I have started running after losing just over 4.5 stones. From a breathless 100 yards I am now doing 5 miles in just under an hour. My old nagging lower back injury as returned to haunt me this week. If the past is an indicator I usually get fully over the pain in about a week. Is running OK for people with this complaint or will I do more harm than good?
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The main advice is don't rush back. A week sounds too soon to me.
I have a dodgy disc at the base of my spine, which, touch wood, has been OK for the last 18 months.
However, it went on me about a fortnight before FLM 2001: I got it back in shape, and had no pain, after about three days. I then carried on running (I was tapering anyway), and ran the FLM.
My legs were in agony by about 20 miles, and I could barely move by the end. Four days afterwards, I went to see my physio because my legs were still so painful.
And she then explained to me that the problem was my back, and I was just experiencing reflected pain in my legs. She wasn't too impressed when I told her that it had gone a fortnight before the marathon, and that I'd run anyway.
So I would suggest, go see a physio, and see what they have to say.
If it's bad enough to need painkillers, or interferes with your walking, or you've got full-blown sciatica, it's still good to stay mobile. Walk rather than run, get in the pool and swim (backstroke, ideally) or do aqua-aerobics, and if you don't already do McKenzie exercises then see a physio.
Yoga, Pilates and other such flexibility exercises are well worth exploring.
Happy running!
Cheers, V-rap.
Don't just rest up, find out what is wrong with your back - It could be that specific exercises will improve the situation and mean that running is fine.
Have tried physio, chiropractic, osteopath. Best advice I have is find a good physio and work with them - within a few sessions they'll let you know what the cause of the problem is and how best to recover/overcome it.
Follow advice above and good luck.