1 week post injury

endorphin_junkie

endorphin_junkie

Cathlete
Hi All: I have had a truly humbling week. Last Sunday my 3 Girls and I sat down to watch a mid afternoon movie. Halfway through we stopped for a '7th inning stretch'. I went upstairs to get a snack for us and then began to go downstairs, well, my heel came off of the step and my legs came out from under me. I came down with my full weight on my left mid-low back, as I tumbled my shirt came up and for the rest of the fall there was alot of traction on my poor soft tissue. I tried for 30+ minutes to get up and finally called for an ambulance. I have torn ligaments on my left sacroiliac joint as well as muscle stain in my erector spinae and quadratus lumborum. The worst part is a stretched peripheral nerve in my thoracic spine that feels like a red hot skewer is being pushed into my flesh if I rotate my torso in any direction. The healing process for nerves doesn't even begin until 7 - 10 days post injury. I haven't worked out since last Saturday and can feel my upper and lower body strength slipping away. I'm sure some of you have had to recover from similar injuries, I'm wondering what was your experience and how long did it take to resolve. What helped, I'm doing a lot of contrasting ice and heat on the area to flush out the tissues. Today is the first day that the muscle spasms have begun to abate and I feel the urge to stretch but am admittedly very afraid of certain movements. I am completely sidelined as my jobs are both physical, I am a Massage Therapist and Recreational Fitness Instructor. I don't want to slip into a funk and figured it may settle the soul to hear some other stories of injury and recovery.
Thanks in Advance
Take Care Laurie
 
Hi All: I have had a truly humbling week. Last Sunday my 3 Girls and I sat down to watch a mid afternoon movie. Halfway through we stopped for a '7th inning stretch'. I went upstairs to get a snack for us and then began to go downstairs, well, my heel came off of the step and my legs came out from under me. I came down with my full weight on my left mid-low back, as I tumbled my shirt came up and for the rest of the fall there was alot of traction on my poor soft tissue. I tried for 30+ minutes to get up and finally called for an ambulance. I have torn ligaments on my left sacroiliac joint as well as muscle stain in my erector spinae and quadratus lumborum. The worst part is a stretched peripheral nerve in my thoracic spine that feels like a red hot skewer is being pushed into my flesh if I rotate my torso in any direction. The healing process for nerves doesn't even begin until 7 - 10 days post injury. I haven't worked out since last Saturday and can feel my upper and lower body strength slipping away. I'm sure some of you have had to recover from similar injuries, I'm wondering what was your experience and how long did it take to resolve. What helped, I'm doing a lot of contrasting ice and heat on the area to flush out the tissues. Today is the first day that the muscle spasms have begun to abate and I feel the urge to stretch but am admittedly very afraid of certain movements. I am completely sidelined as my jobs are both physical, I am a Massage Therapist and Recreational Fitness Instructor. I don't want to slip into a funk and figured it may settle the soul to hear some other stories of injury and recovery.
Thanks in Advance
Take Care Laurie
 
Laurie, I am so sorry to hear of your terrible fall! How awful. I have never had a similar injury although I am trying to comeback right now from a knee injury that has sidelined me for 6 months. No FUN! I just try to do things that I CAN do for now, such as UB & AB work. I have just this past week started introducing some lower body stuff greatly modifed. I was wondering if you could see someone in your MT practice or your recreational fitness facility who could help you??? Maybe they can give you some ideas??? It is wise of you to be concerned about doing certain moves. Take it very slowly and remember, our bodies do have a memory. Once you are healed it should come back quickly. Hang in there. Thinking of you!!! HUGS!
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
Thanks Gina and Debbie for your kind words of encouragement:). Debbie I remember that you were injured but didn't realize that so much time had passed and that you are still working "around" your injury. That's a long haul Girl, gotta love the tenacity it takes to keep hanging in there. I will see the other therapist in clinic one day this week but dread the idea of getting my sorry carcass in and out of the car;-). I will take your advise to heart and concentrate on doing the things I CAN!!
Again thanks
Take Care
Laurie
 
