Anybody had to totally give up deadlifts and squats?

mutantspicy wrote: »

jjpptt2 wrote: »

Just for context..

There are also a lot of very competant doctors out there, who know what they know, know it, and know when to refer patients to other specialists. I bet there are more people going to the wrong doctor than there are doctors who don't give a *kitten* or who just want to write scripts and take advantage of insurance.

This is very true. Unfortunately in this country very few people can afford the right doctors, and some of us are very lucky to have insurance that will get us thru emergencies, but to get the kind of real advice necessary for fitness that is out there for real legit. Most regular folk can't afford that. Unless you have pro sponsors and even then you may not get real support. Which is why I say online research is our only recourse, but good luck sorting thru all the garbage. The barbell medicine guys are pretty great, but they are talking to gen pop scenario of body builders, which is better than nothing. Generally speaking there are very few people on this earth who can afford sports medicine doctors to review their individual case.

Maybe it's just my experience, but I think getting to see good doctors is more about asking the right questions and correctly identifying/describing your issues and goals than it is insurance or funding. Or maybe my injuries and problems and goals and whatnot simply haven't painted me into such a tight corner that it's become an issue.

Another recommendation that you see a doctor that specialises in sports medicine. Someone with a focus on getting people healthy so that they can do their sport again.

I was powerlifting (305 squat/345 dead in competition) until my back began bothering me while peaking for a meet 1.5 years ago and have been in chronic pain for the past year. I was diagnosed with Degenerative Disc disease. After seeing my recent imaging and comparing to an MRI from 8 years ago, my long time chiropractor and a neurosurgeon I saw recently both agreed that it would be best if I stop squatting and deadlifting. I tried to rehab and rebuild my squats/deads while working with a physical therapist before this, but my pain only become worse.
I know many people are able to recover or work through back injuries (I had several bulged discs on the previous MRI and went on to powerlift with no issues until recently) but in my situation now I feel it is best if I try to minimize loading my spine and no longer squat/deadlift.
It has been really difficult to get motivated to lift again, but through working back slowly and trying different things, I have found a routine I am satisfied with for bodybuilding purposes. Leg press, barbell hip thrust, leg curl and extn, walking lunges, abductor work, etc. are the bulk of my lower body training. I would really like to find a belt squat to see if that would be a good option for lower body work while minimizing loading my spine.

Like I said, I know other people have had very different experiences and may disagree with giving them up, and for you that may not be the answer, but in my experience I have not been able to get back to them.
(I'm unsure if I'm kind of a special case, as I already had degeneration and several bulged discs at 17. Degeneration is 'normal', but my doc said my spine looks more like a 50-60 year old than a 25 year old.. I hope to try a different doctor or PT in the future, but for now I'm still trying to pay off the bills I've accrued getting this far.)
I have not been told to stop exercising or lifting entirely, just to be easy on my spine. That’s been my experience, I gave them up.