Suspected Hernia

The days of lifting heavy will have to be shelfed for the near future. Your good friend DF has flared up his hernia for the last time.

I am now forced into a full workout of only lifting light weights.

Suicide will soon follow.

Is there a way to prevent hernias?
Would wearing a lifting belt help?

Sometimes when I lift heavy, I feel pressure on the left side, a little bit above my left hip bone toward the middle.

Afterwards it a tiny bit sore but by the time I shower and head out of the gym its fine.

jkd_guy - Is there a way to prevent hernias?
Would wearing a lifting belt help?

Sometimes when I lift heavy, I feel pressure on the left side, a little bit above my left hip bone toward the middle.

Afterwards it a tiny bit sore but by the time I shower and head out of the gym its fine.


As far as I know, there is no way to avoid them, however, it is possible to avoid aggrevating them (strenuos lifting, certian abdominal exercises, etc.)

My hernia is not severe enough for an operation. I only have preventative strategies to avoid it flaring up.

No, wearing a lifting belt will not help. The problem is due to a strain or weakness or separation of the internal muscles of the abdominal floor. I think you could wear a 'truss', which is like a jock-strap but those are mostly for protection post surgery for things like getting up out of bed, not lifting.



Suggest you see your MD. If you are pre-hernia you do not want to just keep lifting and end up with an actual hernia. Repair of those are NOT fun.




WidespreadPanic - Suggest you see your MD. If you are pre-hernia you do not want to just keep lifting and end up with an actual hernia. Repair of those are NOT fun.


If I am really pre hernia then nothing can be done right?
Like DF said, theres no way to prevent them.

Plus the left side feels fine normally, only when I lift really heavy then its sore for a little bit.

My right side had severe pain that seemed to travel down my left, my left side felt fine. When I met with the surgeon, he said I actually have a hernia on both sides, but the right is worse.

He gave me some good drugs to get me through until my surgery on 5/20.

I haven't been able to really do anything exercise wise. I tried to ride my bicycle this past sunday, but even that hurt.

jkd_guy - 
WidespreadPanic - Suggest you see your MD. If you are pre-hernia you do not want to just keep lifting and end up with an actual hernia. Repair of those are NOT fun.

If I am really pre hernia then nothing can be done right?

Like DF said, theres no way to prevent them.



Plus the left side feels fine normally, only when I lift really heavy then its sore for a little bit.
See your MD. It's not clear you have a hernia, just going by how you develop soreness. I have a feeling that some people's muscle support structure is genetically pre-disposed to developing hernias, since not everyone who tweaks their abdominals develops this weakening.



If you try to get an appointment with a sports med guy he might be able to advise you on what you can do - typically a general practitioner will tell you to avoid strenuous lifting and hope the condition doesn't deteriorate to where you require surgical repair, and this isn't really helpful.



Good luck. If you have insurance, don't put it off.