Chronic Lower Back Pain

[ravenrooney]

Hey, everyone. I've had nagging lower back pain for a few months now, and I don't know how to deal with it. It has kept me out of a few games, and is really beginning to bug the crap out of me. It is really random, it will go away for a week or so, then come back for a three-day period. I've been running a lot lately, and feeling nothing, but in my indoor game today it came back. I've got a season with a new team coming up soon, so I need to get rid of it quick.

I need advice on how to get rid of this lower back pain, any ideas for stretches, etc?

Thanks,
ravenrooney

[rev17]

I've had lower back pain in the past. It was worst my senior year in high school during pre-season. Not gonna lie, but part of it was due to coming into camp a lil out of shape. Might want to think about this. Are you any heavier now than in the past? At least for me, when i have a few extra lbs on my body, I tend to lean forward when I run, putting a lot of stress on my lower back.

While getting in shape did help the back pain get better, it didn't go away completely. Eventually, I went to a chiropractor, where I was told that one of my hips was actually higher than the other. The chiropractor told me this was causing a lot of muscle strain, especially when running. So to correct the problem I was given a 1/4" insert to put in the shoe on the side that was a bit lower than the other. Honestly, this helped immensley, and I still use the insert today. In fact, I had it added on to my custom orthotic insoles that I use. In your case, if you can safely rule out fitness (or a lack thereof), than it may be something related to the muscular/skeletal system. There is really no substitute for seeking a medical professional's advice.

[servotron]

Yes.... also you might want to see a massage therapist that actually knows rehabilitative massage.

Also you are going to want to work on your core muscles, your abs, your hip flexors, and your back muscles (part of the core) by strength training. Most pains like this are caused by muscle weakness in specific areas and then a failure of other muscle groups which are trying to compensate for the weakness.

[ravenrooney]

I've had lower back pain in the past. It was worst my senior year in high school during pre-season. Not gonna lie, but part of it was due to coming into camp a lil out of shape. Might want to think about this. Are you any heavier now than in the past? At least for me, when i have a few extra lbs on my body, I tend to lean forward when I run, putting a lot of stress on my lower back.I have added a little bit of weight, but no more than 2 or so pounds. The reason I have been running is to get back in shape, but it seems like the pain won't go away.

I'll have to go see a chiropractor if it's not gone in a week or two, until then I'll keep working on my conditioning. Time to whip out the old exercise-ball!:p

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

I have added a little bit of weight, but no more than 2 or so pounds. The reason I have been running is to get back in shape, but it seems like the pain won't go away.

I'll have to go see a chiropractor if it's not gone in a week or two, until then I'll keep working on my conditioning. Time to whip out the old exercise-ball!:p

Bulged and/or ruptured discs in your back is a possibility. Hopefully it's not because my friend basically lost a college soccer scholarship because of them.

[dominate]

Bulged and/or ruptured discs in your back is a possibility. Hopefully it's not because my friend basically lost a college soccer scholarship because of them.

This is exactly what happened to me about a year ago. I had experienced some back pain in the past, but it never lasted very long and I didn't think much of it. Then, over the course of a few weeks of games, my back pain got so bad that it became hard to walk, and at one point I couldn't do much besides lay down. I did some rehab aimed at pushin my herniated disc back into place, and also to strenghten the core, and now I can walk around and job without much trouble, but the pain has never really gone away. I don't play much anymore mostly because of my back, though I'm starting to slowly take it up again. You should definitely see a doctor if its chronic, and don't push yourself to play through pain cuz you could get a herniated disc which could ruin your playing forever. One thing that helps me is stretching my hamstrings a lot, not just the straight leg touch your toes one, but with knees bent so it really focusses on your hamstrings. I have yet to see a chiropracter but I will, and I have also gotten references to accupuncture that I think I will try.

Oh, and one more thing... this is not a joke, but I no longer sit with my wallet in my back pocket. This really did contribute to my back pain (think George on Seinfeld :)).

[hoody25]

although you would probably notice pain in your knees, last time i had lower back pain for a month it was because i tore my meniscus and i was running different and did not notice... just a heads up because i really didnt see it coming i could play without pain in my knee but my back was so bad it stopped me from playing... then surgery and rehab and im back to normal for the most part.

[ravenrooney]

Hey everyone. I tried some Advil before my indoor game today. It worked for the first half hour or so, but it's effect was totally gone after the first half. Any suggestions for longer relief? I have another game next week, and if I still feel it, I'll go see a chiropractor.:)

Thanks for the help everyone.

[Mr.Bill]

I have had two heriniated discs, degenerative discs, with some other issues that got to my hips out of wack. College hockey Good Times:confused: 10 years of paratrooping hasn't helped either.

