Back pain & riding - TENS machine? And other suggestions...

[FleabittenT]

After a couple of heavy falls in the last year, I have chronic lower back pain. I'm struggling to ride at all at the moment, jumping is totally out of the question and I really feel it afterwards

I've bought a TENS machine - does anyone else use one? Does it make a difference? It suggests 15 minutes a day, I've been wearing it for longer but it doesn't seem to be helping at all. I'm not sure if it's a cumulative effect?

My GP isn't worried that it's anything serious, prescribed Diclofenac and has referred me for physio. I've seen an oesteopath and follow all advice re. low impact exercise, posture etc. I've changed my desk chair, mattress and even my car, all to no avail

I'm desperate to start feeling well again, especially as our young horse is coming on nicely (the benefit of lots of lunging & ground work when I'm not up to riding ) & I really need to start getting her out and about a bit more.

Does anyone have any suggestions, anything at all, that might help? How do others with back pain cope with riding? Would be very much appreciated

 

[Quartz]

I really feel for you, as I have been suffering with back pain for the last 6 weeks (sciatica). I was first prescribed anti inflammatories, pain killers and muscle relaxants. And no impact sports including riding, no lifting of anything and as much rest as poss. Easier said then done with 2 small children. Anyway it didn't pass so tried the oesteo route, hated it and it did nothing for me, if anything it made it worse. Went back to docs, more tablets and another two weeks off. However, I also got twice daily injections into my back with really did help a lot. I have only just started riding again, and can really feel the sciatica again. But don't want to stop and also want to be pain free. Am also having physio.

Would be interesting to find out more about the tens machine, so will follow with interest. Good luck!!!

 

[Sealine]

I have found using a Heather Moffatt seat saver helps. Whilst my horse was on box rest I lent mine to a friend who was suffering from back pain and she found it also helped her and she bought one herself.

Might be worth borrowing one and giving it a try.

 

[FleabittenT]

Thanks Sealine, I think one of the girls at the yard has one, so I'll see if I can borrow it for a try

Quartz, can I ask what the injections you had were? My doctor thinks it's sciatica & has also referred me for an MRI, it's miserable isn't it? I didn't get on with oesteo either, the first few sessions were really good but after that I felt like I'd been hit by a bus afterwards I had acupuncture at the same time, incredibly painful!

Also, has anyone tried McTimoney or Bowen therapy for human back pain please?

 

[Gilbey]

I have had chronic back pain for years and tried the Tens machine - did nothing at all - for 6 months. I had had physio who eventually referred me to the pain clinic in hospital. They did the injections into the lower spine....basically a steroid and pain killer which was miraculous but only lasted about 5 weeks so I then had the nerve endings burnt off which is great. I have only had one side done and I am actually having the other side done tomorrow!! I can't wait, but I did find riding (walking) very beneficial throughout. Pain killers helped but only to a degree I am afraid.
A back protector ( not a jacket but the ones you wrap around) might help you, worth a try. Otherwise you will have to go down the NHS route as I have done!! Good Luck.

 

[Trish C]

Sorry you're suffering, back pain is awful

Through a combination of a car crash, career-related bad muscle development (I'm a musician and have numerous related physical problems) and having a horse fall on me, my back used to give me serious pain, now just get occasional stiffness/aches/twinges. Touch wood it seems to be improving though.

Aside from pain-killers and spending hours lying on the floor whilst trying not to scream in agony, when it was bad I found that little things like wedge cushions made a difference... I now permanently use one in my car, at my desk and another for when I'm teaching.

Have also been helped by warming up before riding (very difficult to motivate myself to do at 5.30am!), not lifting anything heavy if possibly avoidable, using the lightest yard tools with the longest handles I can find, making two trips with the wheelbarrow so it's lighter instead of putting one big heavy load in etc.

Maybe somewhat bizzarrely, I've also found that riding has really helped me... lots of nice long leisurely hacks at walk has improved my mobility in my lower back.

Really hope you feel better soon

 

[FleabittenT]

Gilbey, good luck for tomorrow, I hope all goes well for you. Sounds like a scary procedure! I've found a back protector on Amazon that I'll try, not holding out much hope for the TENS machine

Trish, thanks a lot, glad yours is improving. I have wedge cushion and one of these kneeling chairs, look a wally sitting on it but I hope it all helps! I do consciously warm up before riding, hope yours continues to get better.

Unfortunately GP has been rather dismissive, I've no really concerning symptons (numbness, bladder problems etc) so not really priority for them, I don't think. There is a spinal clinic through the local private hospital that's meant to be great, but it's a non-starter without a lottery win this weekend

 

[ozpoz]

i found an expensive treeless saddle did wonders - now I won't even attempt to ride in a treed saddle. And chiro, and yoga, and good diet all helps too. And a decent office chair!

 

[Gluttonforpunishment]

Bizarrely I found the treeless saddle agravated my lower back (Heather Moffit one, sooo comfy to ride in too)

Took my osteopath nearly 18mnths to get it sorted with manipulation & accupuncture. (Back problem was pre-existing, not caused by the saddle, just not helped by it)

I've also heard that the cylo-ssage human system is good but given it's price I've not got one.

 

[FleabittenT]

Gluttonforpunishment, I've found a treeless saddle worsens my back too. Really comfy & I feel really secure, but my hips feel very 'open' in it (as they probably should be in my treed saddle) and my lower leg very fixed, I struggled to walk afterwards

Cyclo-ssage looks amazing but no prices on the website, so I'm guessing well out of my budget!

 

[BigRed]

I would say that if you have back pain that bad, you need to press your doctor to send you to see a specialist. I suffered for years on and off, sometimes it was unbearable. In the end I had an MRi and they saw that I had a ruptured disc. I had a painkilling jab into the disc which worked miraculously, but only for 6 weeks. In the end 18 months ago I had the disc removed and the vertebrae fused. It was the best thing I have done. I can ride and walk and sit without any pain now.

 

[Gluttonforpunishment]

Attractive look isn't it when you dismount and suddenly discover your back and legs no longer seem to be connected in the correct fashion! I waddle with the best of them

Cyclo-ssage was around £2500 when I looked - was getting seriously tempted to get one after a year of pain but just when I was about to bite the bullet my amazing osteopath sorted it.

Hope you find something to sort you out - back pain is awful.

 

[ihatework]

I suffered from quite a bad spell of back pain when shifting some rubble at the tip. My GP was just as dismissive as yours!
I actually stopped riding for 3 months.
Now I keep under control by regular chiro and using a prolite back support while riding (the prolite really does help!). I've also been trying to loose weight and did some yoga.

 

[Quartz]

Thanks Sealine, I think one of the girls at the yard has one, so I'll see if I can borrow it for a try

Quartz, can I ask what the injections you had were? My doctor thinks it's sciatica & has also referred me for an MRI, it's miserable isn't it? I didn't get on with oesteo either, the first few sessions were really good but after that I felt like I'd been hit by a bus afterwards I had acupuncture at the same time, incredibly painful!

Also, has anyone tried McTimoney or Bowen therapy for human back pain please?

They were just really strong anti inflammatory, straight into the lower back. They were great and really helped. I haven't gone down the acupuncture route yet, not overly keen on the idea! I have to say Sciatica is a lot worse than I imagined!!!!

 

[FleabittenT]

Thanks all. Big Red, really glad the surgery worked for you. I've been referred for an MRI, but I really had to push for that, GP actually suggested paracetamol, I could've cried

Gluttonforpunishment, that isn't as much as I feared for the cyclo-ssage. Wonder if I could find one second hand? Even less gainly than my dismount is clambering onto my treeless saddle, my horse is a saint

Quartz, thank you. It's all useful knowledge to go armed to my GP with.

ihatework, think I'm just going to have to call it a day with riding for now too, just too sore.

Back pain sucks!

 

[Cuppatea]

chiro. youve probably knocked something slightly out and no amount of painkillers anti inflams ets will cure it, they will just mask it. You need to get it put right - chiro!

 

[4x4]

So what was the result in the end???

 

[pottamus]

I have not read the other posts so I may be repeating, but I would get yourself to a proper physio for some sessions. You also need the appropriate test to find out what is causing the back pain...disc problems, muscle spasms etc. Until you know this you cannot treat it in any way at all.
My back troubles are muscle spasms where my lower back muscles tense up so much they pull my spine and hips out of alignment. I spent months on high dose painkillers to no effect and then started at a physio/accupuncturist and he sorted out my problems eventually whilst showing me good stretching exercises and how to care for myself properly to avoid re-accurence. I also found pilates good. Once the worst of my pain was over my accupuncturist advised me to get back on my horse as it would be the best exercise for my back...walking is also good. The horse riding helped physically and mentally...you can be in so much pain with back problems that it absorbs your entire mind and I found riding naturally focused me on other things and thus, helped me to relax...which helped my back muscles.

 

[Azbo]

Could try Yoga and/or Pilates. Both are great at increasing stability, balance and helping to build core strength. If you are strong through your core this helps improve your posture and support your back and also really helps with your riding position. Plus its great to have a good stretch. If you go to a good Yoga/pilates instructor they can help you out with appropriate stretches as you are having back pain.

I feel of my horse onto my **** earlier this year and thought I'd broken my Coccyx (luckly just bad internal brusing). I as getting lower back pain a fair amount. Yoga streches have helped no end.

