Dressage-ing with blown disk in lower back

[grandprixer]

Hi all!

Some of you might know me, plenty won’t. The gist of the context here is I have a horse who is exceptional at faking connection, whom I unintentionally encouraged through my seat.

I bought a dressage saddle that fit both of us well, then a few days later he got EPM :rolleyes:. He’s had about 10 rides back now, but I am DYING in this saddle!

I went to the doctor, turns out I have a bulging/torn disk at L1-2 and arthritis above and below. I can still function reasonably well in my jump saddle, and I do okay in the dressage saddle in I stay tipped forward, but I can’t ride “correctly.”

Well, this makes it hard to properly dressage. I’m getting injections next week, but I haven’t reacted well to bursa injections so they’re not hopeful it’s going to help and I’m too young for surgery (18). I will be back in PT once everything calms down, but it didn’t help in the past. I have drugs, but I can’t safely ride or drive with them.

Any ideas how to ride properly, ideally with less pain?

TIA!

[atr]

I’m sorry. You are so young to have this going on! However, as a fellow lower back disaster area, I can tell you that it’s worth trying different saddles. A wide twist is impossible for me. (Personally, I’m good in a Trilogy Amadeo and some Customs.)

[Curly_Feather]

That sucks! I’m a dressage rider who does some recreational jumping (little things), and I had a ruptured disk in my neck a few years back. Honestly, there’s not much I can recommend. What saved me was being duel-disciplined. I rode mostly in the jumping saddle for nearly 18 months, absolutely no sitting trot and I did all my canter work (flying changes, counter canter, transitions) in 2-point. I did do dressage lessons in that time, but kept seated canter work to a minimum, and only did rising trot.

I think a different saddle can help to some degree, but at the end of the day no saddle is going to reduce the forces on that disk enough for you to be comfortable.

[CanteringCarrot]

I have some mid/lower back issues and a saddle can have an influence. The horse can too depending on their movement. It’s a bit early for surgery for me, and injections don’t last. What does help me is working out. Heavy lifting…which sounds like it’d make things worse, but not with proper form and conditioning. I really, REALLY, focus on my core and stretching, especially my hips. I need to (and you should anyway) absorb and go with the movement with my core and hips. This has definitely helped my back pain, and I usually have no pain while riding.
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There are some days when walking and standing just hurts, but riding goes ok.

When the gyms closed for COVID I slacked a bit the first week and guess what creeped back in? Back pain. So I got creative with home exercises.

Physical therapy is really time consuming when done correctly, but can help and I’ve had some excellent physical therapists.

Of course you should consult with a medical professional, and your condition may vary from mine, but keeping my muscles strong seems to help my back ailments.

[eightpondfarm]

i had two disks slip out, above and below L2. My spine twisted and collapsed there and seated itself tidily. Hurt like crazy for a while, i couldn’t ride at all, or do much without a lot of pain and with surgery not an option, and a lifetime of pain meds out of the question… i started taking yoga classes once a week. i never don’t go. Now, three years later i feel like the old me. I can actually do anything. I recommend yoga.

[angelssix]

I have a hernia (not herniated disks, a hernia of the muscle) in my right lower lumbar area from lifting a crate that was way too heavy (not labeled correctly) at the airport when I worked there. It doesn’t bother me when I ride, but it does afterward. I need to get it repaired, but I am waiting to go back to work to get my health insurance to cover some of the costs. I paid out of pocket for a kidney stone last year, I finally just got that paid off this month.
The thing that actually has helped was to learn to not brace against the motion. I am still somewhat tight in my hips, but I am getting there. Saddles do make a difference, and when you ride in one that makes you go “ah, that’s better!” you will definitely know. I was riding in a saddle that was too wide and it about killed me.

[theresak]

I’ve got a bulging disc that causes sciatica. When my back locks up or just gets tight, I use naproxen and a muscle relaxer if it’s really bad before bed. What helped me recover during both bad phases is good physical therapy and daily stretching. Now, I can maintain with stretching, rolling, and a ton of core work.

I found that stretching my hamstrings and glutes and rolling my piriformis and IT band the most helpful. The core work I do works everything from my shoulders to my knees - it is not focused on my “abs.” I’ve found that strong legs and working all the tiny stabilizing muscles help my back a lot. Also, once the back is no longer as painful, include a lot of back strengthening exercises in your core workout.

Try another PT provider if the first one wasn’t helpful - you have to find the PT provider with the magic recipe of exercises and stretches to help you through the painful period and help you maintain a healthy back.

[Piaffe11]

@theresak

Try another PT provider if the first one wasn’t helpful - you have to find the PT provider with the magic recipe of exercises and stretches to help you through the painful period and help you maintain a healthy back.

This. As someone who has had the same L5/L6 disc herniate 3x in the last 3 years, a good PT makes a huge difference. My first PT was amazing, but he left for another job. My second PT wasn’t bad, but wasn’t good either and it made a difference in my recovery time.

[SBrentnall]

I herniated L4/L5 and L5/S1 a few years ago, with complete compression of the sciatic nerve root. The back of my right leg was paralyzed from the glute down to the sole of my foot.

I recovered with physical therapy, spinal decompression (hugely helpful!) and regular yoga, but I’m still very picky about saddles.

The wrong dressage saddle has much more of an impact than the wrong jump saddle. I love my Trilogy Verago and can manage a Custom Advantage, but the Dresch and Schleese ones I tried were very uncomfortable.

