I'm so frustrated. I threw my back out about a year and a half ago emptying our (then) baby's bath tub. Made sense. Sucked and hurt like a mother but it made sense.

Since then it's "gone out" on me a few times, each time either self remedied with time (3-4 days) or with a trip to the chiro. This last time was taking sausages off of the camp stove and putting them on the plate beside the stove. Just a little twist and slight bend and BAM! Out she goes. We came home early because of it and wouldn't you know it, yesterday was our first good wind day under blue skies. And I missed it!

I'm so, so, so frustrated. I started physio a week ago to pre-empt these issues in the future but I guess it was just a bit too soon to think I could start cooking sausages ?!?

Anyone else out there been through this? Is there hope for me once physio runs it's course and I get everything strengthened up good and proper? I can't imagine if I ever tweaked myself while kiteboarding - the pain is unbearable and nearly put into shock this last time.

i've never done physio or chyro or anything like that until just recent.
i don't know what happened but some time in jan/feb both my arms, from shoulder to wrists, started being sore almost everyday and all waking hours(so much so i couldn't get to sleep, or stay asleep, a lot of times). after a couple of weeks t'was just my left mostly. this lasted until i started physio (about 6 times now) a couple months ago). she does the needle treatment and cracking and heat. i'm now going only every two weeks and my arm only bothers me a few times a week for only a bit here and there, better than all day evey day.
my right ankle i destroyed (ligiment speaking) about 5 years ago and it was still not healed right when i broke it 2 years ago. it's just very lately that i noticed that i do not have to take head before heading down a flight of stairs (usually i'd have to step down with left then bring right down to meet left and so on.) once in a while when i'm sitting for too long i guess there is a fair (temporary thankfully) amount of pain when i get up. i still don't know if can run full tilt for much more than 50 yards or so.
BTW how's Cooking lake filling?

Dude, I been there. Probably lots of folks, too. Ruling out disk problems etc...
There's probably an imbalance weak front abs to back muscles.
I do light core exercises, abdominal work, and stretching 15 minutes
every morning ritual as I watch the morning news. I don't have problems anymore.

Consider a look:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Top+6+Core+Exerc...

Few minutes a day keeps the doctor away.

Mac, broke my back in a 18' fall from a tree in 2001, crushed two vertibra in lower back. I know the pain your talkin about. Took along time to recover and don't think anyone fully recovers from any type of back injury. Since then I've had issues with sliped disc and bulging disc. Best advice is to keep in the best shape you can in muscle areas that support your back in area of your pain. Muscle support is the only thing you can control as your supportive bone structure is what it is after you damage it. The bones will heal but as I've been told , as time goes on arthritis will more than likely set in. Positive attitude my friend, I just got into this sport and I ain't giving up yet, Hang in there you can do it.

Kelly,

This invariably happens to men once they reach a "certain age". I know I personally get back twinges every time anyone even mentions sausages.

Here is a tip from an old chiro. buddy. Do your own deep message with a tennis ball. Lay down on your back on the floor . Put the ball directly underneath the tender spot. Using your legs and shoulders, you can adjust the weight exerted on the ball, therefore the intensity of the massage. Doing this three or four times a day cuts recover time in half for me. Looks obscene, but it works.

I also get the occasional pinched nerve near my shoulder blade. For this I tie the tennis ball in the foot of an old pantyhose leg, put it between my shoulder blade and a wall, and do shallow knee bends leaning my weight into the ball. Again, looks a little bizarre, but cuts recovery time as well.

Maybe you could post video!

Barring all the above, there's this little parlor over on Kingsway around 124 Street that I understand works wonders. No appointment necessary. :o

I have very flat feet as such, the old back and hips ache a ton almost every night. Saw the chiro for a while, but it just seemed to be more $$$ than I could handle at the time. I was in the airport a few years ago, waiting for a connection, there was a sales person selling a bunch of massage equipment. The lady let me try out a Thera Cane, and pointed out a few areas to massage. 5 minutes later, all the pain I had in my lower back and hips was gone. Couldn't take it on the plane so I ordered one when I got home. Now I use it every evening after work. Still have the occasional issue, but after a while you can just feel where the pressure needs to be relieved. This is the exact model I ordered, best cash I spent I swear........

http://www.lifegearinversiontable.org/body-back-buddy/

ah, that sucks...., I have had that happen years ago when tying my shoes...couldn't get back up actually. Had to go down on the floor and gingerly make my way up without using my back much. thankfully I was at home!

other than chiro/massage/acupuncture, (I do acupuncture...so kinda am biased towards that)

try that tennis ball like Vince says....finding those pressure points and working them out can go a long way.

