Riding with a bad back. ug

[barbarianthemadserb]

Hurt my back about 4 months ago (upper middle back not lower back). Had Xrays done by VA doc and he sees no problems. Been going to a Chiroprator for several months . Both the VA doc and my chiro say that it will take time to heal. Ug. It does not hurt all the time. But the excruciating pain can kick in suddenly at any time. Only pain med that helps are vicodens which I would rather not take.  I have done very little bike riding this season due to my back.  I have an excellent back support on my bike but still the fear lingers in what will happen if suddenly the pain rears its ugly head. And I do mean pain on a scale from 1-10 it gets up to 10. Ug.   
So how those of you with back problems get around this pain to ride?
THe Mad Serb

[Serk]

I took a ride from Dallas to Pennsylvania and back when my back pain was at it's worst (one herniated disc (L5-L4) and one "completely blown out" disc as the docs described it (L5-S1)).

#1. LOTS of Ibuprofen. I've found Ibuprofen to be the best for back pain, because of it's anti-inflammatory properties, it can cause the swelling to go down, which GREATLY helps with the back pain.

#2. A collapsible metal cane. For when the pain was excruciating, I found having a cane helped me walk around a LOT. I rigged up a holder for it using zip strips and had it placed across my handle bars. When I'd stop for a break/gas/whatever, I'd put the bike on the kick stand, take the cane off and hobble on inside.

I still get occasional flare ups (All this was nearly 10 years ago) and just take copious amounts of Ibuprofen and do the exercises they taught me in physical therapy. I might look funny at the rest stop laying on my stomach doing girlie pushups, but it works, so I do it.


BTW.... Nice to see ya' stranger, hadn't seen ya' post in years it seems like!

[R J]

Mad Serb, 1st you got to find a rafter in the ceiling, in the bedroom of course. Put in a hook support or whatever you can get to work, along with an electric outlet.    

Get a good garage door operator and install it.    

Get a good kidney belt and when ya feel foxy hook everything up.    

Keep the remote close by.    

Ya get a pain hit the remote, after a few swear words, then, lower yourself slowly down.    

Problem solved.    

The devil made me do it ole buddy.    LOL

[The Anvil]

Is it a muscle issue or a bone/disk kind of a deal? Assuming it's muscles...

I have a tendency to pull back muscles all the time. I carry some of those stick on heat pads with me for flare-ups and they help quite a bit. Also, stretch before you get on the bike. Do some knee bends, torso twists and toes touches but remember not to be too aggressive. You're just looking to warm up and stretch, not pull something while getting ready.

And look into physical therapy to strengthen the area that's giving you trouble.

[mario]

+1 on the stick on heat pads, both large and the small ones.

[catfish]

Did you try a pain management Dr.  Husband had some back issue, helped him 100%

[Momz]

I live with constant pain and numbness, I have neuromuscular issues stemming from spinal chord problems. I ride as often and as far as my body will allow. I'e had two surgeries (2008 and in 2010).

You may need to modify your bike to compensate for your current disabilitiy. But don't give up.

Peace Momz

[Bob E.]

I've been fighting a bad back this year since about feb.  But mine is the lower back, mostly on left side.  Similar to you, it doesn't bother me most of the time, but I can just be walking along and all of a sudden, it is like someone jabs an ice pick in me.  It is instant pain that lasts a minute or so, then goes away almost as fast...like a switch.  I tried chiropractor for about 2 months with no luck.  Then went and got an MRI that showed some bulging and thinning discs starting at the L5-S1 joint and for about the next 3 above that.  I saw a neurosurgeon who ruled out surgery and sent me to a neuro-muscular doctor.  He prescribed physical therapy to strengthen and stretch my back muscles and he prescribed a pain-killer called etodolac.  It is in the same class of meds as ibuprophen and is anti-inflammatory.  So I've been going to PT since August and, while it is alot better, it isn't 100%.  But now I've run out of my insurance (only covers 35 visits per year).  So I had to stop this week.  Hopefully, I'll be able to maintain my progress.

It has really put a crimp on my riding this summer.  The past few years, I've been putting about 7000-8000 miles on the bike.  But so far this year, I'm barely over 2000 miles.  One thing I've found that does help is one of those lumbar support belts.  I wear that when riding and it really helps to support my back when going over bumps and dips in the road.

[old2soon]

Upper and lower back issues. Too durn many years abusing myself. Best money i aver spent is invested in the backrest on my I/S. Just like the commercial sez-don't leave home without it. And like serk sez-lotsa ibuprofen. Not tryin to be a smart a$$ but if you REALLY want to ride you WILL find a way. Good luck with it and RIDE SAFE.

[catfish]

Husband also had bulging disc.  Pain Dr. injected some sort of steroid in that area and that helped alot.  Surgeon said he couldn't operated because he already has a 3 back surgeries.  Hope you find the right treatment.  Back issues are not fun.  Insurance did pay for the procedures.

