lower back pain

ractayjon
ractayjon Posts: 365
edited September 20 in Fitness and Exercise
I did a few community searches on lower back pain but Im still looking for help with my problem.

I am active and have been exercising 5-6-7 days a week for 3 months now. I run, eliptical, spin and bike. Last week I added strength training to my routine.
I wokelast thursday morning with a sharp pain in the lower left part of my back. I couldnt get out of bed. I couldnt walk or sit. I obvioulsy got up and worked through the pain and as the day went on the pain became less and less. I continued to exercise. On Saturday I took the day off from exercise and on Sunday morning the pain was worse (At wake up). I did exercise Sunday and noticed that while lifting there was no pain and while spinning there was no pain but when I went to do abdominal work I had to stop because of pain.

Im assuming from this that
1. my core is very weak and that starting to do abdominal work has aggravated a non active part of my body

My question is -- do I continue my cardio and strength training and push through some ab work - OR continue my cardio and strength and lay off the ab work for a while - OR - rest completely for a few days (yikes) ?

Replies

  • carp68
    carp68 Posts: 42
    I wouldn't begin to attempt a diagnosis of why you're in pain, but I've read that the motto, "no pain, no gain" is a crock. I would rest up for a few days.

    I did the same thing when I started weight training a few months ago. I overdid it and had trouble walking and moving in general. I ended up taking about 3 days off from everything before I felt like exercising again. It was well worth it to take a breather.

    As so many people on here have stated before: weight loss and fitness are a marathon, not a sprint.

    I sympathize with your aches and hope you get to feeling better soon.
  • Holton
    Holton Posts: 1,018
    Also dealing with lower back pain since last Thursday; I think as a result of catering and lifting too much. Have found that when on the elliptical and/or walking the pain does lessen, so I have continued. BUT that said, my pain is not going away and I am treating with ibuprofen and heat pads. Both of us may need to consult with our physicians if it keeps up!
  • SHBoss1673
    SHBoss1673 Posts: 7,161 Member
    As the spouse of a person who is very athletic and lives with severe back issues (ruptured disk in her l4 l5), I understand the extreme and very fickle nature of people suffering with back pain. It can come and go seemingly randomly and leave the person miserable for hours or days (sometimes even weeks) at a time.

    While I agree that diagnosis by a physician should be your first course, the problem with this is, many times with back issues, if the infamation isn't occuring during the MRI or X-Ray (or what ever scan you have done) they won't see the actual problem. This was what happened with my wife. Since they didn't see the issue, they diagnosed her incorrectly 4 times before she went to a super specialist who knew what her issue was immediately.

    One thing I CAN tell you is that with almost all back issues, core strength is vital to overcoming the pain in the long run. A combination of special stretching, and core strengthening (avoiding supine exercises that hyper extend the transverse abdominals or "curl" the spine.) What you really need to do is see a specialist, then have them refer you (once you are diagnosed) to a good rehabilitation therapist to get you strong again.

    Unfortunately, many spinal injuries are permenant, but that doesn't mean you can never exercise pain free again, developing a healthy, strong core and "listening" to your body is the best way to avoid future injuries.

    Long story short, see a doctor, get a good solid diagnosis, then work with a professional to fix it. Don't just guess, your spine is too important and can (and in the majority of cases will) just get worse if you try to do it on your own.
  • kelleyll23
    kelleyll23 Posts: 1
    From someone who has had back pain since the age of 9, back pain can be very disabling. I was finally diagnosed with Spondylolisthesis after all of these years. The doctors sent to me PT for about a month for Core Strengthening and now my back has never felt better. Please don't do what I did and not go see a doctor about your back. I ignored my issues and think how much further my condition progressed because I ignored it. Now I'm looking at surgery because of my worsened condition.

    It could be that you just need Core Strenghtening, I would quit the strength straining. Walking is the best for not furthering any conditions you might have.

    Keep up all of the good work!
  • dsjolley
    dsjolley Posts: 12 Member
    As someone who has back pain due to (1) and injury and (2) congenital stenosis and who works at an academic medical center in the Neurosurgery/Spine center, I recommmend the following:

    (1) get an evaluation - from your primary care physician or a physical therapist.
    (2) DO WHAT THEY TELL YOU - which will most likely be a variation on what you are already doing (strengthening core, losing weight, cardio,etc), plus ice, heat and stretching
    (3) Stretch - it is remarkable how much lower back pain comes from failure to keep your hamstrings loose, thereby causing constant pulling on the back
    (4) be smart and listen to your body. Don't over-do it

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  • kwardklinck
    kwardklinck Posts: 1,601
    I agree. If it hurts, don't do it. Take a few days off and go see your doctor. I went to mine about the same issue. Mine was back and leg pain. She diagnosed a Vitamin D deficiency and treated it. I took about a week off only doing the back strengthening exercises she recommended and taking the supplements she gave me. After a week off, I started doing only 3 days a week of exercise. An amazing thing happened. As my Vitamin D level increased, the weight dropped off of me. I lost about 11 pounds in 6 weeks of treatment. Not only did I lose weight, I had all this energy and the back pain went away.
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