ADR in athletes

[annapurna]

You all are an inspiration to those of us who want to be active, but are still having pain issues. I'm about 4-years post-Charite at L5/S1 and have been experiencin some very painful new symptoms this past year. Unfortunately for me, the "sports" that trigger my pain include driving the car and sitting at my desk. Walking, hiking, and riding the bike either have no effect on my symptoms or actually ease them somewhat.

Even if they have no beneficial physical effects, I'm convinced that active sports have a huge roll in pain management - psycological if nothing else.

Thanks again for your great posts. Hope to join you all someday in the gym and on the slopes with less pain to distract from the great views!

Best,
Laura

[Terry]

Exercise does have a huge beneficial physical and brain effect. A receptor site in the brain would not be there were it not for a neurotransmitter that will fit in to the site. An appropriate analogy is a lock and a key concept. The lock is useless without the key and vice versa. Hence the opiates attaching to the Mu receptor site blocks pain signals to the brain. Endorphins are the neurotransmitters that are the brains natural chemical created to cause a reduction in pain symptomology. Anyone who engages in aerobic activity like walking (which is the gold standard for ADR Recovery), spinning, step aerobics, dance, Tai Chi, etc. is going to experience a reduction in pain symptomology.

I believe this is exactly why I was only on maximum 20 Mg methadone per day pre-surgery. Almost 2,000 miles on my bicycle pre-surgery plus much power walking settled a lot of pain. I was off of the pain medication except as needed 9-10 days post-op.

I believe conditioning is the key to a great many things in one's life; i.e., peacefullness, serenity, calmness, stress reduction, pain management, happiness, better life style, etc.

In other words: Keep working out.

(all in writer's humble opinion)

Terry Newton

[Grizz]

This thread is very motivational. Letteski's You Tube Video brought a tear to my eye. Terry's technical explanation of endorphines explains the reason for the whoop at the end of Paulette's float throught the trees. We too are getting hammered with snow here in North Idaho. Since I am just 6 weeks past surgury I can still only dream of making those kinds of turns. I can't be sure that I will ever be capable of skiing on a regular basis, but I can be sure that I am an athlete that has had ADR and have seen that there are others like me that have pushed through DDD and recovered their athletic talent. For this ski season just driving up the mountain to meet with my friends in the lodge at the end of the day is a big deal, but don't count me out for one run on closing day. That too will put a tear in my eye, but it won't be caused by desire. It will be caused by the wind, emotion, and endorphines.

Steve Prefontaine - "I run to see who has guts"

Keep the faith,
Grizz

[Terry]

Grizz:

I know what you mean. Paulette's turns are awesome. I wish I was half the skier but started downhill much later in life. She looks like a natural. An inspiration to keep moving!

Terry Newton

[letteski]

Thanks all for the kind words. I’m glad I can inspire you to reach for the life that’s waiting after ADR. Grizz you will make it back just listen to your Doctor and your PT. I waited a good 6 months before I hit the slopes. Last summer less then a year post-op I was riding my mountain bike on technical single track.

After my injury I was a mess unable to exercise like I was use too. I missed my endorphins tremendously. But my PT would encourage me to ride the spinning bike, swim, and lift weights even if it meant I had to spend the rest of the day in bed. Exercise was the thing that kept me going. After surgery I had to work myself back into it slowly even now 18 months post op I have to listen to my body when it is asking for a rest I give in.

My advice is to be patient, listen to you body and exercise as much as you can.

PS: On March 10th we are having an ADR ski trip here in Tahoe if anyone is game.

[Trish]

Originally posted by David:
Yes, I have been using the squat machine in the gym...very, very carefully.

Please, please, please NO MORE SQUATS!

Why is some chick telling you to quit? Because this chick did squats to train for track & field all through high school and university. I think I maxed out at around 230lbs, (90 degree knee angle only to save the knees....LMAO).

I'm also convince it played a big part in the damage to my discs.

You can get the same benefit to your legs with the sit down leg press. Alternate your sets with different feet positions (straight ahead, pointed out and pointed in) so that you can get a good strength base instead of just one fat muscle up front. That's the biggest dif. between the free and nautilus type stuff, well-rounded muscles instead of 2-dimensional ones. (If that makes any sense?)

Motherly advice most kindly meant;
Trish

[letteski]

Please, please, please NO MORE SQUATS!

I disagree with this statement everything in moderation. If you are using squats as part of your rehabilitation like David lightweight, high reps and VERY VERY good form is required. I would recommend a spotter to watch your form. If you can’t use proper form then say away from squats for now and use those leg machines.

Happy lifting

[urace]

Originally posted by Terry:
Grizz:

I know what you mean. Paulette's turns are awesome. I wish I was half the skier but started downhill much later in life. She looks like a natural. An inspiration to keep moving!

Terry Newton

[urace]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Terry:
Exercise does have a huge beneficial physical and brain effect. A receptor site in the brain would not be there were it not for a neurotransmitter that will fit in to the site. An appropriate analogy is a lock and a key concept. The lock is useless without the key and vice versa. Hence the opiates attaching to the Mu receptor site blocks pain signals to the brain. Endorphins are the neurotransmitters that are the brains natural chemical created to cause a reduction in pain symptomology. Anyone who engages in aerobic activity like walking (which is the gold standard for ADR Recovery), spinning, step aerobics, dance, Tai Chi, etc. is going to experience a reduction in pain symptomology.

I believe this is exactly why I was only on maximum 20 Mg methadone per day pre-surgery. Almost 2,000 miles on my bicycle pre-surgery plus much power walking settled a lot of pain. I was off of the pain medication except as needed 9-10 days post-op.

I believe conditioning is the key to a great many things in one's life; i.e., peacefullness, serenity, calmness, stress reduction, pain management, happiness, better life style, etc.

In other words: Keep working out.

(all in writer's humble opinion)

yes terry I am new at this fourm,I see you had lumbar and neck sugery did they do both at the same time. I just sent stenum my mri friday ,and do think you could go there alone or not a good idea .jim

[ZorroSF]

@ JM31-SPAIN

I don't know how long it's been since you've been in pain, and I don't know how fit you are since you've hurt yourself. Chances are you've degraded like the rest of us before surgery. With luck you'll never be as bad off. I can't stress how much you shouldn't be worrying about getting back into heavy sports so soon after receiving surgery.

If you're lucky you'll be back pretty quickly (4-6 months). If your normal like the rest of us, then you shouldn't expect to be doing squats, lunges, or kick boxing for quite some time. Simply put, just walking and getting through the day like a normal person should be your first goal.