Exercising After Car Accident? Hurt Back

It amazes me how many people seek medical advice on a message board.

Talk to a doctor.

Ask your doctor about using the pool. I was in an accident in January and couldn't walk much without pain or use cardio equipment but I could use the pool.

I was in a bad accident in 2007. I tried to work out too soon and got scared off and then just did nothing which is what got me here. I would definitely take into consideration what your doctor or chiropractor are telling you. Ease back into things with low impact activities...maybe yoga or pilates. Seven years later and I am now able to do just as much as I was before the accident in regards to my neck/back injury.

I was in a serious motorcycle accident over three years ago. The driver ran over my left leg causing me to lose a lot of my calf muscle, broke my back leaving me with a rod T3-T10, broke my hips, pelvis and right ankle. I now have a pinched nerve in my back, possibly from the rod, so I have to modify a lot of exercises. I would definitely do as others have said, see a physical therapist and pay attention when your body says to stop. I went back to the gym too early several times and ended up in so much pain that I wouldn't go back for a month or so. If you insist upon getting back in the gym, you need to take it slowly so you don't cause any further injuries and maybe even see a trainer that is accustomed to working with injuries. Good luck and most importantly, listen to your body!!!

I found out last August that I have a herniated L5. I also read online about all the negativity and how I wouldn't get back to where I was before. I was pretty nervous for a while. I did see a physical therapist a few times and I still do what he recommended for me, but I have had no surgery. By November of last year I was back to running 3-5 miles a day about 4 days a week, and I run about a 7:30 mile pace. I don't want to offer you any particular advice, and I believe that I was lucky, but I just wanted to say that back injuries do not have to be debilitating if they are treated correctly.

I found out last August that I have a herniated L5. I also read online about all the negativity and how I wouldn't get back to where I was before. I was pretty nervous for a while. I did see a physical therapist a few times and I still do what he recommended for me, but I have had no surgery. By November of last year I was back to running 3-5 miles a day about 4 days a week, and I run about a 7:30 mile pace. I don't want to offer you any particular advice, and I believe that I was lucky, but I just wanted to say that back injuries do not have to be debilitating if they are treated correctly.

You were definitely lucky. I expect I'll get back to full activity at SOME point, but I herniated a lumbar disc last February and a year later, I still haven't been able to go running, riding, or anything like that yet. In my case, I definitely didn't do myself any favors by ignoring early signs of a back issue - I damaged the disc slightly in February, and then really destroyed it in June 2013. A couple months of PT and 3 sets of epidural steroid injections later, I should be able to start being a bit more active.

I think people make a full recovery far more often than not (most of my cycling buddies have herniated discs in the past), but it can be a long, slow road for some people, especially if they're not taking proper care of the injury.

If you've had an injury to your back, what was your story and how did you overcome the pain?

JJ

Asking opinions about others journeys back to health and fitness it totally appropriate. I think the wording of your title makes it sound like you are asking for opinions on when you should start up again, that is obviously something nobody can answer because its situation is unique.

The best course of action is obviously what best for you. There is traditional medicine, chiropractic, physical therapy, rolphing, massage, etc

I hurt my L5 after being hit in the back, it was in 1992. After trying traditional medicine (doctor, X Ray, MRI, pain medication), most of my relief come from chiropractic. The best (most sustained) relief came when I combined chiropractic adjustments with Physical therapy after a FMS evaluation (Full Movement screen, its a certification).

I re aggravate it from time to time, usually when I had stop exercising, or just recently, while training for a marathon, causing my body to lose its balance between muscles (for my its lower crossed syndrome).

PM me if you want more details.

As far as the chiroquacker comment, I bet there are some quacks. I bet 50% of chiropractors finished in the bottom half of there class (ha ha ha), probably the same as regular doctors, attorneys etc. In sports performance, many of the lead specialist are chiropractors (Perry Nicholson at www.stopchasingpain.com and Dr Greg Rose TPI in golf) who go beyond simple adjustments, into full body evaluations, to find the root cause of the issue.

I was in a horrific accident 5 years ago, and made sure that I got a week's worth of rest. Once I was out of bed I started with walking. Then soon after I started doing some light stretching and biking. Just take your time, and as long as your doctor doesn't want you on bed rest, walking is probably the best thing right now. A little discomfort and soreness will be normal, but any shooting or sharp pain means you are pushing the injury too much.

I've been rear-ended 3x, and used to work for a neurosurgeon who saw a LOT of cases like that as well. Definitely see a good doctor, a neurosurgeon, not an orthopedic doctor (when you're dealing w/the head, neck, & back you want a specialist FOR THOSE AREAS). Once they make sure w/x-rays that there is no skeletal damage then... the first 24 hours after an injury, ice helps (20 min on, 10 min off, repeating). Once it's been more than 24 hours, then heat helps loosen up the muscle spasms the accident can cause. Hot showers, heating pads, etc....20 min on, 10 min off, repeating (this works better than just leaving it on the whole time). I prefer the heating pads you can heat in the microwave (available at most drug stores), then just drape around your neck & shoulders, or put against your back. Many doctors will also prescribe anti-inflammatories like Ibuprophen (Motrin). Try to stick w/over the counter meds if possible, rather than heavy duty prescriptions w/more side effects. Do NOT wait until the pain is unbearable before taking pain meds, because then it makes it harder for the meds to work. A GOOD physical therapist can also help move things along & most insurance will pay for it. Most doctors have a PT they recommend, however, you can usually go to whoever you want, so call the PT places & ask if they do the McKenzie Method, because I've found that works better than other methods. In fact I tease my PT that she's working her way out of a job, because once she showed me the exercises for the neck/back, I didn't have to go back to her. You can buy the book if you want to try the very simple exercises yourself at the link below. But DO see a doctor first to rule out any skeletal damage. Then it just takes time, if something hurts (not just sore, but hurts) when you do it, then don't do it. This is just what has worked for me, and things the doctor told me would help. But you should definitely see a neurosurgeon before trying anything anyone recommends. Hope you feel better soon. Good thing is that usually if you can't do anything else, you can still walk for exercise.

http://www.amazon.com/Steps-Pain-Free-Life-Rapidly-Relieve/dp/0452282772/