Advice from those with "bad backs"

[AnOtHeRdIsNeYfReAk]

Hi. My family and I are planning a Disney trip for September and could use a bit of help from those with back trouble. My dad tries to avoid rides that are very jerky or have sudden movements because of pain in his lower back. Things like Star Tours and Test Track are definitely out, but other seemingly "safe" rides caused a great deal of pain during our last trip. The small bump from the beginning and end of Its a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean, and a few other rides did quite a painful number on his back. Has anyone else experienced this, or know of some kind of back support that can help? I've seen lumbar pillows but I have no clue if they would even work. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[tiguan]

I suggest that he see a medical doctor for an evaluation and then probably he will be sent to an "independent" (not doctor owned clinic) physical therapist who can give him a good exercise program that may resolve his back problem.

 

[Praying Colonel]

I strained my back pretty badly about 2 weeks before we went to WDW last August. Some things that helped me:

--I got up early every morning and soaked in the CSR hot tub and swam at the Dig Site pool to loosen up;

--I took some Ibuprofen and put some sports cream on my back before leaving for the parks;

--I tried some "jerky" rides early and saw how my back reacted. Luckily, they didn't aggravate the situation and so I was OK with rides for the rest of the week. I found that for me, the rides which put the most pressure on my low back were the ones that moved me from side to side like Primeval Whirl and Dinosaur. Rides that were more acceleration forward and back or up and down (like RnRC and ToT) didn't bother me. YMMV.

--I tried to ice down after the day was over.

I can't say my back pain got better while I was there, but it didn't get worse and I was able to enjoy my vacation!

 

[GroovyWheeler]

I have moderate to severe scoliosis, and my back is in constant pain if I stand or try to walk without support, for long periods of time. I don't use a back brace of any kind (yet), but I've found that sitting down for a while, with something soft either behind me, or underneath me, helps relieve the pain and pressure. I use a reverse walker that has a flip-down seat. So when my back is hurting, I just flip the seat down.

I also take Advil or Alieve if the pain becomes too much for me to handle, and it works great.

Samantha

 

[crazykids]

I've had a bad back since 1995 when I was in a bad car accident. Since then I've had surgery, numerous injections, & have taken god knows how many pills! Despite all of this, I do fairly well in Disney World. I go on all of the rides & the only one that really hurts is Dinosaur in AK. Make sure you stretch in the morning & the evening. Ice also works well in the evenings.

 

[misshilda1]

I don't know what to say except go to a pharmacy or home medical place and get this little round cushion. it has a belt on it like to hook it to a chair but you can hook it around your waist and it keeps the lower part of the back in perfect lumbar support while sitting and acts as a cushion device also. I ahve had 3 major back surgeries including a spinal fusion complete with hardware and all and although I'm alot better now I still hurt daily and ahve limitations..I have one of these cushions that my physical therapist gave me since I set at a desk all day...Good luck..

 

[JennyDrake]

I also have a bad back, scoliosis + "slipped" disc + sciatic issues. I'll echo some of what has been posted, the lumbar support pillow is great, soaking in hot water and Alleve. I'm a bit of a fluke in that my back likes to be walked around, so WDW is much less of a problems for me.
The McKenzie program (PT) did WONDERS for em and still does! I also traded out my office chair for one of those silly balls. Yes, I look ridiculous, but my back doesn't hurt.