Exercise & back pain

[Trickymoments]

I sometimes suffer with back pain & am wondering if there is a) a type of exercise that can really help alleviate it and b) what type of exercise might make it worse?

I've joined a high intensity workout class only once a week & although I feel fine during the class, I'm sure it might have got worse in days following. Could it be the high impact exercises making it worse?

I haven't exercised like that for a long time so I guess my body may be in shock!

[lljkk]

Backs are complicated, you might only figure it out via trial & error.
Mine goes when my posture is bad. So my solution is very strict good posture whatever I do.

[Trickymoments]

I think it's the same for me lljkk. I can wake up in the morning and feel ok and then by midday and a morning of sitting at a desk my back is hurting. I have had a desk assessment & have got decent office chair but my job just involves sitting there for 4 hours a day and I know my posture is not good.
How do you ensure good posture at all times? I think I just forget & slump too much!

I have felt better after doing a pilates class but the high impact class I did I'm sure made things worse.

[Spam88]

I don't have any experience of this, but I'd expect something like yoga would help, in terms of improving flexibility in your back and improving your posture?

[Wolfiefan]

Do you have a diagnosis of what is causing your pain?
I find walking really helps.
I have slipped disc and arthritis. I have been told to avoid jumping up and down. I can't run. I also find certain moves (like a shimmy in Zumba) hurt.
You need to keep moving, avoid sitting and build a strong core.

[PerspicaciaTick]

I did some fairly low level Pilates which helped strengthen my core and support my back.

[blueskyinmarch]

I found sitting at a desk at work made my back/hips hurt like hell so i gave up working (extreme i know). Then i was diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Pilates is helping me regain core strength before i go on to tackle more high impact exercise.

[newroundhere]

I was also going to suggest Pilates - I generally have a bad back but have been doing pilates through pregnancy and haven't had any back problems at all.

[Trickymoments]

I have rheumatoid arthritis, well controlled with meds but sometimes flares up & has done before in my back as well as other joints. Took a while but eventually it gets better.

I think perhaps the high impact moves which involve jumping up & down are not helping but I started this class as want to improve my cardio fitness.
How can I do this in a less high impact way? Presumably running isn't a great idea either?

[Wolfiefan]

Walking.
Rowing.
Cross trainer.
Swimming.
Bike. Spin?
I can manage some higher intensity classes with modification. Eg. I step when they jump.

[lljkk]

How do you ensure good posture at all times?

I don't, but I keep trying :). Youtube videos are good. I think in terms of raising my lungs to the sky -- works for me. Opening my shoulders out, too.

[Queenbean]

Pilates is good, yoga is bad

Rowing machine very bad!!

Swimming is good
Bike only with good posture

Best thing of all is reformer Pilates

[Trickymoments]

What is reformer pilates Queen?

[bananapeanut]

Watching with interest - currently awaiting a diagnosis (suspected arthritis). I'm 23 and am usually so active. I love running 😞

[Wolfiefan]

Yoga isn't bad! Doing it with an untrained instructor is bad. I did Iyengar yoga and loved it.

[BobbinThreadbare123]

I have several out of line discs, arthritis and had got to the point where I couldn't actually bend to pick anything up off the floor, or lift one of my legs. I started lifting weights as soon as I could stand up straight. I haven't had any back pain since and my posture has improved considerably.