Swimming using this type of snorkel means no spine twisting, just back muscle strengthening.
I’ve been there too. The best advice I can offer is to try everything before you consider surgery. There’s hundreds of non-surgical treatments, but you have to go thru the list until you find those that work for you. Certain treatments work for certain people, it’s all different. It happened to me in my early 40’s, could hardly walk and broke all my molars from gritting my teeth due to the pain. Took me 5 years to get better and no more pain. I saw a chiropractor during the 5 years, but it could have also been the combinations of accupuncture and hanging upside down, who knows. I had herniated discs, tweaked vertebrae, and the specialists wanted to do a fusion. But it slowly went away and has never reoccurred now 20 years later. Don’t get depressed, and don’t get hooked on the meds.
This topic is literally hitting home with me. Been flat on my back for 2 days now. Pinched nerve in my lower back been to the Chiropractor and going back monday.
I should kept up with the yoga.
A friend of mine has a son who surfs, and is a yoga instructor. He hurt his back pretty bad. Doing yoga.
Gentlemen - most of us who lead active life-styles are eventually gonna have to deal with aging backs. what I’ve learned (the hard way) is moderation is king. I’m 71 and have ben doing pretty good by staying active and doing good core stuff, but I tweaked my back last week doing something really stupid - overdoing it. I’m ok again after going easy for a few days, seems my ego is my biggest enemy. Re herniated disks - I’ve read that they will heal given time and the right P.T. And GENTLE yoga can help IF you ‘let’ it happen and not try to MAKE it happen. Like the Pope said - “growing old eats sh*t” Jeffrey - I wish you well. Everything in moderation - avoid surgery.
One of my friends is a physical therapist, and his take on it is that too much flexibility actually leads to more injuries; or rather, more of certain types of injuries. A “natural” level of flexibility such as most people would normally have in their late 20s and early 30s provides a good foundation for functional movement. But that flexibility isn’t enough - you also need enough muscular conditioning to keep things in place. Not a lot, but some.
A lot of the low back problems are the result of stiffness through the pelvis and upper legs/thighs. Walking a mile or two a few times a week and warming up and stretching your hip flexors with that hula hoop motion and passive hanging (to relax) at the waist will go a long ways towards keeping you loose through the low back as you get older.
Hello Jeffrey,
I have 2 or 3 herniated discs - I can’t recall how many now. My back problems go back around to 2003 and this was a major factor in my starting to ride paipo.
I’ve tried a lot of things and made plenty of mistakes. Some points to consider:
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Learn as much as you can from reliable sources. Reliable information is crucial.
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Acute back pain usually resolves, but can return and easily be aggravated. Lifting is not good for backs and sitting for extended periods is a killer.
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core strength is important but easy to overdo sit-ups and all sorts of exercises. Activation of key core muscles can be effected by gentle repetitions of focussed exercies - much of what is recommended is more useful when rehab progresses. Think small steps. It is a fine line between feeling ready to take on the world and losing confidence.
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I do yoga, but I attend a group class where each person goes at their own pace and receive a customised set of postures. There are certainly psotures that can make your back worse and group classes where you have to keep up with others, which can cause problems. Pilates can be good but I found it boring,
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for a year or two I avoided anti-inflammatory medication. Dumb move. used judiciously they are very helpful. They can have side effects so use as prescribed. Valium for muscle spasms is helpful.
6) I have a daily routine, which I try to stick to. Miss it for 3 days and you can tell the difference.
7) Moderation and learn what you can and can’t do.
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as the doc said, avoid surgery unless absolutely necessary. It is not a magical fix.
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An automatic geared car is better on your back in acute stages.
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Keep active but don’t overdo it.
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Listen to your body. It’s a matter of working aorund things. Lots of trial and error.
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a thinner board, transmits pressure through your back and it is harder to get to your feet - especially if a shorter board. I ride prone now, but start longer and whittle down in size over time.
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Better to go slow and steady. hard, but you’ll fine a line
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different things can work for different people (e.g lumber supports, belts etc). Research and experiment (carefully).
