Anyone here mess up their spine?

[freeride53]

Yes, last winter I injured my back from rowing and haven't fully recovered since.
In my lumbar. Crew is a sport that requires very strong core, and lower-abs.
As well as flexibility in the hammys. None of which I have perfected yet.

[bernzpeed]

SPinal decompression and chiropractic care helps me with my lower back pain.

[Dj Buttchug]

my spine is straight phucked. Got hurt pretty bad riding my dirtbike at a local track. I have two compression fractures in my lower vertebrae. The worst part about the whole thing is when I am leaning over working in an engine bay especially on a lowered car I pretty much die. I cant stay in a leaned over position like that for very long.

[tim88325is]

I had a herniated disc, one of the lower ones, I forget which number.

A few months of twice weekly physical therapy didn't help, a few months of swimming laps 3 times a week didn't help.

Finally tried a few sessions of medical acupuncture and that worked wonders. Also worked into shooting hoops for about a half an hour every day.

I think the acupuncture really helped lessen the inflammation, allowing the disc to heal and relieve the pain.

I highly recommend trying to find a good medical acupuncturist in your area. Mine turned out to be a medical doctor who was an Navy guy, worked for the Philly Eagles, and took the Harvard acupuncture course.

The pain can be managed but it can be a frustrating experience until you find the right mix of treatments, I feel 99% back to normal now, good luck!!

[giantkeeper]

Bulging disk and what I would consider a bad case of sciatica for the last 17ish years. Was tolerable for the longest time and then had another blowout doing a clutch job on a friends car or removing the seats from my e30. That was last year, and it's been a constant and nagging problem since then.

My back hurts all day every day and the sciatica is excruciating. The slightest wrong move throws it out and I get to start all over again.

These days I can sit for about an hour, I can stand for about 5 minutes and I can sleep for about two hours before the cramping and pain kicks in. If I do actual labor my back feels fine. I've also learned that the weight of steel toe boots causes my left leg sciatica to flare up really bad as well.

[funcrew]

Most middle-age guys who were active (crazy) in their younger years have spine damage to some degree. For the last 15 years, I've been doing daily PT to strengthen my back muscles, and it makes all the difference in the world. 10 minutes a day makes you a new man, if you keep up with it. Still hurts, but you can do what you need to.

[Mr. Burns]

I hope 34 isn't middle age, but close enough.

I played hockey/football/rugby all throughout highschool, still play hockey and used to compete in body building.

I guess it was due time. But holy fk...

I'm sticking to my pt and I feel slight improvements everyday.

I suppose it's a wake up call to be more aware of what I can/ can't/shouldn't do.

I don't want to end up paralyzed due to my own neglect.

[quickervicar]

I would also suggest seeking a good, reputable, GENTLE chiropractor. Preferably one that utilizes the Koren Specific Technique. Basically, they manipulate the muscles & bones by gently tapping them back into place. It might take several weeks of treatments, but it should work.

DON'T go to one that spends less than 15 minutes per session. Don't let them "crack" you if you are in pain. Forcing things back into place all at once is not a good idea.

A good chiropractor is heaven. A bad one is hell.

[Mr. Burns]

Physiotherapist I'm seeing now actually doesn't touch me. He believes that with the proper stretching/techniques my ailment will correct itself without actual manipulation. And so far so good.

I do spend about 7minutes per hour/each hour on these stretches however...

[Gary Horneck]

Do all you can to save as much of your spine as you can. I worked hard, played even harder with no regard to the physical payoff. At 61 now and I have 11 herniated discs, stenosis, and arthritis in every vertebrae. Had a lumbar fusion on 3 levels last year, with mixed results. The Dr's want to fuse my neck this year, as I have all but one disc blown out. If I had the chance for a do-over, I would do all the crazy shit again. The dangerous fun stuff makes life worth living...

[quickervicar]

Physiotherapist I'm seeing now actually doesn't touch me. He believes that with the proper stretching/techniques my ailment will correct itself without actual manipulation. And so far so good.

I do spend about 7minutes per hour/each hour on these stretches however...

I think you're on the right track. If your muscles are cooperating, the back should fall back into line naturally. Just give it the time it needs.

[DRTSRFR]

Core strength...

I have two bulging disks from multiple compression injuries which caused me to be in horrible pain 24/7.

I went through every therapy I could think of when I started having severe pain. I worked in the healthcare industry and had many opinions.

My saving grace was ab work. LOTS of ab work. I first started with inversion and inverted situps, which helped a little, but it only took one wrong twist or bend to send me back into agony.

Funny thing was, cycling, which I was strictly told not to do, was the ONLY thing that would give me relief...until I got off the bike. Something about the rocking motion on my pelvis was very relieving.

We had a little gym at work. Sombody brought in a "abs by Jake" machine, which I laughed at...until out of curiosity and desparation I gave it a shot. Every morning I would do 100 crunches before work, adding more resistance as I progressed. It saved me.

I am a 52 year old adrenaline junky. I ride MTB, Supermoto, Dirt regularly.

Since I have learned to keep my core/abs strong, I rarely have pain, and it's usually a result of a crash or major tank swap.

No surgery for me. I know of too many who jumped on that bandwagon and are much worse than when they started.

[Mr. Burns]

Awesome to hear/read a lot of you guys are still doing what you love.
My ultimate fear is to not keep up with my stepson, I regards to sports and just horsing around.
That, and dh biking. My true passion. Once this is healed and I'm given the okay to get on a bike I'm investing in spine/ back protection. For dh riding.

I used to simply just wear a helmet and shin guard/gloves. Nothing else. I'm going full out going forward.

[750]

I work in the medical field also, as per what GCMARK said, I have heard it more often then not from people who have had back surgery- worse off then before.

[ZekeTheSneak]

I have back pain every day. Stay in shape and keep that core up. Remember working out can further injure your back. I'm 21 and feel like a waffleswaffleswaffleswafflesing 80 year old. Damn snowboard..