what do you do to prevent back injury?

[WaveDemon]

I have a few things I do to help prevent back injury but it seems that my back goes out a couple times a year no matter what I do.

I'm just getting over a recent back problem... What do you do to prevent back injury?

 

[OCD Solutions]

Tons of daily core exercises on top of stretching and range of motion exercises prescribed by my chiropractor.

 

[oxnard111]

I injured my back in 2005. For years I would throw out my back about every 3 months.

For the last 1.5 years my back has not "gone out" on me. The only thing I really changed was my mattress. I switched to a tempurpedic.

I hate to admit it, but I even stretch and strengthen my back way less than I use to, and still am going on a long streak of not "throwing out" my back.

 

[Big Kahuna]

I injured my back in 2005. For years I would throw out my back about every 3 months.

For the last 1.5 years my back has not "gone out" on me. The only thing I really changed was my mattress. I switched to a tempurpedic.

I hate to admit it, but I even stretch and strengthen my back way less than I use to, and still am going on a long streak of not "throwing out" my back.

We bought one also a few years ago. My back problems went away also.

 

[OCD Solutions]

Gotta love the tempurpedics. I spent an hour last night on ours trying to put my back out and I feel great today. :biggrin:

 

[WaveDemon]

I stretch multiple times a day. I keep my weight in check. I ride my road bike regularly. I don't lift ski's anymore. If I get a little back strain and follow that with a lot of sitting (like at work) my back will be "out" for a month.


My mattress sucks, maybe I'll have to upgrade that soon.

 

[Jetaddict]

A lot of people fail to realize the abdominal muscles do a lot to stabilize the back. Weak abs are the primary issue for anyone with a persistent lower back pain. Core exercises are the best to strengthen the whole midsection, crunches are a waste and a thing of the past. If you get a chance to snatch up P90X (either paid or obtained via one of the wonderful torrent sites) and find the "Core Synergistics" workout, it is probably the best thing you can do for your back issues.
Riding a ski and doing a lot of jumping is rough on the back, and no amount of working out can correct a compressed or blown disc. The best thing at that point is to get the abs strengthened and take the stress off the erector spinae muscles that overcorrect when your abs are weak.
I will feel tightness in my back after a long day riding, and it will be sore the next day. It usually fades away after a couple days. It gets really bad with a full day of wake jumping. I am 42, so it comes with the territory. I should be doing some more stretching in my off days too.

 

[FlightPlanDan]

I'm out of sorts right now in the back. My mattress sux. I've never thought much about it, but it makes sense. All the streatching in the world won't help if you're getting f'd up while sleeping!
My back snapper & massage women have given up. I gotta see an orthapedic guy on Sept 1st. Just a pinched nerve or something. But they will bleed me & my insurance b4 giving me a shot of cortizone or steroid dose pack.

Probably should not ride this weekend.....but there's gonna be big waves! Can't miss it.

 

[OCD Solutions]

Sitting is to your spine as sugar is to your teeth. Stay active and move often. I sit at a desk all week and spend 3 hrs a day behind the wheel so I have to do quite a bit to stay in shape and ready to ride on weekends.

I am also a firm believer in getting regular adjustments and visit my chiro at least 3 times a month.

 

[FlightPlanDan]

the extra 30 lbs I carry around can't be helping!

 

[AtomicPunk]

more riding... more activity and stretching. core exercises all the way.

aside from those things, a lot of people have bad posture (sitting and standing), use crappy chairs (at work 8-10 hours), lift heavy things incorrectly (make sure you bend at knees, keep object close to your body).

for me, a good chair at work is/was way more important than a bed.

 

[OCD Solutions]

I was selling these at my clinic for awhile...
Www.evolutionchair.com

You'd be amazed at how much of a workout you can get from sitting, lol.

 

[Gainera2582]

Move around as much as possible.

Stretch out your hip flexors and quads AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. When they shorten, they wreck havock on your lower back. 2-3 times a day and its a must!!!


Other than that, eat a clean diet that doesnt cause inflammation(no wheat/gluten) and drink plenty of quality water.

 

[tightithrash]

get riser bars

 

[enzo]

I take eight 200mg Ibuprofens every time before I ride. Helps me a ton.

 

[Matt_E]

get riser bars

Do they really help that much? I am considering going to a set of riser bars on my new hull, but I guess I am not sure it'll be worth it or make much of a difference. Is it a surf only thing? :dunno:

 

[SJBrit]

Be careful that you are not over developing your abs if you do core exercises - you need to work on your back muscles too to keep everything in balance. Abs developed more than lower muscles can actually cause problems rather than prevent them.

 

[WILKEY]

get riser bars

bwhahaha love it!!!!!!!!

and i lay floors so that keeps my back pretty strong. i have probs with my shoulder more than anything

 

[Crab]

get riser bars

Yup

 

[WFO Speedracer]

Do absolutely nothing, that will prevent most back injuries.