Originally Posted By soroc First a little history about me, I am a 41 year old female who has occassional back pain, nothing that has kept me from doing anything that I want until this past November. I was working out at the gym and used to much weight on the bench press. It caused a pinched nerve in my upper back. It put me out of commission for about 4 weeks then it went away on its own. I am now fine and have resumed working out, only with less weight. My family and I are to DW for 10 days in April as well as 1 day at BG and 3 days at US and IOA. We have never been to any of these parks but were in DL and US Hollywood in Oct '05. I had no problem with the Indy ride or the BTTF ride at US, so I thought if I could do those two I could probably do just about any ride. Anyway my question to you theme park experts is, do any of you have bad backs and avoid any rides because of it? I am thinking of talking to my doctor and getting his opinion, but unless he knows anything about the amount of roughness of the rides, I don't think he'll be able to give me advice. Please tell me what you think cuz I don't want to miss out on any ride.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder I'm 48, almost 49. I was told back in 1980 I'm missing three vertebrae in my lower back, likely to due wrestling from 5th grade through second year of college. I also now have a bulging disc problem in my lower neck/upper back. I made the mistake, sad to say, of riding WDW's Space Mountain two months ago. Believe it or not, my back came out of it okay, it was the restraining bar that kept punching me in the gut at every drop. I came off that ride feeling like I was mugged.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I was gonna say, if WDW's Space Mountain is anything like DL's Matterhorn (they're virtually the same ride), I say stay away! My back is fine, but that ride is almost painful for me.
Originally Posted By soroc Thanks for the reply. Sorry to hear about your back problems but glad to hear you could do Space mountain. If you can ride with the severity of your back, hopefully I should be able to ride just about anything. Wish me luck!
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder After reading trekkeruss, I was reminded of something. A word of caution- he's right, really. I'm used to a constant amount of lower back pain. It's been going on 30 years that there hasn't been a day it didn't hurt to one degree or another, no matter what my overall physical condition would be at the time. My back still hurt after that ride, it's just that the level of increase wasn't that significant for me. What is a tolerable level for some may not be for others. I'd recommend at least a nice dose of something like Advil before you start your day, if you're into that, and keep them coming every few hours. Your muscles might be a bit more relaxed and not as susceptible. Of course, while I am a doctor, it's a juris doctor degree I have, not a medical one.
Originally Posted By soroc Thanks for the advice. Another question, is it best to brace yourself throughout the rides or be more relaxed? I would think it would be best to be braced, but then again I haven't ridden a lot of these rides before, Is Tot a bad ride for backs?
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder Have never done any Tower of Terror, so I couldn't say. As for Space Mountain, I initially sat relaxed in the seat, but after the first punch in the gut I had to brace myself for that as opposed to anything else. Unless I hear of changes, suffice to say I'm not going on that ride again. But another caveat. I'm a big guy. I have a 52 inch chest and a 38 inch waist. That had something to do with it, no question.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I slipped 2 disks 2 years ago and ride everything at Disney. However, Dinosaur and Space Mountain left me feeling a little worse for wear. ToT was fine. But everyone varies. That said, I go the worst pain from It's a Small World when another boat crashed into the back of ours.
Originally Posted By fundog58 I'm in healthcare so I probably err on the side of caution, but I would say pay attention to the warning signs and if you're not sure about something, stay off. The good news is that with the possible exception of IOA, you can find plenty to do at all the parks you mentioned without setting foot on any rough rides. Hope you have a great trip!
Originally Posted By seafairy soroc, sounds like an exciting vacation.I am 43 I don't have back problems, I love roller coasters. I did not like Dinosaur, too rough for me. It didn't hurt me but it was just really a rough ride. I have been on Indiana Jones at DL. that one didn't bother me.The areosmith roller coaster is my favorite at DW. I also liked experition everest.have a fun vacation! Seafairy
Originally Posted By Indigo In my opinion if you can ride Indy you can ride any Disney attraction. But I would still advise you to consult a doctor before going on Mission:Space or Tower of Terror. Only your doctor will know how the g-forces exerted by those two attractions will affect your back injury. (All the G's in ToT come from the sudden reversal at the end of the drop. I avoid it because I'm worried how the comphresion will effect my back)
Originally Posted By kennect My partner has major back problems but yet rides everything that Disney and Universal has to throw out....He keeps coming off each attraction just fine...I really thought the Hulk might do him but it didn't...I guess, as said many times above, it is a personal thing that simply really can't be judged that easily in terms of asking for advice....
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy >> Have never done any Tower of Terror << TOT is at least an extremely "smooth" ride, not as bumpy as some of the others mentioned. The forces involved are not felt with an "impact." M:Space is the same way. Very smooth. But it has it's own unique challenges. Still -- be wary. Use your best judgment.
Originally Posted By dsnyredhead Use your judgment and your common sense. As someone with back problems, I avoid Indy, Matterhorn, and any rides that are rough or bumpy. I will ride Small World but brace myself at the end because of the bumping. I have ridden TOT and put a sweatshirt around my waist and back.(I will only ride TOT if I am having a really good day, if you have back problems you probably understand the good days vs bad days). M:Space I have only ridden the less intense version.
Originally Posted By Labuda I'm with others - use your best judgment. That said, I have no issues with Mission: Space or Tower of Terror, but Space Mt makes my back hurt.
Originally Posted By nats30 Tower of Terror is mild in comparison to the other mentioned rides. The only thing I felt on that ride was the drops. It was a good sensation.
Originally Posted By The Goddess Mara I have a herniated disc and a bulging disc. The absolute worst ride for my back is Space Mountain at Walt Disney World as mentioned at the very beginning of this thread--it's as if it was designed as a torture device. And I disagree that the experience is almost the same as the Matternorm (though I've heard that the ride systems are nearly identical). I ride the Matterhorn with no problem--yes, it's a little jerky (nothing compared to the way they yank you around in Dinosaur), but doesn't compare to the grand torture of Space Mountain in WDW. If you have back problems, definitely avoid it. I've ridden the Tower of Terrors in Orlando, Anaheim, and Japan and none have caused an "compression" in my back or any issues at all (except terror, the very first time in Orlando--now, of course, I just chuckle).
Originally Posted By The Goddess Mara Oh--forgot to mention that I've ridden the Space Mountains in both Disneyland and Hong Kong and they're smooth as silk. What a pleasure.
Originally Posted By smedley I suffer from neck/upper back problems, and would like to add test track to the list. Although I've been fine on it several times, the last time I was there it stopped suddenly due to a technical problem whilst we were riding, and it put me out of commision in terms of big rides for 3 days Not had too many issues with SM myself, but my dad who is a lower back pain sufferer had real problems after riding it. We both find TOT to be absolutely fine.
