Exercising with a bad back?

Look up Qigong exercises on YouTube.

Good luck!!

I use Pilates, it strengthens the core muscles and gives me a pretty good work-out. Also: Walk on soft and uneven surfaces, like in the forest or in the field. You want to get away from the asphalt, and walk where you need to use your core to adjust your steps.

Thanks for the reply.
I've seen 3 Drs all of which say my back problems are due to being overweight and don't seem too interested in looking at other posibilites. They just give me painkillers and send me on my way. Which is one of my motivations for losing weight because then it will force them to look at other options.
I think i will give swimming another go - last time i had a panic attack just at the sight of the pool but hopefully shallow water should be ok.

Funnily enough I had a post about this the other day - my back is exactly the same as yours and my Doctor told me the same thing. - it's because of my weight.

There are many exercises you can do to strengthen your back, a simple google search will give you some ideas. Also strengthening your core muscles will help as they also support your back.

You could also try lifting. I tried it and my back flared up again for a couple of days, but back pain is very individual and it may help you.

Above all though, I would recommend going back to your doctors and getting some proper help to diagnose and work with what you have, even if it means referring you. That's what the majority of people here told me to do, and it's better to get it looked at properly than to cause yourself permanent damage.

I hurt my back and pestered doctors so much about it that they finally agreed to an MRI. That's when they found herniated discs.

Do NOT give up. I had one doc tell me to come back to him after I lose 80 lbs. He was awful to me. Most docs think if you complain of back pain then you're really just trying to get pain meds from them. Please be aware of the massive market for pain killers on the street. Unfortunately, the drug addicts have caused doctors to be enormously skeptical of everyone. Sad society we live in. Keep going back and tell them the pain pills aren't helping enough / at all. That may make them realize you are serious and not just there for a script.

If I had not been so pushy about my back, I would have never received approval for my disability claim!

If it really is a matter of losing weight, focus on your diet. Do some light walking/swimming/biking/yoga, whatever doesn't hurt your back. You can lose weight without exercise if you really dial your diet in. You could also try some Pilates beginner core workouts to start to try to strengthen your back. Google "back strengthening exercises" and see what comes up as well.

I am REALLY busty, even when I am at my fighting weight, and my poor back has a hard time! So I empathize. Halfway to goal, I am noticing a dif in my spine pain....If it is your weight, then being here, working this program, will help the pain get better as you ask your back to carry less.

Yoga, too, has REALLY really helped me. Esp in terms of changing my posture and strengthening my core, so that my core muscles are taking over a lot of the work that used to get dumped into my spine. If your doc will clear you, a good yoga class with a really hands on teacher who can show you howe to modify so you dont; hurt your back MORE as you build core strengtth can help so much.

and if the pool is giving you anxiety...wellllll

Yoga helps with anxiety, too. The breathing/meditation parts of yoga has done a lot to make my crazy sit down and shut up.

I would definitely recommend Yoga. Just start off light, and avoid backbend positions until you feel confident that your back is building up strength. And don't worry about your balance! You will get better as your practice more. The great thing about Yoga is that it is a very personal practice. Be gentle with your body, and modify whatever moves you have to in order to enjoy and complete your practice.

Here is some motivation! A man that went from being disabled, turns into a runner thanks to Yoga: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJu448

Good luck!

I have osteoarthritis in my hips and also have a spinal problem for which I was due to have surgery, my back like yours can go and I can be laid up but since losing 42lbs the consultant has postponed my operation and the loss has certainly helped me. I had to be extremely careful with exercise and chose Pilates, it was fantastic at building my core muscles, I also did aqua aerobics and if you choose a training or shallow pool you can even just walk in water, that was brilliant for strength. We have a disabled Son and for his physio had to buy him a recumbent exercise bike which I must say has become a godsend for me too. Good luck, start very slowly and build the strength in your back first.

HI!

I am currently going through the exact same thing. It is a vicious cycle with back pain.
I threw mine out a few weeks ago and my doctor says that moving (not intense workouts) are a huge help. I have been taking it easy on the treadmill or bike. Just going slow as I need without pain.
I am taking advil for the pain and thermacare heat wraps on my lower back during the day.

Yoga is a brilliant idea for your back pain! If you have netflix, look up Healing Yoga: For Aches and Pains. I currently have this DVD at home. It is specific for people with lower back/lumbar pain. The yoga poses are modified to be done in a chair, but to work on your flexibility and breathing without putting unneeded stress on your back by bending over unsupported. I have been doing it daily for two weeks and really like it.

Last week, the doctor gave me two cortisone shots in my back to help manage the pain so I can keep going in the gym. I know the more weight that comes off, the less stress there will be on my back. In the past, I have always let my back become my excuse for not working out - not anymore!

You know the limits of your body. Don't overdo it, but don't stop! Good luck!

Do not start yoga until you have a diagnosis. There are many back problems that can be made worse by yoga poses. Chiropractors are fine and might help but they are not good at diagnosing back problems, only an x-ray/mri can do that for you properly. Find a form of exercise that you enjoy and that is low impact (cycling, swimming) and combine that with diet for weight loss and see how that affects your back.

I have issues with my lower back. Anklyosistoerihghserioser Spondylosisdrselkrjhe ....something with a long name like that.

I just do my thing and go straight to the chiro if I jack my back up. Within a couple days I can usually get back at it. Exercise is the best thing for it, in my case.

I do boot camp style classes, which usually involves a well-meaning trainer in my face if I balk at certain core exercises that I know spell trouble for me, like incline sit-ups. I just tell them that I've learned from experience to listen to my body and leave it at that.

Check with your doc. You're probably not all that limited, as long as you're smart about it.

Get cleared from your doctor then go here

https://www.store.ddpyoga.com/

Tight hamstrings and being overweight are usual culprits for back issues. Work on strengthening it and losing weight as well a flexibility in the hamstrings to help reduce it.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition