It feels like forever since I've written up my training. Truth is, I was pretty depressed in December. I took some time off of work to hang out with my baby. I was really looking forward to this time. I had some projects on my wish list to get done around the house. I was really looking forward to chilling out a little, catching up on some sleep and just being on vacation.
Well, the week before I'm scheduled to take leave, I threw out my back. It was pretty bad. So, I rested it, hobbled around the house and played with the tyke, generally bummed.
I really thought I was past my back trouble, but I guess not. While I’ve had trouble off and on with my lower back since I was in the military, I really jacked it up in Boston back in 2003. I was walking all over the place that day, so it’s hard to know exactly what it was. But if I had to guess, I’d say that the coup de grace was climbing the steps to the top of the Bunker Hill Memorial. Beautiful. Breathtaking. And… deadly. At least, deadly to my lower lumbar region.
The next day I woke up and couldn’t stand up straight. It got better and then began over time to get progressively worse. Over the next few months, I tried to ignore it and then eventually returned back home to the great Pacific Northwest. My wife convinced me to see a chiropractor. Well, that was a bust. Over the next year or so, I suffered from psiatica down my right leg, was sleep deprived and in a lot of pain. I had seen a total of three different chiropractors, convinced that if I found the right one I’d get better. After about a year, I gave up. I lived with it for another month and then finally went to my regular doctor, who referred me to a specialist.
The MRI was a joy. That’s when I found out exactly how bad my claustrophobia really is (pretty bad). Ultimately, I ended up being diagnosed with a herniated disc and referred to physical therapy. It was like night and day. I was put on a regimen that included core exercises, as well as decompression, massage and deep tissue ultrasound. While at first it hurt more than ever, I was optimistic because the nature of the pain changed immediately. A few months later, I was virtually pain free. It was amazing, really.
As a result, I have a very strong mistrust of chiropractors. Which leads me to today. One of the guys who trains at my school is a chiropractor. He’s a great guy and I trust him. We’ve talked about my going in to see him for months now, but I’m finally getting over my... let's call it fear... to do it, and I’m very hopeful that we’ll be able to work out some of the issues I’ve had with my back over the years so that I can continue to train without pain. I have my initial appointment at his office tomorrow afternoon.
In other news, my brother is giving me a 5x10
swain mat to use at home. I can’t wait. It’ll give me some incentive to clean out my garage. It will also be a place where I can actually do some drills and training without having my dogs all over me. I don’t know about anyone else, but as soon as I’m on the floor, I’m fair game for the dogs.
Training’s been going well for me. I’m beginning to get back into shape, although I have a long way to go, and continue to figure stuff out. For 2009, I’m really going to dedicate myself to hammering the fundamentals, particularly the details on basic techniques and a heavy emphasis on escapes from every position.
Don't forget, if you're looking for BJJ gear, check out Razorback Jiu Jitsu. Douglas sells the full range of Atama gear, including the Mundial #7, and if you use the coupon code "STEVE" you'll save 15% off of your offer.
Well, the week before I'm scheduled to take leave, I threw out my back. It was pretty bad. So, I rested it, hobbled around the house and played with the tyke, generally bummed.
I really thought I was past my back trouble, but I guess not. While I’ve had trouble off and on with my lower back since I was in the military, I really jacked it up in Boston back in 2003. I was walking all over the place that day, so it’s hard to know exactly what it was. But if I had to guess, I’d say that the coup de grace was climbing the steps to the top of the Bunker Hill Memorial. Beautiful. Breathtaking. And… deadly. At least, deadly to my lower lumbar region.
The next day I woke up and couldn’t stand up straight. It got better and then began over time to get progressively worse. Over the next few months, I tried to ignore it and then eventually returned back home to the great Pacific Northwest. My wife convinced me to see a chiropractor. Well, that was a bust. Over the next year or so, I suffered from psiatica down my right leg, was sleep deprived and in a lot of pain. I had seen a total of three different chiropractors, convinced that if I found the right one I’d get better. After about a year, I gave up. I lived with it for another month and then finally went to my regular doctor, who referred me to a specialist.
The MRI was a joy. That’s when I found out exactly how bad my claustrophobia really is (pretty bad). Ultimately, I ended up being diagnosed with a herniated disc and referred to physical therapy. It was like night and day. I was put on a regimen that included core exercises, as well as decompression, massage and deep tissue ultrasound. While at first it hurt more than ever, I was optimistic because the nature of the pain changed immediately. A few months later, I was virtually pain free. It was amazing, really.
As a result, I have a very strong mistrust of chiropractors. Which leads me to today. One of the guys who trains at my school is a chiropractor. He’s a great guy and I trust him. We’ve talked about my going in to see him for months now, but I’m finally getting over my... let's call it fear... to do it, and I’m very hopeful that we’ll be able to work out some of the issues I’ve had with my back over the years so that I can continue to train without pain. I have my initial appointment at his office tomorrow afternoon.
In other news, my brother is giving me a 5x10 swain mat to use at home. I can’t wait. It’ll give me some incentive to clean out my garage. It will also be a place where I can actually do some drills and training without having my dogs all over me. I don’t know about anyone else, but as soon as I’m on the floor, I’m fair game for the dogs.
Training’s been going well for me. I’m beginning to get back into shape, although I have a long way to go, and continue to figure stuff out. For 2009, I’m really going to dedicate myself to hammering the fundamentals, particularly the details on basic techniques and a heavy emphasis on escapes from every position.
Don't forget, if you're looking for BJJ gear, check out Razorback Jiu Jitsu. Douglas sells the full range of Atama gear, including the Mundial #7, and if you use the coupon code "STEVE" you'll save 15% off of your offer.