How can herniated discs be prevented?

[Beast_Mode]

How?

[zkt]

could you possibly make that a bit more general?

[Beast_Mode]

Originally Posted by zkt

could you possibly make that a bit more general?

As bad as I want to, I really can't.

From what I've seen, just about everybody who lifts on a regular basis will get one if the timeline is long enough. I was just wondering what I could do to prevent such an unfortunate problem. Exercises and such. I already know that strengthening the core and maintaining good posture will help. An injury that will potentially end squatting and DL's forever is not something I wanna fuck with. I've added bodyweight hyper-extensions to my back routine, not sure if this will do harm or protect me.

I've done relentless google searches with the same question and found jack shit.

[NamNet]

Unfortunately, you cannot. You could have your Dr. write an order for a lumbar spine (this is where most discs herniate in weightlifters) x-ray series and if they diagnosis you with degenerative disc disease, your chances of herniating a disc goes way up. Really, the only thing you can do, and it's no guarantee, is to only perform exercises that dodge your (lower) back. Forget seated rowing, squats, deadlifts, and so on. Use chinning movements for your back...if you are clever, you can make-up your own exercises to hit your back.

[HDH]

Run internet searches on strengthening erectors.

HDH

[superswizzle]

This is true. I work in radiology and see peoples backs all the time. Basically, almost everyone with a lil bit of age and ANY hard work under their belt will have a bulging/herniated disc. THE ONLY time its an issue is when the disc actually compresses against a nerve/nerves. So there is no magical "fixing" the problem. You just have to be careful and use pretty solid form on things and hope that you dont compress the nerves too much. Thats one thing about medicine that I do not understand. How do people come up with this ILLUSION that they can come to the doctor and by some form of magic *POOOF* you're fixed and cured.

[bigrobbie]

Originally Posted by Beast_Mode

How?

In most weight lifters and / or people who labor for a living I'm afraid to say, IMHO, that the majority will have some type of back injury/RSS/etc...

I've heard a back brace will help, but I've also heard they can cause back injury because the wearer is not strengthing the proper stabalizing and / or core muscles to support the back....

[Zestorer]

Well I have 3 herniated discs in L2 L3and L4, so trust me when I say that the biggest thing that contributes to this injury is not resting when you feel hurt.

However, in my situation, I actually went to see the doc multiple times, but being the ignorant person she was, she waved it off as complaints since I was quite young when it first happened.

And so I kept lifting and playing my sport at that time(football) and when I finally got an MRI months later, what do ya know, it's 3 slipped disc and permanent damage.

So basically what I'm trying to insinuate her bud, is fuck doctors and whoever else tells you that nothing is wrong with your body, cuz chances are that you aren't being a bitch and really have some thing wrong with you. Be vigilant and listen to your body, because it will not lead you astray. And if you don't understand what's going on in your body, make sure to read, read and then after that read some more.

[aircav]

I have lifted for 40 years and now have three herniated disc and I am getting epidural shots in my spine,(neck), every four months for pain and to prevent as long as possible paralysis.Wish I had known years ago what heavy - low rep training would do to me.Eventually I will have to undergo surgery but am holding off because I do want my throat cut so they can get to my neck. aircav