Hi all,
Been a while since I've posted and I've been mostly out of the water since March due to a degraded disc in my neck that is causing stenosis to my right arm.
Has anyone had issues like this and if so was surgery a successful option for you?
Any tips on paddling style without pain or pins and needles?
Cheers

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Jeff J said..
Hi all,
Been a while since I've posted and I've been mostly out of the water since March due to a degraded disc in my neck that is causing stenosis to my right arm.
Has anyone had issues like this and if so was surgery a successful option for you?
Any tips on paddling style without pain or pins and needles?
Cheers

This is probably all useless information, but that's never stopped me before....

A lot of us longboarders who also ride SUP boards do so because of various issues with joints etc. It can be a more forgiving way of getting out on the water and still having fun. This might not work for your condition, but you still might get some good feedback in that forum too. E.g. Last time someone mentioned a shoulder reconstruction the thread went bananas with fellow sufferers.

I vaguely recall someone in this longboard forum (CuttleFish, maybe?) saying he found a midlength board easier on his spine than a longboard cos the angle you hold your spine/neck at is a little less extended. Or something like that. I have a couple of cervical vertebrae wired together and I used to find my 8ft Carver a lot easier on the neck than my 9'6 board (which I paddled looking down at the deck half the time). Don't know if any of this will help re stenosis... good luck!

Gday Jeff,pretty much in same boat as you,C5-C6 and C6-C7 osteoarthritis impinging on nerve in neck with moderate pain in arm at the onset of it about 5 years ago.Any heavy paddling sessions was excruciating back of neck with spasms in muscles behind shoulder.I looked into surgery but decided to give it some time to settle relying on meloxicam if I went on surf trips then stopping when home.Ive found that over the last 3 years its eased although still have pins n needles in thumb and first finger.Surfing beaches is ok as its quick paddle out,I do feel it but its only uncomfortable at worst,Im sure long paddles will aggravate.I paddle head facing more down and am surfing longboards and short down to 6'2 and don't find either worse than the other.If you can get the pain to a manageable level Id put off surgery for as long as possible,Id rather live with it than risk complications with surgery especially as its degradation with age ,wear and tear and not some one off trauma.
best to self assess pain level, what you can do to alleviate it and advice from good surgeon.All the best

I and some of surfing mates have tingly fingers when getting up next day after surfing, for a few hours, and sometimes from golf, for me yes from degradation of neck joints. for me yoga, strength and strengthening helps heaps and does keep your neck , thoracic and lower back moving. imo a smaller lighter board is easier on the body compared to triple stringer that's double glassed,
I was advised in indo recently by DR feel good that if I get on the gear the sharks won the premiership a few years ago my problems would be gone.
Probably whole another topic but has anyone benefitted from bpc 157 helping neck and joint pain/mobility ?

Select to expand quote

Jeff J said..
Hi all,
Been a while since I've posted and I've been mostly out of the water since March due to a degraded disc in my neck that is causing stenosis to my right arm.
Has anyone had issues like this and if so was surgery a successful option for you?
Any tips on paddling style without pain or pins and needles?
Cheers

Maybe get a glider thingo and paddle on ya knees or get 1 of them sup things and paddle standin up !

Hi Jeff.
Jeff here too..
I had both of those discs replaced about 5 years ago because of the same problem down my left arm.
It's been worth the op for sure if you can find a good surgeon. I put up with the pain for a couple of years but I'm glad I had it done. Every now and then I will get a bit of tingling but nowhere near as much. I don't surf that often though. Maybe twice a month and the same for paddle boarding.

Hey Jeff nothing like nerve pain with the muscle spasms and tingling the goes with it . had my C6-C7 fused almost 30 years ago ( compression injury from when I used to sailboard) - instant relief from all the nerve pain - and still going good . Still did get a hell of a stiff neck though for years post - surgery . After visiting physio after physio- got to see a sports physio about 10 years ago - he advised me to get off the longboard and onto a SUP to increase core and neck strength - no stiff neck since , been magic

Off topic - unfortunately stuffed my ankle on the SUP about 5 years ago -so now just flat water on the SUP , on a kneeboard in the surf - still great fun

whatever way you decide hope it goes well for you

Hi Jeff,
If you are feeling pain, i.e. pins & needles, the nerve is inflammed indicating something is wrong. The worst thing to do is to carry on through the pain. I would get a professional opinion. But as far as surfing, if it hurts, then I would lay off until the pain is no longer there. Greeney offered some great tips. SUP could provide relief or a different type of board (bodysurf, matt, etc).
For land based training, I would try prone decompression by Eric Goodman of Foundation Training:

During you daily routine, you want to be mindful for possible triggers. With neck posture you want ears over your shoulders with your chin in. Imagine a string from the top of your head pulling your head up. Any daily routine where you chin pulls away from will put strain on your nerve (i.e. computer, phone, etc). Mountain bikie riding is a trigger for me, whereas beach cruiser is ok.

I Second the recommendation for Dr Eric Goodman's Foundation Training - it's fantastic for those of us with back and neck issues.

Paddling a prone board is known to aggrivate neck injuries and conditions. You are lying flat hyperextending the neck backwards under constant tension in an unnatural position.

Like other comments - after medical advice - consider surfing a SUP. Totally different natural upright position. Instead of constantly stressing the neck you build supporting muscle mass around the area.

Heaps of great longboard SUPS on the market. You will also get benefits in balance and power...,