Absolutely Destroyed My Lower Back

[Ford Prefect]

So I decide to be rather stupid often enough, and today was one of those days. Last night, I decided to break the mountain bike out for its maiden voyage this season. It started raining as I was out, and I was on trails I'd never ridden before. I pushed it anyway... I came to a huge decline as I was flying. My momentum had me jump part of the way down, and when I landed I started sliding sideways on the newly formed mud. This sideways skid took me directly to a small pile of rocks where I was promptly ejected from the bike onto my back. That hurt my back. ;) It wasn't that bad though. A few advil and some Formula 454 at night, and I felt alright enough to go to the gym this morning. Bad idea.

I'm nearly done with my workout and I had been taken it easy so as to not stress my back too much. I'm on my second to last set of pull throughs, when it wasn't even a pain... a sharp warmth spread the entire width of my lower back. It was like somebody had taken a hot pipe and hit me with it. I dropped what I was doing right away, stretched and skidaddled. I figured it would start hurting badly soon, and I was right. I can barely walk without pain now. I'm making appointments with sports medicine specialists now. I hope I didn't screw myself up too bad. Wish me luck.

[yu shan]

Smart thing going to the Doc. Request an xray you probably just need an adjustment. Good luck.

[Ford Prefect]

Thanks. I have X-rays and an appointment scheduled for tomorrow. I'm even having him look at my knees which I've been putting off for 5 years or so for fear of ligament damage requiring surgery. I figured while I'm there, I might as well have it checked out.

[Chief Fox]

First MTB ride of the year, it's raining, on a trail you've never ridden before and you catch air on a downhill? That's awesome. Bummer about the injury though. Hopefully all you need is some Icey Hot and a heating pad. Smart that you're getting checked out. You might as well get a rectal exam while you're at it. :D

Get well.

[Oso]

yea dude, i'm always real cautious on the first ride...make sure the reflexes are still there.

hope it isn't too bad. good luck.

[IronFist]

I hope you're ok, dude. Let us know how it turns out.

[FatherDog]

I hope you're ok, dude. Let us know how it turns out.

Yeah, ditto. Keep us appraised, Ford.

[Ford Prefect]

Thanks, guys. All went well today. Only a bad muscle strain. I'll do some PT, massage, and accupunture. I have to admit that I was a bit scared this time out.

The knee is what I always thought it was: just an illiotibial band thing. I always make sure to stretch it whenever I do leg work now, so I really haven't had any issues. No ligament damage at least.

[Chief Fox]

Well that's good news. I did some PT for IT band syndrom a few years back. I bet your knee will be fine in no time. So how was the rectal exam?

[Ford Prefect]

He refused even though I brought my own lube. Uppity doctors...

[yu shan]

Here here Ford, I had a feeling it wasnt anything too bad. I think there is something to be said about people who train and keep themselves in good shape. Got a feeling just an ordinary joe would have probably gotten busted up pretty good. My annual physical is in a week. :rolleyes:

[IronFist]

Glad to hear you're ok, bro.

[rubthebuddha]

good news all around, except on the rectal. maybe you need to smack him on the bum next time first to liven things up a little? :confused:

[Ford Prefect]

Weird. I woke up this morning feeling really good. As the day went on, I felt better and better. Eventually I got to a point where my back feels better than it did for the last few weeks as it was very slightly tweaked. Then I went to PT and got some heat therapy and massage. I feel like a million bucks. 11 more visits of getting massaged.
Sweet.

It was kind of funny. The PT asked what I do for activities. After she got the speal, she asked me to describe exactly what I do in the gym. I rattled off a load of things and paused. She asked if that was for the whole week. I said "Nope. That's just Mmonday." haha.

One unfortunate thing is that the other day, the doc said my spine was "Great". Then after looking at a few more x-rays, said there was some irregularity between L5 and S1, but nothing at all to worry. Sure enough as I'm getting evaluated she pressed right in that spot which brought about a slight twinge and she said it felt strange. She then went on to say I should never deadlift or goodmorning again... lol! That's a little much, imo, but she did say that the damage would get worse with time with those types of stresses, which gave me some pause. So now I have to make an appointment with the main professional athletic doctor in town to get his opinion. Thank god for insurance.

[_William_]

Crap that sucks. I hope you get better soon Ford.

[Oso]

Ford, how old are you? I've never gleaned that from the posting.

I'm gonna guess late 20's to early 30's?

[rubthebuddha]

he's fifteen -- he's just very well read, that's all. ;)

[Oso]

:p bah, i was just going to welcome him to the ranks of 'oh, ****, my body is falling apart'.

[rubthebuddha]

oso, do you feel a tugging sensation on your leg, by any chance?

[Oso]

for a second then I scraped it off...:D

[Ford Prefect]

Just about as late 20's as you can get. This should be my prime. :/

[Oso]

it is.

that's what sucks.

hope your back isn't too bad.

[mickey]

Hello Ford,

Please forgive my not responding sooner. I try to stay away from anything that reminds me of my back injury. I found out from a Fendelkrais session that my cells still retain a crystal clear, electric, vivid, memory of my fall. And I am still working with myself on that.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT ME DANGIT!!!

So, I wish you a full recovery. At some point you may want to consider exploring the Kundalini energy practices to help heal your spine from the inside out. I have found it to be very helpful.


mickey

[flilluka]

Anyway a Doctor can help!

Get well soon!

[IronFist]

Ford check your PMs (plural). :D

[Kymus]

ouch. Sounds like you messed up your quadratus lumborum pretty bad. Well, maybe some of the Erector Spinae like the Iliocostalis Lumborum... Good luck man, I'm currious to hear how things go.

[SevenStar]

that sux, bro. At least it's not as bad as it coulda been. Let us know how the rehab goes.