I really need your thoughts and advice...

S

sweaty1

Active Member
Hi all. I am mostly a lurker on here; but a huge Cathe fan and serious about my fitness. I need help...advice...something!

I have worked out with Cathe and in many other realms for over 20 years. Just the last 6 months or so, my body is not cooperating anymore. I have a bad rotator cuff, a plantar injuty in my heel, and i usually hurt my back once every couple of months. Actually, as I sit here, I have ice on my heel, my back...and will ice my shoulder as soon as I am done typing.

I am so sad. I am careful when I workout. I read, research and stay informed. I am strong and commited. When I started having more aches and pain, I took 3 weeks off. Then came back, took another week, and then started having to back off to 2 or 3 days per week because that is all my body would take.

Ultimately, I ended up with physical therapy for my shoulder, a cortisone shot, etc. It still hurts, even when not working out. It isn't torn, not frozen, I have total range, it just hurts all the time. And it wakes me up at night all the time.

My heel is getting a bit better with strectching. My back does get back in to shape once I visit my chiropractor so that is usually only a week or so.

Anyhoo, does anyone have any experience here? What should I do? I am not ordering STS...I don't think I would make it. I would make it, but I would hurt myself. I am 41...too young to have to just go on a stupid treadmill. I thought of yoga or pilates...but, they are hard on my shoulder as well. Help! Please! I am not willing to just stand by. It is affecting my mood...I just can't do it.

I have had a lot of time off and once I slowly go back, I just rehurt everything. I am not sure what else to do...thoughts? I really need your advice. Thanks.
 
I'm sorry to hear you are going through this -- I would be sad in your shoes, too! All I can say is that I work with a guy who is older than you (not quite 50) who recently had to finally have some surgery on his shoulder. He had been going to physical therapy for a long time, but finally decided that surgery was a better answer. He apparently had a bad injury to the shoulder when he was in his early 20's, I think it was, and all the scar tissue in their finally caught up with him. He is an underwater hockey player and wanted to not be in pain all of the time, so he opted for the surgery. Have you seen a dr. or maybe two for a second opinion?

good luck!

-Beth
 
Have you tried any natural remedies. My husband's rotator cuffs hurt all the time and we narrowed it down to caffeine. He quit drinking coffee and the pain went away. Otherwise I know a great website called knowthecause.com if you really are serious about changing things and changing your life.
 
I am 41 and had my right hip replaced due to really bad arthritis last July. Best thing I have ever done, chronic pain is gone. Am back working out like a mad woman.

If you need surgery, do it. That is my advice. My dad has a bum shoulder and is considering surgery right now. Pain is not fun, and if there is a way to get out of pain and back into the swing of things, do it!
 
Oh! I feel your pain!!! I don't have the same exact rotator cuff issues as you. So, take my experience with a grain of salt.

I don't know how I injured my shoulder and upper back. I first noticed it when I went to Power Heated Yoga class almost a month ago. I couldn't extend my left arm into child's pose. My left arm hurt so freaking bad!!!! It was all I could do to bend it next to my head. I did my best with a lot of modifications during yoga class. Power yoga moves so fast and with the heat, I was able to loosen up as the 90 minute class continued.

Later that night is when the pain really hit! I woke up crying because it hurt so bad!!! My dh got me some advil and tried massaging my back. He never could get that "spot" where the pain was originating though. But, his massages did help to relieve the constant back pressure I was feeling. I was advil constantly and nightly massages from dh for the following few days.

I took those as rest days after trying unsuccessfully an X upper body workout. The jumping jacks and running in place caused a severe pain shoot up my back in the scapula region of my right side. Bag that!

I scheduled an appointment with a massage therapist at another yoga studio. Until my appointment, she recommended that I ice my shoulder and only do low impact workouts like spinning or walking until we were sure I hadn't pulled or torn anything.

By the time I got an appointment, it was over a week since I first felt the pain. My shoulders and back were feeling quite tight from all the icing and limited workouts!!! The constant pressure wasn't present. And, since I steered clear of any impact workouts, I didn't feel any searing, localized pain in the right shoulder blade area. Keep in mind, the only time I felt pain in my left upper arm was that day in yoga class when I couldn't get into child's pose. So, I had totally forgot about my arm.

