Back brace

[Isbister]

I am getting on - late 50s - and now find my back is in fairly constant pain during the hunting season. It doesn't hurt when I'm riding, but just afterwards, for days at a time, and is worst of all at night. I believe the discs are becoming compressed. I'm tall and quite heavy, which doesn't help, but generally quite fit and healthy.

A friend with the same problem has recommended a back brace - a sort of truss or girdle. I wondered whether anyone here had any experience of this or is in a position to recommend where to look for one? Or is it a really bad idea?

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

I am getting on - late 50s - and now find my back is in fairly constant pain during the hunting season. It doesn't hurt when I'm riding, but just afterwards, for days at a time, and is worst of all at night. I believe the discs are becoming compressed. I'm tall and quite heavy, which doesn't help, but generally quite fit and healthy.

A friend with the same problem has recommended a back brace - a sort of truss or girdle. I wondered whether anyone here had any experience of this or is in a position to recommend where to look for one? Or is it a really bad idea?

I have suffered from problems since the 70's when my fall and injured back was poo poed as nothing. Since then I have suffered back pain - back has gone out - slipped disk - 99% nearly ended up in wheel chair for life due to Sciatica - constant twinges - steroids into my spine.


I find deep heat and the deep heat pads as well has my back support helps also ibuprofen - I would like another epidural but the hospital wont give me one, so I have to pop ibuprofen when in more pain.


I sympathise with you over this big time.

 

[Isbister]

^ I have a very well-stocked medicine chest - I usually take a cocktail of tablets including ibuprofen and codeine, all swilled down with copious malt whisky, before, during and after every ride during the hunting season, but I am really hoping to find some non-pharmaceutical assistance.

 

[Leo Walker]

I'm disabled after fracturing my spine. I'm in agony a lot of the time, but I have recently bought a Back On Track back brace. Cost me £50 which hurt! But it really does seem to have made a difference. I try and wear it for a couple of hours a day and anytime I am going to be walking or standing, and it helps me manage that as well Def worth the money!

 

[Isbister]

Thank you FrankieCob, that is the sort of advice I was hoping for.

I sympathise with you as your back problem puts mine in the shade.

 

[Bernster]

Following, as am currently sitting here with a hot water bottle and pills after 2 days of riding the new horse, which seems to have triggered some back pain. Luckily nothing like some of the other posters on here, but am wondering if a back support might help. Where do people get theirs from?

 

[Dunlin]

I have arthritis in my L5 since I fractured it 3 years ago. Riding does trigger pain and stiffness the following day so I purchased a back brace from my chiropractor. I wear it when I need the support (not whilst riding) but it's also important to keep the spine moving and supple so I only ever wear the brace for 3 days in a row tops, just the mornings and afternoon when doing yard work. Normally I find just 1 day of wearing it settles things down again.

 

[Darkly_Dreaming_Dex]

Sadly far too much experience of this 10 years ago, i lost 4 stone which helped but didnt eliminate my back pain. Professional choice do a superb back support but they are hard to find otherwise get yourselves to a decent chiropractor to make sure there isnt an underlying issue(this has had the best result to date, with quarterly visits at £38 a time and my saddle stopped slipping too)), if pain is severe then pester your doctor for a scan to make sure there isnt a disc problem.

Back on track are fantastic, they have showrooms in the London area inc Amersham in Bucks and they are experts in horse riding back pain. I have one of their office chairs plus a sit/stand desk and i never have to take painkillers to get through my office day now They are not the cheapest but to be pain free is priceless