Has anyone else got sacro-iliac problems (self, not horse)?

[FinellaGlen]

I have just had my left sacro-iliac joint manipulated, painfully, back into place for the umpteenth time but although my riding has improved a little since then, I am still very, very stiff through my lower back and it is annoying me so much. I struggle so hard to sit into Finella when I am cantering because the lower part of my back feels like a plank of wood and it just won't "give". I know that I can ride so much better but my stupid back just won't let me.

Does anyone else suffer and have you got any tips to share? I wear a neoprene back support and I am going to start learing the Alexander technique as soon as I can get the cash together.

 

[Jo C]

Me too but no helpful ideas I'm afraid - in fact I would be interested in others answers too.

 

[Leah3horses]

Yep am off work, no riding or even been able to do anything with horses due to my rubbish lower back for last 2 weeks. I did break my back 12 years ago in the s-i area so can't expect miracles , I have it manipulated every month so it doesn't seize up.

I've got an Inversion Table (do a google search), and it really helps stretch the back and take the pressure off the spine.Have been a lot less stiff since I got it. Am thinking of learning the Alexander Technique too, want to prevent things from getting any worse as I get older! Let me know if it helps when you start doing it?

I know the feeling you describe when riding,you just can't go with the movement as much in your lower back,it won't flex as it should..but I look at Lee Pearson and think ' well if he can be such a fab rider with his much more serious condition then I can keep persevering!'

Hope your back improves.

 

[hellspells]

Yes huge issues. I changed my saddle recently which has helped abit but I am still very prone stiffness in canter. THe only thing that I do do is try and ride more from my core i.e my stomach muscles - by doing this I seem to release my pelvis a bit as I add to my tenseness expecting the pain that comes from my hips and pelvis. I also ride really quite long.

Not sure how helpful that is but its the only thing I can think of.

 

[oofadoofa]

Hi, yes I get the same problems too and always have varying degrees of pain in my lower back. I work in an office and have found that sitting at my desk makes it worse, but have found that doing some gentle stretching exercises first thing in the morning before I ride really does help. I lie on the floor with my knees bent and gently push the small of my back towards the floor, I do this 5 or 6 times, then bring my knees over to one side, then the other. Also I find standing and gently leaning over to touch my toes (although not actually reaching that far!) helps to stretch out the lower back too. They're only simple basic stretches, but I find spending 5 or 10 minutes doing them in the morning really does help - and it's free too!

 

[Lwhite]

Sadly yes, along with a pelvic prob on the LHS. I just can't sit into canter any more and adopt a XC seat if we want to go fast which then plays havoc with my knees. Why do I do this to myself I wonder?lol.

 

[the watcher]

Yup, will never be able to sit to a canter properly and always have to adopt a thinly disguised hovering position above the saddle. I also have an inversion table - it does help - just takes up so much space in the house.

 

[DBrasnett]

Yes I have had serious issues with my SI and lower back. Last year I had a stress fracture of L5 as a result of marathon training and horse riding!

This is an area want to specialise in (Riders and lower back disorders). Hence me going back to uni and studing for another 3 years. Come back to me in 4 years and I will hopefully be alot more useful!

For now I would recomend stretching and core exerises. Stretch every day and after riding and do core work 4 times a week.

Stretch - Do the piriformis stretch on this website -http://www.halhigdon.com/15Ktraining/Stretch.htm

Follow some of the strechs on this video too - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lower-back-stretches/MM00711

Core - Don't do sit ups for the core, do more static exersises like the prone plank (google it) and side plank. Also laying on your back, knees bent and raise your butt off the floor. Make sure both sides go up at the same time, so keep it slow and controled.

The inversion tables are also great.

I love ibuprofen. When I competed in Triathlon and the Half Ironman races I took them every morning and sometimes just before a training session. Not saying everyone should do this, but it might be worth experimenting with a dose and then ride an hour afterwards and see if it improves your canter. (please, no one scream at me for this one!) If it does help, maybe go to the Dr and tell him it helps and ask for some physio.

 

[jaffs]

Join a Pilates class, it is fantastic for riders with back problems.
I've had 2 back ops and my Sacro-iliac joints were very unstable. Pilates helped to get me to get walking again.
Can't speak highly enough about it.
Good luck

I have a little used inversion table needing a home if anyone interested.

