: Problem: Exaggerated torso twisting and too many hours paddling wore away the
: bone interfaces that hold my lumbar vertebrae in line. I stopped all
: exercise 3 months ago due to high levels of constant pain and numbness.
: Now , after therapy and rest I’m nearly recovered and painfree. I would
: love to continue kayaking but can’t afford to ablate anymore skeletal
: matter.

All back problems seem to react differently but I can tell you how I control my slipped disc problem. 25 years ago I herniated a lower disc, which required hospitalization. I had the worse pain in my life with leg numbness and pain going down to my ankle, back convulsions, etc. They wanted to operate but I refused. My back will still go out but not nearly so severely because I watch my twisting, stooping, and body weight. I do some back exercises that really work the hamstrings. When I kayak paddle I keep my back strait and don’t twist at all. All arm work. It’s all knowing and learning what works for you in my opinion. That has taken years for me to figure this out. I have done 180 lb squats with weights and had no problems because I knew how to position my back and feet, yet while brushing my teeth I had my back go out because I got lazy and was leaning forward. Hope this helps a little.

John