Lower back pain...

[DitchPanda]

So the past few days I've had some lower back pain after fishing. Its weird while I'm fishing I don't feel pain...maybe a little stiffness..then I get into my truck and have a pretty sharp pain and some cramping in my lower back. So I get out of my truck stretch a little then I'm able to get back in and get on my way. As I'm driving it seems to get a little better and i haven't had pain when I get out of my truck. Then I can go home and hang out on the couch pretty much pain free. Anybody experience these symptoms? What helps? Any suggestions would be appreciated

 

[Tennessee Boy]

Yep.  Seems to come with age.  It was a problem for a while.  My lower back would start hurting after a few hours on the water.  The solution for me is to do exercise to keep my core muscles strong.  

[Jig Man]

What works best for me is to take 2 acetaminophen 500s before I go to the lake and another 2 more in 6 hours.  Otherwise I’ll hurt all day and all night.  If it still bothers me I coat it with lidocaine before bed.

[TnRiver46]

I like a foam roller 

[gim]

Is it a sharp stabbing pain or more of a constant throbbing pain?

 

I’ve pinched a nerve in my back more than once and it’s painful for days on end but every time it happens, it goes away on its own.

[jimmyjoe]

   I used to have lower back pain. At least, that's what I called her. My wife called her "Mom".  ? ? ?   

 

 

   On a serious note ......... I injured my back about 30 years ago. Now, when it flares up, 400 mg ibuprofen does it for me.       jj

[Mike L]

I’m sure it’s nothing serious.
You probably were putting your weight on one leg more than the other trying to balance and make long casts. 
Then add in bending and twisting….and there you go. 
You didn’t realize it while you were out. 
 

By doing that for hours on end you put strain where you normally don’t. 
Take some pain relievers that usually work for you before, during and after you finish. 
 

When you get off the water walk around a little before you add more pressure but in a different way by sitting down. Thats why it hurt more when you immediately sat to drive home. 
 

Trust me

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

[DitchPanda]

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

Is it a sharp stabbing pain or more of a constant throbbing pain?

 

I’ve pinched a nerve in my back more than once and it’s painful for days on end but every time it happens, it goes away on its own.

Its sharp and goes away pretty quickly once I get it uncaught or unpinched

6 minutes ago, Mike L said:

I’m sure it’s nothing serious.
You probably were putting your weight on one leg more than the other trying to balance and make long casts. 
Then add in bending and twisting….and there you go. 
You didn’t realize it while you were out. 
 

By doing that for hours on end you put strain where you normally don’t. 
Take some pain relievers that usually work for you before, during and after you finish. 
 

When you get off the water walk around a little before you add more pressure but in a different way by sitting down. Thats why it hurt more when you immediately sat to drive home. 
 

Trust me

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

I trust you...I agree its probably nothing serious. Just a pain and annoyance for now.

[Way2slow]

Mine started in my mid 20's, I'm now in my mid 70's, let me know if you find a cure.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Medicating the pain is pretty much useless (hiding the issue) and can harm your body in other ways. Maybe your casting style is triggering your discomfort in some way. If your back only acts up when fishing then there is something about your movements causing the issue. More stretching before & during fishing could be of some benefit.

BTW welcome to the club.

[VolFan]

If it’s just from sitting and fishing you probably have a weak or imbalanced core. I have the same problems from sitting to much at the office. A core routine a few times a week really helps, as does some basic yoga if you’re willing to try something different. 

[Bird]

I can tell you first hand that you can't run from age.

Just recently sold my fishing kayak due to the inability to stand up and fish or just move around. 

 

Bought a boat I could move around in and back is thanking me but still, I've learned to live with a little daily back pain.

[Catt]

15 hours ago, Tennessee Boy said:

The solution for me is to do exercise to keep my core muscles strong.  

 

That's the key right there, especially as we get older.

 

A friend of mine who was one of the top 10 Neurologists in the world explained it this way. The spine doesn't stand up on its own, your core muscles support it. 

 

Exercising will not eliminate the pain but it will greatly reduce it. I have 3 ruptured disc & torn ligaments in my lower back, exercising keeps me vertical. I can not do an @A-Jay type workout but I do everything I can just with lower weights.

[A-Jay]

My grandfather used to always say, 

"We go out of this world the same way we come into it."  So much truth right there.

 There wasn't much I could do about the entry, but everything I do today will effect All of my abilities, or lack there of, for tomorrow.

It's all going to go eventually.

However staying lean, flexable and strong helps with balance and promotes confidence.  All of that is so important IMO, especially as we get down the road a bit. Been a priority my entire life and is paying huge dividends right now at 62.

It's never too early or late to improve our deal.

@DitchPanda I hope your situation improves sooner rather than later. 

A-Jay

 

 

[DitchPanda]

Lots of great advice here and I appreciate all of it. The truth is sometimes hard to admit but I know what the real problem is. The problem I have is what alot of us have...I was much more health conscious in my 20s...I worked out watching my diet and therefore was the lightest strongest I've ever been.  8 years ago I got a new job that requires alot of desk seat time, couple that with a sedentary lifestyle at home and I've ended up gaining 60+lbs. What I need to do is a lifestyle change...healthy food options coupled with some good clean exercise like light to moderate weight training plus some walking\running.

 

[gim]

1 hour ago, Bird said:

I can tell you first hand that you can't run from age.

Agreed, no human defies Father Time. Except maybe Tom Brady.

[A-Jay]

8 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Agreed, no human defies Father Time. Except maybe Tom Brady.

TB12 - Impressive what a man can do when he takes care of himself.

A-Jay

[Bluebasser86]

Stretching before and after helps a lot. I have a foam roller and stretches I do. Even still, my duty belt makes sure that my back never feels quite right. 

[newbiedmv]

I have bad bilateral sciatica. I use a heavy flexible weight lifting back brace.

I helps tremendously,  plus gives you two large hooks to hang stuff on.

[PhishLI]

Get flexible by stretching every day and change the game by using this:

 

 

[newbiedmv]

Sorry that belt pic was for my medical brace. The one I'm speaking of it the highest rated non leather weight lifting belt in sports stores. All strong elastic and velcro.  It reduces disk pressure and limits your twist.

[Tennessee Boy]

I keep a back brace in the boat in case I need it.  It really helps.  Braces support your spine the way your core muscles are suppose to.  The problem is if you rely on the support brace too much you're just allowing those muscles to get even weaker making the real problem worse. 

[Kev-mo]

On 10/31/2021 at 8:33 AM, DitchPanda said:

Lots of great advice here and I appreciate all of it. The truth is sometimes hard to admit but I know what the real problem is. The problem I have is what alot of us have...I was much more health conscious in my 20s...I worked out watching my diet and therefore was the lightest strongest I've ever been.  8 years ago I got a new job that requires alot of desk seat time, couple that with a sedentary lifestyle at home and I've ended up gaining 60+lbs. What I need to do is a lifestyle change...healthy food options coupled with some good clean exercise like light to moderate weight training plus some walking\running.

 

Self reflection is one of the harder things to do, good on you!

 

I would start off slowly. 60 extra pounds has stressed your ligaments, tendons, joints along with throwing everything out of balance. Find something you like and can make consistent time for.