Wanted to post this amazing article about back pain and treatment and the new thinking on it.
https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/8/4/15929484/chronic-back-pain-treatment-mainstream-vs-alternative
Clearly, the traiditional standbys of rest, surgery, injections and drugs aren't working for many back pain sufferers, but exercise, core strength and PT are.
It's a great read and great validation of the importance of staying active, staying strong and not just blindly following passive treatments. Certainly there are situations where surgery and injections can help and are needed (and in my case a decompression surgery was absolutely needed) but they shouldn't be the only treatment for anyone with lower back issues.
And, of course, what back pain article would be complete without a mention of Dr. Stu McGill, the spinal biomechanics expert, and his "Big 3" exercises? He is truly a well of knowledge for those of us with back issues and his research and exercises are back savers.
Anyway, enjoy the read and good luck with your spondy journey!
Thank you VERA MUCH for this blog. I am a CrossFitter with Spondy Grade 1 and suffer pain and lack of mobility for 10 months now.
ReplyDeleteA few days ago I was told to do a fusion (L5/S1) but this is no option for me at the moment for the same reasons you mentionend it wasn't in your case.
Luckily I don't feel numbness in my leg and will start to focus on strengthening my core and leave out workout routines like T2B or burpees. I dont't have problems with situps though.
Keep on writing this blog, it's inspiring!
Thanks for the kind words! Sorry to hear about the spondy, but if there's no leg pain, keep working on that core and see if it helps! Good luck!
DeleteHi, I love your inspiration. Someone I care about a great deal has recently started suffering from symptoms of this after this years open. He was diagnosed with grade 2-3 and has been just withering away in depression because he feels he may never be able to do crossfit again. This is breaking my heart and I don’t know how to help. He is currently being treated with PT and NSAIDS but I don’t feel it’s helping him. He is afraid to even run, row, lift or pretty much do anything almost including playing with his children. He has a hard time verbalizing what his symptoms are. Not quite pain but more tired or weakness with some tingling in his feet and stiffness in his hamstrings. He’s basically giving up on ever being able to do crossfit again, and this is basically killing him. What can I do to help? Is there anyway you could reach out to him to talk?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments. Sorry for the delay in responding and sorry to hear about your loved one. Not sure what treatment has been discussed with him, or how long the PT has been tried, but if there's significant weakness and numbness/tingling, then it's possible that surgery (decompression +/- fusion) might be the best option for him to restore full function. Grade II/III is more signifcant so should get a few opinions on that one. Good luck!!
DeleteYou could email me drea370a@yahoo.com
ReplyDeletehi
ReplyDeleteThanks for your inspiring story.
I have injured myself doing deadlift on Mar29. since then running around P.T , Chiro, Surgeon and injections.
Is it possible for us to talk, need your guidance on few things.
Thanks
Satish
Sorry to hear it Satish. What can I answer for you?
Deletehola, yo tambien fui diagnosticado con espondilolistesis (retrolistesis) grado 1 sin dolor en las piernas, solo en la parte lumbar, hace 3 meses. la verdad es que me molesta solo cuando hago ejercicios con peso en los cuales inclino la espalda hacia adelante, como por ejemplo front squat,clean o deadlift, no tanto en back squat, OHS.
ReplyDeleteTu pudiste volver a levantar buenos pesos? en mi caso me molesta la espalda si cargo mas de 30kg en la barra.
Si me pudieras dar unos consejos lo agradeceria, ya que tengo muchas ganas de entrenar pero me siento limitado en todo.
gracias!
Thanks for the comments. I had to actually translate your comments using Google as I don't speak Spanish, but if I understand you, it sounds like you have a grade 1 spondy and have issues with deadlifts, cleans, etc. I would suggest working hard on your core and rebuilding those movements with a good olympic weightlifting coach, crossfit coach (at least a level 2) or a PT who works with lifters, until they don't cause you pain. At this point, front squats, deadlifts and cleans don't cause me pain, but I spent some time tearing down my form and starting again. Very important to maintain a neutral spine and not get into either hyperextension or hyperflexion. Good luck!
Delete