I'm starting back at the gym tomorrow, but my back pain is worse than ever

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amblight
amblight Posts: 350 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Is it extremely bad timing?

I've always been prone to back pain, to a degree where I've really had to plan it into my life (ie., I know I cannot go out in the evening, if I've been out through the day, as my back will need to be leaned back and rest by then).

It got a lot worse (ie. I literally ended up crawling the last few yards home one day, because my back was killing me), so I fixed my posture (sway back) and got better and correctly fitting bras, which both helped a lot. I thought the rest of my back pain was due to my high weight, but now I've lost a lot, and it's worse than ever! (Not that it's the weight loss' fault, I think it was just getting worse, and weight loss couldn't stop it)

It must still stem from posture, because the only time I have relief is when I'm leaned way back ie. in a recliner or in bed. And it takes only 1-2 hours of studying, bicycling, walking etc. before it's unbearable to the point where I feel I can't move much. You should see my flat atm, a mess, since I'm unable to bend and pick stuff up.

I obviously have booked a doctors appointment, but it's not until the monday after next, and I'm really stoked about starting back up at the gym after a long break - I was set up to start tomorrow. I was thinking of doing leg press since I used to love that, and I figure I would be able to lean back with no pain. I used to cycle and do rowing too, but that's not happening with this back. What other things could I do? Or is it really bad to try to work out through this level of back pain?

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  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,669 Member
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    Probably NOT a good idea to do any exercise until you get clearance. Severe back pain isn't something to mess with.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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  • amblight
    amblight Posts: 350 Member
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    ninerbuff wrote: »
    Probably NOT a good idea to do any exercise until you get clearance. Severe back pain isn't something to mess with.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    9285851.png

    :( I worried this might be the case.
    I still have to do some "exercise", since bicycling is my only means of transportation. My bike has a baggage rack though, exactly so I don't carry stuff on my back, but it still hurts to be in that position.

    My doc is open for un-booked appointments friday mornings, maybe I should go then to get clearance sooner? I was also hoping that strenthening my back could help long term, though I was deffinitely not planning to (or able to) start that now - I'm going to ask my doc to refer me to a specialist too, so I could get more specifics about what muscles it is I need to work on, and why I have so much pain.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,669 Member
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    The sooner the better. I currently deal with 3 clients (Wellness Center) with serious back issues, one with 6 surgeries and I have to approach them quite carefully. They are all improving, but there are specific movements that aren't allowed for some of them (twisting, one arm rows, etc.)

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    9285851.png
  • girlwithcurls2
    girlwithcurls2 Posts: 2,273 Member
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    I would steer clear of the gym until you get the OK to go, as well as what to do there. Sounds like you need some PT to strengthen your back. If it's posture related, you need to make some changes for life. I can't imagine going through life with severe back pain, knowing that it's just factored into my day. Figure out what's causing it and how to treat it. THEN, start your workouts that are recommended for your situation.
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
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    That must all be awful for you. I hope you get some relief soon.

    I'd worry less about getting clearance to exercise than trying to find something to alleviate the back pain if this were me. Does it feel like muscle pain or do you think you have a disk or nerve problem? The two types of pain are very different and there are different treatments for them. I'd be much more careful with something involving bone and nerve than muscles, for certain. Muscle problems can usually be fixed with muscle relaxants, TENS, massage, a chiropractic adjustment, etc. Bone or nerve problems often require surgery to alleviate.

    If you think you can get in on Friday, do it. Sooner is better. Your doctor should be able to help you determine whether it's muscle spasms or something worse fairly easily. You can then discuss your exercise limitations, any treatment options and if a specialist is required.
  • amblight
    amblight Posts: 350 Member
    edited November 2014
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    SueInAz wrote: »
    That must all be awful for you. I hope you get some relief soon.

    I'd worry less about getting clearance to exercise than trying to find something to alleviate the back pain if this were me. Does it feel like muscle pain or do you think you have a disk or nerve problem? The two types of pain are very different and there are different treatments for them. I'd be much more careful with something involving bone and nerve than muscles, for certain. Muscle problems can usually be fixed with muscle relaxants, TENS, massage, a chiropractic adjustment, etc. Bone or nerve problems often require surgery to alleviate.

    If you think you can get in on Friday, do it. Sooner is better. Your doctor should be able to help you determine whether it's muscle spasms or something worse fairly easily. You can then discuss your exercise limitations, any treatment options and if a specialist is required.

    Thank you for the concern :)

    Deffinitely feels like muscle pain, which is also why I wasn't super worried (as in, it doesn't feel like I'm damaging, breaking, or wearing down on anything by still moving as much as I can) and massage does help, the really digging, hard, kind - it hurts a lot, but if it gets just right, it can really loosen it up.

    I'll go to the doc on friday :) Then maybe I can start the gym in the afternoon, if I get clearance. So only one day later than what I'd planned.
  • CleverClone
    CleverClone Posts: 45 Member
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    I'm sorry you're struggling with such severe pain, I know from experience how miserable it can be. :( I too would wait until you see your doctor before you get back to the gym, it's better to be safe than sorry. If you can get in on Friday do it.

    Just a thought; if you do think that the pain is related more to muscles than anything else, it might be worth investing in a foam roller to see if it helps.
    I've had intense back pain for years; recently an osteopath suggested that part of the pain might be caused by my extremely tight thigh and glute muscles. I've been using a foam roller on these muscles regularly for a while now, and both the frequency and intensity of the back pain has gone down considerable (it probably will never disappear completely as I do have actual issues with my back too, but I'll take what I can get!).
    This might not be the case with you, but never hurts to look into it (once you have met up with your doctor).

    Anyways, I hope you feel better soon! :)


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