My slow journey back to the army.

[gunning]

Bit of a weird one for me really as I'm not the kind of guy to talk about this very often. (Especially on a motoring forum) I see this as a way of tracking my progress and being able to look back see how far I've come. With hopefully some useful input from others as there's a lot of guys on here from all different walks of life.

I always wanted to be in the army and I was for a couple of years until I dropped 400kg on myself whilst laying on a bench that was only the width of my lower back so my shoulders wrapped around the bench and kept on ripping them out until the weight was finally taken off of me. For a further year I tried fighting it and ignoring it with over a 100 further dislocations until I got caught out on exercise and they gave me a medical discharge some time later.

Since that date I have had two reconstructive operations on my shoulders and it's safe to say I've been through a lot of pain. my last surgery on November 24th 2015.

I'm of a 6ft 1 stature and before surgery was at high level of fitness. Mile and half in 7:19 and I'd be bench pressing 75/80kg dead lifting 160kg etc etc my weight was 80kg give or take a kg and lean muscle. Ok so I'm not Arnold SN and my fitness isn't for vanity this is just a background of who I am. Since surgery I've dropped down to 62 kg, no muscle tone or strength and couldn't bench press a wooden walking stick at my physio session.

I pass my time running a small business but my main goal is to become fit and strong to rejoin the Army and serve our country as a rifles officer with a view to go paras. I'll face a lot of difficulties convincing the medical board that having had double surgery I'm capable to physically carry tasks out.

If anyone wants to drop advice on how to regain movement back in my shoulders as I struggle with mobility in them that'd be great, Also if anybody is on or had been on AOSB selection board and wants to offer me advice on how to smash selection I'd appreciate that.

 

[Deleted96908]

My teenage son suffered neurological damage during chemotherapy in 2012/13. His nerve endings were eaten away leaving him with poor motor skills, lack of fine control and reduced power. The power loss was caused by a combination of bad neural pathways and lost muscle mass thanks to daily chemotherapy sessions lasting months on end.

The advice we were given to counter the above was physio, physio and more physio. But in practice it solved little other than freeing up stiff joints.

So 'we' embarked on a programme of running, football and weight training (Smiths Machine to avoid your type of accident) and Pilates. Pilates surprisingly, has been the most beneficial of all and my son, now 20, looks incredibly fit, simply by following this guy:

https://www.youtube.com/user/motleyfitness

3 or 4 times a week.

I do too, although I am over 6ft and 220+ pounds and live with a different set of issues, those being maintaining a high level of fitness aged 56 1/2, ha ha.

But seriously, if you haven’t tried Pilates, then please do. Pilates was a German physio come lifestyle trainer to the stars in the 20s and when done properly (screaming on the floor) Pilates is very effective. It’s a shame that it’s now seen as a woman’s exercise given that puts most men off. I won’t say more on this tho’ given you may already be a convert - but if not, then do give it a try and eat well first - it’s not yoga.

Ps, should have mentioned above that my son was on course to join the Marines, but isn't able to apply again until 5 years after being declared cancer free - still 2 years away. So we sympathize with your plight and wish you the best.

chris

 

[Deleted member 113659]

aged 56 1/2

Sorry Chris. Another fantastic post but that just made me actually lol.

#topman.

Ant.

 

[grober]

https://www.shoulderdoc.co.uk/

 

[Red C220]

From the description of where you are it sounds like you probably have a degree of muscle atrophy and you need more than straightforward physio. Rehabilitation is where you need to be looking which also addresses posture, autonomous movements as well as physical structure.

The following may also help Patagonians son:-

My wife was diagnosed with MS 18 years ago, the full works, lumber puncture, mri showing white lesions etc etc, no doubt it was MS.

Cutting a long story short we discovered three years ago she has a TMJ problem (Jaw misalignment) you can read about the treatment here if it's of interest - (it's long) AtlasBalance (jaw misalignment) Treatment - EJC : Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) - This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

The jaw treatment ultimately eradicated a whole host of symptoms that were being attributed to "MS", however after nearly 15 year of inactivity Emma was on the verge of being wheelchair bound and physically in pretty bad shape.

