Deal with back pain

[daftpunk]

Hello,

I'm looking to start a martial arts, so far I've narrowed it to JKD and I'll go see a class this week. I have some back problems, and I was wondering if you recommend one art or the other. I know about Tai Chi but that is not what I am looking for. More like fighting. My back is doing good at the moment, but I'm scared MA brings the pain back.

Anyone had to deal with something similar?

Thanks ! ;)

[YouKnowWho]

I'll suggest the longfist system. The longfist daily stretching will cure your back problem. Also always wear a waist belt will be helpful.

[melbgoju]

Given this is the "what not to do" section, I would recommend taking the advice of your physio or osteo over that of anonymous people on the internet. (If you haven't talked to one, I would encourage you to do so).

Having said that, I have personally found that martial arts practise has strengthened my back and I get fewer injuries and less pain on average when I do as a result. But that's just me, and you may be very, very different.

So, talk to someone who knows you, knows what your problems are, and knows how to fix/manage said problems.

[Seventh]

Talk to a medical professional, and know your limits.

[daftpunk]

Given this is the "what not to do" section, I would recommend taking the advice of your physio or osteo over that of anonymous people on the internet. (If you haven't talked to one, I would encourage you to do so).

Having said that, I have personally found that martial arts practise has strengthened my back and I get fewer injuries and less pain on average when I do as a result. But that's just me, and you may be very, very different.

So, talk to someone who knows you, knows what your problems are, and knows how to fix/manage said problems.

Even physio and osteo can be anonymous people on the internet ! :p

But more seriously, I did saw one, he told me MA should be OK given my condition and he also recommended me Tai Chi, I will probably do some later this year. Thanks for the answers :)

[Gary]

I'll suggest the longfist system. The longfist daily stretching will cure your back problem. Also always wear a waist belt will be helpful.

This is not good advice. Back pain is a really complex subject and can have all kinds of root issues. For example a slipped disc, a fairly common cause of back pain, can be aggravated by something as simple as a crunch which is pretty common inmartial arts conditioning.

A good physio will give you a tailored stretching routine which is far more appropriate than a cookie cutter stretching routinely any kind.

[leftwingtaoist]

I had serous back problems due to injury i picked up in the army.
Be very careful. I would first find out exect problem. I would recommend rehabilitation exercises and pilates first to get your core muscles up the scratch, so they can support your spine. Then I would do something like taichi for good while, to build all the other stabiliser muscles so that you can go and do things like rotation and spinning without ripping yourself in half. Then after that it’s up to you.
My taeqwando teacher used to say that whatever you do in life should improve your life. Always think that you are lucky that you can walk, not that you are unlucky because you are not martial arts world champion.

[6footgeek]

what ever you start. it'll be a good idea to let your instructors know your fears and problems. do the stretches a little less than what you're comfy with, and do them a few times a day, NEVER WITHOUT WARMUP.

picking up a light stone many times a day can sometimes be more beneficial than picking up many heavy stones once a day =D

[aiem]

Chiropractic therapy. I've read about it and would love to try it, but unfortunately I haven't found c. therapist in or near my area. Sports teams usually have one or two on their staff from what I've read, to keep them in their peak.

[daftpunk]

I'm not a professional, but that you must have figured, but chiropractic is awful. I did it only once and couldn't move for a week because of the pain. At first it felt good but I did only one small bad move and I was blocked. Maybe I had a bad therapist but I wouldn't give it another shot.

[slipthejab]

Chiropractic therapy. I've read about it and would love to try it, but unfortunately I haven't found c. therapist in or near my area. Sports teams usually have one or two on their staff from what I've read, to keep them in their peak.

Wait... so you read about it... and now you're recommending it in a "what not do" thread?!:o

[aiem]

Daftpunk, I wonder if you could share what kind of chiropractic therapy you used? I'm still pretty interested and I would like to experience it for myself. I had a serious accident a year ago with a bad kokyunage and while the pain had disappeared after a few months, I still want to try something beneficial for it (neck and back).

Slipthejab, there are a lot of recommendations in this thread as well as "what-not-to-do's," so what's the problem?

[seiken steve]

I'll suggest the longfist system. The longfist daily stretching will cure your back problem. Also always wear a waist belt will be helpful.

You don't know what the problem is, how can you honestly say that?

OP we can't say anything without more info, if your physio and your instructor are cool with it then it could be fine, display caution however...

[TripleNut]

I'll suggest the longfist system. The longfist daily stretching will cure your back problem. Also always wear a waist belt will be helpful.

Be interested to know exactly what this is. I get back problems and a little bit extra of the right type of stretching would work for me but it's got to be right.