My back.. another step in the right direction
I have been plagued by issues since I stopped rowing years ago, in fact it’s the reason I stopped. Twenty something year later and I might me emerging from what has been a quite challenging episode at times. With Badwater135 now (hopefully) looming on my calendar, getting this back issue truly solved is no longer optional – it is the difference between starting Death Valley with confidence or not starting at all.
It’s fair to say I have tried just about everything, some success, some “sticking plaster” and some pointless. I was making progress, the exercises Fletch has given me following my biomechanical screening were certainly helping - the gap between episodes was wider. Fletch was clear, if it wasn’t sorted completely then “we go to the best”, I was a little skeptical just because I’ve seen so many people over the years, but I emailed.
“Joel has an appointment on the 23rd at 1300” - this was over 6 weeks away, I couldn’t make it. “His next appointment is on the 14th” - this guy was in serious demand.
The consultation would last up to 3 hours, with a pre-consultation call of 10mins. This was all quite different already, 3 hours for a start. The calla couple of weeks ahead of the appointment was really to set the stage, a brief description and the an authoritative and reassuring “we will work out precisely what is going on”. I’d paid my deposit and was ready.
The appointment time arrived, I was there ready and started to talk through my history and symptoms - Joel listened intently. Next he pulled up my MRI and started navigating around the slices with an expert eye. The consultation room was filled with those little bone and rubber models you often see - except this time was different, there were loads of them. He explained lots about the spine, the mechanics, the way it worked - I need this. I need to know what and why something works the way it does. That same forensic approach is how I plan every mile of Badwater – heat strategy, crew training, even sock changes – so Joel’s detail-first mindset instantly clicked.
As he went on and talked about the disc degeneration all the pieces of the jigsaw fell into place. He was so precise, so accurate, so utterly focused. He declared “I know precisely what is going on”. There was no ambiguity, not “let’s just strengthen this” or “I think it’s that” - “I know precisely what is going on”.
Up to the gym and into a routine, he didn’t dress it up. He went through a handful of very specific exercises, very targeted and also “safe positions” - he armed me with knowledge, more confidence and clarity. Every rep now slots straight into my Badwater prep plan – stronger core, safer stride, fewer unknowns when the thermometer hits 50 °C. What he gave me was highly specific and targeted - and realistic.
Weeks have since past, I am getting stronger, I feel in control and whilst I won’t say I will never have a bad back - I feel far more confident that my “Badwater stopping weakness” now has a proper management routine.
Joel is an expert, a true, world leading expert - if you have a bad back, please just “go to the top”. Exceptional, thank you Joel.
Each pain-free week is a small but crucial qualifier, proof that my engine and chassis can handle 135 unforgiving desert miles.