We managed to get a single referral to Neuro physiotherapy from our GP and this proved to be an epiphany (although a single isolated session was in itself practically useless it pointed us in the right direction). This combined with me seeing a TV reference to Headly Court (the military rehabilitation unit near Epsom) eventually lead me to this place:-

Outpatient Neurological Physiotherapy | Queen Elizabeth's Foundation for Disabled People

A year on and Emma is slowly starting to walk with crutches and regularly walks with a rollator. Indications are there could be far more to come and Emma may actually re gain the ability to walk "normally". Only time will tell.

Emma does two sessions at the QEF each week, we combine this with sports massage/physio once a week to help loosen the muscles.

Physio alone won't help, your body needs to "re learn" how to use the muscles as well as building muscle strength.

Any question feel free to ask.

 

[jonnyboy]

Can't offer any practical advice other than the advice of a good high end sports-health person may help (bearing in mind they are used to getting career-ending injury sufferers back to playing competitively). Perhaps speak to someone at your nearest decent football/rugby team?

I just wanted to say good luck and my thoughts are with you. I've had three injuries resulting in major surgery over the last five years which have cost me in the area of 2.5 years lost work. Your post, and others' responses, does help me get a bit of perspective.

I really wish you well.

 

[guydewdney]

couple of years until I dropped 400kg on myself whilst laying on a bench



really? you were bench pressing 400kg?

considering the world record is 325kg or so thats impressive
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progression_of_the_bench_press_world_record

 

[gunning]

My teenage son suffered neurological damage during chemotherapy in 2012/13. His nerve endings were eaten away leaving him with poor motor skills, lack of fine control and reduced power. The power loss was caused by a combination of bad neural pathways and lost muscle mass thanks to daily chemotherapy sessions lasting months on end. The advice we were given to counter the above was physio, physio and more physio. But in practice it solved little other than freeing up stiff joints. So 'we' embarked on a programme of running, football and weight training (Smiths Machine to avoid your type of accident) and Pilates. Pilates surprisingly, has been the most beneficial of all and my son, now 20, looks incredibly fit, simply by following this guy: https://www.youtube.com/user/motleyfitness 3 or 4 times a week. I do too, although I am over 6ft and 220+ pounds and live with a different set of issues, those being maintaining a high level of fitness aged 56 1/2, ha ha. But seriously, if you haven’t tried Pilates, then please do. Pilates was a German physio come lifestyle trainer to the stars in the 20s and when done properly (screaming on the floor) Pilates is very effective. It’s a shame that it’s now seen as a woman’s exercise given that puts most men off. I won’t say more on this tho’ given you may already be a convert - but if not, then do give it a try and eat well first - it’s not yoga. Ps, should have mentioned above that my son was on course to join the Marines, but isn't able to apply again until 5 years after being declared cancer free - still 2 years away. So we sympathize with your plight and wish you the best. chris

Some useful advice and obviously it goes without saying I hope your son reaches his goal to getting in the marines

 

[Giantvanman]

I had one shoulder damaged during Self-Defence Training. After one botched operation, one reconstructive operation and seven years of weekly (private) physic, I am relatively pain free but will never be able to go back to weight lifting/bodybuilding etc. For me, going back to weight training etc just wasn't worth the risk.

I would stay away from both machine and free-weights and do something like swimming (using different strokes) or other non-impact but good strength building exercise. I would also do some research and find a really top notch physio…….just like any profession, they are not all equal, believe me.

