Would backpack cause lower back problems
 

I ride about 2,500 to 3,500 miles a year to work and back, and most of the time I wear a backpack. Sometimes it is heavy and sometimes it is not. I try to fit most of the stuff on my rear bikerack. My trip to work and back is probably about 2 1/2 hrs. round trip. Sometimes when I get to work in the morning my back feels a little sore. Most of the time it is not sore, but I stretch it out when I get to work every day.

It seems every year around this time I have to go into the chiropractor and have my lower back adjusted. It seems it gets a little twisted. I asked the chirpractor if wearing the backpack would twist it and he did not think so, because I ride so much. the injury is not something that has to be built up to it. So, I thought I would ask all those experienced riders out there. what they think.

I have found that the type of backpack can have an affect. (I don't know about long term injury, but in the short term anyway).

When I wear a generic backpack, I always get pain in my lowerback... like a soreness/stiffness kinda thing. When I wear my fancy schmancy hiking day-pack (a small pack from Eastern Mountain Sports) I never get back pain. I think this is because the hiking pack fits closer to my back, and the back of it is stiffer so the weight never shifts around while I'm riding.

I had a random jansport backpack starting out commuting, and recently upgraded to a (neon orange) Ogio Atrix backpack. It fits well, and it's not as sweaty as the jansport. I think the backpack really matters. I've also had a timbuk2 laptop messenger bag, and i'm not sold on messenger bags at all. They flop around even with the stability strap, and just didn't work for me.

I personally think it has to do with the change of seasons to colder weather. I have several degenerated/herniated discs that give me no grief when cycling / commuting 2 1/2 seasons of the year. Come the cooler weather and I start hobbling like an old man! Thank goodness for ThermaCare!

Not to be the bearer of bad news but the chances are your back might be out of whack more than you realize - you just feel it more in cool/cold weather?

Ah, them ol' bones. Gotta love 'em.

I have scoliosis, so I have some form of back pain at most times. I have used several different backpacks, but the ones I like the most sit higher and have a sternum strap. The Banjo Brothers commuter backpack is the best backpack I have ever owned, and it's definitely worth the $80 I spent.

+1 on the higher and closer fit being better. I use a Novara Commuter pack I got from REI, and it fits me very well. I load mine heavy from time to time and it doesn't shift around. Is it possible that it's just fatigue? On long rides I sometimes get lower back pain and have to do some on-bike stretching to get relief.

Generally, if your Chiro says it's not the bike then you're probably good. It might just be time to start doing Yoga or some other core strengthening stuff.

Steve

I have three popped discs on my lower spine. I've been riding with a 10 lb. pack for years
with no problem. Occassionaly, I'll use a rubberized duffle bag with shoulder straps.
I'll load it with 30 to 40 lbs. of gear and peddle 5 or 6 miles. It could be that I'm kinda
muscular and my back muscles support my spine.
I don't think commuter packs get much ergonomic design for hauling a lot of weight.

A hiking pack depends on the hip belt to support the weight. A sternum strap keeps the
shoulder straps from sliding on your shoulder. A decent shop will size you with a pack
that fits the length of your spine for a more efficient fit.

If the commuter market increases, a better pack may appear.
I sure hope that I don't need it.:)

Maybe someone who went to medical school could give you a more informed answer.

They don't get much training in these matters.

check these out. May or may not help.

http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/5274.html

http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/hern...ptureddisk.htm

http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/backpain/a/backpain.htm

http://www.google.com/search?q=backp...e=utf8&oe=utf8

http://www.drpaul.com/factsheets/backpack.html

http://www.framingham.com/news/healt...r_children.htm

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/ma...ticlekey=16151

Basically do a google search, "Backpack injuries" for more...

I don't like to have anything on my back and when I do take my laptop home from work in the computer backpack, it kills my back and I often consider throwing on the side of the road.

try a cheap fix first. Tie wrap a milk crate onto your rack, toss in your backpack and ride for awhile. If it feels better invest in some paniers. I've been doing the milk crate since June and it's kinda like having a pickup truck. I just toss stuff into the back, if I start to overheat on a ride I can peel a layer at a red light and stuff it in the crate. Too much weight, and it makes the bike a little wobbly.

+10

[QUOTE=Silverexpress;7682655]Recommend

1. See a back specialist who has a Medical Degree...aka MD.
2. Do some research on Chiropractors on the net. In fact, perform a search here on bike forums using the word Chiropractor.

Here's some more research:

http://www.drburk.com/magna-report.html The results here are typical of the studies that compare Chiropractic to Allopathic care (what your MD does)

http://www.vitalityweb.com/chiro/studys1.htm more of the same here...

get a rear rack, and strap your backpack there when you ride.

that is what i do, for my long sections of my trip.

for short ones i keep the backpack on my back.

As mentioned already by others, having a backpack can have some effect to some degree or another.

but most importantly, is how you Sit and ride on your bike.

Thanks for all the help. I had a milk crate on. I really liked it because my back was not sore with all the stuff on it, but it broke. I guess I will have to put another one on it.

Thanks again