Anyone use a back brace? Beware long post.

[fatbottomedgurl]

Sorry I miss you guys and my bike too!

I am 4 months post auto accident and still working on getting the back better. Car accidents...the gift that keeps giving! MRI shows no herniations (good!) but my PT thinks I probably have annular tear(s) (L4-L5-S1). I'm seeing an ortho in a couple weeks for consult/ possible steroid epidural. I had gone on a Medrol pak and it worked really well for the following week- definitely an inflammatory issue. I deal with low back/ buttock/ sciatica of various degrees. I am not taking any meds now, the NSAIDS started killing my stomach so I am taking Omega-3. I am an Omega-3 convert!

In lieu of cycling I started swimming a month ago. Yesterday I swam a mile. Whoo hoo! Hmmm...maybe a triathlon in my tea leaves?

I rode my bike for a five mile jaunt around town last week. Because it is a mountain bike I can keep a fairly neutral back position, and the swimming and PT work (swiss ball) is paying off giving me the core strength to keep me from slouching. My PT says as long as I don't flare up, I can try riding (not on trails though! )

I was wondering if anyone uses a lumbar support when you ride. I've seen some made of neoprene (some even have magnets). Is this feasible? I got the idea becasue my PT recommended just wearing a leather weightlifting belt to "remind" me to keep a neutral back during daily activities. But I certainly wouldn't want to wear that on my bike! It's just a thought, and actually I just need and excuse to say "hi" to y'all!

I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride it where I like!

[Trek420]

22 years ago. Bad car crash, driver rolled the car on I 5, I was the only one hurt. Compresion fracture of either T10 or T3. I know I know, they were not sure due to incomplete x-rays at the time. And I didn't want more taken just to find out. But I was in a back brace for 6 months.

My Dr said "you'll be fine but you'll have arthritis in your spine in 5-10 years.

I was not so much into fitness at the time but I swam, did yoga, walked. There's lots of stuff you can do even in a brace and I knew I needed to keep moving.

And if you do what you can and follow Dr.s orders then 22 years later....here you are :D doing the AID ride, feeling fine :D

[Tuckervill]

You're talking about the kind of brace that they make employees wear like in factories or in Home Depot or somewhere like that?

I had to wear one of those when I worked for FedEx. Truthfully, they are proven not to support your back--they are JUST to REMIND you that you need to be concerned about your back when lifting. That's what they told me when I was hired. That's the official position. They suck to wear. I have had surgeries on my back and I don't need reminding! Because of the shape of my hips and waist, the darned thing never stayed where it was supposed to, anyway.

I'd say just go out riding and plan on taking it easy, no matter what. If you need something to remind you about your back, tie a string around your finger or something like that. I always found it was best to listen to my body, and only do what I knew I could handle--and I am a very conservative non-risk taker when it comes to my back.

I'm sorry you can't ride as much as you want! Maybe soon.

Please tell me more about Omega-3?

Karen

[Trek420]

Mine wasn't a reminder, more like enforcement :p ;) :rolleyes:

An aluminum frame that had a pad front and back at the base of my neck and then rigid down the sides and front. I could take it off showering but was told I should wear it swimming to enforce the no slumping rule.

The Dr said as he fit it to me "you're lucky, up till last year we would have put you on bed rest in a full body cast for 6 months. Now you just wear this" :eek:

But the back really does not bother me now. I'm very lucky, I could have been in the paralympics forum today. Always wear your seatbelt! I was sleeping in the car and had just taken it off for a moment to get more comfortable.

It was the wrong moment. :(

[fatbottomedgurl]

Omega 3 fatty acids are a natural anti-inflammatory that counteract the body's production of inflamatory prostaglandins.

Most heart patients are told that fatty acids will reduce their risk of heart attack. But I don't think many people know how important they are for every sort of inflammation.

There are also indicators that they can be beneficial for depression, ADHD, and other problems. The issue for us is a very unbalanced diet that emphasises Omega 6 which is found in processed foods, corn oil, red meat, etc.

Here are a few articles which explains the use of NSAIDS vs Omega 3.

http://www.orthopedictechreview.com/issues/julaug05/pg30.htm
http://www.neurosurgery.pitt.edu/news/2004/arthritis.html

[Tuckervill]

I buy Eggland's Best eggs for the Omega-3, but I don't eat them every day. Are you saying I can get Omega-3 capsules (is that fish oil?) and take that instead of an NSAID? It would have the same analgesic effect as an ibuprofen? Or is it just a supplement for overall health?

Thanks for helping me understand,
Karen

[fatbottomedgurl]

Karen: I wasn't getting any analgesia (pain relief) from the NSAIDS. And they are stinkin' bad for the tummy. So initially I don't see a big difference in that regard. But from what I have read they give the body the ability to control inflammation that is out of control. And after three weeks I am feeling better. Is it the supplement? I dunno.

Omega 3 as a supplement means either fish oil or flax seed. For joint-type issues you need 3 grams of Omega-3 a day. Most 1000 mg fish oil capsules have 300 mg Omega-3 which means you need to take 10 of the stinkers a day! And you are adding that much fat to the diet. I find it easier to eat 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed meal- I stir it into oatmeal, applesauce, yogurt, whatever. You can bake with it and substitute it for the oil in a recipe (I haven't tried that). I buy Bob's Red Mill brand at Trader Joes.

Read those articles!

[Tuckervill]

Oh, I've been meaning to work the flaxseed into my diet! We're not covered up with options for healthy food around here--I can get Bob's Red Mill stuff, but only the barest of variety, and flaxseed is never one of the choices.

But I SHALL spend the gas money and get some flaxseed. It has been so long since I made the decision (thanks Dr. Oz) I forgot what it was for! :)

Thanks!
Karen