There is some excellent new research <https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/mind-back-pain-201605049517> about the mental aspect of back pain.
I read this book <https://www.amazon.com/Mindbody-Prescription-Healing-Body-Pain/dp/0446675156/ref=sr_1_16?adgrpid=185081185863&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.QfUXb_78srXvZRDJaxEh1Mh-DGdSHKhYw-L_CIr7TjS-S59xMyuw1PV3pBr3YfckBj0ctTInquJb5erBiIvCC9R1hgKQIilbNKcsunGx8Djf4KNBTgAficzLZ6DQhLHxaFjMie2hFcL2AnuXCVYX4F6BoUpJsdIsGnvizR77hY8dnyOuZESNaWJ-n73T7lr_m3w6pMB1JuR-yxLLsZWkI9S0LB0oyCxXqG7wTM6GwFM.itf5XOjnBVFOVyQKpGmhu8s3ze2j4lZAMlSWYYSO6vM&dib_tag=se&hvadid=779579855223&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9007300&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=1894343465023391812--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=1894343465023391812&hvtargid=kwd-300388044656&hydadcr=15493_13558568_9035&keywords=back+pain+book&mcid=3ddebfaecc5d33e6a7cd457521073348&qid=1764537263&sr=8-16>, it's a bit esoteric but ultimately very helpful if the cause of your pain is not structural (which it sounds like it isn't). On Sunday, November 30, 2025 at 12:27:34 PM UTC-5 Brady Smith wrote: > I had on again, off again back pain for a couple years, especially during > and after long climbs. I always chalked it up to fatigue/overuse, since it > was worse in summers, when I tend to ride a lot. It would get especially > tight after sitting for a while post-workout, and then I'd have to hobble > around a bit when standing up before it loosened up again. > > It was mostly a minor annoyance, mitigated somewhat by stretching and > butterfly clicks. I was especially diligent about the latter this past > summer as I was getting ready for the Triple Bypass. The ride went off > great--no back pain whatsoever. Then, five days later, I threw out my back > putting on pants before a wedding. That required some serious rehab, > including a few trips to the chiropractor. > > Since then, I've tired to spend 10-15 minutes with kettlebells after > weekday runs or trainer sessions. It's definitely a drag on running pace, > especially after squats, but I've basically eliminated back pain/fatigue of > the kind described above. I just do cleans/snatches/swings on repeat. An > added benefit: I sleep much better than I have in years. > > On Sunday, November 30, 2025 at 10:01:46 AM UTC-7 [email protected] wrote: > >> I brought my RItchey Breakaway to New York and got 3 rides/70 miles of >> riding in while visiting our kids. My lower back was a bit sore even though >> this was less riding than normal for me. >> My first thought is that when I bring the bike back for Christmas, I need >> to check all my contact points and better align the RItchey's fit with my >> bikes that don't cause back pain. >> If it's a one and only bike, I do think diagnosis is complex. For most >> riders, my first thought is are the bars too low. With our group, I'd worry >> about too long of reach and proper saddle set back. >> I'm glad you're feeling better. I went on a long loaded dirt ride upon >> return and my back was happy again. >> Best, Zach in ABQ >> >> >> On Sunday, November 30, 2025 at 8:11:44 AM UTC-7 Jay wrote: >> >>> Thanks everyone. >>> >>> That lasted three days. Was back on the bike Saturday. Day after the >>> ride and feeling good. I'm pretty sure this is nothing serious, as some >>> have experienced. Feels like a particular muscle in the lower back is >>> strained, usually takes 2-3 days to feel better. That's the only area >>> where it feels tight. And it only happens 3 or so times a year. In >>> between those instances, I feel 95% or better, with good mobility, can lift >>> heavy things. As mentioned, I stretch and strength train frequently. >>> >>> On Saturday, November 29, 2025 at 4:40:35 PM UTC-5 [email protected] >>> wrote: >>> >>>> I agree Patrick…gotta keep moving! I do think Jay should make sure it >>>> is not something medical going on though…bad disc, or even worse, whatever >>>> it is, better to catch it ASAP. >>>> >>>> On Sat, Nov 29, 2025 at 3:20 PM Patrick Moore <[email protected]> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>>> I’ve been trying improve my consistency with my pushup routine of 2 >>>>> sets per day after decades or haphazardly following it, tho’ I’m lazy >>>>> when >>>>> it comes to “exercises” and my long-term daily achievement record is >>>>> probably no more than 1 set 60%-70% of the time or perhaps 4 days per >>>>> week. >>>>> But at 70 I find that “use it or lose it” applies much more quickly that >>>>> at >>>>> 60, so I’m trying to be more regular. >>>>> >>>>> Thank God I’m not plagued by back pain, but I am plagued by being as >>>>> stiff as a board, and while pushups may help, I certainly find that >>>>> walking >>>>> helps to loosen up my legs and torso; even walking the dog 2X per week, >>>>> about 1 1/2 mile (the dog gets to run alongside the bike on other days). >>>>> >>>>> Generally speaking, I rather think, tho’ without much clear evidence, >>>>> that just keeping more parts of your body active is conducive to smooth >>>>> functioning overall. To that end I am trying to augment my pushups with >>>>> brief reps of exercises using 12 lb sledgehammers, to strengthen torso as >>>>> well as arms. (Google “Shovelglove.” I follow 1 or 2 of his exercises and >>>>> augment these with another of my own using 2 more 12 lb sledges with >>>>> handles cut to about 10”. The nice thing about sledge hammers is that >>>>> they >>>>> take up just about