back problem

[lildusty21]

Last monday I hurt my back, because I could barely move I went to the doctor. My MRI impression is as follows:

1. MINIMAL DISC BULGE AT L4-5.
2. OTHERWISE, NORMAL MRI OF THE LUMBAR SPINE. NO EVIDENCE FOR DISC HERNIATION OR CENTRAL CANAL STENOSIS AT ANY LEVEL.

I can attribute my injury to a few things:

1. In the past year and half I have done two cycles going from 176 lbs to 218 lbs.
2. I don't regularly do stomach exersizes.
3. My grandfather, mom, and cousin (21 years old as well) have each had back surgery in the same area due to ruptured discs

This is the first time I have had back problems. The orthepedic specialist I went to see, tells me it will be three weeks before I can normally function again. It will not require surgery. However he told me that I shouldn't lift weights for an entire YEAR. Have any of you had this problem? If so how did you handle it? I mean I know that I need time off... but is a year really necessary? I feel like I will loose nearly all of my gains by then.

[bowbow]

I'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.

[biff tannen]

I 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

[Aragorn]

It'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

[Small]

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

[Berzerker]

Yeah 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.

[TechChemY]

DO 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.

[Mudge]

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

[lildusty21]

I 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!

[goliath.jr]

Take 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!

[jack hust]

i 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.

[goliath.jr]

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

[fireking]

Pop a few percs and do about 6 rep dead lifts at 405..j/k...man I feel for ya...Everytime I hear somethin like that I get real thankful for my health and it makes my naggin elbow pain hurt less...keep your chin up!