Is your body breaking down in a hurry?

2014-12-23T12:02:43-05:00

I can't be the only one! I'm 26 in human years and 46 in Army years. Shoulders, knees, hips, you name it, it hurts.

On a serious note, I spent 4 yrs playing college football and 3 yrs with the 101st and I am pretty beat up.

I've never found it so difficult to recover. Pains that used to go away with rest are stubborn now. Age or nature of the job?

Basically, recently this is causing some stress. I love this profession and I'm currently waiting on my OCS decision. I want to do this for a long time. It is good for my family and I truly enjoy it. Any pointers for extending a career in the military? What's the secret to physical longevity?

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2014 12:07 PM

2014-12-23T12:07:27-05:00

Great question, that hasn't gained much traction...yet.

I have been working as a chiropractor for over 7 years, and I have creatively coined this phenomenon 'post athlete syndrome'.

One can try to push through it with more exercise, or one can give up....however, as most have found, going from an active lifestyle to a completely sedentary...this is likely to happen.

What you are describing is degenerative arthritis that has invaded your joints, we are strictly talking about osteoarthritis...and inflammatory condition in response to micro or macro trauma....in your case early onset trauma, and repeated Trauma over the years. Be careful, because if you try to make a claim with the VA, and they say, it's a pre-existing arthritis condition, sorry, that doesn't rate a VA disability rating, you appeal that thing all the way up the chain. It is a rate-able condition, and if you haven't started the paperwork....do it today.

You'll need some doctors visits to back up your claim...but drive on.

Glucosamine is great for us that suffer with arthritis. And how do you know you have it, you wake up stiff, sleep usually makes it worse, Exercise usually makes it better.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2014 3:22 PM

2014-12-23T15:22:39-05:00

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member,

I joined the Army at the age of 41 and Fort Campbell was my first duty station. The secret to physical longevity is to drink water, turn your aches into a cadence, and charlie mike!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2014 11:56 PM

2014-12-23T23:56:24-05:00

In a hurry is an understatement.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2014 12:03 AM

2014-12-24T00:03:33-05:00

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member Chondroitin, Glucosamine, Water, Healthy Food, Sleep, and Ergonomics. These things will heal the body, restore your immunity, and align the spine.

Response by John Russell made Dec 24 at 2014 12:09 AM

2014-12-24T00:09:30-05:00

You need to take up some time of yoga to increase the circulation to parts of your joints that are not receiving attention. Human body is not meant to be rigid or out of alignment. Youtube some yoga exercises for knee pain or lower back pain. I did. I injured myself ruck running and i had to fix it myself since the army chiro doesnt know what hes doing. Im 31 yearsold. I had to fix myself because im prepping for a "selection course". Also, remember..tendon/ligament strengthing is a must for preventing joint injuries.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2014 12:33 AM

2014-12-24T00:33:02-05:00

Yes, it's age and the job both. I don't think there is any big secret. Just take better care of yourself and hope the body last.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2014 2:42 AM

2014-12-24T02:42:45-05:00

Yoga, lots of it. Foam rolling, lots of it. Stop doing dumb Army PT (ie, multiple, repetitive high impact, high intensity workouts like running and rucking in a week). Proper nutrition and diet. Healthy body weight and body composition. 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night. When/if your chain-of-command tells you all of this isn't possible in the Army, tell them you're simply trying to support the Army's Performance Triad.

http://armymedicine.mil/Pages/performance-triad.aspx

Good luck.

Performance Triad

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2014 3:16 AM

2014-12-24T03:16:59-05:00

At 26 your age has little to do with it, but without knowing details of your routine it's hard to say exactly what the problem is. There have been a lot of good suggestions here such as staying very hydrated, getting good quality sleep, and have a clean diet. I would add proper stretching and adding supplements like BCAA's for during and post workout. BCAA's are good for recovery. Also look closely at your routines as some of your aches may be over use injuries.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2014 4:20 AM

2014-12-24T04:20:53-05:00

I am 38 and still scoring 290-300 on the PT test. Aleve (naproxin) seems to help me the most, but I had to take it every day for a week before it really started making a difference and I have to take it every day for maintenance.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2014 6:52 AM

2014-12-24T06:52:24-05:00

I'm 28 with 9 years of service and I feel stronger and faster than when I was 19. The key of longevity is to train your body smart and put quality foods in your body.

If you having hip and knee problems you might need to check your running form. That can be the cause of your pains.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2014 6:59 AM

2014-12-24T06:59:49-05:00

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member I do kickboxing and Muay Thai and running. While I'm working out its okay and it helps, but first thing in the morning I'm moving like an old lady until the joints get warmed up. Stretching is key I have learned. Along with balance. Try yoga or swimming to help your joints. Water water water, I can't stress that enough. Also for muscle recovery and to prevent lactic acid build up which cause the cramping and pain. BCAAs and Beta Alanine especially the latter has helped me. I used to have horrible IT band spasms after an intense round of kicks the beta alanine really helped me. I have left shoulder tendonitis from too many left hooks and mcl tear right knee and osteoarthritis in my knees and back.