exactly 60 square inches of floor space.) >>>>> >>>>> All the above, particularly the walking, has made me much more limber >>>>> than I was say 5 years ago, when picking up dog turds on the gravel was >>>>> hard to do. I still can’t touch my toes, but I can pick up turds much >>>>> more >>>>> easily. >>>>> >>>>> Lastly, I am rather careful not to spend too much time lying on my >>>>> back; I try to sleep on my sides, and I think that this has helped >>>>> prevent >>>>> lower back muscular pain. >>>>> >>>>> FWIW. >>>>> >>>>> On Sat, Nov 29, 2025 at 7:23 AM Bill Schairer <[email protected]> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Several years ago I started doing 10 pushups each morning. My >>>>>> parents-in-law had suffered falls where they were unable to get up on >>>>>> their >>>>>> own. I had this notion that if I could do a pushup I would always be >>>>>> able >>>>>> to get up which may not be true but so be it. While I never suffered >>>>>> from >>>>>> debilitating back pain, I do feel low grade lower back pain or stiffness >>>>>> has essentially disappeared. Coincidence? After starting this habit, I >>>>>> read >>>>>> pushups are actually a great exercise for cycling, an added bonus. I am >>>>>> now 72. >>>>>> >>>>>> On Friday, November 28, 2025 at 6:04:04 PM UTC-8 [email protected] >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> I think sore lower back is just part of getting older….believe me, I >>>>>>> know exactly what you are describing. I have been good most of the year >>>>>>> but >>>>>>> fall yard clean up, pulling out the air conditioner, a whole season of >>>>>>> riding, it all contributes to a sore back. >>>>>>> If you are pretty happy with your bike setup, I would not start >>>>>>> changing it. Rough trails, standing and grinding up the steep hills, >>>>>>> that >>>>>>> will put stress on my back and I will pay for it. Best to have a >>>>>>> professional take a look at your back first, make sure it is not >>>>>>> something >>>>>>> going on. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Thursday, November 27, 2025 at 8:37:04 AM UTC-5 Jay wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I think I mentioned in another thread about some issues I had with >>>>>>>> my lower back but as it just flared up yesterday, wanted to ask for >>>>>>>> some >>>>>>>> thoughts/opinions. I know it's all personal, many factors at play >>>>>>>> (not >>>>>>>> just cycling), but maybe others have had a similar experience to me >>>>>>>> and >>>>>>>> identified cause(s) and changes to help. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> About 2-3 times a year I get a sore lower back. It comes out of >>>>>>>> the blue (wake up, feeling 100%, sit down at a desk, get up and ouch). >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Talked to chiropractor and osteopath about it, neither knows the >>>>>>>> cause. >>>>>>>> They recommend workouts and stretching routines which I follow >>>>>>>> religiously. Past couple of months have been really good as the >>>>>>>> osteopath >>>>>>>> had me following some stretching routines that were really good for >>>>>>>> entire >>>>>>>> upper body. I was surprised this happened yesterday morning. I would >>>>>>>> really like to nip this for good. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Assuming this is cycling related, or exacerbated by cycling, I was >>>>>>>> thinking of two possible causes: >>>>>>>> - How I sit on the saddle in terms of my lower back/pelvis >>>>>>>> (sometimes to keep my shoulders from rolling forward, I may arch my >>>>>>>> lower >>>>>>>> back inwards, I try not to, but it can happen) >>>>>>>> - Second is riding rough terrain (if I ride gravel trails a few >>>>>>>> days in a row, maybe it beats me up, compresses the discs in lower >>>>>>>> spine) >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Thanks >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>> send an email to [email protected]. >>>>>> To view this discussion visit >>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/28fe37a1-8fd7-40ee-8724-73a3fa869c27n%40googlegroups.com >>>>>> >>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/28fe37a1-8fd7-40ee-8724-73a3fa869c27n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>> . >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> >>>>> Patrick Moore >>>>> Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique, Orbis Terrarum >>>>> >>>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>>>> >>>>> Executive resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, letters, and other >>>>> writing services >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>>>> >>>>> *When thou didst not, savage, k**now thine own meaning,* >>>>> >>>>> *But wouldst gabble like a** thing most brutish,* >>>>> >>>>> *I endowed thy purposes w**ith words that made them known.* >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the >>>>> Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/lIVJm-rC2pk/unsubscribe >>>>> . >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >>>>> [email protected]. >>>>> To view this discussion visit >>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CALuTfguq2Htb_n-DmeC9PosW_%3DSKi%3D4RzcdvNcQirGezMBxb-Q%40mail.gmail.com >>>>> >>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CALuTfguq2Htb_n-DmeC9PosW_%3DSKi%3D4RzcdvNcQirGezMBxb-Q%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>> . >>>>> >>>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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