BAck Injury

I'm sort of in the same boat. Well, no back injury, but I have screwy feet which lead to chronic problems in my legs. So I need to quit running until I can get them fixed. I'm just planning to swim and bike that much more. Are you cleared for the elliptical trainer? That is a fair imitation of running. When you lift, be sure to do some stiff-legged deadlifts (for hammies), calf raises and core muscle exercises to keep those muscles strong.

Good luck! It's pretty frustrating to be out with an injury. I feel ya there.

-Kim

I did about 20 minutes of pool running today and it was great. If i had run on even grass for 20 minutes my legs would have been pretty sore, but the water running used the same muscles but against less resistance and i was able to keep a decent heart rate of around 140-150bpm...

Hi Will Race,

if the pool is deep enough, what about pool running- this would be no impact at all--
OR, what about the elyptical? Ask your doc first though.

Good luck and hope that helped... appologies if these are repeat suggestions, didn';t read what the others wrote.

:0)

Milly

I have back problems too, and like to use the eliptical runner when it is acting up.

Also, Have you talked to a good chiropractor that works with athletes? I hurt my back pretty bad playing rugby and went to the dr's for months. A few weeks with the chiropractor and I was good to go. I will probably never play rugby again, but I have a new sport now. he had me on a prety agressive adjustment schedule (2X per week) and doing some PT but it worked wonderfully. Now I go every month or so for a tune up but over all my back feals great. He also does some work on my hips and knees ocasionally. Anyways, just my 2 cents. 8-)

I feel your pain bro. I recently pulled a muscle in my back (about 8-9 weeks ago) and still cannot run without pain. Instead, I swim and bike on my trainer (darn winter weather). Anything is better than nothing. The ideas included in previous posts are all great exercises. You should be able to use them to help you keep your cardiovascular fitness without inflicting pain.

I also agree that you should see a chiroprater, sports massage therapist or physiotherapist. I have a massge therapist working on me and he has done wonders. I noticed an immediate improvement in my range of motion after my initial visit. The therapist should do a couple of things for you: 1. physical manipulation to stretch/align/loosen up your back and your hips, and 2. provide you with specific exercises that will help you maintain your flexibility and range of motion.

I hope this info helps.

whoops, I see that i've responded to this already... how's the back doing?

Edited by gr8brindle 2004-12-10 1:57 PM