The first 15 minutes of the massage felt nice, but didn't really zero in on any trigger spots. Then she started going deeper. That's when she noticed how tight my rotator cuff was and all the knots deep in my muscles. She kept saying, "Your back is CRAZY tight!" When she massaged my left rhomboid, I felt the pain shoot up into my left arm. The same pain I felt during child's pose over a week ago. It really hit home how everything is connected! Anyhow, she got up into my shoulder blades and tried to work out my back as much as time allowed. She also worked on stretching my pecs and loosening up my massively tight delts. It was so painful! After the massage, I was sore for the next few days!!! But, kinda of in a good way. At least, it confirmed what I had been feeling.

Thankfully, she didn't think I tore anything. She said that I was very tight. She thinks it's an injury I've had for a long time, and that it wasn't caused by Power Yoga. She said it was my body finally telling me enough! She also thinks it's partly caused by my poor posture. My posture isn't terrible, but I have a tendency to slouch at the computer, round my back since I don't like sticking the girls way out there:+, and a bad habit of pulling my shoulders up. I've continually caught myself pulling my shoulders up all the time. It's a hard habit to break!!!!

She recommended a massage at least once a week, yoga for stretching, and to continue working out. I am to stop or back-up as soon as I feel any pain while working out. She also recommended that I stop icing my back. If anything, she recommended that I use a heating pad.

It's been ten days since my massage. I go back for another massage on Tuesday. I can not wait!!! Since my massage, I've been doing Eoin Finn's Power Yoga For Happiness Vol. 2 Sufer's Edition. He has a whole Premix on shoulder openers titled "Shoulder High". I can see a huge difference in flexibility. When I first tried the premix, I couldn't even get into some of the poses!!!! I try to do that premix at least once or twice a day. Once after soaking in a warm bath and another one after warming up my body with cardio. I haven't had that shooting pain in my back doing high impact since the massage. My dh still gives me a massage at night. Even though he's not a massage therapist, I'll take it!:7

Oh, another lady on my Check-In has had ongoing rotator cuff issues for the last 2 years. She went to see a massage therapist last week. He told her that it was better for her to do heavy weights and reps in the 6-8 range instead of high reps with light to moderate weights. Hopefully, she'll chime in and talk to you about it.

Take Care!!! I know what you mean. I'm almost 39... way too young to feel this broken!

Wendy
 
Thanks for your input Wendy. That is funny that your therapist said heavy weights etc...mine has said better light and a lot than heavy and a little. One never knows do they?

It is all connected and I too have the same posture issue, rounding at the computer. I am a bit busty (nothing wrong with that) so I too tend to not stick the girls out much and most likely, self conciously, do the opposite! So I have been working on my posture.

I have been thinking of a good massage therapist; I have not done that yet although I have visited an ART specialist (muscle therapy) and that feels great. But most ins. plans to not cover that so it can get expecnsive. However, I need to do something. I am sitting here at work with 3 Drs. appts today! Crazy...

When you feel like you have done all you are supposed to stay fit and healthy and your body doesn't like to cooperate. It makes me crabby. And it is so much more than my shoulder...my back, neck, and it is all connected so if I could just solve it I might be OK.

Plus I am a great one for worrying about losing my definition and muscle if I lay off for too long. duh. I know better....

I hope others chime in! I really, really, appreciate all you mentioned Wendy. So much. Sty strong!
 
You are probably right about the posture issue. There is a postural therapist named Pete Egoscue based in San Diego. His claim is thay most pain is caused by body misalignment. He wrote a book PAIN FREE (under $20 on Amazon) that has a chapter on shoulder pain. It
basically cured me of my shoulder problems. Go to egoscue.com for some free help. Best of luck.
 
I don't have your specific issues, but I'm constantly struggling with injury as well--I have a bad knee, achilles tendonitis that crops up and a tweaky back at times. I've found I have to be really careful with the types and frequencies of the cardio I do and I have to be willing to make modifications.

