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Herniated/Spinal Injuries and Climbing 6-Nov-2014 At 4:45:32 PM phil_nev

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Ok, I will add my 2c.

I climbed for about 10 years, continued to improve and get stronger. I never really put much thought or time into other training (Core specific, stretching etc) and had very few injuries in that time... The it all caught up with me. Started with a torn hip flexor, then torn ITB, followed not long after by a L5/S1 disc tear. I have no doubt that climbing (though perhaps not directly) contributed to the injury, along with poor posture and super tight, un-stretched muscles and the big killer – sitting for to long. I’d been seeing a masseuse and Physio/Oesteo on and off for general maintenance throughout a lot of this time.

The disc injury knocked me on my ass. I pretty much had 6 months where I couldn’t do much in the way of exercise outside of short walks around the block. It was suggested by my Oesteo that I look at doing some Pilates to strengthen my core... I have to admit, I laughed. I thought, I’m a climber. Look at my abs.  There is no way I could have climbed the things I had without good core. A little naive at the time, I had no idea that ‘core’ was more than just abs. It’s the entire trunk and in particular, the TA or Transverse Abdominals. Add to that, glutes, hip flexors, obliques, traps and a host of other muscles and you have an idea of what the core unit comprises.

I spent a solid year doing clinical Pilates twice weekly and a heap of other stuff in my own time, including weights. After that I was able to start doing some light climbing again. I would say ive been back to full capacity for a few months now, but I train my ‘core’ pretty much every day. I changed jobs so I didn't have to sit so much. Bought a standing desk. Stretch more and eat better.

Honestly, I actually feel better, and body feels better when I am moving, climbing and training. Get your core strong and I think climbing could be very beneficial for your recovery.