Whats the consensus on weight lifting and PCS healing?
 

I saw Mark recommend against it when reading another thread.

Overall, my symptoms have definitely improved in past weeks. I unfortunately had to go back to work after christmas and that has resulted on occasional headaches but nearly all other symptoms are reduced in their intensity.

I've considered heading back to the gym. I don't mean huge power workouts with squats and deadlifts. But rather mild-moderate weight lifting in a controlled fashion. I think it would help a lot with the 'depression' and feeling back to normal.

My doctor cleared me to train a while back, but with having to work already aggravating the symptoms I don't really want to do more than I have to.
Thanks for any tips.

Have you tried doing some light aerobic exercies like treadmill running first? If you're OK jogging I would give weights a go, just a light session, don't be tempted to do 'just a few more' lol, I know how easy that is. You need to end the session feeling warmed up then see if there are any delayed effects afterwards. That's how I'd do it anyway.

I've had a similar situation and can say I was dumb enough to go back and lift without really going through light aerobic exercise to start...everytime I just do a light aerobic warm up and go to lift (even moderate weight such as machine BP), I end up with headaches and dizziness the end of the following day. I would say try to bike, elliptical, etc. as I know I keep delaying my recovery by lifting. I understand how hard it may be because I love lifting and hate aerobic type stuff, but it will be for the better. Currently I am suffering from dizziness and headaches from a recent lifting session.

I found it helped me feel much better,

I started slowly and now can lift most of what I used to be able to, with some residual symptoms after, but makes it feel worthwhile to get some health and vitality back.

Funny enough I have a bigger problem with sustained cardio then lifting weights.

Go slow, and backwards if you have to but I think its worth it.

You wont know unless you try, and believe me, there will be anxiety and overthinking following the workout, just gotta find the line and that takes time patience and a few headaches.

One of the challenges with weight lifting is the impact it has on neck muscle tension. This can contribute to headaches. And, the Buffalo Protocol also speaks against physical effort that causes symptoms though this is usually related to aerobic activity.

If you can do it without exacerbating symptoms, nobody says not to.

Keep in mind that lifting to build muscles is different. It causes a break down, rebuild cellular process than can flood the blood stream with toxins from the muscle breakdown. That process is of concern to many. So, it is worthwhile to avoid reps that go to an extreme of muscle fatigue.

Thanks for the tips everyone.

mminakow, I know what you mean. I haven't been to the gym in 2 months, I think thats the longest in 10 years and it feels strange. I feel weird and lazy because of it. The gym can be a positive energy, but I agree its hard to 'take it easy'.

MVTBI, Thats more what I was thinking. I dare say sitting at home and watching TV isn't really that good for you mentally compared to being out of the house doing things. Of course, you have to weigh up the effects of both. I've never really done cardio, but even going out and benching 60kg or whatever just light training would be so much better than just sitting around going nuts 'waiting' to recover. I think the more normal things you start to do the closer to recovery you start to get.

Mark in Idaho, the lifting to build muscles is more what I had in mind. I had read you mentioned that to some other person and weight training to some extent always results in muscle damage and rebuilding, even doing it relatively lightly will probably trigger that response, even not going to failure. I think it also gets the blood rushing around, which I'm a bit unsure of.

Newbie,

I had to use nothing more than soup cans for over a year before graduating to 2.5 lb Dumbbells all with reduced reps and sets.

I am 21 months post injury and been back at a gym since 12/1/15. I am doing more now and closing in on pre injury levels.

I have this strange conundrum....I feel strange after exercise but with no exercise I feel lousy. I have opted for the stranger of the two evils. I wish I could describe it better for you.

The most difficult item for me is to keep anxiety in check. I know the strange feelings don't incapacitate me but I have to convince myself of that often, like a child I don't want to have to do that. All in all I am happier exercising.

Bud

At the concussion clinic I was at, they endorsed the use of free weights and some nautiluses machines. The goal was to use a weight that would allow you to do 10-12 reps that pushed your limits but you could handle.

For me, I enjoyed the lifting immensely but it proved to be too much as my muscles toned and I started lifting more weight.

Trial and error... your body (e.g. symptoms) will tell you when you've done too much. That's the only yard stick that is relevant.