? for those with back issues

The Rock
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The Rock
Edited Date/Time 8/1/2014 11:11am
How good are you at saying "I am sorry but I have disc issues and can't help" when in a situation where there is something to be lifted? I keep threatening to say this but a couple of weeks ago there was a bunch of us standing around and a guy needed a claw tooth bathtub carried to another location.

Like a complete dumbazz I helped then spent seven days in discomfort. I swore the previous time I didn't take care of myself I would say those words but I didn't do that and instead manned up. I have heard others with back issues bow out like this and it was NBD but I seem to have a problem cutting myself a break like others do in these situations.

Just curious if any of you deal with this same quandary like I do....I mean used to deal with!

I have a race coming up on August 10th that is now in question due to this latest bath tub carry and I am chapped at myself big time. Never again....never again will I do that. I can't.
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Cygnus
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Cygnus 8/1/2014 9:41am
8/1/2014 9:41am
Just a couple days ago when a kid got his truck stuck in the mud here at the track. Made him call his dad to come pull it out.
IWreckALot
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IWreckALot 8/1/2014 9:49am
8/1/2014 9:49am
Go see a chiropractor if you can. They'll pop it pretty good and you'll feel better in a couple of days. Just don't get locked into the perpetual visits. If they try to schedule a couple more visits, tell them you want to see how you feel after getting adjusted and you'll call and follow up if you need it.

Oh and I bought a truck a few months back and it's true what they say. Everyone and their dogs ask you to help them move. The trick is to do everything half ass so they never want you to help them move again. Like slide shit down the stairs, break some of their less important stuff, and do a very loose tie down job so half their shit falls out on the highway.
Mr. Ted
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Mr. Ted 8/1/2014 9:55am
8/1/2014 9:55am
IWreckALot wrote:
Go see a chiropractor if you can. They'll pop it pretty good and you'll feel better in a couple of days. Just don't get locked into...
Go see a chiropractor if you can. They'll pop it pretty good and you'll feel better in a couple of days. Just don't get locked into the perpetual visits. If they try to schedule a couple more visits, tell them you want to see how you feel after getting adjusted and you'll call and follow up if you need it.

Oh and I bought a truck a few months back and it's true what they say. Everyone and their dogs ask you to help them move. The trick is to do everything half ass so they never want you to help them move again. Like slide shit down the stairs, break some of their less important stuff, and do a very loose tie down job so half their shit falls out on the highway.
Chiro goes only so far. Not saying it's bad, but I did it for years before my disc ruptured and I had to have surgery. Post surgery I don't believe it is very effective. Sometimes you gotta take care of yourself first Rock. It's tough, but you have to choose which is more important to you-moving a tub or feeling pain for days and maybe missing a race. It's OK to just say sorry, can't help you...
The Rock
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The Rock 8/1/2014 10:06am
8/1/2014 10:06am Edited Date/Time 8/1/2014 10:06am
I had my reservations about starting this thread but am already glad I did. Good on ya' Cygnus for the way you handled that situation and thanks for the grin IWreckALot RE: do a very loose tie down job so half their shit falls out on the highway.

Thanks for the chiro advice but I have my program down. Even though I am in the best shape in years (thanks to hiking two miles a day five days a week since end of March) it is apparent I can STILL not lift heavy things like bathtubs and bikes on and off stands. Smile At this point in addition to my L5S1 and L4S1 herniation issues I have arthritis on the left side of my sacrum. Normally when I overload my back the left side of my sacrum gets sore for four to five days and voila good as almost new again with no lingering issues.
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The bathtub deal loaded my discs for the first time in a long time . I was on the left front of the tub walking a short distance then the guy says Oh yeah just down this short flight of stairs which was the straw. I knew right away what I had done and fortunately no hammers were in the vicinity otherwise I might have whacked myself in the head a few times in an attempt to knock some sense into me. .



