Results 1 to 12 of 12

Thread: Avoiding Muscle Strain

  1. #1
    Registered User johnthehappyguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Posts
    345
    Rep Power
    10

    Avoiding Muscle Strain

    Some moves, such as dips where the lady has been "very relaxed", have caused me some pain and discomfort.

    This is because of two hernia operations I have had, which are extremely low in my abdomen. The last op' was nearly two years ago, yet despite living a fairly active life with lots of dancing, I still get twinges there.

    I am going to Amir's Slides and Lunges workshop at the Beach Ballroom, and am concerned that it could be a strain for me.

    Can anyone recommend any type of exercises which would help avoid this type of muscle strain ?

    Thanks,

    johnthehappyguy

  2. #2
    Registered User Rebecca's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Nr Leicester
    Posts
    452
    Rep Power
    10

    Re: Avoiding Muscle Strain

    I would say think carefully about any drops and aerials shortly post-op. I know that's not what you want to hear, and also I'm not an expert, it's just sometimes I think we wish so hard we could do something when we shouldn't.

    From reading the forum I'd advise speaking with Almost an Angel about this matter.

    Rebecca

    (just realised you're not shortly post-op but still . . . . . . . if it hurts, your body's trying to tell you something perhaps??)

  3. #3
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Cider with Rosie l
    Posts
    1,314
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: Avoiding Muscle Strain

    Quote Originally Posted by johnthehappyguy
    Some moves, such as dips where the lady has been "very relaxed", have caused me some pain and discomfort.

    This is because of two hernia operations I have had, which are extremely low in my abdomen. The last op' was nearly two years ago, yet despite living a fairly active life with lots of dancing, I still get twinges there.

    I am going to Amir's Slides and Lunges workshop at the Beach Ballroom, and am concerned that it could be a strain for me.

    Can anyone recommend any type of exercises which would help avoid this type of muscle strain ?

    Thanks,

    johnthehappyguy

    If you are still getting pain and twinges, shouldn't you go back to the Doctor?

    Until you are mended, suggest you either don't do them, or only do drops with a select few, who you know and trust!

    Get better soon


    Elaine

  4. #4
    Formerly known as DavidJames David Bailey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Norf Lundin
    Posts
    17,001
    Blog Entries
    1
    Rep Power
    18

    Re: Avoiding Muscle Strain

    Quote Originally Posted by johnthehappyguy
    Some moves, such as dips where the lady has been "very relaxed", have caused me some pain and discomfort.
    OK, two things, both very important:
    - Go back to your doctor if you're still getting twinges, to get proper medical advice on the exercises. If he won't help, and many GPs are truly useless on this area, get him/her to refer you to a specialist, or even go privately - it's worth it.
    - DON'T DO THOSE MOVES. Are you nuts? If it's hurting, don't do it; pain's a warning signal, and you're ignoring it.

    I've seen so many injuries on the MJ circuit, some of them horrendous, let's not try and add to the total when we don't have to, hmmm?

    Also, tell Amir about this before you do the workshop - he knows this anatomy stuff I believe, so can give you professional guidance on what's safe and unsafe.

  5. #5
    TiggsTours
    Guest

    Re: Avoiding Muscle Strain

    Totally agree with all that's been said here, if its hurting, its hurting for a reason. Seek medical attention, and don't do drops! There are plenty of dance moves that you can do, you don't need to do drops (not all girls actually like them!) and if you insist on doing them, only do them with girls you dance with regularly, who you know will support their own weight!

    Do you really want to carry on because you enjoy it in the short run, to put yourself in danger of being out of dancing for good? If that was to happen, I bet you'd look back on it and thing "If only I hadn't kept on doing drops!" Don't live to regret it!

  6. #6
    Registered User David Franklin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2002
    Location
    London
    Posts
    3,426
    Rep Power
    14

    Re: Avoiding Muscle Strain

    Quote Originally Posted by DavidJames
    - Go back to your doctor if you're still getting twinges, to get proper medical advice on the exercises. If he won't help, and many GPs are truly useless on this area, get him/her to refer you to a specialist, or even go privately - it's worth it.
    Contrary to popular belief, the Forum is not also a doctor's surgery...
    - DON'T DO THOSE MOVES. Are you nuts? If it's hurting, don't do it; pain's a warning signal, and you're ignoring it.
    In the short term, DJ is absolutely right - particularly until you find out what's going on. Once you're informed as to the situation and possible consequences, then you can make a decision. I think it's unlikely the end result will be that you can't do dips and drops - but you may at least get advice about what to avoid, and what the warning signs of impending trouble will be.

    When I was having knee trouble, and worried I might need to stop dancing, a friend's father told me his story. He was very keen on tennis, and had knee trouble - although the doctors did what they could, they couldn't fix things. But they told him, "if you can put up with the pain, carry on with the tennis. It's good for you!"

    Also, tell Amir about this before you do the workshop - he knows this anatomy stuff I believe, so can give you professional guidance on what's safe and unsafe.
    Also good advice.

  7. #7
    Commercial Operator
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    London
    Posts
    410
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: Avoiding Muscle Strain

    Hello Happy Guy

    Like everyone else so far has said, you should see an expert for advice about these things, but I can give you a couple of general guidance points which are relevant for everyone:

    The lunges and slides I'm teaching don't really involve taking your partner's weight, and are more likely to stress your quads I would think. Basically, (and this is true for anyone,) if anything you try in my class or anywhere else is uncomfortable, then either modify it or stop before it starts to hurt. You can do all the lunges I teach very small and they still look great (I think). Also, there is a big difference between doing something mildly uncomfortable once or twice, and doing it ten times. Like I said, stop before it starts to hurt, and explain to your partner “Sorry, I’m allergic to that move.”

