I have had back problems before but just seem to keep having nagging issues this time. I have reduced the weight I was carrying [from a model 10 to a 327] but don't know the best way to carry. I had been using a cross carry inside the pants holster. It was rawhide and shaped comfortably to both me and the K frame. I don't know if that would be best. I even asked the doctor; he didn't know.

Any suggestions from those who have had back problems? Thanks.

Age and the Snubnose

I'll try to help,
How does your back problems affect your everyday movements? I mean, can you twist side to side? Can you bend forward or backward? Can you stand or sit for prolonged periods? I think the answers to those questions may help point you in the right direction...

Take care & do what the doc says...

My back problems are under control (no meds) but left me unable to belt carry anything, much less a heavy service gun. I carry my J frame in a Galco pocket holster. When I need to wear dress slacks or a suit I'll go to my M&P .380 in the same kind of pocket holster. Anything else, carried in any mode, produces back & leg pain very quickly. Getting old is not for sissies!

__________________
Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I have chronic back issues including degenerative discs, herniated discs, arthritis of the spine, etc. I am a frequent flyer at my doctor's office - he's a physiatrist:

https://www.aapmr.org/patients/about...ysiatrist.aspx

I almost exclusively pocket carry a pair of J-frame Airweight revolvers. I can belt carry, but the draw stroke is pretty slow, and I lack the flexibility to access the piece with the off-hand. Light weight shoulder holsters work for me - holsters such as Ken Null's SMZ holster, or a Bianchi 9R, for instance. Airweight pocket carry is the most comfortable carry mode for me.

Best of luck,

Dave

Quit carrying and find a physical therapist.It won't go away on its own and tends to get worse with age.Ive been fooling with it for about ten years.

I have found that wearing my belt extra tight sometimes (as in securely wearing a belt holster) apparently causes me back aches. If this contributes to your problem perhaps a looser belt with suspenders?

Before and just after my second back surgery I carried a Beretta Tomcat in a pocket holster as it was my lightest gun I owned. Since then and doing better I started carrying my S&W Model 37 in a Galco pocket holster again. It doesn't weigh too much and easy on my back. On occasion I'll carry a 1911 in pancake holster too but not for long periods.

let me go a different way and try to help you with your back, I also have terrible physical problems and the thing that has helped my back the most by far is a inversion table. If you have time go to amazon and look up the reviews on the IRONMAN 4000, and buy one, I'm sure you'll thank me later. I spend about 5 minutes a day on mine and I swear it's hands down the best $200.00 I have ever spent. I hope this helps because I know how crippling a bad back can be, good luck.

I have DDD, along with mild spinal stenosis (among other back related issues). I carry OWB (left handed) at the 9 o'clock position. As long as I move the holster forward when driving and back when walking around, it doesn't seem to bother me too much.

Loosening my belt one notch helped back fatigue, but my side arm doesn't feel as secure that way. So, on those days, I use a lighter, deeper holster for my CS45. I hope this helps!

Carry 2 guns, one on either side. Balance out the load on your back.

Maybe ... Or carry something else of a similar weight opposite the carry piece.

Who doesn't have back problems amongst the Baby Boomers? If you don't, well, you probably will eventually. Call it the ravages of time. Never mind younger folks with injuries or other medical conditions.

If you're thin enough you can continue to carry IWB but you have to remember that any IWB carry, even small automatics*, puts direct pressure on muscles, hips, etc. That's why I recommend OWB for concealed carry if you're going to go with a belt holster. OWB puts weight on your waist and hips but not direct pressure and if the gun is lightweight it's usually not as big a deal. So if you're going to carry a belt gun I recommend OWB. Many IWB holsters are comfortable but the direct pressure is still there.

*The CS-45 doesn't qualify as small in my book - concealable, yes, but it's not small. I love mine but I avoid IWB carry these days.

That said, I go with the guys above who recommend pocket carry. Carry a lightweight pocket pistol or Airweight S&W or similar wheelgun in a well constructed pocket holster and your back won't know it's there. When you're standing/walking, etc, the gun is just some small amount of additional weight supported by your trouser belt and of little consequence. When you're seated your back doesn't have a clue that there's a gun in your pocket - there's no weight and no direct pressure. It's ideal.

