Back, neck, shoulder, knee, angles - JP Fitness Forums

NeilC · 10-26-2007, 04:21 AM

I've had longterm problems with my lower back (had a bit of disk removed a few years ago). Over the years I've added neck pain and mid back problems to the list. I have periodic "collapses" where my back or neck go and I can stand up and am very lopsided. Now my shoulders get painful when I do pretty much any upper body exercise, my right elbow gets sore after push or pull exercises, I have knee pain in one leg with crepitus that stops me running and when I awake my ankles feel painful and almost locked and make the loudest cracking sound when I walk - this gets better. I wake up feeling like I've been done over by Mike Tyson and feel better as the day goes on.

I've had physio treatment on my back and have exercises I do relating to core strength. They also gave me some external rotator stuff for my shoulders which help don't solve it.

What I'd like to know is: is all this linked or am I just unlucky or badly put together?

I find I can exercise for about 2 weeks before one or more of these problems flares up and I have to stop. This is limiting my fitness to say the least.

I'm really not sure where to go from here.

UConnJulie · 10-26-2007, 07:39 AM

It sounds like you have a lot of structural issues and mobility issues that only get exacerbated with strength training. IMO you should start with a comprehensive rehab-type program focusing on mobility (loosening tight areas) and activation (getting muscles that are "lazy" to fire properly). You might need to do a corrective program for an extensive amount of time before being able to move onto more typical resistance training programs (like a year or so) simply because your problems (although likely related) are fairly widespread across your body.

Check out Galya's log for a good example of someone who has been focusing on corrective exercise for the past year (not that her program would be appropriate for you) or Cappy's log.

NeilC · 10-26-2007, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UConnJulie

It sounds like you have a lot of structural issues and mobility issues that only get exacerbated with strength training. IMO you should start with a comprehensive rehab-type program focusing on mobility (loosening tight areas) and activation (getting muscles that are "lazy" to fire properly). You might need to do a corrective program for an extensive amount of time before being able to move onto more typical resistance training programs (like a year or so) simply because your problems (although likely related) are fairly widespread across your body.

Check out Galya's log for a good example of someone who has been focusing on corrective exercise for the past year (not that her program would be appropriate for you) or Cappy's log.

Thanks for the reply.

Can I only get a suitable programme from a physio or the like, or are there any books or videos to consider?

UConnJulie · 10-26-2007, 08:14 AM

There are trainers who specialize in this sort of stuff (myself included), but a good starting point is Magnificent Mobility and Inside Out.

tbrim20 · 10-26-2007, 08:25 AM

Hi NeilC,

Like Julie said, it looks like you have a number of problems. Unfortunately, for someone, like you, the source of the problems is not clear as it is very very difficult to assess based on what you can tell us in the forum.

Quote:

What I'd like to know is: is all this linked or am I just unlucky or badly put together?

I can answer this question for you. You are not unlucky or badly put together. I'm sure you were put together much like the rest of us. I would bet that much of this is linked. Sometime things like this tend to have a snowball effect where a problem arises and it is either ignored or exacerbated which then leads to problems further down the chain.

I would even bet that this is mostly related to your disc removal. Obviously something wasn't right that caused the disc injury in the first place and I'm sure that was never assessed and dealt with correctly. So if you don't fix the original problem, it isn't going to go away. This is most likely why you are getting pain in other areas of your back.

It also sounds like you might be having some other health issues. In many cases, joint pain(amongst many things), can be directly related to nutrition. Believe it or not but the things you eat can cause chronic inflammation in your joints as well as your digestive tract.

If you would like, send me a PM with your location and I will help you locate a practitioner in your area that will be able to help you.

I wish I could help more but you need a very thorough assessment. Believe me when I say that you can drastically improve the quality of your life. You just need a push in the right direction.

NeilC · 10-26-2007, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbrim20

Hi NeilC,

Like Julie said, it looks like you have a number of problems. Unfortunately, for someone, like you, the source of the problems is not clear as it is very very difficult to assess based on what you can tell us in the forum.

