Everything you need to know about lower back pain if you run can be broken up into four categories. Identifying symptoms, knowing the causes, treatments, and prevention are all vital information for avid runners. Don’t let lower back pain stop you from enjoying a nice run in the morning. Continue reading below to learn more about preventing and treating backpain caused by running.
Many runners experience back pain, especially lower back pain, because of the repetitive stress and impact running puts on the body for a significant duration of time. If all of the bones in the vertebrae and the other vertebral articulations in the spine are functioning well, then your back has no problems. It’s when these vertebrae are aggravated that causes the pain. In addition, one key to lower back health is the pelvis. The sacroiliac (or SI) joints move well in a normal running gait, but if the SI joints are not moving well, it can add wear and tear to the lower back area. If you already have lower back pain, running may exacerbate it. Lower back pain is common among new runners or runners who have taken some time off and come back too strong and too quickly. There are three types of common pain in the lower back: muscle-related pain, bone-related pain, and discogenic pain, according to a sports medicine physician at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.
Identifying Symptoms of Lower Back Pain
Muscle-related pain occurs on either side of the lower part of your spine. You’ll know you have it if you feel spasms or feel pain on one side of your spine or the other, especially when you twist or move, according to experts. Bone-related pain feels like general achiness throughout the entire area of your lower back. If you’re over 65, chances are that you’re experiencing arthritic back pain, which is when your bones rub together because you’ve lost the cushion between them, they continued. “With discogenic pain, this is characterized by pain that gets worse when you bend forward, and most importantly, shoots down your legs,” stated an expert. If you suspect discogenic pain, experts advise seeing a doctor right away.
Common Causes of Lower Back Pain
Muscle-related back pain happens when the muscles that surround your back—your core, hips, glutes, and hamstrings—aren’t strong, which forces your back muscles to pick up the slack. “If you have weak hip and gluteal muscles, for example, as they become fatigued during a run, your lower back is forced to work harder to keep you upright and stable, and you become vulnerable to injury,” said an expert. Bone-related pain may be caused by arthritis, and discogenic pain is caused by a bulging or slipped disc, they said. You should see your doctor if you suspect you have either of these.
Treating Lower Back Pain
If you’re experiencing bone- or muscle-related pain, there are stretches and exercises you can do to relieve the discomfort you’re feeling. First and foremost, experts recommend foam rolling your back. “The idea is to loosen up the muscles that are aching and tight,” they say. “It’s like a deep-tissue massage you can do every single day.” Rolling out your hamstrings is also a good idea because if you have tight hamstrings, it accentuates the inward curve in your lumbar spine. “By loosening up your hamstrings, it can take a lot of the pressure off your lower back,” they said. If these options aren’t working, your doctor can perform an X-ray, which is the best way to view your bones and muscles to diagnose any specific problems. For discogenic pain, seek treatment from your doctor immediately. “If you’re getting pain shooting down your legs into your toes, or if you’re bent over like a human comma, just go to your doctor,” experts recommend. Your doctor will likely perform an MRI, which is the best way to diagnose this type of pain. Epidural injections, and in some cases surgery, might be recommended.
Preventing Lower Back Pain
Developing a solid base of running first and giving your body time to adapt to the stress running places on your back will decrease your risk of back injury. Strength training is key when it comes to preventing lower back pain. “I can’t emphasize this enough: Strong muscles, strong core muscles, and a strong kinetic chain will take load of an achy back,” experts say. Having strong core muscles is especially important because these muscles are located on both sides of your spine and work to support it. Among some of experts favorite exercises to strengthen your muscles and prevent lower back pain are mountain climbers and planks. Yoga and physical therapy are also helpful in many cases.
Original and complete article published on runnersworld.com
