One of the collapsible canvas carts will work well for you. That's what I use. Just search for "collapsible wagon" online.
Diving with sciatica
- Thread starter Bert van den Berg
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One of the collapsible canvas carts will work well for you. That's what I use. Just search for "collapsible wagon" online.
Cdncoldwater
Contributor
I'm looking at a steel one as I think it will handle the areas I dive better and I might take both sets down at the same time. My shore dives don't tend to get deeper than 50-60 feet so I find LP50s great. Tried LP85s; they sucked to dress out of water solo with my back and my dives are pretty shallow generally so I have loads of air for my average dives with LP50s.
Chris Ross
Contributor
I've had sciatica on and off for years and my first port of call is my osteopath - they can help a lot providing the disc is not too bad. He primarily works by controlled controlled restive stretching. I know a lot of my issues are due to tight leg muscles pulling the pelvis out of alignment. Sounds like your pain is worse than what I have experienced , but once it's under control working on core strength exercises and stretching is fairly important and swimming is good form of exercise- the only part of diving that is bad for this lifting the weight of your gear. I had a problem with a pinched nerve some time back and the saw a spinal specialist - his advice was interesting - "I'm your last resort" - try everything else first before you opt for surgery.
Once you recover some I would recommend some form as exercise program aimed at core strength and flexibility. You need both in balance - flexibility without strength is a recipe for problems. I've been doing pilates and it is run by physiotherapists/exercise physiologists who are sticklers for doing the exercises exactly right - if you don't you don't activate the right muscle groups and the core strength you need does not eventuate.
Once you recover some I would recommend some form as exercise program aimed at core strength and flexibility. You need both in balance - flexibility without strength is a recipe for problems. I've been doing pilates and it is run by physiotherapists/exercise physiologists who are sticklers for doing the exercises exactly right - if you don't you don't activate the right muscle groups and the core strength you need does not eventuate.
Someone mentioned the elliptical. That hurt so bad I couldn’t do it more than a few minutes. The recumbent bike was best for me.
mi000ke
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That was me. When I had my first incidence of bulging disk and sciatica I received a cortisone shot that reduced the pain by about 50%. I then went on the elliptical and within 30 minutes the pain was almost gone. Have kept up with the elliptical daily now for over 10 years and it really helps me. I actually tried a recumbent bike and it did not work for me.
I was seeing a physical therapist back then and asked him about using an inversion table,, which a friend had recommended. He said that each person is different, that it helps some and not others, and based on my MRI and diagnosis it would probably make matters worse for me. Well I bought a table anyway, tried it for a few weeks and he was correct.
You have to experiment and find what works for you. But the stretching and core strengthening exercises seem to work for most everyone, if done right.
The best solution seems to be not to grow old. That ain't working out so well, though.
OP
Bert van den Berg
Contributor
"The best solution seems to be not to grow old. That ain't working out so well, though."
But the alternative seems worse!
Thanks for the inversion table information. My friend also suggested that but now think I'll just follow doctors advise.
But the alternative seems worse!
Thanks for the inversion table information. My friend also suggested that but now think I'll just follow doctors advise.
....Second, I changed my weighting to move about 1/3 of my weight from my weight belt to trim pockets on my tank strap...
@ibj40 I am wondering if you have ever tried ditching the weight belt in favor of integrated and trim weight pockets? I ask because, although I do not have sciatica, the few times I have had to use a weight belt when renting a bcd, I wound up with a sore back. My spine is not in the greatest of shape, but the integrated weights have never aggravated my back (yet).
I have considered moving to an integrated BCD, but my wife dives one and it has no room in the pockets for accessories like slate, cutting tools, sausage, etc.
My weight belt is one with pockets that allows me to place the weight up close to the buckle.
With the configuration I have now with trims on the tank strap, I can maintain a good posture in the water column comfortably.
I got one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Tipke-2100-Marine-Fold-Utility/dp/B00006LPPJ
It will hold 5 AL80s or so, or a full SM set, or doubles, but the best part is the huge wheels for going over rocks, gravel, sand.
And it collapses just fine.
OP
Bert van den Berg
Contributor
My weight belt is supported by my hips and does not place weight on my back (or so I believe). Weight on my back is only a problem when standing with all the gear on. If you take the BCD/tank off in the water so the crew can lift it out of the water, then having integrated weights make the gear heavier and more difficult for them to lift.
I would also love to put my gear on in the water and am reasonably successful doing that in my wet-suit but trying that with my dry-suit means I will likely have to have assistance.
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