Lower back pain

[Iamblossom]

Hi. I have a recurring lower back pain, usually brought on by running, which yoga stretches usually sorts out. I think it is where my muscles bunch up and I sleep on my front which doesn’t help.

But it is being stubborn on my left hand side and hurts to sit. In your experience should I do physio or chiropractor? I have done both before and neither really helped but feel I should be treating it.

Any ideas?

Heat pad and ice pack alternatively helps me when I get sore.Stretches and pilates has also helped in a more long term approach . Strengthening my core, so I hurt less often.

Not sure if it's the same but i used to have terrible lower back pain, radiating into my hips and groin. Sometimes couldn't sit at all! The only thing that has helped is strengthening my core via weights, resistance, etc. I've had no pain for ages now.

Stop running? Need a new bed? I'd go physio but I have a long history of back pain/surgery, etc and have seen many different people. Strong core might help too.

Pilates is amazing for lower back pain.

This could be due to a variety of issues, best way ahead is to educate yourself and seek specialist help once you narrow it down;
1 - Muscular imbalance - This can lead to various issues such as ITB friction syndrome, caused by altered running biomechanics due to a muscle weakness or tightness, fatigue and ground impact issues.
2 - Limb length discrepancy - one leg shorter than the other, even if 1 mm
3 - Soft bed - get a firm bed
4 - Weak core - pilates or core strength training

I started getting lower back pain in my 30's even though I had a fairly active lifestyle doing a variety of sports. In pursuit of the cause I eventually found out that I pretty much had all of the above, it took me a while to figure it out though as most osteopaths I visited didn't provide me with knowledgeable advice or cure till I came across someone very good. These days there are lots of posture alignment specialists and clinics though so hope you will manage to find a good one.

I would strongly recommend you to try Ayurvedic treatment for this. I Hsed to have a bad sciatica on and off. Got an episode in India, when I was there on holiday and I was recommended to try Ayurvedic treatments. It helped me loads and massages felt so great… I remember this poultice massage filled with hot herbs. Felt heavenly and you could feel the healing heat penetrate so deep and relieve the tension and the pain! There were some herbs I had to take too ( I think they were mainly aimed at some gentle detox). I had some diet and self massage plan and exercise to follow at home.. It kept me sorted for a while... I slowly returned to my old habits though… sedentary work, lack of exercise, bad diet, stress... I have had a few episodes since and they gradually started to worsen. I found this Ayurvedic place in Reading offering these treatments too. The therapy was felt so heavenly and has relieved me so much. I just wish it was just financially more accessible as you need more than just a couple of treatments.