Comments on: Whoa… heavy news http://taj.transworld.net/2009/06/03/whoa-heavy-news/ The ridebmx.com blog of professional BMX rider Taj Mihelich. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 03:59:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Jippo http://taj.transworld.net/2009/06/03/whoa-heavy-news/comment-page-1/#comment-166 Jippo Fri, 05 Jun 2009 10:47:16 +0000 http://taj.transworld.net/?p=556#comment-166 Hey Taj That really sucks man. I've had the same problem for the last 6 years. Started riding about 11 years ago, and being 6 "2 has put a lot of strain on my back. After my last MRI i was informed that all I can do for now "is try to take care of it as best I can". Surgery is too pricey, and there isn't much more i can do. I have got a treadmill and a crosstrainer, which have strengthened my back muscles a lot, which helps. The fusion is something i might look into though in a year or two, but as a last resort. I often wondered if this problem affected other bmxers, but all I really found was problems involving knee surgery. I honestly don't know how these street riders do the massive drops etc on a daily basis without screwing up their spines. Anyway, all i can say is do lots of exercise. Try not to sit down for long periods as that aggrevates the problem. And above all stay strong, and obviously when the surgery is done find a way to occupy your time, and the 6 months will seem like a breeze. Let us know how it goes. Dave Hey Taj
That really sucks man. I’ve had the same problem for the last 6 years. Started riding about 11 years ago, and being 6 “2 has put a lot of strain on my back. After my last MRI i was informed that all I can do for now “is try to take care of it as best I can”. Surgery is too pricey, and there isn’t much more i can do.
I have got a treadmill and a crosstrainer, which have strengthened my back muscles a lot, which helps. The fusion is something i might look into though in a year or two, but as a last resort.
I often wondered if this problem affected other bmxers, but all I really found was problems involving knee surgery.
I honestly don’t know how these street riders do the massive drops etc on a daily basis without screwing up their spines.

Anyway, all i can say is do lots of exercise. Try not to sit down for long periods as that aggrevates the problem. And above all stay strong, and obviously when the surgery is done find a way to occupy your time, and the 6 months will seem like a breeze. Let us know how it goes.

Dave

]]> By: daveg http://taj.transworld.net/2009/06/03/whoa-heavy-news/comment-page-1/#comment-165 daveg Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:07:25 +0000 http://taj.transworld.net/?p=556#comment-165 Taj, I know how hard it is to deal with something like this, but trust me, it's not as bad as it seems right now. I'm 34 and over the past 21 years of riding I've had to have surgery on my ankle 3 times. The first time I couldn't even walk on it for a whole YEAR. That was when I was 16 and when you're 16 hearing that you'll be on crutches for a whole freaking YEAR and if you're lucky you may be able to ride again in A YEAR AND A HALF was like a death sentence. Look at it like this - you're still young enough to have several years of great riding ahead of you. In a few years this 6 month break will seem like nothing. It will actually make you appreciate riding more than ever once you come back. I suggest you take up a hobby that goes well with your recovery. I took up remote control cars and built a little dirt track in my back yard. That really helped the time go by quickly. Also, remember how lucky you are to have modern medicine and insurance to give you the opportunity to have your back fixed. If this was 50 years ago, or you lived in some 3rd world country or you couldn't afford it you would probably have to spend the rest of your life in agony. A 6 month recovery compared to 40 years with a bad back is a small price to pay. Good Luck, Dave Taj,

I know how hard it is to deal with something like this, but trust me, it’s not as bad as it seems right now. I’m 34 and over the past 21 years of riding I’ve had to have surgery on my ankle 3 times. The first time I couldn’t even walk on it for a whole YEAR. That was when I was 16 and when you’re 16 hearing that you’ll be on crutches for a whole freaking YEAR and if you’re lucky you may be able to ride again in A YEAR AND A HALF was like a death sentence. Look at it like this - you’re still young enough to have several years of great riding ahead of you. In a few years this 6 month break will seem like nothing. It will actually make you appreciate riding more than ever once you come back. I suggest you take up a hobby that goes well with your recovery. I took up remote control cars and built a little dirt track in my back yard. That really helped the time go by quickly.

Also, remember how lucky you are to have modern medicine and insurance to give you the opportunity to have your back fixed. If this was 50 years ago, or you lived in some 3rd world country or you couldn’t afford it you would probably have to spend the rest of your life in agony. A 6 month recovery compared to 40 years with a bad back is a small price to pay.

Good Luck,
Dave

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