Back Ache & Back Brace Will it Work?

[carolinarider09]

Some years ago, I had an issue with my back hurting during riding.  I purchased a back brace and used it almost always, even for short rides.  I stopped using it for some reason (maybe 2015).  Not sure why (pictured below).

But after the short ride yesterday on the Goldwing (just to verify it was ready to take on a trip and I have go to the dealer next week to get new ires), when I got home my back hurt. 

Nothing changed about me physically in the last two years except that I did gain some weight in 2022 (about 20 pounds). 

So, I just bought bigger pants and shirts.  But, after yesterdays ride I am concerned about my back and future riding. 

As I said, I just got the back brace out of storage and put it on, and it works. 

The only issue using it when riding will be that I cannot use any of my current "jackets" over the brace.

So, the question, does anyone else us a back brace while riding.  If so, what brand and how satisfied are you with the product. 

The one I am wearing right now (and it does work) and it still fastens.   



Maye I don't really need a new one.  But I will need a new jacket or two. 

[Willow]

I'm not certain that being on a Goldwing counts as motorcycle riding.   

[Jess from VA]

Bill, years ago, I also had intermittent back pain when riding (from too much heavy lifting and work), and I used a back brace (made by Fox Racing).  It was a velcro hookup so could be tight or not so tight.  Mostly I used it in fair weather with no jacket (over shirts, Ts, sweatshirts).  The hard rubber on the outside tore up my driver's backrest some.  It did give me some relief.  But I haven't needed it for many years now.

But I did have chronic low back pain on and off for years related to hard work around the house, and doing something as harmless as bending over to pick up a sock (or something) could set it off for a week or two of pain.  And after I retired, I slowly gained about 15-20lbs over the years.  

Not to get (too) preachy, but now that I have been walking for an hour every single day (not fast, but an easy marching pace, slower at the start) for nearly 2 years (and changed my diet some, getting rid of fat and sugar), and dropped nearly 30 lbs (at 5'9") (and that took about 18 months), all of my back (ankle and knee) problems have entirely disappeared.   And I'm still working in and out of the house almost every day, although I avoid lifting or pushing anything real heavy like the plague.  I run about 160 now, and haven't weighed that since my undergraduate days in school.  And I'll be 72 this month.

And the truth is, weight loss was never my goal.  I had been very athletic in my youth in sports and the Air Force in my 30s, and I just had no endurance for anything physical anymore in my retirement.  I was just trying to get in better shape in general.  Weight loss was non existent for a long time, until my pants started falling down which was kind of a happy surprise.  

This aging thing is not for the weak of heart, and if you work on taking care of the old machine, even baby steps, it will last longer and feel better.  (OK, off my soapbox - sorry)

[scooperhsd]

I have a herniated disc at L5, and my muscles at L1-L3 let me know about it everyday, all day, especially if I do something stupid (lifting too much etc....) . I have to keep my back straight to keep it from hurting, (and I live on extra strength Tylenol) , and I do have a "weightlifter belt" that has handles on the back (for passengers), but since the wife can't get on to ride anymore, we always take a car (usually with her mobility scooter in the back and handicap placard). Theoretically, that shouldn't stop me from riding solo, at least for some local riding.

[Jess from VA]

The lumbosacral spine (L1-L5) low back is where most all aging people have trouble.  

Walking moves that low back gently back and forth with each step and strengthens the surrounding muscles over time.  It won't fix herniated discs, but be very careful about letting anyone cut on you.

Doesn't that Tylenol upset your stomach?  With food?

[scooperhsd]

The lumbosacral spine (L1-L5) low back is where most all aging people have trouble. 

Walking moves that low back gently back and forth with each step and strengthens the surrounding muscles over time.  It won't fix herniated discs, but be very careful about letting anyone cut on you.

Doesn't that Tylenol upset your stomach?  With food?

Tylenol doesn't bother my stomach, but I already have an ulcer above the stomach for which I've been prescribed Sucralfate. I'm careful to not exceed max daily doseage. I shouldn't take NSAIDs either but sometimes that's what I have to take to get relief (Aleve).  I do go to the local Chiropractic college to their health clinic where I'm seen by the interns (overseen by clinicians) where they stretch my back muscles, and I use ice packs / heatpads / heated car seats for relief as well.

My back is very "loose" - it will pop just walking on uneven ground. Genetics. I also have other joints that show this "Looseness" - probably it's a form of Ehlers-Doss  syndrome. My siblings have this worse than I do - my 2 youngest siblings would go waterskiing and pop joints out of socket, then put them back by themselves w/o going to see a Doctor / emergency room.

