I havent't posted for a while. Last week I had severe back pain, and went to the doctor. He said I had a herniated disk in my upper back/neck. My first question, of course was when can I go back to swimming and biking. He said the disk could get better on it's own (until this morning it was).
Has anyone else had a herniated disk in their neck? How long were they down? The doc said I probably wouldn't need surgery.
And the biggie:
Does swimming help or hurt the condition? What about cycling?
I'm really bummed because I was supposed to do my first Alcatraz swim next week.
Welcome to the club! I've had bouts of lower back pain since my late 20's. I was a competative track sprinter up until last summer. I am 41 now. The back pain was too much to bear for over one year and I could no longer put the work in. I finally got an MRI which showed a torn and herniated L5 disc. Also dessicated (dried out). My doctor did not feel it was real bad and to give it time to heal on its own. Surgery is the last thing that I wanted. I do not get paid to run. I chose to give up sprinting and all the things that went along with it like squats, dead lifts, power cleans etc.
This is why I have turned to swimming and biking. These activities I can do reasonably well with my current back situation. I am training in the pool hard and hope to start competing soon.
ther are alot of personal factors that go into a decision. For me I need to balance life against always wanting to compete. I have a job, family and other things to consider.
How old are you? give it time to heal and then start back up slowly and listen to your body. If you are young, these "spasms" will pass rather quickly IMO. For my back it used to take about a week or two.
Battle:
My advice is to find a good physical therapist (mine is also a strength and conditioning coach and chiropractor). Mine was recommended by my back specialist. You will probably never be like you once were but you can live and deal with this if you are committed. On my masters team there is another swimmer with neck disc problems and there is an orthopedist who specializes in spine problems. I have learned that this is very common as we age. It can be aggravated by activity (no doubt you will feel worse after exercising for some time). In the long run you will be better off by not giving up. I see people from time to time that have let this get the best of them and are debilitated.
This is good advice.
I think swimming and biking can both be done with messed up spines, there just isn't enough load or violent pounding. I think you should stick with it. Ever think of sprinting? I think it would help strengthen your upper back.
Welcome to the club! I've had bouts of lower back pain since my late 20's. I was a competative track sprinter up until last summer. I am 41 now. The back pain was too much to bear for over one year and I could no longer put the work in. I finally got an MRI which showed a torn and herniated L5 disc. Also dessicated (dried out). My doctor did not feel it was real bad and to give it time to heal on its own. Surgery is the last thing that I wanted. I do not get paid to run. I chose to give up sprinting and all the things that went along with it like squats, dead lifts, power cleans etc.
This is why I have turned to swimming and biking. These activities I can do reasonably well with my current back situation. I am training in the pool hard and hope to start competing soon.
ther are alot of personal factors that go into a decision. For me I need to balance life against always wanting to compete. I have a job, family and other things to consider.
How old are you? give it time to heal and then start back up slowly and listen to your body. If you are young, these "spasms" will pass rather quickly IMO. For my back it used to take about a week or two.
Battle:
My advice is to find a good physical therapist (mine is also a strength and conditioning coach and chiropractor). Mine was recommended by my back specialist. You will probably never be like you once were but you can live and deal with this if you are committed. On my masters team there is another swimmer with neck disc problems and there is an orthopedist who specializes in spine problems. I have learned that this is very common as we age. It can be aggravated by activity (no doubt you will feel worse after exercising for some time). In the long run you will be better off by not giving up. I see people from time to time that have let this get the best of them and are debilitated.
This is good advice.
I think swimming and biking can both be done with messed up spines, there just isn't enough load or violent pounding. I think you should stick with it. Ever think of sprinting? I think it would help strengthen your upper back.
