The Challenge of Doing STS While Injured

healthyfit1

healthyfit1

New Member
I pre-ordered STS in Feb 2008. I was excited for a long time. Then sometime in Sept/Oct 2008 I got tennis elbow. :mad: This has continued till today and while it is a lot milder it has taken a LONG time to heal. In the meantime I found out right around the same time I received my STS that I also have a bulging disc in my lower back. So, for now, no heavy lifting of weights for my upper or my lower body and no compressing aerobic activity (i.e. high imact) because of my back. In the meantime I'm supposed to lose about 10 lbs to help my back heal and take some strain off.

Needless to say the excitement I had for receiving my STS has all but disappeared. I was sad and depressed about it for a while realizing that I couldn't do STS. Then I made a decision. I decided to do STS but with very light weights. I figure it has to be better than nothing and will at least kind of talk to my muscles a little.

Last week I started STS and today I will be doing disc 5. I only use 3 and 5 lb weights and do all pushups tabletop-style. It's a little frustrating because I know I'm capable of more but my goal is to go through STS fully and then I will be feeling better :D and will go through it again with heavier weights. I just have to keep my ego out of it and let my body heal.

STS is so well done! I'm just amazed at the quality. Just wanted to share this with the community. Thanks for reading!
 
Wow! I admire your tenacity, attitude and courage. Really. Thank you for sharing what you've chosen to do and how you decided to deal with potential setbacks. It sounds like you're actively participating in your healing processes rather than feeling "stuck" or feeling sorry for yourself. I admire that. Yours is a fine example of a "Success Story," right there. Though I'm not injured (knock on wood), you're an inspiration.

Wishing You A Speedy Recovery ~ Lori
 
I'm working through tennis elbow also - no idea how I got it either, as I haven't played any tennis since this summer. Healthyfit1, you are doing things the smart way. I have just been putting a brace on and ignoring it. Mine isn't getting any better. So, kudos to you for playing it smart!
 
Thanks

Thanks jansherman and oetree_n_motion for the encouragement. It helps even more to know that I have some support in this effort. Thanks! :D
 
I know you didn't ask but I'll volunteer some info re tennis elbow. I've had it a number of times, usually from shoveling heavy stuff, dirt or snow.
DH is an M.D. He recommends wearing an immobilizing wrist brace while sleeping. These are OTC at any pharmacy and cost maybe $10. they come in left and right and depending on brand, assorted sizes. apparently the elbow inflammation is caused by too much wrist action. sleeping with the brace keeps the area quiet. usually it heals fairly quickly. I've had much improved symptoms in a week or two. Mine completely went away, and I'm a little more careful when shoveling and switch arms from time to time. .
I can't help with the bulging disk....
 
Thank you so much for the wrist brace suggestion! I bought an elastic wrap that covers the elbow area, from the middle of my upper arm to the middle of my forearm. It hasn't helped much. How far should the brace extend past the wrist, and should I wear it only while sleeping or during other activities also (like working out)? Thanks again for the info!!!
 
sorry it took so long to get back. I had to fix my thread notification settings.

The braces have a stiff curved piece of metal or plastic that goes from just below the base of your fingers, along your palm, to a couple inches past the small part of the wrist. comfortable and easy to sleep in. they used to come in right and left, and a couple of sizes but I haven't looked at them in a while and different pharmacies probably carry various types.
I don't know the exact mechanism of how it works (DH is the M.D.) but your wrist moves around a lot, while the fixed point on the elbow where you feel the pain gets subjected to a lot of pulling and torque. keeping the wrist in a fixed position allows the area to rest and heal. Apparently sleeping people tweak their wrists around at night, a surprise to me ... I only wore it at night. I don't know if wearing it more time would help but most people would find that inconvenient.
Non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs ( nsaids)are helpful too but not everyone can take them. OTC ones like Advil or Aleve or stronger prescription ones. Hope you get better quick.
 
i have used one of these bracelets in the past too. they work very well. i wore mine about 3-4" above my wrist. does that sound right, traildoggie? the strange thing is , it was in my left arem, and i am right-handed. weird. but, i haven't had it in quite awhile. i don't even know whee my wrist thingie is anymore. now, if i can just get my feet to stop hurting.:(.
cathy
 
My brace has a curved section that fits the palm of my hand so my hand is held in sort of a natural slightly curled position. I'm rt handed and have gotten it on both elbows at different times, and never from tennis. always from shoveling.... lucky me.
 
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