Once you are in the clear, make sure you put in some time every week strengthening the core. I personally like the TRX suspension trainer myself for that. Didn't buy it but made a DIY version that basically looks and performs the same. Awesome piece of equipment though for the core, and TONS of exercise variations.

You could also buy yourself a plastic "cupping set" and get your wife to work on you...they are pretty basic to use on the back. Use oil, apply the cup, and slide away over the affected area. Awesome little pieces of equipment.

Feel well and hope you feel better soon.

Quote:

Originally posted by Vince H. Do your own deep message with a tennis ball. Lay down on your back on the floor ... ... put it between my shoulder blade and a wall, and do shallow knee bends leaning my weight into the ball. Again, looks a little bizarre, but cuts recovery time as well.

I used the tennis ball trick after my fall onto the beach this spring. I also used stretching, light exercise, muscle relaxers and anti-inflamatories. Can't you get methocarbamol and codeine in Canada over the counter? One before bed then start the day with stretching and range of motion exercises and you will heal. Flying fixed bridles without a strop seemed to help.

excruciating...the pain where you can't stand it but feel paralyzed because you're afraid that if you move a quarter of an inch it will be the end of you...

had a few bouts, the last one after slipping on ice on a steep rocky beach carrying a kayak in the dark...

i was really encouraged by a CBC radio interview with a back Doc, who basically said hang in there, it hurts, but this too will pass and it often isn't really a big deal....mine was iffy for a while but got better fast and seems fine now..

also plus one for a good martial art or yoga or maybe pilates, anything that builds core strength / flexibility / balance / ways of moving

crappy timing with vacation, hope it goes away soon!

I can't believe how commonplace this sounds. I have faith but man do I hate seeing the wind blow when I'm incapacitated. This too shall pass. Had some acupuncture today along with the physio and have been on a hourly regimen of inflammation-purging twists and bends and am feeling pretty good now. I'll still sleep on the floor tonight but think I'll be back in bed this weekend. Thanks for all the tips. I think I'll cut back on the sausages

Funny enough when I pondered out loud with the physiotherapist what on earth would happen if I tweaked it while kiting she said "at least you'd land in the cool water - that would be good for your back". She too suffers similar tweaks as it turns out......last time for her was last fall wakeboarding and yup....the cool water helped she said.

Time to go kite the Bering Strait I guess

Sorry to hear that dude

Had surgery on a ruptured disc 4 or 5 years ago ... was pretty much paralyzed below the waist if I stood up too long. Lost feeling, power and motor-control in my legs and almost had to stop driving because I was getting worried that I couldn't move my feet enough to hit the brakes :o Surgery was rough (morphine was interesting though) and recovery took a while but I slowly got better and recently, I thought I was pretty much back to 100%.

But on Tuesday this week, I was bent over trying to pick up the back-wheel of the bike (derp!) and it went ZING! again on me ... staggered inside, couldn't get off the floor for a while but finally made it up to bed. Iced my back, took Voltarin and today it's almost ok so I'm hoping it was just a pulled muscle - felt like it anyway ... the pain was nowhere near as bad as when the disc went but it still wasn't fun

It's easy enough to live your life around broken wrist or mashed toe, but when you can't even sit up ... that gets really depressing. Especially when I thought I had it all behind me

when your doctor prescribes physical thrapy inquire about ab work...........................strong abs strong lower back..............

Good advise above, I am going to try the tennis ball: this post will at best add to it, at least reenforce.

My problems started when I was sixteen (stupid injury), worsened in my twenties (but I toughed it out), and resulted to a trip to the ER in my thirtys (this resulted in nerve damage, finally got help and learned to manage it). I was getting out of bed and there is now way to make that story cool.

Kids are the worst on a bum back. Please be careful, you will have problems when you least expect it. I have learned to bail hay for eight hours without a problem because it is repetitive and I keep my form, when I am just having fun and messing around, I am at the most risk. Learning how to manage it will probably be specific to your problem. For example, cold water is NOT the answer to my problem, Cold = tight = ER. I use heat and stretching. Start early, I don’t recommend the nerve damage.

