Thread: Cortisone injections and dancing???

I got my second round of cortisone shots in my back today. If this round doesn't work, I have to go see Mr. Surgeon. ..c::

Last time I immediately went back to dancing. The dr. said I could go back to my normal life, so I did. Well, after 5 days the shot wore off. ,m::

So, here is my question, is it safe, recommended to bellydance after a cortisone shot?????.p::

I have seen articles on both side of the argument online. Some people say you can go right back to your normal routine and others say you should stay flat on your back as long as possible. .w.:

So, what do I do??? I want this to work, and while I don't want to stop dancing, I am willing to stop dancing for a while if it means I'll get better. :

Anyone have this experience? What do you recommend?

Hi Zepora! I have a friend who is a physical therapist, and, according to him, cortisone shots are evil! He feels it is too easy to over do things once your back feels good, and that, in the end, the problem is still there even if the pain isn't.

My mom is seeing him for her back, and the advice is simple: day-to-day activities are fine, but no overdoing it, which would rule out running for my mom.

I hope this helps a bit. If you would like to e-mail him, let me know! I'll be glad to share his address with you.

Oh lord, what did you do to your back?

I would take it as easy as possible (read: not dance) until the problem/diagnosis was resolved. A dancer I know of lost a lot of her range of motion in the mid and lower spine (read: her dancing totally changed) after cortisone shots and keeping on dancing.

I know its tempting to just ignore a diagnosis or problem when you dont feel it...which could just make the problem a lot lot worse.

I would consult with a physician and/or a physical therapist and/or your dance teacher to see if they think your body/style of dance/diagnosis lends it self to dancing while "being on the shots".

We want you to last a loooong time, aight?

DaVid

I have a chronic illness that has resulted in a number of joint problems that are relieved with cortisone. My Drs take is that the cortisone is easing the inflammation, but it is not helping the undedrlying injury. It FEELS better-it isn't better. It still needs the same amount of rest and TLC that you would have given it with the traditional RICE routine.

My podiatric surgeon also refers to them as evil. Says it dissolves the connective tissue and in a joint that needs repair can make things worse. (I've managed to lose all the cartilage in 3 joints that never got cortisone, so not sure it matters..c::)

Anyway, both of the above Drs agree: cortisone is not curing anything. It's for comfort. Don't make the asumption that because you CAN do it, you should.

Originally Posted by 1shadylady

Hi Zepora! I have a friend who is a physical therapist, and, according to him, cortisone shots are evil! He feels it is too easy to over do things once your back feels good, and that, in the end, the problem is still there even if the pain isn't.

My mom is seeing him for her back, and the advice is simple: day-to-day activities are fine, but no overdoing it, which would rule out running for my mom.

I hope this helps a bit. If you would like to e-mail him, let me know! I'll be glad to share his address with you.

I would love to get his specific opinion about belly dancing. Thanks for the info!

Originally Posted by david

Oh lord, what did you do to your back?

I would take it as easy as possible (read: not dance) until the problem/diagnosis was resolved. A dancer I know of lost a lot of her range of motion in the mid and lower spine (read: her dancing totally changed) after cortisone shots and keeping on dancing.

I know its tempting to just ignore a diagnosis or problem when you dont feel it...which could just make the problem a lot lot worse.

I would consult with a physician and/or a physical therapist and/or your dance teacher to see if they think your body/style of dance/diagnosis lends it self to dancing while "being on the shots".

We want you to last a loooong time, aight?

DaVid

Thanks! I'm not sure what the cause was, but my lower back is pretty jacked up. My last MRI shows 2 bulging disks and 1 very badly herniated disk. It's been 2 years of dealing with this. ..c:: However, I've continued dancing when I felt I could tolerate it.

I am wondering if I should give not dancing a try. Maybe dancing is keeping it aggrivated. My Physical Therapist and doctor say its okay for me to continue dancing. But I don't know if people in this hick town understand what I mean by "dancing" is not a few hip bumps here and there. lol! I'm a pretty serious dancer, but I do listen to my body.

The specialist who is giving me these shots says the point is to buy me some time without pain, with the hope that my body will find a way (along with strengthening exercises) to compensate for the injury. If my body can't compensate, the surgeon will step in. Probably cut out the part of the disk that is hanging out and irritating my sciatic nerve so bad.

Well, thanks for your concern. I HATE the thought of not dancing for a while, but maybe I should give it a try. It is something I haven't tried yet, and maybe all my body needs a little rest.

Thanks for your concern.

What about chiropractors? I haven't seen one yet but have thought about it. My general feeling about this is, I don't see how they can fix my spine until the injuring (what causes the inflamation) is gone. But, maybe I am wrong. To me it would make since to get your injury "fixed", then visit Mr. Chiropractor to help you get your spine back in shape. Right? Maybe I am wrong. I have NEVER seen a chiropractor, so I guess I really don't know.

What do ya'll think about that?

Hey Zep, wow, I'm sorry to hear that you are going through some serious back problems.

You know, I would from a personal standpoint and based on experience/research go with the RICE tradition. You don't necessarily stop dancing just because you take a break from moving. You can do video research, read up on things, write observations, write articles, read articles, watch videos for research (I said that 2 times because there is great knowledge to extract here).

Chiropractors are indeed meant to get you spine adjusted back into a tension-released and "healthy" position. I would ask your medical team (doctors, physical trainer etc) in regard to chiropractors. I think they can do great things - and they can do really horrible things. It all depends on your body and what you are accustomed to. I have seen a few chiropractors - but the one I have now makes me feel that I can trust her. She understands that with years and years of having dance teachers grab me and "lead" my body through a movement to teach me (read: habit) - it takes some effort to truly relax my body to where she can adjust me properly.

Whatever you do, make sure you are making an educated evaluated choice. I honestly would be careful with dancing with the complications bulging and herniated disks can cause. But, I haven't seen your scans/xrays nor am I a medical professional - so if your medical team says it is ok... I'd still be cautious when dancing...You dont want to aggravate such a condition.

DaVid

Thanks David! You seem very wise. I appreciate your input. And you are right about extracting from videos. There have been times when I have performed without a chance to practice the week prior, only watched DVDs while cooking supper, etc . . . but I was still surprisingly fresh with my dancing. Just watching dance does something in your mind that is almost as good as practicing the moves physically.

Also, I was thinking . . . this may be a good opportunity to sit on the couch with some of my Zill DVDs. Who knows. When I get on the dance floor again, maybe I can surprise everyone with my newly acquired zill skills. :)

All is not lost. Thanks for the encouragement!

Originally Posted by Zepora

Thanks David! You seem very wise. I appreciate your input. And you are right about extracting from videos. There have been times when I have performed without a chance to practice the week prior, only watched DVDs while cooking supper, etc . . . but I was still surprisingly fresh with my dancing. Just watching dance does something in your mind that is almost as good as practicing the moves physically.

Also, I was thinking . . . this may be a good opportunity to sit on the couch with some of my Zill DVDs. Who knows. When I get on the dance floor again, maybe I can surprise everyone with my newly acquired zill skills. :)

All is not lost. Thanks for the encouragement!

Oh, well thank you. Glad to be of service and pay it forward :)

i've had a few students that had cortisone shots, and some weight gain, and not much other gain from it. i second getting second opinions from physical therapy/chiropractor/osteopath, etc, and to have some rest too (as in non dancing)