Cathe....Help!!!! I've been diagnosed with spinal stenosis.

[eaglobo]

I have always wondered why my range of motion is so poor, as is my balance. I mentioned this recently to my doctor, and she suggested I have a MRI done to check for a condition called lumbar spinal stenosis, and she was right on the $$$$, lucky me.

Have you heard of this, and are there specific exercises I should or should not do. My doctor recommends stretching, which I do, she also recommends I not use heavy weights for my legs, as the increased weights could cause a flare-up of the condition. Apparently, it is a pretty common thing, I got it at a younger age than most because due to an old injury.

Any advice, Cathe, or anyone else, could add would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Hi Jerry! I have heard of this condition however I am not familiar enough with it to feel qualified to give you exercise recommendations. I'm glad you went to the doc and discovered this at an early stage. This will greatly improve your situation. Keep listening to your doctor and to your body. I'm confident you will be able to continue exercising as you like to with the appropriate modifications when/if needed. Take Care!

 

[eaglobo]

Cathe,

I'm glad I finally had this checked out. I was never the most agile of people to begin with, but I always felt there was something more than just general clumsiness. Basically, doc says that I can keep doing what I do, but use less weight when it comes to my lower back and legs, she said kickbox would help improve range of motion, so I was glad to hear that, the leg drills from Kick Max have really come in handy here.

Thanks for your input!!

 

[lmajewski]

Hi Jerry!
very sorry to hear about the stenosis, I too have it but mine has developed from a failed spinal fusion that resulted after a car accident-
my doctors (seen special at Cleveland Clinic)told me that "yes-you will experience pain from time to time but exercising will help" since it does stretch the muscles and develops the area around the spine. I too, can not give medical advice but thought I could tell you some things that I do to help.

I did post a few weeks back regarding help w/ outer thigh work and leg lunges b/c those (especially w/ heave weights) produce great pain in the lumbar spine! Unfortunatly, Cathe said she typed a response but then was not somehow missing from the thread
What I do when the back is irritatied are a few things-
the first is instead of lying on the floor and raising lower legs (feet together) and upper body (w/ arms bent and hands under chin) which is seen in say Gym Style Back, Shoulders, and biceps.....I use the stability ball and allow my upper body to fall forward as if I were to do a see-saw push up, but instead of doing a push up ---rest in the position w/ face aiming towards floor and then raise my feet towards the ceiling and come all the way back down so they feet touch the floor in between reps-
REALLY helps on the lower back-

Also-
when my back is giving me grief and an off day-
I learned to never push it-
instead I will lower the weights while doing leg work, however add on additional sets...Cathe uses a lot of moves that are even done in Butts and Gutts w/o weights that get the burn going in the legs

Finally-
I have a special machine at home, but if you ever get to a gym, there are ways to work the legs that allow you to be lying down vs. upwards that can put pressure on the sensitive area-
many gyms have trainers to help assist-
but I am sure you already know all that

Good Luck!
Lisa

 

[eaglobo]

Lisa,

Thanks for the reply, sorry we're both sort of in the same boat, but at least we don't have to give up exercise, that was one of my main concerns when I was diagnosed, and greatly relieved when told exercise is beneficial, you just have to be careful with what exercises you do.

I'm going to eliminate jumping jacks, any type of jumping move, save for some light jogging in place.

What I love is that Cathe has a stability ball stretch that is great for the low back from her Total Body Stretching tape, that feels so good on the back!!

Thanks again for replying!! Best of luck!!

 

[buffgirl84]

Jerry,
I just have to tell you how motivating it is that you are so committed to working out and staying in shape. Instead of using this as an excuse, you are out researching new ways to stay fit. Kudos to you.

 

[buffgirl84]

Jerry,
I just have to tell you how motivating it is that you are so committed to working out and staying in shape. Instead of using this as an excuse, you are out researching new ways to stay fit. Kudos to you.