I recently made a post a while back in regards to a tweaked back, or at least I thought it was a tweaked back. I decided to get a CT scan a few weeks later and the scan showed that I have a herniated disc and three bulging discs. I’m writing this post not so much to ask what to do(unless there is some overall general advice, other than that I am aware that this is an issue that’s very specific depending on the person), but more so am curious if this can be recovered 100% from. I have already been told that I’m going to be in wheelchair(which I did not believe at all) by the time I’m 40 y/o. This has put a lot of scare into my family and it seems like I’m the only one not panicking. I’m planning on taking this to another professional who’s probably going put me through PT. Now I have a feeling that the PT is also going to tell me something along the lines that I can’t lift weights anymore/not do heavy weights. My question is, can this be recovered from and can I still have plans to compete in the future? I’ve had aspirations for competing in powerlifting in the future and coming across this news has been pretty hard on me and a little discouraging. I’m 21 y/o @ 200 lbs and 6ft tall and was in the middle of my second month of LP. I’ve had a history of playing baseball, football, and working some pretty laborious jobs for about 1 1/2 years which might explain why I have these issues. Thank you guys for any response and all that you do.
Hey Nick, I might be able to offer some assistance to your questions. Having a herniated disc or “bulging” discs are normal and certainly nothing to be overly concerned with unless you’re having progressive radicular symptoms (pain down your leg), weakness, or bowel/bladder dysfunction. There is some good evidence that discs do heal, contrary to the popular dogma. Even if they remain, there is a low correlation between having discogenic changes on imaging and any episodes of pain. Whoever told you you’re going to be in a wheelchair at 40 can kick rocks unless they were planning on buying you a wheelchair as a present and expect you to use it to ride wheelies. If your PT tells you not to lift weights anymore, find another PT (I am one). If you would like to see the studies I will link them below. At its simplest it sounds like you are on the right track, stay calm, don’t let the bullshit wheelchair rhetoric get to you, progressively load to tolerance, and, if you go to PT, find one who won’t fill your head with false narratives and will help you get back under the bar.
I have had three herniated discs in Low back identified when I was 28 and two in my neck. I am 41 now and am not in a wheelchair. Movement is the best medicine.