riding with a bad back...??

[risky buisness]

hi all, i suffer from bad backs alot always achy and sore... generally the lower part of my back. i have suffered from them for years but never sed much or done anything about it.. but iv decided to go to a therapist to see what advice they can give etc at the end of the month..

but the problem is when i ride it can hurt some times normally the longer im in the saddle the more it aches... its not nice but i dont want to give up riding most people i talk to who have bad backs say you have them for life so giving up riding is out of the question... has anyone got any ideas on anything that can offer support while riding?

anyone else a sufferer of bad pains? (you wouldnt mnd so much if i were older im only 16!!!!):eek::)

p.s wasnt sure on were abouts to post this so feel free to move it to were it needs to be.

[No_Angel]

I suffer with a terrible bad back, I fell off on the road about 6 years ago and damaged it, then when I broke my collarbone I whacked it again, went to the doctor and all they could give me was pain relief:rolleyes: (im 23 btw)

I find the saddle I use makes a huge difference, I ride treeless but some of them can put me in the wrong position and hurt my back.
Also have a look at your riding, if I tip onto my fork and hollow my back it kills me.
I can ride for up to or above 6 hours a day, so need to be comfortable.

[canyonrider]

Ive been having problems with my back too, so Im going to see a back specialist soon, I will let you know if she solves it and if so Ill post her details here.

[LinzCos]

I bought a seat saver and that helps but I also wear a back support - one of those neoprene and velcro jobbies - it is great! Forgot to put it one one day adn could hardly walk later that night:rolleyes:

[rtk]

I have suffered from a bad back for years. Worst bit for me is getting on and off.

I know some people use those elastic back supports but they didn't particularly help me. I have found on bad days that keeping my back warm is important and slightly shorter stirrups, I have no idea why.

[Smartie Pants2]

My daughter suffers with a terrible bad back, she is 13, they think it was from a fall about 18 months ago, she has had scans etc is on painkillers from the doctors for a while until it eases a bit, she is having Phsyio once a week which also seems to help. We have tried the not riding for a while but this hasn't helped much either. I do sympathise with you, the Doctor just gave us Painkillers, I did ask about a back support but he didn't seem that keen. Hope the Therapist helps you.

[risky buisness]

I bought a seat saver and that helps but I also wear a back support - one of those neoprene and velcro jobbies - it is great! Forgot to put it one one day adn could hardly walk later that night:rolleyes:

i already have a seat saver makes the seat comfy dosent do much for my back to be honest.. and 'no angel' i am saving up for a treeless but its going to be a while before i can get my hands on one! will make sure i pick one with my back in mind.

im just hoping this therapist can help .. i cant seem to find much that helps with support.. i spoke to my doctor a few days ago about my back while in for somthink else.. and all he offered was pain killers i didnt really find that helpfull:rolleyes:

[sadiesparkle]

Get a back support - I wear various kinds of supports depending on which part of me hurts lol (I have Ehlers Danlos which get's most of me unfortunately!). That and RELAX move your hips with the saddle.

Also think of trying bellydancing - my physio (he's a bit of a hippy lol) suggested it for building up my core muscles and it's helped loads!

xxx

[risky buisness]

yh will have a look around for some back supports i do think i really need them!!

and as for belly dancing maybe will give this a try without everyone laughing at me:p:D oh god i cant see it all now...:eek:

[rookierider]

I have the same problem and hoping you get some good tips too :)

I've got disc problems and had them for years, was told to take a year off from riding or give up but it's just not an option. Can hardly walk the next day after cantering :-(

Have tried a back support but as it's lower back it doesn't help, my discs are aggrevated by the actual impact you get through your body from riding.
Most help I find is ice packs for 20 mins in an hour for a few hours after riding or a TENS machine for a few days. Ibuprofen also helps if take regularly.

Roll on the cure :D Hope you find something to help

[KJW]

I started having probs with my lower back when I was 13. At the start it was sharp muscle spasms. Like you, I never got it sorted when I was younger.

