Older regular injured rider seeking advice.

[The Wizard]

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Edited October 20, 2018 by The Wizard

[EUCMania]

Sorry to hear your illness. I hope it is not because of your EUC riding.

I did have back pain before for many years. a disc in spine protruding which compresses nerves. It is the result of long time sitting and a car/bike accident. The pain position is higher than yours. I went through physical therapy and yoga etc. They did not work. Yoga made it even worse. Then, I went to China and seeking help at a hospital specializing in this kind of problems. The doctor used his hand to feel around the spine and said: It is easy, just lie on the bed, on your stomach. try raise head and feet up for 10 minutes  for 3 sessions a day. I was skeptical about what he said, but tried half -hearted anyway. Not much effect. Later, I become addicted to a video game on i pad. So I lie on my stomach on ground to play the game. After a few weeks, I found that the back pain was gone, and never came back.

 

Edited October 2, 2018 by EUCMania

[meepmeepmayer]

Ehm... you did go to a doctor? Orthopedist, sports medicine, something like that.

[The Wizard]

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Edited October 20, 2018 by The Wizard

[dieterGRAMS]

Yoga. Pretty much anyone over the age of 35 and riding these things should make Yoga part of their daily lives.

I don't currently do yoga as I'm totally out of a healthy routine, but it saved my older brother's life and I plan on working it into mine. 

[LanghamP]

I had this from doing too much stairclimbing for exercise.

This video shows what causes it; you can almost guess what the relief is once you see how that joint works.

Since sacriliac pain is caused by assymetry, can you try riding one-legged on your opposite foot, such as mounting?

 

 

[Lutalo]

7 hours ago, The Wizard said:

My question is:

Has riding their euc, perhaps excessively, caused anyone else this si joint problem?

If so, then I know I might have to give up on my beautiful euc life and live with all of the do nothing boring people of the world. (Ha).

Or if so, maybe their si joint healed eventually and they got back to riding again.?????

I do not know that riding an EUC can cause this condition per se. I am certain that EUC riding could aggravate the condition if the Sacroiliac joints have suffered deterioration. 

I am sure that you have researched your condition and are very informed so, at the risk of being redundant, methods to manage pain will obviously depend upon the severity of the SI condition - lost fluid may require injection to restore the fluid to the area between the joints. Other conditions like arthritis, too-stiff or too-loose ligaments etc. Can cause inflammation (pain). 

I have trained martial arts for most of my life, including Capoeira for the last decade. I now have three slipped discs; C3, C4, and C6 that have caused me a great deal of pain.

For my intense pain I was administered physical therapy and steroids. I was prescribed neurontin, ibuprofen (1600 my per dose), lyrica, Motrin, and morphine until it was discovered that I was allergic to morphine. Surgery was recommended, but I refused; never seen any long-term good come from going down that road. Seems to usually only lead to more surgeries.

Since I was determined not to become a pain pill junkie, I took the medication only until the pain was bearable for me. I bought and studied spinal diagrams to figure out a way to self-manage the pain and ridiculopathy in my right arm. 

It's been three years since I was first treated and 2.5 years without pain meds. Maybe what I have done will be useful for you in some way. 

1. I still train Capoeira, but now avoid more acrobatic movements; I really miss those movements, but I can no longer safely perform some of them. I have literally had to retrain myself to play Capoeira sans acrobatics. Seemed boring at first, but three years out now I am cool with it; I have actually become a better capoerista without the acrobatics; a function over form type thing.  

2. I have always strength trained with weights; I like it. Shoulder presses, shrugs, and heavy barbell squats are injurious to me (the bar crosses the injured area of my spine). Going to the gym today with my son to bang up some chest and back work as a matter of fact.  So I have adapted with other exercises that provide a similar effect. 

The weights provide strengthening of the muscles around the injury for better support,  the Capoeira keeps me flexible. 

I have learned traction exercises that mitigate the ridiculopathy and pain in my neck/back. 

The chiropractor that I saw would use a leg pull technique to align my hips. Hip alignment and other techniques, along with exercise improved my lower back pain. 

I recommend weight training, especially squat-related exercises and others that target back strength.

I also recommend stretching (I think someone mentioned yoga; excellent choice) to keep the muscles, tendons, and ligs flexible. 