 

[gunning]

From the description of where you are it sounds like you probably have a degree of muscle atrophy and you need more than straightforward physio. Rehabilitation is where you need to be looking which also addresses posture, autonomous movements as well as physical structure. The following may also help Patagonians son:- My wife was diagnosed with MS 18 years ago, the full works, lumber puncture, mri showing white lesions etc etc, no doubt it was MS. Cutting a long story short we discovered three years ago she has a TMJ problem (Jaw misalignment) you can read about the treatment here if it's of interest - (it's long) AtlasBalance (jaw misalignment) Treatment - EJC : Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) - This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support The jaw treatment ultimately eradicated a whole host of symptoms that were being attributed to "MS", however after nearly 15 year of inactivity Emma was on the verge of being wheelchair bound and physically in pretty bad shape. We managed to get a single referral to Neuro physiotherapy from our GP and this proved to be an epiphany (although a single isolated session was in itself practically useless it pointed us in the right direction). This combined with me seeing a TV reference to Headly Court (the military rehabilitation unit near Epsom) eventually lead me to this place:- Outpatient Neurological Physiotherapy | Queen Elizabeth's Foundation for Disabled People A year on and Emma is slowly starting to walk with crutches and regularly walks with a rollator. Indications are there could be far more to come and Emma may actually re gain the ability to walk "normally". Only time will tell. Emma does two sessions at the QEF each week, we combine this with sports massage/physio once a week to help loosen the muscles. Physio alone won't help, your body needs to "re learn" how to use the muscles as well as building muscle strength. Any question feel free to ask.

I agree my shoulders certainly do need to re learn how to move efficiently again with full range of movement, again I appreciate your input

 

[gunning]

Can't offer any practical advice other than the advice of a good high end sports-health person may help (bearing in mind they are used to getting career-ending injury sufferers back to playing competitively). Perhaps speak to someone at your nearest decent football/rugby team? I just wanted to say good luck and my thoughts are with you. I've had three injuries resulting in major surgery over the last five years which have cost me in the area of 2.5 years lost work. Your post, and others' responses, does help me get a bit of perspective. I really wish you well.

Cheers John, luckily I've always had my mate who's a top class athletes and we've always worked in the gym together so we are now working go get my fitness back.

 

[gunning]

couple of years until I dropped 400kg on myself whilst laying on a bench really? you were bench pressing 400kg? considering the world record is 325kg or so thats impressive https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progression_of_the_bench_press_world_record

I don't think I'd be bench pressing 400kg when the original post says I'm a 75/85 kg bench press man. A slight hike in weight there ha! If I attempted 400kg bench press I'd be having an*l prolapse surgery.

 

[grober]

The blunt truth sadly is that the selection process is exactly that-- a selection of the fittest. In any selection board you are going to be in competition with a lot of younger fitter guys with no history of shoulder injury /instability just as keen as you to get a commission. Further you mentioned a history of concealing your injury while still on active service which I assume remains on record. Bearing in mind you might have a bunch of squaddies relying on you in a combat situation in the future realistically I don't think any selection board is going to pass you except perhaps in time of war when they have run out of other applicants!
I would encourage you to regain fitness but perhaps to change your life goals to something you are more likely to succeed at. Plenty of challenging adventures out there for a young man outwith the armed services with your background ---expedition/ holiday work- outward bound/adventure courses etc Go for it!

 

[Deleted96908]

The following may also help Patagonians son:-

Thank you.

Cutting a long story short we discovered three years ago she has a TMJ problem (Jaw misalignment) you can read about the treatment here if it's of interest - (it's long) AtlasBalance (jaw misalignment) Treatment - EJC : Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) - This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

What I find so distressing about life is that often we can't see how lucky we are without being made aware of the travails of others.

Best wishes to you and your wife Red.

 

[Deleted96908]

Bearing in mind you might have a bunch of squaddies relying on you in a combat situation in the future realistically I don't think any selection board is going to pass you except perhaps in time of war when they have run out of other applicants!

If the Marines want my son to apply post cancer, then why not somebody previously disabled but equally well motivated? And age is no barrier as long as you meet the age criteria of 33. At 32 I was running 30kg packs along a shingled sea front with the field gun crew and up hills alone except for my madness. Age for those of us that have forgotten, is no disability as long as there's motivation and application.

On the other hand to stand a fair chance of getting in, I wouldn't be driving that 911 to selection ...

Chris, 56 1/2