Overuse Injuries from Classical Stretch?

[JAusten]

Just wondering... in the "How are you finishing out the year?" thread, a couple of people mentioned that they may have developed overuse injuries doing the Classical Stretch workouts. Has anybody else experienced anything like this?

I've been doing one (or more) of these every day for a couple of weeks and I feel great! Should I start mixing it up a little?

[JackieB]

Well, I have been using CS exclusively for a few years now and never developed overuse injuries. I'm curious as I know people have said it hasn't been a match for the body, just like everything.

I did recently start doing DDP Yoga, just to mix it up a bit.

I also throw in Ellen or barre occasionally.

I'm curious to hear people's responses!

Jackie

[sunday]

I am one of those people, unfortunately.

I have been doing only CS since September, so three months. In the last few weeks I've re-developed swollen knees. I also, during a standing Season 8 episode a few weeks ago, pulled something over and down my right hip that is still very sore. I went for a 90 minute massage on Saturday, and my therapist said she's never seen tight - as in bad - glutes like mine before. And I was always super loose in my butt and hips until just recently. She spent 40 of my 90 minutes on my butt alone!

I had always insisted that CS simply did not incorporate enough lower body flexibility work for me, but I decided to give it a try but discovered I was right. I was always exceptionally flexible and now am so tight in the lower body it's like I've never touched my toes in my life. I was always able to sit in a wide straddle and put my forehead on the floor and lie there, for example. For me, CS is definitely not enough in that way. OTOH, CS did loosen up my upper back, but the trade off is not worth it.

As much as I love CS, it just isn't good for me apparently.

[JackieB]

Originally Posted by sunday

I am one of those people, unfortunately.

I'm sorry, Deana! I know you have liked CS. What a bummer! I know that there is no one-size-fits-all program. Still....how disappointing!

Jackie

[bzar]

hmmm. and i was pretty certain i was going to place my very first CS order this month during the sale.

[JackieB]

Originally Posted by bzar

hmmm. and i was pretty certain i was going to place my very first CS order this month during the sale.

I swear I've been doing CS every day for years...I am thinking at least 3 years. It's been great for me.

Now TA and me, that's a different story. Ouch.

Jackie

[Messe]

I injured my previously healthy back earlier this year while trying to work my way through Classical Stretch season 9. It's taken months to get back to anything vaguely resembling my previous fitness level as a result. But at least I no longer have the classic Niagara Falls reaction whenever I hear Miranda's name.

[sunday]

Originally Posted by JackieB

I'm sorry, Deana! I know you have liked CS. What a bummer! I know that there is no one-size-fits-all program. Still....how disappointing!

Jackie

I know; I was really enjoying it too! It seems that, eventually, injuries always happen to me when I do CS. I really like the Essentrics Barre workout, though, and will incorporate the floor work in to my Pilates. I also really love Miranda's Legs and Butt workout on the Vintage collection. Those have never bothered me, so at least I can do those.

[sunday]

Originally Posted by Messe

I injured my previously healthy back earlier this year while trying to work my way through Classical Stretch season 9. It's taken months to get back to anything vaguely resembling my previous fitness level as a result. But at least I no longer have the classic Niagara Falls reaction whenever I hear Miranda's name.

I have also had back injuries with CS, though those were with my previous attempts. I believe it's a great program for the right bodies, though!

[Irish Eyes]

For me at least, doing the same kind of workout every day, regardless of the type of workout it is, leads to overuse injuries. Even when I do Leslie almost every day I seem to get some kind of pain (usually in my knee or hip flexors). I think that there's a misconception that since CS is gentle that it's OK to do it every day. But that's not necessarily true or healthy for every one's body. I'm so glad it works for Jackie (and it obviously works for Miranda and Sahra!) but I find that my CS/Essentrics "sweet spot" is 2-3 times a week. That frequency gives me all the wonderful benefits of the CS principles without any overuse injuries.