Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > TRAVEL Hints and Tips
Back Ache / Back Pain Back Ache / Back Pain
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
TRAVEL Hints and Tips Post your TIPS to travellers - all the interesting little tidbits you learned on the road about packing, where to get stuff, and how to cope with problems. Please make sure the subject describes the tip clearly!
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 9 Jul 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: I S T
Posts: 655
Unhappy Back Ache / Back Pain

Hi friends,

I have a bike that I have ride sometimes. I have to ride it for long hours at some trips. Yesterday I made 650 kms in 8 hours. Stopped 3 hours between.

Long trips make my back ache a lot. Sure yours too.

I know the best solution is have a rest (on bed?), yes but what else can be done?
__________________
"where the traveller goes, nobody knows ! "
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 9 Jul 2007
Nomadic1's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Sheffield, UK
Posts: 103
Prevention is better than cure. Most backache is caused by lack of movement in the spine. Therefore think about taking more frequent but shorter timed pit stops, and remember to do some quick stretches just to give the muscles a rest.

Ok you may luck a bit odd, but if it keeps you going....
__________________

Visit my space here
See my photos here
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11 Jul 2007
-
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,342
exercise
whenever you can and stretch.
Drinking water often helps me as does use of an Airhawk.
A good position is the 90-90 or 'L'
Raise your legs and place feet high up agaisnt tree/wall with yer butt as close to tree or wall as you can, support head, relax- stay there about 20 to 30 minutes.
feels fabulous
Get a no nonsense deep muscle massage if you can.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 21 Jul 2007
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
Pain is usually caused by

1) Posture - Adjust your controls, raise the height of yoru bars, better seat
2) Wind blast - Fit a screen or a taller one
3) Lack of movement - Regular stops


I strongly suggest you buy a kidney belt. Not only do they stop yoru kidneys rattleing about, they support your lower back which stops pain.

Works for me !
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 24 Jul 2007
Scavenger07's Avatar
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Suffolk, England
Posts: 28
All the above is true, can I add to it by saying get off the bike every hour (ish) and walk about before the pain starts. It also pays to pull your stomach muscles in and hold them for 20 - 30 second's alternateing for as long as you can, this can be done anywhere at any time. These are the muscles that help suport the spine, NOT the "six pack" they are more for show. (get down on all fours and pull the stomach up, you will see what I mean, do not do sit up /crunch's).
and / or
Get a TENS machine!

I was told to walk through water at chest hight but the physio said a wind blast (short screen) while, uncomfortable actually helped to strengthen the small muscles between the vertibrea? It is a compromise but it works the muscles, just a different take maybe.

All this from a man with 2 & 3 fused vertibrea, two rods and six bolts in his spine,................. biking can be such fun!

To much lying down wastes the muscles, unless you have company, then you can strengthen them...............maybe?

Only 24hours from .......... Scav
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 3 Sep 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Surrey, UK
Posts: 9
After being knocked off a bike from behind, I ended up with more or less constant back pain. I went to see everyone from physios to chiropractors and most recently an osteopath. The osteopath suggested Pilates. Pilates focuses on building your core muscles (that go around right around your abdomen and down to your pelvis). After doing Pilates for about 4 months, I'm even playing squash again and the back is almost completely gone. I can definitely recommend this as a preventative measure to help prevent injuries and aches too.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 4 Sep 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Pilates
Reading Fridayman's recommendations, here's a link for Pilates:-

Free Pilates Exercises for Pilates Training, Instruction and Practice (Pictures)
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 4 Sep 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Mumbai, India
Posts: 188
Back pain is more usually due to poor tone in the abs (stomach muscles). This leads to a poor posture that sets off the cycle.

Apart from strengthening your abs, you could also consider adding some extra padding to the seat (reduces the jolts to your spine). Very effective on many bikes where the seat has been designed to gel with the style, not for comfort. But then some bikes have poor ergonomics and this alone may not be an effective fix.

Ditto kidney belts (umm, kidneys don't "rattle" ), they provide support to improve posture.

But unless there is some intrinsic problem, stomach exercise (esp crunches done slowly and without jerks with knees bent) is your best bet.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 4 Sep 2007
Explorador's Avatar
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: California
Posts: 42
Pilates
I second the Pilates recommendation. I've suffered excruciating back pain in the past and Pilates has kept me completely pain free for the past 5 years. It really does work wonders. Disclaimer: My wife is a cert. Pilates professional
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 19 Sep 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Saudi Arabia
Posts: 173
What Bike ?
What kind of bike are you riding ?
All this muscle talk is ok but prevent the situation first.
I had a 750 Honda Magna that I thought was great but gave me back ache, the bikes I had before didn't and the bikes I have had since didn't, the bike I have now doesn't, V-Strom.
Your riding position is most important, I think the problem with my Magna was that the sit up feet forward position didn't agree with me.
See if you can get trial rides on different bikes to see what is better for you.
Cheers
Ian
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 21 Sep 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Big Bear City, Ca.
Posts: 51
"Test ride" is a good idea - as long as it takes at least a day. What may feel comfortable for a ride around the block (like the Magna) can become torture after a couple of hours. Beware of bikes that have a chiropractor as an optional accessory.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 27 Oct 2007
stuxtttr's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Lutterworth,Midlands, UK
Posts: 574
Wink Back Stretcher
I suffer back pain but i bought this contraption from ebay about £25 delivered and about 10 mins a day lying on the board seems to work wonders for my back.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Back Ache / Back Pain Samy Staying Healthy on the Road 36 16 Dec 2008 15:53
Which Bike to take overlanding on the back of a unimog? Overlandin Which Bike? 10 22 Jul 2007 05:00
Driving back or flying back from India to NL? peerke Route Planning 4 2 Oct 2003 01:49
Germany - Senegal and back with the motorbike Bloody North Africa 2 29 Jan 2002 20:24
Neck and upper back pain while riding Galen Wolfe Staying Healthy on the Road 6 9 May 2001 02:28

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 19:30.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top