How to exercise when you're a mess physically?

[kccougar]

I used to run, but I have plantar fasciitis.

I used to ride my bike, but I have a bad back. (suspected slipped disc? - real bad pain the next day, sharp shooting pain when I bend or twist quickly, and my foot goes numb when I lay on my back)

I used to lift weights, but I have a hernia. (hurts to cough or sneeze, constantly feels like somebody's got my balls in a vice)

So what do I do? I walked 5 miles last night, but walking has never felt very satisfying. Maybe I should just go to a doctor.

[RockyBalboa]

You and I are at a similar crossroads.

I HATE.....HATE going to the Doctor.

I've had severe neck pain for a long time and it causes the muscles in my shoulders, neck and upper back to spasm and charlie horse and they stay that way for the rest of the day.

I went to a Physical Therapist. Not only was it a waste of time, but I just got the bill and about dumped a load in my shorts, not to mention Insurance isn't going to cover it, so I can't afford 180 dollars per visit.

So then I went to a Massage Therapist and she gave me an aggressive deep tissue massage. That worked great. For about 5 hours. She told me that she never had felt so many hard and bad knots in someones traps area and shoulders area. She had to use a MagnaMassager...or whatever it's called to get the knots out.

The next 3 days after that I could barely turn my head. While the massage felt great, the aftermath of soreness was just wowzers.

I want to work out. For my mental health so I don't get depressed it's imperative for me to work out. I enjoy doing it. But for the past few months haven't been able to and it's been very frustrating.

So I echo KC's questions...what to do? Are there lower impact workouts that can have the same effect or close to it?

[Jeff Lebowski]

I used to run, but I have plantar fasciitis.

Have you been to a podiatrist? Get some good custom orthotics. If you have a bone spur, get it scoped.

I suffered from this for 5-6 years until I finally went to a good specialist. He cured me.

[ERCougar]

Swim.
Bike.
Walk--it may not feel like a workout, but it's WAY better than nothing. The difference between walking and running is marginal; the difference between sitting and walking is HUGE.

[SteelBlue]

Get your hernia repaired.

[ERCougar]

Get your hernia repaired.

Yeah, that too. They can often do these under local anesthesia. Very minor surgery.

[RC Vikings]

Swim

Go get in the pool at least three times a week. My back has never felt better then when I was swimming all the time.

[bluegoose]

Agree with swimming and walking. Consider a recumbent bike to help support your back.

Regarding the plantar fasciitis, getting a good pair of custom foot orthotics will certainly help. But if you do in fact have some sort of bulging or herniated disc that is giving you those radiating symptoms that you described, I imagine that the back would be a huge limiting factor in trying to take up running again. Consider an MRI or neurosurg consult.

In short, yes, go see a good doc who is competent with these type of injuries.

[UteStar]

I would go and pick up a good pair of walking shoes. Splurge on an ipod and listen to books on tape or music and go for a walk. Go for a 30 minute walk in the morning and go for a 30 minute walk at night. Or do a total 45-60 minute walk at night. Keep up a steady pace and it will start making a difference, especially if you are really overweight and really out of shape.

As ER said, it is a much better way than sitting and doing nothing. If you can burn off 200, 300, 400 calories a day thru walking, that adds up and will lead to that 1 pound weight loss a week.

[SteelBlue]

Yeah, that too. They can often do these under local anesthesia. Very minor surgery.

I had a double inguinal hernial repaired at the beginning of the year. Had it done open and it felt anything but minor. It hurt much, much more than I had anticipated. But I'm very glad I had it done. It was great to be able to exercise without feeling like someone had been running a drill in my nether regions.

[kccougar]

I had a double inguinal hernial repaired at the beginning of the year. Had it done open and it felt anything but minor. It hurt much, much more than I had anticipated. But I'm very glad I had it done. It was great to be able to exercise without feeling like someone had been running a drill in my nether regions.

What was the down-time like?

[SteelBlue]

What was the down-time like?

First week miserable. By day 3 I was walking a couple miles a day but painfully.

By week 3 he allowed me to resume running.

By week 6 I was allowed to resume lifting weights.

I felt great at the beginning of week 3. Coughing hurt like a mother for 2 weeks. If you have an office job you could be back to work in a week or 2.

[ERCougar]

I had a double inguinal hernial repaired at the beginning of the year. Had it done open and it felt anything but minor. It hurt much, much more than I had anticipated. But I'm very glad I had it done. It was great to be able to exercise without feeling like someone had been running a drill in my nether regions.

I guess I should say it CAN be a very minor repair. Did you go under general or local? I'm sure things depend on how large the hernia and where in the canal it's located, although I'm not a surgeon, so I'm guessing here.

Six weeks to full activity ain't too bad though, and certainly worth it for the rest of your life.

[SteelBlue]

I guess I should say it CAN be a very minor repair. Did you go under general or local? I'm sure things depend on how large the hernia and where in the canal it's located, although I'm not a surgeon, so I'm guessing here.

Six weeks to full activity ain't too bad though, and certainly worth it for the rest of your life.

General. There's always the chance that I was a wuss about it but man it really did hurt. Still, totally worth it.