Lower back pain

[Manchester1980]

I have just done the third run on week 5 and after 15 minutes of running I got back ache that bad I had to stop. I have had nothing like as bad before so is this a distance thing or should I get it checked? Any advice welcome! I really don't want to stop running but afraid I can't do longer than this...

[TheEditor]

Hi,

We've just published some new content on NHS Choices that may help you:

Exercises for low back pain:

nhs.uk/Livewell/Backpain/Pa...

Exercises for sciatica:

nhs.uk/Livewell/Backpain/Pa...

[Pafkay Graduate]

I have this exact same thing its like a knife being twisted in my lower back. I have managed to limit it a lot by 3 main things

1) Posture, make sure that your head, back and butt are all in line and are pointing to the sky

2) DO NOT hit the ground with your heel first, make sure the centre of the foot hits, this limits the shock that is being sent through the bones to the spine

3) Relax, holding yourself stiff makes it harder for your back to move correctly.

I did all 3 of the above and I still get a slight stiffness or low levels of pain, its nothing like the pain I was getting a week ago where my legs were going wobbly because of it

[Manchester1980 in reply to Pafkay]

Thanks for this, I did notice when I straighten up it was more manageable. Ill take these on board and work on those core exercises! I don't think it helps being sat at a desk 10 hours a day :/

[greenlegs Graduate in reply to Pafkay]

Good to hear that you've found a way to manage it. Hard to relax though, isn't it!

[Pafkay Graduate]

It is really hard to relax to be honest

[Manchester1980]

I'd thought I would provide an update or anyone else who suffers back pain.

I recently started physio to help with the pain and although she confirmed a lot may be core strength she did find issues which have been fixed!

The main being limited movement in my left hip which was causing the pain.

Any way to cut a long story short a number of factors have now helped (physio, change of trainers, and core exercises) and I'm not able to run with out the agony and do not have to stop! I still get back ache but to be honest I get leg ache too! All manageable and. There is hope! I nearly quit so if you suffer get it seen!