Dealing with back pain & playing

[flyers10 57]

I've had 2 herniated discs for years and at times I miss 6 - 24 months. Anyone else have back issues and what have you done to help so you can play more frequently?

[phunky_monkey 6]

I hurt my back playing in a comp about 7 years ago, which eventually forced me to stop playing later that same season. It took me a good 2 years going to the gym and strengthening my lower back before it started to feel good again, and I had a further few years off before starting again last year. Nowadays my back feels quite good, but I'm always cautious with it and have worked hard to strengthen it.

Do you go to the gym?

Having said that, what worked for me may not for you, and I don't want to give you any advice which may hurt your back further. I'm sure as you know having back issues is terrible, and really has an effect on day to day life. It's also not easy to get rid of, so take care of it.

[SolarWind 23]

agree with the previous post - time & strengthening lower back are keys

often when lower back muscles are weak it puts too much load on the spite causing it to compress which in turn causes all sorts of issues.

[Beflar 53]

I've had 2 herniated discs for years and at times I miss 6 - 24 months. Anyone else have back issues and what have you done to help so you can play more frequently?

I have the same problem. 2 herniated disks. Here is what I do.

I find that taking one Advil an hour before I play helps a lot in how I feel after the game. If I forget to take it I will feel it more after the game.

Advil is your best friend. When the back is flared up I take two every four hours.

Number two is traction. You need to pull that back apart. You have to work on it till it always pops lose if you lean on something and take the weight off the legs. It's like resetting your back. I've used an inversion board and I have used just strength to loosen the back. To use strength you have to find something you can lock your legs under while pushing down with your arms pulling your back apart. I find L shaped tables are the best cause you can put your arms at your side more when you push up. If your nice then it will take nothing to pop your back apart. If your locked up your going to have to take your time. Try resting between attempts.

Getting your back nice and lose(pulled apart/traction) is the most important thing. If one disk is locked up your just asking for trouble playing hockey. When it is lose you will be good.

Lastly. You have to work out. Don't do anything that causes your back pain. EVER. But do everything else. You might think you are not working your back but I find it's the internal pressure that builds up in the body while lifting weights that flushes the fluids in the back. When the disk is inflamed things build up in a small space and cause big problems. A rowing action with chest support is my fav.

What you have is not a muscle weakness problem it's a structural/inflammation/compartmental problem.

Advil/traction/weights

[BobMcRobertson 0]

Wild Turkey and Motrin...ha. Seriously, Strengthen your core and STRETCH (ALOT!). If your covered by insurance, you can get Steroid shots (which may or may not help, they didn't for me) or a nerve block. Other than that, heating pads, hot tubs, Tiger Balm.

[TBLfan 25]

I've got two ruptured discs in my back. Pain killers and muscle relaxers allow me play hockey. If I don't take them even coaching and really sometimes even walking can be extremely painful.

Heating pads, icy-hot, hot showers and of course stretching, helps a LOT. Avoid the pain killers until they're necessary, I hate having to take them but I hate not playing hockey more.

[kovyperron5727 0]

I've had 2 herniated discs for years and at times I miss 6 - 24 months. Anyone else have back issues and what have you done to help so you can play more frequently?

I have 2 ruptured discs, and I'm only 17. Which ones do you herniate? It has been hell for me, I've done PT, had two epidurals, decompression, and I have another epidural next week. I also have been taking a high dosage of hydrocodone lately, which isn't working that well. My advice is to go and get an epidural-good pain relief. But if it is bad like mine your relief is short lived and you have get another one.(Maximum is 3 a year). Being that I am young I am trying to avoid surgery, even though it was stronlgy reccomended to me. I also swim and take walks and try to hit the hottub everyday. Good luck to you, I know what you are going through. The sleepness nights, insane pain, and not being able to play. If you ever need advice shoot me a PM, and stay strong!