Response by SGT(P) Harry Clyde Jr. made Dec 24 at 2014 7:15 AM

2014-12-24T07:15:19-05:00

Aches and pains come with age no matter what shape you are in, what your occupation is or activities you do.
I cant tell you how to prolong your career in the military. Bit out of my lane ill admit due to how mine went.
The Secret to physical longevity in my opinion is listen to your body. It will tell you when its had enough. The more you do to it now while in the military or push off getting any issues looked at in order to continue with the mission can show its ugly head later. When you go to the Army Hospital, look at the retirees. They are mostly there due to service related injuries.
The other secret to me is stay active. Not just at work but at home as well. Regular exercise, even short walks can keep you loose and limber and not let the joints, bones and muscles stagnate. Thats where injuries will show later in life in some cases is due to this stagnation.
I retired at 38 with hearing loss one bad shoulder and one worse along with an aching knee from time to time and a neck ache from a jump injury 18 years prior. But I saw myself no worse for wear and continued my outdoor activities of camping, hiking and backpacking along with other activities to include a lot of walking. Almost everyday in fact.
At 42 now, I have a herniated disk (see neurologist today to find out if I get cut) that occured while breaking up a dog fight on a walk on Veterans day Weekend. This includes nerve pain and leg numbness. I joke that all those years jumping has now caught up to me which may be true. I may have had a ticking time bomb for years, that fight break up set it off. But in that, I wont let it stop me. Get the doc to fix not bandade it so life continues. I still continued, before this appointment and to my wifes adamant disagreement, continue with my usual activities with some exceptions i.e. cant hike or long strolls. Once fixed it will be full throttle again.
I cant emphasise enough. Just listen to your body and light exercise and youll do fine. Playing video games and WII dont count.

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made Dec 24 at 2014 7:50 AM

2014-12-24T07:50:02-05:00

Good topic, I'm 48 in human years but my body is mid twenties....and I have been in since 86....and played semipro ball for three years, however not without price as the last five yrs I have had several surgeries but I'm back at it. I really don't know if there is any secret but take care of yourself because once your body goes then the military normally MEB you out

Response by SGT R J Imhoff made Dec 24 at 2014 8:37 AM

2014-12-24T08:37:43-05:00

Its all about Nutrition !! What you put in it for fuel. You don't do PT in a shoe from Payless or Wal-Mart do you? They only provide a product that is just minimally adequate for your needs. Most foods today are the same way.. You must Supplement your nutrition. (Full Disclosure) I am in the industry, 45 years old
and in the best shape of my life. I have remained active feed my body right, take Supplements/Vitamins, and get lots of Rest for recovery..
Like the Shoe analogy find a reputable company. Not all are the same.. Just like not all beers are the same. LOL

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Dec 24 at 2014 9:38 AM

2014-12-24T09:38:08-05:00

Yes my wife says i have the body of an 80 year old man. I have Arthritis in both my knees. my back goes out ever month at least once. i have degenerative joint in my right shoulder. and i Snap, Crakle, And Pop every time i move. Dont let your pain make you go stagnet because when i did that everything got worse. Once i started getting back in shape and moving more i felt better the pain is there but that is what alieve is for.

Response by MSG David Johnson made Dec 24 at 2014 2:48 PM

2014-12-24T14:48:18-05:00

I started breaking down about 5 years after joining at 18, so since I was 23 I've been dealing with the knees that went first and it slowly went downhill from then. I've got degenerative joint disease of the knees which causes severe pain as it gets worse. It's to the point now I need both knees replaced. I've had several arthroscopies so now it's to the point I have very little cartilage left, and get knee shots twice a year until I'm 60 and below 250 pounds.

By the time of my last deployment I had multiple 2's and 3's under my PULHES, and then got hit by an IED. I was route clearance with V shaped hulls for protection.

But when you have the mentality of mission first at all costs, and I'll sleep when I'm dead, that doesn't bode well for the body, and as age crept on me like the reaper it kept getting worse. But we old timers know that Motrin is a cure all we just kept taking more.

I was a Combat Engineer, Motorized, Mechanized and Wheeled, graduate of the SAPPER Leader Course, and other things that don't work well with the body, at least I didn't jump, wanted to but never did. That might be a good thing.

So, yeah, I can tell you it's part genetics, part being in shape, and 100% mental that keeps us going.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2014 6:20 PM

2014-12-24T18:20:45-05:00

Take care of your body. Go to sick call if you are hurting more than muscle fatigue accounts for, it doesn't mean that you are weak. Joint supplements, yoga, just about any kind of workouts aside from PRT. Food is important, eat as cleanly as possible, minimize processed foods, cook from basic ingredients. The Palo diet is pretty good if you stick to it (it's really hard to ditch the carbs we are accustomed too)

Response by SSG Eddye Royal made Dec 25 at 2014 8:13 PM

2014-12-25T20:13:17-05:00

Hello, I am a distance runner from Texas. I started my basic training @ your base back in 1985, so I knows your area. I did 25 miles a day until a few months ago. If yourstill jumping for your wings, then you have no chose but to man up. USE GNC Products, like us old military guys and go on. STARS and STRIPES reported that a certain of #CAPTAINS did not make the CUT for EDUCATION, and thus no time in grade and no #PENSION.

I did get my 21 yr retirement back in 2003. wish you luck.