[KyrieNZ]

Youch!

I’m a Grade V para rider from New Zealand. I ride in a WOW saddle that has the Flair air system, and the coccyx relief seat.

Being para, I have dispensation ie don’t have to do sitting trot etc.

I take a lot of Codeine and Gabapentin. The term ‘painkiller’ is misleading, you will never be pain free, sorry.

Good luck

[fanfayre]

As little sitting trot as possible!

And everybody else’s suggestions, plus- ICE after your rides/activities while recovering and rebuilding your core strength, and as needed once you feel better.
LBP sucks, but it can be overcome, or at least lessened

[luvmycabanaboy]

As a fellow herniated disc-er:: [LIST=1]

Get a good PT who is an athlete themselves and who understands you are an athlete! PTs come in all shapes and sizes...after burning through 3 or 4 terrible ones, I ended up with an AWESOME lady who did competitive BJJ herself, so she understood the needs of a very active person like a horseback rider. I really think this was key! You need the PT to give you HARD homework and then you need to DO IT - when I herniated mine, I started doing my PT homework every single day for an hour +....my hips and core are pretty much bullet proof! I was also virtually pain-free in my normal daily life very quickly, and I have a very nice toolbox of exercises for when it feels like it might blow up again

Give yourself time and grace in the saddle. I have a pretty strict rule of "if it hurts right now, don't do it right now" - that means some days, no sitting trot. Some days, no canter. Some days, minimal lateral work. some days, throw on the jump saddle because it puts my legs/seat in a different angle. I know this sounds depressing, but I promise you'll still be able to make progress on your dressage goals this way. I am riding better and my horse is going better than ever right now. THERE IS HOPE! [/LIST]

[atlatl]

In addition to all the great suggestions, I’d add in use of an inversion table to help decompress your spine.

Good Luck!

[polkadotedpony]

No ideas about the riding unfortunately but I would repeat the above that a good PT is a must. There is a lot of research evidence out there on herniated disks showing that often PT is as effective as surgery and does not carry some of the very real risks/bad outcomes that can come from surgery. And I’m a surgeon saying this (although not spine) so not just trying to push an agenda. You may end up with surgery eventually but I would definitely put a lot of work into the PT and when someone does recommend surgery I would definitely get a few opinions before picking your surgeon.

[grandprixer]

Thanks y’all!

I know how important PT is, trust me. Unfortunately, due to a connective tissue disorder I have, physical therapy can/has caused permanent joint damage. Which means I live in the constant limbo between in-network places and therapists that have experience with my condition. I have yet to find that spot yet since changing insurances last year.

Also unfortunately, a new saddle is not an option. This was already a fantastic buy, I could never get a similar quality within my budget - I have the absolute best saddle I can get.
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My horse also sucks. He’s a big fancy WB, which is usually fun but also big, round, and bouncy. SO MUCH FUN ON A BAD BACK. But I can’t get rid of him lol, so that just adds to the party.

@KyrieNZ, as a chronic pain patient, I definitely understand the control struggle. For me, pain control usually comes at the cost of my focus/brain, so at least for now I’m stuck with non-med remedies. It’s lots of fun.

[sonestra]

I’m guessing you might have EDS? If so, I totally understand about PT not always working. It made things worse for me, too. I think if I had more say in finding one that had experience with my autoimmune issues the results might have been different, but I didn’t have that luxury.

I have nothing else to contribute directly to your problem, as I do not have disc issues. For my pain, the only thing the works is lots of Advil. Gabapentin didn’t help and I’m allergic to vicodin, percocet, and all of that good stuff. Cymbalta helped a little bit but not enough to justify the side effects. Sigh.

I wish you relief!

[grandprixer]

@sonestra

I’m guessing you might have EDS? If so, I totally understand about PT not always working. It made things worse for me, too. I think if I had more say in finding one that had experience with my autoimmune issues the results might have been different, but I didn’t have that luxury.

I have nothing else to contribute directly to your problem, as I do not have disc issues. For my pain, the only thing the works is lots of Advil. Gabapentin didn’t help and I’m allergic to vicodin, percocet, and all of that good stuff. Cymbalta helped a little bit but not enough to justify the side effects. Sigh.

I wish you relief!

Yes, unfortunately it’s EDS. Always lots of fun. Hopefully tomorrow’s injection will help enough.

[Equidance]

Thinline half pad regular not Ultra, DDPYoga and Natural Pelvic Reset. Yoga program is very accommodating to those with physical issues. Had extensive PT and injections without much relief. Within a few weeks of starting yoga and reset was 80% improved. Have had 2 flares that were easily resolved.

[SBrentnall]

@grandprixer

Yes, unfortunately it’s EDS. Always lots of fun. Hopefully tomorrow’s injection will help enough.

I have EDS, too, and it’s probably why the discs blew in the first place. It’s totally possible to heal with just PT if you find a good one. Mine takes into account my EDS and created a very careful program for me. I also found that spinal decompression on a special machine while slightly inverted did a lot to reduce the compression.

[Tyrus_Mom]

Have you tried acupuncture? I’ve had that discipline help me, both from a 7th generation acupuncturist and acupuncture from a sports medicine guy. I have two cracked discs in my lower back that occasionally get pinched nerves in them or get thrown out of alignment. Back problems are hideous. Good luck.