Ha! MRI results back, I don't have a herniated disk, but a (spelling may be off) annular tear L5/S1 disk, resulting in the bad pain. Coo, so what can I do? Recommendations: Never a Bent over row, no deadlifts, squatting in a smith machine to prevent "foward" leaning, and quarter squatting. I asked him,. well, wouldn't it help to build up even with just bodyweight using natural-form squatting to strengthen the back? No, just aggravates / hurts the tear. Strange, I would think the Smith machine due to it putting your body in an unnatural arc, would be more dangerous. So, I'll be bodyweight and OHS with zero weights, elliptical for now. And, eventually I'll be deading and squatting, without a Smith machine Thoughts on this?
If forward lean is the issue aggravating the tear, the reasoning behind his recommending the Shirley Machine would indicate to me that front squats might be an option as long as you don't go balls to wall heavy.
I'm wondering if the doc meant that you should use the Shirley machine for those odd-looking back squats where your feet are placed way out in front of your hips. Bodybuilders do them to hit the quads. Whatever else you can say about 'em, they would probably force you to keep your back vertical. Then again, you could probably accomplish that with Zercher squats. :icon_twis
This sounds terrible but talk to a physical therapist. He can refer you to one so your insurance will cover it. Honestly, I always like to listen to people who are specialists in the rehabilitation of an injury. Orthopedists have their specific areas of expertise but they've really only got a 'minor' in exercise, it's not their main focus. It's like when your family doctor tries to give you nutrition or exercise advice, he's there to heal peoples sickness, not pretend he's a nutritionist or a Physical Therapist. An Orthopedist will be more advanced in this section, but I've still heard some of the WORST exercise advice for rehabilitating an injury coming from them. I've known people with knee injuries who were told to do Leg Extensions and people with shoulder injuries who were told to do BTH presses and pull downs. If your injury is serious, talk to a physical therapist.
Perhaps if forward lean is the biggest problem, unilateral work such as lunges or bulgarian split squats? The torso stays as vertical as any smith squat... What Krossinc said is also true, getting a second opinion from a good PT would be the way to go.
That's what I was thinking. Oh and just because you're a doctor doesn't mean you have a wealth of knowledge in the weight room. I'm not saying he doesn't know his stuff, but a white coat doesn't mean he knows all. I'd rather not squat at all than use the Shirley. Reasons? 1 - People will see you. I'd rather bench press the bar for 10 sets of 10 in front of hot chicks than use that machine. 2 - Any strength you gain probably won't help your real squat much if at all. Shirley to free weights has a similar turnover as leg press to free squats. Try heavy split squats with dumbells if you don't want a bar on your back at all. Monster grip and strong legs will come.
Unless the doc trains, fughetaboutit! As a medical device rep, interacting with surgeons daily, some of the most clueless people on nutrition and training are "doctors." Caveat Emptor! Don't let the MD or DO dictate physical therapy to you....drill down and ask why. My favorite is "When you train how do you do it doc?" "What supplementation is in your arsenal?" Tell him to stop reading the waiting room's "muscle & fitness" and get with 2008. Good luck in your recovery...
Why not do squat variations that limit/eliminate spinal load, e.g. squats, split squats, lunges etc. with DBs, hip belts squats, pistols etc.
^^ that's too easy. If that would be a solution, his ortho would have known and told him so. I presume he's sponsored by the shirley-industry.
It really depends here. If the injury is muscular then the problem isn't so much "lean" as it is stretch. It's the stretch between the hammies-glutes-back that will pull on the muscles and cause discomfort. Front squatting wont make a difference. If your depth is good the pain will be the same. My advice: Talk to a PT, and do unilateral lower body work.
I agree with Krossinc, get a second opinion from a good sports physical therapist. One that specialises in rehabing elite level athletes, that way you are working with someone who has a sound understanding of and the ability to develop a rehab plan that has its focus on functionality and performance. Obviously you need a good orthopedic surgeon if you need surgery but there expertise can be limited in the area of exercise selection during rehab. It may cost you a bit but I would get a second opinion or even a third from a well qualified sports physio.
Thx. I'm going to physical therapy in a week (post finals)...I just thought the advice was funny. Methinks they would be the same advice givers saying injury-free that squats are bad for you etc.
