How many people on hear have a bad back?

Piaffe, I've had a bad back like you since about 13 and nothing has seemed to trigger it. 10 years on I've learned to live with it.

(actually sat here now with a really sore back but it's normal now)
 
Depending where the pain is - I wrecked my sacroiliac joint when I was 13 thru having an accidental encounter with an overgrown ditch & being rolled on. (I'm now 35.) Had severe pain, easily aggravated to the point of being unable to walk by any jarring eg buck / awkward jump. 2 things that REALLY helped me... One is a Heather Moffatt seatbone saver which was like getting a new spine installed. After using, I could get off my horse & walk away rather than being hunched over & limping. I could even do sitting trot!!! Second is a Serola strap (google for it) which is like a back support that goes round your hips. Wow, what a difference, & if you hunt about you can get it for around £25 + postage. The only word of warning is to get what size you actually are rather than what size you HOPE you are as the sizes are on the small size. I can now bsja all day & then work out in the eve rather than spending 3 days virtually sofa bound.
 
Ive always had a bad back, although my main thing is if Ive been riding a lot then I get sharp pains in my shoulder blade which can hurt like hell all of a sudden if I move wrong! It comes and goes though so I just live with it.

I think everybody who rides has a sore back. Not sure why, you'd think riding would make your back stronger somehow! Must be all the lugging saddles about, picking out feet etc.
 
can I just add tha I had a bad accident riding when I was 14. My back hurt loads, mainly down one side. My mum took me to the docs and I spent hours in xray, they said I had a curved spine and that i needed surgery. Went for another set of xrays and it turned out I had broken ribs.......
 
I get bad lower back pain from a problem with my hips. Sometimes it gets really bad after riding and have put my back out a couple of times riding. If it gets really bad I take a trip to the physio to get it back in place
crazy.gif
I started doing core training which really helped but haven't had enough time to do it recently but hope to pick it up again soon
grin.gif
 
I have exactly the same problem, my sacroiliac joints are basically not in good condition and i started getting severe pain, worst was when I was jumping once and I jarred my back! I was on my back for days (and it was the week before my wedding!). I also have the serola strap...it's fantastic, I took it on my honeymoon and it saved my life! It meant that I could hike and cycle etc without worrying about my joint popping out of place! I am interested though in HM seatbone saver you mentioned, where did you get it from?

Also something that has helped me has been core training, it helped my to strengthen the muscles around the joint which has reduced the amount of times it jars and pops out.
 
Yup, its quite sore now and again, got a LOT worse once I lost weight. But my mums got arthritis and 3 broken vertebra and my sister has sciatica, dad has joint trouble to so the chances of having a good back are slim! Mum is on codydramol, adn she is away on another planet, and whatever my sister has been given gives her serious m ood swings so dont want that.

Picking out Beaus hooves can be impossible some nights though
frown.gif
. Cant be bothered going to the doctor though as I guess I fell that its a bit of a wossy problem (I know its not at all! But I also know that my job makes it worse - sitting for ages on end, and doing work like stuffing envelopes. I did 250 the other day and 3 hours later my back seized up)
 
I've had a bad back since I was about 13, too many strong horses and too many falls. Been particularly bad since I was crushed under a falling maddy about 6 years ago, if I lie on a surface thats too hard it varies from severe pain to being unable to move. Mostly just take painkillers
 
I have had sacro-iliac problems for many years, helped only by strong pain relief and muscle relaxants.
I broke two vertebrae about eight years ago in a horse riding accident, which are more or less painful most of the time.
I guess I am actually a lot better off than some of you!
 
I have to say reading some of your replies regarding prolapsed discs and that you are still riding is giving me hope that I will be able to do the same.I have been advised not to ride at all,but I would be interested to hear how you all cope with riding and how it affects you as I have so far been really good and done as i'm told but I am really tempted to get back on my horse regardless of my back pain.
 
I gave up riding because of my back. In fact gave up for about 4 years.

I soon found that my bad back didnt improve when not riding so have only recently taken it up again. It hurts but then, it hurt when i wasn't riding. Id rather be in pain and riding than not doing it at all
 