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newmann
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newmann 8/1/2014 10:08am
8/1/2014 10:08am
And I thought this was about old dirt bike magazines.....Cool
flyinb501
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flyinb501 8/1/2014 10:08am
8/1/2014 10:08am
I do sometimes, but it sucks when they look at me all puzzled because I am a 32 year old man in great shape. They don't really understand why I shouldn't be lifting certain things.
FGR01
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FGR01 8/1/2014 10:10am
8/1/2014 10:10am
You gotta know when to say when. I think you're at the point that you know beforehand if you are going to regret lifting something. That's when you gotta say "sorry, we better get like 4 more guys or someone else..."
IWreckALot
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IWreckALot 8/1/2014 10:14am
8/1/2014 10:14am
The Rock wrote:
I had my reservations about starting this thread but am already glad I did. Good on ya' Cygnus for the way you handled that situation and...
I had my reservations about starting this thread but am already glad I did. Good on ya' Cygnus for the way you handled that situation and thanks for the grin IWreckALot RE: do a very loose tie down job so half their shit falls out on the highway.

Thanks for the chiro advice but I have my program down. Even though I am in the best shape in years (thanks to hiking two miles a day five days a week since end of March) it is apparent I can STILL not lift heavy things like bathtubs and bikes on and off stands. Smile At this point in addition to my L5S1 and L4S1 herniation issues I have arthritis on the left side of my sacrum. Normally when I overload my back the left side of my sacrum gets sore for four to five days and voila good as almost new again with no lingering issues.
.
The bathtub deal loaded my discs for the first time in a long time . I was on the left front of the tub walking a short distance then the guy says Oh yeah just down this short flight of stairs which was the straw. I knew right away what I had done and fortunately no hammers were in the vicinity otherwise I might have whacked myself in the head a few times in an attempt to knock some sense into me. .



Wow. Sorry man. I guess it's a lot worse than I realized. It sounded like you had just tweaked your back. Chiro probably won't help.

In the future, I'd tell whomever it is that you have back issues. Any asshole that doesn't believe you can sign a waiver saying they'll pay your medical bills in exchange to help them move. There is no shame in passing on injuring yourself further.

I recently helped my sister inlaw move. One of the couches I moved had to go to her mom's place and they asked me to move it on a day after I rode. I made my mother inlaw's husband and my brother inlaw load it up and told them that my back was sore from riding that morning and I didn't want to push it over the edge.
Aceofspades 8/1/2014 10:17am
8/1/2014 10:17am
You just have to flat out tell people you can't help lift anything. I've had six disc operations, a fusion, and an upcoming neck surgery, and I'm at the point where I will just say "sorry, can't help you" . I used to try the nice guy route because I didn't want to be rude but hurt feelings heal a lot quicker than a ruptured disc pain.
Aceofspades 8/1/2014 10:24am
8/1/2014 10:24am
As to chiropractors: you had BETTER let them know the severity of your injury because they can absolutely destroy you if they start cracking on your back. I've seen two at the behest of my Dr. And I took mRI and reports with me. Both time I was told that the nature of my injury excluded me from a big portion of what they would've done had they not known my condition. Same with physical therapy: I was actually placed in a traction type apparatus once when I was really hurting in my back and it exacerbated the rupture enough that I was on an operating table 3 days later. You have to carry yourself like you're made of glass if you're having disc problems to keep from destroying yourself
KMC440
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KMC440 8/1/2014 10:26am
8/1/2014 10:26am
"I'd like to but my back won't let me"

Unless she's hot and has a similarly hot female roommate. Then hopefully the getting screwed goes both ways.
cable
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cable 8/1/2014 10:41am
8/1/2014 10:41am
L5s1 kept me from racing for 6 years. It even hurt to walk sometimes., at 39 yrs old and 175lbs.. Started using an ab wheel at the gym, and next thing I know, I'm sleeping pain free at night. Stretching hamstrings really seems to help too,. It took me 5 years of trying anything but, surgery. Has to be the ab wheel.
MXD
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MXD 8/1/2014 10:42am
8/1/2014 10:42am
I have no trouble at all. As long as you explain it, they will understand completely. If they don't they weren't worth helping in the first place.
Hman144
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Hman144 8/1/2014 10:50am
8/1/2014 10:50am
I also deal with moto-injury driven back problems intermittently.

