How to bench press with a bulging disc?

[Nezumi8]

Trying to bench press after a long break but my bulging disc is preventing me from lifting much. Even at low weight I start to feel it despite my back problems not being severe. Is there a way to lift without agitating it any further?

At the moment I am using a back brace and putting my feet up on the bench to flatten my back. Any other suggestions to minimize pain would be appreciated.

[air2fakie]

Why not just do a seated chest press machine?

[Nezumi8]

Why not just do a seated chest press machine?

I workout at home and all I got is a bar so I would prefer using that instead of paying for a gym membership. That being said, if it's my only option, I probably will eventually transition to a seated bench press machine. However, I kind of want to exhaust all my options first.

[supramax]

Trying to bench press after a long break but my bulging disc is preventing me from lifting much. Even at low weight I start to feel it despite my back problems not being severe. Is there a way to lift without agitating it any further? ...

Yes, do dips. They're far superior to bench pressing for building the chest.

[bodyhard]

I have a L4/L5 bulging disc and the best remedy for it is to perform stretches daily. Once I stop my stretches the pain comes back slowly and if I stay without stretching it gets worse. However if I stay consistent with my stretching I have zero pain. Before my stretches I could no longer do squats and or deadlifts, but now I am back to squatting and deadlifting with no issues.

[supramax]

I have a L4/L5 bulging disc and the best remedy for it is to perform stretches daily. Once I stop my stretches the pain comes back slowly and if I stay without stretching it gets worse. However if I stay consistent with my stretching I have zero pain. Before my stretches I could no longer do squats and or deadlifts, but now I am back to squatting and deadlifting with no issues.

There are a quintillion different stretches. Tell him what they are or demonstrate in a video.

[bodyhard]

There are a quintillion different stretches. Tell him what they are or demonstrate in a video.

LOL good point, there are so many, I posted this video sometime ago of the stretches I specifically do, I sped it up becuase it is boring as hell to watch as I hold each stretch for 7-10 seconds each.

[TonyM78]

LOL good point, there are so many, I posted this video sometime ago of the stretches I specifically do, I sped it up becuase it is boring as hell to watch as I hold each stretch for 7-10 seconds each.

Hey that's awesome, man, thanks for sharing the video. I've had the same issue with Squats and Deadlifts. I used to do some of those stretches but haven't for awhile. I did start a foam rolling regimen to help lower back pain, and it has seemed to help a lot.

https://sasquatchtraining.com/blog/f...ling-back-pain

[supramax]

LOL good point, there are so many, I posted this video sometime ago of the stretches I specifically do, I sped it up becuase it is boring as hell to watch as I hold each stretch for 7-10 seconds each.

Good stuff. On behalf of Nezumi8‎, I thank you. It's sad that on a bodybuilding forum, there are so few people like yourself, that actually care about helping others.

[bodyhard]

Hey that's awesome, man, thanks for sharing the video. I've had the same issue with Squats and Deadlifts. I used to do some of those stretches but haven't for awhile. I did start a foam rolling regimen to help lower back pain, and it has seemed to help a lot.

https://sasquatchtraining.com/blog/f...ling-back-pain

Thanks, foam rolling is really good to release muscle tightness but I don't think it is good for bulging disc. The disc is too deep for the foam roller to reach it and reduce swelling. The stretching bring blood and oxygen towards the disc and helps it repair itself.

Good stuff. On behalf of Nezumi8‎, I thank you. It's sad that on a bodybuilding forum, there are so few people like yourself, that actually care about helping others.

Thanks man, I always try to help where I can. I even do instructional videos on how to perform movements when someone doesn't know. Been doing that for years.

[supramax]

... Thanks man, I always try to help where I can. I even do instructional videos on how to perform movements when someone doesn't know. Been doing that for years.

When something works for me, I always put it out there, whenever I see a need.