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  • #1

    Bad Back Story

    Since taking on my allotment in February this year I have done a lot of work turning it into a productive vegetable plot and have been able to refresh my tired muscles with good old radox and a rest.

    Last Sunday I was there early intending to do a bit of weeding and general tinkering when I noticed the chipped bark pile had been replenished so I decided to top up my paths. After 10 or 11 wheelbarrows I went back for one last fill, the spade went in but I think I was standing at such an angle that an intense pain struck in my lower back. The pain was so intense I had to stand still for a minute or so until it subsided a little.

    I saw a chiropractor the following day who has made a difference (but that is a story for another day after a therapy session or two - very surreal and quite disturbing!!) but due to the experience I am not going back. I am going to see a sports physio tonight to get some tips on exercises/streches etc.

    I 'm a sprightly 38 year old so don't want to have to give up before I start.

    Does anyone have any tips/hints/tales of woe that may help?????
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  • #2
    Originally posted by Parsleythelion View Post
    Does anyone have any tips/hints/tales of woe that may help?????
    Course. Get the wife to do it silly

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    • #3
      I think you've probably just opened the flood gates, there must be loads of bad backs, strains and pains out there. I have two sons and a SIL around your age, so I find it best to ask them to do any strenuous work. Not that they're always willing you understand.
      Granny on the Game in Sheffield

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      • #4
        callanetics

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        • #5
          Or perhaps Calisthenics.

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          • #6
            Hot water bottle on your lower back before going to sleep,always helps.)

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            • #7
              Originally posted by Tam View Post
              Or perhaps Calisthenics.
              too energetic for a bad back

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              • #8
                Originally posted by Parsleythelion View Post

                Does anyone have any tips/hints/tales of woe that may help?????
                Bend your knees, not your back (you'll bogger your knees, but you've got two of them)
                All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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                • #9
                  As a sprightly 37 yr old with back problems I manage mine through pilates. The theory is that strengthening your core supporting muscles will help take strain off your back when lifting/bending etc. Since injuring my back while skiing 5 years ago I've suffered with low level pain when bending or carrying heavy things. And then I fell over at a fitness bootcamp last autumn sustaining a disc herniation in the process... I've always followed a 'no dig' regime for my kitchen garden and my hubby does any compost turning or carrying pots/bags of compost that I require. That said, a big dose of diclofenac and a gin and tonic often helps.
                  come visit a garden
                  or read about mine www.suburbanvegplot.blogspot.com/

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                  • #10
                    I fully empathize Parsley. I have been going to the Chiropractor every 6 weeks for the last 4/5 years even when there is no pain. His advice was to alternate between hot & cold ie a hot bath one day, a bag of frozen peas the next. Good luck, there's nowt worse for a gardener (in my opinion) but then I've got to meet Arthur. I've heard he is painful.
                    sigpic“Gorillas are very intelligent, but they don't have to be as delicate as chimps -- they can just smash open the termite nest,”
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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by taff View Post
                      callanetics
                      Yes, callanetics or Alexander technique - strengthen your stomach muscles and increase your flexibility, and bad backs become a remote memory in my experience.
                      Last edited by mothhawk; 13-07-2011, 06:23 PM.
                      Location - Leicestershire - Chisit-land
                      Endless wonder.

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                      • #12
                        ^ if only

                        (although regular strengthening exercises will definitely help to keep anyone mobile for longer)
                        Last edited by Two_Sheds; 13-07-2011, 06:24 PM.
                        All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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                        • #13
                          my thinking is that if a 72 year can do it, I should be able to do it too. Got rid of my sciatica sharpish, time to start doing it again methinks...although the video is terrible terrible terrible, it's so eighties it makes me want to upchuck....I don't care about a beautiful tight body or a bum like a peach, I want to walk without my legs collapsing under me

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                          • #14
                            Thanks for all your hints and tips...hot baths, hot water bottles, ice packs and bending properly (although my knees aren't great after 15 years of playing in goal at the weekend for local footie teams!!!) will now be part of my life

                            Originally posted by Aberdeenplotter View Post
                            Course. Get the wife to do it silly
                            Thanks Aberdeenplotter....I tried that but got very strange comments from other plot holders making a 20 week preganant woman do all the work while I was sitting down giving "instructions"

                            I went to see a physiotherapist last night who assessed my problem and has given me some exercises to stregthen my back. Along with a bit of rest (even though I am twiching so much to get back to my lottie that I look blurred) I should get back to normal in time.......

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Parsleythelion View Post
                              Does anyone have any tips/hints/tales of woe that may help?????
                              Warm up. Bent knees, straight back. Use your big muscles to do big work, not your little ones. And if it starts to hurt in a bad way, stop.

                              I've broken every single one of those rules and it hurts every time!

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