By the time I was 23, my pelvis kept slipping out of place, which was not pleasant at all. I was later told by an expert that it was caused by doing too much heavy lifting (hay bales, feed etc) too young, before the mucles had grown strong enough to hold it in place. Riding, mucking out, anything involving twisting, even reaching up to a shelf could set it off. After a really bad incident I went to chiropractor. It was so bad I couldn't drive myself there, I had to get a taxi, and when I got there I couldn't take my shoes off. 30 minutes later I came out dancing, I kid you not.

Best money I ever spent that. Yes, my back does hurt mildly 50% of the time now and yes it can feel quite stiff and inflexible at times. But I just pop back to the chiro or oesteopath as and when I need to.

I don't know what type of treatment you are going for, but I really do recommend a chiro or oesteo. It's not very pleasant whilst your there (lots of crunching and clicking in my case) but the results can be instant. I have also tried massage and, to be honest, its nice but never really helped long term.

Good luck with your treatment, I know how frustrating it can be to develop such a thing so young.

[Sunshine-x]

Hi I am 17 and I'm currently being passed from specialist to specialist about my back! I'll try and keep this short!
2 and a half years ago I had a nasty fall from a youngster where I ended up in hospital unconcious with a sprained neck and lots of torn muscles/tendons/ligaments in my back. My back has never been the same since then, I have been on and off painkillers ever since. A few months ago I found a golf ball sized lump in my lower back. The lump is not painful but the surrounding area is. I frequently get sharp stabbing pains in my lower back which immobilise me for a certain length of time. I just get stuck and cannot move when this happens it is the most horrible pain I can imagine. I also have constant aches in my back, my muscles spasm the whole time and I get pins and needles all over my body.
I went to my GP and she referred me to a neurosurgeon. He did some nerve tests on me and found that I have less sense in my left leg than in my right. I also have abnormal reflexes apparently. He agreed there was something really wrong with my back and sent me to have MRI's and X-rays. After the scans I saw a spinal surgeon who said my MRI's had come back clear but they were still waiting on my X-ray results. He then referred me to a physiotherapist and a neurologist.
I have started my physio sessions and they are treating me to help improve my core stability to take some of the strain off of my back. I am also being treated for severe soft tissue damage. So far I have had electric shock therapy, heat therapy and massages. I have lots of exercises to do daily as it was also found that as well as having very contracted and spasming muscles in my back, my hamstrings had also contracted which wasn't helping my back so that is being treated as well. Due to being totally flexible down my left side (I can touch my foot to my head) but being barely flexible down the right hand side (I cannot get my foot above my waist) my physio thinks that I must have spinal damage somehow and that the lump in my back may be restrictive to me. They think that among other things I have developed athiritis.
I am seeing a neurologist in 3 weeks and meanwhile am having regular physio. I find out my X-ray results on Tuesday and need to have a biopsy on the lump in my back. They also want to send me for extra neural tests and bloods.
I have been told to only do gentle riding when really necessary, so have only ridden about 3 times in the past week. Last Friday I could not get past a walk whilst riding it hurt too much to trot. I know that if my back doesn't get sorted now whilst I am still young it is going to be a nightmare in the future and my mobility will be drastically reduced.
If it hurts it is telling you something so I would get things sorted as soon as you can. My problem is ongoing currently but I am very lucky that I am being seen privately and not on the NHS as it is so much quicker.
I hope you find out what is wrong and that you can continue to ride. I hope I can!

[risky buisness]

god sunshine x.. sounds like your going through the wars!! i think i have pulled my back and neck muscles from sleeping funny or doing smthink.. because its hurting more today then usual.. its normaly a small ache but as i sed the longer i ride the worse it is when i get off..

it never cripples me or make it so i cant walk.. just a ache somtimes i can go weeks with nothing then it comes back.. i must admit i dont have a great posture.. maybe i need to sort that out! i also looked up back streches (sp?) on the net i did them a few days they really helped to loosen my back! i think if i keep these going see an oesteopath/ therapist and get them to work some magic it should ease off.. i do need to sort my posture but its so hard braking a life time habit!!:rolleyes:

[Gill]

Try Pilates too it's great for your back.

