Workout with herniated disc.

[MikeB1978]

So last week I decided to get serious again with my diet and hitting the gym, well after 1 day back in the gym I managed to re-agitate my herniated disc to the point that I ended up going to the ER at 2:00 am because the pain was unbearable no matter what I tried. My question is this it is getting a little better but still very tight and some sciatic nerve pain what can I do that will be very low impact on my back but still get a decent workout while this heals, I know the disc is going to be an ongoing problem but Im just wanting to get moving again until this flare up subsides. Thanks in advance for the help.

[AFXC1]

Have you tried visiting a chiropractor?

..the last thing you want to do is head back to the gym, and hur tit again, and this might not sound pleasant but you might have to sacrifice a few months, or more of training in order to allow your back to fully re-strengthen itself.

[WhiteLotus]

So last week I decided to get serious again with my diet and hitting the gym, well after 1 day back in the gym I managed to re-agitate my herniated disc to the point that I ended up going to the ER at 2:00 am because the pain was unbearable no matter what I tried. My question is this it is getting a little better but still very tight and some sciatic nerve pain what can I do that will be very low impact on my back but still get a decent workout while this heals, I know the disc is going to be an ongoing problem but Im just wanting to get moving again until this flare up subsides. Thanks in advance for the help.

What was your doctors recommendation regarding using the gym? I would go off these guidelines. A lot of people use swimming as a means to keep and shape while recovering from injury. You may also want to look into Yoga to help stretch/work the back. Probably the best bet is for you to take it very very slow if only one day back at the gym aggravated your disc. Work on nutrition and building you body back up to use the gym rather then jumping right in to lift weights.

[ironwill2008]

Have your doc refer you to a Physical Therapist. This is definitely not something to mess around with on your own; the consequences could dog you for the rest of your life.

[Ironlife]

Have your doc refer you to a Physical Therapist. This is definitely not something to mess around with on your own; the consequences could dog you for the rest of your life.

Definitely this ^^

[MikeB1978]

Unfortuanately I lost my job about a month ago so no insurance for chiro or pt I have been through this before and just let it work itself out, its just really bugging me to be so sedentary when I finally got the drive and motivation to get up and do something about my image. I think what really did me in at the gym was trying to do some back extensions or hyperextensions whatever you call them to hopefully strengthen my back to avoid this very problem (kinda backfired on me) Right now all I have to do is help my wife around the house when I can and chase 3 kids around which I cant even do very well right now. Maybe I will give the swimming a whirl and see how it goes. I was already looking at starting yoga to increase flexibility, I was into martial arts years ago and was very flexible and that seemed to make a world of difference in everything. I was curious what kind of benefit people were getting from yoga, some threads I have read said that it wasnt worth the time but it seemed like a good bet for me. Thanks for the advice.

[WhiteLotus]

Unfortuanately I lost my job about a month ago so no insurance for chiro or pt I have been through this before and just let it work itself out, its just really bugging me to be so sedentary when I finally got the drive and motivation to get up and do something about my image. I think what really did me in at the gym was trying to do some back extensions or hyperextensions whatever you call them to hopefully strengthen my back to avoid this very problem (kinda backfired on me) Right now all I have to do is help my wife around the house when I can and chase 3 kids around which I cant even do very well right now. Maybe I will give the swimming a whirl and see how it goes. I was already looking at starting yoga to increase flexibility, I was into martial arts years ago and was very flexible and that seemed to make a world of difference in everything. I was curious what kind of benefit people were getting from yoga, some threads I have read said that it wasnt worth the time but it seemed like a good bet for me. Thanks for the advice.

You can change your "image" by swimming and yoga. Heck, you can change your image by correcting your diet. People on here probably said yoga isn't worth the time because it doesn't directly relate to building muscle. This is a bodybuilding forum, it is expected. Go do research into people with back problems who have found great relief through Yoga. Those people won't tell you Yoga is a waste of time.

[basharelias]

Hey all, I really need your help in something, I am a 30 years old male, 192 cm height and 65 kgs of weight, I wanna go back to the gym and train to gain muscle but sadly about 2 months i have discovered that i suffer from 3 Bulge discs, L3 / L4 - L4/L5 - L5/S1

Can I go back to the gym and if yes can anyone help me out with some workout programs or at least a website that can provide such a thing

thanx guys really appreciate your help

[Healzya]

I had a herniated disk in my L4 L5. A little over 3 years ago I had surgery to have it repaired. After months of PT and visiting a chiropractor on a very regular basis I am just now able to get back to dead lifts and squats. I had multiple set backs trying to push myself before I was healed.

I know this probably isn't what you wanted to hear but it isn't going to be an easy path. You need to start with very little weight and rebuild all the muscle that you haven't used due to your body compensating for your injury. For chiropractic care I would suggest finding one that uses the gonstead method.

[Paulie_G]

Although I'm not a doctor, do yourself a favor, and take this advice. Google the Big 3 by Dr. Stuart McGill and the MCKenzie method. This combination will be the answer for most people. McGill the best back doc in the business for athletes, period. Learn the big 3, and the McKenzie exercises, and do them as prescribed. I had severe herniated disks, and sciatica. I saw 2 local back specialists and 3 different physical therapists. None of it helped. After 2 weeks of Mckenzie protocol and McGill's big 3, I felt so much better. After 6 months, I can barely tell that I ever had disk issues, except when I twist in a certain way. My deadlift is better than ever, and virtual no pain when doing them.