Riding with back pain

[Dr. Rich]

Recently I was cutting and moving some large fir trees for firewood. Much of my days were using a big chainsaw and cutting the timber into 14 foot sections so I could skid it over to a trailer and load it with a tractor. After a week of this activity I found that I could hardly walk. The pain was radiating down both legs and it felt like both hips were going to fall out of the sockets when I rode my bike. I finally went to the doctor last week and he explained that the twisting motion and the lifting motion had inflamed the area where the spine attaches to the pelvis. He put me on some strong anti-inflammatory drugs. He then lectured me that I was not 20 years old and that I should just pay someone to cut and split the wood. I didn't argue with him and actually thought he might have a point... The meds have certainly helped but they have not relieved all the discomfort.

NAFO is coming in a couple of weeks and there will be an extended day of riding to get there. Knowing that there are some really old codgers on this forum who obviously have maladies, I am curious if you have any advice for lower back pain… Got any tricks???? I know all about riding positions but am curious if anyone rides with back support like a belt.

 

[Niehart]

Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen Oral ...

 

[Bustanut joker]

Niehart has the right idea when it comes to the day to day pain. I also use a belt to help support my lower back when I venture out.

Now when those herniated bastages decide to act up?? There is no way I would even attempt to get on a bike......

I've found there isn't anything, short of a shot of morphine that even touches the pain. :dribble:

 

[redtail]

For abt. 20 bucks, I added this air pad under my sheepskin. With just the smallest amount of air (too much air feels like you're on a water bed) it takes away alot of impact.

And at 20 bucks, it's not the end of the world if I lose it or it comes up missing!

 

[Panman]

I was told that thirty some odd years ago if I didn't quit what I was doin I'd be on the cutting table. I go see a back craker once a month sold the choppers got out of the junk buis and went back to machining like he told me to!

At 60 I finally bought myself a splitter I still use the Stihl Supper 41 I bought in 77 and still heat with wood. The lesson I learned is only do a tank full a day and take whatever time I need a way and never push myself to hard. The Docs right, Rich your not a kid work smart, hell your retired now take your time at whatever you do.

 

[builderwill]

Short of surgery - exercise! I have 1 completely blown disc and 2 more on their way in my lower spine. Stretching and 10 minutes of back exercises on the floor each day keeps me in check. If I stop or think I'm too busy within a couple of weeks I'm in agony. Even with this routine, it still slowly getting worse so I think surgery is inevitable.

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Here's something to consider:

Your Doctor is Treating the Symptoms and Not the Source of the Cause of Pain. Most likely a weakened back muscle causing your Spine/Disc to Press on a Nerve.

this will help:

1- Lose the Belly if you have one... stresses the Spine.

2- https://www.teeter-inversion.com/ (Helps Decompress/Stretch the Spine/Muscles so they can heal and get back to Normal Position.

https://www.teeter-inversion.com/relieving-back-pain.asp

3- Something like Aleve (over the shelf) is a good Anti-Inflamatory while you are healing.

4- Excercises to Strengthen the Back Muscles when you are able.

As Clint Eastwood stated: "A man has got to know his limitations."

Hope this helps and wishing you a Speedy Recovery.

 

[CAJW]

Here's something to consider:

Your Doctor is Treating the Symptoms and Not the Source of the Cause of Pain. Most likely a weakened back muscle causing your Spine/Disc to Press on a Nerve.

this will help:

1- Lose the Belly if you have on... stresses the Spine.

2- https://www.teeter-inversion.com/ (Helps Decompress/Stretch the Spine/Muscles so they can heal and get back to Normal Position.

https://www.teeter-in...g-back-pain.asp

3- Something like Aleve (over the shelf) is a good Anti-Inflamatory while you are healing.

4- Excercises to Strengthen the Back Muscles when you are able.

As Clint Eastwood stated: "A man has got to know his limitations."

Hope this helps and wishing you a Speedy Recovery.

+1. As noted, exercise and stretching is paramount to being able to move. Most mornings, I can hardly move when first getting out of the rack. When I had a two story home, damn near fell down the stairs every morning on my way to get my road (pedal) bike. After 30-45 minutes, I was ready for the day moving around like a kid. I hate working out, but I hate not being able to move, more!

 

[Aasland]

First, go find a physical therapist. Different people have different problems. What works for me may be a waste of time for you. Therapists are expensive, but a good one will result in faster relief, recovery, and fewer visits.

There will be manipulations to immediately ease the current pain, then exercises to help reduce daily pain, and exercises to help prevent future pain.

In my case I have a slightly herniated disc at the base of the spine, where it connects to the pelvis (snowboarding accident ... next time I won't land on my ass). This pushes on the sciatic nerve sending pain down my legs, and inflames the lumbar region. Every morning (and sometimes during the day) I do the following exercises to keep my spine flexible so the herniated disc isn't subjected to all the bending i.e. the goal is to let my entire spine flex, not just one joint.

Start with the cat and camel - which I do occasionally on the bike or in the car while riding long distances, to avoid the vertebrae from locking into a position:



Then to the cat and camel stretch (obviously not on the bike):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUa3MXj80b0

Those exercises keep my spine flexible, sometimes it immediately removes pain.

