Back Support

[buddy]

http://www.mcdavidusa.com/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=93&DEPARTMENT_ID=57

At times when I ride my lower back aches. I know that the problem is weak core (trying to work on it). Do you think if I wore a back support (like the one that is linked) while I rode that it relive some of the pain?

My achy back thanks you in advance.

~buddy

[Hobartlemagne]

http://www.mcdavidusa.com/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=93&DEPARTMENT_ID=57

At times when I ride my lower back aches. I know that the problem is weak core (trying to work on it). Do you think if I wore a back support (like the one that is linked) while I rode that it relive some of the pain?

My achy back thanks you in advance.

~buddy

Id work on muscle/strength building. That brace is not made for athletic breathing. You'll probably
ride worse while wearing it.

http://base.googlehosted.com/base_media?q=http://www.return2fitness.net/products/md493back_large.jpg&size=2&dhm=222c98f5&hl=en
http://www.mcdavidusa.com/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=93&DEPARTMENT_ID=57#

[nscrbug]

I agree...wearing a back support belt like the one pictured may infact, weaken your lower back by not allowing those back muscles to work and get strong on their own. I have lower back issues (a 50% vertebral slippage at L5/S1), so I can definitely relate to low back pain...but I don't think wearing a brace like that, is the answer. I would definitely stick with working your core, especially the deep core muscles of the back, the multifidus. The multifidus are the muscles that run along each side of the spine. You should be able to feel them by locating the boney part of the spine and then moving your fingers just off to each side of that boney portion. It will feel like a "ridge"...that is the multifidus and it is responsible for about 70% of the spine's core stabilization...and it's an often overlooked muscle. It's not easy to contract and isolate this muscle, which is why it's often so weak in those that suffer from low back pain.

[Nickel]

Wow, the multifidus mention triggered a neuron for me.

http://spinacare.wordpress.com/2007/03/25/back-pain-myths-strong-back-muscles/

[nscrbug]

Good article...thanks for the link!

[Apus^2]

A brace will make your back weaker (think of it like a crutch). Have you had a good fit done on your bike? my lower back aches when my seat is to far back (when it has slipped).

[ericgu]

You need Cyclo-Zen. It will give you both exercises and stretches in the "fix the back, stay in the drops".

If you follow the link on my blog (below), I get like $2 if you buy a copy.

[buddy]

Thanks for the info. I have been working on my core. I rode today and it was the best ride I had all year. Great day, great weather (the 15 mph wind made it fun!) and no back pain.

~buddy

[buddy]

You need Cyclo-Zen. It will give you both exercises and stretches in the "fix the back, stay in the drops".

If you follow the link on my blog (below), I get like $2 if you buy a copy.

Eric,

I would like to get a copy of "Cyclo-Zen" and I went to your blog but I could not find how to do the down load. Post the link and I will down load it.

thanks.

~buddy

[aikigreg]

And most weak back issues stem from 2 things:

1. bad posture
2. Weak Abdominal muscles. Hit the crunches and russian twists, boy!

[flip18436572]

2. Weak Abdominal muscles. Hit the crunches and russian twists, boy!

By Russian Twists, are you talking about the one with the bar bell in the corner and used like a baseball bat, the one on an exercise ball, the crunch up twist left-center-twist right- crunch down, or the one where you are already up and do the twist left twist right for "X" amount of times? I have talked to a few different people about the "Russian Twist" and three "Exercise/Fitness Trainers" showed me these different exercise routines for the same named exercise. Very similar, but they work things a little differently by being in different positions.

I decided to do a google search and found these same named with at least 4 different styles. The first one listed was at Mens Fitness, and the others were found on YouTube also.

We have a weighted crunch machine at our YMCA, and I really struggle with that machine, and have quit using it all together.