Back Issues Are Dumb

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I had lower back problems for many years and finally ended up having a spinal fusion. That was 42 years ago! And to this day if I don't walk at least a couple miles every other day, I start having some minor twinges in the back. I have always guessed that walking benefitted my back by strengthening the stomach muscles, but I am no whiz when it comes to muscles and anatomy. Also, I have to have a fairly stiff mattress or the sag in my spine when I lay on my side causes some minor back twinges that can occasionally blossom into sciatica.

Good luck - I hope you can fix your problem!

You know, one thing I mentioned to DH earlier is that I wonder if my relative lack of running is a contributing factor. I was a runner before I was a cyclist and averaged 30-40 miles/week for several years. This Spring I trained for and ran a half marathon on that sort of mileage, but after the early May race I cut way back on my miles and most weeks all summer long I wasn't running more than 10-12 miles. I wonder if this contributed to some imbalance. I have never been great about doing core work, but I've never had back issues like this while doing a more even mix of running and biking. With the coming of Winter I'll be back to more running and less biking and that may very well be a good thing.

[jessmarimba]

I'm no expert, but running certainly helps me (in moderation, anyway). And wearing flatter shoes...the minimal running shoe movement came along at just the right time, as the standard 12 mm drop seems to increase lordosis of my lower spine just enough to throw everything out of whack. I think without returning to running and without the help of my pilates teachers, I'd definitely be on the couch popping pain pills.

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Yup, I am already a big fan of minimal shoes. I alternate between Nike Free Runs and Brooks Pure Flows. I do use Superfeet in my cycling shoes, though, and I've wondered if it might be worth throwing them in my running shoes, at least temporarily. I used to run with Superfeet. I'd still get the benefit of the low drop and flexible forefoot, but with some medial pronation control.