Planning trip with back injury

[88jp]

I've had back problems for 20 plus years. My back is generally sore and aches on a daily basis. What I have to be careful about, is hurting it. I mean, it going out on me and being in pain with difficulty walking. When my back goes out on me, sometimes it's for no reason and sometimes I sat down the wrong way or went to pick something up and OUCH! And it always seems to happen at the worst times. The last time we went to WDW over NYE in 2019, I had hurt my back the day before bending over picking up a bed sheet. I spent the entire trip in pain. I still don't know how I did it. Going on rides, all that walking, etc. Sometimes it's not the ride, it's getting in and out (even if you're not in pain). I went on 7DMT and was fine because I think the size of were you sit is smaller sized and I was more "packed in." Went on the skyliner and when it was coming to a stop with the bumps and all....wow! Did that ever hurt. I sleep everynight with a heating pad, travel with it to.

I'm so sorry to hear about your pain! I totally sympathize with the most random of things having it go out - when I was in college, I sneezed at work and was out of commission for almost a week. Thank you for the advice!

 

[loves to dive]

Thank you for your response I'm so glad to hear that there are still a good bit of rides your son is able to take - wishing him well!

Thanks. It was trial and error at first but after a while he learned what he could handle. It can't be fixed so he has learned to live with it.

 

[daae3]

• HP & The Forbidden Journey- it does swing around a bit, but I remember it being smooth- you may want to ask on the universal board as it has been a few years since I rode it...
• Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh- gentle ride...there is one portion where your honey pot sort of becomes a boat...it’s not jarring but it’s definitely a different movevent
• Magic Carpets of Aladdin- never ridden...but it looks like Dumbo so only issue would be the stop...which for Dumbo I remember as gentle
• Mad Tea Party- spinning...and if you turn the wheel in the center, more spinning...you can control...no jarring starts and stops
• It's a Small World- gentle boat ride...at the end all the boats bump together and you can get a little push from the boat behind you.
• Splash Mountain (the one I'd be most sad to miss, but think I may have to). Gentle log ride...other than 2 hills and the big hill is sloped so it is more gentle than you realize...no big bumps that I can recall...logs may bump for unloading...

Good luck!

 

[88jp]

• HP & The Forbidden Journey- it does swing around a bit, but I remember it being smooth- you may want to ask on the universal board as it has been a few years since I rode it...
• Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh- gentle ride...there is one portion where your honey pot sort of becomes a boat...it’s not jarring but it’s definitely a different movevent
• Magic Carpets of Aladdin- never ridden...but it looks like Dumbo so only issue would be the stop...which for Dumbo I remember as gentle
• Mad Tea Party- spinning...and if you turn the wheel in the center, more spinning...you can control...no jarring starts and stops
• It's a Small World- gentle boat ride...at the end all the boats bump together and you can get a little push from the boat behind you.
• Splash Mountain (the one I'd be most sad to miss, but think I may have to). Gentle log ride...other than 2 hills and the big hill is sloped so it is more gentle than you realize...no big bumps that I can recall...logs may bump for unloading...

Good luck!

This is soooo helpful! thank you so much for this, I really appreciate it!

 

[gap2368]

I'm so new to this, I didn't even know there was a Disability portion of the forum! Would you be able to provide a link to that?

https://www.disboards.com/forums/disabilities.20/

 

[MrsHappyB]

Back trouble is no fun. I have three herniated discs in my lower back. For me what is most helpful is moving around (not a problem at Disney) and keeping the swelling to a minimum. I don't take pain pills for mine though unless I am miserable. I find that anti-inflammatory meds help me more than anything. Something to talk to your doctor about certainly because I am no doctor. Just stating what helps me out. Good luck and enjoy your trip.

 

[88jp]

Back trouble is no fun. I have three herniated discs in my lower back. For me what is most helpful is moving around (not a problem at Disney) and keeping the swelling to a minimum. I don't take pain pills for mine though unless I am miserable. I find that anti-inflammatory meds help me more than anything. Something to talk to your doctor about certainly because I am no doctor. Just stating what helps me out. Good luck and enjoy your trip.

