Lower Back pain

[EOD3]

It won't get better by itself. Chatting with a chiropractor or a physical therapist might give you some good exercise ideas.

If John Q catches you looking up, just tell them a UFO was reported doing vertical in a horizontal zone.

[TRICKSTER]

This is good in theory but in reality it is not always an option. There is only so much room on a Sam Brown for all the crap we have to carry on it. Mine is so full of things of which the location on the belt is mandated by policy that I don't have an option of relocating them.

The biggest problems for me is the belt mounted Taser. One of our higher ups (now retired) disallowed us the option of wearing them in a drop down leg holster "because they looked to mean"...WTF?? Ever since then I have had to act like a contortionist just to get into and out of the unit. My back gets unbelievably sore and feels better on my days off but then sore again when I go back to work.

Make an injury report and get a doctors note stating that you need to relocate/adjust your equipment because of the injury. Your department is required by law to make reasonable accommodations.

[Yodax109]

+1 for the moving things on around your belt. I have the double cuff case and it's been jacking my back! I'd also recommend lower back workouts, they help a lot!!!

[SVT-40]

Back injuries are one of the presumptive injuries. Meaning it's presumed to be line of duty. The presumption even extends up to five years into your retirement, depending on your years of service.

Here is the text from the Labor Code:

Labor Code Section 3213.2, Presumption for Lower Back Impairment

In the case of a member of a police department of a city, county, or city and county, or a member of the sheriff's office of a county, or a peace officer employed by the Department of the California Highway Patrol, or a peace officer employed by the University of California, who has been employed for at least five years as a peace officer on a regular, full-time salary and has been required to wear a duty belt as a condition of employment, the term "injury," as used in this division, includes lower back impairments. The compensation that is awarded for lower back impairments shall include full hospital, surgical, medical treatment, disability indemnity, and death benefits as provided by the provisions of this division.

(b) The lower back impairment so developing or manifesting itself in the peace officer shall be presumed to arise out of and in the course of the employment. This presumption is disputable and may be controverted by other evidence, but unless so controverted, the appeals board is bound to find in accordance with it. This presumption shall be extended to a person following termination of service for a period of three calendar months for each full year of the requisite service, but not to exceed 60 months in any circumstance, commencing with the last date actually worked in the specified capacity.

(c) For purposes of this section, "duty belt" means a belt used for the purpose of holding a gun, handcuffs, baton, and other items related to law enforcement.

Read all the presumptions here. Good information which all LEO's should be familiar with.

http://www.porac.org/plaws.html

[Falconis]

I was saying he has to have been on atleast 5 years.

[foxracer151]

http://www.thevestman.com/products.html

check out this site it is something that may be good to look into

[Triad]

http://www.thevestman.com/products.html
check out this site it is something that may be good to look into

This would be nice if I worked a Gang Unit, but for regular uniformed patrol I am SOL due to policy restrictions on "tactical" vests.

[yzErnie]

Make an injury report and get a doctors note stating that you need to relocate/adjust your equipment because of the injury. Your department is required by law to make reasonable accommodations.

That would be good but I don't have any room left on my belt to move things. Moving them will not solve the problem because if I move one thing then something else would take it's place. My belt is as minimized as I can get it and simply moving things isn't going to work for me. I'll have to deal with it for just 9 more months and then I'll never have to wear that stuff again. YES!!!

[Joewy]

That would be good but I don't have any room left on my belt to move things. Moving them will not solve the problem because if I move one thing then something else would take it's place. My belt is as minimized as I can get it and simply moving things isn't going to work for me. I'll have to deal with it for just 9 more months and then I'll never have to wear that stuff again. YES!!!

Try exercising. Situps, squats and running. You dont have to do a lot and most people of european ancestory end up with back pain no mater what the job is.

