Bad Back issues & Bowen Treatment

Or just go multihull...

Originally posted by iGRF and dignity does not involve all that nasty hikey nonesense

Perhaps all sailing gear should have a black band say two thirds of the way from knee to cheek, and hiking out with the black band unsupported by structure prohibited...

Without sounding too self important, im an ex Laser Squadie and qualified Strength and conditioning coach, so this is an area I feel I can help with.

Back pain resulting from hiking will be due to tight or tonic hip flexor muscle-chiefly the Psoa.

In terms of structural integrity of the hip and causing muscular imbalances, hiking is one of the worst activities for creating over developed /overactive muscles on one side of the joint which will lead to injury or pain. But this doesn't mean you need to stop.

Your back pain isn't caused by a problem with your lower back muscles (Spinal erectors). It is likely caused by tight and overactive hip flexors pulling on the lower back.

To make matters worse after we sail we often then sit in a car on the way home. So the Psoas muscle has been activated and gets short while sailing, then it is set in a a shorted state afterwards.

REMEDY: You need to lengthen and stretch the Psoas which is on the front of the hip (anterior), and also strength the muscles on the posterior hip.

BOWEN: Is a bit hit and miss. However there are other techniques you can do on your self. SMFR Self -Myofascial release will work. Follow the techniques in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4nWPeyDfNM In addition do a hip stretch straight after sailing prior to driving home without exception.

Your shortened hip flexor may also be causing a Lumbar pelvic tilt. This will shorten the low back muscles and may casue pain and inhibit mobility. To cure this you need to
-Stretch the low back
-Stretch the Psoas
-Strengthen the Glutes, hamstrings and abdominal muscles. (Ideally in the gym- Deadlifts, lunges, squats etc)

Another reason for pain may be weak abdominal muslces when hiking. If they are weak then you will bow forward and hang off th hip flexors. You often see this when you compare the hiking posture of a poor sailor to a professional.

So you need to strengthen the abdominal muscles while ensuring you are not shortening the Psoas muscle further. You do this by Doing exercises which involve maximilly tyhe abbs. Eg Planks, sit ups and crunches, V sits. Google' Anti extension core exercises'. After each set of abb exercises you must then do a hip flexor stretch, to ensure the hip is being lengthened.

I have used this method with many athletes I have coached. Im sure it will help.

Cheers.

Golden Graeme... why no one has called me that since the year I was turned down for Sports Personality of the year 1981 because of my outspokenviews on pikeys.

Does it matter? Perception is reality and all that.