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Discussion
DLG Throwers Back?
Is anyone else experiencing pain/discomfort in their lumbar area (lower back) either during or after flying discus launch gliders or is it just me? I have been flying dlgs for a couple of years now and in the first 18 months or so had no problems launching and could easily get good height on launch. However in recent months I have experienced increasing pain on the left side of my lower back which seems to be related to the twisting motion when launching. If I dont fly for a few weeks the back improves. As soon as I begin flying again the pain returns and can last for several days. Needless to say I am having to reduce the amount of flying I do as the pain is considerable and if I push it too hard the muscles in my lower back go into spasm and lock up completely.
I am 50. Maybe that is just too old for dlg flying? I might have to go back to javelin style launches - but then I would probably wreck my shoulder! |
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See your doctor.
DLG shouldn't hurt. If it hurts, something is wrong (either your technique needs work; or you've injured yourself, possibly doing something else than DLG). Again: see your doctor. Yours, Greg |
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I have an increasingly bad hip & partially herniated disc from a foolish youth activity (skydiving), and my back actually feels better after an afternoons launching. Two contest days and I am quite tired and my back gets stiff later. I believe that is from generally being out of shape.
BP |
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hell yeah my back hurts sometimes... Sometimes my legs as well as my arm...and if I don't pucker up when I really throw hard, I just might bust a gut!
I'm over 55 by the way. and competing in a DLG contest for a day, is harder on me than work...and I install hardwood floors. |
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I had a diskectomy 20+ years ago, flying seems to help my back, as does mountain biking in moderation. I did pull a hamstring after San Felasco last year, took forever to get sorted, and yeah, I'm not a kid anymore except in my mind.
Dave |
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[QUOTE=fishbed;27275727
I am 50. Maybe that is just too old for dlg flying? I might have to go back to javelin style launches - but then I would probably wreck my shoulder![/QUOTE] If you are too old for DLG flying, I'm in big trouble! I'm 74, fly about 8 hours a week and still fly in contests. I have some back pain but flying doesn't seem to make it worse. After a two day contest, which usually includes 3 days of flying, my whole body is so sore I can hardly walk but the fun far outweighs the pain!! Buddy |
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I put a lot of time in last winter trying to rework my launch after about seven years of willy nilly foot work on my launch. I was previously having back trouble after launching, but now I have no occurrence of trouble.
I now either launch with a from standing still, two step sequence, or a run up three step. I have a pretty limited range of motion, with some serious back trouble in my past. Having a limited range of motion it doesn't work for me to plant my feet threw the last half of rotation, so I hop a quarter of the way, then with feet planted I make the final quarter of the rotation. The hopping doesn't effect my shoulder position above the ground it basically is just me folding my legs to minimize the rotation of my pelvis, and lower back. The first half of my rotation is not very aggressive, I rely on the hop, a minimum of body rotation, and arm movement to gain momentum. This technique, allows me to get a healthy launch, and keep launching all day long. |
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I was afraid Buddy would chime in here, he puts us all to shame. And will probably whup me at San Felasco net month
Dave |
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56 or 7 ....can't recall ATM. No back issues unless I get on the trampoline. Wifey banned me from that, but I forget occasionally.
My DLG pain started in my knees - both- just late last year a few months into my late in life start into the hobby. Been throwing since June so there's the math and history. The knee pain was acute and very localized. Just to the inside of the kneecap of each knee. If you held a golfball between the knees, it would likely touch where I had pain. Looked into the joint rejuvenators with glucosamine and other goodies and gave one brand a trial. 6 or 7 days in - BING! Magic happened. No more zinging pain during or after DLGing. When this batch runs out I will try the best rated brand, Instaflex, to see if it is markedly better than the less spendy brand. I was a doubting Thomas before. Now? Not so much. I fly nearly everyday and slope when its windy...which could include the mountain hike of shame. YMMV but I am sold on the stuff. |
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Last Saturday I had to start my new DA 60. It only took about 30 flips to get it running but boy was my arm soar the next day. I often get a soar lower back and hips. This is nothing new for me as I have had this all my life but I have learned to live with it. One thing to do before you throw is stretch and begin throwing lightly and work up the power slowly. Take 10 to 15 launches before you open the throttle.
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It might be that you are stopping the body motion abruptly after the release instead of following through in a relaxed manner. That can add a lot of stress. So can arcing the back as one pulls through the release, either trying to throw the plane upwards or looking too hard upwards to see the plane. Been there, done that.
Gerald |
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Quote:
Close to 58 and no problem until now. Showing off to 10 year old nephew for a half hour. small back pain. Drive my Daughter for four hours to University the next day, and then I can not stand more than 20 minutes due to pain. Si Joint. I am fine a week later and a tad bit more cautious. Warm ups are now mandatory. I am sure I am good for another 30 years. |
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I should have included this information in my original response: I am past 65 years of age, and not going back!
Yours, Greg |
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Quote:
your point is still well taken..the act itself should not hurt. but hey, some of us have pains at the end of every day of work and play... And we feel better in the morning thank goodness!. if we don't, it means we didn't work or play hard enough. |
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