Started running but lower back SO painful :-( help!!

[sunshine05]

So I've had a dodgy back for a few years now, had 3 kids, I'm quite petite and I think the pregnancies took their toll on my back. It's been not too bad though, I was doing PiYo earlier last year (mix of Pilates and Yoga) I felt strong and healthy. I stopped after our summer holiday and was pretty lazy after that, the back pain returned. So I'm thinking maybe my core is just weak?? I've heard that weak stomach muscles and glutes can cause a bad back?

I've tried running for years on and off since my last child was born (5 years ago) and my pelvic floor has always let me down. Now it's strong enough (after some serious physio) now my back is letting me down. I could cry!! I really really want to start running again. I've started couch25k but it's SO SO painful. I feel like an old woman. I've had 4 sessions at the Osteopath but haven't felt any relief. I'm starting back on the PiYo to see if some strengthening will help, although my osteopath was a bit cautious about all the planks saying they may aggravate my back as my spine does curve in a bit more than average.

I'm SO sick of feeling like 80 (I'm 41) at the time I'm running I feel fine but the pain after is pretty severe. I just don't know what to do. I refuse to give up and just accept this is me from now on. There must be a way to heal??

Any advice or anyone had anything similar and managed to get back from it to full health?? I'm doing stretches and some exercises the osteopath showed me.

BikeRunSki I think my back issues are also pregnancy related. What did he say about your injury then? What is he doing to help fix it?

I'm going to call Bupa tomorrow and see how I can move forward and see a physio I think.

Sunshine, I have some exercises including core strengthening and back stretching. Also some to strengthen my quads - i’m A cyclist, so I have very strong bum muscles, which he thinks pull my quads out of line and aggravate my back further.

My osteopath has referred me to have an MRI with a spinal surgeon on Tuesday so hopefully I'll be more clear after that on what I'm dealing with. Fingers crossed it isn't anything major/alarming

Sort your core out. Yoga v good for this.

An MRI will show damage regardless of symptoms. Have a read of Stuart Macgills work.

The advice on sorting your biomechanics & getting strong is spot on.

I'm banned from running due to hip arthritis. A dodgy lower back is often lack of hip mobility. Are your knees sore too? If they are, get after your hips & get them loosened up. Basically don't run whilst yiu have pain as even a short run is lots of reps.

Whatdoyouknowwhenyouknownowt no knee pain. The MRI showed some bones a bit worn down but nothing unusual, he said the lack of core strength and muscle meant those bones were rubbing and causing pain so I'm on a 6 week core strengthening regime with the Osteopath and no running or anything else until that's completed. I already feel better after a couple of weeks so hopfully I'm on the mend now!