Dr. re: McGill again

July 20, 2010

Dr ,

I am not a biomechanist but am interested in back health because I am a masters

level discus thrower (62 years old) and have occasional back pain. I am familiar

with Dr. McGills research, books, and DVDs. I noticed that some of the exercises

on your web site are listed as contraindicated in Dr. McGill's books and DVDs.

Would you comment on differences in philosophy between you and Dr. McGill in

preventing and treating low back pain in athletes?

I'm not sure that there is one " right " answer to this problem. I was number 1 or

2 in the world in discus for my age group for 13 years. Last year I strained a

quadratus lumborum muscle (right side). It only hurt when I threw the discus,

but my discus distance plunged from 57+ meters (189 feet) to <50 meters (164

feet) . I tried everything from injections to stabilization exercises. The

problem only cleared up when I stopped throwing and walked 8 miles per day for a

week during a European holiday. This year I have been throwing the hammer,

weight, shot, and discus. I think hammer throwing has helped stabilized my core.

I have also been concentrating on McGill's concept of spinal stiffness to avoid

injury and improve performance. The back pain is largely gone, but I am still

struggling with pathetic distances.

I would appreciate your insight (as well as insight from other members of the

group).

Tom Fahey

Dept Kinesiology

California State University, Chico

USA

McGill again

If anyone is interested in Prof Stuart McGill's new DVD I have just

posted a blog entry on him with a link to a short bit from the DVD.

This should give those interested the type of info on it. Again, I feel

this is a significant piece of work. Go to www.backextender.com and

have a look.

Cheers - Micheal

Dr. J.

Back Extender Company, Ltd

20 Kensington Ave

Whangarei, New Zealand

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