Running and back pain

[girlofthenorth]

I have just discovered couch to 5 k and loving it but I have have chronic lower back pain due to my job and gardening ! As I'm a novice , can someone tell me , is it ok to run with back pain ? I'm assuming it's ok as long as I warm up and down safely .

Has anyone got any advice or tips ?

I'd do some bodyweight exercises to increase your core muscle strength, as you're probably causing some strain on your back by running and just running more isn't going to make it better.

I'd say so long as running doesn't make it worse you're fine but see an Osteaopath. Mine is like a miracle healer (I sometimes wonder if that's where the Bible stories about the laying on of hands originate ). I do get achy from poor posture and overdoing things but I see him every 6 weeks or so and he straightens everything out.

Do you do exercise/ stretches to help your lower back pain? If not then maybe start there.

Thanks all- back feeling a little better so going to do some warming up and get back to it. Yes I do all the stretches etc but I think I maybe need to do more .

Foam rolling could really help. Has far more impact than stretching, in my experience.
In my circle of running buddies (semi-decent club runner level) nobody really stretches any more, but we all foam roll when we have a niggle.

Brilliant thanks @fellrunner85 I'll look at that.