1) Core work, Core work, Core work. I was amazed at how going from abs to an ab affected my lower back. I used P90X ab ripper. 15 min. every other day.

2) Stretching. Loosen up the muscles back there. Again I learned this by doing the P90x routine. But the first time you feel the muscles down the spine relax and loosen up, it’s like being years younger. This warmup and stretch is daily.

3) Watch for the cycle. This caused me anger (stupid back), fear (of going places and doing things where the ER is not close enough), and depression to some degree (of being afraid). Your hurt and healing -> loosening up and feeling better -> I feel great so I must be healed -> get lazy about #1 and #2 -> Oops -> Your hurt and healing -> ...

My pills are now several years out of date, even though they still travel with me (wife’s orders - she cannot carry me).
Happy healing - Hope this did not sound like a downer.

@labrat - you got it right on the head there...as frustrating as it is to miss windy days I'm infinitely MORE troubled by wanting to pick up Anna and give her a hug but worry that I might crumble to floor if I do. The 3rd last flare up was as I was plopping her into her car seat after our weekly trip to the swimming pool. Really hit where it hurt that time.

I know I'm doing the right things and even moreso adding all the above advice to the list. I think I'll move your Point 3 to the top of the list......that's EXACTLY the way my irrational brain rationalizes things.

"Dadda's back hurt"............

Interested in the stretching too ... what exercises?

I have had a little lump right under my rectum for about 2 weeks now.

Quote:

Originally posted by davianmcllm I have had a little lump right under my rectum for about 2 weeks now.

That's probably your head ... might be a bit late, but you may be able to remove your head from your arse with a topical application of spam ...

since i have been kiting zero back problems and yes a few episodes before were the ...twist and out she goes over nothing it would seem.

the traction with the harness DEMANDS core strength!. and once you start jumping EVEN more.

balance, strength and quality REST. posture and habits are the real problem most of the time, with the exception of trauma.

the mental hurdle of overuse(not improper use) and rest ARE the hardest pills to swallow.

davianmcllm i think if you apply spam 3 times a day then eat it, things would improve.....good call KK

Dunno if this'll work but here's a handy .pdf to read ... http://www.kiteforum.com/download/file.php?id=26862

i was going to make an old person joke but im not sure how some people would take it. not to mention karma can come back to bite hard. i have a partialy torn acl so i guess im not much better. i have to take it kinda easy some days when it feels a little wobbly. i almost forgot the reason why i opened this thread. hope you heal quick and have happy winds when you get back out again.

Quote:

Originally posted by Kamikuza Quote: Originally posted by davianmcllm I have had a little lump right under my rectum for about 2 weeks now. That's probably your head ... might be a bit late, but you may be able to remove your head from your arse with a topical application of spam ...

Now that’s FUNNY.

Most of the stretches are readily available on the internet or from your doctor. But here is my best description of two I may do differently. Hope I can describe this.

1) Lay on your back. Bend one leg, foot on the floor. Place the other ankle on your knee. Grab the shin of the leg on the floor. Slowly pull toward your chest. I changed this to leaving the foot on the floor and twisting your hips with your shoulders flat on the floor to rotate the foot off the floor toward the floor. Slowly.
2) The only way I could describe this is to lay down in the yoga childs pose with your arms above your head. Then creep your hands sideways across the floor to begin pulling on the muscles down your spine. Once I am stretched out, this will go all the way down to my lower back. You can drop your head down while doing this to get a deeper stretch.

Edit: Kinda caught myself today after working on the barn. #2 can also be done standing up (for all those who hate kissing the floor). I grab the floor joist above me (door frame will do), cross my legs, lower my head while leaning forward, favoring the side opposite to the side I want to stretch, and letting my arms be pulled back.

FWIW: I always thought that my tight back made it hard to stretch my hamstrings. But the doc told me that my tight hamstrings were agravating my lower back.

Please be careful.

Y'know, I was sitting around feeling sorry for myself when I realized - hey, I got a buddy who's just survived a brain tumor and another couple who've pulled through cancer - and suddenly I felt a whole lot better :bigok:

Yup Kami. Others have it far worse or have overcome far greater challenges. No matter how bad it is/was/can get I never let it shake the mass respect for those that are fighting harder or have had bigger battles.

... still doesn't mean it hurts like a bastard though I *think* mine's finally back to normal - seems to have been just pulled muscles ... but I haven't forgotten what the ruptured disc was like gave me a good scare that did!