A question about back injury and kayaking

[ccacher1]

Back issues are the WORST. That being said, they can be improved and mostly eliminated if you are careful. I am 27 and I had back surgery when I was 24 to take out 1 of 3 herniated disks in my lower back. I had the numbness in my toes and down my left leg that you are referring to. Be careful not to let the numbness and nerve damage get out of control or it can turn permanent (as you probably already know). Anyways, I had 3 epidurals and did 3 months of physical therapy before turning to surgery. I would definitely try physical therapy first and TONS of stretching (hamstrings/hip flexors). Even thought the PT didn't help me, you never know, it may help you. The most important things they told me in PT were to stretch my hamstrings, stretch my hip flexors, and strengthen my core.

A couple stretches I still do regularly are:

1.) hamstrings - laying on my back with one knee bent and lifting my other, straight leg up as far as i can for 10 times. At the top of the stretch you can pump your ankle up and down which helps loosen things up.

2.) gluts - laying on my back cross one ankle over other knee and bend that knee while pulling to your chest. You should feel this a lot in your lower back and glut.

3.) hipflexor - kneel with one knee down like you are getting engaged (as least from what I've seen in the movies) and then push your hips forward and arch your back. You should feel it in the outside/top/front of your leg.

4.) spine contraction - while on your hands and knees arch your back and look up at the ceiling, then curve your back like a cat and put your chin to your chest. Hold each for 10 seconds and do 10 of each.

Sorry again to hear about your back. I hope you are able to try some of these stretches because they really do help. If you have any questions shoot me a PM as I'm sort of bad at explaining things. With backs there are good days and there are bad days...I am back to about 90% of a completely healthy back but I am extra careful now with any lifting I do, the amount of golf (twisting) I do, and the amount of standing or sitting I do. Even in a kayak I use my arms to lift myself up every once in a while so I'm not in the same sitting position for too long.