Herniating
At last, the verdict is in.
After eight weeks of sciatic pain, I got to see the spinal specialist. You know you’re getting old when your doctor looks like a sixth-grader. Anyway, he showed me my MRI results. I’ve got a herniated disk. The accompanying photo is not mine, but is very similar to mine.
I’ve never been so happy to have an injury.
The pain has diminished dramatically over the last few weeks, and he told me that “90% of spinal cases are cured by long waiting lists.” Time heals all wounds, including back problems, it seems.
Fortunately, my doctor is also a runner, and he said the herniation was not caused by running and there were no restrictions on resuming running. As with any other condition, I need to be guided by the pain. It’s like the old vaudeville joke: “Doctor, it hurts when I do this.” “Then don’t do that.”
Realistically, I need to overcome my severe hatred of cross-training and core exercises – if for no other reason than to give me something to do when I can’t run. The doctor suggested swimming, and I’ll see if that’s feasible.
It’s good news for the blog, too. Running doesn’t seem very funny if you can’t do it. I’ll be back on the road soon.
Sorry to hear about the herniated disc, that may be my most feared injury!
Don’t avoid core work and cross-training too much; you would be surprised how fit you can get just by pool running with some cycling and solid core work.
Good luck with the recovery!
- Fitz.
Bushwick boys can’t swim!
I just reinjured my L4L5,L5S1 and have been laid up since July 4. I had been training for a half. I like you detest cross training. I felt this coming on- but misinterpreted my pain as a tight hamstring… I am likely out of commission for a few more weeks, and have been told to forget the half. I had a ESI on Friday and feel much better now but realize the underlying issue remains.
Sorry to hear that, Joy. Fortunately, I didn’t spend a lot of time treating my leg – foam roller, massage, ice, etc. – when it was actually my back.
An ESI? Ouch. The funny thing about my injury is I never received any real treatment – just the painkillers to help me sleep.
You’re already a swimmer, so spend some time in the water. You’re triathlete material.
wrong Joy I think, but thanks, I just received the ok from my physio to go to the pool. but only 5min at a time – lesson learned – don’t let back pain go untreated… Take care Mike
Joy from BC
Oops. Sorry, Joy. But you can never have too much Joy.