 

[loopylucifer]

yep me too!!! was going to chiro every month (had to stop couldn't afford and it was behaving at the time!!!!)
one thing that has really helped is using a felxi ball its all to do with core strength as said but i reall found it helped lossen my lower back too (much better than any chiro). i use it at leat twice a wk sitting on it watching tv or on comp and do lots of streches on it too. i also find keeping active, i muckout for a living (or so it seems!!) and when i have a wk off i can hardly move but as soon as i go bk to it i can move agian.

 

[FinellaGlen]

Thank you everyone and I am sorry to hear that others are suffering too. Leah3Horses - you are right to mention Lee Pearson and other riders like him. In comparison, my problems are very slight. I think I am just getting a bit frustrated with myself because a good rider from my yard rode Nelly for me last week and she got her working beautifully. I was grateful and also inspired by watching her ride but a bit sad too, because I know that I could be a better rider than I actually am if it weren't for the unstable SI joints.

I have never heard of inversion tables but will Google them now. I do stretching exercises several times a day as given to my by my physio. My GP isn't interested in helping me. In fact, when I went to him in a lot of pain last year, he didn't even bother to lift his bottom off his chair to have a look at my back; telling me that there was "nothing [he] could do for backs". Very helpful, not! Luckily, I have found a brilliant physio but I have to travel for an hour and a half to reach him which isn't ideal when your back hurts so much but he is so good that it's worth the journey.

Unfortunately, I can't take anti-inflamms so Ibuprofen is off limits. Thank you very much for your detailed information though, Moody Mare. I am going to have a good read and start on some of the stretches immediately. When you start your course you must post more hints and tips for us on here please

Jaffs - I really want to find a Pilates class but there is nothing at all where I live. I did find one woman who taught Pilates and she was only 10 miles away but despite contacting her by e mail and leaving two phone messages she has never got back to me so, short of begging (!) I can't seem to get anywhere with that. My YO has seen some new classes advertised at a leisure centre about 20 miles from here so I'm going to have a drive over there this weekend to see if they've started offering Pilates. Wish me luck!!

 

[terrierliz]

Me! currently at Chiropractor twice a week, also attend a Pilates class once a week which I think has helped a little. Diclophenac on pescription from the docs to take as needed and arnica bath soak

As you know Dylan has been on his holidays for 3 weeks and not riding did help my back and I could feel it as soon as I got on him, but not prepared to give up - hence not much sympathy at home.

Like you am interested in the Alexander Technique but not sure if Health Insurance will cover it!

Hope you see some improvement soon

 

[Rowreach]

Have you thought about a treeless saddle? They can be of huge benefit to human backs as well as equine! pm me if you want more info

 

[catembi]

My sacro iliac joint is wrecked from being rolled on. Some things that have helped me:

1) Serola strap (google for it). It's a webbing belt that goes around your hips & gives such incredible relief. I think mine was about £26 inc delivery Tip - the sizes are small so get the size you are not the size you'd like to be.
2) Heather Moffatt seatbone saver - was like getting a new sline, & now they're dressage legal.
3) WOW saddle. I don't use a seatbone saver on it cos it does the same job all by itself. I've had very, very little backache since getting one, even jumping a lot & bucking, & my horse does like a good buck.

Hope this helps. Using the above, I can honestly say that my back is no longer an issue, when I used to barely be able to walk for a couple of days following jumping or sitting trot.

Good luck!

T x

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

I used to attend period re-enactment events and saved my corset for when my back acts up (I have SI and prolapsed disks as well). As soon as I put on my corset and lace it, the pain goes away! It helps me stay straight and stops me doing anything stupid with my back. I've ridden "normal" and sidesaddle in it too.

That is interesting about the WOW saddle, I may try one.

 

[Flame_]

I've not got SI problems, but I do have severe lower back pain due to spinal fractures. I find jumping really aggravates the pain as does riding big moving horses and if I don't do those things I'm much better. I have a really thick sheepskin seat-saver which helps just by being shock absorbing. I used to have a flair saddle which was marvellous for my back but it went wrong, the air-bags over-lapped and it caused my old horse back problems so I wouldn't have one again. I plan to compete on pain-killers just to make me look a bit tidier as I know my position has deteriorated to accommodate my back pain. Are you sure its your SI joint that's the problem as some back problems can be operated on?

