Forums > Windsurfing General

bad habits that make us hurt

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Created by Sandman1221 > 9 months ago, 10 Feb 2022
Sandman1221
2776 posts
10 Feb 2022 12:11AM
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When I have something that hurts I typically think it is from windfoiling, but had two recent issues that were due to "bad habits".
1) minor flaring pain in the palm of my right hand below pinkie, every few minutes through the day would feel the pain, minor but irritating. Turns out it was due to my car! The Venza is an automatic trans., but drove a stick for the last 25 yrs, so was resting my hand on shifter knob. Well manual stick shift cars have a round shifter knob, but the Venza has a rectangular knob with hard corners that was putting pressure on a nerve in my hand. Do not drive every day, but Stopped resting hand on auto. shifter knob and pain went away! Have had Venza for several years, but been driving it exclusively for the last several months.
2) right elbow was hurting on bottom/outside in the tendons, would just not go away, felt like arthritis when I straightened out arm. Thought was due to windfoiling. Finally realized it was from how I was resting my elbow on my recliner which has wide wooden arm rests. Why just right elbow and not left?, and why now and not for the last 10 years I have had the recliner? Who knows, but taped some soft foam on armrests and pain went away! But now elbow is sensitive to any constant pressure, so folding arms across chest as much as I can when in recliner.
3) neck and upper back pain, after going to a Sports Medicine doctor for years know how to use rollers and massage tools to get vertebrae back into alignment so they stop irritating back nerves and muscles, but back pain and muscle tightness always kept coming back for years. Finally decided to get a stand for my iPad (Levo G2 Deluxe dual clamp rolling tablet stand), now have iPad at near eye level at kitchen counter, and on recliner can look straight up at iPad. Neck and back issues went away, hunching over with crooked neck looking and typing on iPad, laptop computer, and cell phone was the problem, and carried over bad posture when I was just walking around and windfoiling. Now I also hold cell phone up to eye level when using, but could also put on stand if I wanted too.

My lesson was to pay attention to what I am doing that causes me pain, just have to remember it can sometimes be difficult to diagnose when the pain does not occur immediately when doing the bad habit. The above 3 pain issues all happened afterwards, not while doing the bad habit.

LeeD
3939 posts
10 Feb 2022 2:11AM
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When my arches hurt from flat feet and too much standing activity, I go home and sit down.

LasserDrakar
40 posts
10 Feb 2022 3:12AM
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Morale of this story is that knobs make you hurt.

sboardcrazy
NSW, 8225 posts
10 Feb 2022 9:17AM
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Sandman1221 said..
When I have something that hurts I typically think it is from windfoiling, but had two recent issues that were due to "bad habits".
1) minor flaring pain in the palm of my right hand below pinkie, every few minutes through the day would feel the pain, minor but irritating. Turns out it was due to my car! The Venza is an automatic trans., but drove a stick for the last 25 yrs, so was resting my hand on shifter knob. Well manual stick shift cars have a round shifter knob, but the Venza has a rectangular knob with hard corners that was putting pressure on a nerve in my hand. Do not drive every day, but Stopped resting hand on auto. shifter knob and pain went away! Have had Venza for several years, but been driving it exclusively for the last several months.
2) right elbow was hurting on bottom/outside in the tendons, would just not go away, felt like arthritis when I straightened out arm. Thought was due to windfoiling. Finally realized it was from how I was resting my elbow on my recliner which has wide wooden arm rests. Why just right elbow and not left?, and why now and not for the last 10 years I have had the recliner? Who knows, but taped some soft foam on armrests and pain went away! But now elbow is sensitive to any constant pressure, so folding arms across chest as much as I can when in recliner.
3) neck and upper back pain, after going to a Sports Medicine doctor for years know how to use rollers and massage tools to get vertebrae back into alignment so they stop irritating back nerves and muscles, but back pain and muscle tightness always kept coming back for years. Finally decided to get a stand for my iPad (Levo G2 Deluxe dual clamp rolling tablet stand), now have iPad at near eye level at kitchen counter, and on recliner can look straight up at iPad. Neck and back issues went away, hunching over with crooked neck looking and typing on iPad, laptop computer, and cell phone was the problem, and carried over bad posture when I was just walking around and windfoiling. Now I also hold cell phone up to eye level when using, but could also put on stand if I wanted too.

My lesson was to pay attention to what I am doing that causes me pain, just have to remember it can sometimes be difficult to diagnose when the pain does not occur immediately when doing the bad habit. The above 3 pain issues all happened afterwards, not while doing the bad habit.


