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Back Injuries? |
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One Norse 
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Joined: 8/31/04 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 60 |
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 Topic: Back Injuries?Posted: 8/31/04 at 3:30pm |
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It seems that every time I tell someone new about my participation in
H.A., they respond with "Isn't that hard on your back?" My standard
response has been "No, it's made my back much stronger, and I've never
heard of anyone hurting their back throwing."
What is the history of back injury in this sport, and how do others respond to this question? |
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Steve Jystad
You are only given a little spark of madness -- you mustn't lose it. Robin Williams |
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Jess
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Joined: 8/30/04 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 42 |
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Posted: 8/31/04 at 4:33pm |
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Well leave it up to me to hurt my back. I have pulled my rhomboids throwing I think weight over the bar doing spin. The docs aren't 100% sure it is my rhoms but all I know is that I have hurt my back and it's not a good thing for throwing. Hopefully it will hold out in P-town this weekend.
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Alec McTaggart
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Joined: 9/01/04 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 42 |
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Posted: 9/01/04 at 9:05am |
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Backs seem to be most vulnerable during Caber & WOB... (Those two & the Idiot's Stones...remind me why I throw those stupid things again?!) Well, anyway, that's my observation. My kids jumping on me has hurt my back waaaay more than HG's have. Edited by Alec McTaggart |
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The Highlander
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Joined: 8/29/04 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 422 |
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Posted: 9/01/04 at 10:47am |
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Steve, I would have to say the the back is a vulnerable area on your body that is very affected by this sport. Now, mind you I'm not in the greatest of shapes (no comments from ANYONE!!) but would honestly say that I'm not in bad shape (again no comments from ANYONE!). After almost every competition I have to make a visit to my chiropractor as I've thrown my back out. I agree with Alec that the caber and WOB is bad, but believe it or not, the hammer throw can be just as bad. You wind and wind and suddenly hyper-twist to release. Over time, that will wear out the muscles to the point of not fully supporting your lower back. If you want to hear about back problems, ask Andrew Hobson - one of the best A competitors this sport has seen in a long time. He has persistant lower back issues. So, I guess what I'm saying is it depends on who you are talking to that would dictate how that question would be answered. If you're talking with a buddy then my answer would be hell yes, it's possible to hurt your back. If you're talking with your wife or girlfriend and she's trying to get you OUT of this sport, then Hell no, there's absolutely no chance of hurting my back! My two cents
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"When you have found your soul's purpose, then you have truly found paradise"
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Louis Cypher
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Joined: 9/01/04 Location: Vatican City State Status: Offline Points: 171 |
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Posted: 9/01/04 at 11:58am |
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I think it's safe to say you can aquire a back injury participating in the Highland games. But I would be willing to bet most back injuries are more specifically related to muscular imbalances created in training routines from a variety of reasons to many to list. But here's one of the most common low back scenerios. Most injuries to the back are low-back in nature. Tight Hamstrings and weak abs can create low-back problems. Then throw a fairly strenous leg routine on top of that , maybe the day after you feel ok and decide to throw a 1-2 hour practice session. Your well on your way to an injury. picking up a pencil off the floor is enough to jack the back up at this point. Go see a sports medicine proffessional because they want you to be able to do the things you love to do. Where as a GP might tell you something your not prepared to hear.
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I'm the only hell (Mama ever Raised). George Jones & Johnny Paycheck
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Dan Brown
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Joined: 9/01/04 Location: Djibouti Status: Offline Points: 10 |
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Posted: 9/01/04 at 2:58pm |
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I think the notion that repetition of the hammer (or any event) will create weakness that will lead to trouble is a bit off, muscles don't just get "worn out". I think the more likely problem would be that it would strenghten certain groups of muscles unevenly and that imbalance, along with the mechanical degradation (think repetative motion injuries) in the spine can cause scoliosis. Tight and unevenly developed muscles can pull the spine out of alignment (this has happened to me...pushing 30, been throwin hammer since 18). The other major concern would be if you had a pre-existing condition (like I do) such as spondolilthesis or other congenital or acquired abnormalities that the stress caused by throwing could hasten the onset of symptoms. But at the same time strengthening the back and core muscles is a first line conservative treatment for many back problems... and throwing certainly strengthens those muscles... though I would imagine most physical therapists and orthopedists wouldn't recomend whiping around with a 56lb chunk of steel
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Alec McTaggart
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Joined: 9/01/04 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 42 |
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Posted: 9/02/04 at 6:30am |
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Had the opportunity to ask a PT (who was hired to talk to our crew here @ work about back safety & injury prevention) about what he thought would be "the most ergonomical approach to throwing the heavy weight for distance"... ...the look of sheer horror that crept onto his face as I descibed the event was priceless! |
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 (gasping) We need rest. The spirit is willing but the flesh is spongy and bruised.
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JohnPreston
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Joined: 8/29/04 Status: Offline Points: 65 |
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Posted: 9/02/04 at 6:52am |
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So I guess there in NO ergonomical approach to throwing the heavy weight?
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One Norse
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Joined: 8/31/04 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 60 |
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Posted: 9/03/04 at 3:17am |
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O.K, so these things can hurt your back, so I'll have to go to my 'plan B' response: Yes, its possible, but I suspect that my back would be at much greater risk if I was a couch potato who occasionally tried to lift stuff than when I am doing this and then lift stuff. Unfortunately, we will never get any good statistics on the rate of back injury due to inactivity. I wonder what the PT's would say to that.
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Steve Jystad
You are only given a little spark of madness -- you mustn't lose it. Robin Williams |
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