Fitness program for someone with a bad back

[rezadue]

I have one herniated disk and one bulging disk in my back, as a result of which I am in constant back pain.

I have tried and liked P90x but found it too hard on my lower back. Any tips on what kind of program I can get on to get more fit? 5' 7" 150 lbs now

[dr.mba]

Rezadue, any weight bearing excercise would be detremental to your condition. You need to keep to non weight bearing excercises such as stationary bike and swimming. I am not sure how acute your situation is since the recommendation is for rest of 4-6 weeks in the acute setting. This would be my recommendation to you based on your description. Best to ask your orthopedic surgeon what they believe would be your ideal excercise and when. Thats what I would do if I were you. Hope this helps.

MBA

[jawwadh]

i'd try swimming; though u'd probably be best to go through formal Physical therapy..That's where I send my patients. Your pain should decrease over time.. if not your injury needs to be re-evalated. Watch out for bowel/bladder incontinence....weakness, numbness, or tingling in your lower extremities as those would be an indication of possible nerve impingement.

[rezadue]

Thanks for the advice. Since there are doctors in the house, my L2-L3 is bulging and L5-S1 is herniated and pushing against the nerve on both sides. I also has some narrowing as well. With respect to my condition I am in constant pain and have been so for about 4 years now with the amount of pain varying from dull pain accompanied by stiffness all the way to acute pain and muscle spasms.

In theory I would love to strengthen my core but am finding core exercises uncomfortable to excruciating.

[bmw1racer]

I've got bad discs at L4 and L5 and found that physical therapy and core-strengthening exercises helped tremendously... I seem to have it all under control at the moment. *knock on wood*

For me, epidurals provided very short term relief and were almost worse than the problem itself... Since you have stenosis as well, surgery might be the only remaining choice.

Best of luck to you.

[KyleBerg]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

... found that physical therapy and core-strengthening exercises helped tremendously... I seem to have it all under control at the moment. *knock on wood*

+1

I very much believe in the philosophy and the training principles of Mark Verstegen's Core Performance program. You can easily google it and might wanna give it a try.

[Krozi]

I have 2 herniated discs in my back, L4 and L5. About 8 months ago the pain was so bad I could barely move. Went on a 6 week physical therapy program, and have been doing core strength training with a trainer 3 days a week ever since. It's going to get aggravated when you work out, but the trend will be positive if you give it time.

That being said, I still have problems standing for long periods of time and have to take ibuprofen if I'm going to be very active for the day. I barely have any pain in my back anymore, mostly just the glutes, hamstring, and calf in my right leg.

Good luck!

[R Grubba Balls]

swimming definitely sounds like your best bet

[rezadue]

Thanks for the suggestions I have a swimming pool in the back yard and have been hitting it, except for the last week where it has been ungodly cool here.

I am going to look into a core strengthening program for sure.

[GOLFFRR]

swimming gets my vote. However like most stated see a doctor first before anything always better to be safe then sorry

[stormzusmc]

Swimming is the best cardio option you have. You can do many variations with it to strengthen and tone. I would also seek a personal trainer for advice in proper nutrition and weight training that doesnt bother your back.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by Krozi

I barely have any pain in my back anymore, mostly just the glutes, hamstring, and calf in my right leg.

Same here, but it's just perpetual "tightness" in my left calf...

[R Grubba Balls]

it's finally warm enough in l.a. to swim (too cheap to heat the pool). been lapping about a mile a day.

you could also try water aerobics, or just staying afloat.

[954Stealth]

Low weight, low volume and focus on full range of motion. Slowly build from there

[i2ichal2dZ4M]

yoga?

[R Grubba Balls]

Originally Posted by i2ichal2dZ4M

yoga?

lol yeah a guy with a bad back should stand on his head

[Krozi]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

Same here, but it's just perpetual "tightness" in my left calf...

Yea, pretty much my entire right leg is just super tight, standing up/sitting/standing up/sitting down SUCKS lol