Anyone out there with slipped dics/other back problems?

FerretBuellerr

Hello all!

Just wondering if there is anyone else out there with somewhat to chronic back injuries that are trying to lose weight. I have two slipped dics in my lower spine since I was about 14, and I was barely able to walk for a couple years :sad: But I'm currently at the best I've ever been, and hoping that by staying healthy and active that the problem won't persist or get any worse!

For those that do (or even those that don't), how do you find it affects your weight loss journey, and what kind of activities do you find help you burn calories while not injuring yourself more? I've been told swimming is a good one, and I love to swim!

ritchiedrama

I have a re-occuring back injury from when I do heavy squats, but I keep doing it will probably end up destroying my back forever but YOLO

Patrick0321

I locked my Sacroiliac joint playing football twice in a couple of months a few years back. The second time I could barely get out of bed for a week, worst pain I've ever had. Like you my back now feels the strongest it's ever been due to hundreds of £s at an osteopath and countless hours stretching. If I could ever go back to school I'd want to train as an osteopath

recriger

I have a degenerated disk at S2-3 and a tilting pelvic. Basically I keep going by paying for the college education of my Chiropractor's kids:)

I survive on 3 basic rules for either running or weights.

1) form

2) form

3) re-read #'s 1 and 2 until it is the first thought that enters your head when you see anything weighing more than a sheet of paper or requiring more force than a standard breath (sneeze...yes I've hurt my back sneezing:).

Recently I came to realize that my problems have lasted so long due to one big thing. Weak muscles in the lower back and glutes. I mean real weak. Before I started my 10 years of lazy I was able to do 200 sit-ups (military) but I had avoided working my back to balance out. For years all the Doctors disagree'd on everything except 1 idea. They all told me to avoid lower back exercise. Now, don't get me wrong, I respect doctors and know they need to be real educated to become such, but with my specific problems I think they were wrong. Perhaps not wrong per se, but perhaps they were unable to spend the necessary time during my appointment to get every existing fact. Gotta see patients to make money:)

I am making that assumption based on the last 4 months. I decided to experiment with Dead lifts. I started at body weight (adhering to my 3 rules) and built up to 135lb. I figured I was living at the chiropractors anyway so I'd give it a try. I found that after a couple months when I built my lifts too over 100lb, my visits to the bone cracker became fewer and fewer. Unfortunately I had to slack off a bit due to a wonderful case of tendinitis in my elbow.

Over the last 3 weeks I have re-entered the gym and started up again. This time I have added squats in along with the dead lifts. Pathetic is all i can say. In a sarcastic world you would think that using my glutes all day every day for 10 years to sit on while watching TV would have made them strong... Nope. It took 6 sessions before I could squat the bar without straining a ham or glute.

I've been running through all of it though. I know it hurts now, but not working through the pain (reasonable pain that is) is in large part responsible for where I ended up. I'm planning to go in the opposite direction this time.

RockChickSarah

I also have back problems... arthritis in the spine, wear and tear on several discs and also a slipped disc. Although i have found, from working out everyday i am no longer so stiff in a morning, although some days i end up in a lot of pain, i push through anyway as after 3 years i have learned to just get on with things and not moan, as it don't get me anywhere... guess i'm just stubborn.... but rather die trying that not try at all

lindsyrox

I had a herniated disc in 2008, and spent a month on pain killers and laying face down on my living room floor. THAT was my inspiration to get in shape! I remember wishing I could do something as simple as a jumping jack or just to be able to touch my toes again! Oh I also have had long term issues with Sciatica. I did manage to lose the majority of my weight and use the threat of another herniated disc as my inspiration to NOT gain it back! My dad has suffered from back issues his entire life and has had a number of surgeries, I DO not want to end up on that path.

When my back is bothering me I find cycling doesn't irritate it, which is surprising since when I pedal I'm at a strange bent forward postition and I do a lot of mt biking so its not exactly smooth, But it works!

Make your core a priority, a strong back/abs will do a lot in preventing further injury caused by other exercises.

Have you seen a physical therapist? They should be able to give you exercises you can do in your current state and will at least be a starting point.

Good luck!

AMHouse85

I have back injuries. My back has not been right since I had my first child 8 years ago. The pregnancy did a number on my alignment. Another pregnancy and 260 lbs didn't make it any better! I am currently trying to find a chiropractor who will work with me on my limited income. Until then I just keep on pushing, watching my form, and if anything feels chancy I modify, or just don't do it. I'm not sure of specific issues I have but I know there have been times I've sneezed, of turned my head to fast, or just reached into the back seat of the car and I am DONE, laid up for weeks doing otc pain meds, ice and heat. It's no fun but it's so much better and happening less often since I have upped my fitness levels. SN - I come from a family with history of back issues, so I attribute 50% to that and 50% to myself for less than stellar health choices for a few years.

Krista916

2 herniated disks in my low back and the only thing that has relieved my pain at all is running.

TheBitSlinger

Neck/back injuries and degenerative disc disease here. Two surgeries on cervical eruptions. Fighting it by 1) being fit, and 2) losing weight.

BrensKimberly

I have 2 herniated discs in my lower back...some days are good, some days really suck
I'm trying to help this my strengthening my core and back muscles along with losing weight to relieve the strain on my back

FerretBuellerr

For those that run, how did you manage to overcome the initial pain associated with running?

