Medical requirements in kendo?

[ilporko]

I'm putting this here because I'm not sure where it belong. Mods feel free to relocate it.

I've got some relatively serious medical issues related to my head and heart, and am not very fit, though I have stamina, and can grind through training by dint of pure determination.

So, as I would like to go back to kendo, at which I was a beginner, can you answer me this: what are the physical and medical requirements for doing kendo?

For those who may be medically aware: I have hydrocephalis; coarctation of the aorta; and spleenectomy. Given the locations of these issues, namely head, chest, and abdomen, is it realistic to 'fight' in kendo?

[Chaby]

My best advice is to visit a sports medicine specialist.
Cheers!

[mononokifool]

you really dont have to worry about the stomach as its the most protected and you can barely feel it when you get hit in the dou. as for you head maybe try getting a men pad. I have never used one but i heard they are comfortable. take a look here, they have extra pads if you need them. http://www.e-bogu.com/Kendo_s/135.htm

[nonamehandle]

Ilporko!

i've posted in your other thread as well. but seeking medical advice on this forum is a silly thing to do. there are some medical professionals that do occasionally come along, but for the situation that you are describing, they will tell you to seek advice from a medical professional who have physical access to you.

[Fukayama]

I agree to those comments. Try first to ask your sensei, then, if he doesn't know, go and see a a medical professional.

[nodachi]

People can do Kendo with all sorts of medical issues. You just have to consult a doctor to get a sense of what your limits are and then work within those boundaries. Over time you may be able to push beyond the initial limitations, but you need to get an educated opinion of what those are first. You may only be able to practice for short periods of time with frequent breaks, depending on what the issues are, but isn't some kendo better than no kendo?

[Berserker]

I agree to those comments. Try first to ask your sensei, then, if he doesn't know, go and see a a medical professional.


I think in this case it's the other way around... Get a medical opinion first and a sensei opinion second!! The sensei knows kendo, but the doctor will know the body's limitations...

[Chaby]

I think in this case it's the other way around... Get a medical opinion first and a sensei opinion second!! The sensei knows kendo, but the doctor will know the body's limitations...

That is THE only way! There is no alternatives to that order.

[Anonymous]

Remember to ask more than one doctor. None of em are perfect, and more than a few are overly paranoid. Kinda like this idiot my friend had who claimed that protein supplements would cause him to have a heart attack and kidney failure, when chances are that you'll be just fine if you drink an adequate amount of water.

[absenteekendoka]

Get a referral to someone whose focus is more in the area of sports medicine. My main concern is anything of a cardiac nature, so do the leg work, get checked out as far as your suitability to it and go from there.

There are different ways to do Kendo and if you have some health concerns you should consider doing it as a 'soft style' or even as 'old mans' Kendo. Not as bad as it sounds, you just do things more on timing than just charging in.....besides it looks nice :) Anyhow it's, something you'd discuss with a sensei and apprise him of your concerns that way.

Good luck, and hopefully Kendo can be something you can pursue.

[Lady_Kitsune]

I think in this case it's the other way around... Get a medical opinion first and a sensei opinion second!! The sensei knows kendo, but the doctor will know the body's limitations...


I completely agree with Berserker, if you want to know your limits or if you want to know if you can do kendo, please see a doctor and then the sensei and they will tell you by looking at you, cos here not much we can do

[rainmaker]

Take 3 pills of advil, 5 tea spoon of Pepto bismol, mixed with carrot juice.. Ummm... really,.... you need to see a doctor. None of your sensei or sempai are not qualified to give you such advise.....