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I have 4 crushed vertebreaes plus an herniated disc. The crushed part is now causing arthrosis. My back is really shot. Still i can kitesurf pretty agressive. In my case a waist harness would be dangerous as the lateral pull on the middle back could do some real damage.

Staying lean and exercising can make a big difference. Kiting will work you out but it isnt like a specific program that will work the required muscle to protect your spine.

If i gain weight and stop working out the pain gets back really fast. Waist or seat ??? Try it and you will see what is best for you.

Another thing is the fact that seat harness are associated with beginner, so even if it isnt appropriate for them some people will ride with a waist harness.

I had a 3 month run of back/leg pain recently from a bulging disc and have had it before.

I find the waist harness best for me as I feel it stretches out my back, especially when boosting.

I did the docs, physios and anti inflammatory drugs but just seemed to get temp relief and it wasn't till I started icing the disc with a good stretching routine that it got better. At first I iced it for 15-20min 3 times a day but now i just stretch everything out and the ice it once a day.

I do my best to avoid the compression of heavy landings, make sure your kite isn't too 'droppy'.

Agree zeek. There is no miracle cure except a disciplined routine of stretching morning and night, with certain antiinflammtaries including ice, the simplist and best of all.

Get those hamstrings really supple. An occasional visit to a Chiro to align the spine and stuff helps to. But honestly prevent rather than cure. Although some of the back injuries above well they sound terrible. But stretching routinely for me is the key. If I miss a week, go out kiting, bang something goes.

And yet was highly disciplined this summer and not one problem.even to the point of getting myself out of bed if I had forgot to stretch. Can be a form of meditation and quite time to I find.

The best thing I ever did was go to an orthopaedic surgeon. He pointed out the part in the MRI that was causing the pain. Then he said there was nothing that could be done about it. Nothing I could do would make it worse. It was chronic condition. Take pain killers if necessary (paracetamol). Get on with life.

The sports medicine person was good because she made the original diagnosis that the surgeon confirmed (independently).

Stretching? Won't hurt and probably does some good.
Chiro/acupuncture/osteopath/physio/chinese herbalist? Nothing wrong with a good back rub, especially if she's cute. Won't do any harm except to your bank balance. I got a good laugh out of the chinese medicine guy

I've learned to control mine by doing the opposite of a lot of this advice. Stretching my hip flexors every day has had a huge impact and when I do core work, I do a lot more lower back now. Basically, according to my chiropractor, I had a muscle imbalance, which was causing my hips to rotate and put pressure on the nerve. It still flairs up occasionally, but doesn't last very long.

alpower wrote:I've learned to control mine by doing the opposite of a lot of this advice. Stretching my hip flexors every day has had a huge impact and when I do core work, I do a lot more lower back now. Basically, according to my chiropractor, I had a muscle imbalance, which was causing my hips to rotate and put pressure on the nerve. It still flairs up occasionally, but doesn't last very long.

This is true for most people!!!!! I have three naturally fused vertebrae and herniated discs. I was told by three dr to get surgery. Many years of incredible pain. Go see a body specialist and get your legs stretched!!! Please!! A foam roller helps me alot too. I could barely walk for a long time but after an hour and half of stretching from a pro I walked out 110%. i was severely imbalanced! don't put up with pain anymore.