Question
I have been diagnosed with degenerative discs in my upper and mid spine. I wanted to start doing some bicep workouts, and knowing that it would aggravate my pain, if you could recommend a safe workout? Thank you.

Answer
It depends upon a couple of factors... if you have symptoms because of your degenerative disc disease (DDD/osteoarthritis) such as nerve or joint pain, weight-resistance training could possibly aggravate those symptoms, since isotonic exercises with weights could cause increased compressive forces in the spine. If you don't have symptoms, common sense would suggest prudence by using lighter weights with moderate repetitions to avoid injury. However, I recommend that you consult with your health care provider prior to beginning a weight-resistance exercise program.

Also, post-work-out treatments with a chiropractor, massage therapist, or acupuncturist might also assist you if you experience pain, stiffness, or soreness.

I hope that this helps to answer your question.