Yes - do NOT get back surgery !!!

[carolinarider09]

I do believe the issue is associated with age and the weight gain.  Working on lower my weight back to were it was four or five years ago.

The pain is a little better today. 

Oh, I don't know if the it is relative but my iPhone says I walk 2.2 miles yesterday and I average about 6,000 steps per day. 

It was more two years ago. 

[Jersey mike]

I’ve worn a brace while riding but only when my back is hurting, not as a preventative measure.

I’ve worn a brace working and just trying to be mobile.

They’re not comfortable, they’re annoying and it makes my back and stomach area sweat a lot.

Wearing one when riding is helpful to an extent but it doesn’t solve the problem.

NSAIDS, acetaminophen and topical creams and patches only go so far with pain relief.

Shots in my back have helped the most for the longest period of time but over time need to be repeated in many cases.

If it’s a nagging condition, comes and goes but interrupts your life in too many ways, I’d consult a pain management doctor and see what his opinion is of your condition and how he may be able to help. It may involve have an MRI done to get a good look at your spine.

[Jess from VA]

My dear old mother (95) had nerves in the back severed to stop the pain (outpatient, local-anesthetic surgery, not radical invasive laminectomy).  That worked very well for her, but they kept growing back together. 

[Jersey mike]

My dear old mother (95) had nerves in the back severed to stop the pain (outpatient, local-anesthetic surgery, not radical invasive laminectomy).  That worked very well for her, but they kept growing back together. 

I’ve had that a few times, Radio Frequency Ablation I think you’re talking about. Yes the body heals itself…but the healing causes the pain to return over time, crazy isn’t it. I’ve had that done in my neck and back, always under sedation.

[Jess from VA]

My dear old mother (95) had nerves in the back severed to stop the pain (outpatient, local-anesthetic surgery, not radical invasive laminectomy).  That worked very well for her, but they kept growing back together. 

I’ve had that a few times, Radio Frequency Ablation I think you’re talking about. Yes the body heals itself…but the healing causes the pain to return over time, crazy isn’t it. I’ve had that done in my neck and back, always under sedation.

Yes, now that you've refreshed my recollection, that's exactly what she got multiple times (not minor surgery).  But not for a while now.

It hard to believe, but at 95 on an upright walker, my mom is walking outdoors twice daily, weather permitting in Michigan, any temps however cold, but no rain, ice or snow (until my brother clears it for her).  I'm so proud of her. 

[carolinarider09]

If it’s a nagging condition, comes and goes but interrupts your life in too many ways, I’d consult a pain management doctor and see what his opinion is of your condition and how he may be able to help. It may involve have an MRI done to get a good look at your spine.

The above had not crossed my mind.  As I get older I am sure this will continue. 

[Jess from VA]

Oh, I don't know if this is relative but my iPhone says I walk 2.2 miles yesterday and I average about 6,000 steps per day.  

Bill, I'm sure you know this and I'm trying not to be preachy, but a pedometer that counts and reports your daily steps, is certainly not the same thing for general heath, heart, weight and exercise that a dedicated, continuous walk is every day (or as often as you can).  

2.2 miles stepped over the course of an entire day is certainly good for you, but is not the equivalent of a 2.2 mile continuous walk.

I mean, it's great to keep active and out of the house and chair.  I do that nearly every day too, after my walk at 2.5mph for an hour.  I do it every morning because it's easier on my old feet after a night of rest, it gives me improved energy and alertness for the rest of the day, and I think about and plan what I intend to do that day during the walk.  

[Jersey mike]

If it’s a nagging condition, comes and goes but interrupts your life in too many ways, I’d consult a pain management doctor and see what his opinion is of your condition and how he may be able to help. It may involve have an MRI done to get a good look at your spine.

The above had not crossed my mind.  As I get older I am sure this will continue. 

Spinal issues do not get better on their own. They need help. I don’t know if you’re into chiropractor care or not, I’ve had some relief from that over the years, but a chiropractor may want X-rays at a minimum to get a look at the problem area(s).

I have issues with my low neck area and my low back/sciatic area.

Stretching helps but doesn’t remove the issue at hand. Good posture helps. I’ve heard people say doing things like yoga will help improve the alignment of your spine and help keep the disks where they should be but depending on how bad the disks are that’s another issue.

There’s always surgery, I’ve heard great things and bad things, it’s an individual decision to make. I’ve been told surgery most likely will be on my horizon as I age. I’m a big fan of modern technology innthe medical field but I’m not a fan of someone disassembling my spine and putting new parts in and fusing stuff together.

