If you couldn't use one side, would you still work the other?

[delta]

The doctor wants me to take a break from EVERYTHING for my left shoulder for at least a couple weeks, maybe more (he's including all my physical therapy too!) until my MRI results are done. This is killing me because it's already been 7 weeks with only rehab exercises.

Would it be a bad idea to try and keep my right side in shape by doing curls and tricep pushdowns? I'm thinking I may end up a little asymetrical; but would there be any problems besides maybe looking funny?

Is one big arm and one small arm better than two small arms?

Thanks!

[BFG]

hmmm would be more concerned about invuoluntarily working the muscles et al on the other side.

seek your dr's opinion as we dont know the specifics of why he has said not to work the other side

[Bill Hartman]

Originally Posted by delta

The doctor wants me to take a break from EVERYTHING for my left shoulder for at least a couple weeks, maybe more (he's including all my physical therapy too!) until my MRI results are done. This is killing me because it's already been 7 weeks with only rehab exercises.

Would it be a bad idea to try and keep my right side in shape by doing curls and tricep pushdowns? I'm thinking I may end up a little asymetrical; but would there be any problems besides maybe looking funny?

Is one big arm and one small arm better than two small arms?

Thanks!

You will be asymmetrical regardless, but most likely it won't be severe. It is unusual NOT to train everything else, but the affected area. Otherwise, you'll detrain completely. Perhaps your doc is overly cautious in this case. I would get a clear reason why you couldn't do lower body exercises and right upper extremity exercises that didn't involve the left shoulder.

Bill

[delta]

I was thinking in terms of upper body. He did say that I can do lower body (excluding obvious movements like a deadlift), but I'm already limited to what I can do lower body because I have 2 herniated discs.

He said if I REALLY wanted to, I could continue to do rows and other exercises that probably won't aggravate my shoulder, but he would prefer it for the next couple weeks, at least until I get my MRI results back, to stop all exercises that involve the left shoulder. To play it conservatively, I figure I should cut out bicep curls and tricep pushdowns on the affected (left) side even though they don't really move the shoulder.

Better safe until I know whether I need surgery.... how much more muscle mass could I lose in the next few weeks.... I've already gone from 185 to 165 in the last 5 months! This was because I aggravated my herniated disc and then as soon as that got better I injured my shoulder. If only the two injuries had come at the same time!!

As I continue to ramble, if anybody has any advice on what lower body exercises people with herniated discs can usually do safely, I'd be interested in hearing. I usually stick with lunges, step-ups, wall sits, and calf raises.