lower back pain

[jonno2006]

hi guys,

was just wondering if any of you have ever experienced lower back pain from doing press ups and if so, how did you go about getting rid? i know i should consult a physio but money is tight at the moment and wanted to get your opinions first.
i think it may be caused by me working my abs alot but not leveling it out by strengthening my lower back muscles. anyway, if anyone can recommend certain exercises/stretches that could solve this id very much appreciate it!
cheers,

jonno

[jay999]

I think you could possibly have weak muscles in the lower back. Best way to overcome this is dorsal raises, these are lying on your front hands on temples and lifting the torso off the floor. Should get some strength into those muscles.

[iareglenn]

i agree with jay, but to be honest mate you said it, going to the physio is the best bet.

[Sarastro]

Maintaining posture for pressups involves the abdominal muscles as much as those in the lower back. You might simply be sagging because your abs are tired.

Try doing pressups & situps on different days for a week to see if it makes a difference?

[SHOG-GI]

Sounds like it could be a case of muscular imbalance as you have already guessed , but do get it checked out., if you are doing a lot of Pushups,situps and chins etc to the extent where you have now strengthened those muscles to a higher degree than there opposite number will become weaker by comparison , muscular imbalances will show in you in possible injury or 'niggles' an 'tweaks'.

Best exercise for this if you have the machine available , IMO ,is the bodyweight hyperextension machine in most gyms ( Just don't overdo the extension movement ) but if you have'nt accesss do the dorsal raises and static holds as mentioned already.
The hyperextension just allows you to achieve a better ROM than the dorsals and helps the hamstrings aswell.

Also the same thing can happen with regards to push-ups and the muscles in the rear of the shoulder girdle , this can be rectified with horizontal heaves to work the Lats,traps , teres etc. So if you are hitting the push ups hard it may be prudent to add a set or two of chest heaves in aswell.

HTH

[jonno2006]

cheers guys! ill start off by doing the exercises mentioned and save up the doe to see a physio in the mean time.
thanks again!

jonno

[JCAP3]

jonno, does the ache seem to be on one side of the lower back more than the other, also seems to travel down the leg?

[johnnyValencia]

It could be your bed or the position you sleep in.
just a thought
get well soon mate

[JCAP3]

Or sitting on your arse too long everyday

[johnnyValencia]

lol like me on this forum all day

[jonno2006]

haha no, its definitely the press ups causing it. i spent a week away in the midlands (about a month ago) visting relatives and so didnt actually do any phys and found that the pain had gone completely... once i got home and started bashing out the press ups, the pain returned.

jcap3 - yeh its more on the right side of my lower back, but i cant say i get any pain running down my legs.

its not a major issue, just a niggle that id like to get rid of.

jonno

[cruicent]

Or your running position could cause lower back pain.

[Macca]

Yeh thats true actually because i suffered lower back pain do to the way that i ran but since then i have leant how to run properly and the pain has gone

[Scouser]

Had lower back problems over Christmas myself, there's loads of different exercises you can do but be careful, don't just do a couple of them because they sound alright, get proper advice or you may end up building up the muscles around the problem and making it worse on yourself. Physio is expensive but you can usually get some good advice and pinpoint the muscles involved if you go to a masseuse. Hava a look round for one that looks good (especially if you can find one that does physio too) get a couple of massages and if theyre any good they may tell you a few good exercises, plus the massage will do loads to help the pain (it did for me anyway). You are probably looking at a minimum of £20 a massage but you'd spend way more than that in a night out so it's probably worth it. Hope you get it sorted fella

[chak]

i had lower back pain and swimming (not breast stroke) and pilates is really good for building up your lower back muscles. i started swimmin at local gym more reguarly and it helped me. chiro aggriavted it - when i first needed help.