Want to run, but aggravates back pain?

Question

I am a runner. I love to run distances, I love to do treadmill work, I just love running. Recently (within the last year or so), I have been having real trouble with lower back pain, it has gotten so bad recently that I can't sleep well at night, I toss and turn, trying to find a good position so it doesn't hurt, which never seems to happen. I know that running can aggravate the back pain, so I need some advice on a good exercise I will enjoy that won't aggravate the back pain? I am already seeing a chiropractor to try to fix the back pain, but I want to stay in shape in the meantime.

Answer 1

If you do not have a cause for the pain such as car accident, injury from picking up a heavy object wrong, etc.  You may have improper running form.  I have actually had athletes that get sore backs because the do all ab exercises and no back exercises too.  The back is incredible but it can be injured pretty easily.  You may want to go to a doctor to make sure that there is not an injury.  You may have been injured years ago and the over the years the compounded pressure could have finally done something like a slipped disk.  A chiropractor may mask the pain short term but a real doctor my give you a long term solution.  Try to figure out the root cause and the solution is much easier.

You can do bike riding and some weight training as long as you stay away from the back and full body exercises.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

I have found that for myself, what has worked in the past, as far as my lower back pains, were stretches. Different forms of stretches as oppose to actually working out the muscle groups, have worked better in eliminating my back pains. The one that works the best for me is the bridge. Warning- this is very difficult if you have never done a bridge before. The best way to start out is slow and easy. You can start out first with wall walking. Which is, standing about 3 feet from the wall facing away from the wall, when you use your hands to walk backwards down the wall and back up. Their are others and I have included some links.

P.S. Always see a doctor before performing any physical exercises

Answer 3

What specifically causes the pain?  Muscle spasm, pinched nerve, arthritis?  Address the cause and you'll cure the pain.