Anybody or do you know any kiters that made a successful return to kiteboarding after having a lower back severe multiple disc injury?
Yeah I did Pilates, and still do! 5-6yrs every week.
You need to turn your core into strength. You'll end up kiting better than you ever have.
Not lower back, but I have crush fractures to T6 and T7, and I had long term chronic lower back pain. I kite just fine. I think the flexing and twisting from excessive kiting has greatly improved the condition of my back.
I had l4l5s1 herniation...
I found running was incompatible with kiting. Run + kite =sore back.
Squats, deadlifts good, any weight exercise great for strengthening, just avoid repetitive impact + twisting like you get in running
I blew out my L4 L5 at work in 2007 in 2008 I had an operation to fix it because nothing else worked I was only surfing in those days and it took almost a year to get back on the board and a mal too short board was to much still . I started kite surfing in 2010 no problems so far.
It just comes down to exercise and a positive mind. Lots of swimming helped a lot and heaps of core work in the gym and then lots of running on the beach .
Then in 2012 broke my foot kiting .
Six screws and a plate 8 months off the water .
Didn't have any problems with my back from the impact that broke my heal into six pieces .
Still kite surfing still loving it never going to stop !!!! 
Heykitebad, i ruptured a disc between L2 & L3, I always have to be mindful of my back, when it flares up I can hardly walk, I found kitesurfing actually helps it a lot, kiting strengthens your core which helps you're back, trick is to wear a seat harness, IMO
Good luck with it
2008 L4/5 Lt sided 20 by 10mm disc extrusion with lt partial foot drop, discectomy, laminotomy and back on water in 12 weeks.
2014 L4/5 Rt sided massive extrusion settled with rest and rehab. 10 weeks off work and kiting.
So I accept some chronic ongoing back pain. Clinical Pilates with a physio is excellent as is walking regularly.
Listen to your back, rest if the pain is building.
You are the only person who can tell how your body is feeling. If their are significant disc protrusions compressing nerve root/ neurological signs get an opinion from a spinal surgeon. Ask around to find best option in your area.
1st you need to decide if your seriouse about getting yourself back on track, loose weight, get that core strength 100%, not a big believer in seat harness for disc injury, a disc injury doesn't like compression, a seat harness gives compression due to the pull from the kite, also a seat stops your core working( same as back brace), speak with a good physio or fitness instructor, not someone who talks a lot someone who is fanatical about their physique and fitness, if you want to get better you've got to give it 100% , I've had seriouse dramas with disc and facet joints ,heavy impact landings from my forces service , but I've been on mission to get myself right, a good balance exercise regime using power tubes really has built my core strength, before my arse leaves the bed I give my hamstrings a seriouse stretch ,standing is better than sitting, constantly keep an eye on your posture, all the little things help, feels great when your back on the water, good luck
Select to expand quoteSandfoot said..
Heykitebad, i ruptured a disc between L2 & L3, I always have to be mindful of my back, when it flares up I can hardly walk, I found kitesurfing actually helps it a lot, kiting strengthens your core which helps you're back, trick is to wear a seat harness, IMO
Good luck with it
Same same Exactly.
Old style seats with hooks set high may cause some compression (Cauncy comment) but not an issue with harness shorts that have the hook set low. Pull is direct around top of bum cheeks not lifting you up in the nappy seat.
Brothers ,
Thanks for sharing your views makes me feel a bit better , as its pretty lonely when ya out of action
As you know kiteboarding is a lifestyle , physical & socially when it all suddenly stops! “Does your head in”
but sounds like I have some hope after reading your reply’s , thanks!
Waist harness is fine - if it stays put on your waist. Problem I find is they ride up and then your lower back is fighting to keep you upright. Fine if you're not riding powered...
Seat pulls from the hips, so it's more like you're sitting down on the power. Much less stress on the back, but as said, your core doesn't do a lot of work and your form suffers... and riding topside is nearly I possible.
I had surgery on lower back in 2007-ish... forget all the details, but it sucked hard. Mostly paralyzed below the waist by the time the surgery time rolled around. Was back on the motorbike within 2 months (and low-sided in the wet on bad tyres!), then I went back to landboarding soon after, and got into the water in 2010. Everything I read said seat harnesses were the ticket... I've had sore muscle pain from kiting but never - as far as I can tell - anything sinister.
