Personal trainer required x2 a week - core strengthening

[capricorn77 10]

Hi,

 

I appreciate that there are a few threads on personal trainers, but my focus is on core strengthening rather than get-fit.

 

I am looking to employ a personal trainer for x2 sessions a week for core strengthening. This would be on an ongoing basis, probably for months. I have non specific lower back pain. I am male, 38 years old, clear MRIs and otherwise healthy and clear to exercise.

 

I have so far been going down to Core Strength Studios in Bristol (three times so far). Whilst they are very good, I want do be doing more of the work locally. The time and expense of going to Bristol mounts up quickly.

 

I live in Ranmoor and am not a member of a gym. I am open to the offers of personal training in a gym environment or at my flat. I will take advice on that.

 

I would expect the personal trainer I use to have a working knowledge of strengthening the core and the knowledge that the entire core needs strenghening i.e abs, obliques and lower back (e.g. multifidus) etc. In other words looking to strengthen the whole of the core rather than just 1 hour of "clenching your tummy".

 

My main reason for a personal trainer is that my motivation levels can be poor if just left to myself.

 

I look forward to any replies, please do reply here on the thread or PM me.

 

Thanks.

[Evei 10]

Just a thought have you looked at something called ankylosing spondylitis? I had lower back pain all through my 20's, nothing in bloods or the x-rays taken then. got told that the pain was in head pretty much and to deal with it.

 

http://nass.co.uk/

 

In my 30's I eventually got diagnosed with it as over the 10+ years the inflammation had caused enough damage for changes to now be seen on the x-ray. It has a very slow diagnosis rate (takes on average 8+ years). It was other symptoms that I got that helped the Docs put the puzzle together, I eventually had problems with eyes and fatigue. Not everyone has increased inflammation in bloods so it is often missed.

 

Anyway exercise is the main treatment so your doing the right thing Good Luck!

[capricorn77 10]

Hi Evei,

 

Thank you for this. I'll keep this in mind. I was diagnosed with Scheuermann's kyphosis in my teens, which is a hunching of the back caused by the vertebra growing wedge shaped. However a quick google now says that ankylosing spondylitis has similar presentation as Scheuermann's disease, so I will keep this in mind.

 

I hope your condition is under control!

[Evei 10]

Hi Evei,

 

Thank you for this. I'll keep this in mind. I was diagnosed with Scheuermann's kyphosis in my teens, which is a hunching of the back caused by the vertebra growing wedge shaped. However a quick google now says that ankylosing spondylitis has similar presentation as Scheuermann's disease, so I will keep this in mind.

 

I hope your condition is under control!

 

lol, Yes I'm lucky as appear to have a mild form. I can mainly control it with keeping very, very active so I don't seize and mild medication and pain relief. I do more competitive sports than most 'healthy' people! I strongly believe if your capable keeping fit/ strong is the key. Back pain is such a invisible pain that to most you look perfectly fine.

 

I'm always trying to raise awareness of AS, as it is surprisingly common and undiagnosed. There is an app you can download for free on the NASS site has some pretty good core strength videos, aimed specifically at people with back problems. might be worth a try.

 

Good Luck

[capricorn77 10]

Thanks Evei. How did you get diagnosed? Just the x ray? My back pain isn't any better at all first thing in the morning after a night's rest. Just the same as it was before going to bed. But it isn't any worse, first thing in the morning. It is always about the same throughout the 24 hours of the day.

 

I agree with your feelings on back pain. It is very frustrating when you don't actually know the cause. And for many, they never will!

[Evei 10]

Thanks Evei. How did you get diagnosed? Just the x ray?

 

I'd been through various tests in my twenties all inconclusive, including referral to Orthopaedic consultant who said everything looked good on scans/ x-rays. They checked the hip joints out too and I had tons of physio to no effect. I got really into fitness and healthy eating which seemed to help and the pain and fatigue died down a bit.

 

In my early thirties I had months of more intense pain so went back and moaned at GP again as it was affecting my work. They took blood and as before, nothing. As I had already been through the system in my 20's for the same thing (it never had gone I just gave up trying to get an answer) they suggested the pain clinic to help. Technically there was nothing wrong with my back to them and it was up to me to learn how to deal with it

 

The physio at the pain clinic pretty much guessed right away what it was and referred me to a Rhuemmatologist. Whilst waiting for the referral I got uveitis (which 20% of people with AS also go on to develop) so the Eye Dr's pushed for a faster referral, I still had no positive blood results. When they took new x-rays the damage showed up on the SI joints and lower back. So I got my diagnosis after another 4 months from a Rheumatologist, based on x-ray, symptoms and the uveitis helped I guess. I also found I have a family history of the disease when I asked around. They do have a new alternative diagnosis now when there is no scan damage present (Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis) but no idea how they diagnose it! There is a genetic test that can be done. but not everyone with the genes develops AS.

 

I can fully understand the horrible situation of not having a diagnosis for back pain, you end up in a kind of limbo world. The GP's don't want to prescribe anything for the pain and you almost are made to think you are making the pain up! I think you do have to do everything you can to help yourself and you seem to be taking control and doing that

 

Have you seen a physio? they might be able to suggest very specific core exercises that will strengthen without putting undue stress on lower back which a PT might not fully understand, then the PT can be used to check form / motivation. I never got any further with the pain clinic as I got a diagnosis, but I know other people that have attended sessions and found it useful.

Edited August 23, 2015 by Evei

[Cyclone 10]

Bristol is an awful long way to go for some core strength training...

 

I guess it's some kind of specialist centre?

 

I can't recommend a personal trainer, but good luck finding one. If you need a physio to provide more targeted exercises then I can recommend one of those in the area.

[getphysical 10]

We understand your problems - PM sent

[capricorn77 10]

@ Evei - thanks so much for sharing your story. I don't wish anybody else back pain, but for those people who do have it, it is nice to hear their story. It is comforting to know you aren't alone in the struggle. I have seen plenty physios and know a load of exercises. However, what I need is a PT because I have a habit of being unmotivated and not doing my exercises. I need a kick up the backside.

 

@ Cyclone - yeah most people think I have been nuts going to Bristol. They are very good at the Bristol centre I have been going to and they have specialist equipment for backs. However I think a lot of the training I could be doing in Sheffield and maybe every so often head back to Bristol to check my progress.

 

@ getphysical - thanks for your PM, I have pmed you back