Need advice on back protector & back brace

[REVz]

Got news today that at age 51 my spine looks like that of an 80-year-old. At the beginning of the prognosis so just starting with drugs to relieve pain at this time...Was told that I should periodically wear a back brace.

 

So....

 

Does anybody here have recommendations on back braces?

How about M/C back protectors?

 

Any way to combine the two?

 

Sign me....not spineless just yet...

REVz

 

[moshe_levy]

Larry-

 

I too was told I had the spine of a 70 year old (I was 30 at the time), and was in constant chronic pain (unless I was riding or in martial arts class). Before surgery, and before pills, please do yourself a huge favor and read Dr. John Sarno's books on back pain, specifically The MindBody Prescription. I did, and I was completely 100% cured - no surgery, no pills, nothing but absorbing what was in that book. It's been almost 5 years now I've been pain free, and I consider beating that pain to be my life's most rewarding achievement. Try it - you'll thank me.

 

That said, I have found that the new NP back protectors in BMW's jackets are HUGE. The one in my Airshell covers damn near my entire back, and it's nice to have it integrated into the jacket. One less piece of gear to fuss with. If a new BMW jacket is not in your future, or if for some reason you want a separate protector, BMW makes one called the Back Protector 2

 

 

A cheaper choice is Icon's

 

 

Knox, Bohn, and others make them too. Unfortunately, there is not much data out there as to which is safer. Most tests talk about fit, and these can be unwieldy. That's why I recommend buying a jacket with an integrated back protector - mainly for comfort.

 

-MKL

[REVz]

Moshe

 

Thanks for the advice on the book I checked the library and they do have it. I will say prior to the diagnosis today I did have an MRI and have had two different doctors read it...they both agree my discs are not in too good of condition...

 

I already have a Darien Jacket and a lightweight BMW jacket so I'm thinking I'll just add the back protector.

 

I will absolutely try anything so I appreciate your taking the time to respond...

REVz

[Paul Mihalka]

We are talking of two different things, a back protector and a back brace. Back protectors are there to protect in case of a accident, but don't help a painful back. With a not terribly bad back a motorcycle "kidney belt" helps me a lot on longer ridees.

[CoarsegoldKid]

I'm an orthotist. If you are trying to arrest progression spinal issues you need to see a orthopod for the correct diagnosis and RX. Then see an orthotist for the manufacture and/or fitting of the correct device for the condition. Spinal orthoses will be very cumbersome for the most part and are not going to provide spinal protection in a crash as they do not articulate or bend because they are made to support. They may in fact do more damage to parts of body not contained within the spinal support.

I use a back protector made my Aerostich in both my Aerostich Roadcrafter and First Gear jackets that is held in with a fair amount of velcro. Worn in the jacket they may have a propensity to shift when you don't want them too unless the jacket is snug. I also have one sold by BMW I got a couple or years ago that is worn like a vest. Much better protection but yet another thing to wear on a hot day. Both will mitigate tearing the spinous processes off your spine in a slide. The foam used in most jackets will not get the job done IMHO. As for a direct hit to the spine foam will certainly not protect like harder spinal protectors will and even they can transmit a lot of force but are likely better than nothing.

[markgoodrich]

The EN1621-2 standard is the only objective basis for rating back protectors. I am sure there are protectors on the market which do a great job, which haven't been subjected to the CE testing protocols, but there's no way to know. There ar not very many protectors which do meet the -2 standard, which is specific to back protectors. Almost every back protector you see will say "CE approved" or words to that effect, but typically they mean it meets the -1 standard, a standard designed for shoulders, elbows, etc, not spinal protection. A "CE" back protector which meets the EN1621-1 standard is properly called a back pad. It may help protect you.

 

Having said all that, there is controversy over the efficacy of any back pad, as there is evidence most back injuries are due to what I call 'side impact' injuries, e.g. smashing into a curb while sliding on your front or back, i.e. a pad or full-on protector won't do much good. Well, road rash will be minimized.

 

Good luck with the spinal issues, sounds painful.

[REVz]

Thanks Paul, Mark, and Joe...

 

Looks like a lt more research is needed. Thank you all for the great advice and leads....

 

larry

 

 

 

 

 

[moshe_levy]

Larry-

 

Since you have a Darien (I'm about ready to pull the trigger on that myself) you'll note Aerostich has at least 3 protectors that fit that jacket. Check your friendly catalog for details. I think they're held in place with velcro. I like the BMW design like my Airshell where the protector is held in its own sewn-in pouch. More solid than velcro. The Firstgear protectors are a joke by comparison - like a dish sponge, and it only covers a very small area. Been using FG products for years, and been satisfied, but in the back protection department they're lacking. Then again, they're not $450+ either....

 

-MKL

[JR356]

My favorite and highly rated in testing.

I have the pro model,the new level 4 is now available:

 

http://www.johnsonleather.com/back%20Protectors.htm

 

JR356

[elkroeger]

I'm not a doctor, but I play one on the internet.

 

Actually I'm a back patient. I blew out a disk and had surgery twice (last one about 7 years ago). Lately I've been going in for cortisone injecitons every 8 months or so. It sucks, but the surgery worked, so I'm very thankful for that. Had it happened just 30 years ago, I woulda been screwed. In cave-man days, I would've suffered a long and painful death.

 

I use a back protector on the bike. But like any of that protective gear, I think I'd be extremely lucky if I crashed in such a way that the padding actually did something useful.

