More fun than a Chiropractor.

Has anyone noticed Windsurfing being good for back problems? Like easing pinched Sciatic nerves. Just Curious,

Nothing like a good session when my back is complaining. Worse thing for the typical muscle spasm type back pain is bed rest. That said, actual spinal degeneration might develop catastrophic problems with the efforts (or crashes) of windsurfing.

Jack (Sarasota)

Before I learned how to prevent, avert, and/or cure my back spasms (so far), it was a given that each season would see one or two one-week sessions of excruciating pain when my lower back 'went out' (S-I joint spasms in my case). At each 'attack's' peak 2-4 days, I could not walk, at least not upright. For a day or three I was unable to get around without extreme pain; I had to crawl sometimes. Only two things relieved the pain: sitting in a good automobile seat (I'm precisely the height they're designed for) and settling into a reach in a harness. Both of those switched off the pain instantly and completely. One PT told me the fact that good lumbar support switched off the pain was a good sign that nerve impingement was unlikely; sciatica may be a different animal.

Mike m/

RE/

Based on both personal experience and some of the tales from my neighbor-the-litigation-lawyer, I would advise the utmost caution when getting the services of a chiropracter.

I'm sure that some are perfectly ok. But I can tell you for sure that among the others are some wild and crazy guys. I walked into the office of one, almost had to be carrried out. Took me several weeks to recover.

RE/

Did you find something?

I searched 'Web' and 'Groups'. All I came up were a series of posts to rec.windsurfing by some wacko named 'Cresswell' going on about his miracle cure of a locked rib.

At least he kept his story straight from post-to-post....

Yeah, that guy's a total whack-job. Disregard anything he says. On the other hand there's this dude named Chris. See if he's written anything on the topic. He seems to be spot-on with virtually all of his observations.

Dave in Charlotte.

says...

I was having problems with sciatia so I finally went to one, told him he was a quack, and asked him to prove me wrong. He did! Now I go about once a year. He only touches my back though. He started out with the neck thing but I cut that out pretty quickly. I figured if it wasn't broke...don't break it.

Happy Holidays, In regards to the scatia; does this ever create a tingling up an arm? i had what felt like a knot in my back that seem to hurt just as I got back from a week of windsuffering in early November, than spent a weekend doing some vigorous exercise.n It started with the right thumb getting kind of numb, than it was a tingling up the arm. it was very bothersome especially when bending to pick something up it seems to have gotten better, but it still worries me becuase stretching, icing, and windsurfing didn't seem to help- only time. My chiropractor friend (and windsurfing fanatic!) has dome some stim thrapy on it but it didn't seem to help. anyone know what it might have been? thanks

says...

I doubt it although I'm no expert. The sciatic nerve feeds the legs. Sounds like you might have something going on in the neck area.

Sounds like fleas and lice, or 2 diseases if you prefer. Your thumb symptoms could be related to your neck as Glenn suggests, or more likely secondary to carpal tunnel syndrome with median nerve compression at the wrist. See someone in sports med or occupational med if you want it evaluated further. If it went away, I would not worry about it, except maybe trying to avoid whatever it was you were doing that made it flair up. Kinda like that old Groucho bit: 'Doc, it hurts when I do this' 'Don't do that' bs (I also would not take medical advice from somebody who signs his posts 'bs'

My PT told me tingling and numbness should be professionally evaluated and treated ASAP, lest the nerve become chronically or even permanently damaged.

Mike m/