My ability to tolerate discomfort began back during my ballerina years. Although many scoff at dancers as being prissy, I believe it to be the exact opposite. I mean, standing on your toes kinda sucks! Bloody feet, smashed toenails, and sore ankles were the norm….so we adjusted.
Throughout high school, I continued dancing on a team that required lots of floor work and my knees and hips took a beating. It became normal for me to return home after practice with black and blue swollen knee caps. However, I never truly hurt myself and instead, I just got used to the discomfort.
This pattern continued into the present only I have left my dancing years behind me. Instead, mountain bike spills and ski crashes are more the norm these days and bloody toenails typically come at the end of a long run instead of the end of a performance. However, I’m starting to think that maybe I’ve pushed this whole discomfort thing a bit too far… and it’s finally time to fix that!
Bottom line? I hurt my back y’all! And honestly, I did it in the most mundane way possible.
I took Tally on an easy 4 mile shakeout run/walk on Monday. My muscles were still slightly sore from the Crossfit comp on Saturday, but I knew I needed to force the lactic acid out of my body. We were ambling our way back to the house when Tals saw a bunny. Naturally, because she is Tally and that’s what she does, she darted after the rabbit, taking my arm with me. This is 100% normal and in fact, occurs on a daily basis. However, I wasn’t really paying attention this time and kinda whipped my upper body when she pulled. My lower back twisted and apparently, that was no bueno! It’s been a problem ever since.
Lower back pain is nothing abnormal for me; in fact, I have experienced it to varying degrees for the past 10 years. When I was in grad school and sat at a desk a lot, it would become pretty painful. In order to ease the pain, I would lay down on my hard kitchen floor because something about that position eased the tension. Even more strange? If I don’t exercise at least 3-4 times per week, my backs starts to act up again! How’s that for my body encouraging me to stay active?
I’ve seen multiple massage therapists but have never been to a spinal doc or a chiropractor in my life. Something about the “crack, crack, CRACK” makes me nervous! I’ve visited a handful of sports massage guys that have advised me to go to see someone about my back. In their words, I’ve experienced too many hard-impact accidents (skiing, mountain biking….did I mention mountain biking?!) and have knocked my spine all out of whack. Because I am comfortable being uncomfortable, I’ve tolerated the most severe part of the pain until my body adjusted to its new circumstances. In fact, I have been warned by no less than three sports med guys that at some point, I would “throw my back out” if I didn’t go in and get it looked at. Who knew people still threw their backs out?!
So, surprise! Guess what I’m doing on Monday?!
It’s been five days and it isn’t getting better. I can bend over and touch my toes but it feels like I am stretching some seriously sore muscles in my back. However, when I try to extend and lean backwards, I get stopped after an inch because it HURTS! It almost feels like there is an obstruction; that my vertebrae are smashing into each other or something. I’ve been able to go to Crossfit and run this week, but it’s all been modified. My KB swings have been wicked light and pull-ups were an absolute no-go. Running makes me notice the pain but it isn’t intolerable.
I made an appointment to see a sports med/chiropractic/sports massage/ART therapy guy. I suspect it’s going to take a combo of all of those to get everything to feel better, but I’ll admit I’m kinda nervous!
PS Don’t forget: only a few more days to enter my Oakley sunglasses giveaway!
13 Comments
I wish you the best. Grad school is where all my problems started too, and every back injury was after a long run. Yeah, know about the dog thang too. Worst case: go get a cortisone shot at a back specialist. You’ll be back on your feet right away. They do it under X-ray so they get the exact spot. I have a degenerative disk L4-L5, and it used to be a real problem. You still don’t want to do too much, but it enables recovery much quicker. Embracing yoga has helped me immensely as well. Heal well.
Oh no! It’s hard to know what is normal soreness and what is pain that is indicating a problem. For running I just compare legs and if it feels different on the left than the right I know that’s not good but for back I don’t know what I would do! I hope you feel better soon! My husband swears by his chiropractor so good luck!
I went to a chiropractor/ART specialist for shoulder pain and thoracic outlet syndrome and then later when I strained a muscle in my lower back. I’ve recommended it to so many people with athletic injuries. It’s so helpful! It hurt during treatment, but I also felt really good after and my symptoms have been really manageable ever since – I haven’t needed to go back for about 18 months now. Hope it helps!
Good luck 🙂 Hope they get ya fixed! When I had major back issues earlier this year (pretty sure i DID throw my back out!), I was not a happy camper so I sympathize!
I hope all turns out for the best! I have had back issues in the apst and still do on occassions…I know all too well that they suck hard and hope that things work out for ya!
Oh no!! That’s terrible! Hope it gets better soon.
A friend of mine that has back problems recently discovered this holistic care place that practices Chiropractic/Acupuncture/Massage/Med-Pain-Management all in one place, which is pretty cool, because usually those specialists don’t support/believe in the other, but these work together in an open-minded way and understand everyone’s situation is different. The best part is it’s all covered by insurance, so unlike seeing everyone separate, or paying for a massage and having to tip after, you only have to pay a co-pay!
Take care of that back, you’re stuck with it for the rest of your life!
Noooo I hope your back feels better ASAP!!! Injuries are no bueno….
Ack! I hope everything is okay!! Tals can’t have an injured mama!
I’ve been seeing a chiro here in San Diego and getting ART on my feet and calves for Plantar Fasciitis. I think he works wonders on me! I hope yours is able to help you, too!
Yikes!! Back pain is the worst!! I hope your appointment goes well and they get everything figured out and back to normal as soon as possible!!
Oh no! I know all too well how completely debilitating a back injury is – I’ve ben dealing with it for the past 6 years or so (thankfully it’s improving), when at its worst, not even able to stand or be up at all for more than 5-10 min. at a time. I go to a chiropractor, do lots of stretches, use a chi machine, and just generally am careful to listen to my body. I hope Monday’s appointment brings you much relief!
P.S. That’s some crazy bruises you’e got! 🙂
Sorry to hear about your back! Hopefully the doctor visit on Monday will get some answers for you and they can figure out where to go from here so you can be pain free.
Oh gosh, I am so sorry to hear about your back – no bueno for sure! I fell this summer falling down my front porch and tore a bunch of tendons in my foot…so I fully get how your injury wasn’t due to something noble like running or skiing :). Hope you get some answers from the sports clinic!!!!!!!!!!