pinched nerve c4 c5

[triggerfinger]

I have been off since last June. Had a lot of pain and then had some nerve point injections(2)

Well back in the Gym for about 8 weeks now and have been taking it real easy. I also hit physical therapy( ultrasound,electrastim) about twice per week.

The doc told me not to do any overhead exercises ( Pull ups,Shoulder press) and not to do squats.

What would some good replacement exercises be. I am almost back to where I was ( Strengthwise) before I had to stop. It feels like its time to hit the weights harder

I am in the gym 3 days now

Mon
Chest 4x incline dumbel press 4x pec deck
Wed
Back 4x bent dumbel rows 4x standing cable rows
Fri
Bis Tri 4x each Barbel curls,hammer curls lying tri extensions, tri cable pushdowns

No shoulders,No traps,No legs yet I need to add these parts in somehow I miss all those exercises

Any thoughts or am I done

[archive_Killer]

Did your doc evey find out what was causing the pain (just pinched as you said, or is there a bulging disk)? Did the PT ever say anything about your exercsie routine?

Is your doc use to working with pro atheletes, college athletes, or any elite athletes in general? If not, he may just be very conservative. Many docs are who work with "normal" people.

C4 upper trap, shoulder elevation
C5 supraspinatus and deltoid, shoulder abduction (lateral raise)

[triggerfinger]

No Buldging disc's. Ostephytes(Bone spurs) show on the MRI.

PT tested the nerves and found cervical radicophathy on both sides but I only had pain on the right side that radiated from the Trap down to the fingers

PT works with Athletes. They could not figure out what had caused the nerves to be inflamed. At the Time I was doing heavy shoulder presses and must have moved my head the wrong way. The nerve just got more inflamed as time went on

My routine was good but like I said to be on the safe side he said to stay away from "hands over the head movements" and he told me not to run the treadmill for cardio.

The PT also told me that my posture was not good and I have been concious to try to correct it.

I personally think that it was not "lifting related". I sit at a desk all day and type at a computer. I have rearrange my office to be more ergonomically correct and I have been better " not even minor aggravation".

I added in some shoulders yesterday. " Lateral raises" no presses and feel ok today.

Gonna add in some traps today "shrugs " and see how that goes

[archive_Killer]

I would say your Dr is a little conservative. Many docs don't quite understand our lifestyle and what it means to our quality of life.

I would do just what you said. Try adding in exercises (light) and evaluate if the pain reoccurs.

Make sure you stretch the pecs, delt, lats to help with your forward head posture. Make sure to work the ext rotators, rhomboids, rear delts, back extensors, mid trap, ect. Deadlifts are great to assist posture as it allows you to use lbs greater than your bench.

The suprascapular nerve is C4 - C6. It inervates the supraspinatus and infraspinatus. Often injured by direct trauma or acute dislocation, but also repetative overhead movements. Often seen in overhead athletes and has been reported in weight lifters. It usually starts as ache or weakness in the shoulder girdle follwed by visible atrophy. The weakness causes the shoulder a great risk of impingement.

[triggerfinger]

Killer --Thanks for the replies

Did back/traps yesterday

Rows/Deads/shrugs and feel ok today

I am going to add in squats on Friday and see how that goes.

Its almost like gambling. One wrong move and I'm out for another 6 months. I just feel better emotionaly and physically when I get a full body workout each week

[archive_Killer]

No problem, glad to help http://anabolicfitness.infopop.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Hope the squats go ok. It may actually be a time where the "mantra ray" device may help.

Good luck!