A question about back injury and kayaking - Page 2 - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

sandico · 09-16-2015, 08:32 AM

I don't have any disc issues but a work related injury 8 years ago in the low back still gives me lots of pain at times. Been the Dr. and PT route and found that once you find stretches that work for you they can help with the pain and even strengthen your muscles around the back and your core. I have seen the most benefit from doing hot yoga. Dr's and PT said yoga can be very helpful and the wife was going so I gave it a shot. Doing stretches for an hour in a heated class room can kick your but, but I do feel better when done. Work in progress. I will also have to hit the meds when the pain is to bad. Back pain sucks!

FlyFishinYakr · 09-16-2015, 10:42 AM

Sorry to hear about your back issues Mike.
There could be many reasons for the pain you're suffering. It might be as simple as gaining too much weight (due to advancing age), poor posture, a chronic muscle spasm, or as Andy (my Physical Therapist and confirmed by my orthopedic surgeon) wearing a thick wallet in your back pocket.

I suffered a work related back injury back in 2007, however mine got worse with time. I had pain, tingling, muscle spasms, weakness and intermittent loss of function in my lower extremities. In 2009 it got so bad I couldn't work any longer and haven't been able to work since. It also severely limited my outdoor/fishing time and after August 2013 I could no longer fish for 12 hour a day like I used to, stand on the bank of a stream searching for/watching trout rise for hours and load/unload my kayak by myself. I've not seen the water since.

After being examined by a couple of orthopedic surgeons it was decided it was necessary to have a couple MRI's performed. My result was very much like Brandon's with the exception that there is no gap between the L5-S1 discs, just a dark line (no gap and misaligned/herniated discs).
As it was explained to me, there are "o-rings" between our discs filled with liquid that acts as gaskets that keep the discs separate. It is between these gaps that our nerve roots exit the spine and are susceptible to damage. I tore open the o-ring (it's called an "anular tear") in my L5-S1 gap that resulted in the fluid leaking out and there being no gap and over time and without it, the discs are pinching the nerves to my lower body.

If after the course of your current recovery program, your still in pain, I would recommend you obtain a referral for an Orthopedic surgeon and receive a more thorough exam and expert opinion. Let him decide a course of action and discuss your options.
I hope it's something simple and not as serious as Brandon's or my situation.
Best wishes,
FFY

Harry Hill · 09-17-2015, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctfphoto

Bummer thread guys .......

... as I sit here NOT Fishing today because of pain in my back, hip, and knee.

I will be doing and researching the stretching route, Considering seeing a PT.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have decided to fight old age by going all in .............. exercise will make you live longer, even if there is some pain involved.

I had both my knees replaced in the last year so I have a hard time getting into my yak, I have to get it floating then drop my butt into the seat, landing is worse because I have to get my feet under me and it's hard to get up from a low position. I worry about launching in the surf the first time and I'll probably have problems when I come in. But I still want to fish La Jolla.

Kayak_Bernie · 09-17-2015, 03:23 PM

Man Mike that sucks, I've hurt my back a few times and that was just a pulled muscle. I feel for you brother! My girlfriend had a bad sciatica issue a few years ago and yoga really helped her. specifically a type of yoga called Vinyasa Flow Yoga, lots of stretching and not in a crazy hot room. Since she got into yoga the stretches that she has learned have helped keep the pain at bay very well. I know lots of people are throwing out lots of advice, but main thing is find something that works for you and keep at it. Also remember if some thing or someone is claiming things that seem too good to be true, it probably is...

chris138 · 09-17-2015, 03:38 PM

I had bad sciatic pain several years back. Doc told me I had a cracked vertebrae (broken back essentially) and that i need to have surgery and have my spine fused to fix it. I told him basically to go F himself and started stretching religiously. 6 months later, back still "broken", no pain of any kind. So glad I didn't have surgery. Nearly 10 years later I'm totally good, though who knows what will come in the future.

In my experience, a good foam roller is just about as important a kayak accessory as any other.

Oh ya, and x2 on the "natural" pain relief!

ccacher1 · 09-17-2015, 01:42 PM

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.

GregAndrew · 09-17-2015, 03:35 PM

There are differing degrees of sciatic issues, and every body is different. I have had moments where I could not roll over on the chiropractic table and months of almost no pain at all. I went through an extensive rehab involving Chiro, Electrical Stimulation, Massage, Acupuncture, Acupressure, Spinal Block, Etc. I tried exercises that others had shared with me that had helped them. But the only thing that helped me was developing my own set of exercises, and not to over stress myself when doing them. Get an MRI, cause no amount of PT is going to heal extensive soft tissue damage. There are also things you can do to help prevent aggravating the injury like as mentioned, not sitting on your wallet, sleeping on a firm mattress on your back, not sitting on couches (most are terrible for this) and keeping your back straight (good posture) as much as you can. IB 800s do almost nothing for me when mine flares up, but Norcos/Vicodin can take the edge off.