Increase protein intake for the amino acids. Aminos have become my sole pain medication, and it works. Aminos will make you stronger and build your muscles quickly. I spike my protein shakes with even more aminos - buy the good stuff, not the cheap crap,  it's worth it. 

Edited October 2, 2018 by Lutalo

[Rehab1]

6 hours ago, The Wizard said:

My question is:

 Has riding their euc, perhaps excessively, caused anyone else this si joint problem?

In my opinion you may have had some pre-existing condition resulting from a fall on your buttocks or SC joint. Guys empirically don’t remember these episodes that can go back years. My advice, see an orthopedist. 

[kasenutty]

I shudder to think of what the Wizard's butt bones would look like if he didn't have that mysterious anti-crash device he won't share with any of us, even though it could possibly save us from broken butt bones too. Looks like the Wizard only cares about the Wizard's butt bones. 

[Rehab1]

35 minutes ago, kasenutty said:

I shudder to think of what the Wizard's butt bones would look like if he didn't have that mysterious anti-crash device he won't share with any of us, even though it could possibly save us from broken butt bones too.

 

 

[Lutalo]

47 minutes ago, Rehab1 said:

 

 

EWWWW! YUCK!????.  Except for the photo of the girl ????.

[Stabio]

11 hours ago, meepmeepmayer said:

Ehm... you did go to a doctor? Orthopedist, sports medicine, something like that.

Back pain is very complex and is rarely solved on the net with free advice. There are so many factors. My wife is a physiotherapist who is very good with back pain. She wouldn't dare diagnose you on a forum. See someone who specialises in back pain. I've had many back injuries. Most were solved with targeted exercise and treatment. My back pain has now progressed to the point of cortisone shots because I want to avoid surgery at all cost.  One way tradesman protect their backs and reduce pain is a back support belt. Its a man's girdle. You can find them in Home Depot. The belt might be a quick fix but not a solution.

[Lutalo]

 

1 hour ago, Stabio said:

Back pain is very complex and is rarely solved on the net with free advice. There are so many factors. My wife is a physiotherapist who is very good with back pain. She wouldn't dare diagnose you on a forum

As a professional,  I am sure that your wife would not render an official diagnosis on an open forum; she might give sound advice though that would likely begin with recommending the person to talk to a doctor☺?

@The Wizard did not ask for a diagnosis. See below. My understanding is that he is convinced that EUC riding was a contributor, perhaps cause of his injury. He was inquiring to find out where his particular situation fit in the range of unique to ubiquitous in order to gauge the likelihood that he might be able to ride his wheel again without aggravating his condition one day - What? Wheel lover? Never riding again? Of course we came to his rescue to offer advice. 

Most of the comments that I read, including mine, attempted to share similar experiences and make suggestions about natural methods and activities that might help to relieve his pain condition based on how others might have improved theirs. I do not recall reading any "medical" advice.

12 hours ago, The Wizard said:

I do know exactly what my injury is and also understand the healing process.

Although you affirm your knowledge of your condition, @meepmeepmayer and @Stabio bring up a very good point.  

@The Wizard I do not think that you mention in your post whether or not you have actually seen a doctor about about your injury. Based on your statement about the certainty of your condition, I of course assumed that you had seen a specialist.

However, assumptions can be risky. All sorts of clever adages exist to warn us off from making them ?

Have you seen a specialist about your SI?

Edited October 3, 2018 by Lutalo

[mrelwood]

I truly hope you haven’t seen the end of your unicycling career!

My back has been operated once, and several disc protrusions were found on other discs as well. This was due to a genetic disorder causing loose joints and connective tissue.

Two years ago I used a wide, corset-like support belt whenever away from home. Have used prescription pain killers for years, still am. My SI joint position has been corrected several times by leg pulling, but no other SI related diagnoses.

Since I started riding, my back pain has disappeared completely. I havent even used the support belt ever since. Overall my condition has improved quite a bit.

I know, different diagnose, and a non-answer to your question. But hopefully a story that can shed a bit of hope to your troubling situation.

Edited October 3, 2018 by mrelwood

[Lutalo]

7 hours ago, The Wizard said:

Yes, I have been to doctors, physical therapists. Done pills, exercises, etc.

Answers my question. I wish you the best in recovery from your SI injury. Keep that wheel close, you will probably need it again. ??

