What Kind of Doctor Should I See

[ectoBgone]

About a month or two ago I felt a minor strain in my lower back doing some deadlifts. I took a week off and started a new routine without them and felt fine for a couple of weeks. Last Friday I aggravated it again doing a light set of squats. Like a stubborn idiot I lifted today and it bothered me again.

So assuming I actually go and see a doctor about this thing, what kind would you recommend? I figure a general MD may just tell me never to squat or deadlift again. I'd like to see someone who can appreciate the lifestyle and work with me a bit to heal this thing up so I can resume progress. Is it a sports medicine doctor I would be looking for? Thanks.

[IR45N]

If possible, check with one of the bigger guys or better lifters in the gym and ask if they know of a Dr. who's lifting sympathetic or a lifting proponent. See if you can get referrals to both an MD and a chiro.

[ectoBgone]

Not a bad idea. Unfortunately, I am the biggest guy in my gym considering I lift at home.

[RetBodyBuilder]

See a Physical Therapist and if he can't help you see a Sports Medicine Doc.

[dutter]

it may depend on what type of insurance you have. with mine i would have to go see my GP and get a refferial to see a specialist. also there are several types of back injuries, your family doc may be able to pinpoint your condition and send to to the right specialist.

[DNG]

Jason, you ought to go to an orthopedic specialist - but I'd suggest a sports-medicine specialist instead ... and I'll tell you why:

Some time ago, I went to an orthopedic specialist who was very highly recommended, and who had been in Torino with the 2006 Winter Olympics team - and should therefore know about sports injuries.

He advised me to stop lifting - saying that people who lift a lot have an average life span of less than 60 years, whereas those who focus on cardio and flexibility exercises live an average of 25 years longer.

I haven't needed an orthopedic specialist since - but when I do, I'll be scouring the Blue Cross provider directory for a sports medicine specialist who actually understands 'the lifestyle'.


Good luck!

[dutter]

He advised me to stop lifting - saying that people who lift a lot have an average life span of less than 60 years, whereas those who focus on cardio and flexibility exercises live an average of 25 years longer.

Good luck!

not to jack this thread but that is such a general statement. i would like to see where he got that information from. maby if there was long time steroid abuse involved with a select group.

my grandfather just died at age 96, he lifted his whole life even up into his 90's.

[Tifflex]

About a month or two ago I felt a minor strain in my lower back doing some deadlifts. I took a week off and started a new routine without them and felt fine for a couple of weeks. Last Friday I aggravated it again doing a light set of squats. Like a stubborn idiot I lifted today and it bothered me again.

So assuming I actually go and see a doctor about this thing, what kind would you recommend? I figure a general MD may just tell me never to squat or deadlift again. I'd like to see someone who can appreciate the lifestyle and work with me a bit to heal this thing up so I can resume progress. Is it a sports medicine doctor I would be looking for? Thanks.

Have you considered seeing a chiro? I had a similar strain about a year ago and learned that a vertabra had shifted. I had 4 treatments and didn't squat or row for a few weeks.

Good luck!

[JOHN GARGANI]

not to jack this thread but that is such a general statement. i would like to see where he got that information from. maby if there was long time steroid abuse involved with a select group.

my grandfather just died at age 96, he lifted his whole life even up into his 90's.

yeah, really, DUNCAN, I am surprised to hear such a generalized comment from a great poster such as yourself.....

[ironwill2008]

I'd suggest you get a referral to a Sports Medicine Specialist. They're sometimes hard to find, but if you call any local university that has a football team, and talk to someone on the training staff, they should be able to provide you with the name of at least one good one who's local.

[Legbuh]

Go to sports/ortho doc. I had the same thing a few months ago. I've had lower back pain every now and then and finally decided to find out what it was.

Degenerative Disc Disease. Not good. My lowest vertabrae have pretty much no cushion. The x-ray was pretty scary to see.

I told him about my lifting and he said "you lift heavy don't you.. and probably aggrivated this doing squats or deads.." Right on the money.

He said find other exercises or do light and more reps. I chose the former and that's why I added weighted lunges and sprints. No replacement for deads, but for squats they hurt way more (and feel safer). Now I just worry about my knees!

BTW, a chiro is gonna find the same thing, but promise he can fix it and take all of your money. I used one once.. never will again. I personally think, except for the great massages, they have webbed feet. Just my personal opinion. Some people swear by them. But they won't grow new discs for you if your issue is the same as mine.

