Bulging discs and weight lifting

I really would recommend avoiding upper-body weight work. If you have to, use light weights and high reps or use elastic bands instead of weights. What TexasBridgett said about leg press machine is good, because you can build lower body strength without putting extra stress on your spine. Work on your core strength- there are a lot of great videos on youtube for building core-strength without stressing your spine.
My physical therapist had me using the elastic bands instead of hand weights, because the stress is more on your muscles, and not adding weight pressure to your spine.

When you have bulging discs, the 'padding' between your spine bones is at a minimum. Lifting heavy weights with upper body compresses the spine further, and you can end up with damage to the spinal bones (wanna see my MRI pics? Until your discs have a chance to repair themselves, you don't want to grind those bones at all.

What did the doctor tell you as far as exercise? If you did MRIs most people have some bulging. The sciatic pain could very well be caused by your SI joint or psoas.

Do you know if it is Herniated or Bulging? Most people have at least one bulging disc. And its actually not a impediment to exercising. Its more concerning if its a Herniated disc. To visualize this, think of a car tire. A bulging disc would still be a Intact Tire, but might have spots pushing out or bulging out. A herniate disc would be a completely blown tire. When the disc herniates it pushes a gel like material out, which can compress your nerves. But if this Gel material, which is called the nucleus touches the nerves at all, it can cause Nerve Pain( Aka Neuropathy) Sciatica happens with the Disc bulges or herniates and begins to press on the nerve root of the Cauda Equina. If it presses to the right you will have right sided pain, to the left causes left sided pain and if it presses in the center, you get Bilateral symptoms.
I was just released from my Neuro Surgeon for exercising, as I have been stable for 5 years. I had a pretty bad back injury, so I can feel your pain!

jimmmer wrote: »

Work on getting pain free. Get stable and able to move pain free through full ranges of motion. Then work on getting stronger through those ranges of motion whilst staying pain free.

This. You should be pain-free before you even consider picking up a weight. Once you do start with weights, your form needs to absolutely perfect or you risk a serious injury.

I have herniated discs at L4-L5 and L5-L6, plus a synovial cyst in the same region. I'm not a surgical candidate, so I spent 8 weeks doing physical therapy, starting with stretching and range of motion work before slowly building up to strenghtening my core, lower back and hips. Now I'm doing Stronglifts 5x5, along with the stuff I learned in PT, and the only time my back hurts is if I slack off on exercise.

I found out last year after severe pain for several weeks I went to a specialist and had an MRI, the results are a broken and shifted L4. I was told then to limit my walking and when I do to concentrate on keeping hips rotated correctly. I use a bowflex since it doesnt require picking up heavy weights while bent over and possibly having poor posture with weights hurting things. I have strengthened the muscles and am able to do long walks and have no problems any more, but be careful and use really good posture while lifting. Never had herniated discs so not sure its similar but I have found my problem is almost gone as long as I keep the muscles developed and keep aware of overdoing things. Running seems like it would inflame the joints from constant impact, I understand the concern of pain pills, I got off those asap, do not want anymore addictions. Addicted to eating junk food and that is hard enough to fight.

Hello! I am also 28 with a herniated disks, my L4 particularly is very bad. I find that if I do heavy lower body compounds (squats, deadlifts, bent over row) it can aggrevate the pain alot. The best thing to do is to build up the supporting muscles such as the hip flexors and core so less strain is placed on the back. Hope this helps.

Also I find that front squats are fine for me as opposed to conventional back squats. Thought id add that in there since you girls love your squats