strength training and disc degeneration

[Anonymous]

I'm 43 - in my 30s I had a lot of lower back problems, and I credit strength training (dumbbell workouts, not crazy heavy, 10-15 lbs) and cardio dance and walking with getting me better and being largely incident-free for about 7 years. Like every woman in her 40s I'm constantly hearing that I should be focused on strength training and sometimes think I should be using heavier weights.

However, I recently had a chest x-ray for an unrelated issue and it showed degenerative disc disease, and I also threw out my mid-back recently doing something stupid. These incidents have made me question whether I am in fact doing what's best for my body and whether all the squats etc. are maybe not the right approach. Anyone else grappling with this?

[Anonymous]

Not a medical expert, but I can't see how using 10-15 lb weights would cause damage, unless you're doing huge volume, like hours a day.

[Anonymous]

Go see a PT and get pro advice.

[Anonymous]

Strength training doesn’t mean you kill yourself at every session or use a heavier weight than you are ready for.
My strength sessions are actually easier than an orange theory class and I can feel the benefit right away.
Reevaluate your program with expert trainer and also take a look at your diet.

[Anonymous]

80% of people will show disc degeneration by age 50 on an X-ray. If your back isn't hurting you it's not a problem. Similar situation with knee pain. Xray a bunch of people's knees and many will look horrific, yet they have no pain.

Aside from that heavy lifting and weight bearing are good for our bones, especially as we get older.

[Anonymous]

Do you do any yoga? I also do strength training and feel like yoga is such a good complement. I think of it as back exercise. It works your body in ways that traditional forms of exercise don't. When I lean over I can literally feel my spine unstacking and adding space between the vertebrae. Also, the flexibility training is important if you are lifting heavy.

[Anonymous]

I stopped working out with heavy things after a sacroiliac injury and started doing barre and pilates regularly. It made a huge difference for me, and I think it's due to the noticeable gains in my core strength. That was seven years ago, and I'm now 56, feel great, and am in the best shape I've been in since before having kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 43 - in my 30s I had a lot of lower back problems, and I credit strength training (dumbbell workouts, not crazy heavy, 10-15 lbs) and cardio dance and walking with getting me better and being largely incident-free for about 7 years. Like every woman in her 40s I'm constantly hearing that I should be focused on strength training and sometimes think I should be using heavier weights.

However, I recently had a chest x-ray for an unrelated issue and it showed degenerative disc disease, and I also threw out my mid-back recently doing something stupid. These incidents have made me question whether I am in fact doing what's best for my body and whether all the squats etc. are maybe not the right approach. Anyone else grappling with this?

I have DDD on my spine and my doctor told me that I need to do more back exercises (squats, deadlifts) to strengthen my back muscles so they can support my body since my spine is weak. It stopped my back pain and now I feel great.

You should ask your doctor about this, too, rather than ask strangers on the Internet.

[Anonymous]

My doctor says weight lifting is even more important with disk degeneration. I need those muscles to support my spine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 43 - in my 30s I had a lot of lower back problems, and I credit strength training (dumbbell workouts, not crazy heavy, 10-15 lbs) and cardio dance and walking with getting me better and being largely incident-free for about 7 years. Like every woman in her 40s I'm constantly hearing that I should be focused on strength training and sometimes think I should be using heavier weights.

However, I recently had a chest x-ray for an unrelated issue and it showed degenerative disc disease, and I also threw out my mid-back recently doing something stupid. These incidents have made me question whether I am in fact doing what's best for my body and whether all the squats etc. are maybe not the right approach. Anyone else grappling with this?

This started in your 30s

Back pain caused by worn-down vertebral discs is called degenerative disc disease. In a young and healthy back, rubbery discs between the vertebra provide height and allow bending and twisting. As a normal process of aging, the discs begin to wear down. Sometimes the discs wear away completely over time.