best exercise considering back problems (lifting, yoga, bike, weight)

[Houston_2010]

I'm doing physical therapy exercises for core strengthening to help a herniated lumbar disk. Besides this, what would you recommend may be other exercises I could try...yoga, pilates???? I have a recumbent bike at home that I use but usually stop at 25 or 30 minutes due to the back pain. Same thing with walking. I know if I lose a bit of weight this may help with the back as well. Thanks for any recommendations.

[mfpd]

I have bulging discs at L4/L5 and L5/S1. They were large enough that the ortho wanted to do surgery. I opted against that. I just figure this is something I will have to manage the rest of my life. It will flair up every 6-12 months. Here is what I do for flair ups:
1 - Rest for a couple days
2 - get in a couple weeks of pilates / yoga for core work
3 - Go back to doing hyper extensions for low back work
4 - When it is feeling solid again, I return to dead lifting. The ortho and PT tell me to stay away from dead lifts, but I find that when I don't dead lift, I am more prone to low back injury. I no longer go incredibly heavy on deadlifts. Depending on the feel, I will stay in the 300 lbs range. Prior to injury, I was in the 500lbs range.

This may or may not work for you. Find out what your healthcare providers and you feel is best for your situation.

[hoffdano]

Swimming or water aerobics might be a good choice.

[LaoTzuMindFu]

Originally Posted by Houston_2010

I'm doing physical therapy exercises for core strengthening to help a herniated lumbar disk. Besides this, what would you recommend may be other exercises I could try....

Ask your physical therapist, not some yahoos on a chat forum who dont know what your back issue is.

Shame on you fellow CDrs for even attempting to make a recommendation. Even though you all mean well (and may even know what you are talking about), your recommendations could be more harmful to her than good. Best not to suggest anything because back issues can be really bad news.

OP, be sure to get recommendations from your PT and actually, more specifically from the ortho specialist(s) who diagnosed your issue.

Have a good day.

[mfpd]

Originally Posted by LaoTzuMindFu

Ask your physical therapist, not some yahoos on a chat forum who dont know what your back issue is.

Shame on you fellow CDrs for even attempting to make a recommendation. Even though you all mean well (and may even know what you are talking about), your recommendations could be more harmful to her than good. Best not to suggest anything because back issues can be really bad news.

OP, be sure to get recommendations from your PT and actually, more specifically from the ortho specialist(s) who diagnosed your issue.

Have a good day.

That is precisely I stated what worked for me, but then ended my description with

This may or may not work for you. Find out what your healthcare providers and you feel is best for your situation.

Back issues can be a real nightmare to deal with!!