You would be supprised how many people get back pain and bulging disks when they are about 35 or so. It also eventually goes away when you reach your 50's if you dont do any surgery and do exercise

[Falconis]

It's MAY go away and that's if the disc isn't herniated or completely blown. He should probably go get checked out regardless

[TurboChrisB]

Does it feel like a muscle? I had a lower back muscle spasm about 10 years ago that put me on the GROUND. Couldn't get up for 20 mins. Crazy. It took about a month to totally subside. Then I would occasionally.....have it be really "tender". Couple times a month. Well I was talking to a friend..and he suggested using this piece of exercise equipment. They have them in all the gyms as well. They are often called "Roman Chairs"

http://www.amazon.com/Powerline-PCH24X-Roman-Chair-Hyperextension/dp/accessories/B000RYQDRS

They sell for as little as like $75

Check out the pic.....but if you're an "ordinary" guy....you'd adjust the blocks for your ankles alllll the way down so your feet aren't off the ground. Then you bend over and relax....almost like trying to touch your feet......then swing your head back up. Basically a reverse sit up.

I scoffed when my friend told me to try it. I got on and did about 25 real quick.....thought "That was easy"....then he says DON'T do any more....just 25 every time I come in for a couple of weeks....

Well I'll tell you what.....the next morning THAT muscle....that area ... that gave me trouble? Was SORE. He was right.....I needed to strengthen THAT area muscularly in my lower back. I did it for a while and noticed a definite improvement.

Anyways....just more for you to think about.

[rh3431]

I hop on an inversion table about once a week. That seems to help me. I go to a chiropractor once every 2-3 months. That seems to help too, but the pain is always there. Some days better, some days worse. And like the others said... reduce weight on your belt and exercise your core. I lost 25lbs and that helped A LOT!

[yzErnie]

Try exercising.

That would also be good to try but I already do that. After 33+ total as a reserve and a regular wearing this crap I think I'm just worn out. Out of all my time on the dept I have only spent a little above 4 years not wearing the weight belt. Worn out comes to mind before anything else. lol

[EOD3]

That would also be good to try but I already do that. After 33+ total as a reserve and a regular wearing this crap I think I'm just worn out. Out of all my time on the dept I have only spent a little above 4 years not wearing the weight belt. Worn out comes to mind before anything else. lol

You're nine months and a day from cold beer and hot showers?

If I was in your position, I'd be visiting with a "spinal surgeon" specializing in sports medicine every couple of weeks. He may be able to help you but even if he can't, you'll be building a "paper-trail" that might be worth it's weight in gold. If you document any incidents that exacerbate the problem, that couldn't hurt either. (No pun intended)

[SGGear]

Do not go to a chiropractor. I went to a chiropractor for three years and they only relieve the pain temporarily. With steady visit to the chiropractor, it made my back worse. It first started as a numb and tingling feeling throughout my leg. Then I could'nt balance on one foot. It progressed to a point where I couldnt walk anymore and even lying on the bed was painful. I couldnt take it anymore and I finally decided to have surgery on my back. Its been six years and with steady excercise and stretching, the problem went away.

My best advise is to seek a good physical therapist and follow their program. If your out carrying lot of gear on your belt, you probably do not want to over work your back even more by lifting heavy weights or running. Yes, believe it or not, the doctor said the last thing you want to do with back problem is go running. When you run, you are putting alot of pressure on your back every step you take. Best excercise for someone with back problem is to swim or walk/jog in a swimming pool. Avoid any excercise that requires you to twist or bend your upper body.

Theres also lot of simple changes that can be made to help you with your back problems. Avoid any activities that may make you twist your lower back or torso. Make a habbit of moving your shoulders along with your torso when you exit/enter cars, get out of bed (roll out), sitting and getting out of chairs, etc.. Do not put anything in your back pocket like a wallet. Sit flat. Do not slouch or lean sideways. Change your posture. Also, after I had the surgery, the doctor recommended me to always sleep side ways with a thick pillow between my legs. If you sleep on your back, place a pillow under your feet. It helps to keep your spine in place.

Also, Its also important to stretch your back in the morning and before you sleep. Do NOT over stretch your back. Look into light yoga excercises that will help stretch the back. The physical therapist can recommend light stretches for you. They may seem pointless, but trust me they help alot. Click on the link for examples of stretching that will help your back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06WYKCfdAn4

Once you have back pains, they will come back if you dont take care of it. Always eat healthy, exercise, and stretch and you ll be free of back pains. Take care.