Recovery after broken back

[CH]

Up untill March this year I was very involved with Kayaking and mountain biking along with bodyweight strength training, crossfit and naked warrior.

In March whilst riding my gorgeous 3 week old single speed to work, had an accident and fractured my T-12 vertebrae, Could not walk for a couple of weeks and had so much pain in all back muscles. I completed a degree in sports science about 15 years ago and decided now would be the time I needed it most and started research on how to strenthen core mucles as I had mostly neglected them. Got hooked on the idea of Kettlebells through internet research and bought a 16kg in April from the guys at the Fitness Expo, Darling Harbour now that I could now walk around.

Took it easy at first following advice in Kettlebell challenge, and my physio eventually told me not to bother coming back as he couldnt help me any more. My core strength has already surpassed what it was before my accident and even now only 5 months later can deadlift my bodyweight again. Doctor has cleared it OK as it was a stable compression fracture.

Have since gotten my brother in law hooked and he to is in love with his 16kg. I have gained that much strength and lost body fat since the accident, my wife is getting me a new 24kg for Christmas - cant wait.

Discovering the kettlebell has seriously changed my view on exercise.

Love it

[imported_Rick]

Great story!
Has your back fully recovered- I mean do you have any niggling pain?

Thanks for posting!

[CH]

Hey Rick

Yes , I still do get the odd niggling pain, but as I'm now back to bike commuting to work 1 hr each way, 4 days /week I have found its mainly the bent over position on the bike which causes it. In addition I train with my KB and other stuff 6 days/week.

My back pain overall is getting less and less as the weeks go by with the swing, clean and press and the snatch being the most helpfull. All of these have really gotten into the thoracic and lumbar sections of my back as well as the glutes and hamstrings. Thes are a perfect group of exercises for someone who spends a lot of time either sitting at a desk, driving, riding a bike etc as they are great for the postural muscles. Snatch is my favourite and I am looking forward to hitting 200 in the USSS snatch test by early next year. I have also been swimming for 45 min once per week since my accident but i sink even more with less body fat.

5 months ago I didnt think there was much of an active future to look forward to but I can confidently say I'm starting to feel as strong as I was in my twenties ( now 41) .

I am looking forward to getting back into 12 and 24 hr mountain bike racing with my next one starting 9 Sept 06.

KB's kick ass, cant wait untill the new 24kg baby comes along.

[imported_Rick]

Hopefully it can continue to improve.
A lot of bike riders have low back problems- the long duration of a flexed spine is not ideal. Make sure you included plenty of back bending (mackensie presses either standing or prone).

[deltora]

Hi Craig.

My husband has had similar problems to yours after an accident.
How long did it take until you saw results?
By the way, did you used to live at Kingslangly and have a sister Kerry?
Annie