"You don't need to lift weights" - JP Fitness Forums

David.W · 06-19-2006, 05:23 AM

Hi Bill, I posted this in the training section over the weekend....
"You don't need to lift weights"

I would just like some input and ideas into my situation please. I am active in the martial arts and competitive a few times a year. I lift weights as a part of bettering my game, weight control and finally the good feeling I get. During 2004, several months after starting lifting I injured my lower back. I saw a Physiotherapist who said "bulging disc". I was given McKenzie stretches and postural advice.
My problem is since the initial injury, I have re-injured my lower back mabye 6 more times to varying degrees. This time it was sitting down at home, not lifting. Not only is this keeping me from the gym it is severely staggering my competitive training.
I see a physio every time it happens and have even recruited a second opinion this time to be sure, and I always get the same line, "you don't need to lift weights, so stop, your strong enough"

Am I haunted with a back injury forever, or can it be rehabilitated?
Besides the stretches and methods for back health, is there a workout available for individuals wishing to keep pressure off their lower back and still lift?
Do I even need to lift weights as both Physiotherapists have implied?

Thank you in advance!!
David.W

Bill Hartman · 06-19-2006, 05:38 AM

Don't lift weights, don't cross the street, don't drink the water (just got back from Mexico

)....Geesh!!

A blanket statement like the one you got from your physio is unwarranted. You're strong enough. Who says? What's strong enough? Why is he blaming strength training? Maybe you have a weakness?

It's really impossible for me to give you any great advice without an exam, but I'd lean toward the fact that you have an issue somewhere else like the hips (very common) or a technical issue with your training, daily postures, regular activities. There's also an element of chaos that influences any injury, especially the back.

I'd go to a new physio/doctor for a second opinion and a new perspective.

Bill

David.W · 06-20-2006, 04:50 PM

Thanks Bill, I will get another opinion, (this will be numero three)! I have to ask this next question as Ive never been able to get a straight answer,

what is the difference between a physio and an athletic therapist?
and which should I be seeing?

Thanks for reading Bill,
David.W

Lost Dog · 06-20-2006, 06:18 PM

I'm not sure how your system works there, but you could call ahead to the office and ask the nurse/receptionist about the types of patients that this person sees and treats. It would likely be a good sign if they treated some athletes.

The word "athletic" sound more promising to me, but we don't use the word "physio" down here, either...

David.W · 06-20-2006, 06:38 PM

Hey Lost_dog, I have been seeing a physio therapist, and im told he sees people transitioning from hospital. Also alot of protocols (post-op stuff) like my wifes ACL and so on.

Im gonna see an AT this week and see how it goes.

Lost Dog · 06-20-2006, 11:14 PM

A physio must be what we call a physical therapist.

David.W · 06-22-2006, 05:05 AM

Hi Bill, I just wanted to ask you about a few related issues to my back. I notice that when I wake up in the morning my left hamstring is numb and my left calve is sore (mild). Also, when I lat down on my belly with my arms propped under my chin, I get a volume drop in my hearing, no kidding! Its not massive but I can notice it.

Do you think I have anterior pelvic tilt? and what is with my ears...

Thanks,
David.W

Bill Hartman · 06-23-2006, 01:55 PM

Okay, change of recommendation based on your new info regarding leg symptoms.

Your morning symptoms may be due to a disc issue causing referred pain to the leg. In the morning, discs are full of water after decompressing in the lying position, so you may have a bulging disc that warrants attention (that doesn't eliminate strength training however, but does require modifications and better exercise selection in regard to spinal forces).

Have you had any imaging (MRI) done to clarify the condition of your spinals structures?

Related to hearing loss, any history of head or neck trauma?

Bill

David.W · 06-23-2006, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Hartman

Have you had any imaging (MRI) done to clarify the condition of your spinals structures?
Bill

Havnt had an MRI yet, I imagine your going to say "well get one" so I will!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Hartman

Related to hearing loss, any history of head or neck trauma?

Ive been doing martial arts for along time and recall many times hitting my head or fighting a rear naked choke. In fact I was choked so hard once that it has left the skin on the back of my neck numb until this day. To answer your question, I would say probably.

Is this Chiropractor territory?
Thanks Bill

Bill Hartman · 06-23-2006, 03:36 PM

MRI may be helpful as to how to proceed. Your Mckenzie exercises should be helpful. If they centralized your symptoms (bring them out of your leg toward the back) and you can control them with behavior modification, then the MRI may not be necessary. It's then a matter of addressing weaknesses, lumbar stabilization, restoring mobility, and progressing with activities based on tolerance. It may take a while.

Head/neck trauma (concussion) and ischemia (choke?!) can result in hearing abnormalities. This isn't my forte, but I'm certainly aware of such things (3 concussions myself with a mild loss of hearing on one side...then again maybe it's just too many front row seats at Van Halen concerts

)

Bill

David.W · 06-23-2006, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Hartman

MRI may be helpful as to how to proceed. Your Mckenzie exercises should be helpful. If they centralized your symptoms (bring them out of your leg toward the back) and you can control them with behavior modification, then the MRI may not be necessary. It's then a matter of addressing weaknesses, lumbar stabilization, restoring mobility, and progressing with activities based on tolerance. It may take a while.

Head/neck trauma (concussion) and ischemia (choke?!) can result in hearing abnormalities. This isn't my forte, but I'm certainly aware of such things (3 concussions myself with a mild loss of hearing on one side...then again maybe it's just too many front row seats at Van Halen concerts

)

Bill

Bill thanks alot for taking the time, may you be blessed with many virgins in the afterlife.

Can you recommend some routine, anything, that I would benefit from in terms of lumbar stability.

At the moment I am doing the following

McKenzie stretches
This-> http://www.ahs.uwaterloo.ca/~mcgill/...adersguide.pdf
cracking the rotator cuff conundrum (another story)
and alot of walking

Is there a routine I can do to continue strength training AND benefit my lower back issues? I just really want to know that my efforts are 'progress' and not causing more issues.

I am also a guitar player mabye thats the hearing loss im experiencing

Thanks again,
David.