bad back anyone?

[eddieo]

I have done something to my back, the diagnosis is inflammation of the Sacroiliac joint at base of spine. I have been in agony for weeks. initially some mornings it took me 45 mins to get out of bed (great when dying for a pee)

It was so bad I could not drive, until late last week, so have at last managed to pick up bike from its 300 mile service. Went out a few days ago for a brief local ride, just bank/library & shops and when I got back it seemed to of helped a bit....Went out yesterday and it was kinda OK.... but this morning! BAM its back with a vengeance but not as bad as when it started, thank god for pain killers!

Its so worrying that may have to cancel holiday to Thailand at Easter but wife threatening divorce if I do

anyone know anything of this condition?

 

[eTim]

I don't know anything about the condition, but I have suffered on and off over the years with lower back pain, I find that exercise and keeping it mobile helps alot in preventing any lockups (easier said than done when it has already gone on you), also osteopathy straghtens me out from time to time, (BTW my osteo does not recommend cycling as a form of exercise because of the repetitive nature, until things are better, I always ignore his advice ).

When I started riding the Synapse I noticed an increase in lower back and neck pain (always been on full suss MTB and not been a road rider for years), I raised my bars and bought a Brooks Flyer Aged saddle. The saddle is brilliant, I've only done approx 20 miles on it but it really soaks up the road buzz and the big bumps to the point where my back doesn't ache after a ride and my neck feels better, it's early days, but the Brooks could be £60 well spent.

If you have an imminent holiday, I would suggest an osteopath as he/she will be able to 'click' and massage your spine back into alignment, maybe.

 

[Fecn]

I was my bad back which got me into e-biking in the first place. I put my back out about 5 years ago when moving furniture around and it has never been the same since. A friend of mine gave me two rubbish chinabikes when he moved into a flat, and although I was initially very skeptical of a bicycle with 11kg of added lead and acid, I quickly discovered that every time I went out for a ride, it tightened up the muscles down the right hand side of my spine, which in turn stopped the pain at the base of my spine. After I'd ridden about 80 miles on the chinabike and found that I was enjoying it, I decided that I'd get myself a decent quality bike instead.

Every time I go on a long ride (>40 miles) my back is fine for a couple of weeks after even if I don't do any exercise. If I keep up with at least 20 miles a week, my back continues to be fine... but when my (self-employed) work demands that I spend 14 hours in an office chair for a couple of weeks, I'm rapidly back on the pain killers again.

Chiropracter reckons that my pelvis is twisted round a bit, which in turn means the base of the spine doesn't sit right in the pelvic bones which in turn causes the inflamation and pain. The cycling action seems to free things up. My back has been steadily improving ever since I got my Agattu.

N.B. I'm not trying to disrespect the well made Chinese bikes such as Wisper... The chinabikes I refer to were sold to my friend new at £300 for two. He gave them to me for free, delivered to my door... and I still think I paid too much.

 

[flecc]

After seriously injuring my back I found the only answer was to exercise through the pain which gradually healed it.

Since your injury is inflammation of a joint, I'm not too sure if the vertical jolting one gets from road shocks when cycling would be suitable exercise, so I think medical advice on that is advisable.
.

 

[HarryB]

I have been off cycling for two months now with a bad back and hip. I have a friend who is helping me as a personal trainer and she won't allow me to cycle until it all improves which will probably be a couple of month. Having investigated bad backs almost all the advice is to excercise to stengthen the muscles that support the back. Also part of the problem with me Is that I have excercised without stretching and so have tightened the muscles and tendons. Not sure that cycling is the best for the recovery and I would as flecc says take advice. Good luck with the recovery.

 

[tonio]

backpain

Sorry to hear about your back eddio. I hope it doesnt become a long term problem. Of course take medical advice but dont overdo anything and it should settle.
Ive had surgery on my back and after a discogram which is more detailed than an M.R.I my consultant said the bottom five discs were so badly damaged he wouldnt consider further surgery if i was in a wheelchair, which thankfully im not. I sleep with my legs raised around 70 degrees with various items {tins of beans in socks etc placed on either side of my spine to relieve the pain.} That said, since discovering the electric bike and especially my Wisper 905se with my old saddle,{i found the spring centred seatpost very painful } ive got a new lease of life The key to managing chronic pain is to balance exercise with rest and also pain relief. Codeine and ibuprofen work for me and i tolerate these ok {since 1995}, but only take as much as i need to take the edge off. Having the throttle also is essential which also makes riding the bike more comfortable though i use pedelec as much as i can. During a bad flare up the throttle gets used more liberally.
I find the Wisper with my own saddle so comfortable and so beneficial for my backpain that ive been in serious pain on occasion and instead of reaching for 30mgs of codeine a trip of about 8 miles to tescoes and home again has settled my backpain to tolerable levels enough by itself. The saddle i use is an old springy one from one of those electric scooters that were the rage a few years ago which felll apart after a few months and ended up at our local dump. The saddle was the best part. Incidentally i was talking to a guy recently who had a 1920s retro pushbike which had a saddle alone which cost £170. Crazy money IMO. So far the Wisper has exceeded my expectations, a great bike that actually helps bad backs {mine anyway, with custom seat and throttle of course!}

 

[z0mb13e]

Sorry to hear about the back pain - its never fun and can be very worrying...

Had crippling back pain a few years ago, could barely walk, took 5 mins to get up a flight of stairs into the chiroprators (spine wizzard) and managed to walk out upright - during manipulation to loosen things up I was laughing in pain - apparently it's not the first time the chiropractor has witnessed that particular pain response.

