Lower Back Pain

Discussion in 'All Discussions' started by shark fin, Mar 2, 2012.

  1. shark fin

    shark fin Active Member

    27
    Feb 14, 2012
    Anyone other surfers suffer from low back pain? This has been an issue for years but recently got to the point where I can't even surf without having an issue. What do you do to treat it? Yoga?<br /><br />I've been surfing all of my life and need to overcome this, I am not ready to give up my shortboarding days.. Thanks for any info.
     
  2. stauglocal

    stauglocal Member

    7
    Feb 2, 2012
    I used to suffer from lower back pain all the time until I guy I met in the gym introduced me to this book. It's called: "The Core Performance: The Revolutionary Workout Program to Transform Your Body & Life" by Mark Verstegen. I sometimes used to pull my back surfing so bad, I couldn't even walk. After I read this book, and followed all the exercises for lower back, my back is stronger than ever and I very rarely have any issues with my lower back. It's definitely worth checking out, I got it at Amazon.com, I'm sure they still have it. Your shortboarding days have only begun.
     

  3. seventy1percent

    seventy1percent Well-Known Member

    58
    Oct 13, 2011
    I don't have lower back pain. I have kneck and shoulder pain from my c6 vert. I found an article on livestrong.com that gave me stretches and and different things to do to help me re align and manage. I don't know if they have anything for you but I would check it out.
     
  4. SJerzSrfr

    SJerzSrfr Well-Known Member

    327
    Mar 2, 2010
    screwed up my lower back while moving several years back. had pain for several months, iced it, took ibuprofren, did all kinds of stretches and not much helped. then tried yoga and that seemed to do the trick. id say get on some kind of workout routine and include some yoga a couple days a week and see how that works for ya. im pain free. theres all kinds of yoga dvds and free yoga videos on demand that you can do if you dont want to do classes.
     
  5. Swellinfo

    Swellinfo Administrator

    May 19, 2006
    I had a bad injury last year, and have had lower back pain.
    Its getting better slowly... Just remember, if you have been suffering for this for a while, its not going to get better overnight. Just work on it slowly with proper stretching and try to correct any bad behaviors/postures that caused the problem to begin with. I think Yoga can be good for you.

    For me, I sit in front of a computer a lot and I can have poor posture, which causes neck and back issues. Perhaps there is some habit like that with you that you can work on. Some people never correct their bad habits, and then figure they have to get surgery to fix a problem... Just work on it slowly.

    I think Chiropractors can be beneficial as well to help speed up the recovery. That might also be worth a try.
     
  6. MellowMonday

    MellowMonday Active Member

    32
    Sep 28, 2010
    Put the seat up all the way and try to get into both sides of the car. If you can't or there is a lot of pain, it may be a herniated disk (I know not very scientific). Easy stretching, ice, anti-inflamatories, tilt table(hang upsidedown by feet), and avoid what is aggravating the situation. Hate to say, Dr if nothing else works, maybe some steroids will get the swelling back down and you will be able to proceed from there. Good luck.
     
  7. mOtion732

    mOtion732 Well-Known Member

    Sep 18, 2008
    i have a few minor bulging discs in my low back and surfing helps a ton, believe it or not. i think ti's because it forces you to arch your low back when paddling. regardless, the more i surf, the better i feel.
     
  8. SUPREME

    SUPREME Well-Known Member

    148
    Sep 8, 2011
    I'm 19 and suffer from a disease called disk degenerative disease, I also have arthritis (Great genes, thanks grandma!). Anyway, my back hurts 24/7. The best thing for it, is to not rest. Keep active. I do yoga, I surf, I snowboard, and most importantly I go to the gym and I take "back day" very seriously. I try to stay away from medication and replace it with my activities and tea. A positive mindset is also very powerful. I don't view my disease, actually I dont even view it as a disease thats just lame!, as a gate keeping me from doing things, I view it as a push for me to go big.

    Try a heating pad, sometimes that can help too!
     
  9. ryno

    ryno New Member

    2
    Mar 2, 2012
    Lay on your back and put one leg over the other, stretching your outer thigh muscle that connects to your lower spine. Also, get an inversion table.
     
  10. SkegLegs

    SkegLegs Well-Known Member

    513
    Feb 8, 2009
    I was developing more frequent lower back pain, and started high intensity core exercising. I went through a month of more intense back pain, tried to maintain 6 days a week working, and would rest if the pain was too intense or inhibited my movements. Here I am 3 months later with no back pain whatsoever. In my opinion strengthening your core does wonders for relieving pressure on your lower back.
     
  11. Notch Johnson

    Notch Johnson Member

    12
    Jan 9, 2012
    Bevery careful with back pain. I had chronic lower back pain and just tired to "tough it out". Sometime around last Labor Day I came in from an early morning surf near Southern Shores and realized that my right leg and foot were a bit numb. I decided to let it go until I got back to D.C. at the end of the week. That was the wrong decision. By the time I got back the pain was unbearable and I could no longer move my right foot. I had emergency surgery at Walter Reed and by pure luck they restored most of the function in my leg, but I still have a bit of numbness in my toes.

    Keep an eye on it. If the pain starts to shoot down your leg. Go to the Hospital. Immediately.

    The quicker they take the pressure of the nerves the more likely you are to heal.
     
  12. fupafest

    fupafest Well-Known Member

    207
    Feb 16, 2010
    Strengthen you Core, small changes make a big difference.
    Change you computer chair to a yoga ball.
    Stretch Daily
    Go to the vitamin shop and buy arnica montana (homeopathic remedy for bruises and back pain)
    Seek a professional opinion, you dont want to aggrevate your situation.
     
  13. whitewater

    whitewater Well-Known Member

    158
    Feb 25, 2010
    Just like everyone else said, strengthen you core. Also stretching your glutes will help out a lot as well. Deep tissue massage and accupuncture are good alternatives to western medicine.
     
  14. LBCrew

    LBCrew Well-Known Member

    Aug 12, 2009
    That's not an opinion, brother. You nailed it on the head... strengthening your core, particularly your abdominals and sacrospinalus (don't know if I spelled that right), is in most cases the ONLY non-invasive thing you can do to improve posture, support your lower back, and alleviate back pain. This includes strength training and yoga. Like it's been said, take "back day" at the gym seriously. My personal experience has been that stretching, and other range-of-motion exercises feels good short term and may help in terms of injury prevention and conditioning, but does little for long-term relief of chronic back pain.
     
    Last edited: Mar 2, 2012
  15. ClemsonSurf

    ClemsonSurf Well-Known Member

    Dec 10, 2007
    I've taken a couple yoga classes and found some on youtube too. I was very impressed with how many of the poses correlated with surfing. It's one of those cool activities that are as hard as you make it. I would recommend taking a couple classes first then you can branch out to videos or the internet.

    I was doing your generic gym class stretches and really not gaining any flexibility. Yoga definitely helped my lower back and hip range of motion.

    Another type of exercise that is low impact but keeps you moving is biking. I'm riding my bike to work a couple times a week and at the end of the ride I notice my core is fatigued. Like the guy said earlier, keep moving.
     
  16. Retro

    Retro Active Member

    40
    Oct 24, 2008
    like many others have said here - its all about core strength and stretching. I threw my back out so bad i couldnt walk or breathe without major pain. i actually ended up in physical therapy. they showed me some good stretches for the lower back, hamstrings and quads (surprising to me the hamstrings and quads relate to your lower back) AND most importantly showed me how to strenghen my core. they told me 95% of people are back in PT in 6 months because they stop doing the exercises... well after 2 1/2 years later i did not stop and i have had absolutely NO problems recur. it changed my life. so... buy a book go to PT, whatever you need to do ... learn how to stretch properly and strengthen your core. you will not regret it.
     
  17. beachkat

    beachkat Well-Known Member

    99
    Oct 16, 2009
    I've been dealing with back issues for a long time, herniated and bulging discs,degeneration (which is common by the way...)etc...
    Pilates is the best core exercises you can do, been taking it for over 4-5 years and still a challenge... its the best! Yes a strong core is key for back issues!
    Generally, arching good, bending into U shapes not good for discs, (which I have alot of problems with...)
    Pilates saves me... though I even have to slightly modify some moves so not too be in too much of in a U shape...
    Also strenghtening glutes also good for back issues...! And of course body boarding for me.... : )
     
  18. gnurider7

    gnurider7 Well-Known Member

    85
    Sep 1, 2010
    do yoga, it really helps. i recommend the p90x yoga routine. its 90 minutes and you feel great after. it really helps to stretch and relax as well as strengthen your core muscles. i herniated a disc about a year and 3 months ago. its not 100% and probably never will be but after 5 months of doing yoga and the p90x program i went to nica for the season and surfed pretty much everyday
     
  19. wave1rider65

    wave1rider65 Well-Known Member

    405
    Aug 31, 2009
    Core fitness, Stretching, Yoga are all beneficial and must do's in my opinion......Especially as one gets older. I was dealing with the same issues as most, neck and lower back pain and jump started myself with a Chiropractor which quickly got me back into the game. Just dont go to anyone ... do your research. My Chiropractor had a degree in Sports Medicine first and that was a plus to me.
     
  20. shark fin

    shark fin Active Member

    27
    Feb 14, 2012
    Anyone who suffers from back pain should read this

    Thank you for the info! Anyone who suffers from back pain should read this