Exercising with back problems

bajanshorty68
bajanshorty68 Posts: 5
in Fitness and Exercise
I currently have back problems and am therefore limited to the type of exercise I can do as it seriously affects my mobility. I have lost 8lbs so far by doing exercises like sit ups, knee lifts while lying down and side twists while in the bath but is there anything else I can do?

Replies

  • S_U_M_M_E_R
    S_U_M_M_E_R Posts: 220 Member
    I currently have back problems and am therefore limited to the type of exercise I can do as it seriously affects my mobility. I have lost 8lbs so far by doing exercises like sit ups, knee lifts while lying down and side twists while in the bath but is there anything else I can do?
    Are you seeing a professional for your back issues? If so then any doctor, chiro or massage therapist can give you exercises to do. I don't know specifically what your back problems are but what about swimming, Pilates and yoga. PIlates and yoga give outstanding and fast results (I recently read up on the results and it was shocking.
  • haroon_awan
    haroon_awan Posts: 1,208 Member
    If you have access to a gym:

    Do 10 sets of leg press of 8-12 reps, rest 90 seconds in between
    Do 10 sets of leg curls of 8-12 reps, rest 90 seconds in between

    Use a weight that allows you to feel the burn on 8-12.
  • speediejane
    speediejane Posts: 496 Member
    swimming:bigsmile:
  • bajanshorty68
    bajanshorty68 Posts: 5
    Sorry I am back again. My back problem is called Atypical Sciatica which is similar to sciatica with slightly different characteristics. I am now trying the mini stepper and building up gradually. Yes my back and legs ache a bit afterwards but I am trying to build up to doing these for longer periods of time. Just need to do some exercise for my stomach.
  • Eric_DeCastro
    Eric_DeCastro Posts: 767 Member
    try using KT Tape. I know of a lady on Facebook who has MS and runs marathons. she uses KT Tape on her back.

    http://runnerunleashed.com/2014/04/03/the-runner-who-doesnt-give-up/
  • sjaplo
    sjaplo Posts: 974 Member
    And stop doing sit ups/ crunches they are not good for your back or neck. Try push ups and planks instead. If you can't do a push up - do push ups standing against a wall and gradually move your feet further away. Them move to the stairs and gradually use a lower and lower step until you can do a push up.
  • thavoice
    thavoice Posts: 1,326 Member
    If you have access to a gym:

    Do 10 sets of leg press of 8-12 reps, rest 90 seconds in between
    Do 10 sets of leg curls of 8-12 reps, rest 90 seconds in between

    Use a weight that allows you to feel the burn on 8-12.
    This is what I was going to suggest.
    I have had back issues in the past and almost solved them with leg curls. THIS IS JUST ME, but I was amazed how quickly the leg curls helped my lower back.

    With that said....backs are a sonofa***** and the pain can be from so many different things, just so happend it helped me big time.
  • alyjb1121
    alyjb1121 Posts: 186 Member
    Sorry I am back again. My back problem is called Atypical Sciatica which is similar to sciatica with slightly different characteristics. I am now trying the mini stepper and building up gradually. Yes my back and legs ache a bit afterwards but I am trying to build up to doing these for longer periods of time. Just need to do some exercise for my stomach.

    i have an intermitten case of sciatica that often gets real bad....I make sure i don't do anything out of my comfort level or that will exasperate the pain, i also stretch every time i work out. Sit ups are horrible, i don't know how you dod them at all! :( i use an abdominal machine for inverted type crunches instead
  • jim180155
    jim180155 Posts: 769 Member
    I currently have back problems and am therefore limited to the type of exercise I can do as it seriously affects my mobility. I have lost 8lbs so far by doing exercises like sit ups, knee lifts while lying down and side twists while in the bath but is there anything else I can do?

    You'd be better off asking your doctor or physical therapist this question. But for whatever reason, you're here asking total strangers for advice, so . . . .

    I was laid up for a month with back problems 30-ish years ago. I got back on my feet with a lot of rest and specific back exercises. Since then I've found that my back rarely bothers me, so long as I am exercising on a regular basis. When I quit exercising is when I'm more susceptible to back problems.

    Just about any type of exercise is good. The key is to start off slow. Focus on form and exploring your range of motion for any exercise, then gradually increase the intensity over time. Build strength and mobility, especially in the core, and your back problems will get better.

    Exercises I do for my core:

    Stretches (I usually start with 10 - 15 minutes of various stretches.)
    Squats
    Lunges
    Planks (front and side)
    Bicycle crunches
    Crunches
    Leg lifts
    Vacuuming (Exercising, not cleaning. Search Youtube if you're not familiar with it.)

    Walking is also good for the back.

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