TweetI've had back problems but nothing that has kept me outta the game more than a couple weeks. The main thing is you understand that you do need the time off. Sounds like the doc may be playing it safe telling you a year. It more like a play it by ear thing and more doc visits. But a year might be better than the rest of your life. Your still young so whatever it takes.

TweetI feel for ya man i am laid up with a bad back myself. Had to take a whole week off of work. Just now getting to were i can walk around with no pain. But once a bend over slightly sharp pain in the lower back it sucks
BIFF

TweetIt's understandable to be down on the news from your doc but in the end you might come up stronger. Use your downtime to educate and learn new techniques...and so on. Remember the ETA of coming back to the gym is just that....an estimate. You see many come back from injuries faster then the estimates because they take care of themselves when they know they should. Don't rush anything and remember muscle memory will be your best friend when you hit the gym again.

Keep face bro.

Aragorn

TweetI would keep lifting, but pick only exersises that don't involve back, at all.

TweetYeah bro, no squatting for a while!! A disc bulge is not that serious. Most of us have some bulges, and unless you have impingement on a nerve, you wouldn't even know it. You probably just incurred a sprained erector, which can be fairly debilitating until it settles back down. I've done it from not warming up properly. Tiger balm works well on sprains. A herniation is something else, and usually is traumatically-induced (such as from a heavy car crash), and can require surgery. I would continue lifting, just without heavy pressure on the spinal column. Maybe you can find a way to work around this, but be careful, make sure you feel up to it, and wear a lifting belt.

TweetDO AB WORKOUTS.........Your abs help to stabalize your back and vica versa. If you don't regularly work your abs....you'll have back problems for the rest of your life.

TweetAb strength is REALLY important for a strong, reliable back.

TweetI am definitely going to start consistently working my abs. The doctor gave me some good ab/back exersizes, and I will start those in a couple weeks. I am probably going to take two months or so off from actually lifting weights, and then get back into it gradually. However I may do some arm workouts. Due to my family's problems, I want to play it safe. Thanks for all the advice bros... I really appreciate it!

TweetTake it easy and let it heal bro. Trust me. I tried "working through the pain" a few years back and ended up needing back surgery to correct a herniated disk @ L5/S1. I was out of the gym for 8 weeks and wasn't able to squat again for 6 months. To this day I have back problems as a result. I will have back problem the rest of my life. Don't fuk with your back man! It's just not worth it!

Tweeti have 2 bulging disk in my lower back caused by a head on colusion a few years ago , my doc told me to keep working out to help keep my back strong , it hurts like all hell sometimes but it has never put me out ,i got script out the ass, celebrex,daypro,percocet,oxy, etc everypain killer there is and to tell yoou the truth only one works and it is the worst for ya percocet but when the pain gets bad i pop one or two,just watch how you lift and squat be smart when you workout and you will be fine imho.

Tweet...that's funny - my doc said the same thing...