1) Stretch those hammies,

2) Be careful about the chiropractor you chose very very careful. They can screw you up in a hurry but can also be a god send.

3) Those things that turn you upside down work for disc tension.

4) My wife now works with some physical therapist that can do some great things, especially with back muscles. You might want to try this route first.

5) I know longer jog letting my heels touch the ground at all. I read up on how some Mexican Indian tribe drinks a lot a beer and runs likes crazy I studied up on everything I could about them. I've tripled my pain tolerance :D

[Passage]

Hi, I also sometimes have the same problem. I hurt my back about a year ago in a Jujitsu match, busied something or other in my lower back. I usually use a heating pad the night before the game and it seems it help.

[Stiger]

Reverse crunches work for mine...focusing on the lower abs.

[ravenrooney]

Hey guys, I finally started my practices on Monday, just finished my third today, and I'm feeling great. It's been all running. I took Advil the first day, which worked. I tried it without Advil yesterday, and I was fine. I haven't felt it in about five days, so it seems to be getting better.

I have also been using a heating pad, and that is helping in a big way too.

Thanks for the tips, guys.:D

[Karma]

Hello
I have a daughter with lower back pain. Drs said she had a stress fracture in one of her vertibrea. We took her out for 8 weeks.. she went back played for a couple months was fine no pain and it came back but not as strong. It has been going off and on for about a year now. She can play weeks before it flares up. But when it does she has to come out.. it seems to hurt only when she is running or shooting. Has anyone had something like this? I have a feeling there is more to it then a small stress fracture.. because its been a year now.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

[BigGuy]

Advil and hour before the event and use plenty of "aspercreme" with Aloe
right on the area.

That should help a little.

This might not be good for your daughter it might help other posters.

[BigGuy]

Hi, I also sometimes have the same problem. I hurt my back about a year ago in a Jujitsu match, busied something or other in my lower back. I usually use a heating pad the night before the game and it seems it help.

My son is into brazilian jujitsu trains under Renzo Gracie here in NYC.

[actusreus13]

Hey, everyone. I've had nagging lower back pain for a few months now, and I don't know how to deal with it. It has kept me out of a few games, and is really beginning to bug the crap out of me. It is really random, it will go away for a week or so, then come back for a three-day period. I've been running a lot lately, and feeling nothing, but in my indoor game today it came back. I've got a season with a new team coming up soon, so I need to get rid of it quick.

I need advice on how to get rid of this lower back pain, any ideas for stretches, etc?

Thanks,
ravenrooney
All good advice. Herniated discs are a very serious problem, and I really hope you don't have it. They are all but impossible to cure totally and can haunt you for the rest of your life. I kind of doubt that is what you have since bulging and herniated discs are not something you wake up with one day. They are usually the result of some serious trauma to the vertebra such as car accidents (whiplash injury to the cervical spine) or lifting heavy with bad technique in the lumbar (lower back) region. Also, jumping up and landing with a twisting motion can cause such damage since the discs are designed to withstand a lot of direct pressure (think about a barbell loaded with plates on your back when you stand up straight), but become quite weak once you add a twisting motion. Anyway, the bottom line is unless you can remember some sort of trauma while you played, disc injury is unlikely.
Here's a list of possible factors/causes:
1. Soccer cleats have absolutely horrible cushioning. I've been having a similar problem after a dry spell when the pitch was so dry it was like running on concrete. I got lower back pain plus horrible shin splints. Possible solution: discard your inserts, go to a specialty running store and buy a new pair of inserts with good arch support and more cushioning. There's a thread on the subject in the Equipment section going on right now.
2. Frequency of your playing. I don't know how old you are, but you gotta let your body rest. Soccer is a very demanding sport and puts your entire body through a wringer. If you don't let your muscles recuperate, even w/out a trauma cumulative effect might be a chronic pain that lingers. Possible solution: obvious.
3. You strained your lower back muscles while playing, which happens to me and pretty much everybody else I know at some point. If your muscles are weak, which is actually a very common thing, it will only contribute to your problem. Solutions: (a) for minor pulls, Advil before and after a game does wonders (b) buy 2 tennis balls; throughout the day, but especially after a game, place the balls on the floor and lie on top so that they are right where the back joins the butt; bend your knees so that lower back muscles are on the slack, roll on the balls back and forth, target the area of pain; be creative. I also like to have my girlfriend either walk on my back (you gotta be careful of course, use your judgment), or have her "jam" her elbow right in those sore spots. Does wonders. Now, if at any point you feel a sharp, shooting pain, especially going down your Hamstrings, STOP! This could be a sign of a more serious damage, and visit to a professional might be a smart thing to do. (c) strengthen your lower back muscles (deadlifts, back extensions); the stronger the muscle, the more abuse while you play it can take. Good luck.