Any physios / message therapists here?

[AntonyJ]

I have appalling flexibility in my back.

Physios have told me my tendons / hamstrings are sooooooo tight.

Am luck that I am pain free, but I have played tennis since i was about 6 (am 55 now) but due to lack of movement in my back / pandemic - I have not played tennis in like 18 months.

Am a good standard, but always said I would stop playing if I could not keep a reasonable standard, I did not want to slowly get worse and worse and then be "that" old guy people avoid playing with.

Stood up, I can bend sort of OK to right.

To the left the bottom half of my back does not flex to the left - it makes it really hard to get into passenger seats of cars

Bending backwards - partially nothing, it does not flex and any movement that was is more my pelvis being pushed forward, rather than my back bending. I cannot empty a can of a soft drink stood up, I need to sit down or raise a leg a bit - that flex of my knee loosens things and also means can flex backwards quite well.

So that sets the scene.

The questions is this - can physio give me any flex back, and meaningful amount flex so can play tennis again, or do I have to accept your 55 and this is old age mister.

I have been having physio once a week for about 3 months and it loosens things up a bit on that session, but that is it.

Are their things I can do to loosen / stretch all these things up a bit - or is that it and should save my money and be thankful am pain free?

[marypoppins38]

Where abouts do you live Antony? I can recommend a fantastic guy that works with tennis players.

[AntonyJ]

Hi - near Glasgow.

I have a great physio and he has helped me with injuries over they ears, am just more wondering if anything can really be done now...

[CG1]

I had a similar issue in that I couldn't bend backwards. My physio performed a maneuver that was a bit like a rugby tackle. She 'tackled' me from the side, supported the area of my spine where there was a problem and had me bend back from there. She compared the problem and solution to reminding my back how to bend. I'd improved phenomenally in just one session and I then stayed with her for a few months doing rehab to support a couple of prolapse disc's. This was after almost a year at a different physio who used massage etc but didn't really put a dent in my pain or change my ability to move. Perhaps you just need the right physio. My new one was recommended by a sports medicine doctor I went to see about my back. Can you try someone else? Perhaps get a recommendation from someone who knows what they're talking about. Your GP might be able to help.

Good luck with it all.

[marypoppins38]

Originally Posted by AntonyJ

Hi - near Glasgow.

I have a great physio and he has helped me with injuries over they ears, am just more wondering if anything can really be done now...

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The guy I know is in Liverpool so probably a bit far for you. He is amazing though. I can still send his details over if you are interested though.

[lizzie145]

What about a chiropractor?

[Pumpkin Pie]

Bearing in mind I know nothing what comes to my mind is trying yoga or Pilates to help strengthen and stretch your inner muscles and improve flexibility. I am aware I could be talking rubbish.

[AntonyJ]

Originally Posted by lizzie145

What about a chiropractor?

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Tried them in past and do bring some temp relief...

[AntonyJ]

Originally Posted by Pumpkin Pie

Bearing in mind I know nothing what comes to my mind is trying yoga or Pilates to help strengthen and stretch your inner muscles and improve flexibility. I am aware I could be talking rubbish.

See more...

This is a great idea but I tried it and a bit of ... vanity stops me trying again <blush>

I found a Beginners Beginners Yoga class but am sooooooooo inflexible that I was really embarrassed that I could not even do the basic positions they were after and was far and away the worst person in the group.

"Antony - bend a little bit more... " - if I ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ could I would... <blush>

I kept going for 4 weeks and then they cancelled a slightly different class for people who were a bit more advanced, and they came to ours and well, that made it worse. When my 5 sessions were up I stopped going...

I sometime wonder if trying one on one in the house say (when allowed) might be an idea...

[AntonyJ]

What am looking to try find here, if there is a professional who can read my BRIEF story and say "There is hope of some flex coming back" or not.