subject: Will Running A Marathon Cure Your Bulged Disk? [print this page] Will Running A Marathon Cure Your Bulged Disk?
The clearest message to us all by physicians, surgeons and therapist who treat our backs, is to be in good physical shape. The second message they relay to us, is that a bulged disk and a deteriorating spine, are a normal part of the aging process.
So what does being in good physical shape mean. If I were to practice for a marathon and after running in one and then another and being in top running form for a year, will that keep back pain away.
Apparently not, as my good friend found out. He called me last week, and asked for my help. He's been training for the past three months, for another marathon. After finishing three others the previous year, he was on a role, and was one week away from this race that was a challenging one, on the hills of the holy city of Jerusalem.
But back pain got to him first and knocked him down. Luckily, in the last week of training, before the race, you don't have to push yourself so hard, and the practice runs are short ones, mostly to keep the body loose and in shape. He could not run the first two days after his bulged disk flareup. Pain radiated down his leg, clearly from sciatica, and he was in agony. Determined to run the race, he's been training for months, we got to the job. Pain killers was the first method, then, slow easy low back exercises that moved his body slowly, and massage using a couple of tennis balls to soften the area.
Within a couple of days, he was back on his feet, in running shoes and running again. He did run the race, and made good time. The back pain disappeared, and instead his legs hurt after the race.
Was it a real bulged disk that flared up, was it stress related due to the coming up race date? The answer doesn't matter, the pain is strong enough and real enough to make a man cry. Actually it's as strong as child birth, I've been told by a mother who had both.
What is important, is knowing you can get rid of it, and can do it fast. It's takes both decision and action to completely eradicate the pain. Lounging around, lying down, and waiting for it to go away will just make the pain hang around longer.
But the question the title of the article asks is clearly answered by a loud NO! Training for a marathon, will not assure you a healthy back. You still need to complement your training with a few exercises that will verify your bulged disk. to remain pain free.
