Re-hab and Spondylolisthesis

[Basil1066]

Almost gave up this morning. I hadn't run for a week was away in Reykjavik and with the best will in the world I couldn't see myself running through the snow and ice. Came back at the weekend and went on my run - wk8r2 0630am this morning. My back was in absolute spasm I could barley move at all. I should mention here that I have Spondylolisthesis which can cause backache but can be managed. My physio said that I had re-habed myself by running but if ever in pain whilst running I should stop - nothing about the pain being there before I started running. I have to say it was tough because it was really excruciatingly painful - every step was an 'Ouch' - 5 mins in I was running pain-free. I'm delighted that I managed the run at all, seeing the physio again tomorrow so will ask for guidance on pain management and how I should manage my pace/distance if in pain before heading out. I'd love to hear of anybody else who suffers from backache and how they manage to get out there and run and what they do to manage the pain. Almost completed the programme but I'm finding the psychological stress of the pain is really wearing me down.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

Pain Zapps you of energy so much. I am glad you haven’t long to wait to get your answers reference running. It is good to get specific advice just for you. Hope you get it sorted really soon, take care. Rfc x

[Basil1066 Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Tx RFC, yep, will see what he says tomorrow.

[Fat_stab Graduate in reply to Basil1066]

How is your back? Hope your still able to run.

[Basil1066 Graduate in reply to Fat_stab]

Hi, well...i was in absolute agony on Wednesday and yesterday could barely move but today a slight improvement but no running (usual running day today!). Physio, said to lay off running for a week, do my exercises and has advised co-codamol and diazepam as a muscle relaxant. I am flying on Sunday and given the pain there is no way I can sit on a plane for 5 hours without some pain relief. Still, I am hopeful I will be back on my feet running next week, finger's crossed!

[Dralimc Graduate]

I have degenerative disc syndrome in 2 lowest discs, chronic pain 30 years. Started running last May thinking how much worse could it get? Never been better . Pain minimal, much more manageable and flare ups are shorter. Manage flare ups with diazepam because of muscle spasm, but much, much better now. Try and run 3x per week @3-4K per run. Usually if I’m in pain it eases up, if it doesn’t I walk home and ease off for a few days. Wish I’d never listened to the people who said ‘you can’t run with your back’. And Pilates, lots and lots of Pilates. Hope you’re ok and happy running 🏃🏻‍♀️

[Basil1066 Graduate in reply to Dralimc]

Dralimc, thanks so much for your input. I'm not a fan of popping pills but took some co-codamol last night and 1mg Diazepam this morning and the pain has begun to ease. It was a pretty bad flareup. I think the best thing is to listen to your body. Perhaps running on Wednesday am was not ideal and I should have given myself a few days to recover but I now know better and won't run when in any pain at all. I've also had people advising me against running but I personally don't feel any negative effect from it with regards my back so will continue. On 'bad back days' I'll switch to cycling and swimming instead. Best of luck with your running too.

[Basil1066 Graduate in reply to Dralimc]

Also wanted to add - like you, I run 3/4xs a week for about 30 minutes (5k), coming from a sprinting background - 5k is an endurance run for me!