Spinal nerve blocks have worked for me as well as localized pain relief with anti inflammation shots into the area where the pain is but there can be a time limit of how long they last as well as you have to remember not to overdo or stress those areas too much.

For me bending, lifting and twisting/turning at the same time is bad for the low back. Things I do now have to planned out if I’m lifting almost anything but I’ve gotten use to it and it helps keep things in check.

I’m not sure where you are with pain or your tolerance level (they say pain is personal and it is) or how often it recurs or how severe it is, maybe it’s far in between or it’s getting closer, but I’d have to say asking your primary doctor to authorize an X-ray would be a good starting point and then seeking specialized care and treatment as you feel comfortable.

[6Banger]

3 spinal fusion here. You need a brace called "unloader", best thing since pockets!

[da prez]

  My chiropractor indicated that most back issues are from the front.  That belly needs adjusting.
 Weight loss , proper exercise and proper shoes (boots).
  I use a brace occasionally when I over do it.  I have two prosthetic shoulders and two hips.    I had to readjust for riding. I have  had 8 injections in the back.  Getting old(er) beats the alternative.

                                                   da prez

[Jersey mike]

3 spinal fusion here. You need a brace called "unloader", best thing since pockets!

Cool looking knee braces but the website didnt show anything for the back.

[carolinarider09]

Well I saw the Chiropractor today.  He asked a bunch of questions, took some X-rays and then did a couple of adjustments.

It was all good but now, after sitting for an hour or two, there is a small pain there.  Not as bad as yesterday.  But.....

He gave me so "stuff" to put on my back to "ease the pain" and I will see him again next week. 

Will it be worth the cost???  I hope so but the only way to find out, in my opinion, is to try and see what happens. 

On the "gel" is entailed "Critical Stop-Pain Gel".   It is cool when applied.  I use gloves because he said to. 

I will him again next week.

Oh, the "adjustment" process is sort of unexpected.  I did not watch what and how but a board was used with a hammer and a "hit" on the board to adjust the "bones".  And a loud noise from the hit.

[Jess from VA]

I've never been to a chiropractor, but I've heard they like to sign you up for regular treatments (for the rest of your life).  So I'd keep an eye on that. 

Though I've had friends tell me they did them a world of good too.   

[Jersey mike]

With chiro care, especially after a first initial visit almost all want to see the patient again to assess how well the patient held the adjustment. Follow-up visits are also to see if the patient had any signs of relief or any more or new pain.

My recommendation is find someone who will listen to you and the better you can describe the pain and location the better he can zero in on the issue. It’s great he had X-ray in the office.

I’ve been doing chiro since I was in my early 20’s off and on through the decades. Last time I went to see him was about 3 months ago, I woke up with a stiff neck, was in severe pain and could not turn my head to the right at all.

My current doctor I’ve been with him probably 20 years and go as needed. Most of the time he’ll tell me “see how you feel and come back if you want”. Only when I’m in severe distress he’ll say come back in 2 days or something along those lines. He also is a big believer in medicine and using OTC meds to reduce inflammation and pain, however ice does help for a while.

His treatments may consist of manual adjustments, ultrasound therapy annd electronic stimulation (a fancy TENS unit)….which I highly recommend for at home care. They’re not expensive and can be bought in a drug store or online.

[carolinarider09]

I've never been to a chiropractor, but I've heard they like to sign you up for regular treatments (for the rest of your life).  So I'd keep an eye on that.  

Though I've had friends tell me they did them a world of good too.  

Yes, I think that might be the case.  The regular treatments are, I suspect, the wood hitting exercise.  However, it did relieve the pain and things are better today then the day before I went.  So.....  

The thing to do, in my opinion, is to weigh the cost vs the impact on your life.  We shall see.  

[Jess from VA]

I've never been to a chiropractor, but I've heard they like to sign you up for regular treatments (for the rest of your life).  So I'd keep an eye on that. 

Though I've had friends tell me they did them a world of good too.   

Yes, I thing that might be the case.  The regular treatments are, I suspect, the wood hitting exercise.  However, it did relieve the pain and things are better today then the day before I went.  So..... 

The thing to do, in my opinion, is to weigh the cost vs the impact on your life.  We shall see. 

Well sure Bill, as long as chiropractor treatments give you improvement, keep going.  But if you reach a certain level of 'good' and stay there, I  wouldn't keep going regularly (which he might recommend).  Instead, I'd tell him " I'll come back in when I need to."