Lumbar Support

[Stacey Steve]

I suppose it's age and how I've lived my life but I am increasingly suffering from back pain, to the point where it's been difficult to walk.

Obviously with three allotments to work and a dalmatian to walk, this has caused problems.

I started thinking about the possibility of a lumbar support. Now I know that weight lifters use a belt to protect their backs when lifting but as they seem to take this off each time, I suppose these are not ideal to wear for hours on end while digging etc.

Does anyone else have this problem and use some sort support?

Now please remember I'm male and 58 years old, so please don't suggest a corset, it would not be a pretty sight.

[zazen999]

Hi
Having suffered back pain for all my 40 years [due to being dropped as a baby and my pelvis being out of alignment for most of it], have you thought about a chiropractor. Mine has halped my back pain no end over the last few years - I went to her for the elbow issues [broke it 3 years ago] and came out with no back pain!

[HeyWayne]

Before going out and buying bits of kit, could I suggest that you do some stretches before and after doing any work on the allotment - concentrating on the hamstrings (back of thighs) in particular.

Having had various back problems myself over the years I have purchased many different items to help alleviate the problems. In most cases for me, they didn't really help the situation - often compounding a problem by not treating the cause.

My last physio/chiro/osteo dude caused me somewhat of a revelation - his words to me were "if I do my job correctly, I won't need to see you again" - that was just over 2 1/2 years ago and I haven't been back since.

He taught me a number of stretches to help counter the tightness and discomfort I was feeling in my back.

He recommended this book to me: Amazon.co.uk: Stretching: Bob Anderson: Books and it has honestly been the best item I've bought.

I must stress that it has worked for me (and anyone I know who has had similar problems), but professional help is probably the best course of action as a first step. These people train for years to look for and solve problems, I am merely speaking from personal experience. I also had an operation on my back to correct three "slipped" discs some years previous.

Good luck and I hope it gets better soon.

[FionaH]

I had a stretchy neoprene back support when I used to ride horses. Back probs caused by falling off the darn things too much! It helped to support my back and keep my posture correct The equine chiropractor helped lots as well.

I saw a post on here the other day about a plot that needed no digging, lots of mulching if I remember correctly. Cant remember where it was though. I was intrigued as I have a damaged elbow and digging is getting increasingly difficult and my sons seem to vanish when any needs doing.

[lainey lou]

Wayne is right, Stretching has gotta be the way to go. Reflexology is great too, I see loads of people with back pain and almost always shift it for them.

[Two_Sheds]

Yoga-type stretching is good, esp. The Cobra for lower back pain.

You should avoid bending forwards at the waist (like you would for weeding or touching your toes). Instead, bend your knees, even kneel to reach your weeds/toes

As for supports/corsets etc, they shouldn't be used for long because they make the muscles lazy, and you end up even worse off

[Stacey Steve]

Thanks for the advice.

I'll investigate stretching, used to have to do it before and after athletics, although that was 40 years ago now but I suppose it always holds true but it's funny what you forget or don't apply to other situations.

It was the evil sods at work who were suggesting corsets (it's their minds) but told them, I don't think the suspenders would be long enough to grip my wellies. Sort of a Rocky Allotment Show.