R leg pain from lower back problem

[shinnekodo]

Today I got the news that I have a lower back problem that is pinching or infringing on some nerves that leaves my right leg in an almost constant state of soreness and pain. The MD tells me that this is a chronic state that there is no "fix" for unless I have surgery (in his opinion that is an extreme circumstance and most with my problem do not have surgery, but it is a possibility).

Now, as to my karate practice thus far, the only limitations I have noticed is that my front snap kick is bothered a little and my crescent kick (in my style it is called outside crescent but most others refer to it as an inside crescent) is greatly hindered, almost to the point that it hurts too much to throw it. Unfortunately, our outside crescent kick is featured in a few of our katas (my favorite thing), so I am concerned about the future of my karate practice. (Stretching my right leg is also greatly impeded, it hurts too much to do it.)

I guess my question and the reason for this post is does anyone have any advice as to how I might cope with this situation and its potential impact on my karate future? From what the MD tells me, this situation will have exacerbations and "remissions" meaning it will come and go, but in general will probably get worse as I age (I am 40 now).

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[roguewolftamer]

i would suggest asking chiropracters (i think i spelled it wrong) if they can do anything, but im sure the MD would have said something if your bone structure was mishaped in some way

i would suggest working around it and try to learn to use your left leg more then your right, but you'll still have to work around any pain you get

else you could always use punching mainly and ask around (mainly doctors and others like it) to see if there's more alternatives to just surgery

personaly i dont know, but these are the things i would try first, i got all kinds of problems, nothing too serious but my left leg grows faster because i use to lean on my right leg all the time, but im self-concious about how i walk (it's nothing too noticable but sometimes it feels like im swaying)

then ill probably develop arthiritis in my joints, but i already knew that was coming and i have enough back/neck problems due to having to carry around a heavy backpack in the previous years of school

it's bad enough that they have you carry around heavy books for 7 hours a school day, then they make it worse in some years and not as bad in others

[lgm]

Now, as to my karate practice thus far, the only limitations I have noticed is that my front snap kick is bothered a little and my crescent kick (in my style it is called outside crescent but most others refer to it as an inside crescent) is greatly hindered, almost to the point that it hurts too much to throw it. Unfortunately, our outside crescent kick is featured in a few of our katas (my favorite thing), so I am concerned about the future of my karate practice. (Stretching my right leg is also greatly impeded, it hurts too much to do it.)

I guess my question and the reason for this post is does anyone have any advice as to how I might cope with this situation and its potential impact on my karate future? From what the MD tells me, this situation will have exacerbations and "remissions" meaning it will come and go, but in general will probably get worse as I age (I am 40 now).

Thanks in advance for any replies.

My chronic lower back problem is alleviated by my regular karate practice. If I don't do my 1 hr-karate workout for more than 2 days, my lower back pains re-appear and it would take again several days and several analgesic tablets to drive it away.

I also sleep on a flat wooden board on top of an orthopedic bed and always sit on chairs with strong flat back support, preferably not cushioned. I even use a portable flat board on my car seat when I drive my car. When sitting down, it helps to keep my knees higher than my hips. When I have a severe back pains attack which is rare, I use a portable electric heat pad on my chair in the office, but at home I use a less expensive modified rubber portable hot compress pack (which I constructed myself) tied on my lower back with replaceable hot water.

No medical doctor or specialist was able to alleviate my chronic lower back pains and I have seen many in my search for a permanent cure. Medications are only temporary relief and often bring with it harmful side effects. Surgical operation should be the last resort and there are dangerous side effects besides being financially expensive. So, I would advise that you use caution and get second or third opinion from other specialist surgeons before allowing yourself to go under the knife.

I personally researched and used those non-surgical and non-pharmacological methods which have no systemic harmful side effects I cited above to free myself of chronic back pains and I believe, I have in a way found a convenient homemade, cheap cure. I guess, you too should research on your own to find out what will alleviate and possibly cure your kind of back pains. My personal methods of self-therapy may not work for you, as there are as many forms of lower back pains as the kinds of spinal problems occuring. So, you may have to find out what will help you with the particular type of spinal problem you have, by trial and error and untiring research. When you find something that takes away the pains, stick to it. Best wishes!

[ninjanurse]

Likewise. When I miss training my back injuries seem to rear their ugly little heads! Keeping the body active and flexible seems to help. I would try some physical therapy to specifically address those movements that give you trouble-your MD should be able to refer you to a good sports medicine facility.

[solar_kid]

I used to have a very stiff lower back, and I would get tension headaches from the tightness of the muscles in my shoulders. That's gone away since I've been practicing karate. Although I think karate helps in a lot of ways, there's one stretch that gets my lower back really good that seems to particularly help... we do this in the dojo, but I get the most out of it when I practice it (much) more slowly at home. You sit with your legs in butterfly position, and slowly bend your upper body forward so that your forehead nears your feet. You have to breathe carefully, and I noticed that I didn't start getting the improvement in my lower back until after my hips had loosened up enough to give me the necessary range of motion to allow my back to be stretched properly.

There are other back stretches that more directly address the back and might be easier for you, but that's the one that helps me most.

[Geng]

I would advise a good back, abs stretching program.

Look into pilates for that.