Back Pain *&^^*!!!

[smilingcat]

Okay so I tried search on back pain, "back pain" , back+pain. search engine returned wayy too many result just on pain alone then stuff on back.

Last weekend I did the three harbor tour with pretty bad back pain. Barely could get my leg over the seat when mounting my bike or getting off the bike. Took some aspirin (out of ibu) grit my teeth and went for the ride. I was going to do the metric but opted out for half-metric because of far less climbing to do. Managed to finish the half-metric by nursing my poor back. Going pretty easy on the hill. Well I had zero power on the climb...

My back is still really sore. Sore enough that the process of laying down or getting up is painful. Driving a car is painful.

I'm really getting annoyed that I can't train. I wanted to go to the Mount Shasta fun ride in August and possibly doing the Mount Palomar ride (prize money). But noway in h*ll, if my back doesn't start cooperating.

Any other thing I could do besides stretching my ham string, glutes and working on my tight IT band? Massaging my back on my own by rolling on a tennis ball. Taking steaming hot bath (don't have a jacuzzi) two or three times a day and streching more in the shower.

Also I have a trainer on Gyrokinesis machine but its only once a week.
Occasionally go for a massage but the last time the girl didn't go deep enough for sport massage. grr!!!

What else can I do? And how can I compensate on hard climb with a bad back? Or is there a way even?

soo frustrating right now!!
(tip toeing through the tulip isn't an option)
smilingcat

[limewave]

I have a lot of problems with lower back pain too. I work really hard at strengthening my core muscles--doing different pilate moves, crunches, squats, using the big rubber ball thingy, and pelvic tilts. If I don't focus on keeping my abs tight and spinning from my core while I'm riding (especially climbing), I can really throw my back out of whack.

[LBTC]

Oh, SC, that sounds awful! Have you ever tried a chiropractor? or an osteopath?

Sending you healing and understanding butterflies so you can feel better and know what you need to do.

Hugs,
~T~

[Duck on Wheels]

Trek420's and my mutual Mom swears by a particular back book. In fact, I think it may actually be called "The Back Book" ... or maybe that's just what Mom calls it. Anyhooo, it's got some back pain curing exercizes that are simple and effective. Trek or I could send her an email and ask for the reference info.


Yep. "The Back Book". Found it on Amazon.

[RoadRaven]

I had chronic back pain last year for just under a month.

It slowly got worse and worse until to breathe sometimes hurt, to sit, to stand - even to lie down to sleep.

I was travelling and didn't want to go to unknown doctors plus I was sure it was a nerve pinch or muscle spasm that had twisted up on itself and wouldn't let go.

I went to a chemist and asked for the strongest non-prescription pain-killer I could have. I had been taking nurofen (ibubrofen) so they gave me the extra-strength one you have to sign for.

Three days later - no back pain.

I do not advocate drugs, and stay away from doctors, but in this case, strong drugs were perfect. If you can take anti-inflammatories, then I recommend a 2-3 day course of those just incase your muscles have formed a knot of some kind and don't want to let go.

[KnottedYet]

Another good back book: Treat Your Own Back by Robin McKenzie.

[maryellen]

When I'm having an acute episode, I ice for 15 minutes every hour. At first even the thought of it made me cringe, but it really does help calm the inflammation for me. Good luck!

[liberty]

That sounds pretty similar to what happened to me a few weeks ago. But mine was brought on by moving furniture. Couldn't walk, sit, drive, stand. If I looked in a mirror, my lower body was pointed to the left and my upper body was pointed to the right. Everything was twisted. I couldnt stand up straight, was bowed over, and leaning heavily to the side. Not a pretty picture. Went to the chiropractor 4 days in a row (not including follow-up visits the following week), iced and heated it for a week or so, back stretches... I am basically pain free now. Still trying to get back to riding. The deal now is that in recovering from the back problems, it stressed out my neck and shoulders. So I'm trying stretch those out now. Fun stuff!

My recommendation: take a few days off. Rest. Go to a chiropractor. Heat and ice. Anti-inflam medicine. Your bike will still be there when you are better.

[alpinerabbit]

And when you're a little better, start yoga. I had back pain in college. Then I did yoga (I'm actually not doing it regularly anymore) and it went away.

[smilingcat]

Tried strong muscle relaxant (sp??) felt oozy. my back is still*&***

Took all of this week off from riding and my back is well *&^%

It feels like my spine at the base is out. Called my 'ol trusty chiropractor and have an appointment next Monday. I got lectured again :o about taking care of my bod. also got lectured about me riding... Yes my body is like Yeeore's. (thank you for the chiro suggestion. just needed a boot to my fanny)

I used to do Pilates but I felt I couldn't get to where I wanted. Reformers was slightly better, then I found Gyrokinesis. Like the reformer, it is on a machine and it helps me to stretch beyond where I feel comfortable. The exercises are amalgam of Pilates, Tai-chi, Yoga and dance exercises. And it has kept me from being a regular at the chiropractor's office.

me back is still sore... going bonkers not riding... haven't been on a club ride like in ages... missed last week. missed 2, 3, 4 wekends ago. and maybe more. Sat out of a crit on July 1, rode a short fun ride last week and that's all the riding I've done since July 1. WAAAAAHHHH!!!!

Well now that I have a chiro on Monday... I think I'll go on a training ride with the club. short 45miler. Then on Monday, my chiro can put me back together. :D :cool:

meow
smilingcat

[ClockworkOrange]

..............................Well now that I have a chiro on Monday... I think I'll go on a training ride with the club. short 45miler. Then on Monday, my chiro can put me back together. :D :cool:

meow
smilingcat


Hi smilingcat

First just had to send you this:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Missbe/smiling-cat-inspirational-card.jpg meow!