Definitely against the pain pills - been there, done that. Thank you so much for the kind words!

 

[portcityw]

Dinosaur. Went on it for the first time, three months after surgery on L5-S1. That was a bad decision. Safari can get rough for me also. The others mentioned, don't bother me too much.

 

[MarkS2112]

I have a herniated disc in l4 l5 and ride everything at both parks. There are a few that can be jarring but I know where so can accommodate that. Space Mountain can be tough.

 

[Happy_2_B]

I have had chronic back pain for decades, and even now am in Physical Therapy and seeing a specialist for back pain management. Have ridden pretty much everything at WDW- Universal is a different animal altogether- lots of rides there I wouldn't go on. I wear my back brace- and have been mostly lucky- but have also made a couple of very regrettable decisions that put the brakes on the rest of the day- and made the rest of the trip doable but uncomfortable. We are headed there again in November, but nowadays I stick with the tamer stuff, and many days just go to enjoy the park without doing many attractions at all. My advice is to err on the side of caution, as one bad decision could turn your vacation into a less than pleasant experience. It is no fun traipsing around the parks in pain, and for me is no longer worth the risks I took on early trips. With that said, no one here can actually know what the specifics are regarding your back pain and what movements might trigger it, so I would rely on the opinion of your pain management specialist, or whatever physician you see for your particular issue.

 

[88jp]

I have had chronic back pain for decades, and even now am in Physical Therapy and seeing a specialist for back pain management. Have ridden pretty much everything at WDW- Universal is a different animal altogether- lots of rides there I wouldn't go on. I wear my back brace- and have been mostly lucky- but have also made a couple of very regrettable decisions that put the brakes on the rest of the day- and made the rest of the trip doable but uncomfortable. We are headed there again in November, but nowadays I stick with the tamer stuff, and many days just go to enjoy the park without doing many attractions at all. My advice is to err on the side of caution, as one bad decision could turn your vacation into a less than pleasant experience. It is no fun traipsing around the parks in pain, and for me is no longer worth the risks I took on early trips. With that said, no one here can actually know what the specifics are regarding your back pain and what movements might trigger it, so I would rely on the opinion of your pain management specialist, or whatever physician you see for your particular issue.

I will definitely consult with my doctor prior to riding - I totally agree that the last thing I would want is to be in pain for the entirety of the trip. Back brace is a good idea as well, I might inquire about that as I've never used one. I hope you enjoy your trip in November!

 

[bashuck]

Yeah my last trip I rode BTMRR which you’d think would be far worse on your back than Kali River Rapids. BTMRR didn’t bother me. Kali was much easier. Then at the very end another raft hit us and I couldn’t see it coming and that aggravated my back. Have neck issue too and was told not to ride Space Mountain as you can’t see what is coming. Advice I took, on a dozen trips I’ve still never done it.

 

[ShannyMcB]

Slow and steady will win the race here. Not sure if you mentioned when you a traveling but I found the heat in wdw actually helped me stay loose and avoid spasms...we would blast the ac while out of the room and then turn it off at night to keep from tightening up and because its loud.
Probably preaching to the choir here but I never stop singing the praises (no pun intended) of magnesium...a supplement at night, low dose, to keep the muscles loose and the foam spray for spot treatments. Ginger tea does wonders too if your tummy can handle it.
Any ride vehicle that really holds one in place is probably good and escalators when they are available..trying to go down the stairs too fast at the land pavilion was a real dumb idea for me.
If you suspect you may be carrying a park bag start "training" with it now paying special attention to how its packed so you dont end up lopsided. Train with more weight/bulkier stuff than you'll actually be bringing to strengthen your legs and core to support you more.

 

[88jp]

Slow and steady will win the race here. Not sure if you mentioned when you a traveling but I found the heat in wdw actually helped me stay loose and avoid spasms...we would blast the ac while out of the room and then turn it off at night to keep from tightening up and because its loud.
Probably preaching to the choir here but I never stop singing the praises (no pun intended) of magnesium...a supplement at night, low dose, to keep the muscles loose and the foam spray for spot treatments. Ginger tea does wonders too if your tummy can handle it.
Any ride vehicle that really holds one in place is probably good and escalators when they are available..trying to go down the stairs too fast at the land pavilion was a real dumb idea for me.
If you suspect you may be carrying a park bag start "training" with it now paying special attention to how its packed so you dont end up lopsided. Train with more weight/bulkier stuff than you'll actually be bringing to strengthen your legs and core to support you more.

Interesting you mention about the heat, I’ve noticed that as well but my friends just call me a grandma when I bring it up I will definitely get used to a bag, that’s a great idea! I’ve never heard of magnesium as a treatment (I currently take a low dosage muscle relaxer every night), I’ll keep that in mind to ask my doctor about. Thank you so much for the advice!

 

[RogueX]

Does it help to have any pain relief patches you can put on at the first sign of pain.(like Biofreeze, Tigerbalm, etc). I don't know if it would help, but worth throw out as a suggestion.

 

[88jp]

Does it help to have any pain relief patches you can put on at the first sign of pain.(like Biofreeze, Tigerbalm, etc). I don't know if it would help, but worth throw out as a suggestion.

I do actually! I have prescription patches from my pain management doctor - I’ll definitely be stocking up before heading down. Thanks!

 

[bdiddy]

My husband has had very bad back issues since he was 25. Spinal stenosis, herniated discs. He’s 45 now and finally had back surgery at 40 and we’ve been to Disney 8 times in the last 12 yrs. He says to take 800mg Advil every 8 hours, stretch as much as possible, ice at night for sure and even in the morning if you can. It’s tough but it can be done. He pretty much rides everything but Space Mountain because it’s too jarring. And he doesn’t do anything that drops or does loops but that’s because of his vertigo. If you ride Mummy at Universal, there’s a huge jerk in that ride that he wasn’t prepared for the first time and was hesitant to try again but once he knew about it, he could lean forward into it and it wasn’t as bad. He said for HP and the Forbidden Journey, just keep yourself pressed into the back of the seat as much as you can and it’s not too bad.

 

[88jp]

My husband has had very bad back issues since he was 25. Spinal stenosis, herniated discs. He’s 45 now and finally had back surgery at 40 and we’ve been to Disney 8 times in the last 12 yrs. He says to take 800mg Advil every 8 hours, stretch as much as possible, ice at night for sure and even in the morning if you can. It’s tough but it can be done. He pretty much rides everything but Space Mountain because it’s too jarring. And he doesn’t do anything that drops or does loops but that’s because of his vertigo. If you ride Mummy at Universal, there’s a huge jerk in that ride that he wasn’t prepared for the first time and was hesitant to try again but once he knew about it, he could lean forward into it and it wasn’t as bad. He said for HP and the Forbidden Journey, just keep yourself pressed into the back of the seat as much as you can and it’s not too bad.

Thank you so much for this plethora of amazing advice, I really appreciate it!! Will definitely heed the care advice from a Disney vet

 

[luvallprincesses]

Having had surgery on a ruptured L4/L5 four years ago, I agree with so much of what has been posted. Space Mt and Dinosaur are definite no’s for me due to jerking (Although Space Mtn at DisneyLAND is extremely smooth!) Expedition Everest is also a no, I feel intense pulling in the reverse section. The Safari can also be jolting but I’ll usually do it once/trip. I didn’t see anyone mention to be aware when boarding the Flight of Passage vehicle (sorry if I missed it), the back support comes up and hits you in the back pretty hard. I put my hand there for protection as soon as I am seated until it is in place.

 

[Silver saucer]

The People Mover of all things hurt something in my brothers back a couple years ago. He was riding backwards and the track zigged and he zagged. He didn't see it coming. I never would have thought to warn him. He was fine after some Advil but was more careful after that.
Good luck and have fun!!!!