Riders who have scoliosis need a specific exercise program and accommodations to the saddle. Lumbar pain can be crippling. Unlike the hip or knee, it is difficult to immobilize the lumbar spine. Pain is a factor and it is not easy determining the culprit. We discussed last month that a dysfunctional sacroiliac joint can be the pain source.
Most people blame a disc for the pain.
Realistically, pain could be caused by a bad disc, but also from faulty mechanics stressing nerves and muscles, facet joint irritation, or chemical irritation from inflammatory processes. I find chronic back pain clients mostly have pain due to faulty mechanics in the lower quarter which has lead to nerve irritation and faulty muscle recruitment. Scar tissue around nerves called arachnoiditis, often occurs after surgery. Impaired sensory perception is a common problem leading to chronic pain. It is well documented that, not unlike ankle sprains, back injuries interfere with sensory feedback mechanisms in the low back.