IWB Causing Lower Back Pains?

B

barret_munkey

New member
I just bought a galco wb226 about 2 weeks ago, i carry my glock 19...all day everyday everywhere...i just recently started getting slight lower back pains. Is this normal? Do any of you guys get pains from carrying? and remedies?
 
It's possible that it's a contributing factor. There have been times when my back was giving me trouble and it made wearing an IWB very uncomfortable.

On the other hand, if your back is otherwise in good condition and there are no other contributing factors, it would surprise me if an IWB holster would cause back problems all by itself.

Just to clarify, you are making some allowance for the fact that there has to be room for you AND the gun/holster inside your pants and especially inside your belt? If you're trying to stuff that extra bulk in there with the same size pants and cinch your belt up to the same notch it was before then you could screw your back up.
 
Im a slim guy, i wear 32 pants and they have maybe 2 inches of room, i mount my iwb and clip it over the belt and then tighten the belt all it goes , if its not all the way tight it makes it hard to draw my weapon for some reason. I find it odd to because im only 21 , other than a reconstructive knee surgery im perfectly healthy
 
Frankly, carrying a gun is a pain, period. But it depends. In my own experience, it depends on the gun and the holster. My own Ruger P345 is more comfortable to carry in an inside-waistband holster than my Walther P5 carried in the same holster (the fit is close enough). In this case they both weigh about the same. Also at about the same weight is my plain Jane Model 10 with a tapered barrel and a round butt, equally comfortable in an IWB holster.

I might even go out on a limb and say that the IWB holster are a little more comfortable than a leather concealment-style belt holster and it doesn't squeak either. It even conceals a little better, too. On the other hand, the draw sometimes seems a little slower, probably because there is more resistance on the draw and because it is a little more difficult to get a good grip on the pistol since it up tight against my side. It also is a little less secure than my belt holster, which has a thumb snap safety strap, which I'm coming around to liking for that reason. I think I spend more time sitting (I am sitting down now) than standing or walking and security (keeping the gun in the holster) can be a minor issue.

But as far as pain goes, I'm 64 and pretty much everything hurts but my hair.
 
I've got a brother and a friend who are both cops. Carrying a full-size duty weapon 8 hours a day screwed up both of their backs. I'm about 30 pounds over weight. All that front-end baggage (and not the good kind) has not done my back any favors.

Not sure what size your weapon is but carrying anything lopsided for extended periods a day will screw up your back. Just ask any pregnant woman. A good chiropractor will make short work of you back problems- but you need to find a GOOD one, there are a lot of bad ones out there.

For giggles I will occasionally carry a Ruger Security Six or a Sig P232 but on a regular basis, I go with my Kahr P380 in the back pocket, it disappears and weighs no more than a wallet. The Kahr is 13 oz loaded, compared to 30 oz for the Glock.
 
+1 on what SwampYankee said. I've been wearing a Sam Browne belt for over 20 years...It started out with a S&W Model 65, a pair of handcuffs, and 2 speed strips. Nowadays, it's a got a Sig P220, 2 spare mags, a Taser, handcuffs, and a radio. All told, when I'm in uniform, with that loaded-down belt and also the boots and vest, I weigh about 25 pounds more than I actually do...and brother, does it HURT! But as far as IWB carry, which I've also done on my own time for many years, no pain or discomfort at all.
 
Last edited:
Where your holster sits may be putting pressure on muscles, nerves that are having some effect. If you try moving your holster an inch or so one way or the other see if that doesn't make a difference. FWIW, I recently picked up a used Milt Sparks Summer Special for $50. It is fitted for a Kahr K40 and I have an MK40. So I have 1/2" more holster than I need but it fits great and is very comfortable. I wear it slightly behind my hip and the metal reinforcement at the top keeps it open for ease of reholstering. Good luck.
 
Everything I have hurts; and what doesn't hurt doesn't work.

