Back Spasms

HG210
HG210 Posts: 103 Member
edited November 15 in Fitness and Exercise
I went to the gym last night. First let me just say I had a great work out. 10 minutes on the treadmill, circuit training with weights for about 30 minutes. I hit every ab machine hard and 10 minutes on the bike. Driving to work I started to have the most horrible sharp pains down my back. I am still getting them. They don't last long but it feels like I am being stabbed. What the heck! I have never experienced this before. Has anyone else? Could this be from not stretching?

Replies

  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    Maybe you overworked your abs or back. It's best to follow a proven strength program, instead of random exercises. Anyway, try a few back stretches from youtube, and post an update. :+1:
  • __TMac__
    __TMac__ Posts: 1,669 Member
    I have chronic back pain. If I don't warm-up and stretch, I'm screwed. Maybe there's some useful info for you in my routine?

    I walk briskly on an inclined treadmill until I break a light sweat, usually about 10 minutes. Then I get on the mat and do 10 minutes of stretches and foam rolling, targeting my lower back (mostly yoga moves with twists and forward bends). Then, I do my primary activity. If that's rowing, I also do a slow 2k warm-up before my structured workout. Afterward, whatever the workout was, I do the stretches and foam roller again. It adds a half-hour to the session, but it really helps me stay mobile and (relatively) painfree.
  • Sedu1906
    Sedu1906 Posts: 145 Member
    Could also be your feet. I used to get back spasms so bad I had to crawl into the ER one time. Turns out it was all the running I'd been doing over my life and my super flat feet. It stopped the day I got orthopedics for my sneakers.
  • HG210
    HG210 Posts: 103 Member
    Thank you all for your comments. I went to the doctor. The pain was unbearable. However, after my visit I went home and did my Thursday house cleaning. I feel great today. I think all the stretching made it feel better. I must of pulled something when I went up in weights and I may have not been lifting correctly. The doctor gave me a steroid. Not taking it, no way no how. Any way, thank you again for all the good advice. I am going to do a 20 mile walk this weekend split between Saturday and Sunday. Pain is gone and I am ready to get back in it.
  • kea9f
    kea9f Posts: 27 Member
    I'm glad its better! That happens to me intermittently when i'm not focusing on flexibility. I almost have to be doing something like yoga regularly (30 minutes of dedicated flexibility training) or my back spasms out like that, so something like that might be good, if you aren't doing it already. After the first time it happened to me, it became sort of a regular thing, so just a cautionary note. Also props on not taking the steroid. I took one for the first time in December because I had a persistent asthma attack they couldn't get rid of, and I swear I gained 10 pounds in a week.
  • pcc0001
    pcc0001 Posts: 15 Member
    I feel for you. I've had back spasms as well ( it's painful). The solution is simple. Just warm up and stretch before you work out. I tend to ride the bike with low tension for about 10 min and also do stretching before doing my main workout. Once I finish my workout, I do stretching and then ride the bike for another 5 to 10 min.
    This routine has reduced my back muscle spasms.
    FYI, the older you are, the more time you should spend warming up and winding down.

    I also will also do this when I have to do Yard work or do any heavy lifting outside of the gym.
    Most of my injuries in the last 6 months have been a result of not warming up and winding down.

    I have also been building up my core muscles so this reduces the probability of getting back injuries. I do such exercises as planks, push ups and sit ups

    Good luck.
  • demorelli
    demorelli Posts: 508 Member
    If it continues or happens again you might consider seeing a chiropractor. I had lower back issues a few years ago. I hadn't really paid attention to it until I started a lifting routine and stated getting severe stabbing pain. I ended up having an over arched spine cause by a weak lower back over time. I had 6 weeks of chiropractic visits combined with 3 months of physical therapy and my spine was back in place with stronger muscles to support it. I would suggest a chiropractor who works together with a sports injury physical therapist.
  • tarothelp
    tarothelp Posts: 167 Member
    Hmmm that sounds like nerves and not muscle. I would get ye to a chiropractor. If u bulge a disk u will need to rest it but if u have Imbalances chances are this will reoccur if go get adjusted and talk to a chiro
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