Back Trouble

[scoutergriz]

Well the season's almost over and here's my promised update;
I've done a few day trips, one 3-day river trip, and a 4-day lake to lake with little pain.

I spent 2 hours 5x a week in physio working on balance and strengthening muscles in my core and legs until my first trip, then a 20minute workout every morning. The specialists arranged a visit to a spinal pain doc who started a series of shots to the injured joints that gradually lowered the pain from a 10 to a 2, and I modified my boat and style to suit my new situation.

What worked-The Ottertail paddle helped greatly as it reduced torsion, the toe brace (kneeling thwart angled back and lowered) helped to "lock me in place" taking some strain off my back, and a slight drop (1/2") to the front of my stern seat took the pressure off my hip.

The back band actually made things worse as it was putting pressure on the damaged disks.
I switched to a 2 1/2" pad for sleeping from my 1 3/4", what a difference!

My mobility has increased drastically with the nerve blockers and physio, both sides are equal at about 85degrees side to side, 165 forward and better than 20 backwards, AND I'm off the pain meds!!!! just and extra strength Tylenol now and then, I still have a slight limp from the joint damage, but I can live with that!
Thanks for all the help and suggestions! you guys helped save me from life as a couch potato

 

[yellowcanoe]

Sometimes the solution is personalized small tweaks. I too am a big believer in footbraces if you are sitting, before even thinking backband (the latter has never helped me in a kayak..so I threw it out)

Now if you can avoid "the end of season"! That would be even better. Congratulations on your return to paddleing!

 

[Guest]

That’s good news, I’m glad to hear you’re on the mend.
Take care,
Brad

 

[Hanz]

I'm glad you're feeling better and you've found a way to continue to do what you enjoy.
Truly good news!

 

[Robin]

I agree with the others, takes some great determination to get back into a canoe after what you went through. Very inspirational to others who face a set back now and then.
Thanks for sharing your success.

 

[scoutergriz]

That's my hope! I trip with a great bunch of guys, but we're all getting "old and feeble" I have a messed up back and heart issues, my buddy Bob had a hip replacement, another friend has diabetes, two are retired and have arthritis, and on and on.
We inspire each other, and my hope was that by telling my tale I'd kill two birds with one stone- get some suggestions to help me and maybe inspire someone else to not give up
Robin; I was thinking, after reading some of the comments, and with the population ageing, that it might be worthwhile to have a section on safety and health issues specific to paddling, after all not a lot of doctors or physiotherapists paddle, and we might be able to point others in the right direction, or at least give them some questions for their health care team

 

[Guest]

I agree completely with the others who suggest kneeling. Here's what kneeling does for you:
- Preserves the natural curve of your lower back.
- Uses the strong muscles of the quads and glutes to keep you upright (compared to sitting, which relies on the weaker muscles of the lower back, abs and hip flexors).
- Provides greater stability due to weight being applied below the waterline.
- Provides more freedom of movement for rotating during your strokes (you DO rotate your upper body when paddling, don't you?)

In addition, get thee to a capable yoga instructor in addition to your physical therapist. The practice of yoga under a competent guide will do more for your body (not just your back) than anything, include regular exercise. The most immediate experience I speak from is having thrown my lower back out (I'm 64 with a history of back problems) when starting my latest BWCA trip last week. Thanks to knowing how to stretch and not stretch my back and other body parts I'm sore but stronger than when I started, with a normal healing process in the works. Without prior yoga practice I most likely would have been incapacitated. Other stories available on request, but better still would be to start interviewing yoga teachers.

Edit: Good lord, this sounds preachy. Didn't mean it that way ....

 

[Guest]

Something to pass on to young paddlers: as go the abbs, so goes the lower back.

Maybe also: avoid chairs and footgear with heels and paved surfaces.