Really want to run!

Steph70508

About a year and a half ago I decided to start running. It was a slow and steady progression, but I eventually got up around a 30 minute 5K. I felt great running and never sweated like that in my life! One day I tried to run and started getting a terrible pain down the back of my right leg. At first I thought it was a pulled muscle, so I treated it as such and backed off running to let it "heal" after about 3 days and pain to the point that I could hardly walk, much less run so I knew it was something else.

The pain eventually felt like electricity running down my leg and into my foot. I could hardly even sleep. After finally having an MRI it was determined that I had 2 herniated lumbar disks. I had had no previous back pain to tip me off that I had a back injury. I hadn't been in an accident or had any trauma to my spine.

It took several months of taking it easy, steroids, and Ibuprofen but I eventually got back to feeling normal. I started trying to run again and the pain came back that day. I have tried running once more since then and it comes back every time. I can't do anything where I have to jump or run.

I would just like to know if anyone out there has had something like this and was able to be "normal" again?? I would like to vary my cardio and have pretty much reached my limits...I can do speed walking and up an incline, step mill and stepper, elliptical, bike, and low impact aerobics.
I refuse to have back surgery!

amuhlou

I would recommend seeing a chiropractor if you can.

My husband had back issues resulting in a similar pain down his right side but after chiropractic + massage, he is in LOTS less pain and it's still improving. The massage (deep tissue) is a crucial part because a lot of times your back is out of whack because of how muscles have moved and adapted - the massage puts them back into the right place so they aren't continuing to pull your back out of alignment.

Hummmingbird

im sorry to hear about your injury, things like that can really get a person down. My advice to you is SWIM SWIM SWIM! If you dont know how to, learn! If you do know how but arent great at swimming for exercise-go to a YMCA, find a friend, or hire a swim instructor/coach. You can even join what is called a Masters Swim team (they compete but you dont necessarily have to and its for adults of all ages and abilities). Swimming is not only a full body workout, but it is also a low impact way to get cardio! And guess what...you can run again! it is something called water running or water jogging. If you are good in the water you cant just go to the deep and and run as if you were on land (a mix bewteen treading water and running) or you could wear a float belt that people use for water aerobics! Give it a shot! No impact and you get a helluva workout! Let me know if you have any questions about swimming etc...ive been a swim instructor for about 8 years and have taught infants-adults and even recruits in boot camp. Good luck and stay well!!

Setof2Keys

I would avoid chiropractors, they ensure you need to return. I would see an Osteopath that does manipulation. They will stretch your body into unique positions that will help relieve a lot of what is going on in your back. I would also work with a professional to strengthen your core. That may help stabilize your back to take the pressure of your your buldging disks. I agree with amuhlou about the muscles pulling and adjusting, I just personally recommend an Osteopath. When it comes to my back, I would rather have someone that has an MD and specializes in Osteopathy than a person that went to school for like a year <I'm just sayin'>

No offense amuhlou, what so ever. Most people do not know what Osteopaths can do for you. Once I got adjusted, I didn't have to return for another 6 years and that was after a car accident. Good Luck!!

Steph70508

About the swimming...I actually have an in ground pool in my back yard that I never go in. I don't know how to swim. :embarassed: My fiancee taught swimming lessons for years. I am too embarrassed/self conscious to have him teach me...maybe this summer could be the one for me to suck it up and learn!

I actually went to a chiropractor in the beginning when the pain was at its worst. I didn't benefit from it at the time. I don't have pain now unless I do something I know I shouldn't ie. run, jump, or twist. I could definitely use some core strengthening. I don't work my abs nearly as much as I should.

I think I was experiencing the "runners high" because after I got past the "oh my god I'm gonna die" part I felt AWESOME while running. It was like nothing else I've ever experienced while exercising.

amuhlou

I would avoid chiropractors, they ensure you need to return. I would see an Osteopath that does manipulation. They will stretch your body into unique positions that will help relieve a lot of what is going on in your back. I would also work with a professional to strengthen your core. That may help stabilize your back to take the pressure of your your buldging disks. I agree with amuhlou about the muscles pulling and adjusting, I just personally recommend an Osteopath. When it comes to my back, I would rather have someone that has an MD and specializes in Osteopathy than a person that went to school for like a year <I'm just sayin'>

No offense amuhlou, what so ever. Most people do not know what Osteopaths can do for you. Once I got adjusted, I didn't have to return for another 6 years and that was after a car accident. Good Luck!!

The massage/muscle treatment is definitely the more important part. If you have a good chiropractor they prescribe it and your chiropractic adjustments get less and less frequent.

On the topic of core stability, sit on a ball! I use a balance ball chair at work and feel like it has definitely helped my posture and core strength. That's assuming you have a job where you do a lot of sitting.