I took up riding a bike to help with my back problem, however, when my back is bad, ICE PACK! Ice for joints and heat for muscles. If you have an injury you have to take care of it, OK, a real SOB but long term it pays off.

Dunno why but having a bad back can sure make you feel so miserable, it's frustrating, it's painful and it just ain't fair!

Chucking a bit of magic dust from over here in very wet England, to help you.

Keep yer chin up, you will soon get your leg over again..........on your saddle I mean.......:eek:

Take it easy (like you can do anything else).

Sally

[smilingcat]

I been thinking and trying to be like the uber cute kittie, dreaming something wonderful.

Went to the chiro on Monday, went again Wed. (today) and will go again Friday. He said I really wacked my lower back. Nooo Kiddin' I normally don't complain about pain so when I say I hurt. I'm hurt!!! Men just don't believe me when I say I'm hurt, I really AM HURT/INJURED.

And not only does my back on the right side is tweaked, I feel like I'm getting a kidney infection ??? funny part of it is it doesn't hurt all the time. Mystery was solved when my chiro said it's because your L4 is really out. He popped it back in today. I could hear the popping and I could feel it move. Hopefully the friday cracking will put me back enough so that I can ride again.

Thank goodness for my insurance. Somebody has to make the insurance pay.

Then Saturday, will go for another sports/deep tissue massage. Maybe an easy flat 20 miler beforehand... just a wishful thinking perhaps.

Oh did go to my weekly gyro training. My trainer was also perturbed about my return to riding (racing) She also suggested I get ROLF'ED. Her other comments fell on deaf ear or is it selective memory on my part? CieLaVie.

meoooow...
Smilingcat

This is more like me. He's one of the foster kitties in my care.

[Wahine]

When your back goes "out" like that it is a sign that your inherent stabily is not sufficient. Old injuries to the ligaments and joints will cause this. I think that Limewave suggested Pilates, I would second that suggestion. Having the chiro correct your alignment is temporary solution. You body has to learn how to control the movement of your back and core/pilates exercises are the best way. Keep you with your stretches too. They're also really important.

Hope you're better soon.

[han-grrl]

I had already posted in another thread that there are many reasons for back pain -

herniated disk
weak core
tight muscles
poor shoes
poor posture
scoliosis
sciatica
etc
etc
etc

the best thing to do is get diagnosed. DO NOT RELY on ibu. I got a ruptured ulcer because that was my "method" when one of my physio's really couldn't get the root of things. I finally found one registered massage therapist who did. That and he said i was doing some repetitive thing that was aggravating it. I realized that when "sit up straight" in the car i actually press my low back flat instead of its gentle curve. So i drive with a rolled up towl and my back is doing soo much better!

Pain killers mask the problem, they don't eliminate it.

So my advice, go to a specialist like a physiotherapist.

Good luck!
Hannah

[smilingcat]

To Wahine and Han-grrl,

And because of all the crashes/wrecks and what not, my soaz (sp), ham string, IT band, glutes are super tight. (when you have a splint or cast... you tend to lose mobility). I can't sit on the floor with my back up against the wall and my leg flat on the ground.

Gyro work I do is similar to Pilates. It does stress core workout big time and so does Tai-Chi. Together, I haven't had any back incident for last 5 years or so. Prior to serious workout on Gyro, my back was going out once every 2 years. sometimes two a year.

Thank you for reminding me about ibu. I hate drugs even ibu. When I have to take even ibu, my partner knows that I'm really hurting. I have whole bottles of prescription pain killer (can't remember the names of them) that I didn't take after shattering my collar bones and other injuries.

Anyway, thank you for kind thoughts.

oh www.peacefulwaves.com/gyrokinesis/
and www.gyrotonic.com/

I do the gyrotonic on the machine.

smilingcat

[barita_lola]

Well friend, I think your bike doesn't fit properly, your core strength isn't what it should be, or it's just that you're a new rider. Or any combination of these. create a higher posture by raising the stem and possibly moving the seat forward a little bit And Ease into the sport. your sound like your in good shape but cycling uses different muscles than other sports.

[bnylo]

Hi all,
I'm a noob to road bike postures. I've been riding a Jamis coda elite (flat bar but w/ 700cc tires) seat level with bars or a smidgen lower, top tube 54.5 on a 30.5 inseam and 5'6" overall height. I think I'm at about a 45 degree tilt.

I noticed that after only 20 min, my right lower back feels really stiff. I'm wondering if its the fit of the bike or that my fitness isn't adapted to road positions yet?

[Zen]

Psoas
sorry, I just couldn't stop my fingers from the keyboard;)

[bnylo]

Well friend, I think your bike doesn't fit properly, your core strength isn't what it should be, or it's just that you're a new rider. Or any combination of these. create a higher posture by raising the stem and possibly moving the seat forward a little bit And Ease into the sport. your sound like your in good shape but cycling uses different muscles than other sports.

hmm this could apply to me too. I adjusted my seat forward a bit to see if that helps. I got the bike in April, then in July went on a wine tour of Burgundy. woohoo!! that really ignited an interest in touring. 4 gorgeous days like today, sunny 75 degrees in the countryside. When I got back from riding hybrids, I was pretty strong, but its hard to find time now.

I'll keep playing with adjustable parts. Next - eyeballing a Rivendell Saluki. :D :D

Margaret