[Dan A]

Hey there,

Just wondering does anyone else here suffer from lower back pain when out in their yak, I find after an hour or so my lower back gets really sore.

Is this the muscles adjusting?...will it go away?.

I have a lumbar support seat.

Dan

 

[simond11]

Hi Dan
I think it's called old age :wink:

I sort of stuffed my lower back up a couple of years ago while helping some little old lady put in the overhead locker what felt to be a whale. Never again!
If you have a chance buy the following book (I didn't write it nor get a commission from its sale). It is fantastic.

Sarah Key's "Back Sufferers' Bible" Allen & Unwin. Bought it from Angus and Robertson for $25.99. Failing that, get yourself one of Phil's whoopie inflatable cushions he sells.
Hope this helps

Simon
Prowler 15

P.S next time say you got a sore back when you put excess pressure on that 12kg kingfish that managed to wrap you around the buoy and bust you off.

 

[hairymick]

Hi Dan,

There is something wrong. either with your back or your posture or with the seat. Get you back checked out. If the doctor finds nothing wrong then it is probably one or the other or both.

 

[Davey G]

hi dan.

I don't know your history and whether you have suffered back pain previously and /or how much exercise you do..

basically if you haven't exercised much and then go out on a 10km paddle you could reasonably expect to get a stiff/sore back (and arms,shoulders,legs etc). that kind of muscle stiffness will go away in a day or 2 or 3

however if you're otherwise reasonably fit and active and are only getting localised pain in your lower back then it's either your posture, your technique or an underlying injury being aggravated.

As simon mentioned 'old age' could also be the problem, but theres plenty of older guys on this forum who are all paddling longish distances with no problems - no doubt due to paddle fitness they have built up over time.

I've had a crook lower back since a skiing accident in my early 20's and have been a regular visitor to chiro's, physios etc over the last 10 years. However I do note that my back only gets sore when I have been inactive and/or have put on some pudding round the guts.

After temporary relief from physio and chiro treatments aliong with their advice to 'do some strengthening exercises (BORING!!) I enrolled in a pilates class. To my surprise this was the best 'remedy" I have ever done, basically exercises to strengthen core / abdominal muscles. Every physio and chiro has told me that in order to have a strong back, first you need strong core muscles.

Hence this was part of the reason that I got my yak - for fitness /core strength and flexibilty which is a much more fun way of doing exercise than going to a gym or goingf to a pilates class. I'm just not into that scene and would much rather be doing a sport I enjoy and getting exercise while doing it

good luck with it...

 

[Polar]

G'day Dan
agree with all the posts - my 2 cents worth of advice is stretching exercises before you paddle. A couple of quick exercises are - 1. put your paddle behind the neck,arms outstretched grasping the shaft of the paddle and twisting from side to side, gently increasing the angle of twist as you start to loosen up. 2. sit on the ground with legs straight out in front of you - hands one on top of the other - arms straight and bend forward in attempt to touch toes. these exercises will encourage the stretch receptors in your muscles to loosen target muscles and effectively warm up before you paddle - hope this helps

 

[Dan A]

hi dan.

I don't know your history and whether you have suffered back pain previously and /or how much exercise you do..

basically if you haven't exercised much and then go out on a 10km paddle you could reasonably expect to get a stiff/sore back (and arms,shoulders,legs etc). that kind of muscle stiffness will go away in a day or 2 or 3

however if you're otherwise reasonably fit and active and are only getting localised pain in your lower back then it's either your posture, your technique or an underlying injury being aggravated.

As simon mentioned 'old age' could also be the problem, but theres plenty of older guys on this forum who are all paddling longish distances with no problems - no doubt due to paddle fitness they have built up over time.

I've had a crook lower back since a skiing accident in my early 20's and have been a regular visitor to chiro's, physios etc over the last 10 years. However I do note that my back only gets sore when I have been inactive and/or have put on some pudding round the guts.

After temporary relief from physio and chiro treatments aliong with their advice to 'do some strengthening exercises (BORING!!) I enrolled in a pilates class. To my surprise this was the best 'remedy" I have ever done, basically exercises to strengthen core / abdominal muscles. Every physio and chiro has told me that in order to have a strong back, first you need strong core muscles.

Hence this was part of the reason that I got my yak - for fitness /core strength and flexibilty which is a much more fun way of doing exercise than going to a gym or goingf to a pilates class. I'm just not into that scene and would much rather be doing a sport I enjoy and getting exercise while doing it

good luck with it...

Heh,

Ok I am going to go with lack of exercise on this one, before Kayaking I was constantly sitting at home on my computer, Kayaking is basically the only exercise I get so hopefully it will go away after a while when my muscles strengthen up.

Will try the suggested exercises as well Polar

 

[Ironsides]

Dan, How is your back now after a few months?
I havent bought a Yak yet but do have back probs!
so I am interested if its got better with use.

Ian

 

[Dan A]

Dan, How is your back now after a few months?
I havent bought a Yak yet but do have back probs!
so I am interested if its got better with use.

Ian

My back is fine now, I sit out on the Kayak for 12 hour session, I think the APEX 1 seat definately helped as did the muscles strengthening up.

I can sit out there no dramas.

Dan

 

[Phoenix]

The cause of back pain is significant.

It can be metobolic, in other words a lack of magnesium in the body.

It can also be environmental - posture & seating.

Or it could simply be overworked muscles.

I have recently come across a very effective cream that is ideal for muscle ache. PM me if you are interested.

 

[Guest]

Since taking up kayaking I have discovered the old body can ache when it wants to.

Last weekend my first serious paddle it was the shoulders.

This week I went for a paddle and my legs are sore as. I woke up this morning and could hardly walk.

Those forward rod holders are an absolute killer. I worked it out just now, I'm vertually at full stretch with my legs already out in front of me to pick up the rod I have to stretch a litle bit more to get it out, didn't feel anything doing it yesterday, but today I'm a cripple.

Everyone told me that they were a negative point on my yak, geez now I believe them. :shock:

Now, where's that decorub