You got injured — now what?

Have you ever been there? You are doing your “thing” — whether it’s playing a sport, running, exercising or taking a class — and you get injured. Maybe you hurt your back, tore up your knee or strained a tendon — anything that makes you have to change the way you do your thing.

A lower back injury actually shortened my competitive Judo career over 30 years ago. I recovered from it with weight lifting and time but about 15 years ago, I had a disc in my neck rupture.

I remember it like it was yesterday: I was warming up our young YMCA cheerleaders in the gym at our old YMCA building on Fulton Street. I was helping with cartwheels and since I was pretty good at tumbling, I was showing them how to do numerous cartwheels in a row.

On the third cartwheel, I felt something tear. Actually the kids heard it, too. The pain was very bad — I thought I tore a muscle in my shoulder. The pain in my shoulder was horrible and was going down my arm. I ended up with a bad prognosis on my neck. I did rehabilitation at that time, and since then, have had two surgeries on my C6-7 first then C4-5 and 5-6.

I am doing very well now, but after the initial injury, the only thing I was able to do was the backstroke in the pool. It was very tough physically, but it was also emotionally draining dealing with these new limitations. I had to change my ways of an exercise program, which felt like I was starting all over again.

Fortunately, I am a very positive thinker and after a couple of weeks, my attitude changed. Life will throw you lemons, so make lemonade! It took a long time of trial and error to find what was not aggravating my neck. It is still hard. I feel great doing something, it is the aftermath that gives me great challenges. But, with time, patience and an open mind, I am doing things that work for my body, mind and spirit.

Whatever injury or limitation you may have, there is something that you can do that will enhance your physical and mental health. There are plenty of people who have had to make major changes due to injury or health issues. It’s very tough finding out that you can’t do everything anymore. I know it was for me.

That was a rude awakening. One of the reasons my classes are called Esterciz (cardio mix, interval, strength, etc.) and Estelatte (yoga and pilates moves, some tai chi and stretch and core strengthening) because my main motto for my participants is “if it doesn’t feel good or hurts where it shouldn’t, don’t do it!” Make it work for you! That is what I do —exercises that work for me and my limitations. So, when you can’t do something anymore, try something else.

You will be amazed how many awesome things are out there you didn’t even know you would like or you can do! Stay positive, keep an open mind. Yes, there are many of you out there with severe limitations but I bet I can find something you can do to work your body, mind and your spirit! As long as you are willing to try, the sky is the limit!

Ester H Marsh Associate Executive Director JF Hurley Family YMCA