didn't stipulate, you should find out first what your limitations are and then work with them. Either way, you need to make the lower back stronger and the core stronger.

 

[Madcow2]

Louie Simmons (Westside Barbell Club) is a big fan of belt squats and insists that they provide a traction like effect to facilitate healing as well as allow you to still strengthen your legs. Might be worth a look.

 

[Extra_Strong]

also go check out a good sports chiropractor.. they will fix you up

 

[cwc73]

I wouldn't use a belt because although it will "protect" you, it will not allow your back/abs to strengthen like they normally would

 

[Madcow2]

I wouldn't use a belt because although it will "protect" you, it will not allow your back/abs to strengthen like they normally would

it's not that kind of belt. the weight is suspended from the belt.

 

[cwc73]

oh. haha. I'm a dumbass. Sorry dude.

 

[anthrax]

Hack squat machine?

 

[cwc73]

Hack squat machine?

We have one of those at the gym I work at. You back is fully supported by a pad. It is almost like doing a leg press in the upright position. Why do they call it a hack squat? It doesn't resemble a true hack squat does it?

 

[Fast Twitch Fiber]

Honestly, switching to leg presses as your main quad exercise for 6-8 weeks might help. That's always been my cure for back problems but I've never been diagnosed with a herniated disc.

Also, get a cute young girl at a spa to give you a massage. It worked wonders for me even though she wouldn't go out with me when I asked her.

 

[hottxjock28]

Thanks for the advice. I've tried doing some sqauts with just some light weight and they don't seem to be harming anything; however, I tried leg press and that shit really hurts my back. The pressure on my lower back while I'm doing the movement is really severe, even at a light weight--in fact, I think the angle of the leg press machine might have contributed to the injury more than the squats.

Has anyone else been diagnosed with this? My doctor and PT say it's mild and certainly healable with PT and stretching alone. It's been two months though and I can't stand not being able to do squats and deadlifts. Any advice?

 

[Illuminati]

Thanks for the advice. I've tried doing some sqauts with just some light weight and they don't seem to be harming anything; however, I tried leg press and that shit really hurts my back. The pressure on my lower back while I'm doing the movement is really severe, even at a light weight--in fact, I think the angle of the leg press machine might have contributed to the injury more than the squats.

Has anyone else been diagnosed with this? My doctor and PT say it's mild and certainly healable with PT and stretching alone. It's been two months though and I can't stand not being able to do squats and deadlifts. Any advice?

currently struggling with the same injury. i have a slipped L5. did you get an MRI or CATSCAN? take your time getting back into the gym. if you get back in, and push yourself too much too soon, you will end up messing up the disk even more, and causing yourself more time out of the gym.
get yourself healthy. you can't get stronger if you are injured.