Slipped disc and incorrect posture while rowing?

[Sylwana811]

Is it related?

I started rowing 8 months ago (30 k weekly).
On the begging my partner was checking my technique and it it was all brilliant.
Eventually, after a month, I started to row when no one was there. Around a month ago, my husband seen me rowing and said I have learnt the wrong technique, I lean to the back too much.
I wasn’t worried too much, as it was really comfortable and was enjoying doing this way.
Suddenly, on Saturday my disc slid, while at work.
I’m very fit, slim, 38 yrs.
Do you think the wrong rowing technique can do anything with the slipped disc?
Thanks

[Anth_F]

Is it related?

Do you think the wrong rowing technique can do anything with the slipped disc?
Thanks

Though i am not a health care professional, Rowing with a poor technique can cause a myriad of back related injuries. A continuation to row with a slipped disc and bad form is a big no no. I suggest seeking advice from your doctor in regards to this matter.

[Sylwana811]

Thanks, I don’t row since Saturday plus I made the appointment to see my doctor as well.
I’m going to improve my technique, was just wondering, if anyone had a similar problems?

[hjs]

Is it related?

I started rowing 8 months ago (30 k weekly).
On the begging my partner was checking my technique and it it was all brilliant.
Eventually, after a month, I started to row when no one was there. Around a month ago, my husband seen me rowing and said I have learnt the wrong technique, I lean to the back too much.
I wasn’t worried too much, as it was really comfortable and was enjoying doing this way.
Suddenly, on Saturday my disc slid, while at work.
I’m very fit, slim, 38 yrs.
Do you think the wrong rowing technique can do anything with the slipped disc?
Thanks

Even with good technique, that could happen. Our back really needs to work hard, if it has weak points, those could give in.

[Ollie Russell]

Ive battled with bilateral sciatica on and off since i was 15 and had a rugby accident at school. On the whole i have found rowing benefical to my back pain...i row a little more than 60k a week, i pressume my core and lower back muscle have strengthened and i have more stability in that area. Sometimes when i push myself i do have a stiff back the next day, but thats more because ive worked that area...rather than "putting my back out". Hard to say much regarding your form without a video, but im sure if you did some very experienced people on here would be happy to help.

It may be a coincidence, what were you doing at work when it happened? I work in construction and my back is generally fine...but if i drop a pencil and bend down the wrong way then it can be game over! Definately go and see an osteopath or chiropractor, im in the UK...costs me £40 a session but its well worth it and better than listening to "a guy on the internet".

[Dangerscouse]

It might be due to rowing, but it may also just be the straw that broke the camel's back.

Bad technique, too high a drag factor and low stroke rates will not help your back but I haven't had many back issues that I attribute to the rower in circa 19 years of rowing.

Do you have a strong core & glutes? It can be muscle discrepancies that overload other parts of your body.

[KeithT]

I had 2 disc surgeries before I started rowing and while lifting weights and such can often irritate my back I usually find rowing helps it. Bad form or overdoing it on the ERG could perhaps cause issue but in general I think the rower is beneficial to the back.

[Sylwana811]

Ive battled with bilateral sciatica on and off since i was 15 and had a rugby accident at school. On the whole i have found rowing benefical to my back pain...i row a little more than 60k a week, i pressume my core and lower back muscle have strengthened and i have more stability in that area. Sometimes when i push myself i do have a stiff back the next day, but thats more because ive worked that area...rather than "putting my back out". Hard to say much regarding your form without a video, but im sure if you did some very experienced people on here would be happy to help.

It may be a coincidence, what were you doing at work when it happened? I work in construction and my back is generally fine...but if i drop a pencil and bend down the wrong way then it can be game over! Definately go and see an osteopath or chiropractor, im in the UK...costs me £40 a session but its well worth it and better than listening to "a guy on the internet".

I bend down and then it happened. I’m in the UK as well, I think I will go and see an osteopath or chiropractor like you’re saying.
Thanks a lot.

[Ollie Russell]

It actually a great feeling when they crack it...worth the £40 alone lol. Last i asked my GP, they dont treat common back issues on the NHS, pressumably it would cost them a fortune. But possibly worth asking the GP first. Best of luck with it...and keep moving it, laying down doesnt do it much good. And still well worth posting a video demonstrating your rowing form.

