At first, when I experienced the sharp back pain injury a lot of panic settled in.
I have only just signed up to the London Landmarks Half and I was so excited to do this and at the moment I realised something has gone terribly wrong with my back, the dream started falling apart in front of my eyes.
Everything looked bleak but I did not want to give up hope because the half marathon was still so far away so I reached out to my local physiotherapist who just treated me.
The physiotherapist did not provide with any back pain rehab guidance as to how to move on and how I can improve things so I can start training again or to even tell me whether I would be able to.
I think this is where even more panic set in because I thought reaching out to a professional qualified in back pain rehab will give me sense and direction, but again I felt like I was just lost and obviously still in pain.
Once, I started looking for more tailored help, I realised that the physio did not even tell me what my back injury was.
I had to call my physiotherapist again to actually ask over the phone and I was only told that I am diagnosed with a bulging disc in the lower part of my lumbar spine.
I started looking into whether there is someone who could help me with my back problem but at the same time to set me back onto my training towards the half marathon.
And through searching on google for back pain trainer London I found Jazz.
I have read through his site, and the testimonials and the effects of customised back pain rehab exercises assured me that this is the direction I want to head so I reached out to him.
Jazz contacted me back straight away and made sure he set the right expectations.
Before I started my back pain rehab training with Jazz, I was feeling very low, depressed and disillusioned.
Right after the injury I was unable to do anything active.
The physio said not to do anything, and did not suggest what I could do.
As advised by my physio I kept away from exercise because I was too wary and because of back pain I had to avoid basic home activities like getting the dishes out of a dishwasher or putting the laundry on.
I felt like my goals and aspirations were no longer attainable.
This was very difficult to get over as we have just gone through a series of lockdowns and the training for London Landmarks Half was like a light at the end of a tunnel.
After the bulged disc injury occurred, I had to stop exercising.
I was just getting back into bed and it felt like my whole back muscles were in spasm and over contracted and made me fold in pain unable to move in any sort of way for several hours.
And at this state I felt so dreadful I could barely comprehend why I feel so sad about some running event but there’s more to it of course such as the overall health concern and worries about my ability to do things I was used to doing on a regular basis not being an option for me anymore.
So, I started to rehabilitate my bulged disc injury working with Jazz.
Through customised back pain rehab exercises Jazz helped me to come out of this and I started to felt a sense of achievement and progression after each session.
I saw myself doing things I was not able to do as well or at all in the previous session.
I started seeing my options more clearly and positively for my running training.
My brain started ticking again trying to find a solution instead of just being paralyzed with hopelessness.
And also, last but not least I learnt how to beat panic and fear.
The amount of sheer panic I had over each time I had a flare up since the injury has been almost eradicated.
I was so worried the first, even second time the pain sort of returned and I would get panicky and stressed.
However, now that I have all these tools and knowledge that Jazz provided, I know how to manage my flare ups and how to gauge and navigate through my exercises when I feel back pain or discomfort related to my injury.
- Since I started training and use the back pain rehab exercises Jazz has created for me, my strength has increased at least 70% for certain, perhaps even more.
This is fantastic considering that I was trained through my injury and I did not expect such high improvement at all.
While going through Jazz’s back injury rehab programme I was able to go back to the gym to exercise on the elliptical and even try a little treadmill session for lower impact rather than do a short run outside on the concrete.
- I can now do my weekly runs which I do combined with walking and also set specific routes to avoid concrete as much as possible.
- I can do 2-3 gym sessions a week on recommended fitness equipment like elliptical, resistance or pull ups.
- I can do so many exercises like lunges, or I can train using different types and levels of resistance bands.
- My spine functions and abilities like rotations, bending sideways and extensions improved dramatically.
- My flexibility has improved about 90%.
I can do side leg raises, leg swings, hamstring stretches with the band with easy, also again few types of lunges and supine twists.
I have gone from being able to kick my leg up to my waist to being able to kick above my head.
- My fitness endurance has also improved by about 70% and I can easily do a large number of lunge repetitions without fatigue.
- My sprint endurance and speed has improved at least by 20 percent.
I lost a lot of my fitness through the back injury and inability to exercise for over a month since this injury occurred.
But, right now I feel I can again push through elevated heart rate / cardio related exercise as long as I did before.
- My training intensity has improved by 65 to 75%.
Everything I did during my back rehab training was stuff I was unable to do after the injury.
Or it would have been exercises I could do to a limited extent.
For example, in supine twists the leg that was bent and leaning to the other side would not touch the ground with foot or knee.
During Jazz’s training I was also able to practice some speed running interval work which is not something I would even dare to dream out while the injury was fresh.
Other exercises like leg swings or spinal rotations I could go to a very limited level.
- My rehabilitation has been very successful and now I can take my spinal rotations either to my 99% potential or get at least 70% further than I was able to after the injury.
Also,
- I reached out to Jazz when I had some flare ups.
He set up a separate meeting and taught me how to release the back pain and muscles tension and manage the flare ups.
I apply these on a daily basis with other exercises that Jazz equipped me with to ensure that the effects of my training prevail.
After I apply the flare up exercises as instructed by him.
- I experience pain reduction at least 30 % immediately.
- And throughout the day I can feel the positive pain reduction effects increase up to 80%.
I can cover longer distance runs again even though I combine it with walking intervals for safety which does not bother me.
I can safely do this without any back tension for at least 45 minutes before and takes at least 45-50 minutes for any tension or discomfort to set in if any does.
On my last run I experienced zero issues during the run and post-run.
I did feel tension later on towards the evening and I applied the exercises to release the tension Jazz taught me.
- These exercises brought almost immediate positive effects.
- Upon completion of Jazz’s programme I experienced over 70% reduction of pain intensity levels.
- I have also noted at least 85% decrease in episodes of pain while exercising and performing daily tasks.
- And I have also achieved over 80% reduction of lower back tension.
I would absolutely, 100% recommend Jazz to anyone and everyone dealing with herniated or bulged disc back injury or who just wants to improve their fitness.
Here’s few reasons why Jazz’s customised rehab approach really stood out for me:
- Jazz made me aware from the start that he relates to my experience as he has gone through similar injury.He made me feel like I am not alone and how his personal experience as a back pain trainer London based will help in my back rehab journey.
- He created a tailored back injury rehab programme and agreed sessions to fit my current abilities, to adhere to my injury rehab requirements and he adjusted as needed after every session.
- Jazz always ensures safety and asks that you give constant updates on any pain or tension after sessions and also supervises every exercise attentively.
- Providing updates as he requests is a massive plus for you because for your safety, he checks on you and this approach allows him to implement faster changes, this means that you will rehabilitate your back injury faster.
- He is very easy to communicate with and is always forthcoming with positive advice or suggestions.
- Most importantly, as a long-term back pain trainer London based Jazz is extremely dedicated and invested in a person’s journey and improvement and he made me feel like I matter more than his time which says a lot.
- He would regularly extend the sessions to make sure that I am not rushed and there’s as much work put in as possible and he also reached out to provide an insight or advice in his personal time when I experienced any health or injury related issues.
- Jazz really provides a tailored experience for a client and makes sure that they walk away a way better, if not best, version of themselves.
If you have any type of back pain and want to successfully rehabilitate your back do not hesitate to contact Jazz.
Michaela M
07. 2021
