Paddling Brings Out Back Demons

Try a bit of yoga. I don't practice regularly, though I have in the past and know how much it can benefit my well-being. I pulled my pectoral muscle where connects to the breastplate towing behind a boat, it hurt so badly when I breathed deeply that I thought I was having a heart attack. The doc told me it was a strain and it just needed time. My mom is a yoga instructor and gave me a few exercises that really loosened it up. I'd imagine it would help an issue like you describe.

 

Make sure you talk to the instructor if you take a class, they will usually cater to any issues or ailments you have

 

first go to a real Dr and see what he/she recommends.

 

I got into a rollover 15 years ago. An old lady t-boned me on the driver's side resulting in shoulder, neck and rib injuries on my left side. Went to chiro and massage for rehab for 6 weeks or so. I still could not paddle without extreme pain, like an ice pick some times. Yoga was too stressful on my shoulder at the time. I took up tai chi, and it did wonders. Still do it every day for 15 minutes to an hour, depending on my schedule. It is awesome, and gently restores vitality and balance and energy to your whole body system, as well as keeping the mind calm and alert. I first got a video, then began reading, then found a master instructor. When the student is ready, the teacher appears! Good luck with your rehab, grasshopper.

 

Oh, BTW, I have a few buddies who motocross, and none of them can paddle out anymore. One hydrofoils behind a boat or jet ski for thrills, one still dirt bikes, but it ruined their shoulders. Good luck bro.

 

Try hanging from a tree like you are going to do pull ups right before hitting a session. Let your spine unhinge by taking your weight off it. Take your time and let it unwind a little. Be careful to catch your weight with your knees when you jump back down because it is sometimes a shock after your spine is stretched a little. That one little stupid thing has really helped me a lot with the after sesh back and shoulder pain. Street signs, beach access walkways, surf racks on the truck, anything will work. Hanging by ones feet works even better for the back but I find the shoulder stretch feels great before a paddle workout. Kind of like that teeter hang up old dude on the TV commercial. Silly but has really helped me.

 

Check out paddleair.com

 

I meet an older guy with a ton of back promblems who said it saved him from packing it in for good. It looks a little odd but whatever works man. Good luck

 

Giving it some time to heal up could do the trick. Worked for my shoulders. I'm more interested in where you're finding waves 3-4 times a week. I want to go to there. It's been two weeks since I last surfed and I'm a mile from the break, and not fussy.

 

Dude. You need a sesh with Peggy.

[video=youtube;TDpdtx1RmOA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDpdtx1RmOA[/video]

 

I have 2 herniated discs in my neck and two bulging ones in my t-section that have crashed into my spinal column and after a hard turn on a chest high wave something went wrong. My right arm and chest went numb. It was scary. That's when I got an MRI and found out about the herniated discs. They are cutting off my thoracic nerves and causing crazy pain. Is it possible, because of your past you could have something similar? Sometimes surfing stretches me out, sometimes its super painful. Just stretch and know your limits. Good luck man

 

+1
And then get a good PT.
Chiros never really fix you, and they don't give you exercises to do on your own to break the pain cycle - - they want you back for 'adjustments' on a regular basis.

 

+2 on the above. Go to a PT

 

chiros are massuesses without the happy ending,right?first off,go to a real doctor.i know many ppl with back problems that got worse due to chiros.i never heard of a case like that,sounds like you have broken ribs or something.i have a bad back which never goes away,but no trouble breathing.if they try giving you pain pills,i would steer far as hell away from those.theyll trick your mind to think u feel better,and once u come down and your bones resume the pain and your phsycially dependant,it would kill your hopes of surfing.i was on pain pills for 6yrs and a few months ago my dr decided to cut me and tried to get me on subs or something,i kicked cold turkey and havnt thought about it since.my back still hurts,but the pills do nothing but trick the mind.if your inflamed naproxen works great

 

Was your doctor another Jew?

 

Sound advice.

 

See a Doc and this! Don't feel like the old guy or kook who comes out and does an entire stretch on the shore prior to surfing to get that image going. But with any exercise or sport stretching is key to help smooth your muscles prior and post workout. I have terrible knees and some may remember an acting up CT band that stretching helps big time. Stretch out at home the NIGHT before a big surf session and then do some static stretching the morning before... and post stretch while reaching for a nice cool beer or spirit of your choice....


Okay drinking and stretching don't mix.... but it works for me. Shut up liver!