Cross Country & Low Back Issues
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 80
From: Newburyport, MA
Supporter
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,133
Likes: 147
From: Grays Creek, NC
Looks like your going to have a great trip!
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 158
From: East Coast
My FXRG leather jacket has a built in kidney belt. I hadn't used it and then one day I tried it. It does give additional support to the lower back. I would try and find a belt like this, not leather but a strong/yet elastic 7 or 8 inch belt with velcro so that you can cinch it up as necessary, best of luck (alieve works for me).
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store/fxrg-kidney-belt
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store/fxrg-kidney-belt
Last edited by 68 XLCH; May 21, 2015 at 07:27 PM. Reason: Added Link to Kidney Belt
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
Have had lower back issues most of my adult life and sciatic issues the last 10 years. I figured out how to manage things (for myself) about 7 years ago and have been much happier since then. Some of the things that have made a difference for me (your mileage may vary):
1. Seat makes a huge difference. I have had really good luck with Mustang seats. I use a backrest all the time but even with it, on several different stock HD seats, my back kills me. There is something about the design of the HD seats that just doesn't work for me ergonomically and I've heard that from others as well. If you have a friend with a Mustang...see if you can borrow it for a day.
2. Stretching. I gotta stretch every morning if I am riding. I focus on my hamstrings, glutes, hip-flexors and quads. Don't forget about a quad stretch....tension in your quads impacts your lower back. I also stretch a little throughout the day while riding but I typically try to reserve about 20 minutes in the morning before I put on my gear to get on the floor to loosen up, breath and relax. This seems to help a lot.
3. Relax. The feedback loop is a bitch. You feel stiff or a little pain...so you involuntarily tighten up a bit, which causes more pain, which causes more tension...etc, etc. I think this is one reason Mustang seats work a lot better for me....I feel so much more 'locked in' or 'grounded' on the bike and so I have a tendency to stay more relaxed. I don't take the time to do yoga..but I think it could really help and have considered it.
4. I also take ibu profin sometimes but try to remind myself that while it helps it is also just treating the symptoms, not necessarily the cause.
5. Body mechanics. How I lift things, turn, move in general...it all makes a difference. It takes time to re-learn behaviors but being more conscious of what my posture is like when doing various activities has helped a lot for me over the years.
1. Seat makes a huge difference. I have had really good luck with Mustang seats. I use a backrest all the time but even with it, on several different stock HD seats, my back kills me. There is something about the design of the HD seats that just doesn't work for me ergonomically and I've heard that from others as well. If you have a friend with a Mustang...see if you can borrow it for a day.
2. Stretching. I gotta stretch every morning if I am riding. I focus on my hamstrings, glutes, hip-flexors and quads. Don't forget about a quad stretch....tension in your quads impacts your lower back. I also stretch a little throughout the day while riding but I typically try to reserve about 20 minutes in the morning before I put on my gear to get on the floor to loosen up, breath and relax. This seems to help a lot.
3. Relax. The feedback loop is a bitch. You feel stiff or a little pain...so you involuntarily tighten up a bit, which causes more pain, which causes more tension...etc, etc. I think this is one reason Mustang seats work a lot better for me....I feel so much more 'locked in' or 'grounded' on the bike and so I have a tendency to stay more relaxed. I don't take the time to do yoga..but I think it could really help and have considered it.
4. I also take ibu profin sometimes but try to remind myself that while it helps it is also just treating the symptoms, not necessarily the cause.
5. Body mechanics. How I lift things, turn, move in general...it all makes a difference. It takes time to re-learn behaviors but being more conscious of what my posture is like when doing various activities has helped a lot for me over the years.
Tourer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 251
Likes: 1
From: Bloomingdale, IL
Slightly off topic, but how exactly do these backrests attach? To the seat or the nut holding the seat on? I ask because for me, the most comfortable seat that works for me is my Sick Saddles seat, 2 piecer, but I don't think I can use a backrest with that particular seat.
Just curious because i have a long ride com,ing up and I'm sure a backrest would help out.
Just curious because i have a long ride com,ing up and I'm sure a backrest would help out.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 538
Likes: 24
From: Texas
I just returned from a 2035 mile ride through the south east. My riders back rest and the installation of the heritage style bars made my road king so much more pleasant to ride. i struggled with back pain on the last 3 trips i took and this one was by far the longest i have done. As i stated before, i am also doing the crossfit work out and did many air squats and a few workouts while we were out for 8 days riding the bike. Zero back pain!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,844
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
I had a partial Laminectomy on L4 in 1994. My back doesn't bother me on the bike, because I sit upright. Don't slouch.
Get this book. Very good explanations of how to stretch and improve your posture.
If you work at a computer all day, get a Nada Chair. Works Fantastic. Check the testimonials. Get the Back-Up.
http://www.nadachair.com/how-it-works.html
Get this book. Very good explanations of how to stretch and improve your posture.
If you work at a computer all day, get a Nada Chair. Works Fantastic. Check the testimonials. Get the Back-Up.
http://www.nadachair.com/how-it-works.html
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Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 80
From: Newburyport, MA
Slightly off topic, but how exactly do these backrests attach? To the seat or the nut holding the seat on? I ask because for me, the most comfortable seat that works for me is my Sick Saddles seat, 2 piecer, but I don't think I can use a backrest with that particular seat.
Just curious because i have a long ride com,ing up and I'm sure a backrest would help out.
Just curious because i have a long ride com,ing up and I'm sure a backrest would help out.
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 80
From: Newburyport, MA
I just returned from a 2035 mile ride through the south east. My riders back rest and the installation of the heritage style bars made my road king so much more pleasant to ride. i struggled with back pain on the last 3 trips i took and this one was by far the longest i have done. As i stated before, i am also doing the crossfit work out and did many air squats and a few workouts while we were out for 8 days riding the bike. Zero back pain!