Need opinions on how to "fix" this

[buddy lee]

Hi all-

New here, first post.

Here's the situation:

I'm 32. A few years ago, my back started "going out" on me. I would have really bad muscle spasms, usually on the right side of my lower back which went down the right hip and somewhat around the front. This happens once-twice a year, and lays me up for a week or so. Not fun. I've been going to a chiropractor steadily (twice a month or so) for about a year and a half. The adjustments give immediate relief to the normal aches and pains down there, but in a few days it's back to normal.

I have extremely tight hamstrings/hip-flexors/lower back which I try to stretch out every morning and before I go to bed. It's difficult.

The bottom line is, I'm tired of being in pain all the time. I sit at a desk all day and don't get much exercise because I'm scared of hurting myself. And that's the paradox, because I really think the problem is that I'm not getting enough exercise and this problem won't go away until I build up strength in the areas mentioned. Am I correct in thinking this?

Can someone give me some exercises I could do (cardio and muscle building) that would help without risking further injury? I would say that running is completely out. How about rollerblading? Would that help loosen up/strengthen my hips and legs?

Please help, I'm tired of being in pain... I'm too young to feel this old!

 

[illiniphase4]

Hi all-

New here, first post.

Here's the situation:

I'm 32. A few years ago, my back started "going out" on me. I would have really bad muscle spasms, usually on the right side of my lower back which went down the right hip and somewhat around the front. This happens once-twice a year, and lays me up for a week or so. Not fun. I've been going to a chiropractor steadily (twice a month or so) for about a year and a half. The adjustments give immediate relief to the normal aches and pains down there, but in a few days it's back to normal.

I have extremely tight hamstrings/hip-flexors/lower back which I try to stretch out every morning and before I go to bed. It's difficult.

The bottom line is, I'm tired of being in pain all the time. I sit at a desk all day and don't get much exercise because I'm scared of hurting myself. And that's the paradox, because I really think the problem is that I'm not getting enough exercise and this problem won't go away until I build up strength in the areas mentioned. Am I correct in thinking this?

Can someone give me some exercises I could do (cardio and muscle building) that would help without risking further injury? I would say that running is completely out. How about rollerblading? Would that help loosen up/strengthen my hips and legs?

Please help, I'm tired of being in pain... I'm too young to feel this old!

Can't post a longer response now... but if you have access to a pool, both swimming and underwater jogging in waiste-deep water are great, low-impact cardio routines.

More importantly, if you back is this bad, you ought to think about not trying to fight through it and getting some real help. You are right in thinking that stretching you legs and strengthening your core will help, but I recommend going to see a physical therapist. He/she is going to be able to tell you usually exactly what you will need to do to overcome whatever imbalances you may have developed while as the same time actually working with you to do so. Also, you could have active "trigger" points (which are muscles so tight that they have knotted up) in you back that they will be able to help you work out through massage, heat, and electro therapy.