Parents Returning after a year and half and back pain

[lilymom]

We're back! My daughter had decided she was done with gymnastics almost a year and half ago and had been doing dance. Well, 2 weeks ago she suddenly started bringing up how she wants to go back. yay...I wasn't loving dance and I really miss seeing my munchkin light up from the sport, not to mention the confidence and determination she has when she's in it.

Since it's been so long, she wanted to make sure she was still comfy on the equipment and wanted to go to open gyms. So I took her on Sat and it was amazing...the excitement and delight in her eyes...I can't even begin to explain but I bet you all know exactly what that looks like from your own gymmies. She did great, had almost all of her floor skills (messier of course) and could still do back and front walkers on beam (which she did a lot of) She was happy.

Sunday, she wanted to go again with a friend so we did. I shouldn't have let her but she hadn't mentioned anything about pain. This gym had an air track and she was flipping away...longer runs than usual (roundoff, 5 back handsprings, back tucks) and loving it but then I noticed her rubbing her back. I called her out and she said her back hurt when she jumped or flipped so I told her no more of that. Well, she didn't listen and did a couple more passes before I could get her back out and make her stop.

By a few hours later, she said her back was in a lot pain. We did heating pad and ice and she just rested. Today she says it's still really bad.

My first instinct is that she overdid it and is sore plus maybe pulled a muscle or something..the amount of tumbling and back bending she did all of the sudden after over a year was a lot.
But then there's that fear...what if it's more.
So my questions...what is a reasonable amount of time to let her recover before it needs to be seen? Previously I've been told 3 days for soreness and overstretching pain to subside. Is this the same for backs? What else can I do to help her relieve the pain in the meantime? Thank you!

 

[Deleted member 18037]

If she were mine, she would be visiting the doctor.

 

[Flippin'A]

Yeah- I have to say I'd probably be going as soon as possible. Not the emergency room, but I doubt I'd wait three days for this. I'm pretty paranoid when it comes to backs in the gymnastics world and I'd want to hear the doctor say it's just sore muscles.

 

[lilymom]

Thanks! That's what I was thinking... I'll call the doc tomorrow.

 

[Amanda]

I think it's a good idea to get it checked out, but it seems like a lot of the more serious back issues that come from gymnastics are chronic overuse issues. I would be surprised if she has a long term issue after a couple of days of activity. I think it's likely sore muscles- but definitely better to error on the side of caution with the back.

 

[Ginger]

"could still do back and front walkers on beam (which she did a lot of)"

If she wants to enjoy gymnastics for long time, tell her not to do walkovers - especially not on beam. These are the worst thing you can do to your back.

 

[Sk8ermaiden]

It's the million walkovers on beam + back pain that make me think you need to see an ortho. Hope it's nothing though.

 

[lilymom]

"could still do back and front walkers on beam (which she did a lot of)"

If she wants to enjoy gymnastics for long time, tell her not to do walkovers - especially not on beam. These are the worst thing you can do to your back.

Woah! She's been in gym for 7 years and no one ever told us this! She does them all the time. But after your comment and searching through the forum...omg! Why do they have them as part of the compulsory routine? ;(
I won't let her do any more but I'm worried now.
Thanks for letting me know.

 

[Sk8ermaiden]

I think it's a big part of the reason that the BWO on beam is one of the only skills in compulsory that you can substitute - with a back handspring or back extension roll.

 

[CLgym]

My DD has struggled with on/off back pain for the last year. I would definitely see an ortho (we see a pediatric sports medicine specialist). But to make you feel better, not all back pain is related to a stress reaction/fracture. Mine had a clear MRI (no fracture or stress reaction at all), but still suffers from sporadic back pain and does weekly PT. Her worst pain is typically related to muscle spasms in the mid-spine (thoracic) region, and this pain can last for about 3 days. During this time it is even uncomfortable for her to lug around her heavy school backpack!

To me it seems unlikely that a stress fracture would develop over the course of two open gyms -- unless of course she was doing something at home or in dance that was the true source of the problem -- but the back is not something to mess around with. Good luck!

PS -- And welcome back to the gymnastics world! Your honeymoon period was short

 

[mom2gymnast]

My daughter had OCD in her elbow. She was out for several months and when she came back she had some terrible back pain. Went to the DR and she just had strain in her back muscles from using them again. I would get it checked but it could definitely be that since your daughter has been out so long and did so much all at once!

 

[lilymom]

Thank you all for your jnput. We went to ortho today and had xray. He is pretty sure there is a fracture. Going for mri as soon as insurance approves it (hopefully tomorrow)
Still holding out hope that it's spasms as doc first thought. Really really hoping.
I'll update as soon as I know.
thanks!

 

[Sk8ermaiden]

Ugh. It's awful, but catching it early is a lot easier than continuing and not finding out until later. Sorry you are dealing with the stressful wait. Hope against hope it will be nothing.

 

[lilymom]

Just wanted to pop in with an update. Wevarent seeing a fracture (yay!) But she is still in pain so we will do PT, give it time and hopefully it's nothing more than tight or pulled muscle.
Then we decide on wether or not she goes back to gymnastics.
Thank you all for your support and comments!