Hey docs,
I recently had an issue with a compressed nerve on my right side.
I was benching one day and noticed an acute pain in my right scapular region. The pain became overbearing and I had to immediately leave the gym. I was bedridden for a week – I thought initially it was just a really bad muscle tear. Once I felt tingling in my fingers and pain radiating down my tricep, forearm, lat and shoulders from the scapular region, I thought it was best to go to a doctor.
After evaluating me, the doc was pretty sure it was a compressed nerve. She ordered an x-ray and found that the compression was not coming from my spine – but she didn’t order any additional imaging to find out exactly where it was. She said we’d follow up later with a nerve conduction study if it didn’t improve. She put me on Naproxen and muscle relaxants – which helped a little. After I finished a course of that, she put me on a five-day cycle of prednisone which seemed to help more than anything. The pain was at least gone, but I was left with a huge strength disparity in my right and left side. Just as a recent example – I can bench a 90 pound db on my left side for 10 reps – while on my right side I could only manage a 10 pound dumbbell for 10 reps.
I wanted to give a little background to help. But here’s my question: The doc and physical therapist just gave me the okay to return to the gym. Should I avoid weight training the affected area? Is there any evidence to support that weight training might hinder the healing process?
I started the bodybuilding template this week and did the lower day with zero issues. I went in for the upper day and just did a hammer strength chest press so I could train each side in an isolated fashion. I still lifted significantly weaker on my right and fine on my left. Should avoid training that side until the strength returns to somewhat normal levels?
Thanks in advance, guys. I really appreciate your contributions.