Back pain and racing

I've been doing the inversion thing for a week now. Five minutes in the morning and another five at night. It's been an amazing difference and I'm sleeping a lot better, too. I wish I bought one of these years ago.

Neuro surgeon blamed by back pain on my 18 month old son. She says child seats are evil. Long story short I'll be doing PT 3 days a week for the near future. Fortunately, we have a health club at work with a PT facility. After about a week off, and some muscle relaxers and vicodin, I feel a lot better. Haven't even taken an advil since friday. Hopefully the PT will do the trick. Neuro surgeon says that if I go back to her office she's going to cut me up. What is really bizarre is that it is going to cost me more in co-pays to do the PT than to have the surgeon cut me up. This whole ordeal had delayed me finishing my race car too....which really pisses me off.

A properly installed harness should not compress your back. How about a molded to your body shape for a seat ? Ask Jeff Gordon. I understand he has been racing with a bad back for awhile.

Just had my first PT visit. I think that will work pretty well. I want one of those electronic stim machines. Fealt so damn good I could nearly take a nap. Think I could make one out of an old car battery charger?

I have an e-stim unit. It's just hard to get it on the right spot on your back without help.

Well, my wife has been saying we need to do more stuff together.

sachilles wrote: Well, my wife has been saying we need to do more stuff together.

Get the inversion table.

In reply to sachilles:

Hi,

     I've been taking chiropractic treatment in Bakersfield, CA, I do feel some what better now. My chiropractor was very friendly and cordial.

If your pain was unbearable and can't be cured with Med's then see a chiropractor asap.

I've had mediocre chiros, good chiros, and one amazing "this man is a GOD" chiro. Like earthquakes, it's a logarithmic scale. If you don't feel like your chiropractor is doing anything for you, try another one.

sachilles wrote: Long story short, I have a couple of herniated discs in my lower back. Going to see a neuro surgeon at the end of this week as one is impinging on a nerve root. Just wondering how many of you have had or continue to have back ailments and wonder how it affects your racing addiction. What have you done to modify your car to make it more comfortable? Wish I could say I injured it doing something glorious, but appears to have happened standing up from the seated position.

I can recommend to you that it can be seeing with a doctor or have some chiropractic Southampton therapy. It is the best way to get off the back pain and led to it's normal way.

The harness is installed wrong if it compresses the back.

For the lower back, I found that doing squats helps a lot.

I've also got lower back disc problems, as well as problems with discs in my neck and some shoulder issues. This has been going on for years, and now they are getting arthritis in them.

As mentioned before, lose weight if it is an issue, and strengthen your core. Also, not mentioned is to drive a soft race car. Give up on the shifter karts, F500's, etc. I spent awhile in an open wheel car, and every bump would send pain up my spine. Driving a full size car took most of that out. Having a good seat also helps. Make sure you have a good seat in whatever you drive, and test one if needed. Not all race seats are the same, just like not all back issues are the same for everyone.

My biggest problem though came when I was driving a car with a full cage, getting in and out of the car. Once inside and driving was ok, but climbing through the bars took a real toll. If you are going to have a car with a full cage, get it custom made and test fit with the builder as you go along. You don't want to compromise on safety, but an inch here and there can make a huge difference!

zombie thread, canoe deleted

Hey Guys,

  I'm a chiropractor up here in Maine.  I practice a certain technique called Cox that is specific for herniated discs and generally screwed up backs.  If you are looking for a chiro that deals more with discs, I would try someone who does this technique.  I have other chiro's refer in to me as I have the training and equipment to deal with these issues.

  For me, I have had three serious back injuries--what can I say, I'm clumsy!  The last injury destroyed the disc at l5/s1.  I have no disc left and this technique let me heal without surgery.  I'm only an auto crosser, but my back has never stopped me from doing anything.  I do keep up with treatment and I am pretty thin.

It's not easy for those of us with lousy backs, but it doesn't have to slow any of us down.