My back is still F**cked.

[E1am]

Man this sucks. I've taken more than a month off from training and it just seems to be getting worse. And since I'm bored in the evening now I end up going out drinking. So basically all I'm doing now is sitting on my ass and getting fatter from all the beer. I was really hoping to learn as much as possible my last few months at Gracie Japan. Now I just wish I could do any kind of work out without messing my back up more.

[SweepEm]

dude, you going for any treatment on your back?

if not, you should

[E1am]

I did go to a Taiwanese massage place. What a waste of time and money that was. Besides the fact that the massage sucked and my back felt worse the next day, they didn't even give me a hand-job.

[Karlinhos]

do crunches... ab work. nothing too extreme, just light stuff so as not to strain your back. you need to work on toning that flabby mid section of yours. build up the muscles around that area to support your back.

[hounddog]

You said you hurt your back while at the sink. I suspect that you are still using the sink. My suggestion is to stop washing your hands, stop doing the dishes and don't brush your teeth. Symtoms should clear up in about 2 weeks. Give it a try and let me know how it works out.
-hD

[HardCore BJJ]

Dude you gotta get to the doctor man. he should be able to refer you to a good physical therapist, plus give you some cortisol to relieve the pain, and if yer lucky, some vicaden too! How old are you? you shouldent mess around with your back. My guess would be that you have a slightly buldged disc, maybe some cartilige worn down too. nothing too serious that a doc can't fix. Bulged discs are as common in BJJ as hand jobs in a japanese massage parlor. hehehe

[Zhoozhitsu]

Or try going to a chiropractor. It's possible that you will need surgery to fix your back. But you may be able to fix it w/ therapy. Does your health insurance cover chiro?

If you sit on your a$$ and make it fatter from drinking, I doubt your back pain will go away. Also, quit arching your back when you're in compromised positions.

[Martial Artist]

Dude, go see the doc. There usually in injuries department

[HardCore BJJ]

Thats very true Zhoo
E bieng bent over and spanked on the ass isn't gonna help anything either

[Martial Artist]

Very true HCBJJ

[E1am]

Actually, Karl, my abs aren't underdeveloped. I do (or did before I hurt myself) plenty of ab work. The flabbiness is from a little too much fat, not too little muscle. However, I tried doing a light work out for a few days week before last, and even doing crunches bothered my back. Of course putting on a few extra pounds from lack of training is probably putting more stress on my back. I'm planning to go to the doctor this week. I hate doctors in Japan though. All they do is X-ray, give you two weeks worth of cold plasters, and tell you take time off from training.

[hounddog]

i think you should go to the doctor for x-rays and 2 weeks worth of cold plasters. Stop training for a while.

[HardCore BJJ]

Very true E
many people wrongly assume that back injuries are a result from weak stomach muscles, and say that fat people have weak stomach muscles because their fat. Actually, because of the extra weight there carrying around, fat people often have stronger ab muscles than skinny ones, its just its covered with fat. In reality, most back injuries are caused just like any other muscle/tendon injury- they are stretched or pulled beyond there normal range of motion. BJJ is pretty much stretching and pulling your muscles that way, especially your back. Think about the guard position and the way you must move. Its no doubt why so many people injure there backs. However, the extra weight is hard on your knees, so watch out.

[TracyKarate]

I have reoccurring back problems also. Have you ever tried Tiger Balm? It usually helps me a lot. you can also use a product called Dit Da Jow. Sometimes a little liniment can go a long way. I don't know if he was serious or not, but i don't believe using the sink will do you any harm. But if it does, you could probably do in the shower anything you normally do at the sink.

[hounddog]

if tiger balm doesnt work you can also use snakeoil.