Then, on a daily basis, I incorporate these core plank exercises into my routine. The point of this is to help my muscles stabilize my spine. Nothing fancy ... just five 1-minute isokinetic exercises.

But the key is to get to a physical therapist, because what causes your pain may be different than mine, and thus, will require a different treatment.

 

[Bustanut joker]

I've had sex with several Camels to date.. No good or relief came from it, just strange looks from passerby's

I don't think a cat is gonna do a damn bit of good.

Actually, when you have herniated disks a bone crusher isn't a wise idea. **** like that will only make it worse..

It's best to let specialists do what they do. Chyro or any xrays won't detect this kinda thing and manipulation might infact lead to paralysis.

3 years and countless specialists back this up..

 

[Old Michael]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeZeSunhBDo&feature=related

Oh, HELL yeah!

LOVE the cat and camel thing!

(Did she moan a little while she was doing that?)

Oh, and ....hope you feel better soon, Dr. Rich.

 

[Bustanut joker]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeZeSunhBDo&feature=related

Oh, HELL yeah!

LOVE the cat and camel thing!

(Did she moan a little while she was doing that?)

Oh, and ....hope you feel better soon, Dr. Rich.

I bet U moaned while watchin didn't ya Lucy.

 

[UberKul]

If you don't already, try sleeping with a body pillow (side sleeper) or something between your knees. While riding stand on the pegs often to stretch out.

 

[Old Michael]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeZeSunhBDo&feature=related

Oh, HELL yeah!

LOVE the cat and camel thing!

(Did she moan a little while she was doing that?)

Oh, and ....hope you feel better soon, Dr. Rich.

I bet U moaned while watchin didn't ya Lucy.

No.

Maybe.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Good advice already Dr. Rich.

Best of all -- know your limitations and live within them. Twisting and bending really tear my back up (from L3 damage many years ago) so I just don't do anything dumb anymore. When I am dumb or behaving like I'm 20 again, Motrin and Advil are very good friends. Years of working / walking on concrete floors probably hasn't helped either... :blink:

--G

 

[Patriot]

a mandatory piece of gear whenever I ride coupled with Advil gel caps

https://www.amazon.com/BACK-A-LINE-HEAVY-DUTY-BACK-SUPPORT/dp/B002SIE4OA/ref=pd_sim_sbs_misc_3

 

[El Toro Joe]

Recently I was cutting and moving some large fir trees for firewood. Much of my days were using a big chainsaw and cutting the timber into 14 foot sections so I could skid it over to a trailer and load it with a tractor. After a week of this activity I found that I could hardly walk. The pain was radiating down both legs and it felt like both hips were going to fall out of the sockets when I rode my bike. I finally went to the doctor last week and he explained that the twisting motion and the lifting motion had inflamed the area where the spine attaches to the pelvis. He put me on some strong anti-inflammatory drugs. He then lectured me that I was not 20 years old and that I should just pay someone to cut and split the wood. I didn't argue with him and actually thought he might have a point... The meds have certainly helped but they have not relieved all the discomfort.

NAFO is coming in a couple of weeks and there will be an extended day of riding to get there. Knowing that there are some really old codgers on this forum who obviously have maladies, I am curious if you have any advice for lower back pain… Got any tricks???? I know all about riding positions but am curious if anyone rides with back support like a belt.

Listen to the Doc...you aint 20 anymore. I've had 2 lower back surgeries(laminectomy) for a herniated disc between L4 & L5. Yard work does me in every spring for a few days. Thank god that the riding position on the FJR does not bother my back in the least. Stretching and back excersize does help. If you end up going the surgery route...find the best Neuro Surgeon you can to do the work.

Good luck...back pain really sucks.

 

[allrider]

I have had back problems since a bike accident at 20yo. I was contemplating back surgery a few years ago and got a second opinion. That Doc said your too young to go under the knife. Get outta here and take up yoga, specifically Bikram Yoga. I did and have not had problems with back issues since, as long as I continue to do some basic stretches daily.

There are other stretches outlined in the second link that helped me, but knee pulls are the ones I have to do everyday before getting out of bed or I won't be standing up very straight. I do them again as needed throughout the day when I feel things bunching up from sitting too long.

Start with one leg at a time, then do both. Gently pull your knee up to your chest. Move it to the outside of your ribs slightly to get it out of the way of your belly, if you have one.

Go easy, make it a soft progressive stretch and don't push into anything painful, and breath. I found that breathing 3 long slow deep breaths with each move helps relax me and makes it last long enough to get a good stretch.

single knee 1st

Stretches for sore back muscles

I just bought a Bakup riders backrest after I tried your neighbor Dzane's. I think he's out on Whidbey too. I had a hard time giving it back after using it for 10 min.

Hope it gets here before NAFO!

Good luck

 

[beemerdons]

Rich, I am agreement with Panman-Kevin regarding going to a Chiropractor. As long as you do not have a herniated disk as Bustanut joker stated. A competent Chiropractor will x-ray you first before adjusting you, to check for any preexisting conditions.

PS: Who was the "Funny Man" that told Dr. Rich to lose his big belly? Those damned Danes are even fatter than we ******* Fenians! jes' sayin' and nuff' said!