Of note (I’m 71) I have lower back issues, degenerative disk disease, but can jump in the pool, swim for 90 min non-stop and come out feeling great. Mentioned as an option. 🙂
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What's Your Ailment?
- Thread starter Huntn
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That's a tough one, but it seems that swimming is working for you.
There is an exercise that work for all farts like me, and it is as follows: on my back, fold both legs as I grab both knees with my hands. Then pull both knees toward my chest as far as I can, while at the same time separate both knees from each other and take a few breaths before bringing my lags back down to the floor. This is a stretch exercise for the hips and groin area.
The same for me. I put myself on a diet and have lost 32 lbs, which puts me in the right weight. However, knowing very well that I need to exercise (stretches, walking on the treadmill, and so on), instead I have been enjoying my "couch potato chair" too much. By the way, I retired in 2020 and already know that it can be difficult for one to control the urge to walk from the chair to the refrigerator
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That sounds excellent. Unfortunately I don't have ready access to a pool. The nearest one is probably a 40 minute drive from home.
That's very similar to one of the exercises that I'm supposed to be doing. Now I just need to do it, every day.
For exercise I walk in the woods at least five or six times per week, for 30 minutes or so. Walking on a trail, as opposed to a road or sidewalk, actually works more muscles, and is good for balance.
The next step is to start riding my mountain bike again. I just had it tuned at the bike shop, so it's ready to go as soon as I am. Which should be any day now.
I can't say enough about the benefits of lap swimming. For specific issues as well as overall health and mood improvement. 5 days a week here normally.
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Nothing like swimming. I started a couple of months ago, 2-4 times a week, and I feel incomparably better overall. I generally spend a lot of time sitting at the desk, so I had to find a way to activate all the muscles. Helps with the mood, too.
I think swimming actually keeps me from being bored out of my mind. 🙃
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Recently got an Apple Watch and it really helps motivate to get into the pool for lap swims (especially in these cold winter months). The native Pool Swim app tracks and counts everything, and is especially good at monitoring heart rate. Would recommend for those hesitant about swimming. The basic SE2 model does everything needed.
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Can you define the length of the pool you’re in for laps or does it just read a designated yards or meters?
Yes, you can select the exact number for the length of the pool in yards or meters. Mine is 25 yards as are most pools in the U.S. Although there is a 50 meter Olympic size natarorium a few suburbs over from me.
You should give the watch a try. I know you're a lap swimmer like me and might find it makes for a more interesting and enjoyable swim.
I’m embarrassed, anyway…
The other day I cut a large branch from our Mulberry tree to give some room to a new cherry tree that I ordered online and have since planted. In the process of cutting up this significant branch, I got tangled up and ended up falling on my right shoulder in the grass, but when I hit the ground, I felt something go twang. I moved my, arms, shoulders, felt my ribs which felt normal, no pain to speak of, but when I move a certain way I feel something move on the right side of my chest like it’s loose in there, like it’s moving back-and-forth between two positions. As I said, no pain except when I cough, I noticed soreness on the right side of my chest in the same area. This happened on Saturday.
Yesterday, without any real improvement, I went to see my Doctor who examined me, told me that the fall may have knocked or torn something out of alignment, such as cartilage, or the muscles that are in the vicinity of the ribs. She ordered up some x-rays which were taken yesterday and I’m waiting to hear the verdict. Her suggestion yesterday was to do no exercise that affects that area and see if it goes away in a week. I ask what happens if there’s a broken bone? She said the same thing only I’d have to wait longer for it to heal before doing any exercise with the affected area or arm.
The other day I cut a large branch from our Mulberry tree to give some room to a new cherry tree that I ordered online and have since planted. In the process of cutting up this significant branch, I got tangled up and ended up falling on my right shoulder in the grass, but when I hit the ground, I felt something go twang. I moved my, arms, shoulders, felt my ribs which felt normal, no pain to speak of, but when I move a certain way I feel something move on the right side of my chest like it’s loose in there, like it’s moving back-and-forth between two positions. As I said, no pain except when I cough, I noticed soreness on the right side of my chest in the same area. This happened on Saturday.
Yesterday, without any real improvement, I went to see my Doctor who examined me, told me that the fall may have knocked or torn something out of alignment, such as cartilage, or the muscles that are in the vicinity of the ribs. She ordered up some x-rays which were taken yesterday and I’m waiting to hear the verdict. Her suggestion yesterday was to do no exercise that affects that area and see if it goes away in a week. I ask what happens if there’s a broken bone? She said the same thing only I’d have to wait longer for it to heal before doing any exercise with the affected area or arm.
Ouch! Well, no swimming laps for you for a while! Good there's no pain. Hopefully nothing broken. Either way, sounds like giving some time should heal everything.
I got X-rays, everything looks good as far as bones. The doctor says just take it easy to allow the soft tissue in the area to heal. That said, I went into the pool on Friday and did kick and one arm strokes, and after I warmed up, I was able to use both arms, but the right arm, took it easy. I’ll be back in the pool on Monday.
