Ouch

[dagibbs]

I went climbing both Tuesday evening for about 3 hours then again last night. So, by the end of the evening last night I was getting kind of tired. I went to demonstrate something on a bouldering route that I've done lots of times, completely lost a hand grip, and fell. This was on an upside-down stair kind of section, so I landed almost flat on my back (impact points were, in order, tailbone, shoulders, head) from about 5 ft up. Now, a 5ft drop onto my feet is easy to take, but a 5 ft drop onto my back is quite a jolt. My neck support muscles are quite tight/tender right now, and I am being very careful in how I move my head/neck. Hopefully this won't interfere with my hiking & cottage plans for the weekend.

Comments

[redsash.livejournal.com]

Ow. Let me tell you how I bounced off a car last year...

If you have access to a pool and hot tub, I'd recommend alternating cold and hot soaks, starting and ending with cold. You can also do this in the shower, but it can be a little unpleasant if you're not used to it. It doesn't have to be icy and burning, just significantly below and above blood temperature.

Also, advil.

~r

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

I remember you talking about bouncing off the car. I'm sure that was far worse than this.

I'll try the cold & hot soaks -- I did a long hot soak last night when I got home. Also, the person I was climbing with is training to be an RMT, and he did a bit of work on it then, too. ("Early intervention" -- he says that the damage/stress/muscle reaction can be greatly reduced if the massage work can be done soon after the injury, rather than after the muscles have gone into over-reaction to the trauma.)

If the pain becomes too much, I can understand Advil -- but is it useful for the healing process? I'd rather not mask pain-as-warning-signal, and further injure/damage things.

[redsash.livejournal.com]

Breakfall training saved me from the worst of it. I took most of the damage in my left knee and shoulder.

Your RMT friend sounds very wise. Just a hot soak will loosen things up and enhance blood flow to speed healing, but might exacerbate inflammation. Hence the hot/cold thing (and specifically, starting and ending with cold).

Advil is a strong NSAID -- that is, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory. It doesn't just mask pain, it will help control any swelling and keep your spine from seizing up on your trip.

That being said, there is truth to the argument that inflammation is your body's way of saying "slow down." I always find the NSAIDs help me heal faster, though. For one thing, I have an easier time maintaining a positive attitude when I can do more than lie flat and moan :-)

~r

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

I've had breakfall training really help me at other times, like when taking a tumble on the soccer field -- had teammates and opponents wonder how I took such a high-speed sudden fall without hurting myself. It is wonderful stuff. (I took some Judo as a kid.)

It sounds like I may want to make sure I have some Advil around for the flight to Germany on Sunday, and "just in case" for the hiking Friday & Saturday.

Yeah, just lie flat and moan is not good. I don't think I'm banged up quite that badly, though.

[redsash.livejournal.com]

Oh, and a conventional tub might not be the best way to go, either. Especially if you have to cram yourself in, being so tall. One tends to get blood pooling in the lower back, which is not particularly helpful.

~r

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

I have an old-style clawfoot tub. I can actually get into it and lie down moderately comfortably. But, I'm probably still going to try the shower thing, as I'm more of a shower person than a bath person.

I wonder if my hotel in Germany will have a hot-tub & pool. If so, will probably be well worth the visit.

[redsash.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I munged up my arm at a fencing conference in New Jersey and ended up spending most of my time in the pool. Got me through the rest of the classes.

~r

RMT Speaketh

[bytowneboy.livejournal.com]

No heat on those injuries until Sunday. Cold is your friend. Heat will just dilate bloodvessles and exacerbate any inflamation you've got going. Consider alternating hot and cold aplications on sunday and thereafter. Always end on cold. Figure out what your comfortable range of motion is and make a point of using it. Don't challenge injured tissues at this point. If it hurts to move a certain way... don't.

be well.

Re: RMT Speaketh

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the advice.

I've been maintaining gentle range-of-motion movement already. I'll be more careful with them. And will avoid any more heat until Sunday -- then try the hot/cold alternation then.