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Doctor said i cant lift anymore.
Im a 31 year old male.Height 6 feet and Weight 80 Kilograms. I started experiencing lower back pain for the first time in my life around a week ago. Doctor asked for an Xray and diagnosed a disk problem. He advised against bending too much and asked to lift anything very cautiously. He also said gym is out for a while till the pain goes. And then too, he recommends i cut out all the heavy lifting. He explained to me in simple words that the distance between the two disks in my lower back has narrowed and there is some wear.. Around 15 % he said but i have to take precautions or it will get worse.
I am attaching an X-ray image Could you please look at it and see how bad it is and What exercises i can do and what to Leave out.
IMG-20190108-195422 — imgbb.com
TMPHBITEU
If this is true, you have stumbled onto an exceptionally bad doctor. That is a perfectly normal lumbar radiograph, and this is so stupid that it makes me think for just a second that you might even be a troll.
Back Pain and Back Strength | Mark Rippetoe
Member
You can’t see discs on an x-ray, only bones. If you have neurological symptoms like focal numbness or weakness, go see a neurologist or spine specialist. Otherwise, you have nonspecific back pain. There is lots of info around here on that. I agree with Rip that you need a new pcp.
Member
Whatever you do, don't do the only thing that has the best chance of permanently fixing your back pain! Just take some time off and everything will just magically get better!
X-ray wasn't indicated in the first place. Doctors should be trying to talk people out of xrays for these type of things.
Starting Strength Coach
I think we have covered this many times. In our health system, the clinical practice guidelines for back pain are resounding in their recommendation to continue being as active as possible during episodes of back pain.Originally Posted by threeonethree
Did he state why the discs are "narrowed"?
✓ Member
Another testimony to how many doctors/chiros are quacks.
When my wife was a teenager she was doing a Jillian Michael's workout and in one of the jerky movements she felt something pop in her lower back and she was instantly in what we typically call disc related pain. She could hardly walk or get out of bed. They went to the chiropractor close by and after an x-ray he told her she would never run, lift, or be able to have kids. X-ray showed hairline fracture of a lower vertebrae.
She said screw that, let's get a second opinion. Second doc said that fracture is probably old and you just tore a muscle or did something to a disc. Not sure what advice he gave but he was much more encouraging.
She since has had a baby, pregnant with another, and enjoys fitness in general (I know, I know). She does experience back pain but my goal is to get her squatting and deadlifting.
My sister in law felt her back let go when she was picking up her toddler. First chiro said same thing. You're done. No more kids. Gotta be super careful. Don't do anything fun for the rest of your life.
Second chiro said you tore a muscle, here are some muscle relaxants, take it easy and ease back into things.
Point being-first chiro for my wife was shut down a few weeks later for lack of clients-he was trying to keep people around by giving them serious diagnoses.
Some are ignorant, some are criminals, a few know what they're doing.
Starting Strength Coach
When I had really bad shoulder pain that radiated down the arm (turned out to be a strained tricep), a well regarded orthopedist remarked that I “had too much muscle for my frame” (which admittedly is a small bone structure) and that I would get injured if I kept lifting that heavy. That’s when I was squatting 235x5. It’s a miracle I didn’t implode when my squat got to 410x5.
To be fair, another sports doctor in the same system didn’t bat an eye when I told him I tore a hamstring deadlifting heavy...he said just make smaller jumps when I get back in the gym and see how things go. I liked that one a lot.
Point being, docs are hit and miss when it comes to lifting related advice. Some are more open minded than others. It’s unfortunately often up to you to ask questions and decide whether they’re talking out of their asses.
Member
Mike Longnecker,
I would suggest you look harder at your doctors before you select them. I can give you a number of chiropractors in my neighborhood that are lifters themselves or who will support lifting for their patients. Some of the great power lifters and body builder in history are/were chiropractors. As you said, the free market and lack of results killed off the chiropractor your wife saw. Most every successful chiropractor will tell you strengthening the back leads to better backs and until a better method if found, exercise is the way to strengthen backs!
Many people these days think doctors are perfect and know all. They are human and foul able like all of use. Years ago I heard Dr. Bernie Siegel say the best possible outcome for your health is to be labeled a difficult patient. Ask questions, require your healthcare providers to give real world solutions, and don't be afraid to fire your doctor and get a better one.
If you doctor says to not exercise/train, and you are not near catatonic or paralyzed, then you need a second opinion and likely a new doctor!
For full disclose I do contract IT work for the New York Chiropractic Association and have head thousands of hours of lectures at their conventions. I'm also married to a chiropractor that specializes in weight lifting athletes and body builders.
✓ Member
Cute xray, bro. Check THIS spine out.
CERVICAL AND LUMBOSACRAL SPINE 0001.jpg
Member
This is what happens when you lay back too far in the press.
Or at least that's what Instagram tells me.
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