Exercising With Body Issues?

[Liminal Stranger]

I've got a few problems, namely an injured hip, back, and shoulder. But I'd like to build up some upper body strength and core strength and maintain the legs (they're strong enough); last I remember freeweights were okay up to only 25 pounds or so in the right arm. It starts to tingle obnoxiously after that, likely because of a pinched nerve and some injury within the rotator cuff. Probably getting that checked out soon, as well as an MRI of my hip which has been bothering me for nearly seven years. The spine we tried using a brace on because I got hurt in an accident, chiropractor was actually making it feel better but the insurance decided that we weren't entitled to that.

Currently the specialist I'm seeing suspects EDS, and I've been told that I have "tight tendons and loose ligaments" (nice alliteration). I was subsequently informed that if I were to attempt any exercise to build up muscle it would have to be done in a different manner.

Has anyone ever done a workout routine with a bad *insert some body part here*, and if so what did you do when it comes to that body part? 

[Simon]

Has anyone ever done a workout routine with a bad *insert some body part here*, and if so what did you do when it comes to that body part?

*Raises Hand* My body is broke, busted, disgusted, and can't be trusted not to swerve left when I tell it to move to the right.

In your situation I would think exercises that are done in water would be best for your joints. Hopefully that is a possibility for you.

I have a gimpy right hand due to spinal surgery and it tingles and burns when I use weights. I just rest longer between sets than a person normally would. I haven't been able to do any lifting lately though because my spine tumors are playing up though. I'm ordering a binder solely for swimming in the lake. Then again it's my luck I'll get eaten by a giant catfish or something.

[Liminal Stranger]

Hey, no getting eaten by catfish.
I used to go swimming all the time until recently, I've been horribly tired all the time for the past few years so I pretty much became a mole. But there's a pool in this building which is nice.

Want to try going today, though the matter of the pool pass stands in my way. My mom didn't understand what was wrong with putting "Reena" (still horribly feminine) and I don't think she'll write down Max. So that's in negotiation, meaning I don't have a pass right now. Could go to the beach but I'm in no mood to deal with the obnoxious residents of that little neighborhood who seem to think they own it. It's public property, guys 

So maybe soon.

[randomroads]

My shoulder was basically crushed a few years ago and still gives me incredible amounts of pain. My knees are bad but my left one is by far the worst.

For my shoulder I use the weight machines at the gym. I refuse to use free weights because I fear something going wrong and be injuring myself to the point of needing another surgery. The VA tells me I need follow up surgery but I refuse to do any of it. I'd rather cough up the money and have a civilian doctor do it.

For my knees I just ignore them. Amazingly running doesn't affect them, but stairs do. I live on the top (3rd) floor and get aches every time. It doesn't help that I'm 80 pounds overweight.

[D0LL]

I have bad hip joints, so when I was trying to feminize and doing hip exercises, I only did as many as I could, and would stop when I felt like I was about to pull something.

Also, I'm like 99% certain I've got a blood clot in my right calf. It used to be a LOT worse than it is now, where even flexing my muscle would have me toppling over with silent screams. Now that it's more manageable, I just make sure I go as hard as I can without going overboard. More reps rather than more weight. Although I've still a few times yelped and fallen off my machine in pain, clenching my calf. THAT'S when I know to stop.

I also get terrible shoulder/upper arm pains sometimes from my thyroid problems (they come and go). So on those days I simply can't workout my arms. Even holding my steering wheel to drive puts tears in my eyes, there's just no way I can work around it when that happens.