Back pain

[Lucky, Fabulous]

I have a back back due to fracturing my L2 vertebrae in a horseback riding accident. I ride a hybrid that has a more upright position. However, I have noticed that sometimes my back does get a little tight. Do you think having a new set of handlebars that will allow me to change my position would help? Does anyone have any other advice for dealing with back pain?
Thanks!

[wolfak]

The other thing that might help is to have your seat checked - not just the height and angle, but the forward and back position on the rails. Good luck!

[Zen]

Do you have straight bars now?

A cheap fix for multiple hand positions are bar ends (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triathlon_bars#Triathlon_or_aero)

[tulip]

Pilates has really helped my back pain. Just make sure you check with your doctor first, and get a true Pilates instructor at a reputable studio.

[Lucky, Fabulous]

Yes, I currently have straight bars. I can look into bar ends. Thanks!

[DDH]

I have bar ends on my bike and it gives you a chance to change your postition up a bit. I like mine, cause my hands and wrist get sore and this gives me a chance to change it up some.

[NbyNW]

Pilates has really helped my back pain. Just make sure you check with your doctor first, and get a true Pilates instructor at a reputable studio.

+1, Pilates was and still is a great complement to my PT after my S1-S2 fracture.

In addition to checking with your doc, you may also want to check back in with your PT. If your doc and PT work well together they may be able to pinpoint what's causing the pain and come up with a solution for you. Which may or may not include adjustments to your bike.

[Resi]

Pilate's has really helped my back pain. Just make sure you check with your doctor first, and get a true Pilate's instructor at a reputable studio.

I absolutely agree with tulip! Pilate's helped my back pain, after I have retired from my professional ballet career. But be careful where you go for this courses, there are a lot of want to be Pilate's instructor, which get there certification on a weekend workshop. A good Pilate's instructor goes trough a couple of years of training. Well I guess, we get what we pay... this is my opinion.

You take care

Resi

[Dogmama]

How long have you been riding? It might be a case of just strengthening your lower back. Make sure you aren't pushing big heavy gears. Very tough on the lower back.

+1 on seat adjustment, bar ends & private pilate lessons with a certified teacher. You can really mess things up in a big class where they aren't watching you. Pilates is very subtle. You learn to engage your inner core muscles, not just "suck in your abs." A few sessions is well worth the $$.