Hopefully this will help others with similar problems (or help others prevent it completely):I am 63 years old. I have bulging discs in my neck and lower back. They've been this way for YEARS (since the 70s) and come back "to pay me a visit" from time to time. I'm the "creaking door" that seems to go on and on in spite of multiple injuries (torn rotator cuff, meniscus repair in my left knee, detached left bicep's tendon, hernia) along with three cancer operations on my right flank & lung (I'm now cancer free) over twenty years ago. I have exercised on and off my entire life.
Like a lot of people, I've been a yo-yoing with my weight for almost my ENTIRE adult life. I got away with being too heavy for most of it until last year (just before Thanksgiving) when "all the tests" showed bad things: diabetic, high bp, high cholesterol along with a "new back SYMTPOM" paying not a visit, but a constant source of pain. Oh yes - there's also sleep apnea (this can kill you).
Basically, it's like this: I get a pain in my right rib cage like someone stabbing me with a knife. The pain (occurs unexpectantly) is excruciating and it bends me over. This is caused by a weak core (transverse obominus - sp?).
So the day before Thanksgiving (not the greatest time to start a weight loss program) I made up my mind that I would "listen to my body" and start to take better care of myself. After all - if I drop dead or am incapacited it will not only affect me (emotionally/$$$$) it will AFFECT MY FAMILY. This is what I am doing:
1. I signed up at a local hospital for a (four part) ten-hour class to teach me how to eat properly (insurance WILL pay for this). Not a diet (most of us were diabetics in the class), but a part of a lifestyle change.
2. weight training and an aerobic activity (rowing is the best of all IMHO).
3. went to a sleep clinic for my apnea (I'm now on a CPAP machine).
4. joined another (pricier gym) gym to keep up enthusiasm. the new place has a pool, jacuzzi, basketball court - all the bells and whistles. Yep - it's twice the money as the old place. However, the difference in the clinetelle (upbeat) and the place just makes me feel better going there. And there's this: wouldn't you rather pay a little more for your gym than to pay the same (or more) money to a doctor?
As the result of this, I have lost a ton of weight (I'm down 30 pounds since I started and 58 overall), but I still have 30 pounds to go. I feel better and now sleep thru the night most of the time. All my "tests" are in the normal range. I feel better, but alas, the pain continued in my right side. The next step? (remember - I've been living with back problems for 30 years): I went to a orthopedic doctor that specializes in treating athletes. So is this a gimmic?(a doctor that treats athletes?) Read on:
After being diagnosed with the same problems as before, I am going to PT 3X a week for four weeks. Yesterday was my first time there. I warmed up, learned new stretches and some exercises (I will also be doing these on my own) working on my "core." This exercises/stretches are functional (mimic our movements) In addition to that, I received electrical stimulation, massage and was heat-treated (sometimes they treat you with ice) for about fifteen minutes. As a result (In ONE treatment), my back (actually my transverse abdominus which surrounds/supports) feels better already.
The doctor told me that (in regards to exercising) that if it does not hurt - do it! We owe it not only to ourselves, but our families to take better care of ourselves. The program goes on.