As far as working out, if your back is hurting don't do it right away. I worked out 4-5 times a week before I hurt mine. I have a solid core and even a six and yet I still did a number on those 2 discs. My doctor last week told me that my squatting and heavy lifting days are over, so avoid any lifts where your back is receivng pressure. Also avoid ab work for a while, unless done lightly without weight and when your back is having a string of consistently good days.

[Eddie20 0]

Get with a physical therapist and find a routine to help strengthen that area. Also, don't underestimate the importance of your ab muscles. Get yourself a nice at home PT routine, and do it.

[chippa13 1844]

Someone mentioned strengthening your core and that will have a huge benefit for your back. Also, try dropping a few pounds. You'd be amazed how much this can help to reduce the strain on your back.

[sickwilly 37]

Talk with your doc for sure. Mine recommended Yoga and weight loss, and it has been very helpful. I have also been treated by Osteopaths and Chiropractors on and off for years. Helps keep me on the ice.

[fultonreed 1]

THIS GUY IS GOOD 440 248 5070 - DR. KEYS CHIROPRACTIC PHYSICIAN

[Beflar 53]

I've had 2 herniated discs for years and at times I miss 6 - 24 months. Anyone else have back issues and what have you done to help so you can play more frequently?

I have 2 ruptured discs, and I'm only 17. Which ones do you herniate? It has been hell for me, I've done PT, had two epidurals, decompression, and I have another epidural next week. I also have been taking a high dosage of hydrocodone lately, which isn't working that well. My advice is to go and get an epidural-good pain relief. But if it is bad like mine your relief is short lived and you have get another one.(Maximum is 3 a year). Being that I am young I am trying to avoid surgery, even though it was stronlgy reccomended to me. I also swim and take walks and try to hit the hottub everyday. Good luck to you, I know what you are going through. The sleepness nights, insane pain, and not being able to play. If you ever need advice shoot me a PM, and stay strong!

As far as working out, if your back is hurting don't do it right away. I worked out 4-5 times a week before I hurt mine. I have a solid core and even a six and yet I still did a number on those 2 discs. My doctor last week told me that my squatting and heavy lifting days are over, so avoid any lifts where your back is receivng pressure. Also avoid ab work for a while, unless done lightly without weight and when your back is having a string of consistently good days.

If you have something pressing against your nerve you should get it taken out. If it is more than that then wait.

[epstud74 24]

I've had a history of back problems for as long as I can remember. The worst occured when trying to left 5 gallon buckets of sand through a hatch while cleaning out a tank. I actually ruptured a disk doing that...

I'm 35 right now and I play 2 times a week with degenerative disk disorder and a herniated L5 disk. It is something you learn to live with.

[SolarWind 23]

My doctor last week told me that my squatting and heavy lifting days are over, so avoid any lifts where your back is receivng pressure.

I call BS on this - doctors always stay on the safe side, which often prevents people from actually healing!

look up Louie Simmons (founder of Westside Barbell) - he's in his late 60s as far as I recall, and had multiple herniated & bulged disks & still trains heavy squatting & deadlifting (and I mean 600#+)

MANY powerlifters & other athlets completely recovered from herniated disks so don't give up!

[cougarkiller98 0]

yeah, i had two herniated discs also. After awhile i couldnt even get outta bed for class and had to take a lot of pain meds just to go to work, let alone play hockey. So when I couldnt really walk anymore, i decided to go for the surgery. It's been about a year now and i think i made the right decision.

[kovyperron5727 0]

yeah, i had two herniated discs also. After awhile i couldnt even get outta bed for class and had to take a lot of pain meds just to go to work, let alone play hockey. So when I couldnt really walk anymore, i decided to go for the surgery. It's been about a year now and i think i made the right decision.

Did you do the microdisectomy? It sounds like you were in the same situation as I'm in now

[rmnyi 0]

I've had 2 herniated discs for years and at times I miss 6 - 24 months. Anyone else have back issues and what have you done to help so you can play more frequently?

