Carrying concealed with back pain: need help!

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I do 50 crunches every night when I get home, part of my routine.

Unfortunately, I believe this is a heredity issue. My Grandpa, my Dad, me, and now my kids all share the same problems.

A chiropractor can straighten any one of us out........for a while. They're not for everyone, but for tonight I have some relief.
 
I ruptured my first disc at age 14 playing football. I now have about ten ruptured discs, two level cervical fusion and L2-5 laminectomy (nasty).

I carry a fairly heavy piece IWB and my back doesn't hurt anymore than it does when not carrying (it hurts to some degree all the time).

Maybe try a shoulder rig.
 
I wear my gun at 9:00 with the handle forward. I recommend wearing your gun at 3:00 or 9:00 with the handle forward. This alleviates back pain by avoiding all pressure on the gun when you are moving or sitting. My father had a similar problem, and changing to this carry position (which I had already been using for a long time) solved it. We both carry Polish P-64's, and I carry all day, every day, even at home. If you want a good IWB holster, check out Don Hume. They even make 2 holsters for the Makarov, the H715-MWC and the JIT Slide. We use these holsters for our P-64's and they're a perfect fit.
 
I have a S&W Model 60 with a 3-inch barrel; it weighs almost as much as your SP101. Anything that will get the weight off your hips, like suspenders, will help. Even wearing your pants higher should give some relief. You might also consider a properly-fitted shoulder holster.

Inside the waistband holsters aren't going to fix the problem as they don't remove the stress, they just move it inside your pants where it can be uncomfortable in more ways than one.

You might also ask your doctor. I know that no one here trusts them but if you have known yours for a while and are comfortable with them, they might be able to give you some ideas.

Look at it this way, a little experimentation with various carry styles and even a visit to the doctor should cost less than the LCP and could let you carry the firearm of your choice and be pain-free, as well.
 
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Even though I'm 22, I hurt my back at work two years ago and occasionally get a flair up of pain. Thats why I actually like shoulder hostlers. They take the weight off your lower back, but they are also harder to conceal.

I would suggest a holster that spreads out the weight across your belt as much as possible. Something like a crossbreed. When I wear it I never get back pain. There might be some other holsters that spread out the weight more, but I haven't seen them.
 
Really confused here.

A good belt rig will put the weight on your hips and should not add any strain to your back.

The thing that might be bothering your back is if you are leaning to compensate for the off-center weight of the gun. So your solution might be MORE weight but on the opposite side. You could also try moving the gun closer to your center line.

A shoulder rig will most certainly add strain to your lower back
 
ExMachina said:
A good belt rig will put the weight on your hips and should not add any strain to your back.
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I completely agree. Your spine being above your hips doesn't care about the weight on your hips. The only way it could really affect you is by causing you to maybe sit funny.

A shoulder rig will most certainly add strain to your lower back
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Yeah, I'm not sure why people are suggesting this. It completely defies logic. Gun on hip, no weight on spine. Gun on shoulder, ALL weight on spine. How does that make sense?
 
1) Strengthen your core muscles. Some crunches, situps and stuff of that nature can help.
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Sit-Ups, Crunches, Crazy Ivans, those are great for the abs. Also don't forget straight leg sit-ups.
However, to really target your back:
Pull-Ups (not Chin-Ups) and Supermans. Also Push-Ups.
 
Edumacation

Alright ... a superman is ...
Lay on your stomach, all four apart. Now, lift your feet and your hands off the ground for about 20 to 30 seconds. There. Superman. Repeat until tired sore and cranky.

The crazy Ivan.
Sit down on the ground. Lift your feet off the ground. Now, twist your upper body left, while twisting your lower body right, inverse, repeat as needed. for a challenge, grab a 20 pound medicine ball while doing it.
 
As far as the lack of logic in putting the weight on the shoulders to relieve back pain, I know it works for me. Don't know why. I suspect its because I tighten the belt too much without the suspenders.
 
Weight on the hips can definitely cause lower back pain. It can also cause you to tilt your pelvis which is a no-no for lower back pain sufferers. Also, my lower back problems actually cause a lot of hip pain especially up towards the tops (iliac crest).

Got lower back pain? Why not jam a big metal or plastic thing in the curve of your waist or back? That should help with your posture... not! Try the shoulder rig and if necessary get a smaller, lighter and thinner weapon to carry.

Also ask your doctor for recommendations. Screw him if he doesn't like guns.
 
This is why I carry it handle forward at 9:00. It's not hitting my back and it's not on the curve of my waist. It's completely at the side in a location that has no effect on bending, sitting, etc. When you bend to sit, placing the gun in this location puts it on the axis of rotation. In other words, it does not move relative to your torso. You can bend forward and back, and the gun goes with you, not hindering your movement. I wear my gun like this all day, every day. When I put my pants and belt on, the gun goes with it. Even at home. I'd know by now if it was uncomfortable in any way. I've even slept with it on. That position just works because it works with the human body's natural shape and movement.
 
I completely agree. Your spine being above your hips doesn't care about the weight on your hips
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Not true.
Your hips, the pelvis, is connected to your sacrum by your sacroiliac joints, and the sacrum is connected to the lumbar spine.
In fact, one of the most common areas for back pain is exactly where the lumbar spine meets the sacrum (L5-S1).

The best move is to get the weight off your hips.

Get a shoulder holster.
 
I'm no Doctor

But I am a left above knee amputee who fights lower back pain all day, every day. Sitting hurts, standing hurts, walking hurts. I carry a Kimber Ultra Carry 24/7. I use a good gun belt and have found that along with a pair of Perry suspenders helps balance the weight around my hips and through my shoulders, the suspenders have made a world of difference in keeping my pain level way down and my pants up:eek:
 
i try to stretch my legs out every few hours. that's the only solution iv'e found.
 
Man, from reading all these posts I realize that there are a lot of us out there who have to deal with back pain every day.

Anyway, here is what I have found to work.

Don't believe the stuff we were told about needing a thick heavy leather belt to carry our handgun. All Hogwash!

Going to a thinner, less rigid belt has helped a great deal right off the bat. I use a single layer 1.75" wide nylon belt with a Simply Rugged holster for my 1911, positioned at appendix.
 
Seriously?

I've read some very welcome suggestions to my original post over the last few days. Some have the same shared problem, and understand what needs to be addressed, and some that assume they understand the problem and offer well intentioned, but misguided advice, but..........

....a thinner belt? For a two to three pound gun?:uhoh:
 
I carry a fullsize 92 on a nylon rigger belt. As a matter of fact I carry all mine on a nylon rigger belt.

However, this is the big caveat. I carry my weapons on my hip bones, as do I have my pants there. I don't cinch the belt around my midsection, it rests on my hips.
 
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