However, lifting heavy weights... three times since, I've had to spend a couple days in bed and a couple of months in pain and semi-paralysis on anti-inflammatories. Twice from bending over and picking up the motorbike and once from lifting weights - bent over rows. I know, duh, right...
So in short - if you address the issue, be it surgery or flexibility and strengthening, youll have no problem kiting even if you're out of shape.
Select to expand quotepuppetonastring said..Sandfoot said..
Heykitebad, i ruptured a disc between L2 & L3, I always have to be mindful of my back, when it flares up I can hardly walk, I found kitesurfing actually helps it a lot, kiting strengthens your core which helps you're back, trick is to wear a seat harness, IMO
Good luck with it
Same same Exactly.
Old style seats with hooks set high may cause some compression (Cauncy comment) but not an issue with harness shorts that have the hook set low. Pull is direct around top of bum cheeks not lifting you up in the nappy seat.
Same Here....struggling to get out of bed with a bad back...ok when upright...3 hours kiting and I was right as rain...Bizarrely, when using a waist harness...I usually use Dakine short harness....but im now in love with my mystic....
Protruded 3 disks back in July 2014, including a L5/S1 18mm burst with compression of the S1 nerve, no feeling and little power in my left leg. (Combination of heavy gym and long periods of sitting) 4 weeks excruciating pain, no sleep, heavy pain killers and alternative therapies with no relief. Saw a surgeon (best in the world IMO), weighed up all the risks, reviewed all the research and had a micro distectomy in August. Woke up pain free! Rehab with a sports physio (core strength, pool walking, and some more core strenght building). 4 weeks after back in gym and climbing as well, 12 weeks full recovery!
Started kitesurfing in Dec 2014 at 40, waist harness (LF Supreme), heaps of Superman impressions, and big fails, but no problems since. The core strenghening has worked a treat, and kiting has been great in taking it to a new level. Spend the time, pay your dues and build up ALL your core muscles and you will not look back (excuse the pun). Good luck.
I continue to suffer lower back pain due to issues with L3– L5 but have found ways to manage this while still Kiting, Sup and surfing every day I can.
The problem started mid-way through an 18 month Kite/surf trip, I was in Bali having just finished kiting for 2months on the NW WA coast, one evening I went to pick some dropped money only for my back to give way. I couldn’t move and had to be lifted back to the Hotel in agony. With maximum pain killers I could just walk with a stick but It was looking like the end of a dream trip. A further week in bed with gentle swimming was having little effect and I was totally depressed.
My wife then suggested we go snorkeling, after several dives to around 10m I could feel something happening to my back. I kept going deeper and deeper to around 20m turning back and forward somersaults in slow motion. After about 40mins of diving to 20m depth I walked out of the water and like a miracle I was totally normal. The next day I surfed 6ft Uluwatu and took a pounding but I was fine. I then spent 8 month kiting/surfing from Northern Peru through Chile without any problems.
Just recently the same thing happen while bending down to pick up a dropped Hotel room key. I had to crawl to the room in agony. This time I went straight into the ocean and again free dived as deep as I could go around 25m. I walked out again normal. This must have something to do with different partial pressures and the effect on the body as you go deeper.
Obviously everyone’s injuries are different, I would recommend anyone with back pain to give it a go but be careful. I need to go down to at least 20m to have any effect and unless you free dive regularly and can hold your breath for over 1 minute it is dangerous.
Every day I have dull lower back pain but it’s manageable with Yoga and as others have mentioned building core strength through multiple sports is essential.
You can continue to kite if you work at it, just listen to your body and adjust riding style, stance, harness type etc until you find what works.
Select to expand quotepuppetonastring said..Sandfoot said..
Heykitebad, i ruptured a disc between L2 & L3, I always have to be mindful of my back, when it flares up I can hardly walk, I found kitesurfing actually helps it a lot, kiting strengthens your core which helps you're back, trick is to wear a seat harness, IMO
Good luck with it
Same same Exactly.
Old style seats with hooks set high may cause some compression (Cauncy comment) but not an issue with harness shorts that have the hook set low. Pull is direct around top of bum cheeks not lifting you up in the nappy seat.
+3 for a seat harness. Splintered a disk snowboarding. I found kiting gave me the least pain of any sport, with a seat harness.
Get a swiss ball, and also improve your flexibility in your legs. It is the most demoralising injury I have ever had, and I have deep sympathy for anyone who suffers chronic back pain. Good luck!
