Someone who is symptomatic probably isn't a great candidate, but I have used "unloaded" variations in the clinic.
I do currently have 3 competitive golfers I work with who have had long histories of back pain. Each of them has at some time used GMs as part of their programs to their benefit. One of them who had back pain every day for 20 years (his words) has been painfree for 3 years (his words). Granted he does a lot more than GMs, but you couldn't convince him that it was anything else.
Obviously, it will depend on the individual and requires supervision, proper technique, appropriate loading, and program design. The disk pressures are pretty high much like any forward bending loaded exercise.
Bill
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