I'm realizing that for my body, as I age (I'll be 40 in June), I'm going to have to focus more on weight training and clean eating and make sure I really limit my high impact cardio--and I love high impact cardio.

I also feel too young to be breaking down like this, but I'm determined to make the necessary adjustments and fight it. Those of you with non-injury prone bodies--count your blessings!

Anyway, I realize I didn't have any advice for you--I just feel your pain. Hang in there, okay? and keep us posted--you aren't alone in this.

Maggie:)
 
I was beginning to get some aches and pains, sick of the workouts I had been doing, was having to take more rest days, etc. I decided to try something else. I switched to more intermediate level workouts and doing only 30-45 per day. It has been great. I feel wonderful and love working out again. I know a lot of people snub Denise Austin, but she has very good advice. I love her. You don't have to kill yourself working out. It can be fun, fit your lifestyle and still be effective. The lady looks fantastic (in her 50's!), and she advocates exercising for 30 minutes, 5 to 7 days per week. Her books are very, very good.

Hope this helps,
Sandra
 
Unfortunately, we're all just not designed the same way, and as many of us have discovered, we have to make adjustments! I've dealt with various injuries lately, and I'm just 39. After getting mad, upset, and trying to fight it, I've finally admitted that my body just must not be built to be a real athlete. Take your time, reassess, and see what happens. I know you'll find a safe way to stay fit.
 
Becky,

That was my gf's massage therapist telling her to lower the reps and heavy up the weights if she's not feeling pain. I don't know the specifics of her rotator cuff injuries. I'm only guessing the reason he told her this was because that the high repetition aggravates her injuries.

I wish I was busty. I think my bad habit of rounding my shoulders came from years of nursing and sitting at the computer. I should look into getting a better computer chair.

I haven't checked my insurance to see if they'll cover massages. If they did, highly unlikely, it would be massages at a chiropractor's office. The lady I'm seeing now rents space at a local yoga studio. She was voted the best massage therapist in the area. She knows anatomy!!! She doesn't charge as much as a spa would. It's more in line with what I'd pay at a chiropractor's office. Her clientele are athletes who are looking to keep their bodies healthy and strong vs. getting pampered. Some places will work with payment arrangements too.

I think finding an experienced massage therapist was a good choice for my recovery. The owner of the studio recommended her over the other therapists who also rent space there. I didn't tell the massage therapist exactly where I was feeling the pain since the pain covered the entire back. She was good enough to find where the pain was originating.

I was also having great tension in my neck, shoulders, and upper back. Since keeping my posture in check, my neck has started to loosen. The yoga has helped my back and rotator cuff to release and lessen the pain. I only go as deep into the poses as my body can handle without feeling pain. I'm currently doing Cathe's lower body workouts and Cardio Coaches until I feel better. Some days, I only do yoga. But, I get a better yoga session if I do it directly after a workout since my body is warm from the inside out. Occasionally, I'll do some pull-ups and chin-ups just because I get scared that my body won't be able to do them if I stop too long. I know. I need help!:7 However, I don't do them to failure. I limit myself to 3 chin-ups and 3 pull-ups.

I can't recommend Eoin Finn's Power Yoga For Happiness 2 Sufer's Edition enough! I'm going to one of his weekend workshops next month. It's all about alignment. Just what I need!!!

Take Care!
Wendy
 
Again, thanks so much for all of your input...I will take more because I am motivated a bit...

I do feel like my body has been put through the ringer lately. I am taking a few more days off before I jump back in. I was laughing at my Drs appts today. I have ear surgery on may 21 (I have always had an inner ear disease that of course affects my hearing...not the rest of my body!) so I had a preop appt for that. It was discovered I had a hole in my eardrum...again. That is normal for me. I have my on going shoulder issue, visited the chiropractor, had my muscle therapist work on my heel which is sore, and I have an appt. next week with my OB-GYN because I am having some "falling" issue with my uterus as well that has to be addressed in the next year or two!

