working out- Yoga etc Please clarify

[Guest guest]

I'm so confused. Some people are saying that you are not supposed to stretch etc

and do Pilates...Are you referring to people with a tethered cord? Or a person

that has had surgery and has been cleared for a retether?

Dr. Frim told me I can play football if I really want to, but no major lifting

for another 6 months.I have been going to PT where I do stretch and work my

core- they are familiar with TC and Dr. Frim.

I did start Hot Yoga, and am planning on starting Pilates next month.

Could you please clarify what you were referring to?

[Guest guest]

From my knowledge -- having strong core muscles is extremely important for

anyone with any type of back condition. For me, pilates using the reformer

machine has been a lifesaver and the best mode of exercise to do this (the first

time ever doing an exercise program without injuring myself). However, my

physiotherapist and instructors have guided me through the exercises, always

being cautious of my back -- with slow progressions and stopping something if it

hurts. I do stretch but I stay away from anything that does not feel right --

eg, when we curl and bend down to the floor, I only go down a little way -- if

it is uncomfortable in any way I stop.

In my opinion -- I think you need to listen to your body and don't do any crazy

stretching of your back -- especially if you are tethered. That seems to just

make sense but that is just my thoughts. We are all different. I have tried

yoga before and for me personally the pilates is better for my body. But there

are all different forms and levels of yoga -- just make sure you are working

with someone who can offer modifications for your condition. I was doing

pilates pre-surgery and have continued it for several years post surgery.

Dee

To: tetheredspinalcord

From: lilacs007@...

Date: Wed, 18 May 2011 07:19:30 -0700

Subject: working out- Yoga etc Please clarify

I'm so confused. Some people are saying that you are not supposed to stretch etc

and do Pilates...Are you referring to people with a tethered cord? Or a person

that has had surgery and has been cleared for a retether?

Dr. Frim told me I can play football if I really want to, but no major lifting

for another 6 months.I have been going to PT where I do stretch and work my

core- they are familiar with TC and Dr. Frim.

I did start Hot Yoga, and am planning on starting Pilates next month.

Could you please clarify what you were referring to?

[Guest guest]

Dee, I'm going to a place that is a 1 minute walk from my job. I have spoken

with everyone there and they work with multiple people who have back issues. I

think I'm okay on this.My core is HORRIBLE. I was working on my legs,

specifically the sciatic nerve and the legs seem better. However I say I have

" no core " because I can barely lift myself up!

I always loved Pilates! One year I did it for 4 months, 5 times a week and I had

the perfect body! I ran out and got 15 bikinis because that is how great I felt.

I really want to get back to some of that again.

Lost strength and the way I look. I want to do Yoga one day, then Pilates.. and

some walking into the mix.

Thanks for clarifying! 

Subject: RE: working out- Yoga etc Please clarify

To: tetheredspinalcord

Date: Wednesday, May 18, 2011, 9:31 AM

From my knowledge -- having strong core muscles is extremely important for

anyone with any type of back condition.  For me, pilates using the reformer

machine has been a lifesaver and the best mode of exercise to do this (the first

time ever doing an exercise program without injuring myself).  However, my

physiotherapist and instructors have guided me through the exercises, always

being cautious of my back -- with slow progressions and stopping something if it

hurts.  I do stretch but I stay away from anything that does not feel right --

eg, when we curl and bend down to the floor, I only go down a little way -- if

it is uncomfortable in any way I stop.

In my opinion -- I think you need to listen to your body and don't do any crazy

stretching of your back -- especially if you are tethered.  That seems to just

make sense but that is just my thoughts.   We are all different.  I have tried

yoga before and for me personally the pilates is better for my body.  But there

are all different forms and levels of yoga -- just make sure you are working

with someone who can offer modifications for your condition.  I was doing

pilates pre-surgery and have continued it for several years post surgery.

Dee

To: tetheredspinalcord

From: lilacs007@...

Date: Wed, 18 May 2011 07:19:30 -0700

Subject: working out- Yoga etc Please clarify

 

I'm so confused. Some people are saying that you are not supposed to stretch etc

and do Pilates...Are you referring to people with a tethered cord? Or a person

that has had surgery and has been cleared for a retether?

Dr. Frim told me I can play football if I really want to, but no major lifting

for another 6 months.I have been going to PT where I do stretch and work my

core- they are familiar with TC and Dr. Frim.

I did start Hot Yoga, and am planning on starting Pilates next month.

Could you please clarify what you were referring to?

[Guest guest]

-- I in no way have a bikini body!!! But, I am in less pain and more

functional from doing pilates. I go twice a week and even at that it has taken

a long time to get my strength back after both of my surgeries -- but I have

persevered and it's paid off. Just this week I realized I could do exercises

that I couldn't do last month -- even my instructor was surprised! I am now 10

months post op from my fusion and still recovering. It takes awhile so be

patient!

To: tetheredspinalcord

From: lilacs007@...

Date: Wed, 18 May 2011 07:52:15 -0700

Subject: RE: working out- Yoga etc Please clarify

Dee, I'm going to a place that is a 1 minute walk from my job. I have spoken

with everyone there and they work with multiple people who have back issues. I

think I'm okay on this.My core is HORRIBLE. I was working on my legs,

specifically the sciatic nerve and the legs seem better. However I say I have

" no core " because I can barely lift myself up!

