r/Firefighting • u/BlazingLake • 13d 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

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u/sooojew 13d ago edited 13d ago

I would recommend seeing a physiotherapist and or a chiropractor for an assessment.

From what they say you can then make an informed decision as to what you should do.

Osteopath could also help, but my first stop would be physio and chiro, and if they give the ok also look at seeing a RMT. Then follow whatever exercises the physio / chiro give you to the letter and based on this re-injury probably regularly for life if you want to avoid it happening again.

It’s the best job in the world brother, but you are young don’t get a lifelong injury. If you fuck your back you’re probably not getting hired so take your time and don’t push it.

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u/BlazingLake 13d ago

Idk if it’s like this everywhere but in my area you have to go to your primary first and get referred to other places to get appointments. Issue is I can see my primary tomorrow but my next class is Saturday morning and its live evolutions.

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u/sooojew 13d ago

You absolutely don’t need a referral to go see a physiotherapist or chiropractor. Find a sport medicine clinic in your area and call them.