Starting Strength Culture And Dr John Petrizzo
Dear Rip,
I have followed the "Starting Strength" forum for the past 9 years, and I would like to commend you on your brand as well as the aggregation of professional individuals that are associated with your website. As a dinosaur (soon to be 66 yrs old) there is very little information available for senior lifters in the way of strength training, programming, and health care that may be necessary due to injury.
Your website shines a light for a demographic that is too often forgotten about if they are active seniors (God how I hate that term) pursuing strength and health through barbells. I developed a back issue a year ago that has given me some problems that necessitated me to be introduced to the world of “healthcare” . After six months of abandoning lifting, 22 visits to PT (I know it seems like a lot) an idiot Ortho/back guy, I decided to seek some alternatives.
My diagnosis appears to be severe degenerative disc disease/ arthritis along with arthritis of the facet joints coupled with a synovial cyst. The junior commando (ortho guy) recommended surgery based upon symptoms and the MRI findings which I am sure as you know is a gold mine of information that can be totally unrelated to the symptoms. Through your website I researched all the articles on issues associated with back problems and decided to take an informed approach. I had been aware of Dr John Petrizzo through your forum (his articles) and with his work with Mac Ward in regards to the back problems he was troubled with while on active duty.
I contacted John, after suffering with symptoms due to the pathology described above for approximately six months. I felt weak and debilitated from not training, and not getting any sensible answers from the medical community. I gave John my medical background, and he said that I needed to get back under the bar. We started with air squats, and bench press with weights (plates) under my feet so as to relieve stress on the back. I did this for quite a few months reporting to John on a weekly basis.
After approximately 7 months John has guided me back to a squat of 300# 3X5 and a 1 rep BP of 250#. I know not big numbers, but to someone that quit cold at a 400# squat, 450# deadlift, and 285 # bench and 170# press at age 65 this is very heartening, and motivating. John also helped me with diet going down from 254 to 242 height 5” 10” as of this date. He also got me back to sled dragging which I like to do for conditioning. As this juncture I have not done any deadlifts or rack pulls as they seem to exacerbate the symptoms. I have been able to do ring rows. Bottom line John’s thoughtfulness and dedication to help me, and continue to help me goes well beyond what I can describe with respects to how people now a days treat one another. In Texan terms I am not a bleeding heart, but appreciation needs to shown for those people that actually give a $#^#@ ! John Is a credit to his profession of Physical therapy, and has first class knowledge of the application of barbell training to the pathologies (musculoskeletal) that affect peoples everyday lives. What a testament to the character of this individual and his willingness to extend himself to an unknown person in need of some guidance/advice.
Thank you Rip for availing yourself through "Starting Strength” , your forums, and extending that brand through "class A "Individuals such as Dr John Petrizzo. I also want to say that the other individuals that I have learned a great deal from are Dr Sullivan, Dr Will Morris, and Andy Baker whom I consider a programming guru ! Sorry for being so long winded but dinosaurs move slowly and thoughtfully.
Regards from Pittsburgh from a grateful individual !
John Fisher