 

As far as the braces go, my doctor says they don't do much, if anything. You may recall several years ago every Lowe's employee in the country had to wear a back brace. I understand that it was basically a clinical trial. At the end of several years, they decided that there wasn't any difference. This NIOSH study, if not the Lowe's study, is certainly similar.

 

There is a LOT of junk on the internet regarding back pain. And there are a LOT of different types of back pain. Next to asking your doctor a lot of questions, stick with trusted websites - NIOSH, Merck Manual, WebMD and the like. Focus on your posture, and lay off the heavy lifting. Don't put too much faith in medical advice you get from a bunch of motorcyclists.... ;-)

 

Oh, and be thankful that you're just now falling apart at 51: I was 32 when mine packed it in.

 

 

[tallman]

Hit Air Vest

 

Airbag jackets

 

videos look like the protection afforded to neck, back, hips, internal organs is superb

 

videos

[Nice n Easy Rider]

Larry,

I think all the orthopedic docs talk like that. When I was 40 they told me I had the back of a 60-yo. The question is whether you are trying to protect your back from further degradation or catastrophic injury or whether you want to relieve pain while riding. I have trouble walking for the first 5-10 steps after I've been sitting or lying down for >30 minutes but then everything seems to loosen up and I'm OK until I sit or lie down again. On the other hand, I can ride for 2 hrs, get off the bike and I'm fine. Apparently my riding position opens up the inter-vertebral spaces or something and the back does well. I did find that wearing a back belt for long rides seems to force me to not slouch which I think helps.

Going back to the question of protection versus pain though. I stopped riding when i was about 44 and started again at 59. When a back doc looked at my MRI and told me to never get rear-ended I think I became more conservative. Having lived a fairly-rewarding life during those 15 years of not riding I felt I could assume the risks again of riding. Your doctor can obviously advise you as to what those risks are for you with your current back situation.

[REVz]

My doctor did say that the brace should only be used periodically for posture. I guess the challenge with using one all the time is that the back muscles actually weaken.

 

So I am told to strengthen core muscles, and have some PT. Then possibly cortisone, then surgery. Although he said surgery in my case would be massive, and may be successful in stabilizing the spine but may not relieve the pain.

 

So, for now, it looks like two different types of accessories are needed. A brace/support for intermittent use and some sort of protector for motorcycle use.

 

I really like the looks of the BMW model. I do have a back pad in my Darien, but I can't imagine it would do much. Although I have had a get-off in the Darien pants and both the pants and the hip protectors worked wonderfully. (Less than 20 mph low side and pants don't show any damage, amazing)

 

Thanks again everyone for your suggestions, I'm trying to follow up on them all...

 

REVz

 

[markgoodrich]

A further thought: Rukka and BMW, and perhaps others, are marketing armor which is soft, molds to your body, but instantly gets hard upon impact. Rukka's is a Dow product; for the moment they're the only ones offering it. It will be very expensive, I'm sure, but might be the ticket if it fits your jacket's pad pocket. The U. S. distributor doesn't carry it, but a phone call to them would get a special order going, I'm sure. I believe both brands meet the -2 CE standard.

 

EDIT: I was mistaken about the Rukka get-hard stuff; it only meets the -1 standard. Rukka does make a protector which meets the current -2 standard, and which looks like it will be quite comfortable. [i have a Rukka suit, with their "bbq grill pattern" armor, which I've found to be very comfortable in hot weather. I'm going to look into the new protector, which has a similar design: http://www.rukka.com/lfashion/rukka/rukkawww.nsf

 

Again, good luck with your back pain.

[REVz]

Mark

 

I live in Midland, MI the world headquarters of Dow Chemical and Dow Corning.

 

Looks like Detroit is the closest dealer for Rukka, but their website does not list back protectors.

 

or

 

A dealer, Premier Motorsports, in Oregon.

 

Maybe I can get somebody at Rotary Club to snitch one out of the factory?

 

Thanks for the lead...

 

REVz

[Peter Parts]

If you ride long enough, you are likely to land on your head at some point or two or three. And that means pinched nerves. The best treatment I know of is swimming. But if you don't do it, it won't help.

 

The orthopedists I've had contact with seem about the most backward medical specialists I've met, favoring surgery and mechanical stuff to any kind of life-style and exercise treatment. The physiotherapists are fairly modern these days and instead of funny heat treatments, a modern physiotherapy center is barely distinguishable from a gym.

 

+1 elkroeder

 

For many people, there is a treatment that helps with a great many conditions - losing weight. BTW, there is a big HP trade-up with lost weight!

[hootowl]

How about finding the real CAUSE of your back problem? Have any of the docs tried?

Start with the simple, easy stuff:

what's your mineral status?

what's your vitamin D blood levels?

are you taking acid blockers?

are you overweight?

do you exercise?

what do you eat?

 

Regards

Richard

 

 

[REVz]

I had an MRI on my back, which has been reviewed by three different doctors. In simple terms, my discs are ragged and compressed. To add to that challenge I have a genetically smaller nerve canal, which means there is less error before impingement on nerves.(not sure those are the proper term) There are many things which I can do to help my situation going forward and they do include PT, diet, and exercise.

 

At the same time, the status of my discs are that they are now degenerated to a very large degree. I'm not complaining about that, never have and hopefully never will. I'm just trying to find a way to keep on riding for a few more years.

 

Thanks everyone for your recommendations. I have picked up a BMW Back Protector 2 and will see how it works for now...

 

Thanks again to everyone...

REVz