Hi all you injury prone old fart born again sup surfers (me included) and any others who may have hurt their lower back supping. Had a fair bit of pain recently in one side of my lower back, particulary when sitting, but no noticable change in flexibilty. Normally when the back goes it's time for a lie down but this is worse when I'm sitting around. Hmmmm? So xrays and doctor says it's my si joint which is normally associated with infections (which I odn't have) as it is not an actual flexing joint like the rest of the back. As supping is a new sport he was wondering if the use of paddle on a wave allowing huge torque to be put on joints not meant to flex could be causing it. So, my question to you guys is .... any one else suffering from this? The doctor I saw said it isn't treatable by a physio and to give up sup surfing... and that's not going to happen. I'm hoping someone else out there has been down this path and has some more insight into the problem. Thanks in advance.

www.paddlemonster.com/2014/07/25/how-to-save-your-back-while-standup-paddling-by-dave-kalama/

Try this,and look at the use of fingers when paddling

CarterSUPhysio said..

MickMc said..
Hi all you injury prone old fart born again sup surfers (me included) and any others who may have hurt their lower back supping. Had a fair bit of pain recently in one side of my lower back, particulary when sitting, but no noticable change in flexibilty. Normally when the back goes it's time for a lie down but this is worse when I'm sitting around. Hmmmm? So xrays and doctor says it's my si joint which is normally associated with infections (which I odn't have) as it is not an actual flexing joint like the rest of the back. As supping is a new sport he was wondering if the use of paddle on a wave allowing huge torque to be put on joints not meant to flex could be causing it. So, my question to you guys is .... any one else suffering from this? The doctor I saw said it isn't treatable by a physio and to give up sup surfing... and that's not going to happen. I'm hoping someone else out there has been down this path and has some more insight into the problem. Thanks in advance.

Hi MickMc,Let me start by saying it's possible you have an SIJ issue. The SIJ (Sacroilliac joint - one on each side of the lower back) is basically a 'force transferring' joint. Because of it's bony structure and loooootsss of strong ligaments, there is not a lot of movement at the SIJ as you mentioned. Can the action of SUP surfing load this joint up - absolutely. If I were you, i'd be getting an assessment from a physio - to suggest a physio couldn't do anything is typical of the medical profession sadly. No disrespect to doctors but they do about 6 weeks of musculoskeletal stuff at uni - we do 4-6 years. I also would not be surprised at all if it wasn't your SIJ - regardless of what the xray says. We could x ray 10000 people your age, some of which would have xrays very similar to yours and yet have no pain at all... Some may have pristine looking SIJs on xray - yet have pain around the SIJ. The best advice I could give you would be to seek an assessment from a physio - preferably one who has at least done a bit of SUP. The very least they will confirm it is an SIJ issue and start the strengthen up what needs strengthening (glutes, lats, deep core, pelvic floor etc etc).If you have any other burning questions, let me know and i'll do my best to answer them!

Bit off topic - this is what I like about SB. I am relatively new to the area and on the lookout for a sports medicine/physio practice that understands my needs. Looks like I have just found it!

G'day mick,
as you know I've had lower back issues which is why I am ona sup in the first place. I'm surprised to hear the doc said what you report, and as my wife is one of the docs here, I would be happy to talk about who knows what about backs down here. I've found a couple of the docs to be excellent, though the best results I have had are with a local osteo who I can put you onto as well ( I have been to over 20 different professionals locally).

I'm surprised that an X-ray gave a good indication of SIJ inflammation given the structure of the SIJ, and that the doc said give supping away. I've found that supping is the best thing for my SIJ and lower vertebral issues. But technique is critical, which brings me to the DK video - I think his advice is only half right. I agree that you should not bend your back, and sadly we see a lot of young blokes and a lot of the top riders bending right over when they paddle. That is going to wreck their backs in the long run. I have seen other "instructional" videos which also promote very poor technique. All that reaching forward might grab you some extra water and a bit more speed, but is terrible for all but the fittest backs and even then is a sure bet to catch up with them later. DKs advice to "hinge" your back is better than to bend it, but you still need to be uber-fit and have a core of iron for this not to cause you damage.

with my back sensitivity like it is, I find the only way to paddle is vertical with no bending, or at least very little bending and then saving it for takeoff paddling at most. Just think, you don't hop on a Pilates reformer and bend your back to make your core muscles build up - you have to stay in the active spine position like standing straight up.

happy to have a chat in the water or carpark one day....and that minion will be for sale real soon!

