Getting back on track after herniated disks....

[Mark01]

Seems like a good time to find alternative exercises to squats and deadlifts!

[stackndeca]

Hey dude. I have had severe disk issues, especially S5/L1, look up the McGill 3 exercises, and anything by Dr Stuart McGill. They will help a lot, he is the guy that fixes pro athletes backs. There is a lot of stuff on the youtubes with him. Learning proper abdominal/core bracing is key.

Watched some vids from him. He made some great points on how the back functions and how it gets injured over time. Thanks again.

[Beachbody45]

I have a slightly bulging disc in my lower spine. I decided to buy one of those inversion tables after seeing the ads that claim scientific studies show that these help. After 4 months of using it about twice a week, I have definitely noticed improvement. I don't have anywhere near as much pain as before. They recommend 3 to 4 times a week, but I don't like the feeling of the blood rushing to my head. So about twice a week is all I can tolerate.

Most bodybuilders don't realize that doing heavy squats and deadlifts will damage your discs. They deteriorate as you get older anyway. I watched that video of Dallas Mc Carver deadlifting 845 lbs. That guy is headed to early disc damage if he keeps doing that. The human body just wasn't meant to handle very heavy weight like that.

[stackndeca]

Hey dude. I have had severe disk issues, especially S5/L1, look up the McGill 3 exercises, and anything by Dr Stuart McGill. They will help a lot, he is the guy that fixes pro athletes backs. There is a lot of stuff on the youtubes with him. Learning proper abdominal/core bracing is key.

Thanks, i'll look him up.

[Canucklehead]

Hey dude. I have had severe disk issues, especially S5/L1, look up the McGill 3 exercises, and anything by Dr Stuart McGill. They will help a lot, he is the guy that fixes pro athletes backs. There is a lot of stuff on the youtubes with him. Learning proper abdominal/core bracing is key.

[stackndeca]

Anyone out there dealt with a really bad herniated disk? What exercises did you do the strengthen the area to avoid future injury?

Here is my situation. After years of lifting I had some issues. Then after a long lay off from the gym, i injured my back again from a compression. I think the loss of muscle had a lot to do with the severity of the injury. I had three herniated disks. The worst one was L5-S1, there was a tear as well as a herniation and i had a 7mm intrusion into the nerve. Most painful shit i have ever dealt with. I was down for a couple months. At one point i could walk except to sit down to piss then make it back to the couch. I decided to go with some epidural shots and it worked wonders. Now i'm finally cleared to work out again. I have been hitting it light, super light, embarrassing light. Focusing more in cardio to lose some weight and strengthen my chicken legs. That about it, if you have some good lower back exercises please let me know. As well as ab exercise since they work together.