Years ago had long term tennis elbow and rsi from being a postie .I'm pretty good at picking up what is causing issues.
Having said that my right hand and fingers were going numb cycling. I thought it was just the bike ergonomics. It's 13 year old and the headstock is shorter than I'd like. You can't buy a longer one.
I finally realised that the seat sloped down at the front so all my weight was on my hands.
Anyway fixed the seat and its fine!

seanhogan
QLD, 3424 posts
10 Feb 2022 10:32AM
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Tardy
5260 posts
10 Feb 2022 2:54PM
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I know drinking 6-8 beers the night before you go sailing the next day hurts a lot more than it use to .

segler
WA, 1656 posts
10 Feb 2022 10:21PM
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Getting old sucks.

Sandman1221
2776 posts
11 Feb 2022 7:37AM
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segler said..
Getting old sucks.


Yeah, getting young sucks are always better!

Madge
NSW, 471 posts
11 Feb 2022 11:15AM
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Have you tried any preventative things like Omega 3 oil or Magnesium powder, that can help with muscle cramps and relaxing muscles after a use.

There may be an issue with just how you are holding the rig, try sailing with your thumbs on top of the boom, this can alter the way your forearm and hand muscles are effected and give better long term sailing fatigue.

Sandman1221
2776 posts
11 Feb 2022 11:19AM
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Madge said..
Have you tried any preventative things like Omega 3 oil or Magnesium powder, that can help with muscle cramps and relaxing muscles after a use.

There may be an issue with just how you are holding the rig, try sailing with your thumbs on top of the boom, this can alter the way your forearm and hand muscles are effected and give better long term sailing fatigue.


Yes, Omega 3, calcium and magnesium, and thumbs on top of boom most of the time. Grip strengthening exercises helped last time out, and also added the gym boom exercise back to my workout where I hang/lean out from a bar while holding the whole stack of weights up, really mimics foiling unhooked in strong gusty winds.

Sandman1221
2776 posts
11 Feb 2022 11:20AM
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Madge said..
Have you tried any preventative things like Omega 3 oil or Magnesium powder, that can help with muscle cramps and relaxing muscles after a use.

There may be an issue with just how you are holding the rig, try sailing with your thumbs on top of the boom, this can alter the way your forearm and hand muscles are effected and give better long term sailing fatigue.


Yes, Omega 3, calcium and magnesium, and thumbs on top of boom most of the time. Grip strengthening exercises helped last time out, and also added the gym boom exercise back to my workout where I hang/lean out from a bar while holding the whole stack of weights up, really mimics foiling unhooked in strong gusty winds.

Sandman1221
2776 posts
12 Feb 2022 1:12AM
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Sandman1221 said..

Madge said..
Have you tried any preventative things like Omega 3 oil or Magnesium powder, that can help with muscle cramps and relaxing muscles after a use.

There may be an issue with just how you are holding the rig, try sailing with your thumbs on top of the boom, this can alter the way your forearm and hand muscles are effected and give better long term sailing fatigue.



Yes, Omega 3, calcium and magnesium, and thumbs on top of boom most of the time. Grip strengthening exercises helped last time out, and also added the gym boom exercise back to my workout where I hang/lean out from a bar while holding the whole stack of weights up, really mimics foiling unhooked in strong gusty winds.


My problem is I do not get out often enough to keep the right muscles in condition, and that is just due to lack of windy days.

philn
1048 posts
12 Feb 2022 1:59AM
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Sandman1221 said..

Sandman1221 said..


Madge said..
Have you tried any preventative things like Omega 3 oil or Magnesium powder, that can help with muscle cramps and relaxing muscles after a use.

There may be an issue with just how you are holding the rig, try sailing with your thumbs on top of the boom, this can alter the way your forearm and hand muscles are effected and give better long term sailing fatigue.




Yes, Omega 3, calcium and magnesium, and thumbs on top of boom most of the time. Grip strengthening exercises helped last time out, and also added the gym boom exercise back to my workout where I hang/lean out from a bar while holding the whole stack of weights up, really mimics foiling unhooked in strong gusty winds.



My problem is I do not get out often enough to keep the right muscles in condition, and that is just due to lack of windy days.


Flatwater SUP is a good cross exercise for non windy days

Sandman1221
2776 posts
12 Feb 2022 8:40AM
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philn said..

Sandman1221 said..


Sandman1221 said..



Madge said..
Have you tried any preventative things like Omega 3 oil or Magnesium powder, that can help with muscle cramps and relaxing muscles after a use.

There may be an issue with just how you are holding the rig, try sailing with your thumbs on top of the boom, this can alter the way your forearm and hand muscles are effected and give better long term sailing fatigue.





Yes, Omega 3, calcium and magnesium, and thumbs on top of boom most of the time. Grip strengthening exercises helped last time out, and also added the gym boom exercise back to my workout where I hang/lean out from a bar while holding the whole stack of weights up, really mimics foiling unhooked in strong gusty winds.




My problem is I do not get out often enough to keep the right muscles in condition, and that is just due to lack of windy days.



