Low back

christopher247

Hi

I am planning to do a 35 mile ride with a friend on Thu, with another 60 miles or so on Fri - with change of clothes etc in a backpack.

This lunchtime I hurt my lower back while bending over at the gym.

Finding it hard to bend over, full flexibility, eg to tie my laces, put socks/shoes on.

Will I be ok for Thu?

Perhaps a more pertinent question initally is, what can I do to help me recover in less than two days?!!!

Really want to do this ride!

In terms of my ability, 35 miles one day and 60 the next is not easy for me, but not too hard either, if I was/am fit, won't be a problem..

Thanks..

16mm

If it is OK tomorrow then ride. If it hurts at all don't ride, maybe see a physio.

Looking back from weeks of back pain, physios look cheap.

mask of sanity

I've had back problems for a while due to doing manual labour from a young age and I did some damage a couple of weeks back from using the drops for half an hour straight. I didn't go on my bike for a few days and it seemed to get worse so I just decided to go on a club run anyway with the intention of turning back if it got to much. But after a few miles the pain was gone and I had the best pain free 80 mile ride I've ever had.

It's possible (in my case) that because it was a bike related injury in the first place that meant the ride sorted it out but I wouldn't rule out going at all! Maybe find a short 3 mile or so loop that's near to you're home so you can do it a few times and see how it feels but if the pain gets to much then you're never far from home.

Something I also found helpful was to put a couple of pillows under my knees when I was asleep. This puts your back in a more natural position.If you sleep on your side then get in a foetal position and put the pillow between your knees. Make sure you sit down properly as well as a slouched back will only delay the recovery!

Hope this helps,

Rich.

sonny73

I see a chiro every 3 weeks as I have had lower back and neck probs for years, they give me exercises and stretches to do and have to say those really help if ever I get twinges.
If you can afford to I would definitely look in to such things even for one off probs, as riding for me is more often then not very comfortable (problems wise) as a consequence.

christopher247

Thanks everyone!

I feel better today, not quite 100% but getting there slowly. Going to take it easy tomorrow and see how it goes - can't wait to get out there!

mask of sanity

Glad it's getting better. Hope it's fully recovered for your ride and let us know how it goes

Headhuunter

I did my back in whilst hanging out some washing a few years back, I'd been doing a big tidy up of my flat and had been bending over a lot. All of a sudden something went and I hit the deck and could barely move.

I spoke to a nurse friend of mine who said that the worst thing to do is lie in bed of on the sofa waiting for it to heal as it will sieze up completely. He told me to carry on as much as possible without pushing it too hard. Also did some gentle stretches and I was better in a few days.

I always found that it hurt immediately after getting up in the morning as the muscles stiffened around the injured spot overnight, I needed to do a few gentle stretches to get the muscles to relax a bit.