Surfer's Back

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Original Editor - Lucinda hampton Top Contributors - Lucinda hampton, Wanda van Niekerk, Kim Jackson, Shaimaa Eldib and Tony Lowe

Original Editor - Your name will be added here if you created the original content for this page.

Top Contributors - Lucinda hampton, Wanda van Niekerk, Kim Jackson, Shaimaa Eldib and Tony Lowe  

Introduction

Surfing is popular with participants on coastlines throughout the world. At some stage most surfers experience some degree of lower back pain or stiffness. A 2014 Australian study reporting it as the highest ranking of surfing injuries at 23.3%.

The most common form of lower back pain when surfing is characterised by tight muscles and a constant dull ache, and is most often caused by an over-arching low back and very stiff upper back. Unfortunately, many surfers are also plagued by back pain that hinders or terminates their participation in the sport.

The older surfers (age higher than 40) and more experienced surfers (more than 20 years of surfing) have higher relative risks of injuries, with the 35-55 age bracket being the most affected by lower back pain.

NB - This page describes and evaluates the common forms of surfers back. If assessment reveals any eg.red flags, spinal masqueraders, suspected spinal fracture be sure to liaise with appropriate medics and investigate as needed.

Common Causes of Back Pain in Surfers

The most common reasons for low back in surfers is due to one or or of the following

1.Large amount of time spent in the prone position. A recent study finding that 38.5% chronic lower back injury were attributed to both prolonged paddling and lying on the surf board, both of which involve lying prone.

2.Prolonged extension of the lumbar thus facet joints in a closed pact position. Adding paddling to this hyperextended position for extended periods of time and again increases the demands on the low back and may predisposes it to chronic injury.

3.Inadequate extension in the thoracic and cervical spine increasing the demands of extension on the low back (The low back forced to do more extension than it would normally do).

4.Explosive turning, cutting, and twisting movements often combining the trunk movements of flexion and rotation combined predispose the lower back to chronic injury

5.Insufficient core stability (an integral part of surfing). The core is required to perform manoeuvres and to protect the body, especially the spine, from injury by stabilisation. Also an important function is to stabilise the trunk to enable precise movement of the extremities (needed in the completion of surfing manoeuvres).

6. Insufficient flexibility and strength of muscles in lower kinetic chain and spine.

Subjective Assessment

Questions to ask include:

Past back problems?

Any accidents falling off board?

Check for any red flags i.e recent malignancy, unremitting pain, weight loss etc.

Is it chronic, sub-acute or acute?

Recent changes in surfing regime

What type of work do they do, as this may predispose to back pain

How long does it take for pain to come on?

Is it only with certain movements or manoeuvers?

Objective Assessment

Include at a minimum the following

• Surfing position and "pop up" technique - look out for: hyperextension back, stiff segments back, poor flexibility/strength with "pop up"(All these can contribute to a potential cause of the problem).
• Check movement in spine looking for :stiff or hyper mobile joints; scoliosis; kyphosis; excessive lordosis etc
• Muscle lengths and strength should be assessed in the major muscles involved in surfing.These include: core muscles as involved in stabilising/supporting pelvis; hip flexors; thigh muscles; quadratus lumborum; erector spinae
• Neurodynamic tests: LLTT's