End, who knows!

[Kerplunk]

At the age of about 18 i started having to go to the chiropractors every 6 months, but against all logic my back is actually getting better!! My chiro says its a combo of riding and weight training to improve my back muscles.

I don't know if this will inspire you or make you feel worse! sorry if it's the later.

I agree with this. I had a really dodgy lower back when I was younger, NHS at the time told me not to exercise. Chiropractor sorted it out. Still not 100% and never will be but regular visits mean its manageable.
Pilates is also great for it but you have to put up with being the only man in a room full of middle aged women pretending to get fit between cake eating sessions.

 

[orange71]

you have to put up with being the only man in a room full of middle aged women pretending to get fit between cake eating sessions

if what I have read of Al's posts in the past are anything to go by, I think he could manage that OK (mainly the bit about cake)

 

[Andy B]

Al I kinda know how you feel, I have arthritis in my back & it is a real PITA, quite literally. Have you seen your GP? Are you on any medication or treatment for your back?

I used to suffer quite a bit on an aluminium framed hardtail, but once I'd bitten the bullet & went for a modern full susser the pain levels decreased considerably, maybe a softtail or retro susser might work for you?

I've just bought a steel hardtail to see if I can cope with it on shorter local rides, but the modern sofa is still the ride of choice for longer more technical riding.

 

[Dr S]

Try Heroin

 

[jimjim2012]

Try Heroin

Only works if you ride a recumbant.

 

[big.eck]

really sad to read that i'm an ex rugby player 6foot 4 tall and just over 19 stone , last game of rugby i played i burst 4 discs on my lower left back that still leak every so often . i always had 14/15" jump bikes with huge forks , but one day like yourself i decided enough was enough and stopped riding bikes .

a few weeks later (as bordem kicked in) i decided to buy a modern-ish full sus dh frame as i like jumping and wheeling and it's done the trick for me don't get me wrong , i have to lift huge bits of metal at work and my back still hurts from that but i can honestly say that by changing frames it has'nt half made a diffrence pain-wise for me . i can now lose half a day on a bike without feeling the need to lie down curled up in a ball in pain.......

all my xc bikes are full sus too and for me it's the diffrence between cycling and not cycling.........

sorry for slavering away but i honestly think you should give a full susser a try

 

[al]

Man up you puff

Your back only hurts due to lack of core muscle , sort that out and get the flexibility back with yoga ; Not that I put my back out 7 years ago or anything

I'm not a puff,I just look and sound like one!

You know when things just become a pain in the ass? well of course you do Perry!

Well riding Isn't a pleasure anymore. so I'm having a break,May be a few weeks,maybe a few years ,who knows.

 

[ratch]

Man up you puff

tea spitting moment!

You cant say that!!

Yep +1 :shock:

I'm mopping coffee up as i speak........... well type :roll:

 

[poiuy1]

Man up you puff

:roll: :roll: :roll:

 

[Neil]

Man up you puff

Your back only hurts due to lack of core muscle , sort that out and get the flexibility back with yoga ; Not that I put my back out 7 years ago or anything

I'm not a puff,I just look and sound like one!

You know when things just become a pain in the ass? well of course you do Perry!

Well riding Isn't a pleasure anymore. so I'm having a break,May be a few weeks,maybe a few years ,who knows.

I know how you feel about that, I had an injury, some years back, that put me off being in the saddle.

In the meantime, whilst your not biking, is there anything you can do to help your back - don't just think about it being a problem for cycling, it'll only get to be more of a problem while you age.

Core strength might be contributory, and a sports physio may be money well spent?