Injuries and RehabTell us where it hurts! Do a quick search before asking about your shoulder injury to make sure your question hasn't already been answered (about 50 times), and read the sticky post first.
I haven't seen him in about two years. One of the first things he said to me is "You have been working out haven't you?" I said yes as much as possible. He told me to stop completely. (I have 5 hernatied disc in my back and a pinched nerve in my neck. I couldn't turn my head to the right at all this morning so that is why I went in the first place.) I told him that I talked to a surgeon and the surgeon told me to stay active as possible. The chiro said "active yes working out no" I tried to explain to him that working out and stretching are the only really things that make me feel better but he didn't really want to hear me out. So should I listen to him or should I keep doing what I am doing Ripped Rugged and Dense and chalk it up to a bad day? Let me know what you think. Thanks.
You might want to take a break and get a second opinion. Your back sounds like its in pretty rough shape and you don't want to do any further damage. Your back is not something to mess around with.
BTW -- How could he tell you had 5 herniated disks? Did you have an MRI or x-ray recently.
Yea you are probably right but it seems like I take a week of every 2-3 weeks. I posted a topic on here over the weekend about being one workout away from an injury and this is just what I am talking about. It sure as hell is frustrating!! I completed HGM and didn't have nearly as much trouble as I am having here lately. I just don't get it. I had an MRI done. That is how he knew about the disc.
l go to another orthopedic doctor and get a second opinion. I took the chiro the MRI interpretation that shows the herniations. He didn't look at the MRI and tell me they were herniated. Sorry that wasn't clear in my initial post.
JP is correct. All second opinions should come from a neurosurgeon. Many chiros are very intelligent and highly skilled but they have limitations (as well all do) as to what they are capable of diagnosing.
Now, that being said...
I have a gut feeling, so take this with a grain of salt.
If you're willing to attempt a 315 pound deadlift on a recurring basis, I'm wondering if some training modifications can't limit some of the discomfort you're dealing with.
First thing I would do is get the second opinion and determine whether surgery is a must. If not, I'm betting you have numerous soft-tissue issues that are causing a great deal of your pain (I'm thinking from the car accident...for all you know the herniations were always there and you never knew it). If the neurosurgeon doesn't think surgery is required, get a referral to the best manual therapist in town and get busy resolving those issues.
You'll also need to increase the volume of lower intensity exercise. The easiest way to do it is with a variation of circuit training using dynamic flexibility ex. and lighter complexes of common exercises (exercise selection depends on the soft-tissue issues at hand). You'll be amazed at how good it will make you feel.
Banging away at heavy weight is a fast track to pain. Progressively work up to peaks of activity and back off and repeat, but always maintain your base of GPP/dynamic flexibility.
I need more info on the "pinched nerve in the ball of my neck" comment. Is this an MRI diagnosed issue or a comment from the chiro? Also, can you be more specific as to what area you are referring to (I think I know but just want to be sure).
Are you doing prone extension exercises and stabilization exercises?
I have 5 bulging discs at age 34 and was told if you MRI everyone around my age they will likely have some slight bulges, they just may not be in pain from them. Remember Chiros call themselves "Doctor" but they are not M.D's.
it has taken me two days to reply. They actually have me working these days. Anyway thanks for your advice. Bill and JP I went to another back orthopedic dr and he said that he would want to avoid surgery if possible because I have only had an MRI on my neck and lower back and probably every third disc is herniated. The place in my neck is where your neck and your back connect. Where all the nerves meet also. So if they were off by a millimeter in surgery I could be paralyzed. I found out that I had a herniated disc is from the MRI interpretation and from the ortho. My left shoulder blade falls asleep every now and then so that is the problem I have with the pinched nerve. Sorry to sound stupid but what is a manual therapist? A massage therapist maybe? Bill do you have a specific workout in mind that would help the tissue damage? I think my pride is an issue with going with light weight. I feel like a punk using weights that are light and that I know I could go a lot heaver. But if light weights are what I need then light weights it is. I do hyperextensions for my back and just try to stretch my neck out as much as possible about three times per day. Let me know what your suggestions are. Thanks guys for the feedback.
and from the ortho. My left shoulder blade falls asleep every now and then so that is the problem I have with the pinched nerve. Sorry to sound stupid but what is a manual therapist? A massage therpist maybe? Bill do you have a specfic workout in mind that would help the tissue damage? I think my pride is an issue with going with light weight. I feel like a punk using weights that are light and that I know I could go a lot heaver. But if light weights are what I need then light weights it is. I do hyperextensions for my back and just try to strech my neck out as much as possible about three times per day. Let me know what your suggestions are. Thanks guys for the feedback.
Don't be so hung up on using light weights. I know, it's easier said than done, but there are a few of us who are living proof that you shouldn't push some things. Recovery can be a long road, but it sounds like a road you'll have to go down in order to return to a healthier you. Best of luck, bro!
Jamie
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I know Bond I know but dammitt if my body would just straighten up for a little while I could make tremendous gains in strength and reduction of body fat. Any idea how long this will take to get corrected? How is the shoulder feeling?
The shoulders are finally feeling rather tight and strong with no pain in any direction. Of course, if I fall asleep on my belly with my arms over my head, I do wake up in considerable pain. But, hey, if that's all, I'm a happy camper!