[biggbolt]

I would see a chiropractor. Here is the thing, if you have any kind of disc issue, probably not wise to do deadlifts or squats again. I am telling you from firsthand experience you may feel better but disc problems don't go away. There are a bunch of exercises you can do to build back and leg muscles without those two. Squats can compress your spine and that is just not healthy. Just don't be stubborn about it and find some other exercises to do.

[biggbolt]

Go to sports/ortho doc. I had the same thing a few months ago. I've had lower back pain every now and then and finally decided to find out what it was.

Degenerative Disc Disease. Not good. My lowest vertabrae have pretty much no cushion. The x-ray was pretty scary to see.

I told him about my lifting and he said "you lift heavy don't you.. and probably aggrivated this doing squats or deads.." Right on the money.

He said find other exercises or do light and more reps. I chose the former and that's why I added weighted lunges and sprints. No replacement for deads, but for squats they hurt way more (and feel safer). Now I just worry about my knees!

BTW, a chiro is gonna find the same thing, but promise he can fix it and take all of your money. I used one once.. never will again. I personally think, except for the great massages, they have webbed feet. Just my personal opinion. Some people swear by them. But they won't grow new discs for you if your issue is the same as mine.

You can't say that about chiropractors. Not all are bad. Some are but that is why you should research them in your area before visiting. The good ones will tell you whether they can do anything or not. I have been to a couple and both of them have helped my back pain. If your disc is completely ruptured and beyond healing naturally then you would need surgery. My wife went to the chiro and it did not work for her so she had surgery. I did not need surgery, i had disc herniation but the work the chiropractor did helped me a lot. It depends on the situation and how badly the back problems are.

[tmonkey]

You can't say that about chiropractors. Not all are bad. Some are but that is why you should research them in your area before visiting. The good ones will tell you whether they can do anything or not. I have been to a couple and both of them have helped my back pain. If your disc is completely ruptured and beyond healing naturally then you would need surgery. My wife went to the chiro and it did not work for her so she had surgery. I did not need surgery, i had disc herniation but the work the chiropractor did helped me a lot. It depends on the situation and how badly the back problems are.

if you go to a bone cracker make sure they are a m.d. and you will be safe

I have changed my life (seems like a couple of times now) after my back surgery. whatever you don't don't push it or you will end up with the surgery. If you have to quit the squats and deads you will still be better off - but talk to a good doc first maybe it is a minor that you will be able to take care of easily - i hope it is.

also just a fyi - aleve works better then some perscription stuff

of course vioxx was best but they took it off the market

[McJimmie]

In my opinion, you won't go wrong with a good sports osteopath.

I have a great one that I go and see when I break down. Last time he managed to relocate a dislocated SI joint with three (separate) painful hours of manipulation.

[BestYearEver]

Agree with those suggesting a sports med doctor. There is a specialty called Physical medicine and Rehabilitation, and the doctors are also called Physiatrists. A nonsurgical specialty that includes bones and nerves, including spine.

I have had good but limited experience with a chiro, and nothing to do with spine.

Good luck!

[BrotherWolf]

it may depend on what type of insurance you have. with mine i would have to go see my GP and get a refferial to see a specialist. also there are several types of back injuries, your family doc may be able to pinpoint your condition and send to to the right specialist.

^ this is probably your best alternative, it could simply be a muscle sprain in which case he might be able to spot it or send you for some xrays or scan , a chiro would also test you and be able to tell you in some cases

[dungeonmistress]

an orthopedist with a specialty in sports medicine.

[ectoBgone]

Thanks folks, I appreciate the input.

[Legbuh]

You can't say that about chiropractors. Not all are bad. Some are but that is why you should research them in your area before visiting. The good ones will tell you whether they can do anything or not. I have been to a couple and both of them have helped my back pain. If your disc is completely ruptured and beyond healing naturally then you would need surgery. My wife went to the chiro and it did not work for her so she had surgery. I did not need surgery, i had disc herniation but the work the chiropractor did helped me a lot. It depends on the situation and how badly the back problems are.

Actually, yes I can. You echoed my statement in that if it's a bad disc, they can't help (nothing but surgery can, and in the US that's fusing the discs.. Only Europe I've heard of synthetic replacement discs). They will try their hardest, though.

If it's just muscle strain, sure they'll help. So will rest, massage, etc. But if they try to sell you liver tabs or get into reflexology, run..

[DaddyR]

There a Chiro's office at the Gold's Gym I go to. They'd be my first choice for something like this.