I came off at a tallus and unknowingly broke 3 lumber vertebrae. The pain was unbelievable but I managed to catch Tom and walk back to the yard supporting myself around Toms neck and walking on tiptoe. Back at the yard I collapsed. It was sooooo embarassing-they called the emergency guys who sent out a helicopter! I refused to go as im terrified of the damn things so the tranquilised me (like a bad loader
mad.gif
) and put me on anyway.last thing I remember was feeling like a twit wrapped up like a Quality Street and hoping that I could save face. That was 12 years ago and after wearing a cast from my neck to my fanny for 3 months and then 3 of physio in a pool, Im okay.I have twinges every so often and when I ride I always wear a lower back support. My problem is not being able to stop thinking that Im going to do it all again, should I come off! I take devils claw for my R Arthritis which may help my back too. As my Grandad always said" there are riders who have fallen and there are riders who are waiting to fall off"-we all do it sometime. Mairi.
smile.gif
 
im 18 and have a bad/weak back, inherited! charming! it doesnt help that my sister has arthritis and mum has bad back, so if anything needs lifting i have to do it! and carrying muck sacks at the BRS didnt help! it hurts constantly, especially when sitting for long periods of time, and twinges rather a lot! i just keep dosed up on ibuprofen, and hope!
 
thanks for all your replies. I have been unable to reply as my computer went down over the weekend.
The back pain is due to a prolasped disc and 3 crushed discs in my lower back this causes a lot of muscle pain too.
I take very strong pain killers - I.E -paracermols, ibuprofen, Tramadol, amitriptyline and ferydol patches.
Has anyone tryed magnetic back supports?

I always knew that most horsy people are suffers of bad backs but can't believe how brave you guys are!!!!!!
 
My back sucks - I really am rather bored of feeling like an old lady! I had a car crash a few years ago, and it caused all kinds of problems (they still can't agree on one thing) they think aprty because my L3-5 were already weakened from a XC fall a few years prior - although they never caused pain, they were a weak spot) Also suffered neck injuries, which contribute to the pain. To get up in the morning I have to 'crack' my back, and if I don't have a hot bath to losen things up, I suffer later on in the day. I also ahve to take breaks at work, and my collegues are used to looking under my desk for me if they can't see me as they know I need to lie down sometimes!

I've learnt to live with the pain for now, although the consensus of physio, chiro and surgeon are that surgery is inevitable, it's a question of how long I can put it off for. I have bad days, and diazapam does help, but I can't drive on it, so most days I don't take anything (also terrified of getting hooked on anything - I did when I first had the crash, and I never want to do that again) Tried accupuncture, but my body reacted to the metal in the needles, chiro helps, but it is a very temporary fix, core strengh stuff helps too. It's really frustrating not being able to do things, I can't run or use eliptical trainers at the gym for example, or lift things, and I have to take a painkiller before I ride otherwise it can hurt depending on the horse - funnily enough I find work without stirrups far more comfortable than anything else, I guess because I engage my muscles to do it.

For your back, perhaps try a back support? I found it useful while my stomach muscles were still getting stronger - it helps back them up when they aren't so strong. Working on your core muscles with pilates or swiss ball helps too. Good luck
 
Hi emma69

Really sorry to hear about your back, it seems a lot of the guys on hear are taking a lot of painkillers.
Like you I can't drive with my painkiller and find this a problem as driving is part of my job.
I have a back support but find that it puts presure on the pro lasped disc.
frown.gif

I am going to try a chiro this month and defo going to start with the pilates.
I have also tryed the gym but find it really boring as I am only allowed on three things.
Thank you for your help.
grin.gif

Sorry for being a moan but the back is driving me mad, today.
 
I think backs are something that drive you mad - it's not like a sore hand or sore foot which only hurt when you do something, or at least they are easier to block out in my experience, whereas backs can wreck your whole day! If you drive for a living, I suggest getting someone to set up your car / van ergonomically, it makes a huge difference - I had a great physio who set mine up for me in the UK (you may need to do odd things depending on where is hurt - I had to use a rolled up towel, my aunt had a cushion to sit on with the back part cut out so her spine could stretch down) Things like your seat being too high or too low can cause extra pressure on your lower back, so it is a good idea to have someone help get you into the most comfortable driving position for you. I know exactly what you mean about the gym, I have just joined a new gym and have an induction in half an hour - they are going to think I am a total moaning minnie when I tell them what my limitations are - especially as eliptical trainers are 'good' for bad backs (all except mine it seems - they cause intense agony!!!) Hang in there
 
Yep, coming late on this one. but yeh, I suffer a lot.
Since my first pregnancy 21 years ago.... was heavy, so that didn't help, also fell down the stairs (well, bounced on my arse actually! ) so hurt my coxyx.

Then had a trapped nerve in my leg, which has now progressed to the whole of the leg not just the thigh.
Back is chronic now, it just 'goes' every few weeks or less, so I am really scuppered!Now have arthritis in ankles/knees, and puts added pressure on back cos of the way I walk.

Can't see a cure ahead.... I do have a shiatsu (?) massage seat which helps, as I don't do people touching me so can't see a chiro/osteo..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top