shooting standing with backtroubles

[yana]

Hi all
Been in bed 4wks now with backproblems. In dutch its called 'spit', dunno whats in english(crick/lumbago?) (acute cramping of the low back muscles).
I'm excersizing slowly offcourse, but I wonder whats wise for the future.
The spit was partly caused by me being over flexible in the joints. Especially ancles and back.
I already shot in a pretty upright standing position. If I use a too backward position, I can feel the spindles? in my back move..

I want to shoot standing again in the future. You see weight lifters with some kinda support band around their lower back. Would something like that be wise? Its not important wether its allowed in matches or not, I dont shoot matches anyway. I dont like a shooting suit by the way, I like to shoot 'free' of hassle. Offcourse I'll have to strengthen my back to avoid spit in the future but it might be wise to use some additional 'protection' for my back? To keep the spindles in place etc?

[GaryN]

I know what you are going through, I also have a bad lower back.
I use one of those belts. I got mine in the local home hardware store. It is for construction people.

gud luk

[RobStubbs]

I would suggest you need proper support otherwise you risk more permanent damage. A shooting jacket would deffinately help as would a back support belt - and since you don't shoot comps it won't matter. I would also suggest proper back strengthening as advised by a physio or doctor.

Rob

[peterz]

Been in bed 4wks now with backproblems. In dutch its called 'spit', dunno whats in english(crick/lumbago?) (acute cramping of the low back muscles).

It sounds a little like "sciatica," and if you get shooting pains into your buttocks and down your legs, it probably is. It's often a disk problem... one of the spinal disks ruptures and presses on the spinal cord. I've had one surgery that fixed it fine for many years, but it's starting again. You have wonderful medical care in the Netherlands; use it! Don't suffer so long that only surgery helps. (and if it is something less nasty, be grateful)

It's part of why I only shoot AR once in a while for fun at home, and why I gave up thoughts of competing. But it doesn't bother me with AP for some reason.

[GaryN]

Peter, the AP stance does not have a back leaning and twisting of the back like the AR stance uses. And an AP is a heck of a lot lighter than an AR. I am also primarily an AP shooter. I shoot AR when I want a break from AP.

[Pat McCoy]

First you have to get healed.

Second, you have to strengthen your core muscles, back, upper and lower abs, and lateral obliques. ALL need to be strong.

Third, back belts actually led to more bad back claims when UPS went to them several years ago, because the back muscles were not kept strong by working them.

[RobStubbs]

First you have to get healed.

Second, you have to strengthen your core muscles, back, upper and lower abs, and lateral obliques. ALL need to be strong.

Third, back belts actually led to more bad back claims when UPS went to them several years ago, because the back muscles were not kept strong by working them.

I suspect in the latter we are comparing apples and pears. We are talking about support for a short period of time rather than an entire working day. The same philosophy as to why weight lifters use them - they put them on for the activity and remove them again afterwards.

Rob.

[yana]

Its not what we call here 'hernia'with spinal damage. I already had a doc check me. Also no leg pain etc. Its purely a back muscle problem, fortunately.
I wouldnt wear the band all day every day, only those few times when shooting standing AR.
I understand that using such band all day every day only weakens muscles.
I'm allready excersizing to gain back muscle strength. Spinal stability that is. Its going better already. When I'm ok, I'm starting regular fitness to progress more.
Any advise to what back band are good and what bands are useless?

[Hemmers]

You see weight lifters with some kinda support band around their lower back. Would something like that be wise?

Those are a solution, but to be used with care. You must remember that they are designed to support very heavy, symmetrical loads for short periods (just the jerk and snatch).

By contrast, in shooting you are supporting a relatively light load for long periods, and the loading caused is assymetric.

The ideal solution would be a proper shooting jacket and trousers which are designed precisely for the job.
If you don't want to splurge that much money - which is understandable if you won't even be competing in them and just shoot recreationally - then potentially one of those belts along with advice from whichever healthcare professional is managing your recovery.

The main thing as Rob says though is to strengthen your core muscles, as it's better to solve the actual problem than to simply treat the symptoms.

[yana]

Thats absolutely the 1st thing, strengthening.
But I cant change the fact I'm hypermobile in my joints (too flexible).
My dad and brother have it too..
;)
I can move my hip waaaaaaaay forward, probably too far with standing AR, I really have to take care. I just can move too far.
A belt might prevent me from moving too far and help keeping those vertebrea from popping out of place.(which they easily do, even without causing pain. I can sometimes feel them going out of place when I go too far with standing AR)