How to exercise with bulging disc?

Question

my mom has something on her back called bulging disc but the problem is she can't workout without her back hurting. is there any exercises she could do that won't hurt her back so she can lose weight.

Answer 1

swimming is an exercises that dosent strain on the back to much, and she can also sit in a sauna which reduces heat

Answer 2

I've tried everything and everything injured my back more, all except one, that is, a treadmill. Walking is the only thing I can do without causing more injury and pain. The trick is to keep the speed at 2.0 mph or below. Any faster than that and I hurt the next day. I can adjust the incline, however, so I get a decent work out.

That's the killer with exercising with back injuries. You often don't know until the next day if you're making things worse.

Slow and easy, that's the solution. Can't afford a treadmill. An easy walk around the block works too.

Answer 3

I have had 3 bulging discs for 19 years now, due to a lifting and twisting incident when I was 24 years old.  I cannot exercise like I want to, so I do a lot of stretching.  My severe pain is in my lower back, left buttock and left leg and foot. Sometimes it feels like I'm sitting on a knife. Your mom needs to stretch her legs and her body - very slowly and gently at first. It will take some time to get to where she wants to be.  She will also need to adjust her diet because less or no activity with no diet change will result in her weight gain and more back pain.  Encourage her and be patient with her.  Constant pain makes people miserable and she may want to give up trying.  With your help and encouragement, she should be able to increase her aerobic activity within 30 days or so.  It is a constant challenge every day for me - for almost 20 years now, but I try to keep a positive attitude.  I hope this helps.