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Author Topic: return from injury  (Read 1634 times)

DON DRAPER

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return from injury
« on: June 03, 2003, 08:19:38 AM »
does anyone out there have any words of wisdom when coming back from a strained/overworked lower back ?  after 8 weeks of rest, ultrasound, traction, stretching, muscle relaxers, hotpacks, mri, catscan, x-ray, etc., the doctor has given me the go ahead to start bowling again. i warm up the lower back at home with a hot pack and stretch out and then make the 30 minute drive to the bowling alley where i stretch out again. then i use a trusty 14lb., 3-piece urethane ball, to try and start all over again. after two separate practice sessions i have the following to report:

1) no pain during bowling or after. none the next morning either( great ! )

2) i'm trying to remain more upright during my approach instead of bending over so much.

3) i'm as rusty as an old nail.

4) i'm keeping my ball speed much slower than usual( probably 14-15 mph. ).

5) how do you leave a solid 9 on one shot and a 5-7 split on the next with the ball mentioned above ?


all things considered everything is progressing just fine............

 

MI 2 AZ

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Re: return from injury
« Reply #1 on: June 03, 2003, 11:30:45 PM »
When you go to get your ball off the ball return, remember to bend the knees, keeping the back straight and lift the ball with your legs.  Might not seem like much, but when you consider how many times you are going to be lifting that ball off the return, it can add up to more unnecessary strain on the back.

Look into exercises that will strengthen the abdomen.  When lifting, tighten up the abdomen.  That helps to take some of the strain off the back.
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10 In The Pit

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Re: return from injury
« Reply #2 on: June 04, 2003, 01:39:55 AM »
Greg, it sounds like they did the majority of the battery of tests on you.  However, you missed out on the Myelogram.....trust me that you DON'T want that one!  Sometimes it is a necessary evil, but no fun.

As you are well aware of already, slowly make your return to the lanes, and don't get too wrapped up in the scores for the time being.  You don't want any setbacks in your health, so take things easy for a while and try to avoid any sticking incidents at the foul line.  A longer slide helps dissipate the energy of the approach.

da Shiv

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Re: return from injury
« Reply #3 on: June 04, 2003, 08:31:41 AM »
Greg--
     Glad to hear that you are on the mend.


Shiv
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Doc Hollywood

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Re: return from injury
« Reply #4 on: June 04, 2003, 09:46:05 AM »
Greg - If you want to talk about your injury as well as exercise conditioning to return to an active game I am willing to help I just won't do it on the open boards.

Message me in private.
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dicnic

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Re: return from injury
« Reply #5 on: June 04, 2003, 11:08:02 AM »
As mentioned in a previous post, be very careful when picking up your ball from the ball retrun. I have never strained my back bowling but have pulled things when snatching the ball up from the ball return. Both hands, bend your knees and be careful!  
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BT

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Re: return from injury
« Reply #6 on: June 05, 2003, 10:55:58 AM »
Funny,,, I was logging on to maybe post a topic on this as well! I injured my lower back 7 days ago. Picked up a 30 lb object the wrong way and pulled something in my lower back. X-rays showed nothing out of alignment but did show some arthritis in my lower spine somewhere. Have been on muscle relaxers since Friday and, am just starting to be able to walk without limping. I am terrified to attempt to bowl again. I plan on waiting until I have zero pain or discomfort before I attempt to bowl. I know I need to exercise to strengthen the muscles but not sure what all to do. I am hoping that bowling doesnt use the same muscles i damaged....

BT