really messed up lower back after running...Why?

CharlottesWeb

I had a glorious 7 mile run yesterday. I was really able to pick up the pace in the last two miles, so maybe I overdid it? I felt fine when I finished. I stretched and had my shower. A couple hours later I bent down to pick up some clothes off the floor and OWWWIE! Something happened to my lower back. I was practically unable to move for the rest of the day. Today is better, but I scrapped my run to let it rest.

This has never happened to me before. I've been very dilligent about my core excercises, so I don't think that's it. Is it a form issue, or just a fluke thing...? Anyone had this happen before?

HiC3

My back goes out on me a lot.  I have issues with my psoas muscle and things like running, bending, lifting or just walking can mess with it.  My thought is if your back felt good while your were running, it probably has nothing to do with your running form and your back (perhaps psoas muscle) was just ready to go out.  The bending is what set it motion.

When this happens to me, I foam roll my psoas.  It's hard to do and doesn't feel very good, but it helps.  You can use a tennis ball too.  Google it to see how to do it.  It can't hurt to try.  Hope you feel better.

CharlottesWeb

Thanks! That's interesting. I had a groin injury a few years back that was psoas related. Put me out of the running game for 6 months! I'll look up those techniques.

HiC3

I just googled some and I couldn't find anything good.

If you have had your psoas worked on during your last injury, you should know where it is.  If not, dig deep down between your belly button and your hip bone.  That's where you put the tennis ball or the edge of the foam roller....and you just roll. 

Also,  google psoas massage.  That will give you a good idea where it is, so you know where to put the roller.

Is your back still out today?

al320

Could be tight hamstrings

shauni27

My hamstrings get SO tight from running and if I do not foam roll my legs, butt, lower back my lower back will ache for DAYS.

moshi's paw

I'm also jumping on the hamstring bandwagon.

If my core is weak, my ENTIRE back hurts. If my hamstrings are weak, my LOWER back hurts. To combat this, I do lots of leg type stuff at the gym- deadlifts, 360* lunges, leg lifts, and hip bridges. Also, foam rollers are your friend.

MrsMattix

The SAME thing just happened to me last week!  Do you think it was how you bent over?  I was fine too then I went to pick up a something and I twisted a little and bam hurt like hell and stayed that way for 5 days.  I could barely get out of a chair or walk without hurting.  I stopped all exercise, iced daily, did an epsom salt bath a couple times and took advil and finally felt better.  Hope you feel better sooner than I did!

beebe929

HiC3:

My back goes out on me a lot.  I have issues with my psoas muscle and things like running, bending, lifting or just walking can mess with it.  My thought is if your back felt good while your were running, it probably has nothing to do with your running form and your back (perhaps psoas muscle) was just ready to go out.  The bending is what set it motion.

When this happens to me, I foam roll my psoas.  It's hard to do and doesn't feel very good, but it helps.  You can use a tennis ball too.  Google it to see how to do it.  It can't hurt to try.  Hope you feel better.

I am in the same boat here.  My back gets tweaked from twisting (moving mulch bending and twisting with a shovel was the most recent).  So it doesn't hurt with running, but in Yoga any back bending type poses irritate it.

I agree with the foam roller.  Ice the area that is irritated and stretch your hips and hamstrings.

Good luck!