[dallastar]

my lower back is fused L3 L4 L5 S1   2 titanium rods 16 screws  also hav bad left leg numbness/tingling all the time  in my throttle hand&wrist 1 titanium plate 5 screws  [u can see my pics in my profile]
im way past pain pills they dont work  been dealin with this sense 2001 i do the 800mg Ibuprofen  helps a lot but my pain issues will never really go away ever
I cant even ride long trips   hell day rides   wipe me out   but im not ready to give up yet     

of BTW I was hit on my bikes by 2 dif drunk drivers   2 dif times witrhin 4yr by drunk drivers 

[9Ball]

my lower back is fused L3 L4 L5 S1   2 titanium rods 16 screws  also hav bad left leg numbness/tingling all the time  in my throttle hand&wrist 1 titanium plate 5 screws  [u can see my pics in my profile]
im way past pain pills they dont work  been dealin with this sense 2001 i do the 800mg Ibuprofen  helps a lot but my pain issues will never really go away ever
I cant even ride long trips   hell day rides   wipe me out   but im not ready to give up yet    

of BTW I was hit on my bikes by 2 dif drunk drivers   2 dif times witrhin 4yr by drunk drivers  

your back issues are almost an exact copy of mine.  I only have 6 screws, but two bone grafts to go along with the rods.

The sciatic pain has to be one of the worst....the drugs barely put a dent in it anymore.  My foot pain goes from numbness, to burning, to shooting pain without notice.  The problem is that it is constantly one of those symptoms.

Haven't been on either of my bikes in over 1 1/2 years....here's hoping there is riding somewhere in my future.

[Serk]

The sciatic pain has to be one of the worst....the drugs barely put a dent in it anymore.

Ya' know how women always say "It's a good thing women give birth, men couldn't handle the pain!"?

I've been officially granted permission to laugh in the face of anyone who says that...

I've got an aunt that gave birth naturally, no drugs at all...

She also recently had back problems causing sciatica.

I asked her which was worse...

"I'd rather have a week of non-stop labor pain compared to ten minutes of that sciatic leg pain!"

[dallastar]

ooooooh i hav the bone graph also [and where they took the graph from is a real pain in the ass also lol]
btw it toook 4yrs after my 2001  2nd back surgery to ride again and not only from recovery and pain    i was a lil freaked about riding again   im still kinda scared at times  and people makin left turns scare the hell out of me  
IVE BEEN HIT TWICE AND IT AS TOTALLY RUINED MY LIFE  
HEALTH WISE MONEY WISE WORK WISE  PERM DISABILITY  SSD  I HAV MORE BAD DAYS THEN GOOD ......
I hav to say sorry a lot cuz i jus dont feel good at times and kinda get short ....
 

my lower back is fused L3 L4 L5 S1   2 titanium rods 16 screws  also hav bad left leg numbness/tingling all the time  in my throttle hand&wrist 1 titanium plate 5 screws  [u can see my pics in my profile]
im way past pain pills they dont work  been dealin with this sense 2001 i do the 800mg Ibuprofen  helps a lot but my pain issues will never really go away ever
I cant even ride long trips   hell day rides   wipe me out   but im not ready to give up yet    

of BTW I was hit on my bikes by 2 dif drunk drivers   2 dif times witrhin 4yr by drunk drivers  

your back issues are almost an exact copy of mine.  I only have 6 screws, but two bone grafts to go along with the rods.

The sciatic pain has to be one of the worst....the drugs barely put a dent in it anymore.  My foot pain goes from numbness, to burning, to shooting pain without notice.  The problem is that it is constantly one of those symptoms.

Haven't been on either of my bikes in over 1 1/2 years....here's hoping there is riding somewhere in my future.

[musclehead]

Serb! I remember you nice to hear from ya, sorry about the back bro.

Ibuprofen is great for an anti inflammatory, it will thin your blood considerably. I used alot of it when I was lifting heavy and it worked, the slightest scratch and I'd bleed what seemed like forever. taking into consideration you might bleed out in a trauma before you get help. that's what stopped me.

I was seeing a chiro for the longest time and that was working great, now I have an inversion table much cheaper and works for me. every ones different though, gotta find what works.

[Valkahuna]

Denial, grin & bear it, pain pills, and a desire to not let this stop me from what I enjoy most in life is what keeps me going. That plus having had way too many friends around me dying of cancer, and realizing that we all have "something" to bear puts me almost into a "Zen" type of state.

I have stenosis of the spine, plus arthiritis, four herniated disks, numerous buldging disks, and almost constant sciatica down sometimes either, and sometimes both legs. The stenosis complicates walking or standing, and generally makes sitting a better choice. I have to keep my feet out in front, so a well placed set of cruise pegs are a must.

