Back Pain

[KungFooBob]

I might be old before my time, but for years I've been getting lower back pain when riding motorcycles for probably more than an hour.

I don't think it's the bike, I've had a few and have a few, all different styles and it always happens eventually.

I'm not convinced it's a fitness thing, but could be wrong. I've done week long biking tours and been as bad on the final day as the first.

I'm wondering if something like a kidney belt might help?

[Cousin Jack]

It might, cheap enough to give it a go. The real problem is the design of human beings is all wrong for walking upright on two legs. IME back pain goes away after a while, sometimes quite a long while. Meanwhile gentle exercise helps.

[Buckaroo]

Core muscle exercises will likely help you. Along with cycling, I do a short session with weights each day to also keep arms and shoulders strong. All helps with motorcycling I find.

[Yorick]

I've had back pain for years. Thankfully, it's eased as time goes on.

[Dodgy69]

Imo, once you've hurt your back, it's weak for life. I hurt my lower back ( Lumbar I think ) at work 30 year's ago. It'll be OK for age's, then one day I lift something, in the garden usually, and the pain is back, after a few careful days it OK again.

Awkward lifts need extreme care, like when you're reaching forward and lifting, but like I said, it'll be weak for life.

[Count Steer]

Is it only riding the bike that does it? Is it actually the same on all bikes? The GS is probably one of the best riding positions - if you're the right size which, iirc, you are.

Could be a number of things including being exacerbated by sitting at a computer all day.

A kidney belt* is worth a try - if it works it would give a hint at what you need to do in exercise terms.

A trip to a decent physio might help too.

* there's a number of options inc a sacroiliac belt, weight-lifter style, wide elasticated - some have braces. I can't see how the sacroiliac belts work but wife says hers does.

[dern]

Book yourself in to see a physio to see if it’s muscular or soft tissue. Our gp allows you to self refer.

I had back pain for years and then was advised to go to a physio. I went and they found an imbalance to one side in the side, gave me some exercises and within a few weeks it was way better.

[KungFooBob]

I'm disappointed that no one has suggested "Man up, Princess".

[asmethurst99]

Fortnine has some exercises
In the meantime man up princess

[Count Steer]

I'm disappointed that no one has suggested "Man up, Princess".

Oh. If you want 'Miss Whiplash' style advice...

'Stop slouching in front of that computer!' Thwack!

[KungFooBob]

I've always got back ache long before arse ache when riding bikes, I've just lived with it. I remember being in agony after a day in the saddle on my R6 back when I was 21.

I've started getting it from picking stuff up wrong recently l, but that's my fault for improper manual handling.

I do slouch a bit on the bike when I'm on the boring straight bits, when the pain kicks in I stretch a bit and sit bolt upright, but it doesn't help much.

I think I'll pickup a kidney type belt, cheap enough if it doesn't make any difference.

[porter_jamie]

I got a kidney belt and it helps. Losing 2.5st helped more. Cutting out sugar and processes carbs also helped a lot. I used to have crippling lower back pain but, generally, it's manageable now.

[Ditchfinder]

Currently sat waiting for my Physio appointment, another 2 weeks to go, as i've developed lower back and hip pain.

It's got to the point where getting on and off the bike and the MTB is agony - even using the cowboy mount technique!

Dr Google is pointing towards SIJ problems but will be happy to take whatever solution works

[Skub]

Book yourself in to see a physio to see if it’s muscular or soft tissue. Our gp allows you to self refer.

I had back pain for years and then was advised to go to a physio. I went and they found an imbalance to one side in the side, gave me some exercises and within a few weeks it was way better.

Probably the best way to go.

A few years back I started hurting myself lifting stuff at work,so I started working on my core. Even something as simple as doing the plank for 2 minutes a day put things right and I'm a shitload older than you. Muscle wastage is a thing at 68.

[Dodgy69]

Get on the Enfield a bit more, I'd imagine that would help.

[Noggin]

Better to find the cause and work on that than mask the problem with a support.

See a decent phsyio, osteo or someone like that. Find out what is weak that is causing the pain and they can give you exercises to strengthen whatever needs work.

Back pain sux - I've broken mine twice (L1 & L2) but luckily not in an area massively connected to lifting, but I am very very aware that I need to work on my core to help my lower back; but the bits that were broken do get affected by the shoulder issues, so at some point I need to ask the physio what I can do to help that area too

[Sadlonelygit]

Getting old, the gift that keeps on giving!