 

[horseaddict]

I would advise you to wait for the MRI. Ive been suffering from intense pain in my neck for nearly 2 years, been asking for MRI for past year - finally referred as i have lost feeling in my hands and experiencing bladder problems. The scan (Wed) showed thet i have a rare tumour at the top of my spine/base of skull. My doc is now back tracking saying i did well to carry on and that im "stoical" and hadnt let him know how bad i was ... duh!
I tried intensive physio and the chiro route, which obviously didnt help and caused more pain, but with hindsight should have screamed for the scan!
So please be careful how much treatment you let yourself endure that you dont need and may actually be harmful.
Best wishes

 

[BBP]

Interesting. My chiro thinks I have a bulging disc, complete with sciatica firing all the way down my leg and under my foot. I remember the day it got bad in March but not what i did. recently also gained a burning feeling in my right hand (although I have a wrist injury there too, a sprain that hasn't healed in 7 weeks). I have had chiro on it since March and he is now trying to get me referred to a specialist.

It sucks as not only do I have a youngster who is a bit jumpy (every time he spooks he drops about 3 inches from under me, the jarring is something special!), but I am a personal trainer and pole fitness instructor, so there is no way I can rest, I just have to limp and wince through it. Plus I had applied to London Fire Brigade as a firefighter and have just found I made it through to the next stage...brilliant, except I am like a 90yr old woman!

 

[FleabittenT]

So what was the result in the end???

Well, the wait for the NHS scan was 12-16 weeks, so I went private for the MRI in the end It showed both L4 and L5 have herniated, L4 being the worse, with a hefty old bulge. Explains the pain!

While I waiting for the referral to a consultant re. surgery options, I found a brilliant chiro. I saw him 2-3 times a week for the first couple of weeks, and now go once a week. I'm swimming 2-3 times a week and sticking to an exercise programme, and the difference is incredible.

Touch wood, it's onwards and upwards & we can keep avoiding surgery - it's still sore, but not chronic agony.

KatPT, it sucks, doesn't it! Know exactly what you mean about feeling like a 90yo, hope you can get in to see the specialist soon. Sounds like you're doing well to keep going!

In all honesty, the worst part has been reducing the dose of Tramadol I was prescribed - evil stuff, never again!

 

[tazzle]

Maybe somewhat bizzarrely, I've also found that riding has really helped me... lots of nice long leisurely hacks at walk has improved my mobility in my lower back.

my friend finds this too, she has caudea equinea syndrome and is on opiates etc to keep the worst of the pain at bay. sometimes she arrives at the yard so stooped in pain but after a gently hack at walk she is much more upright and in less pain ...... its the passive exercise that does it

she finds the treeles saddle helps her ro go with the movement more.

tens machine did nothing for her but it does for some people, its trial and error really.

 

[Django Pony]

I had a similar problem last year, I got referred through my GP to a physio that did acupuncture, it was AMAZING, really helped!
Hope you get better soon!

 

[Bubley898]

I go to a McTimothy chiropractor for my twisted pelvis which causes back pain, he clicks me back in place every 3 - 6 months and I rarely get back pain any more. Prior to having this treatment I would be crippled for 4 days after hunting/ jumping. Tried a tens machine but couldn't stand it! It's like having the electric fencing touching your back!!

 

[madmav]

Pilates!!!! It's not a quick-fix cure, but it really does help by building up core muscles which then support spine much more effectively. I injured my back at 13, suffered for 30 years - nothing helped until I joined a pilates class. After a few months, no more pain. Became lazy about doing exercises, and guess what, have just 'done my back in' again.

 

[MrsMozart]

Ouch! Not so nice

Glad to see you're finding some relief

I broke my back at L2 nearly a year ago. The things that I've found to help are:

Heat - heated car seat, hot water bottle, heated gilet;

Bowen Therapy;

Sprenger stirrups;

A combination of physio and Equipilates;

Heather Moffat seat saver, but now have a lovely Barnsby saddle which is brill;

Back support with magnets.

Hope you continue to improve!

 

[SpruceRI]

I go to a McTimoney Chiropractor with any aches and pains, sciatica etc. I've also been to see him for chronic migraine, and he has helped/solved it all. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that he's BRILLIANT!!!

In the past I have been to another lady Chiropractor and I felt she made me worse, not better.... so it's definately worth getting recommendations on practitioners, especially from people who have the same type of pain/injury as you do.

 

[a_e_d]

My mctimoney chiropractor is fab. Been seeing her a few months, now just once a month. My lower back pain also comes from a twisted pelvis. Still have back ache on occasion but nowhere near as bad.
Even better, she recommends riders keep riding. Nothing too mad, and no jumping (although I did jump once but suffered for it). The riding helps mobilise the back. I had a couple of weeks when I couldn't ride, and my back was worse during that time.

 

[shivpryke]

Highly recommend pilates especially if u can find one for riders.
I swear by my prolite back support too when my backs bad. I always end up landing on my back when I fall off and prolite helps so much more than body protector alone as jus comes that bit lower.
Core stability is what's going to make a difference to ur posture, position riding and ur pain. Try sitting on a gym ball to watch tv or at work.
TENS can be reli useful but u need to be be able to feel it so turn it up a bit or change the rhythm settings.
I also always find a hot water bottle or heat pad reli helpful for resting and sleeping.
Hope that helps