MickMc said..
Hi all you injury prone old fart born again sup surfers (me included) and any others who may have hurt their lower back supping. Had a fair bit of pain recently in one side of my lower back, particulary when sitting, but no noticable change in flexibilty. Normally when the back goes it's time for a lie down but this is worse when I'm sitting around. Hmmmm? So xrays and doctor says it's my si joint which is normally associated with infections (which I odn't have) as it is not an actual flexing joint like the rest of the back. As supping is a new sport he was wondering if the use of paddle on a wave allowing huge torque to be put on joints not meant to flex could be causing it. So, my question to you guys is .... any one else suffering from this? The doctor I saw said it isn't treatable by a physio and to give up sup surfing... and that's not going to happen. I'm hoping someone else out there has been down this path and has some more insight into the problem. Thanks in advance.

G'Day MickMc.
50 years a surfer, 10 years a sailboarder, 10 years a skier and 10 years a motor cycle tourer. I used to hurt a lot. I have home neck traction. Mick it is all about inflammation and maintenance. 1. buy an egg crate foam underlay for your bed and place it under the mattress protector. This will guarantee blood flow in your back for the 1/3 of the day you are prone. Unbelievable difference over time. Essential. 2. reduce inflammation using drugs...not ice. Over the counter or prescription in constant low doses. Panadol before bed and in the morning if necessary. 3. Use cream rubs. 4 Stretch and reverse usual motion stretch. This has negated the need for hip surgery for me. SUP'ing is a "core" fitness sport and will need some gentle conditioning. I lost 20 kgs in 6 months! Good luck mate. C Ya!

BondiSteve said..

MickMc said..
Hi all you injury prone old fart born again sup surfers (me included) and any others who may have hurt their lower back supping. Had a fair bit of pain recently in one side of my lower back, particulary when sitting, but no noticable change in flexibilty. Normally when the back goes it's time for a lie down but this is worse when I'm sitting around. Hmmmm? So xrays and doctor says it's my si joint which is normally associated with infections (which I odn't have) as it is not an actual flexing joint like the rest of the back. As supping is a new sport he was wondering if the use of paddle on a wave allowing huge torque to be put on joints not meant to flex could be causing it. So, my question to you guys is .... any one else suffering from this? The doctor I saw said it isn't treatable by a physio and to give up sup surfing... and that's not going to happen. I'm hoping someone else out there has been down this path and has some more insight into the problem. Thanks in advance.

G'Day MickMc.
50 years a surfer, 10 years a sailboarder, 10 years a skier and 10 years a motor cycle tourer. I used to hurt a lot. I have home neck traction. Mick it is all about inflammation and maintenance. 1. buy an egg crate foam underlay for your bed and place it under the mattress protector. This will guarantee blood flow in your back for the 1/3 of the day you are prone. Unbelievable difference over time. Essential. 2. reduce inflammation using drugs...not ice. Over the counter or prescription in constant low doses. Panadol before bed and in the morning if necessary. 3. Use cream rubs. 4 Stretch and reverse usual motion stretch. This has negated the need for hip surgery for me. SUP'ing is a "core" fitness sport and will need some gentle conditioning. I lost 20 kgs in 6 months! Good luck mate. C Ya!

Thanks also for all that too Steve. It's great the collective knowledge there is out there on this topic and I feel that I'm getting advice from people who have "been there and done that" Wasn't sure which stretch would be good for this particular condition so might wait till I see the physio, but I'm sure stretching and strengthening will be part of it. I think I'll take a panadol right now and hit the sack.

Oh yeah, Lord Kuz I will not be giving up the sax.

I think the first thing you need to do is find another doctor. After that, find a good sports physio.

PTWoody said..
I think the first thing you need to do is find another doctor. After that, find a good sports physio.

witch doctor would you recommend,
Good advice, I'd recommend Olympic park sports medicine, several Docs, physios, chyro and masseurs all under the one roof. They treat our Olympians (some have been or are elite sportsman and women)and also fixed me in a few visits from osteitis pubis so I guess they're doing something right.

micksmith said..

PTWoody said..
I think the first thing you need to do is find another doctor. After that, find a good sports physio.

witch doctor would you recommend,
Good advice, I'd recommend Olympic park sports medicine, several Docs, physios, chyro and masseurs all under the one roof. They treat our Olympians (some have been or are elite sportsman and women)and also fixed me in a few visits from osteitis pubis so I guess they're doing something right.

Bonus points for the pun Mick. Actually I think he's a good doctor and, as I said, he recommended I talk to others in the same sport to see what they say, so he's prepared to listen and learn, which I respect. I've supped twice since being told not to and I actually feel a bit better .... that hinge bend at the hips rather than curving your lower back as suggested in the Dave Kalama video seems to work and I'm using it not just in supping but tying shoe laces etc. Made a big difference. Thanks Tang and Ron 54. Now here's the bonus .... tried it in my golf swing. (I know, I'm supposed to be resting) 5 pars in a row yesterday in a howling wind and I'm no flash golfer. Hmmm maybe I am now. The secret of golf, how many times I think I've found it!