The joys of training in midlife

I am learning a lot of new acronyms and medical terms lately.

It's not because I am studying for a new career in medicine or that I am naturally curious (even though I am).

No, this journey is all about what happens as one grows old. Back when I was young, I thought I was damn near immortal (most youngster do) and I acted accordingly. Well, mortality and human frailty have a way of taking the wind out of those sails quite unceremoniously.

Thus it was a few Fridays ago; a visit to the doc to get some x-ray results (taken after I had fallen down the stairs - DON'T LEAVE THINGS ON THE STAIRS! SOMEONE CAN TRIP, Y'KNOW!!) I won't criticize his bedside manner (there really was none), but the results were pretty much thus: "Oh by the way, you have DISH"

If you are like me, you are thinking, "what the hell is DISH?"

From: www.orthopaedicclinic.com.sg
Yup, good ol' DISH. Or Forestier's Disease, if you prefer. The diagnosis is made when four of your vertebrae have a cover of what looks like melted candle wax where your anterior longitudinal used to be. The wax is your ligament. Just now it is ossified (or has now sorta become like an extra piece of unbendy ligament). Typically, ligaments do not show up on X-rays, so when they do, it is not a good thing... it means you will be a lot less limber than you used to be. And at a greater risk for spinal fracture if you try to push beyond the range of motion that you now have.

So, usually, folks in their 60s and 70s will get DISH. Obese people are at risk. As are folks with Type II diabetes. None of those categories describe me. But, really, as I find, they are totally not sure what the root causes are. It is not hereditary or genetic. It. Just. Happens. Sucky part? There is no cure and no surgery to help correct it. But if the bony protrusions that come with it start pushing on your windpipe, they will shave some things and glue some other things. Yay.

So, knowing that I was asymptomatic (I like big words), I did not buy it. I have good range of motion. My flexibility for a guy who muscles display signs of what has been described as  "walking rigor mortis" is quite decent. So, I went for a "second onion," as the old commercial says.

Well, it was better, but not totally awesome. Instead of DISH, I have what appears to be a case of OALL - ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament. This is when it is in a variety of forms... such as this...

OALL - segmented, continuous and mixed
Credit: Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery
Still, it affects range of motion. It can cause pain.

I am apparently the first type - segmented. Though I have no idea what that means.

Mine is also in the lumbar spine as compared to the cervical and thoracic where this stuff typically appears. So, mystery of mysteries. From what I gather, the lumbar stuff happens when there is history of severe spinal trauma. Hmm, well, there has been some of that.

Oh well.

Now, I guess I can just look back on what my spine might have looked like had I not been occasionally foolhardy.

Credit: Spinedragon

So, how long have I had it? Dunno - need to figure that out. It has been around for a while, I reckon. And it may explain my love for hot tubs - with a strong jet pointed at my lower back - after class.

What will happen next? Also a dunno moment. I have asked for a referral to a rheumatologist. I have ... many questions.

What will it keep me from doing?

Well, these are probably not gonna happen. Yeh, pffft, like I would do useless kicks like this anyway.

While not MA-related specifically, I also apparently have to give up pushing heavy weights now. And no, I had no adverse effects pushing 700 lbs with an arthritic knee. But I did end up with similar facial expression to this guy. So, we will start at half that and go down from there as needed.
I really won't miss hack squats.

More importantly, I won't be able to do this any more. And yes, I actually used to do this - occasionally - at the end of class.
Credit: Anamaya Resort

 In the last 5-6 years, the toes have not really touched the floor... maybe that shoulda been a hint?

I also will likely not be able to do this. And you have no idea how much I will REALLY miss this...   ðŸ˜¢

All else? Well, guess I will wait and see what the specialist says.

What would I suggest to folks in their 40s who figure they have a pile of time left in their training lives?
Don't be so sure. I figured I had a good 5-10 years left to go strong with what I did. Learn from me, O people!
1) See your doctor regularly. Get aches and pains checked out. Persist if they persist!
2) Take your vitamins!
3) Stretch!
4) Accept realities of age and don't push yourself beyond your limits. But keep fighting to keep your limits and just a bit more.
5) Keep moving - keep being active!
6) Relax. Someone will always be in worse shape than you.

Repeat as necessary. Add your own. This is your journey.

I tell my people that Okinawan karate is a lifetime activity. I still believe that. But, we need to be mindful that our lives are different. Our bodies are different. And aging will also change how and what we will be able to do.
It is why all I have heard from older friends who practised for the past 30 years, "when you get older, you learn to train smarter, not harder."

For me, learning has just apparently begun. 😒

As always, I wish you good training!

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