I may need to take a break from OC-1s due to a lower back injury. Was wondering if a SUP board would be a good cross training tool for recuperating in the meantime? Is the SUP paddling technique more forgiving in terms of trunk rotation? I would mainly plan to do runs, instead of surfing.
Submitted by perfectwater on Mon, 07/20/2009 - 7:23am
It depends on the specific type of injury (i.e. muscular, structural, nerve, disc, etc.) and it's specific cause. OC-1 paddling can lead to a lot of low back injuries caused by inflexibility and muscle imbalance from the seated position (i.e tight hip-flexors and hamstrings) if there isn't the proper focus on flexibility.
With SUP you may be able to strengthen some of your muscle weaknesses and imbalances (provided your injury was in fact caused by these factors and was not caused by trauma) in a normal anatomical position without the stresses of the seated position. Just make sure you use a blade of the appropriate height so that you aren't paddling SUP hunched-over.
Yoga is also a great complement to OC-1 paddling, SUP, and surfing. It can help address the common muscle imbalances, weaknesses, inflexibility, and sport related stresses.
But, as always, check with a medical professional (your diagnosing doc) before adding any new activities while injured.
#1 Mon, 07/20/2009 - 8:09am
You could also, wait till it is fully healed ( physio chiro, acupuncture Ice heat etc.) and then get in a weight room and try to build up your core muscles . Its surprising how much we do is related to the core.
good luck
#2 Mon, 07/20/2009 - 10:39am
Also, if you are sore, don't be afraid to use a longer-than-normal paddle for the SUP. A little more 'relaxing'
my .02
aloha,
pog
#3 Mon, 07/20/2009 - 11:01am
When I am experiencing lower back pain...mostly due to surrounding muscles tightening up...paddling is almost the only physical activity that will not cause pain.
When SUPing (only done it a handful of times), I'll last less than an hour before my lower back starts tightening up....
#4 Mon, 07/20/2009 - 11:50am
For the back, trust me, there is no better exercise for it but the good old fashion on your opu surfboard/paddleboard position. Get a stock or longer paddleboard and try paddle for 15 minutes or so and build up to an hour and half over a slow period of time - no rush.
#5 Mon, 07/20/2009 - 5:33pm
I just came out of a pretty much inactive year from two herniated discs in lumbar spine. Do the PT and try and avoid the surgery. Great advice I got from a few who experienced both.
Depending on the type of injury you have it is probably a good idea to avoid some things temporarily (sitting, OC1, etc) and add in other types of exercise that extend the back (like koakanoe said, opu paddling is great).
Take care of yourself, be sure to not make things worse before you realize you have to allow them to get better.
#6 Tue, 07/21/2009 - 10:53am
Thanks everybody for the variety of advice. Now I have lots of things to consider for my plan of attack.
#7 Tue, 07/21/2009 - 3:31pm