So after a really good spring last year where I was kiting every day I developed severe lower back pain most likely from a poorly fitting harness. After an MRI I was diagnosed with a L4/L5 degenerated disc. After a year, and many sessions of physical therapy it has shown no signs of letting up and every day of kiting will lead to several days of back pain. I realize most of you would immediately say seat harness (or the Nitrous shorts). I gave those an honest try and I just can't maintain the center of balance that I get from waist harnesses in the surf so that isn't an option. I did upgrade to a very nice Ion Apex harness and have been wearing a cheap elastic back brace underneath which has definitely helped but is still not enough, especially on the gusty days. Just curious if anyone has had a similar issue and has tried a rigid brace underneath their harness. One I have my eye on is the DonJoy LSO. Seems like that would displace the pressure from my L4/L5 region, especially when the harness rides up. Before I make the investment I'd like to hear your thoughts and/or experiences.

I'm also suffering from lower back pain resulting from degenarating disk. The only, and I mean only, thing that stop the degeneration and pain is a seat or the Nitrus shorts. I am now using a B2 from Ion. I also like the waist better but my back just won't take it. It sucks but if I want to ride I have no choice.

Sorry to hear about your back problems. Maybe not enough kiters with this problem that a kite harness manufacturer has addressed it seriously.

I have not tried it but perhaps a sailing trapeze harness would work, or at least shed some more light on what might work with some "head scratching". I have a Magic Marine hiking harness for cat and skiff sailing and it's pretty comfortable to lay into. Have a look

http://www.magicmarine.com/products/Rac ... /Harnesses

Gill, Zhik, and a few other companies might also have products worth looking at.

Just out of curiousity I will try my Magic Marine harness one of these days.

At any rate it sounds like a good opportunity for someone to come up with a new idea for kite harnesses.

I hope you guys can find a solution to mimimize the pain and suffering.

I have 2 discs that are part of the infamous club.

I obviously don't know your back, but what helped me is doing a little yoga...the non-spiritual stuff. Just doing some of the exercises. I use waist harness tighten the shit out of it.

Yoga is the best thing you can do for lower back problems.

Stay away from painkillers and braces like the plague.

Other things to look into:

Prolothrapy.

Treating the are with DMSO

Shiatsu therapy.

A combination of these will be so much better than western medicines aproach to back pain.

You need to take some of the pressure off the disks. The best way to do this is to re establish the hydrostatic structure of the abdomen and core. To do this you have to do several things.

First is build up strength in your core without stressing it. Yoga is the best way to do that.
See if you can find a Yoga class that has a focus on people with aches and pains.

You need to build lower ab strength again without stressing the spine. Best way to do this is leg lifts while holding your weight on your elbows in a vertical position.

last thing... you need to improve the health of your gut. The muscle groups in the front of the spine lean right up against the gut. Crap in the gut will diffuse toxic muck into those muscles and tissues making them weak. Avoid all processed foods. Go vegan if you can. Worked wonders for me. My doctor said my blood work looks like a healthy 25 year old though I am over 50.

Fred has all the answer for your groundwork

From my experience I just want to add the following;
Don't overdo your sessions and know your limitations When to Stop
Don't go out in cold, high & gusty winds just because it might slow down the recovery
Don't kite with a "C" limited depower kite and which kite having a high pressure bar
Because it might be destroying how to be touch with yourself and sensitivity
There is nothing wrong to be an expert and toning down to the old school style
from light to medium smooth stuff on an appropriate surfboard
Don't muck it up and don't believe in anything what I say,
but find it out yourself the why, why, why "BALANCE"
With a deeper awareness and feelings gradually from your strength of Core Being,
you'll be able to free up yourself from all the poppets of pharmaceutical companies,
who most of the time after your $$$ and can oversight your problem

DrLW