It is actualy humourous! I have kept fit and active, but whatever! I am blessed to be sure and all will be well. But you know as do I, our fitness lives drive our happiness in many ways and I feel that that is one thing that is mine. To not have control over it bothers me.

Thanks again ladies.
 
Hi Becky, sorry to hear about your medical issues. Since everything is so connected, it could be that one injury could be affecting another body part. I've found that possible solutions can be quite varied depending on the person. It's good that you still have a sense of humor about it all -- that'll help considerably.

Regarding the shoulder injury, it seems like most docs will attempt less invasive procedures first (which seems appropriate). Without knowing exactly what is causing the pain, it's difficult to find a solution, hence, all the possible ways to treat it. It's like a jigsaw puzzle.

Since I wanted to try to prevent another injury since my shoulder surgery, I've read a book called "Pain Free" by Pete Egoscue. Even though, my orthopedic surgeon said my injury was more likely due to genetics than anything I did or didn't do, it still feels better to me to think that some simple exercises desgined to better align the body might help prevent future injuries. You might want to check it out at your library.

HTH, Deb
 
Hi Becky - you've been through a lot and it seems like there are a lot of us who totally understand! There is nothing more frustrating than trying to stay fit, yet bumping up against wall after wall.

I started exercising "for real" about 5 years ago, after surgery for cervical cancer. I was so out of shape then! But somehow I started loving working out and soon decided to take up running. The wrong way. :eek: Pulled my achilles tendon so bad, I couldn't do anything! Then I had the bladder issues associated with my surgery, and could never be too far from a bathroom. Then I was getting sinus infections about every other month due to a cyst. Also developed food allergies somewhere in there, and was miserable for a year until I found out the cause. THEN there was the part where my doctor told me I was POST menopausal - at age 37 - due to my hysterectomy.

But I look back now at those terrible years, and things are so much better. You have to tackle one thing at a time, solve each problem. I got the best running shoes, had physical therapy, make sure I stretch before and after. Had another surgery for my bladder. Saw an ENT and naturopath for my sinus problems and allergies. Got my hormone levels back into balance. There's probably more, but I try to mentally block out that whole dark period. }(

You'll get through this, one issue at a time. Hang in there and work on solving each mystery. One day you'll wake up and there'll be only one thing to deal with! Then none! It's so hard when these things are out of our control, I know. (Not to mention the gazillion trips to the doctor!) I'll bet that all your problems are very solvable and you'll get through them all. Wishing you the best ...
 
Just a thought - but instead of focusing on 'perfect alignment' you may want to think about actually moving more. Sometimes trying to mimic perfect posture can be as bad as slumping in front of a computer all day. I believe the body needs movement (sometimes just small movements) to keep blood flowing. The stiffer we get, the less blood flow we have, the more pain we feel. It's probably ok to slump here and there as long as you don't stay in that position forever. :) It's best to move through positions - the body is meant to move, not be stiff.

Carolyn
 
Some great advice on this thread! I've posted and fussed on threads all over the internet lamenting the betrayel of my body - never a problem until I hit 43 - and now every year, some new wear and tear issue arises.
But you know, one gal said you don't have to kill yourself to stay fit, and I'm finding that true....the real heavy weights can really hurt you sometimes! And you can get pretty ripped with lighter ones - look and bony Jari and her muscles!
Ican't really add to the great advice already on her except that you're in good company.....
 
I am convinced! You are all great!

And I am convinced that I don't need to kill myself. After my back mends (this time!) I wm going to do some intermediate stuff for awhile I think. You all actually have me looking forward to more reps and less time each workout. That actually sounds refreshing.

I read back on my posts and I sound like a whiner! Sorry...I am just not used to all this. My body has never failed me before; and it probably isn't failing me, just telling me something and I am just too stubborn to listen!

I would still love any more comments. I love Cathe and all she has meant to all of us...I just don't think I am going to see her great face as often on my screen. But I will never give her up entirely!

hey...one good thing, my 13 yr. old son actually emptied the dishwasher last night without my asking. I think he felt sorry for me that I can't walk very well. He told me to go lay down!

:p :p
 
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