I had it and am much improved, which was caused by some either slight scoliosis or Arthritis. (the f'ing report from the XRay place was completely different than what the Chiropractor said) Now that I'm feeling much better, I wanted to know if people know good lower back workouts using weights. The best way, IMO, to completely knock this problem out is to work on your core and lower back. There are only so many lower back weight lifting excercises that I know of though.
Allanfan20 wrote:I had it and am much improved, which was caused by some either slight scoliosis or Arthritis. (the f'ing report from the XRay place was completely different than what the Chiropractor said) Now that I'm feeling much better, I wanted to know if people know good lower back workouts using weights. The best way, IMO, to completely knock this problem out is to work on your core and lower back. There are only so many lower back weight lifting excercises that I know of though.
Try some swimming. Its low impact on your joints and tendons and is a great overall strengthener.
That's something I've always wanted to start doing anyway. I'm hoping the swimming pool at my school is open to studens for regular workouts.
My dad suffered terribly from it. I have had a flare up once in awhile. Core strengthening is the key, as it will support your lower back. Also (and fairly obviously) daily stretching (including the hammies) is very important. Yoga is an excellent way to achieve BOTH strengthening and flexibility.
Swimming is a great exercise, but it won't suffice by itself as it doesn't focus on the core. It's really more chest and up, and legs.
Moonangie wrote:My dad suffered terribly from it. I have had a flare up once in awhile. Core strengthening is the key, as it will support your lower back. Also (and fairly obviously) daily stretching (including the hammies) is very important. Yoga is an excellent way to achieve BOTH strengthening and flexibility.Swimming is a great exercise, but it won't suffice by itself as it doesn't focus on the core. It's really more chest and up, and legs.
Yeah I agree. Core strengthening is very important, but that goes for many things in order to remain healthy as well.
Unfortunately, the one thing that continues to hurt is when I attempt to stretch my hamstrings before a cardio workout. I tried today and it hurt when I was going down to stretch. I can do just about anything else though, without pain.
Allanfan: I had it and did 4 things to get rid of it
1.) lost weight
2.) Yoga
3.) Pilates
4.) Stretching-Like Moonagie said, keep your legs loose to take pressure off your back.
I would check with the doctor to confirm that it's okay to do any weightlifting that is specifically targeting your back. Once you have a bad back you have to treat it that way.
Bippity10 wrote:Allanfan: I had it and did 4 things to get rid of it
1.) lost weight
2.) Yoga
3.) Pilates
4.) Stretching-Like Moonagie said, keep your legs loose to take pressure off your back.I would check with the doctor to confirm that it's okay to do any weightlifting that is specifically targeting your back. Once you have a bad back you have to treat it that way.
5. refrain from "Allanfan'd" activity!
Nalod wrote:Bippity10 wrote:Allanfan: I had it and did 4 things to get rid of it
1.) lost weight
2.) Yoga
3.) Pilates
4.) Stretching-Like Moonagie said, keep your legs loose to take pressure off your back.I would check with the doctor to confirm that it's okay to do any weightlifting that is specifically targeting your back. Once you have a bad back you have to treat it that way.
5. refrain from "Allanfan'd" activity!
That has ties with numero uno on Bips list. Drinking does the body no good. 
Bippity10 wrote:Allanfan: I had it and did 4 things to get rid of it
1.) lost weight
2.) Yoga
3.) Pilates
4.) Stretching-Like Moonagie said, keep your legs loose to take pressure off your back.I would check with the doctor to confirm that it's okay to do any weightlifting that is specifically targeting your back. Once you have a bad back you have to treat it that way.
Bip, when you did Pilates, did you do the lower back ones, like the swim and that one where you lie on your stomach, keep your thighs to the ground and just lift your chest up while keeping your abs down? Or did you just stick to abs?
Allanfan20 wrote:Bippity10 wrote:Allanfan: I had it and did 4 things to get rid of it
1.) lost weight
2.) Yoga
3.) Pilates
4.) Stretching-Like Moonagie said, keep your legs loose to take pressure off your back.I would check with the doctor to confirm that it's okay to do any weightlifting that is specifically targeting your back. Once you have a bad back you have to treat it that way.
Bip, when you did Pilates, did you do the lower back ones, like the swim and that one where you lie on your stomach, keep your thighs to the ground and just lift your chest up while keeping your abs down? Or did you just stick to abs?
I did both. At first a lot of the back exercises were hard. Over time they got easier as my core strength and flexibility improved. You have to listen to your body though, if you feel pain its best to back off. Back issues are not something you want to rush back from.
The best thing to do if you have sciatica is keep moving. Its a pain in the ass when you sit to long and wake up from bed. It is usually cause by weakness of Gluteus muscles. best solution is do light weight exercises and lose weight try to do squats. Also the bed you sleep in might be the cause too. Antoher thing is having a fat wallet in the back pocket and sitting on it can cause this too as the sciatic nerve can get compressed.
Yes, sitting is the absolute worst and my bed sucks but I'll have to live with that one for a bit. I learned that the Pilates work amazing though and I feel awesome after doing them. I already am losing more weight, so hopefully that will help too.
Doing squats makes me a little nervous though, so I'm going to refrain from doing that. I did a couple of other weight excercises that seemed to help a little.
The only time I put anything in my back pocket is when I place my cell phone there at work.
Thanks everyone. I'll keep everyone posted.
