Lower back pain

Hmmm... Perhaps your back pain is also aggravated by the chair you sit in at work? Mine nags me from time to time, so I change the chair I sit on from time to time. So, check out a coach and perhaps lay off the kicking with a board for awhile, if you use one (it also helps me when my LB hurts). Good luck!

Just wanted to share that there was/is another cause and/or explanation for lower back pain. This is the contribution of Dr. John Sarno of NYU in New York City. Namely, it can be caused by problems in a persons life; e.g. relationships, money, children, et. al. I, for one, was helped by him. At the onset of my lower back pain I went to an Orthopedic Surgeon who wanted to operate right away. Luckily I waited and friends urged me to consult with Dr. Sarno. I don't know if he is still around but his book is entitled: "Healing Back Pain : The Mind-Body Connection (Paperback) by John E. Sarno" and it is available at Amazon.com. Hope this helps. Anonymous Bob here.

Thanks all for your advice. Diana - You are patient!! I was prescribed many strengthening exercises but never be patient enough to stick with it for 12 weeks! I didn't see much improvements after a few weeks of those for my hip nor back. Hmmm... time to resume those. Why is that it is sooo much easier to stick with 12 weeks of marathon training, but not a simple strengthening exercises :confused: I know swimming is not the cause this tightness. It is probably from my body's compensation mechanism to deal with the tight and weak hip muscles developed from running. I come to this simple conclution; When your body is working the way it should be, I bet swimming is a great aerobic activity due to its non-impact character. Swimming does still require a good strong back to hold yourself straight. So if your back is already tight not working properly, you could aggrevate that from swimmin. I am no longer doing a flip turn and paying more attention to the hand entry (my hands often cross the center line) and the way my head moves for taking a breath. I just receivevd a swimmer's snorkel - at least this may help to avoid putting any additional stress to my back. This product is said to help a swimmer with neck, back injury. The sad thing is, I had to decide not to swim in an upcoming State meet. I don't like to race, knowing I didn't train enough and I can't swim my best. I know only one way to race and pushing hard won't do any good for my recovery from this injury. It is just so frustrating - running and biking hit my can't-do list due to this hip injury. Now swimming is getting so close to make to the list :mad: I am seeing a Rolfer next week - hope she can help me out. Again, thanks for your advice and reading my long post. I am hitting a pool this weekend to try out my snorkel and a few other things I learned.

I have also had back pain from swimming. I have disc problems at L4 and 5 plus some stenosis. My back is worse when I am in extension and this can happen swimming if I am not aligned in the water.I particularly have difficulty with the extension in breastroke and fly if I don't focus on my abs! I recommend Pilates. Find a certified teacher and schedule 2 sessions a week. Find a studio that has the Pilates equipment - reformer and therapy table. Don't just do mat exercises. Watch out for Yoga when you have back issues because Yoga teachers often do lots of extension and not much flexion. Swimming is safer!