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What Should I Avoid With My Spondylolisthesis?

3/2/2012

2 Comments

 
One common question you hear from people who suffer from a spondylolisthesis or spondylolysis is the following: 

What should I avoid? 

(Always listen to your doctor. If you have yet to get your symptoms looked at by a medical professional, do so immediately.)

It would be great if there was an easy answer. Avoid running, avoid jumping, avoid heavy weights, etc.  And
this is usually what you hear, but the one thing to keep in mind is the variety of spondy’s and their causes. 

Remember, you have different grades which can produce different symptoms.  Sometimes the grades that are labeled the same even produce different pains.  You also have different causes of spondylolistheis or spondylolysis. 
All which can provide a different answer to this popular question. 
 
The following tips are geared more towards those that suffer from a grade 1 or 2 spondy. Higher grades (grades 3 & 4) should lead you to ask your medical advisor for specific instruction. 

1. ASK YOURSELF . . . WHAT CAUSES YOU PAIN?

The important thing to ask yourself is what causes YOU pain? Due to the fact that everyone is different, certain movements that hurt one individual might be fine for the other. Now, I’m not suggesting that everyone goes out and runs miles, or jumps like crazy, but if you feel that a light jog or light jumping feels fine, do it within moderation if you feel comfortable. 
 
2. ALWAYS LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.

I highly suggest that you listen to your body. If you get pain during or after a certain movement, take note and avoid that movement. Over the years I have noted what movements really cause me discomfort.  I have come to learn what flares up my spondy. I simply avoid those movements.  The other thing I always do is to approach new activities and movements with caution. 

3. BE CAREFUL WITH HEAVY LOADS

The one area to avoid early in your recovery process is loaded movement. Loaded movements include heavy weightlifting, etc. The reason for this is because in your early recovery stages you are trying to improve your movement quality. You have spent years not moving correctly, and when you put weight on improper movement, you are asking for pain.

If you love lifting weights, do so smartly. Start light and focus solely on proper movement. I would highly recommend finding a certified strength and conditioning coach or program which can give you advice on your technique. 
 
So remember. If you Google spondylolisthesis or spondylolysis and you come across some advice that states you absolutely should not do certain movements. Think about the movement, think about how that would feel for YOU,
and use some common sense.

Our program SpondySolution offers a safe exercise program consisting of various stretches, recovery techniques, and strengthening movements that are designed specifically for those who suffer from spondy’s. The one thing we made sure to add to our program is making an emphasis on how to perform exercises properly.  Many overlook this simple fact.  Our program uses progressions to help you get stronger the right way. 

When you ask yourself what you should avoid, there is no one specific answer, everyone is different. The one thing that remains constant is the fact that you need to start a proper strengthening and stretching program TODAY.  

2 Comments
Richard V. Russell
7/23/2012 11:44:46 pm

Great information on various exercises designed to address certain weaknesses and muscle tightness that contribute to Spondio related pain. I perform many of these exercises and stretches in the swimming pool which minimizes impact but at the same provides water resistance to improve strength in weak areas. I use the side of the pool or lane dividers to hold on to when I need to stabilize my body while performing some of the stretches. I also incorporate water aroebics in my pool program for cardio benefit. I try to get in the pool two to three days a week for forty minutes each time and then rotate to the gym for "dry land' work outs. Gym workouts include light resistance machine exercises. My weekly workouts consists of five days a week as described above.

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SpondySolution
7/24/2012 09:46:30 am

Thanks for the kind words and tips Richard. Hopefully others can use your experience and success with the pool and find relief. The pool is a great way to avoid excessive pounding of joints and ligaments while improving range of motion. Thanks and best of luck!

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