Please help: Cervical Spondylosis and weight training

[Jimbo1979]

Hello all,

I am really hoping someone reading this will have experienced what I am or are a physiotherapist, who could give some basic advise.

I am 28 and weight training was a large part of my life for 8 years; in February 2007 I went back to the gym due to a couple of months off with chest infections, and being keen to hit the weights, I went a bit too heavy.

I ended up pulling my upper back and my neck/shoulder seemed to nag me month after month; I saw Osteopaths and Physiotherapists but could only afford a certain amount. It did help and I didn't work out for nearly a year.

I went back to the gym in January 2008, did really light weights for 2 weeks but had a night out on the town one weekend at the end of those 2 weeks and it set all my neck and shoulder off again. I went to a different Osteopath and she injured me! After 2 weeks off work on 4 medications at the same time, I thankfully got an MRI scan to see why it has taken me so long to recover since my original injury.

I was subsequently diagnosed with Cervical Spondylosis, which is Osteoarthritis in my neck - this is common but normally in middle age onwards but it can have a bad affect on people, it varies. I am still in shock and upset as I didnt guess I had this.

Sorry this post is so long but I am feeling a depressive feeling eating me - the fact I may not be able to weight train again. I am waiting to see a neurosurgeon to decide what direction I should go (surgery/physio/nothing) but it could take months.

Are there any people here, whatever your age, who have Cervical Spondylosis but still weight train, albeit lightly now? I know I will never train heavy again but not training at all is what upsets me. I just think if I train light in the future and build it up extremly slow to a "medium" level, but never heavy, I am thinking this should be beneficial.

Right now I am just stopping the hedonistic nights out, watching my posture at my desk, starting supplemnting with glucasomine/chondroitin (spelling?) and doing light cardio/full body stretches. If anyone can help, please post - thanks a lot

[Fresch]

Unless there is some major disc injury, not sure of the reason for the neurosurgeon.

There are deep stabiliser exercsies that would be good to learn that would help your neck and allow for more training.

Also may want to look at mcKenzie neck exercises to maintain neck mobility.

[Jimbo1979]

Thanks Fresch, I think the reason I am being referred is because I was seeing a Rheumatologist originally, before I realised I had spondylosis and they felt I should be sent to the neurosurgeon as they are more expert on the neck, at least that's what they said.

I will not chance any weight training yet, I want to see a specialist first and physiotherapist in future, but I was just trying to get some information in advance as it's playing on my mind; I have searched hard all over the internet and amazingly can't find anything for young sufferers or people who with regards to weight training with this condition.

[Al Swearengen]

a little info can be found here, but as you can see it is a debate as to which type of exercises are best. the way i feel is do some of both and you may benefit more. By both I mean train for strength as usual and also train for endurance so too speak for the same muscles, erector spinae mainly.

http://www.exrx.net/ExInfo/LowBackTi...#anchor2990905

heres another link that may explain more of what i'm getting at for you. try training mostly high rep stuff 25 to 50 rep work for the spine as well as some 5 to 10 rep work.

http://www.abcbodybuilding.com/musclefiberspart2.php

[Jimbo1979]

Al thanks very much for the links, sorry for the late reply in thanking you, I was not online.

I am still doing cardio and stretching only until I see a specialist, don't know how much longer I have to wait.

If I am told I can weight train, but only lightly, do you have any suggestions on exercises which would place the least amount of strain on my neck area?

Even if I am only limited to a couple of exercises on light weights, it will be better than never touching the metal again, a thought I still can't come to terms with.

Thanks again

[gimpy835]

look for thread "for all of you with back pain" and go to that website. much more information on there than your prob gonna get here. found that site right after i had my L5-S1 fusion done and they are a looooot of help.

[Jimbo1979]

Thanks a lot for that link gimpy, I have taken a look at the website and signed up, it looks very useful (I can't belive how many people are suffering with problems out there!).

[gimpy835]

yea no joke, however talking to a lot of thoes people make me feel like a bitch complaining about the type of pain i have. few ppl on there i used to chat with on their instant chat that were in industrial accidents and ****...stuff was insane. good place to go for help though and give you some other ideas and options that your doctor might not!

[rogersb81]

Hey Jimbo how is the training going? I have also been given the same diagnosis. I am 29. I have been not training since I have been diagnised about 3 months now. Any advise you can offer?

[boldspirit]

heya
just been diagnosed with same. How are you doing with yours? Any tips? you still weight training?

[pranavgarware]

I am also facing same injury , Jumbo could you please update us on your workout status ?
so that I can prepare myself