I am coming back from a long resting period (several months) due to a pinched nerve in my neck and nerve damage in my elbow. My doctor has advised me not to put any strain on my neck and not to use my arm with any forced flexing. In the past I was doing squats, dead lifts, bench, rows, lat pulls, curls... My question is what can I modify or what types of lifts can I do that won't put strain on my neck or cause me to forcefully flex my arm? Any advice or suggestions are welcome.

*in case it is of any help to you I have chronic C7 radiculopathy (disease of the nerve root) and damage to the Ulnar Nerve (nerve that runs across the elbow) motor fibers.

I've noticed that some of you have read this thread and maybe either don't have a suggestion for me or perhaps are scared to mention one for fear that I'll hurt myself. I am capable of doing some lifting, the doc said so. I just need a little help in selecting which types will bring the most benefit with the least neck strain. :)

I've noticed that some of you have read this thread and maybe either don't have a suggestion for me or perhaps are scared to mention one for fear that I'll hurt myself. I am capable of doing some lifting, the doc said so. I just need a little help in selecting which types will bring the most benefit with the least neck strain. :)

No idea personally, any heavy lift would put strain on my neck. I tense up my whole body.

I would just play around the weight room a little and see what doesn't hurt and go from there.

Best of luck.

Actually, other then squats done improperly, no exercise should put direct strain on your neck... so the question is how far down the neck? Are the traps to close that they need to be avoided.

As far as forcefully flexing your arm... nothing in lifting should cause a forceful flex, proved you do the lift correctly and keep the weights at a level you can control properly.

Actually, other then squats done improperly, no exercise should put direct strain on your neck... so the question is how far down the neck? Are the traps to close that they need to be avoided.

As far as forcefully flexing your arm... nothing in lifting should cause a forceful flex, proved you do the lift correctly and keep the weights at a level you can control properly.


Sorry I haven't responded quicker but we had an ice storm and my Internet service has been really slow the last few days.

Thanks guys! I was going to go and play around with some different things and see what felt alright to me.

FBChick thanks for your suggestions. My rt. trap is affected by this whole nerve issue. It can become very tight and painful. The nerve runs from the base of the neck, down the arm to the fingers. I need to isolate that nerve from being compressed so I don't want to put any type of bar across the back of my neck.

I was thinking about front squats, any thoughts?