How did I hurt my back on the Elliptical??

SarahR1984
SarahR1984 Posts: 212
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
So let me start by saying I am 8 months pregnant right now. I have been doing the elliptical for between 30-60 min/day about 4-5 days a week. I am in no way starting anything new. Yet last night when I got to the 30 min mark my back started hurting on the left, down through my hip and into my lower abdomen/groin. I had to bend over on the coffee table and not move for 10 minutes. After sitting for about 30 minutes all the pain went away. This has never happened. It felt like back pain and maybe muscle pain in abd but very bad.

My question is, how in the world do you hurt your back on the elliptical??? I want to workout today, but I'm scared this will happen again:( I am fine now, no bleeding or anything that my doc said to worry about. But I just want to know how to prevent that from happening again.

Very odd.

Replies

  • dls06
    dls06 Posts: 6,774 Member
    At 8 months the baby is pressing on your lower back. The up and down movement of the Elliptical can aggrabate the Siatic Nerve.
    I would just walk. It will not put as much pressure on the lower back. If that bothers you, it may be time to wait until after you deliver.
  • jcstanton
    jcstanton Posts: 1,849 Member
    At 8 months the baby is pressing on your lower back. The up and down movement of the Elliptical can aggrabate the Siatic Nerve.
    I would just walk. It will not put as much pressure on the lower back. If that bothers you, it may be time to wait until after you deliver.

    Exactly what I was thinking. I'm not pregnant, but I carry alot of my excess weight in my belly. Sometimes the up and down movement and the force of gravity cause the weight to put excess strain on my lower back. I realize for someone who's pregnant, flexibility can be a problem, but I would see if there's some stretches you can do for your lower back to help relax the muscles.
  • MrsLVF
    MrsLVF Posts: 787 Member
    You could lower your speed, and intensity.

    Be sure to ask your Dr. what you should be doing.
  • spatzmoneymore
    spatzmoneymore Posts: 3
    dls makes a very good point. I've also heard that some elliptical machines don't offer the most natural movement.

    I suffered from lower back pain during my first pregnancy so I sympathize with you.

    Your baby bump is beautiful, good luck with everything!
  • SunKissed86
    SunKissed86 Posts: 51
    You could lower your speed, and intensity.

    Be sure to ask your Dr. what you should be doing.

    I love your ticker!!
  • SunKissed86
    SunKissed86 Posts: 51
    At 8 months the baby is pressing on your lower back. The up and down movement of the Elliptical can aggrabate the Siatic Nerve.
    I would just walk. It will not put as much pressure on the lower back. If that bothers you, it may be time to wait until after you deliver.

    I agree with this post!

    (sorry!!! I thought i typed that in my last post too :embarassed: sorry guys )
  • SarahR1984
    SarahR1984 Posts: 212
    thanks, everyone for the thoughts. I have made sure the ellipticl is okay with my OB. I only do it at a 3 intensity. I guess I will take it easy, maybe a slow 2? lol, I have gestational diabetes so I can't not exercise! Walking is hard because of my two other kids under 5, no sidewalks around here.
  • SarahR1984
    SarahR1984 Posts: 212
    You could lower your speed, and intensity.

    Be sure to ask your Dr. what you should be doing.

    I love your ticker!!

    thank you:)
  • SarahR1984
    SarahR1984 Posts: 212
    dls makes a very good point. I've also heard that some elliptical machines don't offer the most natural movement.

    I suffered from lower back pain during my first pregnancy so I sympathize with you.

    Your baby bump is beautiful, good luck with everything!

    I actually have not had much of any low back pain with this pregnancy (tons with my inactive overweight first 2 pregnancies) except for yesterday. So I want to keep up the fitness part thats been working so good! Thanks, the bump is even bigger now! lol

    Thinking about it I did change the resistance from 3 to a 5 for a few minutes yesterday and took my speed wayyy down to try something different. Maybe that's what did it! I've done it at 4, maybe 5 was just too much...
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