Flatwater SUP is a good cross exercise for non windy days


Thanks philn, looked into that but turns out it is not good for the lower back (rotating to paddle one side then the other), I do kayak, just got done with a long paddle, also swim, and MTB. Did not have problems when doing the hanging exercise at the gym, will see how I do next time with that added.

philn
1048 posts
12 Feb 2022 12:23PM
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I'm surprised you're able to kayak with lower back problems. I have a bulging disc at L5/S1 with sciatica pain down my leg. Kayaking is literally the most painful thing for me (other than maybe sit-ups). Bending (sitting in a kayak) and pulling sets off my pain cycle every time. Stand up paddling in the waves with a small SUP is also pretty bad. But flat water paddling with a big stable board isn't a problem. I pull from my core rather than my lower back. Side benefit has been that as my core has strengthened, I've had less lower back pain in everyday life.

Bike riding is another bad one for my lower back. The slight bend forward to reach the handle bars on my cruiser bike is too much for my lower back. ??

Tardy
5260 posts
12 Feb 2022 6:17PM
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too many people cut their paddles too short or have them too short if its a adjustable one ,which make you bend forward ,(if you have back problems)
Sup is great for my lower back ,it may take a few weeks to build the muscles up if just starting out ,but many times i have limped to the water dragging my SUP ,when i come back in ,back pain is gone and back to a teenager again ,keeping straight is the key ,standing up ..bend your knees not your back ,and engage you core .
I'm with you philn ,sitting down sports kill's my back .it really is just old age but never admit it ..or your gone .

Imax1
QLD, 4925 posts
13 Feb 2022 6:38AM
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Refusing to wear booties and standing on another urchin or razor clam .

aus201
63 posts
13 Feb 2022 8:36AM
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Imax1 said..
Refusing to wear booties and standing on another urchin or razor clam .


Or a bull rout, similar to a stone fish. I did all three in a two month span last year. I'm back to wearing booties but, either way, it's a pain having metatarsal bursitis.

Sandman1221
2776 posts
13 Feb 2022 1:05PM
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Hey guys, I do not have lower back issues and want to keep it that way! The spine can take incredible compression forces, but is was not designed for twisting forces like swinging a golf club, or SUPing, or even using a wing paddle for kayaking, that rotation under strain damages the discs over time and they do not heal from the damage, it just accumulates and result in bulges and ruptures that then compress the nerves coming out of the spine as some of you already know.

stonny
NSW, 99 posts
13 Feb 2022 7:11PM
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So I suppose that counts out flower arranging too ?

gavnwend
WA, 1372 posts
13 Feb 2022 5:56PM
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No more hoola hoops for me.

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Sandman1221 said..
Hey guys, I do not have lower back issues and want to keep it that way! The spine can take incredible compression forces, but is was not designed for twisting forces like swinging a golf club, or SUPing, or even using a wing paddle for kayaking, that rotation under strain damages the discs over time and they do not heal from the damage, it just accumulates and result in bulges and ruptures that then compress the nerves coming out of the spine as some of you already know.



Sandman1221
2776 posts
13 Feb 2022 11:15PM
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gavnwend said..
No more hoola hoops for me.



Sandman1221 said..
Hey guys, I do not have lower back issues and want to keep it that way! The spine can take incredible compression forces, but is was not designed for twisting forces like swinging a golf club, or SUPing, or even using a wing paddle for kayaking, that rotation under strain damages the discs over time and they do not heal from the damage, it just accumulates and result in bulges and ruptures that then compress the nerves coming out of the spine as some of you already know.










It is a twisting force under tension, so like if you take a wet dish towel and twist it until it is under so much tension water runs out of it, that is bad for the back. Hoola hoop and flower arranging should not be an issue

elmo
WA, 8868 posts
14 Feb 2022 9:39AM
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Work

Sandman1221
2776 posts
16 Feb 2022 5:23AM
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right arm forearm and elbow got sore again after windfoiling, took creatine and Advil (anti inflammatory) but this time added L-lysine 1000 mg (take on empty stomach) and after one day my forearm and elbow feels fine, no soreness, even after doing some repetitive tasks with my arm. Lysine it know to prevent muscle breakdown after a workout, so will start taking after sessions. Kinda surprised it worked so quickly, maybe I am not getting enough in my diet, it is an essential amino acid required for muscle repair.

Sandman1221
2776 posts
16 Feb 2022 11:52PM
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Here is some interesting information on lysine:

Muscle Synthesis
Lysine is found in abundance in skeletal muscle. It plays an important role in the building and maintenance of skeletal muscle tissue. Low levels of lysine have been linked to a slowdown of protein synthesis. Protein synthesis is essential in helping your body rebuild muscle after a workout. When you exercise your muscles, the muscle proteins break down. Lysine helps to rebuild muscle tissue, aiding in the recovery process after a workout.

