Help please!!

[jaded1987]

i started c25k a few months ago, got up to week 5 then had such awful upper back pain that I couldn't move for a few days. The doctor said my back was really knotted and I shouldn't be running on the pavement as it's bad for you! I really wanna start the plan again but I'm scared the same thing will happen. Is t due to my posture? Am i tensing? If anyone has any advice I'd be so grateful. I was really enjoying the plan! Thank you

[Lon70 Graduate]

Have you had physiotherapy? Did you have gait analysis? I would be scared on your position and think you should get some expert advice.

[jaded1987 in reply to Lon70]

No I didn't have any of that. Just advised to rest and it got better after a couple of days. Thank you for your advice!

[AncientMum Graduate]

I went through a phase of having quite bad upper back pain too at one point, but eventually worked out that I'd started tensing up as I ran due to the colder weather. A great tip is to run as if you've got an invisible sail fastened to your shoulders that pulls your shoulders back and forces you to run more upright. Good luck, I hope you find a way around this problem

[jaded1987 in reply to AncientMum]

That's great advice, thank you! I'm gunna give it a go 😊

[pollyp1 Graduate in reply to jaded1987]

I would agree with AncientMum . I started having upper back pain at a similar point in the program to you and worked out that it was because I wasn't standing up straight; once I kept my upper body straight (rather than cranked fore ward at my ribs) it stopped. However, a gait analysis is never a bad idea and if you try improving your posture and it doesn't help I would look at physio too. Good luck.

[jaded1987 in reply to pollyp1]

Yeah I thought it could be posture related! I'm going to look into getting a gait analysis. Thank you 😊

[melly4012 Graduate]

I would definitely recommend a gait analysis if you haven't had one. I ended up injured from having naff shoes and, from experience, decent running shoes that suit your running style can make all the difference to those niggles. Cushioned shoes should make up for the pavement pounding that can cause injuries!

The other thing is that, unfortunately, some doctors aren't very sympathetic to running injuries. I'm hoping they were supportive of your running and helped by suggesting how to prevent those injuries again, eg. running on grass instead of pavement? It is a bit of a pain and can be pricey but if you are really bothered then sometimes a sports physio is a good bet. When I was fobbed off my a doctor I went to a sports physio who told me exactly what the problem was, how long I should rest and when I would know that I was fit enough to run again. It really put my mind at rest and made me feel better about not doing any more damage!

Hoping for a speedy recovery for you.

[jaded1987 in reply to melly4012]

Thank you so much, that's really helpful! No the doctor didn't give me any alternatives, just said that running outside is bad for you and she wouldn't advise it. Shoes are a good shout as I was just running in my trainers and not specific running trainers. I'll look into all of the above, thanks again 😊

[melly4012 Graduate in reply to jaded1987]

No problem. It really irks me that some health professionals seem so anti running - sometimes It's as if they'd rather us stay on the couch and develop all manner of diseases and become a strain on the health service! Although some doctors are great with it, if you get anyone particularly unhelpful I'd always advise seeing a sports physio if you can because they are very sympathetic to sports injuries and actually give helpful advice. Many people (including a lot on this forum) run with all sorts of ailments, against all odds so it would be unusual to be in a position where you can't. Fingers crossed you can get to the bottom of it.

[jaded1987 in reply to melly4012]

Yeah I was really surprised considering Its an nhs programme! I think a physio is a great idea, I just wanna get going again! Thank you 😊