Several months ago, I thought it would be a good idea to start golf lessons. Not only have I always thought of golf as a good "business sport" to know how to play, I figured the "cross-training" function of hitting balls might strengthen my core...perhaps even my arms. I signed up with several friends at a local pro-golf store and began the journey.
Week 1...great.
Week 2...better.
Week 3...awesome...until my back / hip / leg started hurting shortly after leaving the lesson.
This was on a Sunday. Monday, went to work, dealt with pain in my back, made an appointment Tuesday for a chiropractor visit and massage, and took a lot of Advil. Tuesday morning could barely walk, went to the chiropractor, had a massage, and left feeling no better. Finally left work early Tuesday in the worst pain EVER and called upon my loving friend, Don, to drive me to an appointment with a spinal surgeon. After 2 hours of waiting, and a round of x-rays, the verdict was in...I had a "compressed" disc in between L5 and S1. Apparently this is one of the most common disc problems in the lower back. The doc sent me off with a prescription for a steroid, pain meds and hydrocodiene. Awesome. At this point I was desperate for anything!
I then spent the next week on the floor drugged up. It was the only place I could get somewhat comfortable. I did manage to make it for an MRI during that week. The result...I had a degenerative disc herniation. I'm not 110% positive the golf cause the herniated disc, but I have a VERY strong it led to the problem since it was the one thing I did out of the norm that could have caused it. What happens when you get a disc herniation you ask? Well, according to about.com:
What happens with a 'herniated disc'?
As the spinal disc becomes less elastic, it can rupture. When the disc ruptures, a portion of the spinal disc pushes outside its normal boundary--this is called a herniated disc. When a herniated disc bulges out from between the vertebrae, the spinal nerves and spinal cord can become pinched. There is normally a little extra space around the spinal cord and spinal nerves, but if enough of the herniated disc is pushed out of place, then these structures may be compressed.
So, my friends, I have a new friend to deal with - a disc herniation. I have to hang up the running shoes for the next few months (6-9 approx.), but the doctors say I will run again, just not now. I am not able to do any "impact" sports and running absolutely falls in to that category. As I start with physical therapy, swimming, the recumbent bike, etc., I feel that this is going to be a great new chapter of life!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
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