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

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!

radastaff · 09-17-2015, 09:13 PM

wow
lot of guys with back issues here

Lots of good advice too.
I have had pinched nerves and sciatic nerve issues.
Mostly time and stretching helps.

Takes up to a month to heal after a flare up typically,
with the sciatic a few months.

Being a carpenter does not help.

If your stomach muscles are not strong, they will have a hard time supporting your back, so strengthening them should help further injury.
Thing is , its hard to strengthen when your hurting.

I found super feet boot inserts make a big diff for me with decent arch support(got high arches)

Doing rep leg lifts to a 90degree and hold helps too in the morning.
Not sleeping on the couch helps too.

For kayaking I bought a small thermarest cushion
keep it half under my seat, half at my lower back.
made a big diff for those 12 hour days...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...0E34PS1E6QWGBX

Cbad Mike · 09-18-2015, 06:08 PM

Hey guys,
Thanks to all for the information and taking the time to reply.
I have to say that things are improving some most likely from all of the stretching and steroids.
Surgery will be definitely a last resort.
The need to get back on the water seems a little stronger than the pain right now so I may try this coming week.
I really do appreciate the feedback and replies.

Thanks again,
Mike

09-17-2015, 03:23 PM	#1
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, 09:13 PM	#3
radastaff Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 314	wow lot of guys with back issues here Lots of good advice too. I have had pinched nerves and sciatic nerve issues. Mostly time and stretching helps. Takes up to a month to heal after a flare up typically, with the sciatic a few months. Being a carpenter does not help. If your stomach muscles are not strong, they will have a hard time supporting your back, so strengthening them should help further injury. Thing is , its hard to strengthen when your hurting. I found super feet boot inserts make a big diff for me with decent arch support(got high arches) Doing rep leg lifts to a 90degree and hold helps too in the morning. Not sleeping on the couch helps too. For kayaking I bought a small thermarest cushion keep it half under my seat, half at my lower back. made a big diff for those 12 hour days... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...0E34PS1E6QWGBX Last edited by radastaff; 09-17-2015 at 09:18 PM.

09-18-2015, 06:08 PM	#4
Cbad Mike Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Carlsbad Ca. Posts: 1,206	Hey guys, Thanks to all for the information and taking the time to reply. I have to say that things are improving some most likely from all of the stretching and steroids. Surgery will be definitely a last resort. The need to get back on the water seems a little stronger than the pain right now so I may try this coming week. I really do appreciate the feedback and replies. Thanks again, Mike __________________ [SIGPIC]

09-17-2015, 03:38 PM	#2
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!