Les Croupiers Running Club Forum

After the last 8.5 months with take-your-breath-away lower back pain, I feel I could write an essay or six grrrr ... tho it's a bit like saying "how can I ease a sore leg?" ... it depends what the problem is?

I've had general aches and pains in my lower back since I had the delight of carrying a 10lb baby more than a decade ago ... from time to time this would flare up and I would treat with icepacks, painkillers, chiropractic treatment including acupuncture and laying off the exercise for a few days/weeks. This time around the pain levels are completely different, I've been unable to run at all, and ongoing treatments as above have failed to ease symptoms (diagnosed as 2 prolapsed and 1 'extruded' (almost ruptured) disc)

... so before you start trying to treat, I'd advise getting some advice as to the cause of the back pain. HTH

Hi Alun, I've had lower back problems on & off for many years. I now have a compressed disc L4/L5. It can be a complicated issue, with many causes. You've definitely taken the first best step in getting an expert opinion.

I would suggest a self help book also. Sarah Key' book 'Back in Action' is a good one but there will be many others in the bookshop.

A word of warning, anti-inflammatories & pain killers are good in the short term if you stop training & give it a chance to heal. But, I would strongly advise against training with them, it will only disguise the problem & eventually make it worse. (This applies to other bio-mechanical problems also, such as Achilles). I've been through this scenario a number of times.

Hope this helps...