I've never really enjoyed running, but I do like being outdoors. The few time I did attempt running, I would always end up with that shooting pain down one or both of my legs (I'm lucky enough to have herniations on both sides ) and the pain would resonate for a few days. I've been too nervous to attempt running again because of that, but I'm happy that at least I can walk longer distances without starting to limp and feel that sharp pain.

amped322

Scoliosis and slipped disc. Being fat makes my back hurt worse, plus being fat flares up some old hernia repair sites. So I diet constantly or else I pay in pain. Pretty good reason to stay on track (admittedly I've fallen to the point of constant pain way too often)
I find that jogging helps, so does lifting weights, although heavy squats are impossible.

FerretBuellerr

I had a herniated disc in 2008, and spent a month on pain killers and laying face down on my living room floor. THAT was my inspiration to get in shape! I remember wishing I could do something as simple as a jumping jack or just to be able to touch my toes again! Oh I also have had long term issues with Sciatica. I did manage to lose the majority of my weight and use the threat of another herniated disc as my inspiration to NOT gain it back! My dad has suffered from back issues his entire life and has had a number of surgeries, I DO not want to end up on that path.

When my back is bothering me I find cycling doesn't irritate it, which is surprising since when I pedal I'm at a strange bent forward postition and I do a lot of mt biking so its not exactly smooth, But it works!

Make your core a priority, a strong back/abs will do a lot in preventing further injury caused by other exercises.

Have you seen a physical therapist? They should be able to give you exercises you can do in your current state and will at least be a starting point.

Good luck!

I've done physio 4 different times over the last 9 years - the last time being about 2 years ago I think. I've also seen a specialist and a surgeon regarding the sciatic pain, numbness (which I don't have anymore, thank goodness!) and overall lack of strength in my legs. I want to avoid going again unless something sets it off really badly.

sealevels

I was in an accident where I pulled a back muscle and now I have chronic back pain. It'll be fine until I stand up for longer than 15 minutes. The same muscle still gives me problems to this day (it's been almost 3 years). I'm only 24 and I hate that it happened so young. I find that exercising (especially strength training) helps out my back. The more weight I lose, the less angry it gets with me.

LetsTryThisAgain54

One word...surgery. I know a lot of people are against it, but if you find the right neuro-surgeon, get it done. He was very conservative and tried everything, including shots in my spine. He did the surgery 2 1/2 years ago and I am pain free and back to doing all my normal things.

Ilikeyoursleeves

Bulging lumbar disc since 2003. Eleviated all pain associated with it in 2005 by walking and strengthening my core. Then I got preg with #3. Fast forward 7 years and I'm just now starting the walking/strengthening program. I have tried running and all it ever did for me is put me in reverse from the pain and injury it causes me. I'd love to be able to run however, so that is my ultimate goal once my core can support my back properly.

Kimberlymae41

Hello everyone that has listed a post, I am sorry for your pain and partially relieved to know i am not alone out there, I had my first surgery almost 4 years ago on my neck had if fuzed, then Dec. of 2011 I had my 1st back surgery they chippped bone away and unpinched a nerve, i have perminant damage from my herniated disc, bulging disc and all kinds of other issues, HOWEVER losing the weight is helping me so much and i find the more active i stay the less the flare ups happen, i still struggle with sit ups and other things, but i do awesome on the bike and Ellipitical, i do Kick Boxing and i am trying Yoga, I realize i need to strength'n my core and it will help my back, all about getting stronger and staying strong!

my surgeon told me at some point i will need another neck fusion and more back surgeries including a fusion at some point, Me i am fighting with all i have to NOT have that happen,

scarrletti_girl

I have scoliosis. So i always have back problems. When I take walks it hurts but I fight through the pain for as long as I can and when I can't take anymore I go home. I am 20 and I have had scoliosis since I was born. So I hate that i have it but I have gotten used to it, found ways to deal with it and it is just a part of me. I embrace my imperfection.

CrystalFlury

I'm sorry to sound immature but.... "slipped dics" LOL!! :laugh:
I'm thinking you meant slipped "DISCS".

kckBxer396

I don't know if my problem counts. Technically it's not an injury, it's a birth defect. My mother had me 3 months early. I was due in October but born in July. My tailbone never fused correctly. The top bone isn't connected, so there's a gap between my spine and tailbone in which the top portion of my tailbone is sort of...suspended between the 2. After 25 years, there's a lot of arthritis from my lower back up through my neck. Some days, it makes it difficult just to move certain ways or even walk. I don't have to do anything special to set it off. I can be walking through my house one minute and clinging to walls and tables another. I don't always have to be standing either. I can be sitting on the floor or a chair and one wrong move ensures I'm in pain for a bit.

When discussing it with my physician, his suggestion was to lose weight and work on my abs. I wish I could post a video of that conversation. Imagine a VERY large man trying to sensitively tell a young girl she needs to work out more. haha He said that a stronger core would help reduce the stress on my spine and would help with support. Also, moving around more keeps me from being so stiff.


***I'm sure there are technical terms for all of this,but I don't know them.

Denise1224

2 bulging herniated discs in my neck 2 in my low back from car accident in Jan this year... I had an accident in 2003 which caused disc degeneration so this was basically re-injuring an already injured area...
I am able to do spinning at my gym because its no impact I can do elliptical trainer or stair stepper. I can't run or do treadmill - they are too much impact for me and it causes pain in my low back and hips. I can do yoga and Pilates... anyway basically things that are very low or no impact I can do things that are higher impact I can't ... my doctor tells me listen to my body if it hurts don't do it.