Without trying to sound "preachy", consider this, my first shoulder surgery was in March 2000 and because I pushed my recovery, I'm where I am today...5 years later and not any stronger or any bigger. I'm just now starting to get back in the game, so to speak. I took a few wrong turns along the way. Be careful and don't follow my path. TAKE IT EASY!! PLEASE!! You will get better and stronger and bigger. You just need time. Best of luck, bro! And, keep up posted on your progress.
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Thats good to hear man. I am glad you back in the game for good. Bond your story is what I needed to hear. I am only 25 and have had these back problems since I was 19. It is about time I do something about it. I think I am going to give physical therapy another shot. I forgot to mention I half ass did it the first time around. I thought I had better things to do instead of busting my ass at PT but I was wrong by a long shot. Congrats on the progress!! How long did it take you to get back to where you are now? Any idea about this tissue workout Bill was referring to? Another question for you I was doing behind the head seated miltary press on a machine (a 20 year old one at that) and I felt a sharp pain in my left shoulder. That was about two years ago and the dr (that the ortho referred me to) said I have developed tendonitis in it. He didn't take any x-rays or anything like that he just checked my range of motion and diagnosed it on the spot. It doesn't really hurt except for when I shrug my shoulders, very seldomly on bench press, and terribly bad if I do dips at the dip station but I can do dips between two chairs fine. Does this sound like tendoitis to you?
Originally posted by tossedup: Thats good to hear man. I am glad you back in the game for good. Bond your story is what I needed to hear.
Thanks, bro! I'm glad I could be of assistance. I really don't want to see anyone be as uninformed as I was and go through everything that I did.
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Originally posted by tossedup: I am only 25 and have had these back problems since I was 19. It is about time I do something about it. I think I am going to give physical therapy another shot. I forgot to mention I half ass did it the first time around. I thought I had better things to do instead of busting my ass at PT but I was wrong by a long shot.
PT is probably the most important thing you can do when recovering from serious injuries or surgery. You should never neglect it or do it half-assed. The main reason why I'm able to lift what I lift today is because I followed through with ALL my PT -- even to the point that I packed all my shit up with me when I went on vacation within 3-4 weeks of 3 of my 4 surgeries. And, I seriously took time out of each of my vacations to do my PT exercises 2x daily without missing a beat. You can ask my wife. She got a little pissy a couple of times because I refused to skip even one session.
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Originally posted by tossedup: How long did it take you to get back to where you are now?
My last surgery was in April '04, so I'd have to say about 6 months. I probably could've started back in the gym much sooner, but after 4 surgeries I was a little "gun-shy", if you get my drift. Plus, after the last surgery, I also had met Bill Hartman and he gave me a TON of great shoulder and rotator cuff exercises to work on in the gym before trying anything too dramatic. I'm still following his advice today, btw.
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Originally posted by tossedup: Any idea about this tissue workout Bill was referring to?
No, it's not ringing any bells. Bill will have to explain that in more detail. Also, you and I have had different injuries so he may be talking about something specifically for your condition.
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Originally posted by tossedup: Another question for you I was doing behind the head seated miltary press on a machine (a 20 year old one at that) and I felt a sharp pain in my left shoulder. That was about two years ago and the dr (that the ortho referred me to) said I have developed tendonitis in it. He didn't take any x-rays or anything like that he just checked my range of motion and diagnosed it on the spot. It doesn't really hurt except for when I shrug my shoulders, very seldomly on bench press, and terribly bad if I do dips at the dip station but I can do dips between two chairs fine. Does this sound like tendoitis to you?
I really can't answer that question for you. But, how long ago did this pain start to present itself? If you've been experiencing the pain for quite some time, then it might be time for you go see an ortho and get another opinion. I can tell you that I cannot do any overhead presses and probably never should even attempt them, ESPECIALLY those behind the neck. They are the worst for shoulder joint health. Also, I can't do dips of any kind as I shouldn't be allowing my elbows to go beyond the plane of my torso as that depth of ROM puts my shoulders into an "impinged" scenario, which I must avoid at all costs.
Good luck and keep us posted on your progress, bro!
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Well Jamie I hurt my back again Wensday night doing deadlifts so I went to my regular dr yesterday because my back doctor is out of the office. He told me that I needed another MRI because it has been about two years since I had one. I told him that I wanted to do everything possible to stay of the operating table. So when my MRI results come in I am going to start PT, chiro 3 times per week, and scale down how much weight I am using in the gym. It is kind of depressing I could hardly dress myself this morning. When I lift my leg up to put on my boxers my back gives out. I really do not want to become a burden on my wife and family. That is the worst part of all this. I will keep you updated on my progress and my results. I hope Bill will give me a sample routine to follow for the tissue damage. Later Chris.
Chris, my Taekwondo instructor just found out that he has a ruptured disk in his back and he too wants to avoid surgery at all costs. He was originally diagnosed with 4 bulging disks, and now one of those ruptures. So, his doc has prescribed traction 3 or 4 times a week and for him it's working out great! The first day he told me he felt great immediately after traction, but as the day wore on he started feeling worse. But, he was advised to expect that the first couple of times. It's slow progress for him, but he's doing really well. Once you have your MRI read you might want to ask your doc about the traction route to see if that might help in your situation as well.
Good luck!
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Thanks for the tip man. I will defintaly give traction a try. Keep me update on your buddies progress will ya. Hope things keep on going well on your road to recovery!!
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