Hello guys,
I recently got an MRI and they diagnosis was that I had a bulging disc in the L5-S1 area.
Basically I have a disc that has aged and is now becoming cracked.
I head to the gym quite frequently and I am now wondering if any of you have some possible tips for me to be more careful with lifting. I really do not want to stop lifting but I am quite concerned with making my current situation even worse.
Maybe some propositions for exercises that I can do in the gym or at home ?
Thnx in advance guys, all help is appreciated!
I’ve had a discectomy at L4-L5 (1993) and herniated L5-S1 about 5 years later (1998). I was scheduled for surgery for that one too but “rehabbed” myself in the month leading up to the surgery. I had intense burning pain and numbness from the second herniation. What I did was to lay around as much as possible and when I felt like working out, I hung from a pull up bar and did dips. Basically, I did anything that didn’t put pressure on my lower back. Over the course of that month, the symptoms went away.
Do any exercise that doesn’t cause you pain either immediately or the next day. I also got serious about stretching and mobility along with strengthening my abs. I pay close attention to my low back now as well. I don’t have any issues there now but sometimes I will get sciatica and I just take it easy until it goes away.
My doctors told me to stop deadlifting and squatting. I didn’t stop either of those. I have no limitations as far as exercise selection goes as it pertains to my lower back.
thnx for that one already, glad to hear people who have those problems are still able to lift 
If you were to give an MRI to 100 people’s low backs, at least 30 of them would show some pathology whether there were symptoms or not.
blake b gave some good advice, but I would say walk and keep moving and train the lifts you can. Dips and chins place a large distractive load on the spine which is good for disc problems.
The big thing is good posture, good movement patterns, flexible hips and strong abs (avoid sit ups/crunches when your back hurts).
Thank you Danjo, did not know that fact about the dips and chins