To run or not to run?? (Read 554 times)

So I've had this fantastic low back problem for several years as a result of a particular horse that I used to own. As a sidebar, I just found out that the current owner that bought him from me (also one of my closest friends) had THREE back surgeries this summer as a result of riding said horse. His pain was in the exact same spot as mine. Anywho, I have this pain frequently. Sometimes I just lean over the table to serve my children or cut veggies up at the kitchen counter & suddenly there is pain in my lower back that drops me to my knees. I can't bend, I can't straighten, I can't move, I just holler out in pain. Once I bend over, I'm more comfortable...so long as I stay in that position & don't try to stand up again!! Very slight bending, as in the examples above, seem to trigger it most, but something like swinging my legs off the couch or just walking across a room may too. So logic would tell the more intelligent individuals present that maybe I should just sit my happy runnin' butt on the bench for a while and recover, right? The kicker is, it doesn't matter if I run or don't run, it still hurts. And for that matter, it actually feels better while I'm running, at least for the duration of my run. Before & after the run, the pain is back. After my 25K race in May, I didn't have the pain for a week, which was a miracle. I thought long runs were my cure, but the back pain is worse now. For those that also know I'm a moron prone to abusing myself...YES, I have an appointment scheduled with the doctor. But they can't get me in until 10/5 (it's been scheduled for several weeks) & I want to know what to do now. I wanna run, I wanna run, I wanna run!!! Do I go on my tunnel visioned premise that since it doesn't hurt while running it is ok to run? Or do I assume that running could cause more serious injury/damage & not run? I have a HM 10/29, so I really need to train. But I don't want to injure myself worse before the race either. I have spent the last few days hugging the bottles of muscle relaxers. Skelaxin isn't strong enough, flexeril makes me drool & stagger but doesn't get rid of the pain. Aleve, Motrin & Tylenol do nothing. Advice, Oh Wise One's??? Thanks, Eryn

I try to only take Skelaxin when I run, since it doesn't put me into a coma!! I worked for chiro's for a long time & used to get adjusted all the time (hey, it was free, why not?), but now I have too much movement in my spine, so it slips in & out at will. Next week I'm going to the DO that specializes in OMM. She is fantastic & will hopefully have some ideas. Her biggest complaints for bad patients are horse people and runners...I am both!! She complains that we runners (and horse people) never know when to quit & are so dedicated to our sport that we have a tendency to tell her when we have time to fit an injury in to our race schedules. Sound familiar anyone??

Pam, you are probably right. Not running would be a good idea. I just wish I didn't feel so much better while I'm running!! And core strengthning is on the winter agenda. I wouldn't take the time this summer cause it meant taking running time away.

Pam, you are probably right. Not running would be a good idea. I just wish I didn't feel so much better while I'm running!! And core strengthning is on the winter agenda. I wouldn't take the time this summer cause it meant taking running time away.

Typical runner's mentality! All or nothing, right? How about a compromise? Why not cut back to every other day so you get plenty of rest, drop any speed or hill work, and take lots of walk breaks on your long runs .... and see how you feel? That'd be my choice. And some gentle stretches after you run. Or .... you could ask a doctor instead of us bozos.