I always loved Pilates! One year I did it for 4 months, 5 times a week and I had

the perfect body! I ran out and got 15 bikinis because that is how great I felt.

I really want to get back to some of that again.

Lost strength and the way I look. I want to do Yoga one day, then Pilates.. and

some walking into the mix.

Thanks for clarifying!

Subject: RE: working out- Yoga etc Please clarify

To: tetheredspinalcord

Date: Wednesday, May 18, 2011, 9:31 AM

From my knowledge -- having strong core muscles is extremely important for

anyone with any type of back condition. For me, pilates using the reformer

machine has been a lifesaver and the best mode of exercise to do this (the first

time ever doing an exercise program without injuring myself). However, my

physiotherapist and instructors have guided me through the exercises, always

being cautious of my back -- with slow progressions and stopping something if it

hurts. I do stretch but I stay away from anything that does not feel right --

eg, when we curl and bend down to the floor, I only go down a little way -- if

it is uncomfortable in any way I stop.

In my opinion -- I think you need to listen to your body and don't do any crazy

stretching of your back -- especially if you are tethered. That seems to just

make sense but that is just my thoughts. We are all different. I have tried

yoga before and for me personally the pilates is better for my body. But there

are all different forms and levels of yoga -- just make sure you are working

with someone who can offer modifications for your condition. I was doing

pilates pre-surgery and have continued it for several years post surgery.

Dee

To: tetheredspinalcord

From: lilacs007@...

Date: Wed, 18 May 2011 07:19:30 -0700

Subject: working out- Yoga etc Please clarify

I'm so confused. Some people are saying that you are not supposed to stretch etc

and do Pilates...Are you referring to people with a tethered cord? Or a person

that has had surgery and has been cleared for a retether?

Dr. Frim told me I can play football if I really want to, but no major lifting

for another 6 months.I have been going to PT where I do stretch and work my

core- they are familiar with TC and Dr. Frim.

I did start Hot Yoga, and am planning on starting Pilates next month.

Could you please clarify what you were referring to?

[Guest guest]

I'm happy it's working so well for you!

I am doing " hot yoga " and that's great if your body responds well to heat. I

just started but it's fun!

Subject: RE: working out- Yoga etc Please clarify

To: tetheredspinalcord

Date: Wednesday, May 18, 2011, 9:31 AM

From my knowledge -- having strong core muscles is extremely important for

anyone with any type of back condition.  For me, pilates using the reformer

machine has been a lifesaver and the best mode of exercise to do this (the first

time ever doing an exercise program without injuring myself).  However, my

physiotherapist and instructors have guided me through the exercises, always

being cautious of my back -- with slow progressions and stopping something if it

hurts.  I do stretch but I stay away from anything that does not feel right --

eg, when we curl and bend down to the floor, I only go down a little way -- if

it is uncomfortable in any way I stop.

In my opinion -- I think you need to listen to your body and don't do any crazy

stretching of your back -- especially if you are tethered.  That seems to just

make sense but that is just my thoughts.   We are all different.  I have tried

yoga before and for me personally the pilates is better for my body.  But there

are all different forms and levels of yoga -- just make sure you are working

with someone who can offer modifications for your condition.  I was doing

pilates pre-surgery and have continued it for several years post surgery.

Dee

To: tetheredspinalcord

From: lilacs007@...

Date: Wed, 18 May 2011 07:19:30 -0700

Subject: working out- Yoga etc Please clarify

 

I'm so confused. Some people are saying that you are not supposed to stretch etc

and do Pilates...Are you referring to people with a tethered cord? Or a person

that has had surgery and has been cleared for a retether?

Dr. Frim told me I can play football if I really want to, but no major lifting

for another 6 months.I have been going to PT where I do stretch and work my

core- they are familiar with TC and Dr. Frim.

I did start Hot Yoga, and am planning on starting Pilates next month.

Could you please clarify what you were referring to?

[Guest guest]

,

I too was told by my MDs after I was untethered that I could do whatever I

wanted (once I was released from post-op restrictions). I went back to a

VERY physically demanding job with a lot of heavy lifting 2 mos after my

first untether and worked it until my second untethering 1 1/2 yrs later. I

retethered 4 mos after my inital surgery, and I was told that I could

continue working w/o restrictions by my second neurosurgeon (who started

following me about 6 mos after my initial untethering). He basically said -

if it hurts, don't do it. I think most MDs give the stretching/straining

restrictions to those WITH a tether, as those things can aggravate a tether,

even making an aysmptomatic tether become symptomatic.

Jenn

On Wed, May 18, 2011 at 10:19 AM, Dybowski wrote:

>

>

> I'm so confused. Some people are saying that you are not supposed to

> stretch etc and do Pilates...Are you referring to people with a tethered

> cord? Or a person that has had surgery and has been cleared for a retether?

> Dr. Frim told me I can play football if I really want to, but no major

> lifting for another 6 months.I have been going to PT where I do stretch and

> work my core- they are familiar with TC and Dr. Frim.

> I did start Hot Yoga, and am planning on starting Pilates next month.

> Could you please clarify what you were referring to?

>

>

>