diagnosis: dehydrated disc. No more squatting :(

[cryotank]

Yesterday I finally got to discuss the MRI results with my doctor. It turns out that the 2 lowest discs of my spine are dehydrated and so the lower back is not as stable as it should be. According to him, this also causes the pain in my SI joint, since there is no inflammation anywhere.

I will get some physiotherapy now but he asked me not to do any excersises that put pressure on the lower spine anymore.

Great! So no more squats or deadlifts, that's for sure.

What are my options now? I can benchpress, do pull-ups and chin-ups, not sure about bb-rows and shoulder presses.

Any ideas about excersises I can to without putting pressure on my lumbar spine?

Thanks!

[luco]

For how long do they want you off lifting? I'd do pullups, chinups, bench, dips.. Pretty much everything else puts alot of pressure on the lumbar spine.

Unless they specifically advised against it, I'd continue my other lifts with severely reduced weights (start at bar), to at least keep flexibility and not cause more problems when you can lift again.

[coreJack]

cryotank, how did this happen?

[cryotank]

For how long do they want you off lifting? I'd do pullups, chinups, bench, dips.. Pretty much everything else puts alot of pressure on the lumbar spine.

Unless they specifically advised against it, I'd continue my other lifts with severely reduced weights (start at bar), to at least keep flexibility and not cause more problems when you can lift again.

Not sure for how long. According to my doc, this cannot be cured and I would have to live with it. Also one of the discs started to bulge slightly outwards which is not problematic yet but could lead to a slipped disc.

Yeah well, I am thinking about doing a routine of the exercises mentioned above plus split stance single legged bodyweight squats with one leg up on a bench: http://www.tmuscle.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance/build_bigger_legs_one_at_a_time

Just not sure yet about my shoulder exercise.

[cryotank]

cryotank, how did this happen?

I don't know, it happens to some ppl even at young age. Could be genetic but probably an addition of a couple of factors.

Will go to physiotherapy now and see what I can do.

[FilthyMcNasty]

Any ideas about excersises I can to without putting pressure on my lumbar spine?

I have some SI problems, I find kettlebell swings (or dumbbell if this is all you have access to) load the posterior chain without the "crush" of loading weight on the shoulders. It provides a nice stretch at the bottom of the movement and has helped a lot with mobility and soreness as after sitting for a while the first 10-12 steps were pretty sore.
Also weighted step ups, holding dumbbells. I use different size dumbbells and swop them over for each leg so it activates the core strongly to balance it.
And just my own opinion, but really focus on strong abs, not pretty ones. I thought my core was average strong for a guy who worked out but wheel roll outs, weighted crunches and pikes hanging from a chin-up bar have really straightened out the lumbar curve/pelvic tilt that was developing.

[cripmeister]

That sucks man. How about pistols?

/Chris

[cryotank]

Hey, at least I found a replacement for shoulder presses. I get into a handstand, rest my feed on the racked bar and do vertical pushups. Gives me a really red head but blasts my shoulders!

[coreJack]

Not sure for how long. According to my doc, this cannot be cured and I would have to live with it. Also one of the discs started to bulge slightly outwards which is not problematic yet but could lead to a slipped disc.

Check out McKenzie's book, Treat Your Own Back. I don't think it will help for the dehydrated disc, but it can definitely help with keeping the disc from slipping.

As others have alluded to, single leg work (lunges, step ups, Bulgarian split squats) might be safer for you.

[cryotank]

Not sure for how long. According to my doc, this cannot be cured and I would have to live with it. Also one of the discs started to bulge slightly outwards which is not problematic yet but could lead to a slipped disc.

Check out McKenzie's book, Treat Your Own Back. I don't think it will help for the dehydrated disc, but it can definitely help with keeping the disc from slipping.

As others have alluded to, single leg work (lunges, step ups, Bulgarian split squats) might be safer for you.

Yeah, I've tried Bulgarian splits a while back. They are HARD!

[eLvarouza]

What made you go to the doctor? Was your back hurting or was it a routine check-up?

[cryotank]

What made you go to the doctor? Was your back hurting or was it a routine check-up?

I had pain in my left SI joint for months so that's why I consulted him. Since they couldn't find any inflammation and the MRI clearly showed that the lowest 3 discs are dehydrated, he concluded that my lower back pain and also the acute lumbago I had recently is a result of the dehydrated discs.

[Rockfella]

I injured my right shoulder swimming in the first week of July, cud barely move my arm for some weeks, had to stop lifting for 2 months... started 5 x 5 without BP/push-ups/dips and OHP in September. Shoulder is still bad but my squat increased to 57.5 kgs and I clean the weight off the damn floor as my gym has no power rack. Don't stop... do BW exercises @ home, do beginner versions but don’t stop imo.