Being a trainer with serious back issues

I agree with Karin about going for other opinions. Backs are a complex issue, and what shows on the XRay/MRI's often does not match the pain the person feels. Sounds like that is the case with you. There are a high percentage of people with herniated/ bulging discs etc, with NO pain, and those with "normal" spines who have tremendous pain. Just because the back looks bad on scans does not mean you need to treat it.

THANKS everyone! I feel better! I love the statement - "Just because the back looks bad on scans does not mean you need to treat it". I’m not in pain – I can do anything and everything I want to do. I'm a healthy and active 51 year old athlete and love my job - my clients - my students. I appreciate everyone’s comments.
Time to go back to thinking about my clients and no so much about myself“ !!

I have issues with a bulging disc, and there's several things I don't do anymore because the exercises always strain it. However, I have learned to use verbal cues alot more now as opposed to demonstrating. Luckily, I teach Pilates and group strength--not sure how much verbal-only you can do with zumba.

Either way, my understanding is that some herniations and bulging discs might be asymptomatic. I would advise you to stop doing (or at least modify) whatever it is that is hurting you, especially your foot, or that might start to hurt in the future. Don't work through it like I did. I ignored some of the signs my body was giving me and ended up not being able to bend or sit down for 2 weeks. Now THAT was really hard on my training job. It got better, but I know now to lay off any time I get a bad twinge.

BTW, I do some pretty serious kettlebell and TRX stuff, so a disc issue is not a death sentence. You just need to have proper biomechanics and a good mind/body awareness.

Good luck, and glad you're feeling pretty good!

I just noticed this query - I would have chimed in ages ago! I had 2 spine surgeries in 2003 and 2007 (in my neck - a fusion and a foraminotomy for the bone spurs). I have stenosis in both my neck and low back. I am only 45, but was diagnosed 10 years ago after a car accident where the right side of my body went numb.
Do I still teach? You betcha! Boot Camps (with plenty of plyos and HIITs), Cycling and more, but I do have to be more careful of course and I have made my Core a fortress. After I recovered from the first surgery in '03, I got certified by STOTT Pilates which was a blessing.
I don't run of course, or do things which strain the neck (because that's where my surgery was) like road cycling, boxing (where someone is punching back!), or rock climbing for example.
But it has made me a much better trainer for my clients who do suffer from back pain as I have done much to educate myself and worked with my physical therapist at length to learn the best exercises and stretches for this disease.
Understanding where your pain is coming from and what is causing it is key. You MUST keep the area strong and know when you can and should push your strength limits. Allowing the muscles to weaken will only make it worse!
Stay active my friend!

PS - More details: I went to my foot Dr (not a back dr) and was sent for a nerve conduction test (which turned out good) and a MRI of the lumbar spine. He wasn’t to see if my spine was causing my foot pain (it was not).
They said – go to Physical Therapy (I also teach yoga). If that doesn’t work – get epidural injections – and then surgery if nothing works. This is crazy – I feel fine and have no “real pain” or physical limitations.

Hi Patty. I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis. While I do not have this issue, I wanted to chime in with my opinion. Does your physician know what you do for a living? And if so, given your profession, what has been his/her advice moving forward? I know that you're wanting to hear from other trainers out there who may be experiencing "the same thing," but as you know, there isn't such thing as the same thing when it comes to our bodies and how they deal with a condition or illness. What another trainer may be experiencing may or may not have any connection or relation to how your body responds or how you should proceed. I hope that you rely more on your own medical professional team (physicians, therapists etc) in deciding what you need to do.

I wish you the best, and continued success in your career. Good luck!

LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
larue.cook@lecfitness.com

Hello Patty,

I am curious to know whether you saw the diagnostic x-rays and MRI? If you haven't please request to see them.

However, on another note, I'd like to share something with you that is helpful to me when I find myself facing challenges where it appears that I am between a rock and a hard place...

It might seem off the beaten track, however, have you ever considered hiring a life coach? I ask this because at times when it appears there is no way out it might benefit us to speak with someone who can assist us in seeing the possibilities or the silver lining in the situation we deem to be challenging.

To encourage you, I'd like to share something that the 20th century psychiatrist Carl Jung described in order to encourage his patients to acknowledge their strengths and imagine possibilities in order to outgrow their problems. He said:

"The greatest and most important problems of life are all in a certain sense insoluble. They can never be solved, but only outgrown. This outgrowing as I formerly called it, on further experience, was seen to consist in a new level of consciousness. Some higher or wider interest arose on the person's horizon and through this widening of view the insoluble problem lost its urgency. It was not solved logically in its own terms, but faded out when confronted with a new and strong life-tendency."

I encourage you, with the assistance of a life coach to to widen your view and find your new and strong life-tendency. I believe with all my heart there are great things awaiting you!

Best.

Hello Patty,

I applaud your enthusiasm; keep up the great spirit. You know your body better than anyone else; so, go with your gut feeling; that is what I do for my feet.

I find that not all doctors understand the difference between physical therapists and personal trainers and prefer to give me the option of pain medicine, which I deny.

Your training background will help you decide when to take it easy.

As a trainer, I do not need to do the workout with the class, as it is their workout, not mine. I only need to instruct; therefore, I take advantage of walking around the class to check on the clients.

This is what helps me when my feet are acting up. I do not have a back condition... that I know of; but, I need to be careful of my aging body, knowing there are back problems in the family.

Take care and thanks for sharing your courageous and inspiring story.

Are you in pain? Is your back limiting your ability to teach?

As long as your back doesn't negatively effect your health or the training of your clients/classes I don't think this would be a problem.

I agree with the other who say you may want to seek a second opinion.

Medicine is both a science and an art. There is so much we are still learning about the capabilities of the human body. What may cause one person pain and discomfort, may not to some one else. Everyone's body aligns and performs differently.

And just as there is a wide spectrum of personal trainers, the same can be said of doctors. See someone else. Tell them what you were told, tell them how you currently feel, and ask lots of questions till you get answers that mesh with what your body is telling you.

I tell my liens that they are the only ones who know their body best. If this diagnosis doesn't sound or feel right to you, go looking for one that does!

Hi Patty,

I have an injury from about 8 years ago and I am now 33. I have two herniated disks at level L4/L5 and L5/S1. I also have a bulging disk at T12. I have been a trainer for 13 years but do have to watch what I am doing. Please listen to your doctor and what they say. I started out with really bad pain and now it is gone but I have to keep my back and core strong.

You want to be careful with degeneration of the disks as you can get pain later on. Your back may also tell you if you have done to much. I will get warning signs. I just wanted to chime in because when/if you do get pain it is very painful. I used to do alot more high impact exercise but had to stop. I can do high impact classes a couple times a week. For me, possibly getting pain again in the future isn't worth it. Along with pain you may also get strength loss, bad pain when you cough or laugh, numbness and tingling, not being able o sit, stand, or sleep etc ect. Try to keep yourself pain free for as long as you can. If you get pain it could take up to a year or more to go away. It took me about a year and two months. There are alot of people who are pain free in the beginning. Just be careful.

Physicians are valid and reliable advisors. We want to consider their advice as part of our decision making process and devise something we can live with successfully. This does not mean we are irresponsible, but it means we weigh and consider many variables. This is critical thinking, making a decision based on valid information, and unbiased assumptions.

Great responses. Susan's 2 questions for you are certainly relevant and important. I would avoid exercises and movements that lead to acute or chronic pain. Also, use your knowledge of lifting techniques to lift objects, weights, etc. using primarily the quads and gluts, not the lower paraspinals.

Good luck.