Slight lower back pain - ok to walk on treadmill?

tomatoey
tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I picked up a suitcase two weeks ago and woke up an old pain (that I got while doing a similar movement). I can't remember what the original problem was, pulled muscle or what, but my instructions at that time were to rest and take OTC painkillers until it stopped hurting (so pulled muscle, probably).

It hurts much less now but I can still feel it when I walk. I'm going to wait until it's sort of totally gone before I tackle any complex movements, but do you think it'd be safe to walk at a fast clip and on an incline? I'm a little afraid of somehow tweaking it back into sharp pain.

Replies

  • pander101
    pander101 Posts: 677 Member
    This would be something to ask your doctor, you shouldn't seek medical advice from online forums. If you are comfortable doing exercises then go for it, if you are not there's no harm in waiting. But no one can tell you if it's "safe".
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    I can't and won't tell you it's safe. However I will say this... if you won't ask your doctor, just try it. What's the worst that could happen?
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    pander101 wrote: »
    This would be something to ask your doctor, you shouldn't seek medical advice from online forums. If you are comfortable doing exercises then go for it, if you are not there's no harm in waiting. But no one can tell you if it's "safe".

    Yeah, fair enough, I guess I know that :( I'm sure I'll ask my doc when I see her next. Pretty sure she'll tell me to take Advil and wait until it stops hurting.
    dbmata wrote: »
    I can't and won't tell you it's safe. However I will say this... if you won't ask your doctor, just try it. What's the worst that could happen?

    I guess things hurting more and not being able to exercise for even longer.

    Ok, rephrasing:

    "If you have pulled your back, how long did you wait to return to something straightforward like walking fast and at an incline?"
  • cincysweetheart
    cincysweetheart Posts: 892 Member
    I will refrain from offering medical advice. Obviously the wise choice is to ask your doctor… But in reference to your rephrased question… I didn't wait. I kept walking. Walking felt better than anything else I could do. I took it really easy on the weights that targeted my back for a few weeks… but walking I kept up. Of course, I was only at a 2.0 incline. Don't know if that makes a difference. Of course if you start walking and it seems to make it worse… STOP!
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    tomatoey wrote: »

    "If you have pulled your back, how long did you wait to return to something straightforward like walking fast and at an incline?"
    Depends on severity.

    In the past, it's taken me anywhere from a few days to a few hours for a mild pull. After a car accident where I was laid up for a month, it took 8 months to rehab my back, essentially learning a new way to walk.

    It sounds like you're closer to the former versus the latter. I can tell you what I would do if I thought it was mild. I'd try it, start slow, speed up, and back off when it's too much. Moderate, because doing too much, too fast will slow up recovery significantly.
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    cincysweetheart wrote: »
    I will refrain from offering medical advice. Obviously the wise choice is to ask your doctor… But in reference to your rephrased question… I didn't wait. I kept walking. Walking felt better than anything else I could do. I took it really easy on the weights that targeted my back for a few weeks… but walking I kept up. Of course, I was only at a 2.0 incline. Don't know if that makes a difference. Of course if you start walking and it seems to make it worse… STOP!

    Thank you cincysweetheart! :smiley: Glad to hear you were able to keep going :) Excellent point about incline, thank you. I was at ~9-11.0 incline before this and might have been tempted to try to do it again :neutral_face: . I'll keep it low and slow, maybe try to keep my stride small. Thanks!
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    edited December 2014
    dbmata wrote: »
    tomatoey wrote: »

    "If you have pulled your back, how long did you wait to return to something straightforward like walking fast and at an incline?"
    Depends on severity.

    In the past, it's taken me anywhere from a few days to a few hours for a mild pull. After a car accident where I was laid up for a month, it took 8 months to rehab my back, essentially learning a new way to walk.

    It sounds like you're closer to the former versus the latter. I can tell you what I would do if I thought it was mild. I'd try it, start slow, speed up, and back off when it's too much. Moderate, because doing too much, too fast will slow up recovery significantly.

    Thank you, dmbata! Sorry you went through that, sounds like it was horrible :( but you seem to have pulled through all right :)

    Yes, it's reasonably mild pain. That's excellent advice - thank you!

    Also - I've heard that these days many providers think it's better to have some movement rather than total rest.. I think as long as I don't twist my torso too much and take it easy, I'm thinking it might be ok (but will ask my doc of course). Appreciate your responses!
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