Lower back pain?

[firecracker22]

Anyone else get this? It got better after I started wearing a kidney belt but I'm still really stiff after riding. Is there something I'm doing wrong, or do I need to focus on training those particular muscles more? I already do a lot of ab workouts and also rowing (which helps back muscles, as far as I know).

 

[Lemming]

How's your riding posture? If you tend to ride with a rounded back that may be the problem. Lately, I've been trying to keep my back straighter and this has helped somewhat. It also keeps me off my tailbone:scream:

 

[Jon Sosa]

I have a really bad lower back. I've got 2 vertebra that are underdeveloped since birth. The only things that have helped me are stretching, especially the hamstrings, and a Chiropractic treatments. Vioxx has releaved some of the pain when my back "pops out". The biggest thing is to keep limber by stretching. Hope this helps.

js

 

[firecracker22]

I try to ride with my back straight, but have no idea if I'm actually doing so. I do stand a lot but it doesn't seem to matter.

 

[Lemming]

If you have a sore tailbone after a long days ride, then you are probably rounding your back (slouching). If you straighten your back and lean forward then your tailbone won't hurt:scream:

Next best thing, have someone watch you.

 

[bud]

I used to get a sore back quite a lot. As far as I could tell I was using my back too much when I was hard on the throttle, and I was standing where it wasn't necessary, ie all the time. I got around it by sitting where possible, usually for only a few seconds, which was enough to keep the back pain away, and didn't slow me down.

I also didn't anticipate well enough, meaning lean forward before opening the throttle or dumping the clutch, leaning back when hitting the brakes... letting the knees flex just before a bump. Obviously anticpating is part of riding, but now I do it much better than I used to so I don't tire as quickly - and go a bit faster.

 

[MX823]

I posted the same question to another board [local to new england , nemx.org] and I got a bunch or responses.....I have always had a stiff back after riding...but one day it popped while riding.........here is a valuable link .....http://www.lowbackpain.com/nonSurg.htm

 

[bbbom]

Posture plays a big part but, if you strengthen your core - lower back and abs it will help with the pain and help you to maintain a good posture.

Seated rows do more for your mid to upper back - your lats.

Lower back exercises would be hyperextensions, stiff legged deadlift, bentover rows (to some extent).

Keep doing your ab exercises too but add the hypers and deadlift (I like the bentover rows because it's similar to the movement it takes to pull my sled out of the snow!).

Stretching is very important, especially if you are lifting weights.

 

[380ePete]

All of this seems to be good advice. The only thing I saw missing was to strengthen your legs. Abs and strong legs are essential to support your upper torso.

I have a degenerative L5 disk so I need to make sure that I keep in shape and stretch a lot. I also take Glucosamine w/ Chondroitin (spelling?) and MSM. You probably won' t notice any difference for about 30 days, but after that, no more waking up in the morning stiff and sore. Keep in mind that it MUST have the MSM. That stuff makes all the difference in the world. The brand I use is Flex-A Min. It rocks.

Good luck

 

[KamikaziRida]

lowerback pain

Well, you can try some asprins or something, they will increse blood flow and take away some of the pain, if you already are taking some increse your dosage a half or full pill or what ever.
Just trying to help out a fellow rider, hope I did.:)

 

[Monkey Butt]

This may not be much help

Riding actually seems to help my back. I have had two severely herniated disks in my lower back and two bulged disks in upper back for about ten years now. I quit riding because of it for several years. I didn't think there was any way that I could ride with all of my back problems (the injuries were not related to riding). I walked with a limp for a long time and didn't think that I would ever be able to run again. I still have back pain virtually every day but it doesn't slow me down much. I have just learned to adapt. I have to agree with 380ePete about strengthening your legs. If your legs are strong you can use your knees and leg strength to take the blows rather than your back. I also use my leg strength to pick my bike up after a fall and try not to use my back any more than I have to.

My back usually feels better for two or three days after riding than it did before riding. As a matter of a fact my back now feels stronger on a daily basis than it did before I got back into riding. I race hare scrambles at the ripe old age of 34 and I don't even think about my back while riding. There has been many occassions where I had doubts about riding do to lower back and hip pain, but I went anyway and I ended up feeling much better afterwards. Hey, if I waited until I didn't have any pain at all I would never ride. I think the moving around on the bike must stretch my muscles and put things back in place temporarily. The only real problem I have had from riding was last summer after flat landing a jump one too many times. That layed me up for awhile and led to a new MRI which showed a lot of degeneration in my herniated disks not to mention the fact that the vertebrates are about two times larger than normal due to trying to make up for the bad discs (arthritis?). At any rate the thing that helps me most is just trying to stay in shape. I can't work my lower back directly because it just causes me more pain and problems, but I work the supporting muscles as mentioned before. Especially concentrate on your legs and abs. It is also very important to stretch out and stay limber. Walking is one or the best exercises for lower back pain. Jogging is obviously good also as long as the jarring doesn't cause you problems.

See I told you this post wouldn't help much. The good news is that is sounds like you just need to strengthen your muscles a little bit and you should be fine. By the way, remarkably the doctor admitted that probably the best thing I've done for my back is take up riding again because it has further strengthened the supporting muscles.

Wow, after writing about all of my own problems I feel real old. Like I said before though it hasn't ever slowed my down too much.

Good Luck,
Neal;)

 

[vern#19]

Lower back

My lower back was a real pain years ago but my Chiro and YOGA really help a lot . For me it was my ham strings I could not tuoch my toes let alone calfs
but through Yoga I learned how to strech right. I have seen your riding posture and that may be the problem. try streching until you can put both palms on the floor ( with your back straight:p ) I know thats tough but very worth it.:)

 

[Monkey Butt]

OUCH

That hurts just thinking about it. I couldn't even do that when I was ten years old. More power to ya.

Neal

 

[bbbom]

I'm with MonkeyButt :think (now that didn't come out right). I agree with MonkeyButt - that's better.

That does hurt just thinking about it - must be all my years of weightlifting and sprinting!

Yoga, now THAT is supposed to be good for you. Vern, did you take a class or self teach with a video or book?

 

[thermal]

Believe it or not for lower back pain you need to strengthen your legs (quads) and abs. Also stretch and stretch and stretch and.......................your lower back. Abs......oh I hate.
But remember one thing I know nothing!