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!

[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?

[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.

Margaret