THE SOLE DRAWBACK to pocket carry is the inability to do a rapid draw from a seated position. But in a vehicle you can either have another weapon accessible or remove yours from your pocket (discreetly, of course) and make it available to yourself.

I recommend pocket carry very highly and nobody will even know you're doing it as long as you're carrying a small, lightweight firearm..

I walk w/a cane and can keep my hand in my pocket if need be and no one knows. I'm just another old man limping around.

__________________
Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

You could get one of these

I have three collapsed discs in my lower lumbar,DDD,and a herniated disc also.I always carried strong side high hip,at the end of the day my back would kill me and sometimes make my right leg burn like an iron had been laying on it.For some reason I tried small of back carry and that was a great help.I know it seems odd to place my sidearm directly on the offending area but it helped tremendously.I also appendix carry without any problems at all.My doctor advised me by wearing my sidearm on my side it was causing my belt to put pressure on my sciatic nerve.Hope this will help you as much as it helped me.Getting old is hell but it beats the alternative!

All the guys I know/knew found the most relief with a shoulder rig perfectly weight-balanced on each side.

I broke my back (L5) in 2011. Trust me, INVERSION TABLE! Also, sit-ups, leg lifts and stretch... Stretch you whole body, lower back, hips, back, etc...

I don't know anything about an inversion table but I have had back problems for years. There are special exercises to strengthen the back. They work.

In recent times I also find that I can't carry a revolver IWB day after day. The shape of the revolver results in pressure on the nerves. I loosen up on the belt by wearing Perry suspenders under an untucked shirt. I don't own an OWB holster but have been considering buying one to experiment with.

Bill

My Dad recently had surgery on his back for two herniated disc in mid February and didn't carry at all until about the beginning of this month. He's using a copy of a Seecamp .32 made by NAA in his pocket or some times a .38 LCR instead. He wears a belt but it's loose and also uses suspenders as well.

Listen to you doctor even if you can't carry for a while it's better than messing up your back for the rest of your life. Will pray that it heals quickly.

I'm another that has lower back/hip problems from an LEO career. I concur with the Perry Suspenders, it allows me to wear my belt a little looser & with a loose cover shirt they are not noticeable. I can IWB a 2" Model 10-5 SB without too much pain, while a 4" SB is pretty much unbearable after about an hour or three. A 5 Stitch Wilderness Belt also seems more comfortable and just as stable as my 1.75" Simply Rugged leather belt.

I've actually found that the 2" SB with the hammer shaved and wearing Uncle Mike's version of the Craig Speigal Boot Grip, when pocket carried in an Uncle Mike's Size 4 Pocket Holster is quite comfortable. I have a Mika Pocket Holster for my Model 38 No-Dash that carries really well, but I just shoot the 10-5 so much better. I may have to see about a Mika for it ....

BTW. I use a cane most days too ......

Edited to add: I tried a pair of the side hook Perry's and found them uncomfortable. I do wear a UA Sleeveless Compresson as my base layer though ..... YMMV

It appears many of us are in the same boat, especially after a long LEO career. My hips and back will not tolerate a very tight belt and any weight beyond a J frame, or my M&P .380 in a pocket holster, is just not doable. These weapons might not be the best choice for a fight, but if I continue to mind my own business chances are I won't be in a fight.

__________________
Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Injured in line-of-duty in 2013 (slipped on ice landing on back and driving my scba tank into low back). Two surgeries including titanium rods / screws and countless hours of physical therapy and just now can walk without a limp.

Not wearing pants with belt as puts too much pressure on surgical site. Carrying a Beretta 25 in pocket holster in sweatpants / shorts. If carrying my 649 usually carry off body in maxpedition bag. Far from ideal but can't figure a way to carry a larger gun on person without causing more pain. Even tried the belly band / thunder wear / carry shirt options with no success.

what a bunch of worn out, broke-down, rode hard, relics we are. There oughta be a forum category for busted up old cops and firefighters and military to get together and tell injury stories.