{"id":1517,"date":"2021-06-11T11:32:37","date_gmt":"2021-06-11T11:32:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/craftofmanhood.com\/\/?p=1517"},"modified":"2021-06-11T11:32:41","modified_gmt":"2021-06-11T11:32:41","slug":"is-surfing-good-for-your-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/craftofmanhood.com\/is-surfing-good-for-your-back\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Surfing Good For Your Back?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There\u2019s something special about hitting the beach on a perfect day and taking advantage of waves when the swell builds up. But we surfers are all fully aware of one of surfing\u2019s greatest drawbacks: back pain. So is surfing good for your back? And why do you feel that pain every time you paddle out?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally, surfing isn\u2019t good for your back. Our muscles are tight and\/or spasm, while sometimes you may feel continuous back pain. This is because you\u2019re putting too much strain on the wrong muscle groups and aren\u2019t getting enough support from other muscles while lying on your board or paddling.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Surfing may not be good for your back with the wrong technique, but you can change your technique and your posture if you understand exactly what\u2019s causing the pain and use some exercises to correct the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Causes Of Back Pain In Surfers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re surfing, you are spending a lot of time paddling out and in what is known as the \u201cprone position.\u201d A study<\/a> from the International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education found that 23.3% of all surfing injuries are back injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, considering that you\u2019re spending so much time on the water and prolonged lobar extensions (i.e., while you\u2019re paddling) is extremely strenuous and could make you predisposed to chronic back injuries. Also, if you aren\u2019t extending your cervical (neck) and thoracic (pectoral) vertebrae, it increases the pressure on your lower back, which wasn\u2019t built to withstand that kind of activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other movements while you\u2019re actually surfing, such as cuts, turns, and the combination of trunk movements, flexing, and rotating, make your chances of hurting your back so much higher. Beyond this, if you have a weak core (which serves to stabilize your muscle movements and prevents over-extension), you\u2019re creating a true recipe for disaster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Can Surfing Be Good For Posture?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Surfing can help improve your posture\u2026 if you do some work on it away from the waves and work on your form. Balance your surfing with some other exercises and, like any physical activity, it can be remarkably beneficial. But you have to look out for the imbalances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of the time, you are surfing with your face down and your neck up, but if you adjust your paddling technique, you can avoid the detrimental effects that surfing can have on your posture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, turns and maneuvers improve your core strength and rotators \u2013 two key components for good posture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond this, standing up on a surfboard, maintaining balance trains your body how to hold proper posture while you\u2019re not surfing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Strengthen Your Back For Surfing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps the best way to improve your posture, stretch and build up those core muscles is to use some basic yoga exercises that you can do anywhere\u2026 even on the shore, while you\u2019re getting ready to paddle out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Child\u2019s pose<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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