Need to exercise but Im in soo Much Pain I can barely walk

ok  I like to exercise I do,but some days Im in soo much pain I can barely move or walk.  I'm temporarily ( I hope) semi disabled. its my spine ( its curved) my hips ( are two high and out of place - one is way to the right following my spine) and My neck ( I have lost all natural Curve) . It happened sometime during the birthing process of my son about a year ago - some days are worse then others. and it really effects my whole body except my arms My doctor said I have scoliosis ( which I don't) and Ive always had it (which I haven't) and they cant do anything about it now. So i go to a chiropractor 3x a week and its helping anyways. I'm not trying to make excuses I just don't want to hurt myself more but  I know i need to loose weight im 21 years old 5'4 and 270 lbs. and I also want to because I believe it will help my healing if my spine has less weight to carry.

  I was wondering if anyone knew any exercises I can do at home, That will help me loose weight  while being easy on my back. I can take some pain  of course

  Thanks for any help or advice - thank you

A recumbant bike? Gentle calisthenics in the pool?

I agree with you that some of your problem may be from the extra weight because i have the same issue with my lower back...yoga and pilates are great to stretch out. Talk to your ciroprachter about streches and what is safe for you condition...for everybody is different.  i would highly reccomend seeing a massage therapist who also has a personal trainer liscence it will help you feel better and they also are able to give you stretches and ways to excercise w/o the pain....sometimes insurance even wil cover it

Thank you guys

  Ive been wanting to try pilates since before i had my son

And I will try exercising in the water when it gets warmer out an i can use the lake - i dont have a lincese or  a car soo im limited  to my house and yard and lake

I had a neck injury four years ago which was almost debilitating. I could barely work and I did everything -- injections into my spine, auch, it was awful. This is what I did: I swam! At first I started with a few laps doing old lady breast stroke; I did some kick board, some back stroke, slowly and I made sure that I swam half a mile no matter how long it took (it took a long time at first 40 minutes). It was brutal but I was hellbent on not using my pain to stop me from living a life. I did  not want to have my identity be defined by pain and I felt as if my whole identity was about pain.It was all I talked about, thought about, and people thought I was a lazy blob.

I also hired a personal trainer who I still see twice a week for an hour and I also take Bosu Pilates twice a week to strengthen my neck. It has been fours years and when I started all of this I could barely lift three pounds. My right arm had atrophed and was so skinny from lack of use. But the weight itself was really what caused 90% of my pain and once I went to weight watchers, saw a trainer, swam three times a week, the weight came off, my strength increased and surprisingly, my pain decreased. It is sad, but to get thru it there is not easy way. Weight is the root of all evil. It is indeed what causes so much pain in joints, muscles, and all that I can say to you is that I just took drastic action and I took my time, and I got help -- trainers, weight watchers, I signed up for classes at the gym, and just did what I could. I am used to being the worst and the last, but i am better and I do not think about pain or take drugs for pain releif. I cannot stress to you how important it is to loose the weight. Yo are so young and you have a shot at this! I feel for you so!

thank you. I;m glad your pain is better, Neck pain is soo scarey.  I cant really take any classes or anything money wise right now but I am gonna work thru the pain, Im gonna be in pain anyways so I might as well do something productive. and Im definatly going to get into the lake as soon as its warm enough. I dont mind the cold but My baby will!!! I;m getting married at the end of june and I want to be able to dance some at the reception and stand thru most of the ceremony. Its only a month away and I know it will take longer but I can Try anyways!!

 yes everyone seems to think the pain in an excuse and I complain alot. which I think i could do more of but thats ok.  Thank you again sharing your story really ment a lot. and Good lucj

Because of the misalignment of your spine, hips and neck, I would suggest seeing a physical therapist if possible for an exercise routine. This is the only way I can think of that doesn't risk doing more injury because they can develop a program centered around your specific problems. Be careful and take care.

yoga and pilates are great, but if you have a pool near your house, swimming is great for people with back problems since it supports your spine and works out pretty much all your major muscles!  and in the summer it's feels great.

Original Post by larienkoci:

Because of the misalignment of your spine, hips and neck, I would suggest seeing a physical therapist if possible for an exercise routine. This is the only way I can think of that doesn't risk doing more injury because they can develop a program centered around your specific problems. Be careful and take care.

 I completely agree with the above post.

Also, what kind of diet are you on since extra weight can put more pressure and discomfort on your joints.

I truly wouldn't do any type of exercise until you are properly diagnosed [get a second opinion since you don't agree with your first one from your dr] and move forward with physical therapy and proper nutrition.

Best of luck

I will look into physical therapy after my wedding - I have no health insurance or extra money right now - I will be covered uner my fiance's after we're married  ( thats not why we're getting married tho of course). I was on a cobra but it was too expensive after my son was born it wasnt worth it. and i cant seem to get a policy for me cuz of my weight= the height weight thing.

