OH! My Aching Back!

What a story I have for you...

On Wednesday I took both my daughters out of school to drive with me to Philly (9 hours of driving one way) to see the opening round of the NCAA tourney. We went to see BYU and Texas A&M. My nephew is the point guard for BYU (Jimmer Fredette). Anyway. We arrived Wednesday night and stayed in a hotel about 30 minutes from the arena. We got up early and were going to have a good breakfast and then drive into the arena. Well, as I was getting dressed I dropped my sock and squatting down to pick it up and I felt like a had been stabbed in the back. I shuffled out of the bathroom and told the girls I hurt my back so but should be OK to get to the game. So I sat down and asked one of my daughters to help me with my sneakers. The minute I lifted my foot my back went into overdrive. I fell to the floor and was in a major spasm. I was unbelievable.

To make a long story short; I ended up having a family member (the father of Jimmer) drive to our hotel that was 25 miles from where they were staying and pick the girls up and take them to the game. I layed flat on my back for a the entire day and through the night. I never felt so much discomfort. Talk about a disappointing time. I was thrilled my girls got to see the game and their cousin (plus other family) but I couldn't believe I drove all that way and missed the game. well the next morning I got back in the car and drove back to Indiana- it was a tough drive.

For the past 20 plus years I have been dealing with occasional back pain and it really snuck up on me on that day. I think the long drive to Philly made me tight plus the combination of being tight in the morning- the timing was just right.

Being Proactive

My back injury I believe is a product of a frozen big toe on my left foot. In 1985 during a basketball practice I complained to my coach about my toe hurting. I had been complaining for a few weeks and it finally got to be too much. He set up an appointment for me with a foot specialist. The specialist took an ex-ray and noticed I had a bone spur growing over my toe joint. He told me I would be OK for the rest of this season but at some point I would need to have it taken care of or it might cause issues with my gait and possibly posture. Well, I never did anything about it. I believe I have been paying for that stupid toe ever since.

Now, when I train clients and they present an injury or a possible postural issue I always urge them to be proactive and take care of it now. Don't let it become a problem when it can be managed now- I tell them.

Many times it is just a matter of them doing more flexibility. If I could wind back the clocks I would have taken care of my toe immediately after the season.

My advice to you is do what ever you have to (avoid surgery if possible) to gain full and correct movement- you will be glad you did!

Yours In Speed,

Lee

PS: If you like to read more articles about proper training and check out great resources so you can move great and be healthy go to www.SportsSpeedEtc.com

PSS: Now that basketball season is winding down it is time to really get focused on off season training. Go to www.BasketballSpeedInsiders.com so you can get a jump start on your off season training.