Need some back pain advice...

[Danimal]

Ok... you guys are my last resort. The doctors are all giving me mixed advice and I'm tired of it! Here's the situation...

My spine is a mess, I have a total of 5 discs that slip out of whack, had MRI's, X-rays and they all confirm that it's a mess. This I know. The neurosurgon's say they can't operate cause there are too many discs that are messed up, and they say I just have to deal with the pain when it goes out of whack and it'll heal up by itself, and then blow out again etc.

I want to know if anyone out there has screwed up discs and what you guys (or girls) do to cope. Are there certain exercizes that will help, certain herbs, a voodoo doctor out there, anything?!!!!

I blew my lower back out 2 months ago really bad, couldn't even walk for a week. It went away, now it's coming back again, middle to upper back this time. My son's golden birthday was yesterday (he turned 13) and all he wanted to do was ride Lebanon with me and I couldn't do it!

Anyone have any ideas as to what you do for this problem?

HELP PLEASE!

[Thewavebb]

I was having back problems last year and started doing yoga in the morning before work. I also use a balance ball to stretch out on. With the combination of the two my back pain is gone. however, i'm sure it has to do with the new muscles i built around my back.

[jonbodin]

The balance or 'fit' ball is a good start because you can decompress your back all the while being totally supported. I have lifted heavy weights for 20+ years and have found working the core muscles have kept me pretty much injury free. I use a combination of fit ball work and lots of abdominal work. I'm not sure if you are able to do any of those exercises based on the seriousness of your back injuries but it might help.

Good luck!

[devo kenivel]

I'm just going to make a quick two cents worth statement: ride a full suspension rig! Dunno if you do already, but if you don't you should. I've had back problems for years and have a hard tail and a full suspension bike and notice an insane amount of difference when I ride the full suspension bike. Good luck.

[Danimal]

Thanks Jon, Ben & Devon. My wife has a fitness ball, what excercises do you recommend? Crunches, full sit-ups?

I don't have a full suspension ride and won't have one til next season. So I guess I'll have to suck it up til then.

Anyone else with advice?

[Thewavebb]

I actually have a couple DVD's that have workouts on them that I use. Basically its alot of stretching and situps. I also use some weights for additional resistence.

[h2oskierc]

Anyone else with advice?

How about the thudbuster seatpost by Cane Creek? I have been eyeing one the last couple weeks. Online I have seen them for around 130, and I would guess you could even find one on ebay. They have up to three inches of travel, so it would be the next best thing to a FS ride.

Then again, I know nothing...

[Danimal]

I eyed up the thudbuster myself a couple of weeks back, anyone own one of these? Is it worth the green? I also don't ride in the saddle very often especially going through obstacles, so I'm not sure it would be useful. Anyone got one that can let me know if it is worth it?

[jonbodin]

Thanks Jon, Ben & Devon. My wife has a fitness ball, what excercises do you recommend? Crunches, full sit-ups?

I don't have a full suspension ride and won't have one til next season. So I guess I'll have to suck it up til then.

Anyone else with advice?

To stretch out your back, lie on the fitness ball both on your back and on your stomach and just 'roll' back and forth a little. Take it easy because the balance takes a little getting used to. When you lie on your back and just roll on the ball you'll feel a pulling that is your spine 'decompressing'. Also, do your crunches on the ball. That ensures that your back is completely supported by the ball. Take it slow if you feel you can do it!

[sirhc]

If you are really in that much pain, you should go see a chiropractor. You might be amazed at how much it could help.

[stoneage]

Situps/crunches. A stron tummy supports the back. Yoga is very good, too.
Also, like I said before, a moveable seat might not be the best advice. A dual sus doen't change your leg length while under stress. I rode the 40 at Chequamegon on a Softride tandem seat and my lower back was pooched for 3 months. I've never had a back problem before. Casual riding, maybe, but nothing hard and fast. I think you are asking for trouble.

[flombe]

Situps/crunches. A stron tummy supports the back. Yoga is very good, too.
Also, like I said before, a moveable seat might not be the best advice. A dual sus doen't change your leg length while under stress. I rode the 40 at Chequamegon on a Softride tandem seat and my lower back was pooched for 3 months. I've never had a back problem before. Casual riding, maybe, but nothing hard and fast. I think you are asking for trouble.

I have ridden with a USE XCR suspension post for the past three seasons (including 3 Fat 40's) and I have had nothing but good results. It does not have a whole lot of travel, maybe 1-1/2" to 2", but it is enough to allow me to stay in the saddle and minimize the amount of shock that my bod absorbs. I do not notice the action under most conditions except that I do not get bucked out of the saddle nearly as often when I rode with a rigid post. It definitely helps to keep the rear rubber on the dirt. Maybe this would be a good middle ground between no suspension and a 3" Thudbuster.

[h2oskierc]

At the risk of being repromanded (sp?) for posting a link to a non-LBS:

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/SE611B00-Cane+Creek+3G+Thudbuster+Seatpost.aspx

Jenson USA has the Thudbuster for $105. I am thinking I may have to order two!

[manual63]

Sit ups will help a lot. If you develop strong abs, you back will be stressed a lot less. See Dr. Chad at Lake Pointe Chiropractic & Wellness. Since he is a mountain biker, I think he does a great job. He can give you ideas on what excersizes you can do to help your back.

[Tetreves]

Sit ups will help a lot. If you develop strong abs, you back will be stressed a lot less. See Dr. Chad at Lake Pointe Chiropractic & Wellness. Since he is a mountain biker, I think he does a great job. He can give you ideas on what excersizes you can do to help your back.

I know Dr. Chad has shattered a disc (or something in his back) in his past. He's fine now, and he knows his stuff!

[mtnbykr]

Sit ups will help a lot.

and if you're back is as ****ed as mine, situps hurt like hell!!

i broke my back in a car wreck in '85, have had 1 major and 2 minor surgery and will be going in this fall for the 2nd major [3 months of nothing...].

don't take just anybody's word for what will "fix" your back. go to a chiropractor or a nuero or a physical therapist and get a professional opinion. doing certain things can make matters worse, not better.

kl

[bakkeb]

Back injuries suck! Especially when they happen in the spring (the last 3 springs for me). Everyone's injuries require different way to get rid of the pain. For me it has been surgery and rehab. I had surgery on my herniated disc in Mar. '04 and again July 1st of this year. Each one has relieved the pain and allowed me to use my left leg again ( the disc was pressing on the Sciatic nerve). I start rehab next week and can't wait til Sept. when I should be able to ride again in the trails. Sit-ups do suck, but crunches work and put less stress on your lower back. Streches are key to recovery and the balance balls work great. There are a billion exercises you can do with them that don't put stress on the back. Pilates exercises work great as well. Along with these exercises and accupuncture, my back felt great for 6 months. I know. people that just use accupuncture and it works for them. The only problem is that I'm a union floor installer and beat the crap out of my body.:mad: This last surgery was the last straw. I bought another bike this last winter and rode it 4 times before I got hurt. I refuse to let work get in the way of my mtn. biking and skiing. So I'm quitting, doing my exercises 4 times a week, accupuncture twice a month and riding my bike as much as I can. I hope it works cause my neurosurgon told me a fusion will be next:shocked: . Anyone who has a back injury...I feel your pain.:etard: