Manging the occasional bit of radiculopathy whilst strength training

[Bug War]

I know there are already 500 threads on back and neck problems as they relate to lifting. I know Coach Rippetoe is not a doctor or neurologist who practices on the internet but I am interested enough in this subject to chance asking yet another question on this area.

For those of us who have a disc issue more or less under control but which occasionally results in their experiencing some radiculopathy every now and again, is there anything that should be borne in mind beyond what can be taken from older threads on this general area?

-'We all heal' probably applies to discs like everything else (which is hopeful)
-Cleans may be contraindicated
-Don't wiggle the neck around unecessarily in general or during lifting
-Avoid PT involving wiggling the neck around
-Surgery may be down the line (which is less hopeful)
-Get coaching

If someone does have some radiculopathy flare up, is it correct to say they should lay off training until the symptoms subside rather than try to train through it as they might something muscular?

[Mark Rippetoe]

The best way to "mange" your radiculopathy, "whilst" training is to use perfect technique and "mange" the inflammation with NSAIDs and acetaminophen "whilst" employing a slight backoff in load. Have I been unclear about the benefits of deadlifting "whilst" in the throes of sciatica? That being said, in my experience, cervical radiculopathy is more indicative of surgery than lumbar radiculopathy.

[Bug War]

Thanks for the reply, and sorry about the "manging" misspelling.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Learn to spell "while" correctly too.

[grumble]

Learn to spell "while" correctly too.

To be fair, 'whilst' is a valid alternative to 'while'. It's used more in the UK and is typically a bit more formal, but isn't wrong at all.

[Mark Rippetoe]

But to be honest, it is pompous and silly, while still being technically not-incorrect.

[Bug War]

It's a little archaic I guess but it's not uncommon in the UK and Ireland.

From now on I'll only use "while" whilst on the forum!

[Mark Rippetoe]

It's becoming more common here. Because Europe is cool.

[Lawrie Abbott]

Verily....I am in agreement.

Forsooth!

[LimieJosh]

But to be honest, it is pompous and silly, while still being technically not-incorrect.

If you're going to accept our clotted cream you should accept the silliness of the way we speak the language.