Yes, its all the sitting down in front of computers and such that messes with my back though, sadly paddling a surfboard does cause me some mild problems too.

Windsurfing seems to be the best quick fix, improves my back straight away.

My pysio who windsurfs says that as long as we have the correct stance, ie straight arms/straight back, windsurfing is one of the better sports for back issues.

The chiro I have been seeing suggested I shorten my harness lines and lower my boom to help my posture while sailing and therefore help my upper back and neck.

If I use a very low seat harness without lumbar support, that makes my back worse, but a higher, waist/seat or in the old days a chest harness seems to improve my back. Even the odd high speed catapult hasn't done much damage yet.
Sailing underpowered out of the harness, holding the sail up, isn't good though.

As a back pain sufferer of about 25 years, I'd just like to throw in a bit of moral support and thoughts. Do not stop windsurfing they (the expert physios,docs,surgeons, chiros rehab hospitals etc) all told me not to do it! years later I am plodding along and managing Gnaraloo! Sure I have some bad times, but the waves still call, I'm 57 now and hope like my mate Kel to be doing it well into my 70's pain or no pain, you only live once!

Most likely to do your back injury whilst rigging!

i am a spinal physio- i think it is a great activity for the back as sailing (excluding uphauling) activates the core muscles almost perfectly (like a massive pilates session on steroids). The harness obviously needs to be comfortable. Wish more of my back pain suffering clients took up the sport.

Windsurfing is good in that it strengthens your back muscles and there isn't much twisting involved.

I have back problems, but golf is harder on my back than windsurfing.

I used to have a chest harness years ago and it was very bad for my back. I could hardly get out of the wetsuit and drive home one day. Now I use a waist/seat harness.

I started having upper back & neck issues a few months back (no wind, so can't blame w/surfing). I went to a good physio and straight away he commented that my PC monitor was too low, bad posture (which I do - somehow using cad software with zoom isn't good enough & I have to lean in to see better!) and I was turning my head to the left too fast (which is prob correct as my office door is to my left, and when it open's I do tend to jerk my head around)

Anyway, he did some rubbing, some cracking and finished with some deep muscle work & told me to lift my monitor so that my eyes are parallel with 1/3 from the top of the monitor. His receptionist asked if I needed another appointment, but he told her that he shouldn't need to see me again if I lift my monitor & stop giving myself whiplash when someone walks past, or in...3 weeks later & my back is 90% better. My posture is better and I'm not having issues with what felt like a knife in my back or neck.

Interesting - my neck is buggered so I'll look at my work monitor height. Trouble with me is I look at the keyboard when two finger typing

my posture when on the computer is, i lie on my cushioned carpet, tilt around 80 to 90 degrees to left side with extra cushion under left hip/rib cage.

i find this position more comfortable compared to sitting on a office chair.

downhauling your sail with a harness hook or screwdriver is bad for your back.

when i stopped doing this and used a winch my back got better.

I rooted my neck from spending countless hours looking down at a computer and DJ equipment while standing up. Pain and funny locking up, grabbing sensations in the neck come at random but not while windsurfing, thankfully!

Best trick is to try to keep the head upright and just look down with your EYES! Yes, they rotate in their sockets! Bend ze eyes! Bend ze eyes!

Ian K said...

.

Windsurfing is pretty close to swinging from trees, it suits us, it's good for us.

there is another sport that is way closer

Mr. No-one said...

I screwed my lower back 16 years ago at work and was given 2 weeks off. After 3 days at the physio I went sailing in 30 kts at Wello and as soon the harness line pulled tight, instant relief. Entered a F42 course that afternoon and won, couldn't believe how good the day turned out.
Felt good enough to go back to work the next day, been good since.
Now if I can find a sport that can do the same for my ankles....

So you're saying they stillowe you 10 days off???

Sailhack said...

I started having upper back & neck issues a few months back (no wind, so can't blame w/surfing). I went to a good physio and straight away he commented that my PC monitor was too low, bad posture (which I do - somehow using cad software with zoom isn't good enough & I have to lean in to see better!) and I was turning my head to the left too fast (which is prob correct as my office door is to my left, and when it open's I do tend to jerk my head around)

Anyway, he did some rubbing, some cracking and finished with some deep muscle work & told me to lift my monitor so that my eyes are parallel with 1/3 from the top of the monitor. His receptionist asked if I needed another appointment, but he told her that he shouldn't need to see me again if I lift my monitor & stop giving myself whiplash when someone walks past, or in...3 weeks later & my back is 90% better. My posture is better and I'm not having issues with what felt like a knife in my back or neck.

Yep ..posture is critical for my neck problem + I used to have 2 tennis elbows from sorting mail which were aggravated using the computer mouse.So monitor at the height suggested + use the mouse left + right handed and vary whenever starting to have problems. My chiro said to sit on the chair knees apart a bit & lift the toes up - this switches on your core muscles ,also imagine you are being pulled up by the head to improve posture.