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| After a long day of Casting, generally my back is screaming. Do any of you guys have a back stregthening / stretching regimen that you use to alleviate this problem?
dave |
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| There are a few things you can do ... the first is to start a fitness program that includes situps. The stronger the stomach, the less work the back does to keep upright.
There are also a number of yoga exercizes that can improve strength and flexibility in the back. I have had a lot of back problems in the past, but about 18 mos. ago, I gave up the Chiropractor and got serious about the situps & stretching. I still get fatigued after a long trip of course, but I can get out of bed the next day, which is nice.
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| I got a Valeo Belt for lower back support from Rollie & Halen's and it seams to help a lot. I'm an old fart and find it hard keeping up with you kids. |
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| I have discovered the Tuffy Esox Mag is PERFECT for stretching out the back throughout the day. The gunnel has the perfect width to allow you to arch your back over it and get a really good stretch. The only word of caution I have is to make sure your boat partner isn't nearby because he may grab your legs as your arched over the edge with your head just off the water and give ya a good dunking!
Cory!
Oh, Ice packs work very well too! I take Ice packs to canada with me and lay on them as I fall asleep. They help keep the swelling down and helps keep you back from getting sore.
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| Stretching during the day will help keep you out on the water longer and help alleviate the stiffening afterwards. During the course of the day, I'll stop many times and simply put my hands on my hips and bend backwards and hold it for 15 seconds and then repeat it about 5 times. Do this every hour and you'll keep from stiffening up.
Another good one is a 'press up'. It'a like a push up, except the lower half of your body stays on the ground so you are arching your back up and back. Press up and then look up and back to stretch from your neck all the way to your lower back. It's a good one to do before you get in the boat.
And finally....posture. Make it a point to stand tall and proud ..... that is suck in your gut, shoulders back and chest out. This uses your core muscles and not your lower back. Bad posture is the reason most people have bad backs. Think about it...you cast and then retreive....constantly bending forward at the waist during the retreive. That puts a tremendous amount of pressure on your lower back.
How do I know this??? I've had back problems for years. Sometimes it was completely dibilitating. I went to a place called 'Spinecare' where I learned alot of excercises to stretch and strengthen my 'core muscles'. The occupational therapist has a husband who hunts and fishes, so she had lots of good suggestions to get me through a day in a tree or in a boat. The number 1 thing that she stressed was....SUCK YOUR GUT IN! This pulls your shoulders back and puts your spine in a neutral position. Good posture will strengthen your core muscles and help aleviate the strain on your lower back.
Beav
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| Dude...try getting on all 4s + arch like a cat, lion, tiger, leopard, etc...then pull your stomach toward the floor for 10 seconds...then arch again for 10...do this a few times. This really helps me + is simple + takes very little time...stretching is important + remember NOT TO BOUNCE...muscles are much like rubber bands + bouncing while stretching can pull or tear them...also stretch your legs as they also help supprt your back. [:sun:] |
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| How would you know? You're a sponge for crying out loud. All you gotta do is get wet to be flexible.
Beav |
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