I can answer this question for you. You are not unlucky or badly put together. I'm sure you were put together much like the rest of us. I would bet that much of this is linked. Sometime things like this tend to have a snowball effect where a problem arises and it is either ignored or exacerbated which then leads to problems further down the chain.

I would even bet that this is mostly related to your disc removal. Obviously something wasn't right that caused the disc injury in the first place and I'm sure that was never assessed and dealt with correctly. So if you don't fix the original problem, it isn't going to go away. This is most likely why you are getting pain in other areas of your back.

It also sounds like you might be having some other health issues. In many cases, joint pain(amongst many things), can be directly related to nutrition. Believe it or not but the things you eat can cause chronic inflammation in your joints as well as your digestive tract.

If you would like, send me a PM with your location and I will help you locate a practitioner in your area that will be able to help you.

I wish I could help more but you need a very thorough assessment. Believe me when I say that you can drastically improve the quality of your life. You just need a push in the right direction.

Thanks guys,

My location is London, UK. Specifically the W7 area.

tbrim20 · 10-26-2007, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeilC

Thanks guys,

My location is London, UK. Specifically the W7 area.

Don't know London very well(at all), but there are plenty of qualified practitioners in the area.

Here is one you can contact who will have no problem helping you. Talk to them and find someone you are comfortable with. If they aren't located in a good area for you or aren't the right fit for you in any way, feel free to ask them for a referral. I guarantee it will be worth it.

Jon Bowskill or Stuart Green @ Jon Bowskill :: Rehabilitation :: Lifestyle :: Performance

tossedup · 10-26-2007, 07:09 PM

I was reading Gayla's log and was wondering if anybody know or has any videos of YTIs
high cable pull/push
face pull
scaptions
This sounds like a routine I should focus on instead of TT at the moment to get healthy as she puts it.

Ian Kay · 10-26-2007, 08:14 PM

Face pulls:
YouTube - Face Pulls (Machine)

Scaptions:
Standing Scaption - AOL Video

The high cable push/pull isn't very specific. Could be anything. Ask Galya on that one.

UConnJulie · 10-26-2007, 08:16 PM

And Lisa~ posted pictures somewhere of the YTWLs ... not sure where though ... try searching the forums for it ... (sorry, I'm going to bed shortly or I'd do it for you ... maybe she'll pop in and post it for you!)

Lisa~ · 10-27-2007, 06:22 AM

Here's the thread with the pictures of YTWLs: Correct YTWL?

I really prefer the face pulls done by Bill Hartman in the video in this article:
Push-Ups, Face Pulls, and Shrugs by Bill Hartman and Mike Robertson

Be sure to read this article too; don't just look at the video. Bill discusses proper technique, stretching to maximize effectiveness, and demonstrates the movement. The elbows should be as high as the shoulders (aim the center of the rope handle right at your forehead). The upper arm should not move beyond the scapula. The elbow angle should be as wide as you can get it.

This thread elaborated a bit on this information: http://forums.jpfitness.com/bill-har...extension.html

It is also necessary to have adequate thoracic extensibility before this movement can be really effective. So be sure to also be doing some thoracic mobility work such as the foam roller movements shown in I/O and/or the thoracic mobility drill demonstrated by Mike Boyle in The Essential 8 Mobility Drills.

Ian Kay · 10-27-2007, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisa~

It is also necessary to have adequate thoracic extensibility before this movement can be really effective. So be sure to also be doing some thoracic mobility work such as the foam roller movements shown in I/O and/or the thoracic mobility drill demonstrated by Mike Boyle in The Essential 8 Mobility Drills.

Good point, Lisa. Nearly a year ago, face-pull type movements actually hurt more than helped. After months of thoracic mobility drills, they now feel nice and grooved.

UConnJulie · 10-28-2007, 08:52 PM

You ROCK Lisa!!