Back pain

[Dave Crampton]

<font color='#000080'>I've been suffering lower back pain on prolonged dive trips. Its right in the small of the back just above my buttox. I have a feeling its because of my weight belt.

My setup is as follows:
Buddy Commando BCD with single 12l
Scubapro 5 velcro pocket weight belt with 13 kg
Typhoon Neo Compressed Neophrene suit.
Medium thickness Weezle.
(I've been told that the weezle whilst being warm is quite lofty and traps air which I have to be balance with weight to sink initially from the surface.

I find that diving a number of dives over a weekend results in lower back discomfort as my weight belt sits right on the small of my back. I have thought about getting a harness but don't know if this will help? Would exercise in strengthening my lower back help?

Dave C

[Dr Stevil]

Yeah, used to happen to me a lot at one time. It's no surprise really as our spine is evolved to be stressed vertically, not horizontally.
The simple solution: don't stay in the one position too long, if you're ever buddied with me you'll notice that during a dive I'll do barrel rolls, or fin on my back or go delibrately inverted etc this is to give my back a bit of a rest from the constant tug of a 12kg weightbelt (for sea diving). Works for me until I get around to making/buying one of those &quot;alphabet&quot; weights for the twinset (note avoiding the discussion on whether it's a P or a D or whatever letter weight )

HTH
Steve

[aclivity]

<font color='#810541'>in your pocket weight belt, do you have shot or hard weights? &nbsp;I used to get a bit of a backache with the hard weights, with the shotbelt it hurts less.

Andy

[Andy Phillips]

As Steve said, but, I switched to a weight harness and that eliminated it. I then mounted all but 4Kg's on the wing, and that also removed it.

Andrew

[MATTBIN]

Dave
Having just spent a few days crippled with back pain you have my sympathies. As already said shot is better than hard stuff and a harness is better still as it rests in a different place. Can you get any of that weight onto the tank etc rather than your belt.
Steve is also correct excercide is vital, both pre/post dive and during. It may be worth your while visiting a physio to get some excercises specific to your needs. It will be cheaper than needing several visits cos you've done your back in.

HTH
MAtt

[Phill]

&quot;prolonged dive trips&quot; Remember a &quot;girdle&quot; pain is a classic DCI symptom.

[Mark Davies]

<font color='#000080'>I've got a bust disc in that part of my back - had it since before I started diving. It can be murder, but it shouldn't be a problem if you look after it. I've always used integrated weights so that I wouldn't have the weight of a belt across my spine. There are some disadvantages though, so maybe a harness would be a good place to start.

When I next see you remind me to show you some of the exercises I do to look after my injury. However, there's nothing to beat lying on your back with your knees bent and feet on the floor, just rolling your knees fron side to side. Sorts most niggles out.

[Mdemon]

Moving weights might help, but I use a v-weight and have still had problems.

I saw a physio for similar symptoms.  This worked for me, but might not for you if you have different probs:

1) Stand up.  Both hands on small of back.  Lean back with head forward (or you fall over) and hold for 10.  Repeat until bored.

2) Assume the press up position. Raise your upper body (hyper-extend) without using hands.  Use hands once you're stuck.  The idea is to keep your nads on the floor as much as possible.  10 reps. As many sets as you can be bothered to do.  I do one set, but very slowly.

I do them at night if I've had a twinge during the day.  Other than that, get to the gym, go running and warm up and down.  And get the lazy b*gger in your LDS to hump your tanks about - he's paid to shift 'em!  


HTH

[Rick Huggins]

<font color='#0000FF'>Dave,

I'd go with the concensus of shot/harness setup. I've recenly bought a bowstone harness and can vouch for it, in fact, you hardly know your wearing weight. Trim is also bob on now

Failing that, pump yourself with bruffen (when topside) a good anti-inflamitry, you should know that

[Diving Dude]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (dcrampt @ Feb. 09 2004,13:19)]Would exercise in strengthening my lower back help?

Definately.

Similar to Mdemons,
Lie face done on the bed, clench buttocks, raise one leg 6&quot; hold for 10 seconds then lower, raise other leg 6&quot; hold for 10 then lower, then both together and repeat sequence for say ten times then gradually increase, only takes about 10 mins per night, beleive me your back will improve dramaticly.

Another one is to lay on your back and raise your middle torso and hold for 10 and lower and repeat.