  But thanks for the advice and tips :)

What is your daily caloric intake//diet? Are you on any kind of nutrition plan ?  You can definitely start by incorporating a caloric defecit diet..might help with health insurance, as well, apparently from what you posted above.

i dont really eat alot just bad stuff like pizza rolls, barrertios, hot pockets, pasta, and nachos. So first im  cutting those out and increasing veggies and my activity level

Original Post by pjsmommy08:

i dont really eat alot just bad stuff like pizza rolls, barrertios, hot pockets, pasta, and nachos. So first im  cutting those out and increasing veggies and my activity level

 Yikes! You could eat a heck of a lot more and consume a heck of a lot less calories if you ate a more healthy diet!  Your diet sounds as if it is so high in carbs and fat...double yikes!!! So, yep..find a nurtitional plan that will work for you. I suggest one that has you eating smaller portion meals, 6x's a day...limit your carbs and DO NOT eat anything white [no white bread, pizza, pasta, etc] as well as limiting your refined sugar intake! You will be AMAZED how well you will feel,even after just a week. Best of luck to ya  :)

Ya I know Its bad. I'm learning to cook too cuz i think that will heplp alot. Thanks for the advice. I was but on a diet when i was pregnant cuz i had Gestational diabetes and they told me alot of what you just said

The doctors has diagnosed me with arthritis in my knees and has been very painful to exercise, yeah I know, they say exercise helps right..It didn't. now I am on two different meds to help and am starting to work out again.

My sister has fybromialgia and finds exercise very hard to do. What she does is working out at the YMCA in the water classes. Maybe that would be better for you.

Good luck and don't give up.

Hi pjsmommy08,

I have scoliosis, I'm 44 years old and just found out this year (doctor says I've probably had it since I was a teen).  I have an "S" curve. Because of the curve my hips get out of whack too. I've had severe back pain for several years now (and now I finally know why). Chiro and physical therapy have helped me, the therapist gave me a list of pilates exercises to do and they help. I see the chiropractor once a month (was more often at first). I've lost almost 20 lbs and still have another 60 to go. I'm hoping that losing the weight will help ease the pain. I find that walking and using a recumbent bike are very helpful, I usually feel much better after doing those activities.

You've got the right attitude about this, you can't let it stop you from being active and getting healthy. I've been dealing with this pain for several years and I refuse to let it rule my life. Good luck to you and congratulations on the Wedding!

Original Post by memebear:

Hi pjsmommy08,

I have scoliosis, I'm 44 years old and just found out this year (doctor says I've probably had it since I was a teen).  I have an "S" curve. Because of the curve my hips get out of whack too. I've had severe back pain for several years now (and now I finally know why). Chiro and physical therapy have helped me, the therapist gave me a list of pilates exercises to do and they help. I see the chiropractor once a month (was more often at first). I've lost almost 20 lbs and still have another 60 to go. I'm hoping that losing the weight will help ease the pain. I find that walking and using a recumbent bike are very helpful, I usually feel much better after doing those activities.

You've got the right attitude about this, you can't let it stop you from being active and getting healthy. I've been dealing with this pain for several years and I refuse to let it rule my life. Good luck to you and congratulations on the Wedding!

thank you, my spine is kinda of a backwards J, good luck to you too and congrats on your 20lbs :)

Hi, your situation sounds so much like mine. But after multiple surgeries I am close to being completely off pain meds and approaching a near normal activity level. I found out that the YMCA has a program that will allow you to be a member even if you are unable to pay for the regular membership rates.  And your new health insurance after you're married might pay for your membership. Anyway, just wanted you to know that lack of money doesn't have to keep you from the Y which is so supportive and helpful and encouraging. It's great to be around people who have taken their health as a priority and are trying really hard to be well and strong. Good luck. Plus they have childcare!!!

thanks ive thought of that but i dont drive and i dont have a car theres not much of a public transportation up herre so id only be able to go like 2 days a week when my fh  is off work. lol but i didnt know about the money thing thanks. you got pain meds?  i wish well kinda hahah. good luck

Hi again!

I would want to know what it is that you want as a goal; your ideal weight, ideal physical shape, level of mobility. Then, I would ask you again, what are some of your choke points? Put those out in front because otherwise the responses sound like, "yes, but...yes, but...," and you highlight why you can't do what you want to do. This is all an affirmation -- you affirm why you can't. If you have the factors up front then those of us trying to offer our experiences that led to success can think about them differently and cater our responses to your life.

Here are your choke points form what I understand:

No car

Tight budget (what can you spend? Most everyone has suggestions that will cost you some money)

Diet -- this site from which we are writing is amazing as it tells you how many calories each morsel of food contains and if done consistently is foolproof. It also keeps track of activity points, and the graphing tool is motivating. At one point you sort of imply, "well, I just don't feel like it...I eat poorly...yup, yes, I do..." The calories in that food you mention are insanly high and processed foods are expensive! Plus, if you eat all of that so will your child, and the legacy continues...