Triathlon - herniated disk- training questions

Hey guys, I am a new poster but a long time lurker. I saw in the roadie forum that they had a good discussion about back pain, but I was wondering if any of you are still running tris/training with a herniated disk or severe back pain? I am 25 and am told I have the spine of a 60 year old with degenerative disk disease + 2 impinged nerve roots. I have always been a motocross rider/mountain biker and runner- and I guess I just wore myself out. I got into tri training a few months ago as a means to continue my fitness regimen and maybe to prove to myself I can stay active despite the pain. I hope to do my first olympic distance tri this summer.

Are any of you dealing with a herniated disk? Any tips on pain management/prevention, especially for running?

not me but as you knew you can never do enough hamstring stretching, hip stretching and abs. If training isn't going to make you any worse then not training, then I would train until my back wouldn't allow it anymore.

Hey guys, I am a new poster but a long time lurker. I saw in the roadie forum that they had a good discussion about back pain, but I was wondering if any of you are still running tris/training with a herniated disk or severe back pain? I am 25 and am told I have the spine of a 60 year old with degenerative disk disease + 2 impinged nerve roots. I have always been a motocross rider/mountain biker and runner- and I guess I just wore myself out. I got into tri training a few months ago as a means to continue my fitness regimen and maybe to prove to myself I can stay active despite the pain. I hope to do my first olympic distance tri this summer.

Are any of you dealing with a herniated disk? Any tips on pain management/prevention, especially for running?
You're dealing with a serious medical condition. Rather than relying on the advice of strangers (most of whom aren't medical professionals, and all of us aren't familiar with your specific problem), get the advice of your physician. Until then, you should stop running because it sounds like it's causing you a lot of pain.

Sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear. But if your spine is really beat up, maybe running (and triathlon) isn't the right sport for you.

I appreciate the comments. I have actually had this looked at- I have been to three different docs, including a sports med doc doing a spinal fellowship and his advice was to do the epidurals and live with the pain in the short term. I was just wondering if anyone had anything that helped them personally. When the issue came up on the roadie forum I saw alot of good anecdotal advice for what helped people with their ride, and it seemed like a relatively common problem. Maybe it isn't so much on the tri side.

So far, I am thinking tri is in fact the right sport for me. Three months of training and I am having an absolute blast and feel the best I have in a long time. Lurking around here has been good for getting some of my newbie questions answered as well as providing motivation when it has been in lower supply. :) Thanks again.

Cheers

Pump It Up Dude

I appreciate the comments. I have actually had this looked at- I have been to three different docs, including a sports med doc doing a spinal fellowship and his advice was to do the epidurals and live with the pain in the short term. I was just wondering if anyone had anything that helped them personally. When the issue came up on the roadie forum I saw alot of good anecdotal advice for what helped people with their ride, and it seemed like a relatively common problem. Maybe it isn't so much on the tri side.

So far, I am thinking tri is in fact the right sport for me. Three months of training and I am having an absolute blast and feel the best I have in a long time. Lurking around here has been good for getting some of my newbie questions answered as well as providing motivation when it has been in lower supply. :) Thanks again.

Cheers

Hi,

I'm not a triathlete, but I do run and bike. I have had lower back pains since a year and a half ago. Recently had an MRI doone and found that my lower back had a herniated disk. Pain got so bad that It was very painful just to bend or kneel down to tie my shoelaces.. Anyways.. I just got an epidural and it has made a big difference in lowering the pain from my lower back.. ie.. before epidural pain level 1-10 was a 8-10, after the epidual, pain level 2-3.. something I can live with .. I am still doing what I enjoy.. running and cycling.. so I am happy for that!