Since starting with Innovative Results back in Fall 2014, Manny Aragon has not stopped being an inspiration. Starting as a client, Manny is now a couple months into his IR3 internship/mentoring program with Innovative Results as well.
After taking HUGE physical strides, Manny wanted to develop his mindset to not only assist during his workouts, but to help himself create an improved quality of life at work, and with his family.
For more on Manny’s fitness and improved quality of life journey, we highly recommend reading his triumphant stories from start to present!
June 24, 2016 – “I am doing something that I NEVER expected to be doing..”
April 4, 2017 – Innovative Results Kettlebell Sport Competitor, Manny Aragon Shares His Story
Now on to the present!
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Testimonial for Innovative Results – Injury healed through training.
Name: Manny Aragon
Came to IR: Fall 2014
Joined IR Kettlebell Sport Team: Fall 2015
Earlier this year and coming off of WAKSC World Championships of Kettlebell Sport Lifting, subsequent week of Kettlebell Sport certification with 4 multiple time world champion lifters, and then an intense 3 month Kettlebell Sport snatch training program in an attempt to attain CMS (candidate master of sport) rank in Kettlebell Sport, I was feeling very strong.
It was with this feeling that I jumped headfirst into a demo obstacle course class during which I fell from the monkey bars, landed on my outstretched arm, partially tore three ligaments in my elbow and got a subcortical (crush) fracture on the back of the elbow from hyperextending upon impact. Needless to say, I completed the course after the injury (as I was very warmed up) except for the parallel bars as they require the arms to be straight- a position which felt quite bad as you can imagine.
I wasn’t thinking straight after the injury so I went straight home to get my kids (who were with me) some lunch. After lunch the arm began to swell considerably and the pain and stiffness set in. Luckily, I am a body worker by trade and work in a great sports medicine clinic- I have many resources available to me. That day, though, by the time I had gotten home and gotten my kids and myself something to eat, the clinic was closed until Monday. I thought at that point that my elbow may be dislocated, fractured, or possibly broken. I rubbed liniment into the tissue and did some myofascial work to ease the tension in the now seized up muscles.
Later that night my wife (an acupuncturist) gave me an acupuncture treatment using the orthopedic method she had been trained in by one of her mentors. All told I had 7 treatments in the first 3 weeks and one a week since then (now at 7 weeks out). X-Ray of the elbow showed no major fractures but likely a bad sprain. At 3 weeks, an MRI recommended by a colleague showed 3 partially torn ligaments (one low grade, one medium grade, one high grade) and a subcortical (crush) fracture at the articulation of the ulna with the humerous.
The recommended treatment from both my sports med docs as well as the orthopedist who was consulted was acupuncture (thank GOD I live with one). Needless to say- I was back in the gym two days after the injury- No kettlebell sport training (as I couldn’t push rapid force through the unstable injury) but I focused instead on attending the regular IR progression. I went 5-6 days a week, sometimes doing doubles (as my elbow and schedule allowed) while doing the physical requirements of the IR internship program (challenging).
The key here and I believe the fundamental reason why I have healed so quickly is that I made sure that I moved as naturally as possible within the range of motion and load range high enough to produce adaptation and drive recovery but not so much that I re-injured the joint.
This is a serious injury. I was expected to be completely off of Kettlebell Sport training for months if not an entire season. The take home message: Natural movement heals. A good diet, adequate rest, and being married to an acupuncturist don’t hurt either.
At the end of 5 weeks I began to swing a very light kettle bell to further drive healing and re learn the range of motion in the kettlebell sport snatch. I slowly increased the weight during week 5 and 6. By the middle of week 6 I snatched my full competition weight. This week, week 7, I am working with just shy of my competition weight. I will slowly increase the weight after a few weeks as my arm fully heals. I still cant fully straighten my arm or fully bend it but my range of motion is improving slowly with use during both the IR workouts as well as with the kettlebell workouts.
Thank you to the IR staff, my wife, my doctors, and to Matt who brought bone broth for me to speed the healing process. Special thanks to Aubrie for inspiring me to take this route after watching her quick recovery post shoulder dislocation earlier this year.
Join Manny and the Innovative Results Family this Saturday, October 21st for the 8th Annual International Charity Event – The One Hour Long Cycle (1HLC). This year’s event aims to raise awareness, support and donations for Walk with Sally.
For more information on this event visit – One Hour Long Cycle 2017 
It’s inspiring to read how Manny has overcome his injury challenges with the the help of the IR team!
Awesome story, brother. Movement is medicine!
Cheers
People think that just resting your injured body part is enough for it to heal but Manny demonstrated my opinion of moving the injured limb. Of course if it’s a serious break be more cautious, if not you should train your range of motion and try to get back to top performance ASAP! Manny is a great inspiration at IR and his story is incredible.
Such an inspirational story! Thank you for being an example of how to properly recover from an injury. Not only did you prioritize rest, but implemented movement, which many tend to leave out or avoid. Good Job!
Moving “as naturally as possible” as the reason for healing is so inspiring to others who are recovering from injuries, as well! Anything is possible with the right mindset and recovery!