GigglyPenguin
GigglyPenguin

Depression from back injury

I’ve always wanted to stay fit and active. I wanted to start my trekking journey this past year in the hopes of scaling Mt. Everest(too ambitious?) before I turn 30 years old. I’m 24 right now.

So, I started going to cult for strength training, adjusted my diet and ran a couple of times per week. Until, one day, I sensed a shooting pain in my back, I couldn’t stand for 2 days. I had incurred a disc injury, a bulge in L5-S1 which in turn lead to Sciatica.

The pain from this was fucking debilitating and it has affected me ever since. I can’t exercise, run or even walk before the pain kicks in.

This took a huge toll on my motivation because fitness is something I took very seriously.

Fast forward 6 months to now, the pain is still there with no hopes of it going down. It’s fucking depressing.

7mo ago
4.6Kviews
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GigglyRaccoon
GigglyRaccoon

Get well soon ,

Can you please let me know how will you prevent this in future as i am also doing squats with empty barbell. I started with 20kg barbell. Will switch to 10kg. Will always check from now with weights. Can you please elaborate more if you can as bad form is issue or more weight is issue

GigglyPenguin
GigglyPenguin

Warmup plus core bracing is important during squats. Consciously correct your form.

Also focus on core mobility and strengthening exercises, it’ll reduce the risk of spinal injury.

I’d say Endurance > Strength, carefully progress through weights.

SwirlyPanda
SwirlyPanda

What caused the disc injury, was it during training or outside, say on a trek. If in training, did you ramp up too quickly or improper form?

Hope it subsides soon. Remember, this is just a phase. Follow the physio regimen strictly, include all the changes suggested by doc and do focus more on mobility once you are back. Go get that 🗻

GigglyPenguin
GigglyPenguin

It was a cumulative buildup. I was doing deep squats with improper form(butt wink), stupid stretches which stress the discs. That with the combination of my weak torso muscles and tall physique led to this. As I came to know after the injury, there were multiple reasons and the squats just pushed it off the cliff.

GigglyPenguin
GigglyPenguin

It is a phase but this is a permanent vulnerability. The pain doesn’t seem to reduce even after 7 months, that’s why it’s hard to believe.

JumpyTaco
JumpyTaco

Get well soon, Alhamdulilah.

SleepyJellybean
SleepyJellybean

Exactly same here. Wants to be fit. Joined cult. 6 months into cult suddenly one day my lower back started hurting. Can’t sit, can’t stand, can’t walk, can’t sleep. It was HELL. Went to see doctor. It’s sciatic. It’s been an year. The pain still exists. It’s horrible.

It comes down abit whenever I do yoga. This hurts me because I am not able to give my best in anything because of this chronic pain and I am not even 30. Kills me from inside everyday

GigglyPenguin
GigglyPenguin

What is your recovery process?

SleepyJellybean
SleepyJellybean

Just yoga! Looks for sciatic exercises. I did regularly for 3 months. EVERYDAY!!!

And no heavyweights! No bending down! No squats! No deadlifts!!! Not much running. Ergonomic chair. Butt cushion. Back support!

SparklyBiscuit
SparklyBiscuit

Have you taken medication or steroid injection for relief?

GigglyPenguin
GigglyPenguin

Nope. Only medication is OTC like Ibuprofen.

SparklyBiscuit
SparklyBiscuit

Okay, if pain is not reduced and is impacting your daily routine I suggest you to visit an experienced home doctor you will see pain relief amazingly. Less medicine and good relief.

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