Back Pain

[mwcoxswain]

I have been coxing for 8 years - 3 years college and 5 years masters - and ever since I have been in this sport I have had serious back pain. I don't have a bump on lower back but it feels like I have nerve pain or or a sharp pain in my back. I know the cause I was just wondering if anyone else has had such back issues and what they've done to treat it. I sometimes need help out of the boat it's so bad. I've tried muscle relaxers but that doesn't seem to help. Any insight would be appreciated.

[cox'n]

It might not help now that your back is already bad, but a $5.00 garden kneeling pad fits perfectly in the coxswain's in every shell I've been in. It has saved my back. I don't like the back "slings" that are in many shells. The pad I use is slim, but it provides a lot of comfort. I've gotten them at Home Depot, but they are probably widely available.