Re-Injured back :(

[lzimm13]

I recently (yesterday) re injured a herniated disk in my lower back. I'm headed back to the chiropractor for a second session this week and hopefully 3 times a week there after. The problem is we are headed to Universal October 11th. I haven't been in years and we splurged or the 2 park 1 day ticket. I'm so afraid I'm not going to be able to ride anything! The good news is the pain is nowhere near as bad as it was the first time around, in HS approximately 10 years ago. But there are so many things that I was looking forward to! Gringotts, Jurassic Park, transformers, minions, Simpsons, MIB, Shrek. I guess what I'm asking is how bad are these rides? as you see I haven't listed any coasters, I really don't do them but I was excited about all of these. Any help?

 

[Jenkins]

My boyfriend has two herniated discs and rode Gringotts, Transformers, Minions, Simpsons and MIB. He was visibly in pain on the Simpsons ride and felt some discomfort on Gringotts and Transformers. MIB and Minions were fine. Couldn't get him on River Adventure but the drop didn't seem too rough if he were to have rode it. Shrek has some weird chair movements but they are like movie theater seats. You can always do stationary seating on some of the rides. He had the most problems with The Mummy and The Simpsons rides.

 

[Kivara]

Minions and Shrek both have stationary seat options.

I've never had a back issue, so I'm not sure what would bother it. But, MIB does whip the car in circles a few times on a ground track.

 

[FargoBear]

I will preface this by saying I love Universal, but I am fairly certain the Simpsons ride was built with the intention of causing back injuries.

 

[schumigirl]

I will preface this by saying I love Universal, but I am fairly certain the Simpsons ride was built with the intention of causing back injuries.

Lol......I could believe that.......

 

[godders]

I've got a previously herniated disc from nearly 8 years ago and I would definitely avoid Simpsons and sit in the stationary seats for Minions and Shrek. For the Mummy if you can sit in the front row and I found that less intense than the back. I can't see that Jurassic Park would be a problem as it is very smooth. Make sure you have good shoes for all the walking as well. I had my converse on the first trip after I did my back and I was in so much pain I had to go back to the hotel to let it settle down again.

 

[schumigirl]

I've got a previously herniated disc from nearly 8 years ago and I would definitely avoid Simpsons and sit in the stationary seats for Minions and Shrek. For the Mummy if you can sit in the front row and I found that less intense than the back. I can't see that Jurassic Park would be a problem as it is very smooth. Make sure you have good shoes for all the walking as well. I had my converse on the first trip after I did my back and I was in so much pain I had to go back to the hotel to let it settle down again.

Yep......front row of The Mummy is definitely a lot smoother than the back, same with RRR but you may not want to do that one..........

JP is ok but you can sometimes feel like you land like a brick.....other times it's not so bad.........

My son had back surgery three years ago, and a month before surgery we were in the parks......he tentatively tried everything and was ok........he didn't do Simpsons that year though.......

Good luck with whatever you decide to go on......hope it's fun........

 

[lzimm13]

Thanks for the info guys! That is exactly what I was looking for! I'm feeling about 50% better already so hopefully with all the PT work I'll be doing before the trip I'll be in good shape! I'll also be walking in my running shoes...no flip flops of me on this trip I guess! Small price to pay!

 

[keishashadow]

Thanks for the info guys! That is exactly what I was looking for! I'm feeling about 50% better already so hopefully with all the PT work I'll be doing before the trip I'll be in good shape! I'll also be walking in my running shoes...no flip flops of me on this trip I guess! Small price to pay!

perhaps dr can prescribe u a JIK Rx for pain/flexibility...better safe than sorry.

 

[musicmom3331]

Just to let you know: My daughter and I decided to try stationary seats on Minions for our second ride on it because it was basically a walk-on for those seats. The seats are in the front row. We both got horribly motion sick, even though there was no motion. I think it was because we were so close.

 

[Bluer101]

For someone that deals with back issues daily I have to say for me it depends on the day I'm having.

As you know you can sneeze wrong, get up wrong, tie your shoes, etc and throw your back into a tizzy.

For me I just make sure any of the coasters the harness is extremely snug or tight. But rides like Simpsons I do not do anymore. Just take it easy and see how it goes.

I don't visit without my muscle relaxers and oxy just in case I have an issue.

 

[lzimm13]

I havd my second visit with the chiropractor yesterday. There is still some ache-y-ness in my back but just barely, its the sciatic pain in my leg thats killing me!

perhaps dr can prescribe u a JIK Rx for pain/flexibility...better safe than sorry.

What exactly is a JIK?

For someone that deals with back issues daily I have to say for me it depends on the day I'm having.

As you know you can sneeze wrong, get up wrong, tie your shoes, etc and throw your back into a tizzy.

For me I just make sure any of the coasters the harness is extremely snug or tight. But rides like Simpsons I do not do anymore. Just take it easy and see how it goes.

I don't visit without my muscle relaxers and oxy just in case I have an issue.

You are so right! As of right now sneezing doesn't hurt, but my allergies are picking up and I brace myself every time I sneeze! I was anticipating Simpsons but it seems like I won't be going anywhere near that ride unless I have miraculous recovery in the next week or so!

 

[Dee2013]

I assume JIK means Just In Case, with autocorrect butting in!


With any ride, the front will have less force than the back, so even if it's not the very front, try to at least sit in the front half of a ride to avoid extra stress.

With Gringotts, the cars are deceiving since when loading it looks like 6 rows, but the cars split. Rows 1 and 4 are front, 3 and 6 are last. I LOVEd the front row! The back was more intense.

 

[twinkletoe]

Our stories couldn't be more similar, Izimm13! It has been ten years since herniating disks in my back (L4 and L5). Our trip to Universal was at the end of this past August. I had been planning the trip for a whole year and we were super excited. On August 1st, I could barely move. It came out of the blue, too. I saw the chiropractor, got massage therapy, iced and stretched but by the time we took our trip, I was still not at 100 %. The first day at Universal I wore sandals and that proved to be a poor choice. My back hurt terribly. I wore my very good running shoes from there on.
It was disappointing to me to sit out of the big rides but I couldn't risk ruining the trip with a full-out herniation. I rode Forbidden Journey and didn't feel too bad. I rode Spiderman and regretted it for the rest of the trip. It caused the pain to worsen and I learned my lesson. After that I used stationary seating when it was available and at Gringott's I walked through the queue with my family and then when we got to the ride an employee showed me how to get out.
My husband felt so bad that I couldn't have all the experiences I had planned, he's letting me plan another trip for next summer! I still had a great time and we made lots of precious family memories. I hope you do, too!