A very severe back and neck injury put me out of work a little over 6 years ago. A couple of surgeries later, I'm as good as I'm ever going to be which is no where were I was prior to the injury. I am now playing the hand of cards I was dealt. My back is ultra sensitive to everything I do. I could never get used to IWB carry so I can't really comment on it but I have been carrying OWB Strong Side for years. I have found since my injury that I need to balance the weight a little more and wearing a double mag carrier on the other side helps. Every once in a great while I used to wear a shoulder holster if my style of dress dictated it but that is no longer an option as I find the weight around my neck and shoulders to be unreasonably uncomfortable.

I would recommend that you experiment with different methods and locations of concealed carry to determine if indeed your problem is caused from the way you are currently carrying or if there is something else going on with your back.
 
Three suggestions:

1) As has been recommended, adjust holster position and belt tension and see if that improves things.

2) Put spare mag holders in corresponding position on weak side for balance. (Some people even carry two guns, primarily for balance.)

3) Having had back issues, I can't emphasize enough how important it is to keep up abdominal and core strength. Crunches, leg raises, twists, etc. Yoga is also good.
 
As far as the "remedies" that work best for my Sam Browne-inflicted back pain, I've had much success with: A long soak in a near-scalding hot bath, followed up by a long massage from my lovely wife. You might try that. So long as it's understood that you use your OWN tub and wife........:)
 
The suggestions above are excellant. I find that when tightening my belt too tight I get immediate pain the the rt. hip. I loosen it and it feels ok.

The thought of balancing the wt. with a couple of mags. on the opposite side may help.

You could try OWB set up with a decent covering garmet and would likely notice improvement.
 
For me it's not so much the gun and holster, but the beefy belt pulled tight. When my back is hurting, even the belt alone is uncomfortable. I usually end up pocket carrying a smaller gun when my spine is giving me problems (like today).
 
You might consider a crossbreed holster, it spreads out the contact a bit more.

This situation is not different than sitting on a thick wallet. In my wife's car I always remove the gun and put it in the center console, or if I'm wearing a vest or coat, in an inside pocket on my off side. She has bucket seats and the seat belt always bears heavy on the weapon, plus drawing that weapon while seated and strapped in is dang near impossible. No such issue in my truck with a bench seat.
 
Believe it or not, thick wallets seem to cause more back problems than just about anything, at least according to some orthopoedic and chiropractic types I know.

Years ago, I started regularly wearing cargo pants or shorts, because I didn't like having a wallet in my hip pocket. In cooler weather, I might use an inside jacket pocket.

A little over a year ago, I discovered a company in Maine called Rogue Wallet. They make a wallet contoured to fit the curvature of a front pocket. It will hold several ID's, maybe three credit cards, and some cash. Works very well.

On the same line of thought, IWB or OWB, I put mine at about 3:30. Much farther back than that, and I feel it in my lower back.
 
I notice that having a holster at 3:30 or so also alters the way that I sit in many chairs. This puts a load where there was not one before, on your back, and other areas.

Good luck!

Bob
 
I have an old back injury myself, and even a j-frame on my belt causes a back ache. Doesn't matter where it is positioned either. But, I can carry in a vest or jacket pocket, no problem.
 
We tend to carry the handguns we love. Most of the time they are big and heavy. Of course this extra weight is going to take a toll somewhere and the back is the weakest area.

I carry a .38 snub-nose and even it sometimes is noticeable, but is most of the time out of mind. Try a smaller gun, bad guys aren't that tough. :p
 
Ahoy barret munkey ---

I live with back pain (on and off) and when it flares up, IWB and shoulder holster carry are very difficult.

On those days I ankle carry (which I used to hate just the thought of) but once I tried it, it works just fine, you'll need to wear pants that are slighty baggy to conceal well. Of course the manual of arms is different: drop to one knee, pull up pant leg, etc. Never thought I'd get used to it, but now I always ankle carry, when my back is good, there is usually a Sig P238 or a PPK or a J-frame down there as BUG.

On bad back days, its usually a Sig P239 or SA 3" micro 1911 on the ankle, both of which are heavy guns. (Heavier than the Glock 19)

Galco make an excellent ankle holster for the Glock 19.

At 21, you do not want to mess up your back, you got plenty of good years to go before Father Time catches up.

PS --- When I hang out with my liberal (anti-gun) friends, they have no clue, ankle holsters make for great deep cover.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top