Doctor told me not to drive my car!

Fatboy 18 · Sep 18, 2013

OK, is it just me?

I'm just over 6ft 1in tall, contrary to my user name I am not fat (its because I also have a Harley Fatboy) I weigh in at just under 14stone, I have a seat lowering kit in my GTS and plenty of Head room.
Weekend last I was giving charity joy rides in my Viper throughout the day. Come Monday morning I'm back at work, (I'm a self employed Handy Man) so while working all of a sudden my back goes into spasm, I end up on my hands and Knees and have been off work since.
Booked myself into a private osteopath for a session yesterday, well that didn't help me, so today go to the Doctors who just gives me some anti infantries and tells me I should not do track days and should find another avenue for enjoyment! ***!

Any recommendations guys? Do any of you get back trouble after driving your Vipers? Do you use any kind of back supports?

CEJ · Sep 18, 2013

Sorry to hear you're in pain! Give Pilates a try. You should consider strengthening your core muscles.

Fatboy 18 · Sep 18, 2013

Is that a drug of some sort?

DrumrBoy · Sep 18, 2013

I have ruptured discs (L3, L4) and two cracked vertebrae which makes my back hurt pretty much all the time. Road course work doesn't make it feel any better or any worse. Your affliction sounds like muscular rather than bone/spine issues so you can reduce the potential for spasms by strengthening your core as suggested above or pursuing all kinds of fringe stuff like inversion etc. I'm not a doctor (though I play one on TV;-) but I don't think track days are any worse for your back than the other stuff you likely get into as a handyman. Keep driving!!!

DrumrBoy · Sep 18, 2013

Pilates is an exercise. It be free!

CEJ · Sep 18, 2013

Pilates is a form of exercise. It strengthens your core muscles. The other thing to do is to stretch your hip flexors...we sit a lot and your hip flexors will shrink. They are stronger than your lower back muscles, and when your hip flexors are tight it puts a strain on your lower back muscles. Guess which muscle group loses that tug-o-war? Lower back.

As we get older, keeping muscles stretched is pretty important.

ROCKET62 · Sep 18, 2013

Time to find a different doctor. And the smile the Viper puts on your face is worth a few muscle spasms anyhow!

shine · Sep 18, 2013

I think I would blame the rigors of being a handyman before I blamed a day in a Viper giving rides.

Maybe look into lumbar support while driving?

Fatboy 18 · Sep 18, 2013

shine said:
I think I would blame the rigors of being a handyman before I blamed a day in a Viper giving rides.

Maybe look into lumbar support while driving?

Yes the job does take its toll and to be fair I'm not getting any Younger!

The lumbar support was the route I was thinking, Also going to try the bottle of Jack Daniels sleep therapy tonight

Many thanks for the replies, I will have to look into this Core strength thing?

Brian GTS · Sep 18, 2013

CEJ said:
Sorry to hear you're in pain! Give Pilates a try. You should consider strengthening your core muscles.

+1 I have back issues and Pilates has done wonders for me!

Fatboy 18 · Sep 18, 2013

Thanks for your help

CEJ · Sep 18, 2013

Fatboy 18 said:
...and to be fair I'm not getting any Younger!

Getting old is a gift.

MoparMap · Sep 18, 2013

I assume you probably have harnesses if you're tracking your car? I don't track mine (yet at least), but I've noticed that the harnesses can actually make longer drives a little more comfortable since they keep me upright in the seat better. Less slouching helps keep my back from getting as sore.

Fatboy 18 · Sep 18, 2013

Yes I have 5point Team Tech Harnesses, I have done away with the stock seat belts.

The track we were on was a made up track on an old airfield, it was not exactly smooth like a motor racing circuit. the rapid acceleration and heavy braking was a major factor. I also think I might have strained my back slightly the evening before swapping all 4 wheels and tires.

What's really annoying is the fact that I was doing the whole day for charity and as a result have been unable to work this week!

CA97GTS · Sep 18, 2013

Have a really bad back myself....
Found that how I get in and out the beast, and driving position affects back pain
more than actually driving the car.

I am very careful getting in, and getting out, I swing legs out
As I support myself on the sill, luckily sill does not get that hot.
While driving I sit slightly off center, finding that to help avoid back pain.

CEJ · Sep 18, 2013

Fatboy 18 said:
What's really annoying is the fact that I was doing the whole day for charity and as a result have been unable to work this week!

That was just the event that pushed you over the edge. You might have hurt your back bending over to pick something up off the floor...sounds like it was just a matter of time before it gave you a fit.

denniskgb · Sep 18, 2013

You also you need to fall in love with the swimming pool. Join a gym that has one. Regular swimming (daily or every other day) will do miracles :2tu:

for your back. Zero gravity in the water will leave feel like a million dollars. Finish it off with a hot tub. It has worked for me.
Oh by the way take Advil or Ibuprofen twice a day it will relieve the in :2tu:

flamation.

Fatboy 18 · Sep 18, 2013

Thank you all :2tu:

GTSPOWERED · Sep 18, 2013

I am fused between L4, L5 and S1 and still enjoy my GTS

mtmclaughlin · Sep 18, 2013

Where do you keep your wallet when you drive? If you're like me, your wallet is thick with hundreds...er, fifties...um, OK, twenties...sigh...old receipts and bubble gum wrappers. Anyway, when I have my wallet in my back pocket, there is a noticeable shift in how I sit in a car. It bends my back slightly. Try removing your wallet and putting it in a storage console or give it to your passenger.

Fatboy 18 · Sep 19, 2013

mtmclaughlin said:
Where do you keep your wallet when you drive? If you're like me, your wallet is thick with hundreds...er, fifties...um, OK, twenties...sigh...old receipts and bubble gum wrappers. Anyway, when I have my wallet in my back pocket, there is a noticeable shift in how I sit in a car. It bends my back slightly. Try removing your wallet and putting it in a storage console or give it to your passenger.

Yes this has been an issue in the past, but I do now remove my wallet and place it in the storage console

VIPER BAZ UK · Sep 19, 2013

Thought you had a purse and handbag Mark??????

Fatboy 18 · Sep 19, 2013

VIPER BAZ UK said:
Thought you had a purse and handbag Mark??????

Just the sort of comment expected from The UK Yellow camp! And to think we Voted him in as Vice Pres. :buttkick:

InjectTheVenom · Sep 19, 2013

People advised me to start working out at the gym to lessen my back troubles. One thing you also need to look into at this point is your mattress because sleeping on the right one will bring an equal amount of relief to the above and/or pilates.

VYPR BYT 94 · Sep 19, 2013

Your doctor is right... give your car to me.

All good advice on the core muscles. We turn to mush as we get older if you don't strain the muscles so they regenerate.

Below are some typical core strengthening exercises...

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You basically hold this for 60 seconds each, right elbow, left elbow, right arm straight, left arm straight, etc.
I hurt my back as a teen from football and now I have less back pain at 46 than I had at 26.

At first you'll hate it but after a couple weeks, you'll notice you feel great and start to love it!

Isn't your viper worth it?

NetkoGTS · Sep 20, 2013

Am I the only one that had to look up how much "14 stone" is?

Fatboy 18 · Sep 20, 2013

NetkoGTS said:
Am I the only one that had to look up how much "14 stone" is?

Sorry, I guess I should have done it in Lbs?

I'm still off work and currently on pain killers!

Greekislandsurf · Sep 20, 2013

I have had a messed up back for over 30 years now and I really feel long trips in the car. My L4 and L5 disks are herniated but stretching out my back every morning and keeping the weight off help a lot. I take one 800ml. Motrin before a long drive and before a 4 hour surf session and then another one later that day and that seems to keep my back pain tollerable. Never drive with your wallet in your back pocket.

Stretching daily is the key though. Pulling one knee to the chest while laying down and holding it there for 25 secs. Do this with both legs one at a time, when that is done, pull both knees to your chest at the same time holding them for 25 secs. This must be done daily!!! Good luck!

MoreBeer · Sep 20, 2013

Sorry you are in any pain Mark. I think the moral is to let someone else take your car on the charity rides! I will start planning the best route up to London!

Feel better!

/john

Fatboy 18 · Sep 20, 2013

MoreBeer said:
Sorry you are in any pain Mark. I think the moral is to let someone else take your car on the charity rides! I will start planning the best route up to London!

Feel better!

/john

Ha Ha, you're welcome here anytime :2tu:

Laurie is taking driving lessons now!

Doctor told me not to drive my car!

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