[mdpfirrman]

I had what I thought was a rowing induced injury to my Thoracic spine (mid back). I hurt it, or at least I was convinced I did, doing January's CTC challenge -- that's an inter squad challenge online for virtual, indoor rowing clubs.

As others have mentioned, it could have just been the straw that broke the camel's back for me. I was resting and resting my back, but every time I went back to rowing, my mid back hurt. I finally reevaluated everything from posture to my desk chair and even how I sit at night watching TV.

Long story short, I think I've finally turned a corner on the back pain. It was caused, I think, in large part by an office chair that had gotten a bit broken down. I was slouching a bit all day long with a curve in my back. I've been doing Physical Therapy exercises daily. With the PT, I've been able to row again, albeit slowly coming back. Still haven't gotten much power back, but I'm happy to be rowing without much pain at all.

If rest doesn't help, might be worth seeing a good Physical therapist to help you. Continue working on form. We could all improve on that (or most of us could! ).

[Gammmmo]

Ive battled with bilateral sciatica on and off since i was 15 and had a rugby accident at school. On the whole i have found rowing benefical to my back pain...i row a little more than 60k a week, i pressume my core and lower back muscle have strengthened and i have more stability in that area. Sometimes when i push myself i do have a stiff back the next day, but thats more because ive worked that area...rather than "putting my back out". Hard to say much regarding your form without a video, but im sure if you did some very experienced people on here would be happy to help.

It may be a coincidence, what were you doing at work when it happened? I work in construction and my back is generally fine...but if i drop a pencil and bend down the wrong way then it can be game over! Definately go and see an osteopath or chiropractor, im in the UK...costs me £40 a session but its well worth it and better than listening to "a guy on the internet".

I bend down and then it happened. I’m in the UK as well, I think I will go and see an osteopath or chiropractor like you’re saying.
Thanks a lot.

Do you know it's a slipped disc or could it be a strain or muslce tear? I *think* I gave myself a slipped disc about 5 years ago pushing gears that were too big on the bike and it was much sharper pain than the strain I currently have from doing deadlifting.

[Sylwana811]

It actually a great feeling when they crack it...worth the £40 alone lol. Last i asked my GP, they dont treat common back issues on the NHS, pressumably it would cost them a fortune. But possibly worth asking the GP first. Best of luck with it...and keep moving it, laying down doesnt do it much good. And still well worth posting a video demonstrating your rowing form.

Thanks, I will ask my GP about it.
No, I def not lying down, I’m a postie lol

Will try to post a video in a while.

Thanks for now everyone

[Sylwana811]

Do you know it's a slipped disc or could it be a strain or muslce tear? I *think* I gave myself a slipped disc about 5 years ago pushing gears that were too big on the bike and it was much sharper pain than the strain I currently have from doing deadlifting.
[/quote]

I actually heard/felt the cracking, then the pain

[Gammmmo]

I actually heard/felt the cracking, then the pain

Oh wow...sorry to hear that. All I can add is that my slipped disc, although it rears it's head so to speak every now and then, doesn't hold me back esp as my back has gotten stronger with a full body programme of weights. The pain goes way quicker now and is alot less when it flares up.

[kini62]

Is it related?

I started rowing 8 months ago (30 k weekly).
On the begging my partner was checking my technique and it it was all brilliant.
Eventually, after a month, I started to row when no one was there. Around a month ago, my husband seen me rowing and said I have learnt the wrong technique, I lean to the back too much.
I wasn’t worried too much, as it was really comfortable and was enjoying doing this way.
Suddenly, on Saturday my disc slid, while at work.
I’m very fit, slim, 38 yrs.
Do you think the wrong rowing technique can do anything with the slipped disc?
Thanks

Personally I don't think your form if bad would be bad enough to contribute to that type of injury. My wife slipped a disc a few months ago from lack of flexibility from running. Her legs were around 2 inches off.

Anyway she now rows for exercise while rehabbing her back through PT, stretching and yoga. The rower causes her zero pain or discomfort and like others have mentioned it's probably helping her back by strengthening her back and core.

We also just got an inversion table. Only been using it since Monday and I now regret not getting one years ago. It's wonderful.