Lifting weights and herniated disks???

im 30 and i had my first spinal fusion at 27 and im probably headed for another because my next disk is acting up.. i personally keep away from lifting to much, not sure where your discs are herniated, but mine are my lower back and my doc advises me to lift as little as possible to keep from damaging more.
i would talk to your doc especially if your pain is increasing when your doing it, if you haven't had surgery yet, i would do whatever u can to keep it that way. but if you are going lift, be very careful and support yourself the best you can, maybe get into some core exercises that are good for strengthening and stretching the muscles before you get into much more lifting. Good luck!

Wow.. good luck to you. I have one in my lumbar but I haven't had surgery... I've had several conservative treatments like epidural injections, physical therapy, etc. The physical therapy really taught me a lot and I use some of the key stretches every day.

Basically I make do with 3 Advils every morning and taking it easy on my back. So I go to the gym, but I'll never do squats, hack squats etc. Nothing where I'm putting a lot of pressure on my spine. At home I use only 25 lb plates - not 50 lb plates on my barbell. When I load up on my bench press, I ensure that my legs aren't being used in the exercise.

The real difficulty is exercising my delts because it almost always requires lifting something over the head. However if you do flyes, you can get away with relatively lighter weights than, say a military press.

I could go on and on for hours on this topic.... send me a PM if you like.

I have a bulging disc, since I was in my 20's, due to an injury I have no knowledge of. When I stop exercising (take a week off or 2) then it begins to hurt. The sting goes all the way down to my heel. When I exercise it feels much better. The only thing I've noticed is that I can't "flex" my hamstring and calf as "hard" as my other leg, but that's a side effect from the sciatica.


A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

About 15 years ago, I had one herniated disc requiring a discectomy folowed by PT and various pain management therapies, including epidurals. I did eventually return to some of the activities that were supposed to be verboten -- I do toe touches and I run occasionally -- but I do not engage in any kind of heavy lifting that would put strain on my lower back, such as dead lifts or good mornings.

You say you have several herniated discs. Your vertebrae are in a vulnerable state and you need to protect them. Follow the instructions of your orthopedist, physiatrist and PT or use plain common sense.

Hi, it is probably best to seek professional advice from Dr, or Physio therapist. I have a weak lumber structure from extreme lifting, have ruptured disks twice and my weight does not help. My physio has suggested abdominal exercises to build core strength. This training involves no weights, just basic abdominal exercises. Once my core strength is sufficient, I can start more intense weight training. Your trainer should be able to help you with core strength, but I would still get a medical report that outlines the extent of the damage and which vertebrae are at risk.

Very good advice.

I have C4 and C7 protruding discs. Been going to the gym which I think has helped. It's confusing because today a doctor told me do not do weightlifting at all but a few weeks ago a different doctor said do as it will help. So confused!

Louie Simmons from Westside Barbell has had multiple low back and neck surgeries and still managed to squat 900+lbs in his sixties. It can be done if you train intelligently. He swears up and down that the movement that helped him train without trashing his lower back was the reverse hyper. You should look him up on youtube.