Exercise to strengthen core back mussles has kept me mostly pain free. Along with an awareness of 'how to sit correctly' (stick your bum back into the seat first and then straigten back - helps to keep curvature of spine correct). Also streching ham strings is a great way (for me) to instantly ease pain (Lie on floor and get someone to lift one leg, then get them to brace your leg by cupping your heel and then you push down as hard as you can for 10-20 secs - then relax in the same position for about the same time, then raise leg a bit more and repeat until as near vertical as you can manage - when done get friend to lower leg slowly to floor - repeat with other leg. Curl ups (like sit ups but start by lifting head then sholders while keeping arms at sides - it is hard to keep your feet on the floor to start with but after a few weeks it is easy) seem to help too as do dorsal raises (like a pressup but keep legs and pelvis on the floor and hold upper body raised, head back and push down with lower back).

This works for me - often helps to do this despite the pain - but I aint a doctor or a spine wizard so usual disclaimer applies

 

[lemmy]

The Alexander technique has good record. My son suffered greatly from back pain and it's the only thing that has made a difference - he doesn't suffer the back any more.

He started it because he was unwilling to commit to long term use of pain killers.

It's not easy to learn, however.

 

[eddieo]

The Alexander technique has good record. My son suffered greatly from back pain and it's the only thing that has made a difference - he doesn't suffer the back any more.

He started it because he was unwilling to commit to long term use of pain killers.

It's not easy to learn, however.

Thanks Chaps! some interesting stretching on the floor stuff on youtube when I put in Alexander technique...will start tomorrow!

 

[Morag]

Just go steady and don't overdo it.

 

[eddieo]

Just go steady and don't overdo it.

basically you just lay on the floor with some books behind your head to stretch your spine for 20 minutes, you can read a book or listen to the radio

 

[Tex]

I'm with flecc - i seriously injuring my back too in a car/bike accident. my electric bikes have helped "exercise though the pain" as he puts it so well. Empathy. hope your trip goes ok.

 

[Morag]

basically you just lay on the floor with some books behind your head to stretch your spine for 20 minutes, you can read a book or listen to the radio

Ahhhh, now that sounds okay, I was a bit worried back injuries are precarious things to deal with, sounds like you will do fine with that, good luck hun.

 

[Old Timer]

Eddio

Back problems tell me about it.

My family has a history of back problems and it didn`t miss me.

My trade has been most of my life working with heavy hydraulic doors, you release them from the top pivot and lift them off of the bearing, now you swivel around and lean them against a wall while you work on the unit in the floor. That has over the years almost completely worn out my bottom disk.

It takes just one move in the wrong direction when my back muscles are cold. so I allow the hot shower to play on that part of my back to warm it up before doing any work.

The specialist tells me that when i move suddenly with cold muscles they go into spasm to protect the spine and they are painful for several days to the point where I can`t move.

I find that heat from one of those pads( curaheat)available from Boots etc helps. you stick one in the area on the outside of your vest and it gradually warms up and stays warm for almost a day.

As far as medication goes I think I`ve tried them all and one day laying on the floor I phoned the doctors for help and the nurse took the phone number of my son and got him to pick up some Nurophen Plus tablets and bring them to me. within 1 hr i was on my feet(still in some pain) but walking around.
Not to take them for too long but for a few days is OK but boy do they help.

My biggest danger is leaning over a car engine at the wrong angle and just recently changing the car battery saw me on the floor and 4 days of pain.

Hope you are feeling better soon.

Dave

 

[rustic]

Just go steady and don't overdo it.

Yes, wise words. I had surgery to remove a tumour off my spinal cord just under 2 years ago, I still get a fair amount of pain despite taken a fairly meaty cocktail of pain relief medication every day. Whatever you do, do it in moderation with gradual build up listen to what your body is telling you afterwards. All the best, Rus.

 

[eddieo]

Well I tried out the 20 minute Alexander technique this morning while the news was on...And I must say 10 minutes in and the back/leg pain subsided a bit. It definitely helps, will investigate further

 

[Barnowl]

I suffered a lot with back pain but not a twinge for the last 10 years. Exercise to strengthen core back mussles as z0mb13e states. Strengthening the abs with a cunch machines works wonders. Hanging upside down is best if you have one of those inversion machines. Depends on the nature of the back problem though.

 

[Dynamic Position]

Eddieo,

I sympathise with you having experienced pain from a trapped nerve, hovever I am glad the condition cured itself after a few days. I could not cycle with the pain. I used to suffer frequently from cramp and found that cycling prevents this condition from occuring.
I was wondering how e-cycling might be helping and thought there might be a connection to minute electrical currents blocking the pain? According to my wife, who is a nurse such pain relief exists and is medically known as tens.
Lloydspharmacy Dual Channel TENS Machine - Lloyds Pharmacy - Online Chemist)
The above link to Lloyds Pharmacy explains all.

 

[Old Timer]

Well I tried out the 20 minute Alexander technique this morning while the news was on...And I must say 10 minutes in and the back/leg pain subsided a bit. It definitely helps, will investigate further

Tried those tablets yet? No more nooky for you for a while

 

[eddieo]

Tried those tablets yet? No more nooky for you for a while

nooky can forget about that! The Alexander technique along wih pain klllers is helping but I am disappointed that things seemed to be improving and just got worse again

Holiday in jeopardy, but will give it a few days to see if things improve......