I feel sorry for all you youngsters having back problems. I never gave mine a thought until I was in my late forties when things started to go wrong. I still ride a lot in my mid fifties but have lots of back issues. A good Physiotherapist is worth their weight in gold.

I hope you can get better. I know none of us can give up riding though!

[risky buisness]

Try Pilates too it's great for your back.

I feel sorry for all you youngsters having back problems. I never gave mine a thought until I was in my late forties when things started to go wrong. I still ride a lot in my mid fifties but have lots of back issues. A good Physiotherapist is worth their weight in gold.

I hope you can get better. I know none of us can give up riding though!

yh will have a look for that... i no im only 16 and my backs died on me..:o i will never give up riding would rather have a bad back not like riding affects it much ..it more affects my riding...

[landcruiser]

Like KJW I swear by chiro or osteopaths. My back can be so bad I feel sick with pain, but after half an hour crunching I come out like a spring lamb - sometimes. It always helps...

[lobeliaoverhill]

I bought a seat saver and that helps

a seat saver?! what new fangled magic is this?? :)

I frequently get sharp stabbing pains in my lower back which immobilise me for a certain length of time. I just get stuck and cannot move when this happens it is the most horrible pain I can imagine.

Due to being totally flexible down my left side (I can touch my foot to my head) but being barely flexible down the right hand side (I cannot get my foot above my waist)

That sounds an awful lot like sciatica to me ...




I hurt my back when I was thrown by a horse (into a jump) when I was 14 ... that gives me the occasional twinge, the worst damage I did to my back was when I sat on someone's old couch and it gave way underneath me - I twisted my pelvis and separated my sacro-illiac joint. Every so often that will "pop" out and cause me no end of problems. I don't ride when that happens, and I avoid riding if any other part of my back is sore. I wear a back protector these days to avoid injuries if I fall off, and have a back support for days when my back is sore. I use therma care heat wraps when my back is sore, or a cooling gel stuff that I can never remember the name off! Heat works for some injuries and cold for others, so it's a case of trying both to see which works best.

Exercise helps to keep the muscles toned up which helps to prevent injuries.

I know a fella who suffers with his back (he doesn't ride tho') and he recommended a physio to me who's great for fixing things ... I'm hoping it'll be a long while before I have to visit him!

[bel71]

It is good that you are doing something about it now. I too ignored back pain for years and years, just getting used to it and living with it. Perhaps I could have been a bit more able to prevent some of the problems I now have if I had been more careful earlier. So - good for you for being proactive.

Now, in terms of being proactive, yes posture is VERY important. Pay particularly attention to how, and for how long, you sit on a chair. This seemingly simple action causes massive pressure on the lower spine. Ensure you don't sit for long periods of time without moving around. Just simply standing up or squatting down can just give it that 'movement' it needs.

As others have mentioned, pilates is very good. Core strength is absolutely paramount. You must definitely do some work on this to help support your back - it will riding that much more achievable.

I too was advised by various medical practitioners that riding is not good for the spine (depends of course on the problems of your spine, with disc problems like I have had you generally get the thumbs down) However - I decided that giving up riding or ambling round at a walk for the rest of my life was Not An Option, and I am pleased to say that I have been able to successfully get back to riding after a spinal operation 10 months ago.

Depending on the issues, yes you can have a bad back for life ( I know I do) but there are things that you can do to make it that bit easier to keep doing the sport you love. Oh, and also be careful with lifting things (hay, wheelbarrows, horse box ramps, all that stuff we lug around without thinking.) Be careful - your back will thank you for it in later life.

Good luck :)

[huskyfinn]

i have back problems as well and have suffered for over 20 yrs.

when it's cold i find it gets worse so what i do now is get them heat pads and if i'm going on a long ride especially when it's cold i put one on my back and i find it doesn't hurt too much. you can get them from the chemist and are about £5.50 for a pack of 2. they last for about 10hours, once used you can just pop them in the bin! ;)

at other times though i use a back support for my lower back and it helps a little bit.

[Elly Koopman]

Might be worth also considering that lower back pain, particularly in women, can be actually something completely unrelated to your back like low grade period pain, very slight urinary infection, irritable bowel etc.

