Just a quick update to tell me that I do intend to getting back to updating this blog.
On the last day of February, I had my sixth major back spasm in about 7 months which was when I decided enough was enough. The last one was caused by carrying my gym bag. I made some major changes and so far, I'm a solid four months without a twinge or a spasm. The big thing that I did was go into physical therapy focusing on building some flexibility in my hamstrings and my core intrinsic muscles. Basically, a lot of plank and bridges and leg lifts. I also stopped with the martial arts (which I really miss) and switched to swimming, going to the gym, and I added tennis.
I'm now wondering if I should focus on tennis or whether I should give martial arts another try.
PS - I'm 55.
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2 comments:
If you still love MA you should not give up on it I think. But perhaps you have to change to a different style if needed--one that will not strain your back too much?
Allan, Thanks for your words of encouragement. I spent 10 years (age 45-55) training 3-4 times a week and I loved it. It opened up a new world to me and I grew in strength, cardio, and flexibility. I made a lot of friends. I love kata and sparing. The last year was not so fun with almost monthly debilitating back spasms and daily "adjustments" to drills since I couldn't get my right leg up to roundhouse or side kick higher than the knee. My efforts in jitsu were thrilling but with reduced flexibility, I really couldn't do much. After the February back crisis, I've switched to playing tennis. It's a different lifestyle in many ways(more dependent on the weather for one) but it's working for me at the moment. I really miss the dojo, the martial arts, and the comraderie of it and I think of going back all the time. But then I try to rotate my hip and I think of the reality that it became for me. It's the second time that I've given up a sport that I loved. Soccer was the first but I found that in my early 40s, it just wasn't a game that I could still compete in at any level that I enjoyed.
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