I am so upset....

[want2bhot]

I am so upset ladies...Last week I hurt my back and have a bulging disc in my lower back. I am just getting up out of bed, doctor took me off working out for like 8 weeks. I am so pissed off!! I feel like my progress is just going to be pushed back now.

Can any of you suggest some strength exercises that I can do without weights to help heal my back. I am up and sitting now, I do some stretches daily, but thats all I can do for now. I would really accept any advice you may have.

I don't know maybe its just me, but I feel like I am constantly running into road blocks which slows my progress down, at least when it comes to my training.

Well, I hope everyone had a nice holiday.

 

[Sassy69]

I'd look to the doc or a physical therapist for that advice. Do make sure your diet stays tight though..

 

[want2bhot]

thanks!!

I'd look to the doc or a physical therapist for that advice. Do make sure your diet stays tight though..

 

[caligirl]

Ask your Doctor for an Rx for some Physical Therapy. A PT can come to your home and really help you out. I had some serious knee issues a while back and was bedridden for 12 weeks. A PT and a Massage therapist came to my home 3 days a week, it really helped.

 

[want2bhot]

I am going to give it another week, if I don't feel somewhat better than I am going to request to do some therapy. I am also seeing a chiropractor, and to be honest I don't know if he is doing me any good, cuz I feel like shit after he gets done with me.

Ask your Doctor for an Rx for some Physical Therapy. A PT can come to your home and really help you out. I had some serious knee issues a while back and was bedridden for 12 weeks. A PT and a Massage therapist came to my home 3 days a week, it really helped.

 

[musclemom]

I am going to give it another week, if I don't feel somewhat better than I am going to request to do some therapy. I am also seeing a chiropractor, and to be honest I don't know if he is doing me any good, cuz I feel like shit after he gets done with me.

I emphathize with lower back pain

I believe in chiropractic, I really do, and I see one I have confidence in that I know helps me ... buuuutttt if you're coming out of the sessions feeling worse something's not right. Either you don't need adjustments, he's not adjusting you right, or he's overadjusting you. You really should come out of a chiropractic session feeling at least the same as you went in, ideally better (I have what I call delayed reactions, when I'm having hip problems it can sometimes take up to 12 hours to feel better, as best as I can figure, it takes time for the muscles to unclench after things are lined back up). I would really talk to him. If you're going there and feel worse when you leave that's just no good. My personal observation, chiro is sort of hit or miss for disc issues ... something that can really help is gentle traction but not everyone has access to that kind of equipment.

 

[lildaisy]

IMO, I would definitly ask your doc for a prescription for physical therapy. I'm a PT myself and I see a LOT of disc issues. I don't think chiropractic is a good choice for you right now, it sometimes can make disc problems worse if they aren't adjusting you right or if you don't need adjusting. Good luck!

 

[Sassy69]

You don't want to hose things up if you have inflamation or irritation anywhere in your back. I have some soft tissue problems that i have to be really careful about - not even spinal or disc issues. But that in itself determines my ability to safely & comfortably lift. I am pursuing a serious change in my training this yr - going for a lot of pilates / stretch / core strength focus to help deal w/ it.

 

[SgtSlaughter]

uh oh... not sure if I'm "supposed" to be poking around here. Clicked the new posts tab to see what was new and.... wound up here.

Anyway... I thought I'd contribute the fact that I am a firm beliver in chiropractic service as well. I see mine about once a month. I walk out of his office feeling like it is the first time i'd stood straight up in weeks... my back feels amazing after. If you do not have insurance, ect... I've negotiated a deal with mine and it works out to be $30 / visit (includes a follow up during the week if I need a quick adjustment).

In short, I highly recomend trying to get adjusted.

Good luck with your back!!


- SGT


P.S. I noticed a NH resident. The granite state is mighty chilly today

 

[caligirl]

You don't want to hose things up if you have inflamation or irritation anywhere in your back. I have some soft tissue problems that i have to be really careful about - not even spinal or disc issues. But that in itself determines my ability to safely & comfortably lift. I am pursuing a serious change in my training this yr - going for a lot of pilates / stretch / core strength focus to help deal w/ it.

