Posted: 12/9/2011 8:31:11 PM EDT
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Has anyone here experienced spinal/back pains caused from carrying concealed in an IWB holster? I began using one about two or three years ago with a S&W J-frame, and after a year finally had to discontinue use because of chronic pain in my lower back. Within a few days of switching to a different carry method, the pain disappeared. Recently I've begun carrying again with a different pistol, also strong-side behind the hip IWB, and about two months in the pain is starting to really get to me. I felt like I was in continual pain all throughout the day, and the only relief was from moving the pressure against my side from the pistol.
Are there any solutions to this, besides the CPT OBVIOUS "try carrying a different way"? It seems to be unrelated to the type of IWB holster used, and going to a larger pant size will simply mean a sagging beltline. If I open my belt up a notch or two the pain fades slightly, but not enough. Would carrying something else on the opposite side of my spine, inside the waistband, do any good? Should I simply give up on IWB carry entirely? |
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Quoted:
Has anyone here experienced spinal/back pains caused from carrying concealed in an IWB holster? I began using one about two or three years ago with a S&W J-frame, and after a year finally had to discontinue use because of chronic pain in my lower back. Within a few days of switching to a different carry method, the pain disappeared. Recently I've begun carrying again with a different pistol, also strong-side behind the hip IWB, and about two months in the pain is starting to really get to me. I felt like I was in continual pain all throughout the day, and the only relief was from moving the pressure against my side from the pistol. Are there any solutions to this, besides the CPT OBVIOUS "try carrying a different way"? It seems to be unrelated to the type of IWB holster used, and going to a larger pant size will simply mean a sagging beltline. If I open my belt up a notch or two the pain fades slightly, but not enough. Would carrying something else on the opposite side of my spine, inside the waistband, do any good? Should I simply give up on IWB carry entirely? What are you 120 lbs soaking wet? |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Has anyone here experienced spinal/back pains caused from carrying concealed in an IWB holster? I began using one about two or three years ago with a S&W J-frame, and after a year finally had to discontinue use because of chronic pain in my lower back. Within a few days of switching to a different carry method, the pain disappeared. Recently I've begun carrying again with a different pistol, also strong-side behind the hip IWB, and about two months in the pain is starting to really get to me. I felt like I was in continual pain all throughout the day, and the only relief was from moving the pressure against my side from the pistol. Are there any solutions to this, besides the CPT OBVIOUS "try carrying a different way"? It seems to be unrelated to the type of IWB holster used, and going to a larger pant size will simply mean a sagging beltline. If I open my belt up a notch or two the pain fades slightly, but not enough. Would carrying something else on the opposite side of my spine, inside the waistband, do any good? Should I simply give up on IWB carry entirely? What are you 120 lbs soaking wet? 145, actually. 32" waist doesn't leave much room for a pistol, unfortunately. |
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Possibly the cylinder digging into your back? Have you tried appendix carry (in the front)? Try a compact automatic instead? Is your J-frame an airweight? They are quite a bit lighter then the standard 5 shot and may be worth the trade.
I'd experiment a bit to see if you can find a solution that isn't so hard on your back... If all else fails, you can always go to an ankle holster or shoulder rig. |
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disclaimer - always seek medical advice in person for an examination and evaluation to determine the exact cause of complaints or conditions. that said, one possible diagnoisis is something called piriformis syndrome. normally caused by irritation to the nerve/muscles involved, by such things as sitting on big, fat wallets, especially when driving long distances. typically feels like a deep pain in the gluteals. goes away after several weeks when you take the provoking factor away (move the wallet). in this case, pressure by the the carry piece on the same area. other possibilities - muscle spasms and trigger points are occuring, causing pain. pain causes inflammation, leading to irritation, swelling, more pain - causes a self substaining cycle. again, seek professional medical care for exam/eval to determine correct diagnoisis, especially if any signs/symptoms of neurologic impairment occurs |
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Quoted:
Possibly the cylinder digging into your back? Have you tried appendix carry (in the front)? Try a compact automatic instead? Is your J-frame an airweight? They are quite a bit lighter then the standard 5 shot and may be worth the trade. I'd experiment a bit to see if you can find a solution that isn't so hard on your back... If all else fails, you can always go to an ankle holster or shoulder rig. The J-frame was the first gun I tried, and it's doing the same thing with the 4" 1911 that I'm now using. And yes, the J-frame was a scandium ultralight model. Appendix carry just doesn't work for me, there's not enough room. Ankle holsters and shoulder rigs are pretty much out of the question in Florida, unfortunately. I already pocket carry, but there's no way to fit a 4" 1911 into a pocket, and anything less doesn't really provide the accuracy and power that I'm comfortable with. Experimenting with all sorts of holsters has led me to the conclusion that IWB carry is the only viable means of concealing a decent-sized sidearm, for someone of my size and build in this environment, but in the long term it seems to lead to serious back problems... |
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I have problems from extended carrying iwb at 3 or 4 oclock and carrying front pocket. btw when you sit, take your wallet out of your back pocket. it helps ALOT Actually had to go to a chiro from years of unbalanced weight on one side, it pushed my hip down and actually rotated a few of my vertebrae so my ribs weren't even visibly even anymore. Chiro fixed alignment after about 3 months of weekly visits, balance is really important to maintain things in their right position. |