Lower back pain

[lesliemarie]

I just got a cortisone shot in my lower back towards the hip and now I am in alot of pain, not as much as the last shot I got 4 months ago. the question I have is, I didn't get in a very good workout this morning and I used to workingout everyday! would I be hurting my back if I got in some cardio steps? I am seriously thinking of getting in about 40 minutes worth of it and some light weights. I have only been using Cathe's tapes for two months but I am sooooo adicted to them! the only tapes I have so far are her classics DVD and all step and step fit and I just got her pure strenght back, biceps tape.

 

[gelfling]

I find exercise helps my back pain but there are days when I'm just in too much pain to do anything. On those days I can often heal myself to the point where I can do any kind of cardio by doing Yoga but I often prefer to just do Yoga and then sleep. The way I see it, I have enough days where the pain is manageable and I can do my Cathe tapes and kickboxing so there is nothing wrong with slowing down for a little bit of luxurious rest.

That said, if you've got the energy, aren't in too much pain and can keep good form... go for it! -But- I've never had a cortisone shot so wouldn't know if there is anything you should be careful of.
ATB,
- Lisa

 

[kathryn]

It seems to me that if you are having back pain problems that are bad enough to have to get cortisone shots every few weeks, you should back off on any impact aerobics for a while to let the area heal. I know you won't like to hear that: we all like to feel that we should be able to keep on with what we've been able to do in the past, but you also have to realize that it may have helped bring on the problem and/or is aggravating it.

You might want to consult a PT who will give you exercises to strengthen the area (which will possibly eliminate the need for cortisone shots) and with whom you can consult to see what kind of exercises would be most helpful and least harmful.

Did anyone diagnose what the backpain is from? YOu could have some kind of structural imbalance that physical therapy could help correct.

 

[Bobbi]

Leslie, what surface do you workout on? I find my tile floors give my lower back trouble if I don't wear the proper footwear. Also, strong abs and muscle balance between abs and low back can help. Low back exercises help BUT be sure to take it easy on your back until you feel well enough to target those muscles!
Chicks's Rule! http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif Bobbi

 

[lesliemarie]

I was diagnosed with Scoliosis in my lower spine with trouble with the facet joints, The orthopedic doctor said the only thing I can do is to exercise and strengthen my back. especially the ones where I lay on my stomach on my bed with my upper half hanging off the bed and raise the upper half to the level of the bed with my arms crossed over my chest and hold for the count of 10 and repeat the same thing for 6 times. It is pretty frustrating, I also have fibromyalgia and my rheumitologist told me not to miss not even one day of exercise, he says even if I get just half hour in it is helping me. so I am going to push just a little harder to kick my health problems into remission and hopefully have a great winter with my kids. I miss doing to fun stuff with them. I did take the night off and resumed the this morning and I feel great!

 

[gelfling]

Hi Leslie,
I also need to do a lot of back strengthening work and find yoga very helpful. There is a book + audio CD by Bryan Kest, called "Spinal Strengthening", which I love to use. He also has another book + CD called "Long, Slow & Deep", which is a strengthening and stretching kind of yoga and you will feel like you have had a deep massage afterward. There was a thread on VF about it recently. It's long but there's a very good range of opinions:
http://205.214.68.83/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34958
ATB,
- Lisa

 

[Bobbi]

Leslie, on of the things I try to do is always hold my stomach in and when I really make that a habit I can feel my core getting stronger and it protects my back in the process. It must be really hard for you but I admire your attitude and your determination! Keep up the good work and hang in there! You are in my thoughts and prayers!
Chicks's Rule! http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif Bobbi