I have hardly done any exercise for the past 6 months as was waiting in an operation to remove my gall bladder. That was done 5 weeks ago so last week I starting doing light weight training sets but quickly I am getting lower back pain again. I have had loads of back problems over the last few years with L4 and L5 discs and sciatic pains. These had gone over the last few months and I was starting to feel my old self.
I have the luxury of a Great Dane who I do walk for an hour and half each day (total time over 2 walks) but need to do more.
I do wonder if my back issues are to do with my MF.
I am thinking that the weights will have to do stop but need to find a replacement exercise.
So does anyone do Yoga?
Does it help your back or make it worse?
A lot of my back stretches are yoga based so this is why I am thinking of this.
I know swimming would be good but I really can’t be arses to go to the pool 😀
Thoughts welcome
Graham
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Graham7694
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Hi Graham, sorry to hear of your gall bladder problems, I know it’s not what you need on top of your MPN.
I think exercise is important for our MPN and other issues but I think it’s being sensible. If it keeps hurting or hurts worse - don’t do it. Those are the words of my physio. I go to Pilates class at a hydrotherapy pool which does annoy my itchy skin but reaps great benefits for my very arthritic joints. I used to love walking for miles but have had to curtail that too because of osteoarthritis in my toes and feet. On top of the Pilates class, I go to the pool and work on exercises myself, some of which are like being in a gym but supported by warm water. I try and do at least 40 minutes of exercise a day which is usually walking as briskly as I can on that day.
I think it’s doing as much as you are able to but not overdoing it either.
Sounds like your lower disc is touching the sciatic nerve sometimes which is what causes the pain from bum to ankle. I have booked a massage for tomorrow night and then will start my stretch regime for a week to loosen everything up and then try some yoga with maybe light weights. I will also look into calcium and magnesium supplements 👍
I couldn’t recommend yoga more. My husband is an osteopath and as well as doing yoga with me, he recommends yoga to all his patients. It is important that you find a yoga style and teacher that works for you. So attend lots of different lessons until you find one you are happy with.
It is confusing! Hatha yoga is the basis for all other yoga styles - my favourite is a Hatha flow of vinyasa yoga. I tend to go for quite strong yoga so I also like ashtanga. But more than the yoga style - the teacher is the important bit. Your local leisure centre will also put on yoga as well as classes such as body balance which I believe are based on yoga. The other thing to remember is that yoga in this country tends to attract more women - but it was originally developed by men for men - and as well as being great for your physical health it is also great for your mental health! I really hope
Yoga has always helped me, Hatha is the milder of them so a good starting point. I guess the idea is to strengthen up your core. One exercise that helps with almost immediate relief for me is the plank, which strengthens your core without pressure on your back. It’s actually a great all round exercise. Maybe start with holding the position for 10 seconds 3 times and increase the hold time gradually as you feel your strength building. If you google “Plank exercise”you can get some demonstrations. All the best, Paul
Hi Graham, I too have a problem with my L4 and L5 and mine started way before my ET diagnosis. Regular Physio helps. I go about every 6 weeks. I become very stiff. Some Exercise exasperates it.
Maybe a Physio session will immediately pinpoint the problem. If not. The I recommend a visit to your GP.
Hi Graham, Glad to hear you're over your operation and now looking at exercise options. Can't really help with exercise question, but wonder if you can help me make a decision. I too need to have my gallbladder removed, in my case, because of a sizeable polyp. I don't have many symptoms from this and am wondering whether I should postpone op (due to happen within next six weeks). Reason for this is, last week, we found out my husband has cancer on his liver and bowel and he's going to need some major treatment, which is obviously going to leave him feeling poorly. I don't want to be poorly myself because of that. I want to be able to help him. Was your recovery fairly quick? Did you feel able to do things reasonably quickly? I'm not looking at how quickly I could exercise, rather how quickly would I be able to do household chores, cooking and such.
The recovery seemed like a long time at the time but in reality it was quite quick. I went into hospital at 12.30 and had the op around 3 and was home by 10pm. It was sore particularly around the belly button but I had 3 very large stones (biggest was 50mm) and those were pulled through there. The first few nights I had to sleep on my back but was back to walking the dog on day 4 and driving on day 5. Best not to sneeze during the first 2 weeks! I would say that you should be back on light duties within a couple of days but you do need to be careful lifting things in the first couple of weeks. Best of luck
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