health

Kite Surfing and Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical attention. It is one of the most frequent causes of missed workdays and one of the most expensive conditions in Western Countries. In fact in excess of one million people in the U.S. took time away from work to treat and recover from some sort of back pain.

Add the joys of Kite Surfing and you will quickly understand that underlying problems can quickly become bigger problems and the risk of injury due to impact and over-use can severely limit the enjoyment of your new found passion!

What Is Back Pain?

Back problems can be caused by an inordinately wide range of problems. It can exist alone, or it can be caused by a condition that occurs elsewhere in the body, with the pain being transmitted (referred) to areas of the back by the nervous system. The majority of backache sufferers complain of pain in the lower back; the second most common site of discomfort is the base of the neck.

Who suffers from back pain?

Up to 85% of adults will experience some form of low back pain during their lifetime. The fact that humans walk upright puts great pressure on the spine and the muscles that support it. Over time, factors such as disease, accidents, poor posture and overexertion can lead to immediate and/or long-term back problems. Most back pain is muscular in nature.

Muscle pain perpetuates what is known as the pain cycle, a phenomenon of which the back is particularly susceptible. In the pain cycle, pain causes a muscle to spasm, which may distort the discs, joints and nerves of the spine. This spasm leads to further pain, leading to further spasm, which compounds the original problem. If the nerves are irritated enough, it may cause pain to radiate down into the leg, similar to pain experienced via a herniated disc.

In most cases, people who experience an episode of acute back pain will recover in 3-12 weeks. For those who don’t recover, however, chronic back pain can be a significant source of inconvenience and suffering.

Kiting places considerable stress on joints at all levels of kiting – beginning to the advanced kiter performing incrediable loops. Rotation shearing stress can potentially aggravate a weakened spine leading to major disc related problems. Numbness, tingling, shooting pains, referred pains down the arms and legs, weakness in gripping strength or walking up and down stairs can all be indicative of more serious spinal problems!

What should I do?
If you continue to suffer regular bouts of pain aggravated by kiting then consider a consultation with your medical doctor and request an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) of you’re back or region of pain. Usually an MRI is NOT covered under Medicare however at a cost of $250 per region examined an MRI will give you the most accurate information about your condition. This accurate clinical information can make the world of difference when it comes to the appropriate level of treatment or exercise recommendation. Many patients launch themselves into all sorts of therapy based on the ‘practitioner’ recommendation rather than finding out what is actually wrong in the first place then pursuing you’re options!

Bottom-line inappropriate therapy and advice can make things worse!

You cannot diagnose what you cannot see!

Where to now?

If you have a disc protrusion before you consider rushing off for surgery ask your doctor for a referral to a physio who can assist you with ‘core strength’ exercises to assist you’re recovery and stabilisation. If you are still kiting then consider a waist harness with a pivoting rotating hook system – this reduces the rotational stress at you’re pelvic level! Refer to the Peter Lynn Waist Harness on our products page.

If you’re condition requires further investigation then consider www.hypermed.com.au