My overall philosophy is if I'm good enough to play, i'm good enough to help someone.

Would I forgo a race if I knew I might be needed to help someone move a few days later because I'd likely be too sore to help? Prolly not.

So the inverse should be even more true.

rpoint116
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rpoint116 8/1/2014 10:55am
8/1/2014 10:55am
MXD wrote:
I have no trouble at all. As long as you explain it, they will understand completely. If they don't they weren't worth helping in the first...
I have no trouble at all. As long as you explain it, they will understand completely. If they don't they weren't worth helping in the first place.
Well put.

I'm 51 ,6'4" 200lbs & look healthy & fit. I now have 4 bad discs in my lower back. I had to quit riding 6 years ago. One of the most saddest days of my life. I have had the injections, PT, everything. It is getting gradually worse I have my good days & bad days. I have an open prescription for pain pills but rarely take them. This new specialist I'm seeing does stem cell & other advanced stuff.

My point is, unfortunately you won't realize how bad your back is until it is too late. Be careful.
IWreckALot
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IWreckALot 8/1/2014 11:06am
8/1/2014 11:06am
I try to do core a few times a week at the gym and always stretch before doing anything just to avoid severe back problems. Sometimes it seems like your damned if you do and damned if you don't.
The Rock
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The Rock 8/1/2014 11:09am
8/1/2014 11:09am
Aceofspades wrote:
As to chiropractors: you had BETTER let them know the severity of your injury because they can absolutely destroy you if they start cracking on your...
As to chiropractors: you had BETTER let them know the severity of your injury because they can absolutely destroy you if they start cracking on your back. I've seen two at the behest of my Dr. And I took mRI and reports with me. Both time I was told that the nature of my injury excluded me from a big portion of what they would've done had they not known my condition. Same with physical therapy: I was actually placed in a traction type apparatus once when I was really hurting in my back and it exacerbated the rupture enough that I was on an operating table 3 days later. You have to carry yourself like you're made of glass if you're having disc problems to keep from destroying yourself
I hear you. A chiropractor blew out my bulging L5S1 when he adjusted me instead of stretching me like he had for years. I am a big believer in inversion/traction but appreciate the point you make about being careful.

Lots of good points in this thread coming up. Hamstrings stretches are excellent but I will have to check out the ab wheel. I have to be careful not to bend forward too much. Cleared out a storage unit and didn't lift anything that was too heavy but the repetitive motion put me off my feet for two weeks.

When I was younger I just couldn't imagine why anyone would have to stay in bed for weeks with back issues. I know they say keeping moving is the best thing but there have been two times when I could do nothing but lie motionless otherwise I was in excruciating pain.

The last time (storage unit deal 2/12) was the worst I believe I have experienced aside from the three weeks after the chiro deal in 1999. Up until 2/12 I thought I knew what back pain was but this was a 14 on the one to ten scale with the type of pain it takes your breath away.
The Rock
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The Rock 8/1/2014 11:11am
8/1/2014 11:11am Edited Date/Time 8/1/2014 11:11am
IWreckALot wrote:
I try to do core a few times a week at the gym and always stretch before doing anything just to avoid severe back problems. Sometimes...
I try to do core a few times a week at the gym and always stretch before doing anything just to avoid severe back problems. Sometimes it seems like your damned if you do and damned if you don't.
Your stretching point is EXACTLY why I took Racer X's virtual trainer guy to task when he wrote stretching before exercising doesn't help.

Maybe not in his world but it does in mine and yours by the sound of it.

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