Hey Sassy-
Great choice on the Pilates. The St. Francis Spine Center in San Francisco was the first medical center to prescribe Pilates as a preventative as well as Rehab to their patients. They have a huge Pilates center which was founded by Elizabeth Larkim, a pioneer in contemporary Pilates, Polestar and Balanced Body (which adapts to physical limitations of injured patients).
The ever popular Method Pilates focuses on the traditional Pilates style, developed by Joseph Pilates which can be a bit taxing to the spine.
If you get the opportunity, try the Reformer, you can do far more than on the Mat alone. It's a great place to start for people who have injuries or limitations, even for those who are physically weak. Also, if you can take a private class from a great instructor on just the fundamentals, it's really worth it. That way when or if you ever do tapes alone you will understand how to find the basic positions easier, "neutral spine", Pilates Stance" etc. and feel confident you are doing them correctly. A really great instructor is June Kahn, she has an excellent fundamentals tape, the most comprehensive I have ever seen. Matwork Fundamentals I, you can check out www.junekahn.com ( I'm not spamming, she IS really great) she is also one of the 25 Reebok Master Trainers. She knows her sheit!
Anyway, if you can incorperate Pilates 2-3 times a week, never more than 4, with your regular training, you will have a whole new back in about 12 weeks. Your core, (in Pilates is from your sternum to just above your knees) will be in the best physical condition ever! It's that good.

 

[Sassy69]

Yep. My mom also swears by it - she's 65, walks 5 miles / day, pilates, step class, exercise. The dumb thing is that she won't listen to me about how important it is to eat more protein. O well.

She hurt her left shoulder leaning on it all day 2 weeks ago while scrubbing the tiles in their new condo and it still hurts her spontaneously. I can't get her to go see a damn chiro tho- she's so paranoid about going to a non traditional doc. Drives me nuts.

I havent' had access to a good pilates class much less time to do it this past yr. But now I finally have all of that & I'm gonna use it !

 

[want2bhot]

Hey Everyone,

Thank you so much for the input, I am now on disability and have to see a Orthopedic Specialists next week...SUCKS ASS...but what can I do, I had an MRI done and it is definitely a bulging disc on my L5. Anyway, I have thought alot about core building with pilates and yoga, so once I can move again. I will have to start out with this type of exercise, then work my way back to weight training.

We'll see how it goes...I have just been so depressed lately, I have never been injured I am really feeling like shit, I have kids a husband a job, and I can't take care of any of them right now, kinda puts me in a depressed state. Plus taking all this pain meds, I never used to take cold medicine, and now I am popping pills daily just to relieve the pain. Well hopefully next week this doctor will get me some relief.

Thanks for all your input.

 

[Sassy69]

Particularly the pain pills suck if you aren't used to them. I can't imagine how people can look at something like vicodins as a party drug because even if you are in real pain, they make you pretty much useless. Then when you come off of them, even after a short period of time, you go through a mini-detox while your body gets rid of the residual. Ick. The depression stuff sucks. But I guess just take it as what you have to get thru during this couple of weeks. You also need to let your family take care of you right now -- its good for them. Builds character! And just be good to yourself! Get some reading in or whatever.

Its always interesting how when you are down on doctor's orders you spend the whole time worrying about the things you can't do, but then when you get back to the grind, you wish like hell you had the time to relax. TAKE THE TIME AND USE IT! Consider it recovery time - that's a critical part of a good fitness lifestyle (I know - I have the hardest time relaxing as well...)

 

[want2bhot]

Thanks Sassy,

I appreciate your kindness. Yeah, it is really hard for me to relax, I am always on the go. I am the person who everyone runs to to get things done, and now, I feel useless. I was really getting into my diet and fitness routine and starting to see some good results. So now I am going to have to start all over..Kinda Sucks. But, I guess I have to just get through it and then be smarter next time. I am on Prednisone now, to help with the swelling, so this steroid is making the pain go away, but I am still not even close to being able to tolerate long periods of time on my feet. I will keep you all posted. I stay on the website to keep myself educated and to hopefully get ideas for recooperation time.

Particularly the pain pills suck if you aren't used to them. I can't imagine how people can look at something like vicodins as a party drug because even if you are in real pain, they make you pretty much useless. Then when you come off of them, even after a short period of time, you go through a mini-detox while your body gets rid of the residual. Ick. The depression stuff sucks. But I guess just take it as what you have to get thru during this couple of weeks. You also need to let your family take care of you right now -- its good for them. Builds character! And just be good to yourself! Get some reading in or whatever.

Its always interesting how when you are down on doctor's orders you spend the whole time worrying about the things you can't do, but then when you get back to the grind, you wish like hell you had the time to relax. TAKE THE TIME AND USE IT! Consider it recovery time - that's a critical part of a good fitness lifestyle (I know - I have the hardest time relaxing as well...)

 

[Gymgurl]

Hey just listen to the Dr and the physical therapist...i hurt my knee last April and I am just now back to normal and regained most of my strenght back in that leg...Take care of yourself first the workout will always be here!!