Hidden Culprit Behind Lower Back Pain in Runners: Weak Muscles

If you’res a long-distance runner, you might be familiar with the discomfort of lower backache. I’ m not the only one who has had to deal with this issue; many runners face similar challenges when running. It may seem like every step you take causes excruciating agony in the back region of your body, leaving you helpless as well as infuriated about why this must occur when you’r just attempting to enjoy this popular pastime at its fullest potential. It could be inhibiting your productivity, interrupted your training regimen, and even made ordinary tasks seem tedious. However, there may be a simple solution staring at you right now – one that you haven’y even considered! The root cause of lower back discomfort might be weak muscles lurking beneath the surface. Let’s dive deeper into muscle weakness and back pain, brought to us by contributor

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Running, a strenuous exercise known for its physical demands on the human body, can exacerbate pre-existing lower back issues due to excessive stress placed upon this area during motion or movement. With robust muscles, they are capable of adequately absorbing shocks and safeguarding your spine from harmful impact. On the other hand, when your muscular strength is deficient, it cannot adequately provide support for the lower back, resulting in pain and discomfort due to strain.

The crucial muscles responsible for maintaining proper posture and support in the lumbar region are the abdominal and gluteal muscle groups. Without adequate strength in these muscles, your pelvis may become unstable during running motions, leading to potential discomfort or injury. Inadvertently, you might be putting additional strain on your upper back muscles to compensate for weak lower ones, causing discomfort and potential injury.

To determine if weak abdominal muscles are contributing to your back pain, consider taking a physical assessment with a fitness professional or healthcare provider who can help identify any imbalances or limitations in these key areas of strength and stability for optimal Spine Health. Some common indicators to watch out for:

1. Be aware of the following indicators:

2. Challenges with Certain Workout Moves: If your core or glutes are struggling during exercises like planks or squat, it could mean these muscles lack strength.

3. Discomfort Intensifying with Physical Activity: If lower back discomfort worsens when engaging in high-impact activities like jogging or jumping, it could suggest that the supporting muscles are insufficient to maintain proper spinal alignment.

If discomfort is present, act immediately to resolve the issue. By fortifying the muscles in your abdomen and hips, you can mitigate pain during runs and enhance overall running performance.

A multitude of exercises can fortify these muscles, with examples including planks, bridges, and squats. Nevertheless, it’sdifficult to benefit from these exercises if they aren’tdone correctly, which could leadto further injury. Throughout your training, it is crucial to perform frequent assessments of your muscular strengths and weaknesses so that a customized exercise program can be created specifically for you.

Although lower back discomfort may hinder you from reaching your full running potential, it should not prevent you altogether from pursuing your objectives in this regard. Schedule a performance evaluation to gauge your current running abilities and lay the groundwork for enhanced efficiency and reduced pain during future runs:

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