In addition I have serious neck vertebrae issues which numb my right forearm and hand. But, on the days that I can ride, I do. I always keep pain pills with me. I guess the joy you get from the ride has to be more important than the pain trying to keep you from doing in.


I'm a stubborn man, and refuse to let it keep me down. Since I don't know how long (do any of us know??) I can keep riding, I enjoy every opportunity as though it may be my last!

[fudgie]

taking into consideration you might bleed out in a trauma before you get help. that's what stopped me.

All bleeding stops eventually. 

I think thats a myth. Your body will compinsate and shut down the 'bleeding' extremity if your that bad. You go into 'shock' and all the blood is sent to your vital organs instead. All the mangled masses I have delt with have had very little if any blood loss. Even with missing parts and gun shots.

Alieve/ naproxen is a good anti-inflamitory.

[barbarianthemadserb]

Dang, you are a hardy bunch for sure!  Lots of good info here on the back.  I have started on the Ibuprofein as it does seem to help.  My VA doc and Chiro did not really seem to help much. About 25 years ago I blew out a couple of discs in my lower back which caused excruciating pain 24/7 and numbness in the left leg. It took about a year to heal. Luckily I was not into bikes at that time but being younger , made it easier to recuperate-but a whole dang year! There were no pain pills that helped me either.
So now the upper back-cheese it is tough to get older eh.  All of our bad habits tend to accumilate and hit us hard and it is harder to heal when we get older than 29 years of age!
Anyway, my son's wife's sister (a physical therapist) came over the house yesterday and checked out my back.  Muscles are over tight in the neck/upper back/trap area with lots of knots.  I think a lot has to do with bad posture and incorrect exercises over the years (too heavy weight lifting for the back). Years past chir xrays showed my upper back vertabrae area almost fused together so the chiro today is working on opening up the gaps in that area but has not helped with the pain. Anyway, the PT worked on that area and gave me some poses and exercises to do to help. So, armed with Ibuprofein and the right theraputic exercises I ago.
It is tough,somewhat to get past the age of 29( ie older) ahahah, but we have to learn to live with our limitations and self denials.  Would I go back to being a young whipper snapper again? Nope- I like it just where I am today with more wisdom (most of the time hahahah) and knowledge.  As we get older and wiser and more spiritual, we find those things that make us  truly happier and waste less time and money on nonsensical pursuits.  Riding a bike is a good pursuit to happiness and when someone asks me why I ride, I don't really respond cause this is something one must do to understand even when things like backpain and other problems exist.  "if I have to explain, you still won't understand" (my inner answer to those that ask why ride.
It is good to see that others with health problems don't give up and ride and keep trying to find ways to mend.
The Mad Serb

[Valkahuna]

Dang, you are a hardy bunch for sure!  Lots of good info here on the back.  I have started on the Ibuprofein as it does seem to help.  My VA doc and Chiro did not really seem to help much. About 25 years ago I blew out a couple of discs in my lower back which caused excruciating pain 24/7 and numbness in the left leg. It took about a year to heal. Luckily I was not into bikes at that time but being younger , made it easier to recuperate-but a whole dang year! There were no pain pills that helped me either.
So now the upper back-cheese it is tough to get older eh.  All of our bad habits tend to accumilate and hit us hard and it is harder to heal when we get older than 29 years of age!
Anyway, my son's wife's sister (a physical therapist) came over the house yesterday and checked out my back.  Muscles are over tight in the neck/upper back/trap area with lots of knots.  I think a lot has to do with bad posture and incorrect exercises over the years (too heavy weight lifting for the back). Years past chir xrays showed my upper back vertabrae area almost fused together so the chiro today is working on opening up the gaps in that area but has not helped with the pain. Anyway, the PT worked on that area and gave me some poses and exercises to do to help. So, armed with Ibuprofein and the right theraputic exercises I ago.
It is tough,somewhat to get past the age of 29( ie older) ahahah, but we have to learn to live with our limitations and self denials.  Would I go back to being a young whipper snapper again? Nope- I like it just where I am today with more wisdom (most of the time hahahah) and knowledge.  As we get older and wiser and more spiritual, we find those things that make us  truly happier and waste less time and money on nonsensical pursuits.  Riding a bike is a good pursuit to happiness and when someone asks me why I ride, I don't really respond cause this is something one must do to understand even when things like backpain and other problems exist.  "if I have to explain, you still won't understand" (my inner answer to those that ask why ride.
It is good to see that others with health problems don't give up and ride and keep trying to find ways to mend.
The Mad Serb

Well put! +1

[Momz]

This was me 18 months ago.


This was me 6 months later.


Hard work and determination changes your future. Hang in there!

[YoungPUP]

Thankfully no back issues here, but in regards to the ibuprofen, Naproxen ( Name brand Aleve) is a good substitute if you start to build a tolerance to the Ibu. Plus you only take it every 12 hrs as opposed to 8 for the ibu. Learned this the  a few yrs back when I tore my shooulder apart.