low back pain from using elliptical

i've never had lower back pain from the elliptical. I have had my fair share of lower pack pain though!! Heating pads, pain meds and rest have helped me get through it! As of recently, the back of my knee was hurting when I'd do the elliptical, I took a week off, and it felt SO much better! maybe all you need is a little rest!

Stretching is a must! Exercising with tight muscles can make you hurt all over. I think it's a good idea to take a break when you're hurting as well, it'll only make it worse if you keep pushing yourself too much. I've personally gotten the best results from the elliptical because I can't do much else... the bike hurts my knees, as does the treadmill. I am all too familiar with back pain though, I broke my back when I was 16 (8 years ago) and I have a walking disability now due to that, hence the problems with knee pain. I think a hot bath and heating pad or stretching has been the best pain relief for me.

I read an article in Self or Fitness magazine (can't remember which) that said the best posture for the elliptical was shoulders back and arms at your side (swing them as if you were running/walking), second best was using the moving handlebars and the least recommended option (avoid if possible) was hanging on to stationary handle bars. I really like the way the elliptical works my back and how it feels after and using the elliptical helps keep my back problems at bay! I hope with a little tweaking of your stretching routine, warm-up and posture on the machine you might be able to get the same benefit.

I have one ruptured disk in my lower back and two bulging disks in my upper back and neck due to a couple nasty car wrecks. My Physical Therapist absolutely insists that I maintain good posture all the time to help keep things aligned and that includes when I'm excercising. It looked and felt a bit silly to me at first to be always arching out my butt and bust to maintain perfect posture, but if it keeps me out of therapy and out of pain I'm all for it!

Stretching I also agree is a must, it keeps the worst of the lactic acid soreness at bay for me.

Holton-I actually thought about this thread while I was working out today on the elliptical. I raised the incline a little more than usualy and I could tell the strain it put on my back. So it may be that your incline is too high?

ice it, don't use heat.

I HAVE TROUBLE WITH THIS MACHINE AS WELL. I ROTATE MY HIPS TOO MUCH INSTEAD OF LOCKING IN MY CORE. I NOTICED I WAS "WIGGLING" MY BUTT A LOT AND MY BACK WOULD HURT FOR A COUPLE DAYS AFTER. AFTER GOING OT PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR ARTHRITIS IN MY BACK AND A BULGING DISC WE FOUND I AM HYPER MOBILE IN MY HIPS AND LOWER BACK SO I CAN ACTUALLY DO DAMAGE ON THE ELLIPTICAL. I NOW WALK AND HIKE OUTSIDE OR USE A TREADMILL OR STATIONARY BAIKE. THIS HAS HELPED ME A LOT. THAT AND CORE EXERCISES TO STRENGTHEN MY CORE AND HELP KEEP MY HIPS IN BALANCE AND NOT ROTATING

Stretching, posture, and do you do strength training? I would get back pain if I put the tension up to 3 or above. I started strength training and now I can go up to 7, and I'm getting stronger all the time. I would suggest slowly adding strength training into your program.

I am having lower back pain today after 4 days with no access to my elliptical machine since my senior center is closed for the holiday. 2 days straight at home without exercise class and equipment have done me in!

You might try using an arc trainer instead of an elliptical if your gym has them. I've read they tend to be easier to maintain correct posture, and they offer a more intense workout. I haven't used an elliptical in years As others mentioned you could also look into doing strength training for your back. Lower and mid back muscles are often overlooked which can lead to pain when your abs are the ones doing all the work to support your core.

I started using my elliptical 6 days a week on Dec 10th 2013. On Jan 19th I started experiencing pain in my lower back near the left kidney, but away from the spine. Usually I can take Advil and work through muscle strain pains in a week or two. This pain did not respond to Advil or Alieve. It strikes when I am asleep and my body has totally relaxed, at which time I am awaken by a very bad pain and unable to sleep laying down. I consulted a urologist and went through several xray, IVP and ultrasound test checking for a kidney stone or issue, and was told the kidneys were fine. I have a suspicion that my pain is caused by the elliptical and have stopped using it as of yesterday. I suspect the elliptical because a couple of years ago when I first purchased the unit, I worked out about an hour a day for 5 day weeks and developed restless leg syndrome which went away when I discontinued using the machine. If I get no relief, I will see a chiropractor in a couple of weeks. I expect it may aggravate a nerve in my back. Too bad because I really like the elliptical workout.:ohwell: