Recovery Training

[Shizentai]

I just got some bad news, that I will have to undergo another round of surgery to repair somewhat of a hole in the muscle layer of my solar plexus that keeps getting torn open.

I know right? It's got to be one of the most inconvenient locations for a karateka to have a birth defect.

Anyway, the first time around I did exactly what the doctor said, no heavy lifting, no training for two months, I came back slowly, I avoided getting hit in the gut, etc. ...and yet it still didn't help. Four months later, as soon as I start using my core muscles for regular stuff like blocking and punching, I'm back to square one and am being prepped for another more invasive surgery. I don't really know what to do. I want to protect my health, but I also want to protect my training as well. I can't just train like a wimp the rest of my life and hope I don't rip out the stitches. It's a delicate balance, I know, but being that this is my second chance to do this, I'd like to do it right.

Here is my question to all of you: Have you ever had to recover from a serious injury/sickness while training. If so, what advise would you give to others who might be experiencing the same thing?

[darksoul]

Sadly, I have no words of wisdom for you. I tore my ACL and meniscus in my knees and was out for years - mostly out of fear of my knees being too weak. When I came back, my knees weren't perfect, but they handled the work load.

Take it easy. Take 6 months to a year off if need be. Let your body heal and then come back hard.

Worked for me

[bushido_man96]

This is a tough deal. I feel badly for you. Make sure to take it slow coming back. Take the time off the doctor says to, and don't try to come back early. Once you are cleared, maybe start with some walking to see how that works for you. If you do start MA up again, take things easy, and don't put full power on anything until you know you won't aggravate your injury again.

Best of luck to you on your recovery!

[JohnnyB]

I was in the same situation cuz of a light injury on the knee I had surgery 2 years ago and I was getting nuts about my absense from training.

Despite this I took 2 weeks out until I was ok and then resumed training without fear.

Your health is above everything and if its not possible to continue training in a different way that protects your injury then u should stop until it heals completely.

Besides your MA carreer is a life long journey. Don't worry about absense so much. All sports include injuries and martial arts especially.

[Dobie1979]

Well, that does suck. It sucks bad. Maybe this will open up other ways to train. Maybe not physical but develop more of your mental game. Set backs like this will definately toughen you up mentally. This would also give you an oppurtunity to read more about the arts you enjoy. These are just thoughts and if in your shoes I would be just as dissappointed as you are. Keep your head and a try to get through this with a positve spirit and keep your health in mind. You only get one body!

[DWx]

Sucks Shizentai. Hope you get better soon.

To ease you back in to your Karate training, how about something a lot lighter like Tai Chi? I studied it for a couple of years a while back. I think its less physically taxing and stressful than Karate but will still keep you active and for me it vastly improved my understanding of TKD and martial arts as a whole. For me there was a real benefit in slowing things down and really looking at body mechanics instead of relying on strength and power.

[Dobbersky]

I'm with you there.

I got to get my knees sorted out, Think I've worn them away. So I feel your anguish

OSU

[bushido_man96]

My knees were killing me for a time from doing TKD for so long. I started doing squats at the gym, and my knees got better.

[Shizentai]

Thanks for the support everyone. I have to say I am feeling a little stir crazy already, and my surgery isn't until Monday.

The good news is, if it's anything like my recovery from the last surgery, then once I'm feeling good enough to walk around easily my legs will most likely be less affected than my upper body. I bet that the first exercises I can do might be slow lower-body work. perhaps lots of slow holding stance training or some gentle squats. I've always disliked this kind of training, so perhaps it's a good chance for me to work on my weak points.

I figure from there, perhaps a month or so out (depending on how I feel), I'll go back to slow motion heian kata. I've learned the hard way that snapping anything at all is a deal-breaker, so I plan to avoid that entirely for the near future.

[Shizentai]

Well, the surgery went well. I was supposed to take pain medicine, which I didn't, but other than that I've been complying to the doctor's instructions.

It looks like step one for recovery training this week will be focused on trying to recover my posture. Because all the muscles damaged were those used for stabilizing, I am focusing on standing sitting and walking with shoulders back, chest out and head held high.

...strange as it sounds, this is hard as heck.

Hahaha! It's going to be a long road.