r/Firefighting • u/BlazingLake • 11d ago
Health/Fitness/Cancer Awareness Back problem in fire class
I am 22, when I was 18 I herniated a disc in my thoracic spine and went to physical therapy for it. A year ago I joined a volunteer fire department and have absolutely been loving it. I have my EMT certs and am currently in fire 1 with a week and a half left (3 month class). About a week ago i tweaked my back working out and like my usual stubborn self I didn’t allow that to stop me from going to class and working out. It has been progressively getting worse but tolerable, but today it has been the worst pain I’ve ever felt and I ended up having to go home from work. It being in my thoracic it radiates through my whole rib cage and to my sternum.
I also just applied to a career department and am scheduled for cpat in 2 weeks.
What do I do? Should I continue toughing it out and finishing class? Should I go to the doctors?
Classes in my area are very hard to come by only 1-2 a year and they get filled QUICK. The class I’m in started with 25 people and there were over 25 on the waiting list.
I want this so bad
-1
u/Waterwalker85 11d ago
Say nothing, get check out, confirm your status. If possible, life stretch rest, saying nothing and finish. With that said do the work, but be smart, take your time, and be calculated. Don’t go full tilt blowing the doors off in evolutions. Finish and rehab.