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May 2014
11:31pm, 20 May 2014
2,348 posts
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RevBarbaraG
Went for a sports massage last week - with the intention of making it a regular thing. She had previously identified that I stand slightly unevenly, and hold tension in the left side of my lower back. That made sense to me, because on the odd occasion when I get a bit of backache, it has always been on the lower left side. So last week, she investigated, and went "aha" several times and then started working in the gluteus and piriformis muscles over my left hip.
After the session I felt tired but brilliant. A couple of days later I did a fair bit of walking, and felt I was moving much more loosely, although I would not have said previously that there was a problem in the way I moved. I thought I was really onto something, I had also been reading about the effects of sitting a lot giving rise to an anterior pelvic tilt... so was trying to consciously tilt my pelvis backward as often as I remembered.
I had a great run at parkrun on Saturday, though later in the evening my back felt a bit achey, but nothing too bad. However, I felt a bit uncomfortable during the night - when I shifted position in bed, I needed to be careful how I did it. And by Sunday morning, I definitely had backache, and was being careful how I moved. It's not agony or anything, it's just not that comfortable - enough to put me off running for the last couple of days.
So, I guess I'm wondering whether loosening up my gluteus and piriformis would have a delayed after effect of making my back tense up.... or whether it's me trying to walk round adjusting my pelvis (rather than stretching my hip flexors and quads and strengthening my glutes) that has made my back sore/tense.... Or whether it's just a coincidence.... I've been doing hip flexor stretches as these are supposed to be part of fixing the underlying imbalance.... but when I do them, my quads feel tight.
A bit of a puzzle, really.
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May 2014
5:05am, 21 May 2014
70,406 posts
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santababy
A lot of back problems can lead from your running style, when I first started out I initially got knee problems which eventually led to back problems. I changed my running style ( although I'm far from perfect!) but it prevented further injury and has ever since. Good luck
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May 2014
5:06am, 21 May 2014
70,407 posts
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santababy
By sounds of things you could probably do with doing squats as part of your daily routine btw, again something I used to do a lot but have failed to of late
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May 2014
8:22am, 21 May 2014
10,950 posts
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Ultracat
I would think about going to see a physio or osteopath. Also I believe you have had a recent injury on your calf? You could have altered your running style to compensate for this.
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May 2014
8:41am, 21 May 2014
3,262 posts
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alpenrose
I had a long term back problem causing pain and learnt to live with it. When I started running I got some minor injuries, saw a very good physio who said he could fix my back as it was all related. After about 3 sessions he realised he couldn't fix it after all. Last year I booked a sports massage via a deal on-line. The guy assessed me (I was suffering from tight glutes at the time) and said I should get the basic structure fixed before he worked on me. He referred me to a chiropracter who did micro-manipulation. (This just happened to be his wife!) I've always avoided chiropractors like the plague but thought I'd give it a try. !st session she re-alligned my pelvis - amazing - no more pain! 2nd session, she worked on my lower back and 3rd time, upper back and tweaking. I had been getting very lop-sided and thought that was my lot. I've since seen the masseur about once a month and have been more or less pain free back-wise ever since.
I had also previously got a book - The Back Sufferer's Bible by Sarah Keys. It is very good, informative on how the spine works and gives some excellent exercises to to to help with back pain. It is well worth the money.
Good luck on finding your salvation with your back!
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May 2014
12:44pm, 21 May 2014
202 posts
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mrsdistraction
Book title noted and amazon page opened up! Thanks for the tip Alpenrose.
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May 2014
12:53pm, 21 May 2014
3,275 posts
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alpenrose
I lent it to a friend when skiing once. He said he already had 6 back books but 2 days later was raving about it.
It really explains so clearly about how the back works. My first tip I picked up was to make my car seat more vertical. When I did this it immediately stopped one niggle that I always had when driving.
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May 2014
5:18pm, 21 May 2014
2,350 posts
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RevBarbaraG
Thanks for all suggestions, guys.
I did go out for a run this morning, cautiously, and it was OK. Then been at a training course the rest of the day (so, quite a bit of sitting) - but felt during the afternoon that things were relaxing.
I had texted the masseuse and told her what happened. We have booked another appointment, and she said she will take me through the full back stretching routine, but she says if it recurs after that, then to see an osteo or chiropracter. (I don't know the difference.... I know someone who goes to one and raves about them, but I can't remember which it is).
I'll get there. I had decided that this phase of my running career was primarily about fixing my underlying weaknesses and imbalances, so I am not disheartened. I am going to end up stronger.
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May 2014
7:54pm, 21 May 2014
3,279 posts
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alpenrose
My back was originally diagnosed by an ostoepath. He was very good but didn't fix my back - magic at everything else.
The micro-manipulation by the chiro involves a special table and no back or neck cracking is involved. 
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May 2014
9:39pm, 21 May 2014
2,353 posts
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RevBarbaraG
What's the difference between a chiropractor and an osteopath?
(Sounds like it might be the introduction to a joke... but it isn't!)
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