    I can't give you any medical advice, and don't know anything about hernias. I can say that to help prevent muscle strain in general I try to always warm up before exercise, stay fit with pilates style exercises and stretch after dancing. I know this is never a problem in Aberdeen, but if you live somewhere where it gets cold outside, then don’t go straight outside after getting very warm inside without cooling down a little first and dressing up very warm. Leg warmers are not just a fashion statement, I promise!

    (A warm up, by the way, can be very simple. A little limbering up of the joints and then two or three gentle freestyles with an understanding partner, to slowish music and no double speed moves or drops. The main idea is to raise body temperature and increase heart rate.)

    I read an opinion somewhere that pilates is a bad idea for people who have had a hernia. But I also know they do classes for pregnant women, so perhaps with your doctors advice and a good physiotherapist you could find a way to rehabilitate effectively. Let me know either way.
    Last edited by Amir; 11th-November-2005 at 12:08 PM.

  8. #8
    Registered User johnthehappyguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Posts
    345
    Rep Power
    10

    Re: Avoiding Muscle Strain

    Quote Originally Posted by Amir
    ...The lunges and slides I'm teaching don't really involve taking your partner's weight, and are more likely to stress your quads I would think. ...

    .... if you live somewhere where it gets cold outside, then don’t go straight outside after getting very warm inside without cooling down a little first and dressing up very warm. Leg warmers are not just a fashion statement, I promise!
    Thanks to all who posted and PM'd. Thanks for all the advice, and for showing your concern.

    I will try some gentle quad exercises, starting just after this post, in preparation for the workshop. If there is pain I will stop.

    I have now made an appointment to see the sports injuries Doctor at my Health Centre. ( I didn't know there was one until now. )

    The warm-up before and warm down(?) after dancing are useful reminders too, I will apply them - Especially if I dance in a country which is not warm like Scotland

    Thanks again, I am really looking forward to the Freestyles and Workshops at the Beach Ballroom.

    johnthehappyguy

  9. #9
    Registered User johnthehappyguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Posts
    345
    Rep Power
    10

    Re: Avoiding Muscle Strain

    Quote Originally Posted by Amir


    ......I read an opinion somewhere that pilates is a bad idea for people who have had a hernia. But I also know they do classes for pregnant women, so perhaps with your doctors advice and a good physiotherapist you could find a way to rehabilitate effectively. Let me know either way.

    Today I had my appointment with a sports injury doctor.

    After describing my history and symptoms I received the following advice:-

    Probably poor back muscles are the problem, and that is being manifested as hernia pain in groin.

    Solutions;-

    • Swim – front crawl
    • Banana bends – lie on front, hands placed on back of waist, lift chest off floor.
    • Pilates - ideal for my type of hernia difficulty.


    So now I will apply the above and will remember to go gently.

    Thanks to all for your concern, guidance and messages of support.

    johnthehappyguy

  10. #10
    Donna
    Guest

    Re: Avoiding Muscle Strain

    Quote Originally Posted by Rebecca
    I would say think carefully about any drops and aerials shortly post-op. I know that's not what you want to hear, and also I'm not an expert, it's just sometimes I think we wish so hard we could do something when we shouldn't.

    From reading the forum I'd advise speaking with Almost an Angel about this matter.

    Rebecca

    (just realised you're not shortly post-op but still . . . . . . . if it hurts, your body's trying to tell you something perhaps??)
    That is so true Rebecca. They do say, pain is an early warning and you have to listen to ya body. Maybe building up the abdominal muscles might help. Starting off with gentle exercises of course.

  11. #11
    Commercial Operator
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    London
    Posts
    410
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: Avoiding Muscle Strain

    Quote Originally Posted by johnthehappyguy
    Today I had my appointment with a sports injury doctor.

    After describing my history and symptoms I received the following advice:-

    Probably poor back muscles are the problem, and that is being manifested as hernia pain in groin.

    Solutions;-

    • Swim – front crawl
    • Banana bends – lie on front, hands placed on back of waist, lift chest off floor.
    • Pilates - ideal for my type of hernia difficulty.


    So now I will apply the above and will remember to go gently.

    Thanks to all for your concern, guidance and messages of support.

    johnthehappyguy
    That's fantastic news! You'll be amazed what a difference you feel within just a few weeks of doing these kind of exercises. Also, with a stronger centre you will free up a lot of flexability in your legs and torso. Have fun!

  12. #12
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Sunny KSA :/
    Posts
    3,383
    Rep Power
    10

    Re: Avoiding Muscle Strain

    Having had adominal surgery earlier this year - and being back at training only a week later

    my advice would be go back to your doctor - 2 years on you shouldn't still be having pain and perhaps try pilates - i know that the core strength that pilates will give you

    oops just seen your post about having been given exercises
    Last edited by Yliander; 27th-November-2005 at 12:50 PM.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Tips Please for avoiding foot pain
    By johnthehappyguy in forum Let's talk about dance
    Replies: 36
    Last Post: 27th-September-2006, 05:18 PM
  2. Muscle strain
    By LMC in forum Chit Chat
    Replies: 22
    Last Post: 19th-February-2006, 12:28 PM
  3. Avoiding pain.
    By johnthehappyguy in forum Intermediate Corner
    Replies: 63
    Last Post: 30th-March-2005, 01:55 PM
  4. Handling / avoiding rejection
    By DianaS in forum Let's talk about dance
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 10th-July-2004, 11:00 AM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •