riding with a bad back
 

I have a question here that I'm looking for answers from some experienced riders, as Ive only had my first bike since December & have maybe had 7 or 8 times of being on it. My question is this: I had a bad back since 1997 when I had spinal implants/fusion done for scoliosis (curvature of the spine). I had no problems with my back acting up & was able to ride without any problems despite my back. However, on March 1st I was in a pretty severe car accident (no I wasn't on my bike thankfully), however I injured my back pretty bad, to where almost every vertebrae in the back was subluxated (or shifted out of proper position), in return that caused me to have a very severe case of nerve impingement (piniching of my nerves) & along with pressure on my discs. I was disabled & unable to even work for the whole month of March. The chiropractor & doctors I have seen said that I have improved greatly & even I have noticed that I have definately improved, although I still have some subluxations, some nerves being pinched & am still in pain. I am itching to get back on my bike now that we are having 80 degree days, however do not want to make my injuries worse. So I am looking to those experienced riders out there, to see if they feel I should be able to ride again, or if I should wait until later down the road to try riding again. The type of bike I have is a 1983 Honda CB550SC Nighthawk, so its not one of those crotch rockets to where I am huntched over the take or one those bikes that are really rough going down the road. Please repost on your advice on if you's think I'm safe to get back on it now, if I should wait until I'm not having any problems before getting back on it, or worst case not ride again. Thanks in advance.

I will not be getting on the bike just yet. I found out today while at the chiropractors & also recieving physical therapy that my low back pain is caused by my sciatic nerve being pinched & it is close to being cut off from nerve supply all togather. Do to this my range of movement is far from what it should be for my left leg, thigh & hip. So I'm holding off on my bike, until that is taken care of.

hope you heal up soon and can ride, I would stay away from any rigid framed bike and if you cant heal enough maybe a trike might be the way to go?
hope ya feel better either way

Renegade

Considering that I'm supposed to make a full recovery from the auto accident, other than a little loss of range of movement in my upper back, I should be good. I have to undergo physical therapy for a while & still undergo my chiropractor treatment, in order to fix my subluxations, regain proper movement in my neck, left arm, shoulder, leg, and lower back & regain some movement in upper back. From what I know right now, I should be able to get back on the bike, probably around July or August. Thankfully I have a '83 Honda Nighthawk which means its not too heavy, not no sport bike, and have adjustible suspension in the front & rear, so it would make a good bike to be on, since I can adjust the suspension to where I need it.

It will probably be a month or two or so before I get back on the bike for a regular basis, however I did get on it today & was able to do a couple short rides without problems, so I will continue to take it slow but it looks like I should be good.

Hey Nighthawk, glad to here you are getting back on. the only website that I know of that caters to back problems for riders is www.comfortzoneride.com they have some things that may help you