Find a reputable chiropractor who offers spinal decompression. I did a quick search on Google and found the following. Spinal Decompression

[cougarkiller98 0]

to be honest I cant remember what they called it. They basically cut off the herniated part that was hitting my nerves.

[DarkStar50 679]

I wrecked my back a long time ago. I couldn't play hockey for 15 months, sciatica to my toes, limped when I walked,etc. Just a physical and mental mess. Get a firm hard mattress to sleep on, very important. No more soft squishy mattresses. Lie on the floor on your back to relieve the stress/pressure. My back still locks up at the worst times, usually around a holiday. But I made it back to hockey. You can, too.

[kovyperron5727 0]

I've had 2 herniated discs for years and at times I miss 6 - 24 months. Anyone else have back issues and what have you done to help so you can play more frequently?

Find a reputable chiropractor who offers spinal decompression. I did a quick search on Google and found the following. Spinal Decompression

Already did that my friend, did around 8 sessions. Very expensive. Saw some results the first few, but I got to the point where my back hurt so bad that I couldn't go on with it. Buyer beware on that, according to my doctor

I wrecked my back a long time ago. I couldn't play hockey for 15 months, sciatica to my toes, limped when I walked,etc. Just a physical and mental mess. Get a firm hard mattress to sleep on, very important. No more soft squishy mattresses. Lie on the floor on your back to relieve the stress/pressure. My back still locks up at the worst times, usually around a holiday. But I made it back to hockey. You can, too.

That is what I'm doing right now, lol. I usually sleep on the floor half the night, but on a bad day all night. Thank you, I'm glad yours got to the point where you can play again

to be honest I cant remember what they called it. They basically cut off the herniated part that was hitting my nerves.

You most likely either got that the classic diskectomy or microdisectomy. Pretty similar, but the micro uses a microscope for a smaller incision

[ultraman7k 0]

hurt my back a couple years ago playing hockey and took time to recover. I'm thinking it was a lower back muscle issue since I was pretty much bed ridden for like...2 weeks.

Just this past year I started doing P90x, specifically the stretches part, which I guess also helps to strengthen the lower back muscles. I almost have no back pain because of it. However, when I go for lengths of time without doing it, I can feel the pressure build with some mild pain, but I guess my case differs from you guys with herniated discs and stuff. Man, there's no pain like back pain.

[Wallzy41 9]

I've been relatively healthy until my past physical when I went to get my pre-Permit Physical(yes, i'm turning 16.) My doctor turns around after examining me and says I have a mild scoliosis( sideways curvature of the spine). I'm just taking motrin and regular spinal adjustments to start playing. I'm finally allowed to play a contact sport, and so I'm going to my local rink's Stick time sessions.

[Rocketking 0]

I'm a veteran of back injuries.

The most simple and useful thing I did to continue being able to play was to use anti-gravity. I use a roman chair (exercise eqt. for doing back extensions, but I just hang for 2-4 sets of about a minute. The last 2 sets I do gradual rotating and a few reverse sit-ups. I wouldn't be able to play without what I got out of this.

Backs are really hard. Cant use the no pan no gain approach at all.

So over the long haul, I'd suggest a good off-ice regimen of stretching and strengthening. I've had years of pysical therapy but you should look into finding a program that works best for you. Might even consider trying yoga, pilates, core strengthening.

Backs are not like fine wine, they won't get better with time so you should get something going to find out what works to help your issues.

[fatwabbit 93]

Sorry to bring up an old post... anyone have any success with an inversion table? I'm thinking of getting on, just tired of hanging backwards over the couch...

[shotty 7]

inversion table didn't work for me at all. absolute best was acupuncture. reflexology is great too if you can find the right person. my therapist could find my problems without even asking.

sometimes i take a robax right before a game. i usually take one right before i put my skates on and it starts to kick in during warm ups.