09-16-2015, 10:42 AM	#2
FlyFishinYakr Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Nor Cal...30 min from Bodega/Tomales Bay, 1hr from Clear Lake, 2+ hr to Berryessa & the Delta Posts: 729	Sorry to hear about your back issues Mike. There could be many reasons for the pain you're suffering. It might be as simple as gaining too much weight (due to advancing age), poor posture, a chronic muscle spasm, or as Andy (my Physical Therapist and confirmed by my orthopedic surgeon) wearing a thick wallet in your back pocket. I suffered a work related back injury back in 2007, however mine got worse with time. I had pain, tingling, muscle spasms, weakness and intermittent loss of function in my lower extremities. In 2009 it got so bad I couldn't work any longer and haven't been able to work since. It also severely limited my outdoor/fishing time and after August 2013 I could no longer fish for 12 hour a day like I used to, stand on the bank of a stream searching for/watching trout rise for hours and load/unload my kayak by myself. I've not seen the water since. After being examined by a couple of orthopedic surgeons it was decided it was necessary to have a couple MRI's performed. My result was very much like Brandon's with the exception that there is no gap between the L5-S1 discs, just a dark line (no gap and misaligned/herniated discs). As it was explained to me, there are "o-rings" between our discs filled with liquid that acts as gaskets that keep the discs separate. It is between these gaps that our nerve roots exit the spine and are susceptible to damage. I tore open the o-ring (it's called an "anular tear") in my L5-S1 gap that resulted in the fluid leaking out and there being no gap and over time and without it, the discs are pinching the nerves to my lower body. If after the course of your current recovery program, your still in pain, I would recommend you obtain a referral for an Orthopedic surgeon and receive a more thorough exam and expert opinion. Let him decide a course of action and discuss your options. I hope it's something simple and not as serious as Brandon's or my situation. Best wishes, FFY Last edited by FlyFishinYakr; 09-16-2015 at 10:59 AM. Reason: Grammar

09-17-2015, 03:23 PM	#4
Kayak_Bernie Live Watersports ProStaff Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Rolando Village Posts: 224	Sucks Man Man Mike that sucks, I've hurt my back a few times and that was just a pulled muscle. I feel for you brother! My girlfriend had a bad sciatica issue a few years ago and yoga really helped her. specifically a type of yoga called Vinyasa Flow Yoga, lots of stretching and not in a crazy hot room. Since she got into yoga the stretches that she has learned have helped keep the pain at bay very well. I know lots of people are throwing out lots of advice, but main thing is find something that works for you and keep at it. Also remember if some thing or someone is claiming things that seem too good to be true, it probably is... __________________ Heroes on the Water SoCal Chapter Safety Director

09-17-2015, 01:42 PM	#6
ccacher1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 157	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. __________________ fish forever, work whenever

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

09-16-2015, 08:32 AM	#1
sandico Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: San Diego Posts: 94	I don't have any disc issues but a work related injury 8 years ago in the low back still gives me lots of pain at times. Been the Dr. and PT route and found that once you find stretches that work for you they can help with the pain and even strengthen your muscles around the back and your core. I have seen the most benefit from doing hot yoga. Dr's and PT said yoga can be very helpful and the wife was going so I gave it a shot. Doing stretches for an hour in a heated class room can kick your but, but I do feel better when done. Work in progress. I will also have to hit the meds when the pain is to bad. Back pain sucks!

09-17-2015, 03:38 PM	#5
chris138 donkey roper Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pacific Beach Posts: 968	I had bad sciatic pain several years back. Doc told me I had a cracked vertebrae (broken back essentially) and that i need to have surgery and have my spine fused to fix it. I told him basically to go F himself and started stretching religiously. 6 months later, back still "broken", no pain of any kind. So glad I didn't have surgery. Nearly 10 years later I'm totally good, though who knows what will come in the future. In my experience, a good foam roller is just about as important a kayak accessory as any other. Oh ya, and x2 on the "natural" pain relief!

09-17-2015, 03:35 PM	#7
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	There are differing degrees of sciatic issues, and every body is different. I have had moments where I could not roll over on the chiropractic table and months of almost no pain at all. I went through an extensive rehab involving Chiro, Electrical Stimulation, Massage, Acupuncture, Acupressure, Spinal Block, Etc. I tried exercises that others had shared with me that had helped them. But the only thing that helped me was developing my own set of exercises, and not to over stress myself when doing them. Get an MRI, cause no amount of PT is going to heal extensive soft tissue damage. There are also things you can do to help prevent aggravating the injury like as mentioned, not sitting on your wallet, sleeping on a firm mattress on your back, not sitting on couches (most are terrible for this) and keeping your back straight (good posture) as much as you can. IB 800s do almost nothing for me when mine flares up, but Norcos/Vicodin can take the edge off.