Strained back

M

Mironga

New Member
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Aug-31-02 AT 00:31AM (Est)[/font][p]Dear Cathe and educated crowd:
It has been only three weeks since I got SIX of cathe's videos and I loved everyone one of them (mostly step), but last week I strained my back while bowling. I am taking muscle relaxants, but my questions are: Could it be that I was overdoing the Step exercise? and also WHEN can I start back? Would this be permanent and do I have to care for my back from now on? I not only hurting but worried that I may not be able to resume my exercise rutine. My doctor said that I could do it as soon as I felt better, but I search for information as says otherwise. Thank you.
 
I'm assuming that you have seen your doctor if you are on muscle relaxers. He is the only & best person that is qualified to tell you when you can begin exercising again & whether this is a permanent injury.

The only unqualified advice I can give you, you will always have to care for your back. That's just part of life--as much as it sucks. Any & all forms of exercise can be dangerous to your back if not done with good form. Rest & you will know when you can start back up again. BE CAREFUL!
 
I never had any kind of back pain until about a couple of years ago (after I turned 40. I was vacuuming and my lower back got really sore. I kept going and then it went out-it started to spasm. I thought I was going to die. I went to the chiroprator (sp?) but the thing that helped the most is I got a book called "Treat Your Own Back". It was recommended to me and it was the best advise I received. It taught me how to never go through that again. I highly recommend it. I also noticed by working my abs my back usually doesn't get tired as easily anymore. I hope this helps.
Joanne
 
Thank you for your advice. It has been over a week now, I am feeling much better but still I am being careful. My doctor said that I could start as soon as I felt like it, but for some reason his advice did not convince me, maybe because everything I read about it says otherwise (most books said it would take up to six weeks). Thanks again!
 
I'll just chime and and say I agree completely with the other replies. Most people have some kind of lower back problem and it's always a consideration in anything you do. My Dad swears by "Treat Your Own Back" by Robin McKenzie. I think he also calls it the McKenzie method. Doctors are always tentative about back problems because they still don't know that much about them. One thing I can always do, as long as I'm not bedridden by my back, is walk. It never hurts and it usually helps. Until you feel completely healed, I would stick to just walking. Walk as fast and as far as you comfortably can or want to, preferably on a treadmill where you are in complete control. After you are COMPLETLEY healed, we can give you lots of other advice, but stick to that for now. Good luck!
 
Mironga,

I am one of those with a chronically sore lower back. One day it is strained, the next, pulled, the next, sprained. Whatever--it hurts very often and has since I was in 6th grade and pulled it in gym class. However, my back has become much better and less sore by doing Superman exercises and ab work, especially planks. I also think that deadlifts help if you have proper form. All of these exercises strenghten the lower back and or core region.

Do you have a sedentary job and/or are in a chair for a large portion of the day? If so, try to get up every hour and stretch out your back AND your hamstrings (even if you look funny doing it)! I get at least 1/2 hour of relief after giving my lower back and hamstrings a good stretch. I really mean it about stretching the hamstrings--the relief is absolutely amazing.

I know that does not answer your question about how long you have to be "off" exercise, but I hope it helps. I just don't take time off due to my back anymore, since it makes it worse when I don't stretch and strenghten it.

Good luck and be sure to follow your doctor's advice.

Cruncholi
 
Once you feel better--ease into some beginning Pilates--Moira Stott's Beginner's Tape is a good one--also, continue your ab work (traditional and planks--as you can) and get into some yoga, too. These are all "back fixes." murph
 
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