Hi All,
First some backround. 11 weeks ago i sustained a c6-c7 left paracentral disc prolapse (slipped disc in the neck). The problem with a slipped disc at c6-c7 is it traps the nerve going down the left arm and in my case the median nerve. This results in a number of problems backpain, very tender elbow, pains down let arm and permenant pins and needles in index and middle finger. bringing my head back and looking up to the left is a classic position to start tingling shooting down the left arm which indicates i still am trapping the nerve and not fixed.
Been to a couple of specialists and been seeing a physio each week. My remaining problem is a disparity between the strength on my left side and my right most specifically the triceps. One example is i can push down for reps 25kg on a cable with my right hand on my left i am only able to do this with about 7kg (obviously this normally was roughly the same for each arm)
This imbalance with the triceps (and possible other muscles which i havent been able to identify) effect several other exercises such as shoulder press chest press and pulldowns, but not so much ( if at all) rowing movements. At the gym yesterday i was slowly working up with the pulldown machine (to the front) and noticed that at a certain point i have my left shoulder much higher positioned than my right when effectively one muscle gives way and my body has to compensate by using over using others in order to cheat the weight up.
I really want to establish if i have an imbalance in the lats as well as the tricep (if it is possible to isolate this) as with many back exercises the core back muscles take over and i don't notice an imbalance with these. Does anyone know of a isolation exercise which i can do one lat at a time in order to work this out. I have been advised to work these muscles as it should help bring back the strength. However also getting a nerve test scheduled so i can see how much damage i may have done to the nerves firing these muscles and if it can be repaired.
Cheers
Tim