Forgot to mention, the X-rays diagnosed me with mild-scoliosis and moderate kyphosis, where the upper spine curves forward giving a rounded back appearance. So I’ve been singing to myself, “Keep that back straight!” And it’s surprising how hunched over my natural posture had become, and how much straightening I can do with my posture if I stay focused on it. Wondering how effective a rake handle down the back of my pants and a tether around my shoulders would be pulling them back? 😜
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17671-kyphosis
I've always been told for the perfect posture stand against a wall with heels touching the wall. Your shoulders (or shoulder blades) and back of head should make contact with the wall too. (Though that's not a natural everyday posture for me.)
Anyone have experience with sinus issues? I went to an ENT earlier in the week and found out I had a deviated septum, as well as something called a collapsed nasal valve. Doctor ordered a CT scan, so there’s a chance I’ll need to get surgery to open things up. I’m on drugs to reduce inflammation and antibiotics for now, I’m guessing because they want to open things up before they do the scan.
From what I hear from most people is a septoplasty is absolutely worth it, but the recovery period is difficult. So I don’t know if my issues are bad enough to justify the risks. I’m always congested and have never been able to breathe clearly through the right side of my nose, and as a result, colds are worse and postnasal drip lasts longer. I get chronic nosebleeds and sinus infections sometimes, but everything is manageable for the most part. But if a procedure improves my quality of life, I would consider it.
From what I hear from most people is a septoplasty is absolutely worth it, but the recovery period is difficult. So I don’t know if my issues are bad enough to justify the risks. I’m always congested and have never been able to breathe clearly through the right side of my nose, and as a result, colds are worse and postnasal drip lasts longer. I get chronic nosebleeds and sinus infections sometimes, but everything is manageable for the most part. But if a procedure improves my quality of life, I would consider it.
I’ve not had this problem, but frequently my sinuses are semi-clogged so I breath though my mouth a lot. Would be interested to hear the diagnosis and proposed remedy.
I do.
And have had (serious) sinus issues since my teens.
Ah.
I was diagnosed with this exact condition two years ago.
One thing - well, two things - that I can recommend re sinus:
1: Olbas Oil - add a few drops to your pillow, or to a tissue - it will alleviate (not cure) the symptoms.
and,
2: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
These days, I tend to drink around two litres of water a day - or, at the very least, one and a half litres of water a day, which may increase to around three litres when I have been deployed to a hot climate - and that is, in addition to coffee, freshly squeezed citrus juice, and so on.
Ever since I started consuming plenty of water daily - which was over twenty years ago - I have suffered less (I would not say not at all, but considerably less) from sinus problems.
I’ll keep these in mind. I’ve also been using a nasal irrigation system a couple times a day. It provides some short-term relief, but it only lasts so long before I have issues again. Honestly, none of the medications he’s prescribed have worked that well. When you have structual anomalies, there’s only so much drugs can do.
Apparently, the CT scan also revealed I have something called bilateral concha bullosa, which are bony, air-filled pocked along the turbinates. Those are narrowing the airways along with the deviated septum.
I have an appointment on Monday to go over the CT results. My doctor did bring up the possibility of surgery during the initial visit, so I’m guessing he’s going to go over a plan for that. Honestly, I think I’m going to do it if he thinks it’s worth it. I have no severe symptoms really, but I think the quality of life improvements will be huge. I’m always mostly breathing out of my mouth, and being able to breathe clearly through my nose would be great. And not feeling congested 24/7. I already got confirmation that my insurance would cover it, it wouldn’t be more than $100 total in copays. Right now, I’m spending $30/month on Navage saline pods. So it might pay for itself in the end.
I also recommended both Olbas Oil (a few drops on a tissue, and/or pillow and then inhale, and do this regularly - I am never without Olbas Oil to hand) and consuming plenty of water to my brother (who also suffers from sinus issues) and he did say (after some time) that his symptoms had improved (they were not cured, but they had been alleviated - or eased - considerably).
People tend to forget about hydration, - especially if they don't actually feel thirsty, which is, of course, when you need to remember to consume sufficient quantities of water - but I will say that I found that it did ease my symptoms to a considerable extent.
Anyone older here? Yes getting stiffness in my legs it seems my calf muscle mostly. It only goes away when I get up and go for walk.
When I was younger I could sit in a car for a long road trip and not get stiffness in my legs. Now that I’m older I get stiffness in my legs mostly seems my calf muscle when I sit too long.
Anyone else here get stiffness in your legs and what the causes it? What causes stiffness in your leg mostly calf muscle and only goes away when you go for a walk.
When I was younger I could sit in a car for a long road trip and not get stiffness in my legs. Now that I’m older I get stiffness in my legs mostly seems my calf muscle when I sit too long.
Anyone else here get stiffness in your legs and what the causes it? What causes stiffness in your leg mostly calf muscle and only goes away when you go for a walk.