Back Problems?

My regular exercise routine is hurting my back. An MRI showed a bulging disk which sometimes doesn't even cause problems for some people, but mine gives me all kinds of pain.

When I went for physical therapy, the therapist had taught me exercises to strengthen my back and suggested alternative exercises (different from the ones I had been doing) for thighs and abdomen, but even those seem to cause residual back pain.

Can anyone point me to a website, suggest a book or, even better, a video that would address safe, effective exercises?

Thanks!

Kathy

Walking, that is what I do and soon I want to start running

You might want to look into an exercise ball.  It provides excellent support for your back while working core muscle groups.  There are quite a few books and DVDs you can get for routines to suit your particular level.  (In fact, I'm surprised that your PT didn't suggest one - my hubby's PT strongly recommended one when he was diagnosed with his disc disorder.)

kjr,
you may need to take a rest all together. You could try swimming, but a bluging disk can be serious. My aunt had one for years, and suffered all the time, and then it ruptured. She finally had a surgery where they remove the disk and fuse the two outlying vertebre together. Her whole back hurt, even though the disk was at the base of her neck. She's much better now and is very active, but she still gets pain from time to time.

I'd look into non-impact and low impact activities, like the elliptical, stationary bike, swimming, yoga, anything that takes pressure off your back.

I would trust your physical therapist.  They are there to help you.  If you are trying to strengthen your back there back be some soreness after.  Muscles can get sore when you are building them.  It shouldn't hurt really bad but a sore back when you are doing specific back work outs is to be expected.  My back can hurt like heck after a good workout.  It is muscle soreness or actual back pain?

Wow, thanks for your responses!  I guess I left a few details out...  I do use a stability ball for the exercises to strengthen my back.  I do walk.  I usually work out to Leslie Sansone's programs as well as neighborhood walks with the dog.  They are fine although I'm not sure they help much with fat-burning as much as my older low-impact routines (which I had to quit altogether).  I try to do low-impact step at least once a week.  My doc said that is fine as long as I keep it low impact.

It is the firming exercises that seem to hurt (for abs, thighs, etc.)  Unfortunately, I'm also currently experiencing menopause and I'm seeing (and feeling!) a lot of muscle tone loss.  It's freaking me out really because I've been careful throughout my adult years to not gain weight.  I'm no fanatic, I would just exercise for 30 minutes/day and watch what I eat.  That maintained my weight and I can afford to gain since my BMI is actually below normal. 

It's just the loss of muscle tone...  I was hoping there were some modified exercises.  My PT gave me modified abs and inner thighs.  I'm not sure they help much for muscle tone though.  She was only concerned for my back really, not for my fitness.

Thanks,

Kathy