[The Wizard]

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Edited October 20, 2018 by The Wizard

[kasenutty]

Maybe you could use this down time to try and find yourself a camera, so we can finally see a photo of your invention. 

[Keith]

4 hours ago, The Wizard said:

Sounds like there has not been a lot of riders that have suffered this injury because of euc riding specifically. 

That might just be because not a  it a lot of riders crash and fall off anything like as much as your copious previous posts suggest you do. I’m surprised any part of you still works?

Of course neither do a lot of riders ride around all the time at less than walking speed which must put a lot of strain on the hips as twisting the hips is the only way to balance riding that slowly ?

Edited October 3, 2018 by Keith

[Circuitmage]

Excellent post!

I have had lower back pain for the past 2 days, it's at the very bottom right side of my back. It has been so painful that it is hard to get up in the morning. I immediately have had to lie down on the floor and roll/stretch, just to be able to get up and walk around.

Did my EUC cause this? I don't think so. When I get on my daily rider, I feel fine. Any bumps I encounter do not hurt. In fact, the EUC has helped me alleviate foot pain I had for about a year, now that is almost gone.

As for this pain, it is no joke. After 2 days it is starting to give way. I had to think hard as to it's cause. At first I assumed it was because I am now riding ~ 30% faster. Could that be it? No. I was pulling weeds for about an hour last weekend. Some of those suckers were 4' tall with 1' roots. And about every 4th one would not come up, so I was pulling my back out. It took a few days to catch up with me...but I'm pretty sure that was it!

Growin old sure is fun, aint it?

Get well!
 

[Lutalo]

4 hours ago, Circuitmage said:

No. I was pulling weeds for about an hour last weekend. Some of those suckers were 4' tall with 1' roots. And about every 4th one would not come up, so I was pulling my back out.

Yeah, I would guess that pulling giant beanstalks might have had a little something to do with your back pain ?

[Stabio]

I'm sorry if I stepped on anyones toes. I didn't mean to marginalise all the good suggestions. Yoga, for one, not only helps the body but also the mind. I asked my wife, Physiotherapist, about SI joint injuries which include ligament and muscle tear. She said "I could fix it. He needs to go to a good physio, not a crap one. Don't go to a doctor because they don't know how to fix backs."  I was wrong about the belt from Home Depot. My wife says a SIJ belt can be ordered to protect the injury. 

[Circuitmage]

@Lutalo after some consideration I realized my weed pulling was 2 weekends ago.  Hoping it's not my euc.

[Sergei Dubovsky]

Not directly related - but Ibuprofen is not harmless. It's not as toxic as Acetaminophen, but it does put strain on your kidneys.

[Lutalo]

36 minutes ago, Circuitmage said:

@Lutalo after some consideration I realized my weed pulling was 2 weekends ago.  Hoping it's not my euc.

Wow! Hopefully, we are not on the brink of linking EUC riding with long-term lower back troubles. We may need to get proactive about thinking of ways to protect ourselves from strains and damage. 

Maybe you could bring your EUC with you to your specialist and at least get a theory from the visit about a possible link (especially older riders) and preventive measures we can take. 

 

4 hours ago, Stabio said:

I'm sorry if I stepped on anyones toes. I didn't mean to marginalise all the good suggestions. Yoga, for one, not only helps the body but also the mind. I asked my wife, Physiotherapist, about SI joint injuries which include ligament and muscle tear. She said "I could fix it. He needs to go to a good physio, not a crap one. Don't go to a doctor because they don't know how to fix backs."  I was wrong about the belt from Home Depot. My wife says a SIJ belt can be ordered to protect the injury. 

Nice. It is very comforting to know that there are good options out there to help support the healing of SI strains.

I realize that there have been no peer reviewed clinical studies linking EUC-riding and back trouble; the activity is not yet popular enough. My next question might be jumping the gun a bit. However the cautious among us might want to consider options. Does your wife think that the SIJ belt would be useful as a preventive as well, or is there a better preventive tool besides abstinence?

[Lutalo]

5 minutes ago, Sergei Dubovsky said:

Not directly related - but Ibuprofen is not harmless. It's not as toxic as Acetaminophen, but it does put strain on your kidneys.

Indeed it does. That is why I stopped taking it to deal with my back pain from three slipped discs. In addition to possible liver damage, some I was prescribed is addictive. I for one am not signing up to let pharmaceuticals turn me into a dope fiend.