 

[H's mum]

Ouch you have my sympathies!

I rotated my sacroilliac joints in opposite directions in a bad fall in 2000 and I've not been "right" since - I find regular trips to the chiropractors helps a lot - and lots of painkillers - I've also learned that I can't do lots of sitting trot or lateral work as I get sciatic pains and really stiffen up if I do too much - However saying all of this I get by!

It would be nice to go through a day without having to click my hip joints back into a comfier postion though!

Kate x

 

[Missmac]

I have problems on my left hand side. I go to a chiro 3/4 times a year and that seems to keep it in check.

Got 'stuck' on ponio when riding bareback because of it once! I couldnt get off because of the pain so poor (but mercifully patient) pony had to stand by the field gate and wait for Dad to finish talking to a customer before he could come and help me get off!

 

[jaffs]

If you can't find a pilates class get a Lynne Robinson dvd/vid from QVC/WH Smith , that's what i did when i couldn't get out of the house and it was a great help. A lot of medical people don't recommend Pilates because they can't make money out of it, and don't believe something so simple can work.
all the very, very best.
Back pain is the pits xx

 

[FinellaGlen]

Liz, I didn't realise that you had SI problems. I am definitely better when I don't ride but, like you, there's no way I'm giving up!

Rowreach, I don't think a treeless saddle would suit Finella to be honest. She's a bit round in the barrel, although, for a Highland she is actually rather on the slim side. They do look pretty comfy though.

Catembi - the serola strap is something I've heard of before. I will check it out. I definitely can't afford a WOW at the moment but think I will definitely invest in the Heather Moffat seatbone saver. Thank you.

Sidesaddle, my OH suggested that I should ride in a basque the other day. My response was rather flippant I'm afraid and I asked him if I should wear stockings and stilletoes with it

KVS - I've not had my back x-rayed because GP is just not interested but my physio says it's SI problems so that's all I have to go on.

H's Mum - sorry to hear that you're suffering too. Like you, I usually "get by" but I often have days when I can't bear the thought of getting on because of the pain and that does get me down.

Charlie_boy - I had to be helped off my 16.3 hh WB a couple of years ago because I was in agony. Luckily my OH was there and he managed to sort of lift me off and put me on the back seat of the car on my side! It was an undignified exit from the arena but I didn't have a lot of choice

 

[Flame_]

[ QUOTE ]
I've not had my back x-rayed because GP is just not interested but my physio says it's SI problems so that's all I have to go on.


[/ QUOTE ]

If you've had the pain a long time and physio/chiro doesn't do any long term good keep pestering to get it investigated, it might be something the docs can fix or treat. You would if it was your horse! Is there more than one doctor at your practice? Try speaking to the nicest one.

Don't take no for an answer.

 

[DuckToller]

Does declofenac count as an anti inflammatory? My back occasionally seizes up after years of mistreatment and some days I can't even bend to put socks and jeans on. I find declofenac is brilliant, tend to use it only for emergencies, because it can cause stomach ulcers long term although I always take one after food.

But not sure if it's an AI or not, will go find a packet and read up on it.

 

[hellybelly6]

I very very strongly recommend cranio-sacral physiotherapy.

I had 3 sessions following a slipped disc, which was caused because my whole body was twisted to the left. SHe straightened me out (she is also a rider) and I have been better than before.

She also warned me that my stirrups would need lengthening and that because I was twisted when riding, my horse had switched off to my right leg as it was 'on' all the time. She was right and since treatment, my riding and my horse have improved and are more comfortable.

I would recommend you give this a go.

 

[JHawes]

I have suffered with SI problems for years complicated by an allergy to ibuprofen. My advice would be Pilates but be patient with it as it is not a quick fix! Another option is TaiChi, once your SI is stable TaiChi will help strengthen your core and make you more aware of your body potentially helping you to avoid aggravating the injury in future. The one thing I get a lot of relief from is ice. When its really bad apply ice either via an ice pack or cool pads. This can help reduce the inflammation around the joint. I would be very careful about having hot baths and applying heat to the area as this can aggravate it even more.

Stress can be a factor with any back problem so assess your stress levels and deal with any accordingly.

Good luck! Hope this helps.