Lower back pain

[rickhalprin]

I periodically have lower back pain after a a few days of diving. I use a weight belt. Would a BCD with integrated weights be better? Is is a safe / viable option to put half the weight I need in BCD pockets and reduce the weight on the belt?

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Not sure if this is the most appropriate forum for your question. Perhaps a mod can move it.

With regard to your lower back pain, I'd recommend trying out a weight harness. They're not cheap, but they distribute the weight very nicely across your shoulders. I can recommend the DUI Weight & Trim. The ditching mechanism is easy to operate and not prone to accidental release.

You may also want to consider adding abdominal exercises to your regular workout regimen. It's wonderful preventative medicine for lower back injury.

Hope this info helps...

 

[austriandiveress]

I have heard that a weight belt tends to exacerbate lower back problems. However, I too have had disc problems, and find a belt much easier, as I feel that most of the weight is supported by my hips. I found it much worse messing around with integrated weights, and trying to don a BC with weight it in was terrible....but many people disagree, I think. Whatever works for you: I've not tried a harness yet.

 

[Doc Harry]

Ever consider a weight harness such as the one made by DUI?

DUI Weight & Trim Systems

 

[DocVikingo]

I periodically have lower back pain after a few days of diving. I use a weight belt. Would a BCD with integrated weights be better? Is a safe / viable option to put half the weight I need in BCD pockets and reduce the weight on the belt?

Hi Rick,

A number of things to consider experimenting with before purchasing additional gear:

1. Take care in carrying luggage/gear both on land and on the boat. Lift properly and gently. Observe proper posture.

2. Perform simple back stretching exercises both before and between dives.

3. Don and doff gear in the water if possible. Don't climb the boat ladder while fully geared up.

4. It is a safe and viable option to put half the weight the diver needs in ditchable BCD pockets and the other half on a weight belt. Make sure the weight on the belt is evenly slung at or near the hips, not along the lower back.

5. Don't allow the tank to ride too high or too low.

6. Keep proper trim u/w and don't arch the back.

7. If the above do not provide relief, a program of regularly performed back strengthening and stretching exercises can be quite effective. A simple program (e.g., 4 Back-Strengthening Exercises | Getting Fit for Life | Life Soul : RealSimple.com) might be tried first. If ineffective, much more extensive ones are available, e.g., Low Back Exercise Program — Portal.

Helpful?

Regards,

DocVikingo

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

 

[coldwaterlloyd]

I suffer from chronic lower back pain . I follow the advice of some previous posts , stretch , exercise . Definately the switch from a weight belt to a zeagle bcd opened the door for me . The zeagle is the best i have found for weight displacement . It actually feels good around the lower torso . The last time I tried a weight belt I could hardly exit the water . Do yourself a favor and go integrated .

 

[rickhalprin]

Not sure if this is the most appropriate forum for your question. Perhaps a mod can move it.

With regard to your lower back pain, I'd recommend trying out a weight harness. They're not cheap, but they distribute the weight very nicely across your shoulders. I can recommend the DUI Weight & Trim. The ditching mechanism is easy to operate and not prone to accidental release.

You may also want to consider adding abdominal exercises to your regular workout regimen. It's wonderful preventative medicine for lower back injury.

Hope this info helps...

BubleTrubble:
Picked up the DUI harness. Was pricey at about $120, but much better for me than the wieght belt. 4 dives and no back issues. Hard to keep up with all the new dive gear offerings, and the prices, but this was worth it.

 

[Rick Inman]

You'll like the DUI harness.

One of the things I (try to) do all the time is keep my gear off the ground, so I don't have to lift it up. I also have lower back issues, and I dive doubles. But my kit goes from truck tailgate to table or other waist-high places, and I (try to) only move the kit with it on. Forget in the water so much, it's the lifting out of the water that can wipe me out. But wearing it to move it and keeping it off the ground helps me tremendously.

 

[diveprof]

Doc has it right about the exercise and body posture. If you are not already a backplate and wings guy I would consider this. I have issues with Lower back pain from time to time. Most folks would think that the hard SS of AL backplate would be uncomfortable on the back. I believe the opposite is true. The backplate (with sta or the new single tank friendly designs) actually gives me much more stability with the tank, particularly on shore entries. You do not get the tank wobble like with a jacket BC. The switch to BP and Wings has been a great move for my back. If you are diving a drysuit, the DUI weight harness is nice. However, if you are diving properly weighted and diving wet (even with 7mm) this is overkill (SS backplate is 5-6 pounds, AL is 2 pds.). The backplate takes the weight off the waist and may be all you need for freshwater.

 

[don Francisco]

Have you considered that it isn't necessarily your weight system, or how you move on land (or boat) before entering that's the root cause of your problem? There's a decent chance that your diving style is the problem.

I'd take a close look at how you dive if you don't normally have back problems, and if you had a prior history of horizontal trim issues.

This would be more likely if you had problems with "sinky feet", meaning that you tended to assume a head up/foot down trim. Compensating by moving weight towards the head solved the trim problem, but created a new one.

You now have to support your legs, which are cantilevered out beyond their hips, using your back muscles. To feel what I'm describing, lay prone on your bed with the hips near the edge and your legs hanging over. Now lift your legs. Obviously, in the water your legs weigh far less, but if you have to maintain the tension for almost an hour it might cause spasms.

Help yourself by strengthening those specific muscle groups through excercise, and stretching both before and after diving to keep them loose and prevent spasms. Another approach is to try to add bouyancy to your legs by wearing a full suit vs. a shorty, and/or using lighter fins.