Hi,
I was wondering if anyone here had some suggestions, in Feb I was rear ended in a car accident, my old back injuries are now compounded and my lower back has a bulging disc, it is always hurting, I try to do streches, some times I can do a little elyptical work, but my exercise routine is almost nothing compared to what I used to be, I was doing karate and weights, now I am couch potato central and always afraid of re-injury...anyone have any suggestions for bad back workouts?
Thanks so much,
Bummed couch potato
Lyca

Lyca....what a challenge you have...Respectfully, if you have the availibility, I would recommend rolfing.
Sessions with a advanced but gentle rolfer would be best. When one is in pain, our muscles tighten, making everything worse. An experienced rolfer, can elongate and relax all the muscles and the surrounding fascia, in the area of distress.
I would also encourage you to consider accupuncture. It can provide additional support and healing.
A Worsley, or Classical accupuncturist, or one from the old country, who has trained all their life would be good to consider.
These suggestions are part of what I would do for myself, or a family member.
I will include you in my prayers.
Sweet Celebrations

Thanks for the advice, I'm not familiar with rolfing, I'll have to look at that.
Lyca

Wow, I apologize for not seeing this before.

Hello Lyca,
I'm sorry that you are going through this ordeal I know how you feel, I've suffered from herniated discs as well and I've had 7 lower back surgeries. The most I could do as far as exercising was walking, walking was the best thing I could do until I was able to progress a little bit further. My nutrition was what kept me going, eating healthy nutritious meals 6x a day has helped me with my weight. I've also found that stretching helps as well. A recumberant bike helps too because your back is stabled as you do your exercise and as always consult a doctor when doing exercises you definitely don't want to put anymore added pressure on your back.
I wish you the best in your journey to a better life. If I can be of further assistance please let me know.
God bless
Jerome

Following the Eating-for-LIFE style will keep your calories around 1,600 for women and around 2,000 for men without counting calories. Portion control is key. I have a bad back and found that long walks are great. You'll lose weight much slower but it's really a complete lifestyle change.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lycashan Hi, I was wondering if anyone here had some suggestions, in Feb I was rear ended in a car accident, my old back injuries are now compounded and my lower back has a bulging disc, it is always hurting, I try to do streches, some times I can do a little elyptical work, but my exercise routine is almost nothing compared to what I used to be, I was doing karate and weights, now I am couch potato central and always afraid of re-injury...anyone have any suggestions for bad back workouts? Thanks so much, Bummed couch potato Lyca

Awww honey, I'm so sorry to hear about your pain, I am in horrific pain all the time and I've had so many mental conversations about it with myself and it's come to this, and just recently. I will feel better when weight comes off, it won't come off without movement. so each day, I move the part of me that hurts the least. Because with back injuries sometimes you aren't really sure where the pain will be focused for the day when you wake up. I have learned to move a little in anyway I can first thing, makes me feel I've started the day. All to often I have drug myself out of bed to my computer chair and waited for pain pills to kick in before I decide what to do. Now I am trying to decide what to do before hand, ponder it's safety and realize it's precious importance, sometimes I sit in my chair and chair dance, sometimes only moving my arms, sometimes I do leg lifts. I can't work out yet, but by God's grace I can still move and I'm going to use that movement to get me somemore movement.

I've found with my body that if I let it sit still it hurts more, and if I move it I still will have pain but I gain more range.

Don't push yourself to do more than you feel you can, but also don't beat yourself up because you can only do a little, 'cause trust me, a little counts a lot.

XXX's and OOO's

Marikha said it best: I've found with my body that if I let it sit still it hurts more, and if I move it I still will have pain but I gain more range

That's what I was going to say, I have two herniated disks in my back for over 25 years and the move I move the better I feel. When I go on vacations and can't workout properly I hurt.
Keep limber and you will feel better

Love, Linda

I have a back injury also, so I literaly feel your pain. You need to find exercises that don't aggrivate your condition and really work thru the pain. I have found that I actualy feel better after being active even if I was uncomfortable while doing it. Pick up a copy of the book "Strength Training Anatomy" by Frederic Delavier, it shows you different exercises for the various body parts and how to do them correctly. By trail and error you can put together a good program that works around your injury and allows you to get fit inspite of it. Also alot of stretching and core strengthening will help reduce the ammount of pain you are in, even if it is uncomfortable in the begining. Try Yoga along with whatever else you decide to do, it will help alot. With focus and determination you can overcome anything, and bad disks are just a speedbump that can be overcome. You will find that as you strengthen your core that your pain will decrease also.

It hurts to exercise now, but won't always. Swimming and biking until you heal, then start back with small weights and walking. Hang in there!