Lysine And Vitamin C
Lysine, like most amino acids, don't act alone. Often, amino acids will combine with vitamins, minerals, and other compounds in your body to form other amino acids. Lysine readily combines with vitamin C, especially when concentrations of lysine in the body are high. When lysine is combined with vitamin C, your body will convert it into another amino acid, carnitine. Carnitine helps the body metabolize fat stores and regulate oxygen. When you exercise, this means that your body will be more efficient in burning fat and delivering oxygen to muscles that need it.

Lysine And Arginine
Just like lysine's ability to combine with vitamins, its effects can also be enhanced when it is taken along with other amino acids. Arginine is a conditionally nonessential amino acid, meaning most of the time your body will produce enough, so that dietary sources are not needed. Evidence suggests that when lysine and arginine are found together, plasma levels of human growth hormone increase. An increase in the presence of human growth hormone helps athletes build muscle and enhance athletic performance.

Anti-Catabolic Effect
Catabolism is the process of breaking down tissues. When you exercise, your body enters a catabolic state. After exercise, it is important to reverse this catabolic effect and enter an anabolic state, which is a state of tissue growth. Lysine has been found to decrease the rate of protein degradation in the body, thus acting as a anti-catabilic compound. By slowing the rate of protein degradation, it is easier for your body to become anabolic after a workout and to recover and build muscle.

Sandman1221
2776 posts
17 Feb 2022 9:43PM
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So I had this same problem years ago when windsurfing, forearm got sore, took Advil and let it rest, was better after couple of days, no pain, but then would wake up in the middle of the night and noticed forearm was sore, was sore when waking up, and the rest of the day. Came to the conclusion I was straining forearm in my sleep. So tried putting arm in a sling while sleeping, and that solved the problem then and now!

olskool
QLD, 2459 posts
18 Feb 2022 6:01AM
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I had very bad tendonitis when i returned to windsurfing. Had FLEXBAR exercises daily. What i found helped the best was to massage the opposite but identical spot on unaffected arm using the affected arm. Pushing with your fingertips to cut into the muscle. Kinda like playing a piano.This strengthens n exercises the sore muscles. I tried lots of other methods, this worked best for me.

Sandman1221
2776 posts
18 Feb 2022 8:53AM
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olskool said..
I had very bad tendonitis when i returned to windsurfing. Had FLEXBAR exercises daily. What i found helped the best was to massage the opposite but identical spot on unaffected arm using the affected arm. Pushing with your fingertips to cut into the muscle. Kinda like playing a piano.This strengthens n exercises the sore muscles. I tried lots of other methods, this worked best for me.



olskool, interesting, thanks for that tip, and it makes sense when I do it, will let you know how it works for me.

What is interesting and related is my health plan provider had an event pre-covid for members, lots of salty chicken wings and other foods, AND a free massage! I had a tense area on the left upper side of my spine, the licensed massage therapist massaged that area with no change, but then massaged the right upper side of my back (not in the same area that was tense on the left side) and then the tension on the left side of my spine went away instantly!, and it stayed away.

jksmurf
212 posts
18 Feb 2022 5:53PM
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Hi,

I am not sure if there is another "damages to body parts" thread that would be more appropriate but certainly my habit (and not a bad one) of sail flipping on a small windsurf board made me hurt on this occasion. When the wind is low, I tend to force flip the sail by pulling the mast across, it has stood the test of time for me.

Long term windsurfer, went to Wing Foiling for swell riding and light rigs, then just for kicks I started using a bigger Wing Board with a mast base insert and a longer Windfoil fuse to start having a lot of fun in the swell (Strapless, with booties) with a Windsurf rig and loved it for the 4 or 5 sessions I tried. Was quite a natural feeling.

Then got clever and thought "I can gybe this thing", tried to go around, flipped the sail, the darn board reared up, the sail jammed my left ankle on the board, my momentum twisted my body around the leg and hey presto, fractured ankle two places. I was stupid enough to think to use the adrenalin to stand on one leg and a ginger toe to wobble back to the beach, fell in a few times.

I used a JP 125L SUP Foil and NP HP Glide (Red) Large Foil, WWF style I guess, big foil, small sail. I wouldn't mind tips on avoiding it happening again. Not recommended.

Cheers

k.








Haircut
QLD, 6491 posts
19 Feb 2022 12:39AM
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ouch, hope it mended okay. Can I ask what year you did that?

Sandman1221
2776 posts
18 Feb 2022 11:45PM
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jksmurf, ouch! are you just out of the cast? Best advice I can give for rehab is to exercise injured leg separately from good leg, so on a leg extension machine only use left leg, otherwise if you use both legs together you will slowly compensate with the right leg weakening left leg, that is what I did.



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"bad habits that make us hurt" started by Sandman1221