Back supports are okay, but beware of becoming dependant on them - the back needs to build up it's own support and muscle before being supported by an external force. However, some of the neoprene ones are great for retaining warmth and keeping muscles etc warm.

Alexander technique on horse back is great for backs, as is sessions off the horse. For me personally I can't do pilates as it causes my back to spasm (mine goes between the shoulder blades :( ) but I do know of other poeple who it has helped.

The thing that helped me is acupuncture and sports massage (no real manipulation like chiro & osteo). I had 3/4 sessions about 8 years ago and I can now count the times I've been incapacitated through my back on one hand compared to every other week previously.

Oh, and gym balls help as well :) Sit on them while watching TV or at the computer etc and it's helps build up you posture, balance and core muscles without you noticing - works wonders on your riding as well :D

[ginageorge]

I suffer with a bad back,i have got narrowing of the spine and muscle wastage,i have to be really carefull,lifting things and when bending,my back can just suddenly go without warning and the pain is awful,i dont ride that often,but if i do i need to take care mounting and dismounting.I feel sorry for anyone with back trouble because it does make some things in life hard to do.

[risky buisness]

Might be worth also considering that lower back pain, particularly in women, can be actually something completely unrelated to your back like low grade period pain, very slight urinary infection, irritable bowel etc.

Back supports are okay, but beware of becoming dependant on them - the back needs to build up it's own support and muscle before being supported by an external force. However, some of the neoprene ones are great for retaining warmth and keeping muscles etc warm.

Alexander technique on horse back is great for backs, as is sessions off the horse. For me personally I can't do pilates as it causes my back to spasm (mine goes between the shoulder blades :( ) but I do know of other poeple who it has helped.

The thing that helped me is acupuncture and sports massage (no real manipulation like chiro & osteo). I had 3/4 sessions about 8 years ago and I can now count the times I've been incapacitated through my back on one hand compared to every other week previously.

Oh, and gym balls help as well :) Sit on them while watching TV or at the computer etc and it's helps build up you posture, balance and core muscles without you noticing - works wonders on your riding as well :D

its not that low in my back its more middle lower ..

i couldnt have acupuncture i have a fear of any kind of needle!!! the sports massage sounds good tho:p im deffo going to see a oesteo for my back put a heat patch on my back today and it really helped loosen it up! but as another poster sed i cant depend to much on them..

say that i bought amey a bouncey ball to play with but shes scared of it:rolleyes: so i might just use that!! forgot had it i did have a small bounce before taking it to the yard:D

[Sunshine-x]

I use a gym ball to help improve core stability as once your core muscles are tightened it takes some of the strain off of your back muscles. POsture is also very important and I am really aware of mine now especially riding, just sit up tall with your shoulders back.

Lobeliaoverhill what is sciatica?

[risky buisness]

I use a gym ball to help improve core stability as once your core muscles are tightened it takes some of the strain off of your back muscles. POsture is also very important and I am really aware of mine now especially riding, just sit up tall with your shoulders back.

Lobeliaoverhill what is sciatica?

yh will use my ball... sciatica is a nerve that runs from your back to your legs.. it causes bad pains in the back and legs it causes irritation/ compression in the nerve endings .. it can be very painfull.

[Sunshine-x]

Oh i shall have to talk to my physio about that on Tuesday then when I next see her.

[lobeliaoverhill]

Lobeliaoverhill what is sciatica?

your sciatic nerve runs from the small of your back down your leg into the toe next to your little toe, sciatica is an inflammation or irritation of that nerve. It causes spasms in the back, and numbness in the leg. Diagnosis tends to be, lay flat on your back, and try to lift your leg, of you can't, then you've got sciatica!

It can vary from slight numbness to blindingly painful. Once upon a time you were put in traction to relieve the pressure on the nerve, nowadays you're told to use hot or cold treatment and keep exercising (which isn't easy if you can't move!)

