BritNoob Posted July 9, 2004 Posted July 9, 2004 I did something to my back on Tuesday (I was ony reading the paper!?!) and it got worse that night. I haven't been able to move the top half of my body since, I have shoting pains right down to my wrists. The doctor told me it's a muscle spasm but just like most NHS doctors he didn't really explain what caused it or how to deal with it ("take some painkillers and get on with it"). Anyway, it has been very painful and I've even had trouble sleeping. I still can't drive or turn to the side or up and down although today I can notice a slight improvement. Tonight i will have to miss my 2nd karate session (I was also planning to go the Tuesday it happened). I'd like to know if anyone else has suffered one of these and what caused it. I've Only been learning Karate for 6 weeks and before that i did almost no exercise. I've only been going once a week to begin with but I have been doing daily warm ups and some stretches at home. I've basically just done the same kind of warm ups we'd do in class. Would doing too much of this have brought the spasm on? I do exercises like shoulder/arm rolling and twisting at the waist and hip rotation (I don't know the actual names for them, hopeflly you get what i mean) quite a lot, if my body wasn't used to it could this be a factor? I've been trying to do lots of sit ups and press ups too, just so i can catch up with the other students i train with. Advice from you guys would be greatly appreciated. i'm really worried i might do it again. If i was in work full-time (I'm actually a house-husband/full-time Dad) i would have had to take a week off, I've not been able to do anything at all. Thanks in advance, all.
WhiteBelt Posted July 9, 2004 Posted July 9, 2004 Anytime you're injured, as a beginner, you need to take time to recover. Your body isn't used to the work you're making it do, so you're bound to have a few injuries like this before your body adjusts. If you're really worried about this in the future, find a good sports doctor who won't advise you to take some painkiller and forget about it. If you have the time do some research into bodyweight exercises to help get you into better shape. There are plenty of exercises out there, and even more advice to go with them.
BritNoob Posted July 13, 2004 Author Posted July 13, 2004 Thank you for your reply. I guess no-one else has had a muscle spasm before then? A week later and it still hurts a fair bit, but I am hoping to attnd karate for teh first time tonight since it happened. I'll just have to take it easy.
aefibird Posted July 13, 2004 Posted July 13, 2004 Take it easy and slowly. If you explain to your instructor what's happened then he/she will know and understand. At the first sign of any pain rest a couple of minutes and do some slow stretching, then join back in with the class. I'm sure your instructor will understand. After all, they'd rather have healthy students there paying them class fees, than sick students off who aren't paying them anything at all! "Was it really worth it? Only time and death may ever tell..." The Beautiful South - The Rose of My CologneSheffield Steelers!
shotochem Posted July 13, 2004 Posted July 13, 2004 Hello Brit, I used to get back spasms years ago before I started karate. At the time I was alot more in muscular bulk and heavier than I am now. I also believe in the theory that stress plays a large part in muscular spasms especially in the back. For me I believe is was more stress relief than weight loss that resulted in curing my reoccurent back spasms. If the doctor did not find any physical cause of the spasms I would not worry about it. Just try to relax yourself a good soak in the tub with epsom salts and a couple of beers have been known to do the trick. good luck Pain is only temporary, the memory of that pain lasts a lifetime.
BritNoob Posted July 13, 2004 Author Posted July 13, 2004 Well it happened a week ago today and i went for my first class tonight since and it was fine. We concentrated on kicking and lucily didn't do anything that required too much use of the shoulders, neck or back. Is that right about stress playing a part, shoto? That could explain it. Hot baths usually work wonders on any aches and pains I have but at it's peak this spasm was agony and the bath didn't touch it at all. I'm so glad it's healed now. i just don't want to do it again. My instructors are always understanding if you have an injury so that's good to know.
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