http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: (mostly) OT: A whinge en Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:02:01 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141&page=2#post-296508 Tue, 27 Nov 2018 14:19:15 +0000 neddie 296508@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I heard that a pound of weight on the body is worth 12 pounds of weight on the spine.</p> <p>Ergo, keeping ones weight down would seem to be a good ploy to avoiding back pain. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141&page=2#post-296507 Tue, 27 Nov 2018 14:07:54 +0000 gembo 296507@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Paul Milne I took ferry off Malta, hired bike at Gozo Harbour and cycled down to The Azure Window. Very good. Next month a storn smashed the window and the sea arch became a stack.</p> <p>Would go back there, very nice wee place. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141&page=2#post-296495 Tue, 27 Nov 2018 11:21:26 +0000 paulmilne 296495@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@unhurt, instead of £12 for a pillow-like thing, could you just use a pillow?</p> <p>I have suffered from back spasms off and off over the years, mostly when I'm in the throes of an enjoyable holiday. Last was in Gozo a couple of years ago, didn't get much of the planned walking in! On the plus side my house-bound artist wife got some great drawing/painting done. I just mainly lay in the shade reading. (On the plus side it has provided my wife with no end of dinner stories about my pain and suffering.)</p> <p>Do check out the website <a href="https://www.simplebackpain.com/">Simple Back Pain</a>. Sarah Key's book the Back Sufferer's Bible will provide you everything you ever wanted to know and much that you never thought of about how back pain comes about, the different causes and suggested exercises. Recommend it highly. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141&page=2#post-296481 Tue, 27 Nov 2018 09:08:06 +0000 I were right about that saddle 296481@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@unhurt</p> <p><a href="http://www.foamcentre.org.uk">If you're ever up in Newington?</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141&page=2#post-296480 Tue, 27 Nov 2018 08:11:22 +0000 gembo 296480@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@unhurt, when.i did the yoga we had solid foam rubber block size and look of a box file and some little cotton straps with vicious buckles. Both items very cheap </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141&page=2#post-296470 Mon, 26 Nov 2018 23:22:36 +0000 unhurt 296470@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Mysteries of the modern age: how come a wee tiny 2.5cm thick pillow thing for pilates (a "head pad") starts at about £12?!? I just want to replicate the pile of them the physio uses, but I'm not buying SIX of them at that price!</p> <p>*mutter* *splutter* *outrage* (TWELVE!! POUNDS?!)</p> <p>Basically I'm about to wrap some books in a towel and assume the effects will be similar...</p> <p>@Iain McR this middle class shopping outrage is partly your fault for recommending a physiotherapist who's also an evangelist for the pilates. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141&page=2#post-292252 Wed, 26 Sep 2018 22:00:44 +0000 unhurt 292252@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hmm. And Twitter just threw up a couple of possibilities (without me looking / asking):<br /> <a href="https://thispodcastwillkillyou.podbean.com/p/about-us-1508865625/">This Podcast Will Kill You </a>- about infectious diseases! &amp; I forgot that <a href="https://www.ladyscience.com/">Lady Science</a> has a podcast too... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141&page=2#post-292251 Wed, 26 Sep 2018 21:49:10 +0000 sallyhinch 292251@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I was recently strongly recommended 'Fortunately with Fi and Jane' - although I haven't listened to it myself yet. I've got a phone full of the Life Scientific for when I need to garden and there's comedy drama on Radio 4 </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141#post-292250 Wed, 26 Sep 2018 21:40:51 +0000 unhurt 292250@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@paddyirish Cripes! That sounds horrendous. Lucky you weren't up there on your own!</p> <p>@sallyhinch yes, I think so. I require recommendations! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141#post-292239 Wed, 26 Sep 2018 17:41:11 +0000 paddyirish 292239@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Feel your pain @unhurt- I slipped a disc a number of times since 18 which led to some pretty awful sciatica. I end up going to a chiropractor who repairs the damage and I end up settling into a routine of a monthly appointment which keeps me ticking over. Then I moved city and didn't keep it up. </p> <p>Almost always within a year, I have a major episode, the most spectacular episode was when camping out at Loch Pattack, managed to crawl out of tent at 2.30 and took 2.5hrs to get dressed. Then hobbled around to try to free myself up until Mrs paddy woke up - she took down the tent and carried a lot of my load as well as we eventually made it back to Dalwhinnie..</p> <p>In terms of tackling boredom...