[horsemadmandy]

Hi
I suffered with a bad back for years - Have had steroid injections x2 into sacral joint - A fantastic chiropractor - a gym ball and core stability and posture exercises - fingers crossed all okay - However I am now working 9-5 - At present no horse but still riding once a week - I do have a backache when riding certain horses - Okay with the forward horse who is not constantly on the forehand - I get dreadful backache when the horse does not pull his/her weight and you have to carry them - :)

[risky buisness]

Yh I'm going to be usi g my gym ball for deffo then and see a chiro... And hopfully it will get better I'm not going to give up riding it's just not an option.

:oeven if she only gets ridden twice a week if she's lucky..:o

But still I hope everyone hear finds so comfort with your backs it's not a nice feeling and a big thank you to all who gave good advice!!!!

[lobeliaoverhill]

How much weight will a gym ball take? I have visions of sitting on one and it exploding!!

[Sunshine-x]

How much weight will a gym ball take? I have visions of sitting on one and it exploding!!

Not sure but my dad has used mine and he is 15 stone if that is any help?

I saw a different physio today as my first one wnated a second opinion on me, and this 2nd physio found that I am malaligned and that my right leg is approximately 1 and half cm longer than my left and so my back is curved slightly because of this. She doesn't think this is the only reason why my back is so abd so I am under investigation still! I also had traction treatment to help stretch out my spine, which was a really weird feeling! So I'm still crippled but as I can lift both legs (albeit stiffly) they don't think its sciatica.

[Alle]

I have had minor back pains back even before I started riding again, and riding didn't help it any. I got a seatbone saver and that helped, however, what I really needed to do was strengthen the core muscles. Of course I am too lazy, so it wasn't until I really tweaked it that I went to physical therapy. They gave me a bunch of exercises for the core...abs and back...and that has helped a lot. No more laziness for me.

I also, like many others here, have a back brace when I ride, although I don't alway use it. Things have been much better the last two weeks.

Good luck!

[risky buisness]

How much weight will a gym ball take? I have visions of sitting on one and it exploding!!

heehee im sure you would have to be pretty heavy to burst one wouldnt worry to much... just dont over bounce:eek::p

my friend has one leg longer than the other not by much but she used to suffer badly with her back! she had some back massages and had to wear a ... duno what it was... but somthink that raised her up! once her back was inline again shes never had pain since!

[lobeliaoverhill]

Not sure but my dad has used mine and he is 15 stone if that is any help?

cheers :D I wonder what I weigh these days?!

heehee im sure you would have to be pretty heavy to burst one wouldnt worry to much... just dont over bounce:eek::p


*makes notes*

:D

[bckinthesaddle]

By the time I was 23, my pelvis kept slipping out of place, which was not pleasant at all. I was later told by an expert that it was caused by doing too much heavy lifting (hay bales, feed etc) too young, before the mucles had grown strong enough to hold it in place. Riding, mucking out, anything involving twisting, even reaching up to a shelf could set it off. After a really bad incident I went to chiropractor. It was so bad I couldn't drive myself there, I had to get a taxi, and when I got there I couldn't take my shoes off. 30 minutes later I came out dancing, I kid you not.

Best money I ever spent that. Yes, my back does hurt mildly 50% of the time now and yes it can feel quite stiff and inflexible at times. But I just pop back to the chiro or oesteopath as and when I need to.

I don't know what type of treatment you are going for, but I really do recommend a chiro or oesteo. It's not very pleasant whilst your there (lots of crunching and clicking in my case) but the results can be instant. I have also tried massage and, to be honest, its nice but never really helped long term.

Good luck with your treatment, I know how frustrating it can be to develop such a thing so young.

totally agree with kjw... have had horrendous pain in my lower back/pelvis and legs for the last 2.5 yrs, restarted riding end of last year and was in agony after lessons, had a fall 4 weeks ago and decided as a last resort to go to a chiropractor .........turns out my pelvis was/is extremly twisted :eek: and i have a touch of arthritis.
after the very first adjustment i felt great (walked out, didnt limp!!!) and have got continously better after every treatment.
highly recommend chiropractic care ,its fantastic :D

[risky buisness]

im liking all the storys bout the chiro! im just nervous about them cracking my back ad things i mean does it hurt!!?? im no good with pain! :eek: