[getagrip]

First of all, I've had to deal with back pain for most of my adult life (I'm 39 going on 25 - my back pain started when I was about 13 or 14). Nothing I can't handle, thankfully - its just something I've learned to deal with. I haven't had surgery or anything like that and probably won't - seems like surgery sometimes messes people up and makes the pain worse.

Anyway, I know that some people experience back pain when they ride, and when they get off the bike, they feel fine. I'm totally opposite. As far as my lower back is concerned, I'm virtually pain free when I'm on the bike. When I get off the bike, I may take a few moments to straighten out.

Also, in general, when I'm sitting down and get up, I tend to have the same problem. Sometimes its worse than others - seems like I may go for a few weeks or months when this isn't an issue at all, and then its back again, so it seems to come and go in phases. I think I'm noticing it more now because I've been relatively innactive during the last couple of months coping with the Nebraska winter.

So, I know that there probably aren't too many doctors here, but I just wanted to know if there are others here who have lower back pain, and how you deal with it. Do you stretch? Work out? If you are someone who has back pain, how are you coping with it, and what are you doing to cope with it?

 

[mimi1885]

Existing back pain seems to be the same problem for you on and off the bike. That aside, if your bike is set up properly then you may want to add sit up to your work out it stronger core can reduce back pain. Stretching is almost mandatory for someone in your condition.

I usually have back pain when after I've been off the bike for a month or 2, the first few ride back sucks a bit, I'd add sit up to my routine a few weeks later my back pain would be gone.

Check with your doctor about your existing back pain though.

 

[m85476585]

What kind of bike do you ride? If it's a hardtail, consider getting full suspension.

I don't normally have back pain, but one time after doing some lift-serviced downhill on my hadrtail my back cramped up really bad and hurt for the rest of the day.

You should probably do some exercises to strengthen your core. It's probably best to talk to a doctor or other expert to see what you should be doing, but I've started doing this routine; I'll see how it goes:
http://www.bikejames.com/ipod-videos/mountain-bike-core-strength-sequence/

Finally, don't rule out surgery. If you haven't already, you should probably go to a doctor to find out what's wrong. They will probably do a scan and suggest surgery, but then they will at least be able to tell you if you *need* surgery (as in something is really wrong) or if you get it what the chances of complications are. It could be that a minor surgery is all you need (but in your back I doubt it).

 

[tamugmtb]

If you're lucky it is just muscle issues. Stretch, hydrate daily and don't lift anything above your means. Also,take care of your disks. I had back pain since high school that would come and go. Found out that I had slipped and degenerating disks. Finally at age 37 a disk ruptured and surgery was my only choice. After time off I slowly got back into outdoor activities-surfing, biking, hiking, etc but NO jogging.

I just bought a hard tail, couldn't afford a full suspension and have been ok (but I don't do drops).

I think seeing a doctor is really good advice, preferably one in sports medicine and that is a bike rider as well.

I wish you luck.

 

[bing!]

I changed my stem from 50 to 70 mm. Climbs better, but i am getting lower back pain. Ive been stretching to alleviate it, but i know i need to adjust something. Maybe the seat. Duhno yet.

 

[falcodawgs]

First I would like to say that I am definitively no expert in back pain and I will not try to act like one but I, at the age of 20, have dealt with my share of back pain. I ruptured 3 discs and had a severely pinched nerve in my lower back (L6, L7, and S1) and had to undergo surgery to try and fix the problem so I would hopefully not have to deal with the pain the rest of my life. That being said, I had the surgery (microdiscectomy) done about 4 months ago and i have gotten the green light from the Dr. to return to mtbing. I feel much better than I did before the surgery so definitively do not let surgery scare you away. I know results vary but I would highly recommend going to get an mri and seeing whats going on and then you can go from there and choose the best course of action for your situation.

And just for reference, I had the same exact pain sensation as you are experiencing(maybe to a higher degree ) but I felt fine riding but stiff and in pain once getting off the bike as well as having back pain starting around the age of 13 or 14. After surgery and physical therapy, I no longer feel this pain. Another thing the physical therapists stressed to me for a successful recovery and to decrease the possibility of re-injury of my back was to stretch, stretch, and stretch some more. They also had me doing a LOT of core exercises to strengthen my abs but also to strengthen my transverse abdominals which are your side muscles that serve as your natural back brace running from your groin area around to your lower back. They also made me do these transverse ab workouts while in motion so that it became a reflex for these muscles to tighten and protect my back during everyday life and specifically during any kind of physical activity.

Like I said I am no expert but I thought I'd share my experiences in hopes that they amy shed some light on your issues as well! Back pain is no fun at all!

 

[theMeat]

I'v had lower back pain for most of my life also. As already mentioned, ab exercise, oblique exercise but most importantant and most over looked is spinal erector exercise, ie hyperextention exercises. A few years ago I started doing these a few times a week, and after a few weeks of more pain, the pain has been gone since. Also, do some upside down leg raise, were you hang from bar behind knees, and raise your upper body like a sit up, or even just hang. That'll really help realign, and relieve pressure, improve circulation inbetween vertebrae. The best time for the last mentioned is before bed.
I'm no doctor but have talked to some about this, and have done lotsa research, and know what has worked for me. I realize everyones body and problems maybe different but I can't exaggerate enough how these things have helped. Have been a bike rider all my life also and in the past few years, since my pain's gone, my stems have gotten longer and lower.

 

[AZ]

Existing back pain seems to be the same problem for you on and off the bike. That aside, if your bike is set up properly then you may want to add sit up to your work out it stronger core can reduce back pain. Stretching is almost mandatory for someone in your condition.

I usually have back pain when after I've been off the bike for a month or 2, the first few ride back sucks a bit, I'd add sit up to my routine a few weeks later my back pain would be gone.

Check with your doctor about your existing back pain though.

/\ This is good advice , see the Dr. , if cleared for activity work on core strength and Hammies and Glutes .