<br /> Planning your next big trip (or even the next little one... ) - how do you top Newfoundland? </p> <p>If it is somewhere where English isn't the native language - try starting to learn the basics of the language. Apps like Duolingo are great for that. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141#post-292238 Wed, 26 Sep 2018 17:22:12 +0000 sallyhinch 292238@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>audio books / podcasts? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141#post-292237 Wed, 26 Sep 2018 16:20:38 +0000 unhurt 292237@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>No cycling at all for at least a week lest I make things worse. In fact, not much of anything except avoidance of sitting for too long, weird pilates-derived mini-stretches &amp; lots of walking without carrying heavy things.</p> <p>I'm bored already. Might have to revisit reading-while-walking, a skill perfected as a child too impatient to wait till she was home from the library to get stuck in. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141#post-292170 Tue, 25 Sep 2018 14:53:23 +0000 LaidBack 292170@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@unhurt - always welcome to try. Sat is our open to all day and other days by appointment.</p> <p>We had a few people try two wheeled riding at NMS event on Sunday. Trikes are easier though - mesh seat suits more people too. We have one on rollers in shop. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141#post-292083 Mon, 24 Sep 2018 20:06:54 +0000 unhurt 292083@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have faith in the physio - Balanced have previously sorted out the insides of my shoulder after a big crash! </p> <p>Have had fits for both main bikes already &amp; hope they will still be ok once back is better. Just have to actually put the mountain bike back together some time later in the week. And uh, restrain my self from getting back out there too soon (this is partly what happened to the shoulder - I was in "this pain is cleansing!" mode...)</p> <p>Really just want an excuse to try recumbent, though I have nowhere to store such a creature at present! (And if I were to win a cycling lottery I think a fat bike might be very top of the "bikes I do not need but want" list) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141#post-292077 Mon, 24 Sep 2018 18:49:20 +0000 LaidBack 292077@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><strong>@TwoWheels</strong> <em>need a chiropractor.</em> Second that</p> <p>Just catching up with your painful couple of days @unhurt<br /> Sounds like you are getting slightly better but worth considering professional help.</p> <p>A member of The Bicycle Works had a fall and ended up doing that - he was off bike for a while. Wasn't a believer in chiropractors but it seemed to work.<br /> His accident was very low speed thing and he's a young fit guy. Was shuffling about for a while. Could get info on pm if you need from him. </p> <p>Recliners - well I reckon a standard bike fit is worth doing to see if you can optimise your upright first. Re-formatted cycling does work of course but that also needs bike fitting. Seats like saddles have to work. Many seat types and pedal heights in the LB world.<br /> Some (eg @HartsCyclery) say that Dutch style Gazelle is optimal to take curve off your back and weight off shoulders and arms. </p> <p>Best wishes for a day on day improvement. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141#post-292075 Mon, 24 Sep 2018 17:15:36 +0000 sallyhinch 292075@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>untransmuted (thus far) brownies have been posted. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141#post-292073 Mon, 24 Sep 2018 17:03:33 +0000 I were right about that saddle 292073@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Only once have I had a back spasm, which was while running round the edge of Royal Aberdeen golf course in a howling, freezing gale.</p> <p>Had to extricate myself on all fours, very grateful for the nice turf I was. Didn't last by my word it was sore.</p> <p>Hope the beer helps and the transmuted brownies turn up. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141#post-292067 Mon, 24 Sep 2018 16:14:30 +0000 unhurt 292067@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@PS sitting exacerbating very tight muscles was definitely a big underlying cause - lots of travel sitting plus unaccustomed driving when I couldn't get up and stretch. I go to a yoga class about once a week as a rule, but holidays &amp; work travel meant I haven't gone for six weeks which I'm sure didn't help! Usually I can get my hands flat on floor bending forward - yesterday I couldn't bend far enough to reach the plug for the kettle. Ow!</p> <p>(I do still think crashing on leaf mould on Friday jarred something important &amp; I didn't realise...)</p> <p>Anyway I can now sit upright on a hard chair without wanting to cry, which is a big improvement on yesterday's horizontal-or-hobbling-only scenarios. I will not be neglecting stretches ever again because <em>Rule 2</em> that was painful! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141#post-292066 Mon, 24 Sep 2018 15:45:11 +0000 PS 292066@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>With the necessary caveat that it may have an entirely different cause to your current predicament, @unhurt, I've put my lower back into spasm twice in the past decade. Both seemed to be related to prolonged sitting at work, but the root cause was tight hamstrings and glutes. </p> <p>For the recovery nothing seemed to work so well as time. Massage and exercise (once possible) loosened things off and provide relief for a few hours, but then it came back. </p> <p>However, once I got better I've been successful (so far) in avoiding a recurrence by using one of those spikey massage/pilates balls to work out knots in the glutes and then doing a standing very slow stretch to touch my toes (starting with my hands something like 6 inches from my toes and then try and relax the muscles in my hips and lower back until my fingers touch the floor). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141#post-292015 Mon, 24 Sep 2018 09:57:08 +0000 unhurt 292015@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm not even almost bike possible atm - can only sort of walk, very slowly! Mtn bike would be best but I haven't had time to reconstruct since Newfoundland, and I am definitely not going to be capable of that sort of lifting and bending for a good few days I fear!</p> <p>I mean this could be the universe telling me to test ride a recumbent, right?</p> <p>Still waiting on @Iwrats' orders to bear fruit. Meanwhile my stretch goal is to make it as far as the pub tonight to allow @snowy to carry out medical studies into the muscle relaxant properties of beer. (I should probably not take the evening dose of extra strenght co-codamol first.) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141#post-292013 Mon, 24 Sep 2018 09:45:36 +0000 steveo 292013@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I figuratively feel your pain. I took a couple days off the bike and then switched to the mtb with the suspension cranked up to take the pressure off my back. Returned to normal after a few more days.</p> <p>Though if I'm honest my back occasionally feels a bit tight... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141#post-292012 Mon, 24 Sep 2018 09:43:13 +0000 TwoWheels 292012@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>need a chiropractor. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141#post-292001 Sun, 23 Sep 2018 21:26:21 +0000 Snowy 292001@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@unhurt we will feed you beer tomorrow night. This may not be medically advised but there is strong empirical evidence you will be a lot happier for it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141#post-291992 Sun, 23 Sep 2018 20:28:42 +0000 I were right about that saddle 291992@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Stickman</p> <p><em>when I am benevolent dictator</em></p> <p>I am the Caledonian Dictator Benign thank you. I order both @unhurt's muscles to wise up toot sweet and and a general transmutation of brownies. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141#post-291987 Sun, 23 Sep 2018 19:08:05 +0000 gembo 291987@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@stickman, that physio has perhaps downplayed the small and neat set up of the toddler compared to the elongated and vulnerable more spread out nature of the adult? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141#post-291985 Sun, 23 Sep 2018 19:02:42 +0000 Stickman 291985@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@unhurt: when I am benevolent dictator I will insist that everyone gets exercises/advice on how to take care of their back as soon as they start school. When I hurt my back the physio told me to look at toddlers to see perfect posture; she said starting school sets them up for a lifetime of back problems from sitting down on terrible chairs hunched over desks. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141#post-291984 Sun, 23 Sep 2018 18:54:25 +0000 unhurt 291984@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@stickman oh that must have been terrifying for everyone. Glad to hear he's back to normal! (I am now 100% aware of just how immobilising and sore back spasms are.)</p> <p>@wingpig I had not progressed as far as swimming thoughts but yes, I think heat is the way to go. Have a feeling Glenogle Baths have a sauna, if I can hobble that far.</p> <p>@sallyhinch a disappointing qualification! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141#post-291983 Sun, 23 Sep 2018 18:49:07 +0000 Stickman 291983@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A couple of weeks ago I got a 4am phone call from my mum: my 84 year old dad was unable to move, in severe pain, grey and sweating. Feared the worst as he had a mini-stroke a few years ago. Drove through to the hospital in Glasgow and after a few hours we found out it was a back spasm/trapped nerve. He's now back to his active self, walking and swimming. Hope you make a similar recovery and get back on the bike/in the water soon. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141#post-291981 Sun, 23 Sep 2018 18:41:04 +0000 wingpig 291981@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>If you're thinking a swim might help it, go in a swimming pool rather than the sea. It'll be warmer and far more comfortable if you lock up again. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19141#post-291977 Sun, 23 Sep 2018 18:00:38 +0000 chdot 291977@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“I should add, for the removal of doubt”</p> <p>That’s what they all say...</p> <p>Alternative active ingredients might be an option. </p>