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hope. There is hope. It is possible but can be frustrating and there will be setbacks. Think long term. Being able to surf again is a very strong motivator.
Regards
Bob
Huck, I have found that there are some not so well trained yga instructors out there. If you feel pain then stop. work slowly and steady. Working on the core is good The stomach muscles can take a lot of the pressure off he back bone and off The Back muscles. I’m moving much better now. Missed arare day of surf here on The Gulf this weekend.
Off to see the Chiropractor
back pain, first be patient with yourself the mind says go but the body says no.Requires a full on dedication to results saw it with wife[ L5 disc removed] and quality of life came back but always with reservations.As we age the power of the ocean and waves become more apparent and the body just does not do what it used to no matter what you do unless you dont have to go to work for a living and can play all day more power to you…The reason so many surfers have quit surfing and do standup.That being said you can still have a quality surfing experience i used to joke i would never ride a longboard [learned on one] until i reached 70 wells that happened alot sooner than that!!! But i still shortboard ,lomgboard and mat depends how the waves look and body feels.But if your coming back from injury slow is the word.Something i have been working with recently is prolotheraphy stem cell to be exact for a arthritic hip cartilage almost gone.Results after almost 3 months are still not in but i believe i am in a better place.When the body is injured for a long time the body and mind start to compensate for the injury so you have to unlearn bad habits slowly.Here is a concept learned from phy therapist flexibility and range of motion two different concepts work with themWEight loss and swimming are key yoga done bikram for 7 years and eating clean,and realize that some of us are gifted with the discipline to do and others struggle but if you really want to stand up on a surfboard in good waves it takes dedication and work as we age.Longboarding on a 2 footer can be so much fun if you enjoy the glide if not well you better get moving with maximum discipline.But you have to stay active no matter what, never understod why older people say that now i do, have seen guys who look in top shape with tweaked backs and guys who look totally out of it and no complaints who knows really but take the best care of yourself aloha…
as for yoga it is not a cure all nor is it an means to an end thats why they call it a practice ,you wil learn that everybody is different and learn to accept yourself and do not get caught up in what others can or cannot do.Its never been about the pose its more but the results take time like any disicpline and everyday will be different sounds like life there is a key.Bikram allows a reptitive routine everytime 11/2 hours most people do not have that sort of dedication alone so it allows one to do getting there is always the challenge.Tai chi is another great form softer is better as one ages the hard martial arts are good when your young but kicking and punching another human being gets old after a while.the real key is finding enjoyment sometimes the simple act of jumping in the ocean can sustain ones soul lucky we live Hawaii, now get out there…
2)take your wallet out of your back pocket !
1)my doctor saw my wallet .................he asked,"do you sit on that"....................yes, i answered.
3)my pain went away in a few......................never to return.
4)try it.....................you'll like it !
herb
Thanks to all of those who have contributed to this thread - lots of interesting information here and the shared experience is a real help.
I’ve been stretching and walking, swimming with care and a bit of stand-up on a lake. And I finally met with the PT that I’ve been wanting to see. Its crazy what a good, and interested, PT can spot. As we’re doing the full posture check and she says, what did you do to your shoulder? I’m thinking right shoulder. Well, that hurts a bit when I paddle… No, the left shoulder, when did you injure that? You mean when I dislocated it when I was 17? (closeout barrel, shorebreak, my buddy popped it back in we finished the session after a bit - probably not the best idea).
Anyway, lots of stuff going on with the back, old injuries, and compensation that finally came to a head.
We’re going to go with a slow and progressive stretching and exercise, with PT to try to elimnate the causality issues one by one. I do have an appointment with the back surgeon to get his view (in December! - I wanted to wait for the guy with the international reputation for successful and minimal intervention). I was told its a “usually operate” scenario but I’ll try everything else first, and that with a great deal of patience. I’ll let you guys know my take on things as they progress.
No surf for the immediate future, although I got a sweet left or two on a boogie board the other evening. Still stoked.
Mahalo.
My ex wife took my wallet away. Pain in the Ass… also disappeared
I can’t, Obama already took it!