Laurie! You don't mess around when you take a tumble! My heart goes out to you. Your positive attitude is awesome! I have dealt with PF which was the result of longtime over-use and really stinky bio-mechanics but I can tell you to listen to your body and be gentle on yourself. Once you're injury has mended, you'll be surprised and delighted at how quickly you will respond to exercise and you will regain your fitness level easily I am sure. You will also find that being in great shape helps the whole healing process as does that sunny outlook. I am sending positive thoughts out to you and I hope you are back in the game ASAP!
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"

Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

- Mary Oliver
 
Thanks Bobbi your post made me smile and that is one of the best salves I have found yet:) My body is working so hard to heal that I think my brain has gone soft and try as I might I can't figure out what PF stands for.
I am so grateful for my fitness, to sit I execute a perfect lunge to lower myself and can hear Cathe telling me to go for two 90 degree angles at the bottom of the movement. My upper body and core strength makes getting me up alot easier on everybody although every day I am getting better (I put my own socks on today:7 ) I'm kinda wishing I had ordered all of the new DVD's instead of just the advanced as I don't relish the thought of going back to Kathy Smith and Charlene Prickett, God Bless them they have their appeal to some but they just ain't no replacement for Cathe:)
Thanks again for you Kindness and Positive Thoughts
Take Care
Laurie
 
That's Plantar Fasciitis, which was my constant companion for longer than I care to think about. You are making progress already, putting on socks! Funny how you appreciate all the simple things that don't seem so simple when you are on the injured list. How old are your girls? That's got to be tough, mothering with an injury. I bet you were completely freaked out to be unable to get up. I get goosebumps just thinking about it!
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"

Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

- Mary Oliver
 
Thanks for solving the mystery, I haven't experienced PF myself but as a massage therapist know it's a painful condition that responds well to massage and to home paraffin wax baths.
My girls are 15 (at the end of May), 13 and 9. That was the hardest part of the ordeal was the time between the fall and the call (hey that rhymes). When I fell I had a bag of chips in my hand and when I landed on them they exploded to the 4 corners of the house and some were stuck in my elbow.x( (we'll be finding those chips until moving day I'm sure LOL) I was flat on my tummy in the perfect 'chalk circle' position. It was terribly hard to reassure the Girls when my body was going in and out of shock and I had no clue what the injuries were, I thought I'd smashed a kidney! The eldest (Elizabeth)took the 'everybody stay calm' role, Marley (13) was the comforter, stroking me gently and my little Faith wore an expression of desperate helplessness, I was widowed almost 7 years ago and she was afraid that she might lose her Mama, poor pet, she's much better now. Another difficult part was chosing one child to come into the ambulance with me and leave the other 2 behind to wait until my Mom arrived 40 minutes later. My Mother has been here since I fell and my in-laws came on the weekend. I love the support of family but am a very independant person who quite likes being the Mother Hen to her Chicks (Chicks Definitely DO rule in my world!!:7)
I've learned alot from this that will resonate long after the pain subsides, I will never underestimate the power of being fully present with someone when they are in pain or suffering. The pain is more tolerable when looking into the eyes of a loved one.
Thanks a lot for letting me vent Bobbi I needed that, obviously your a Mom too, how old is your crew?

Take Care
Laurie
 
My chicks are also 15 and 13 and I have a 6 year old rooster! LOL! I hazard to guess your chicks will never forget that fall! That's quite a tale to tell! I had surgery for my PF bu,t fortunately, I was encouraged to get on my feet immediately and it only slowed me down to a hobble. Pathetic but still able to keep up with the kids. I feel for you. It's great your mom and in-laws are helping you out but I can tell you are itching to get back to doing it on your own. I hope you heal very qucikly! Are your girls good helpers? It's always nice to have teens to help you out. Mine are better messers than cleaners but, in a pinch, they can be called on! And vent away as often as you like! :)
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"

Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

- Mary Oliver
 
Wow....Laurie...I have hurt myself and my lower back, but NEVER like that. The pain must have been excruciating. I do believe that in time the nerves will heal and you will feel better. I don't think you will loose much strength, although when we get injured we do believe that. I have been recovering from Achilles Tendonitis since Sept myself. I am very good at overuse injuries! I remember the first time I hurt my lower back...I was attempting to lift a 75lb barbell over my head for squats...and I arched the wrong way. YEOW! I never knew what I did, as I didn't want to go to a MD as he would just give me drugs and I didn't believe in Chiropractors then. I see one regularly now! All I did then was ice the area a few times a day, and the pain was gone in about 4 days. I am sure it wasn't serious...nowhere near what you did. I have hurt it since then..just bending wrong or doing something stupid. I still ice when I hurt it and my nephew is my Chiropractor. I will be praying for a speedy recovery for you Laurie....keep us posted...:)...Carole
 
Thanks Bobbi and Carole, I have to admit that I used to be on the fence as far as chiropractic goes. I work as a massage therapist in a chiro clinic and have seen some amazing progress in certain patients. I love the pro-active partnership approach to wellness that I am a part of, we often say to patients that you can't just drop your body off in clinic, get your adjustment and/or massage and forget about it, what happens in clinic is one facet of wellness. It is apparent who complies with homecare and remedial exercises and who isn't. No judgement, just observation. I know chiro & massage isn't for everyone but it is very cool that as the years go by we have so many more options to explore besides traditional western medicine when our body's are injured, diseased or just plain 'crapping out' on us. When my husband was ill the visiting nurses were trained in therapeutic touch and reflexology, I really don't care if science can back up there effectiveness, I know that it brought him peace, comfort and often left him sleeping like a big old baby with no pharmaceutical side effects and that in and of itself was a gift beyond measure.
As for the Girls, they are helpful with 'prompting'. My eldest will work until she drops and the other 2 will let her. My Mom has been on them about a few things but it's hard to hear someone else scold your children, even if it is Grammy. All in all I can't complain about my Gaggle of Girls, they are lively and happy and they love me like crazy. The memory of them standing at the top of the stairs cheering "you can do it Mommy" as I grunted and groped up the stairs will warm my heart long after the pain is gone.
On another note, I am psyching myself up for Friday, I have a meeting with the Concierge of a local family resort hotel. They are looking for a massage therapist for their spa. It would be a nice balance to have the clinic work and some spa work and I can get my family some nice perks through the hotel, like access to their pool and 100' waterslide, I think I'll skip the waterslide for a while LOL. My biggest fear is dropping my napkin during lunch as I haven't got a snowball's chance of bending to pick it up:)
Boy I must have too much time on my hands, I didn't mean to go on so long but be that as it may...
Thanks Ladies!!:)
Take Care
Laurie
 
Laurie, you are so funny! That sounds like a wonderful opportunity and I'll keep my fingers crossed that it works out and you don't drop your napkin!
They sound like lovely girls. I have great kids too. Pesky, messy but delightful in their own way. My oldest, Ali, is pretty good with housework because she always needs money and knows she can earn it. Definitely needs prompting. My younger daughter, Sydney, is an sweetie, very bright and funny and she's excellent with her baby brother and she earns her keep, keeping an eye on him. He gets on all of Ali's nerves! LOL! Sam is part angel, part devil!
I just finished a short round of chiropractic. I got rear-ended two Saturdays ago and suffered a stiff neck. This young Chiropractor, who's the girl friend of a workmate of my husband, almost exclusively used the Adjuster and, I must say, I like being cracked by hand better. On my last visit, Friday, my upper back was very knotty. She called it touch points so I scheduled a massage and had it yesterday. Mmmmmmm! It was my third but I've already scheduled my fourth and I intend to do it monthly. It was delicious!
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"

Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

- Mary Oliver
 
Hey Bobbi:
Sounds like a fun and challenging bunch, keeps you on your toes and then some I'm sure! My middle one is the sweetie too. I seem to remember from previous posts that you are a SAHM. I know what a mixed blessing that can be:) ;-). I was lucky enough to be at home until mine were 11, 9 and 6.
Sorry to hear about the accident, it's never a good time for one of those!! x( The run around and inconvenience with insurance and body shops can be quite aggravating. I hear you about the Activator adjustments they are pretty subtle. I got some of that yesterday but was also able to get face up on the table and lay backwards for a classic 'bear hug' adjustment, 'CRACK!!---aaahhhhh'. I need a massage but haven't 'grouped my poop' enough to arrange it with the other therapist. I'll call her later when the clinic re-opens. Good to hear you are taking some time for massage and getting rid of the knots, they are hard earned but like you said letting go of them is delicious. I may do some EXTREMELY modified PUB when the Girls get home, they can fetch my weights and spot for me. When the spine is in neutral I feel pretty good and as long as I don't involve lats or erectors my arms are feeling ready to rock}( :)
Take Care
Laurie
 
Laurie -

I am so sorry that you are injured! I can completely understand how you feel and your thoughts about your muscles "slipping away." But, DO NOT PANIC! KEEP POSITIVE! There was a reason your body gave out and maybe it was telling you for awhile it needed a break and this was the only to really get one.
I have had many injuries until I really learned to listen to my body and take a day or two off if I am feeling any pain. Now, I have been injury-free for over a year since I began to truly listen. I have had NO LOSS in endurance, muscle strength, and all of my health remain constent even though I take more days off than ever! I feel better than ever. It took 8 weeks off my ankle and foot COMPLETELY before I could go back to intense workouts. I went crazy - crying, angry, sad, was fool of self-pity, etc. until I finally came to terms with my body and what it was trying to tell me...It was tired.

Now, I feel good and have no symptoms of overtraining, which before that injury I had every symptom.

So, I guess I am saying that you should realize you are normal when you have these fears of being out of shape and worrying about your fitness level. But, let me tell you that you sound like you are in damn good shape and your body will get back its fitness level quickly, maybe even better than before. But, also let me tell you that your body will NOT get itself "back together" if you do not let it heal. Allow yourself to heal. Keep us posted and GET BETTER.
 
Thanks Jennifit, I appreciate your advice and encouragement. I had my daughter put the step on the floor with no risers today to see how that felt and I knew right away that I wouldn't want it any higher. I tried a few moves and bailed after 3 minutes but that is 3 minutes more than I could have done 2 days ago. I am working on re-programing my over taxed little brain to rejoice in these little steps forward and to drop the ego. I will run again and I will lift again, just not yet. :)
Take Care
Laurie
 
Yeah Laurie! I can soo relate. I will rejoice with you! I, too, am taking baby steps towards coming back and seeing improvement each day now. It's taken 6 months for me, but I think I am on my way. Let's work together on this even if it's a baby step at a time. We surely don't want to set ourselves back to the beginning. Let me tell you, it feels sooo good and it will soooo make you appreciate your workouts with a SMILE on your face once you start back. :7 Take it easy and together, we WILL beat this. Woo-Hooo for you!
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
Yay! I worked out today!!!!

I did the easiest step tape I have today with just the board. I got my heart rate up to a whopping 96 bpm. :) I felt a bit unsteady a few times but just took out any torque or propulsion. I finished off with a little biceps/triceps/shoulder work. I feel really good that I pushed through it and will take the rest of the day off. And Yes Debbie H. I was smiling through it and could have sworn halfway through that I heard you shout "Woo-hoo for you". :) ;-) :)
Take Care
Laurie
 
RE: Yay! I worked out today!!!!

Good for you Laurie! Modify, modify! That is the key. :D . Sounds like things are healing up for you....:)...Carole
 
RE: Yay! I worked out today!!!!

YEAH LAURIE!!!

Keep on keeping on! It sounds like you are on the road to recovery. I am happy for you!!

PS- Sorry about all the typos in my last post...I am so ashamed of my lack of editing!?

Anyway - Keep going!

jenni
 
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