Exercise to do while my back heals-need replies ASAP

I've had to stop all exercise since last Thursday as I hurt my lower back. It was one of the freak accidents.  I think either I jerked open a door with too much 'oomph' or step off a curb the wrong way.   It's nothing really serious, however even putting on a pair of jeans or tying my shoes is almost impossible.

I really want to do something.  PLEASE, CAN SOMEONE OFFER SOMETHING FOR ME TO DO WHILE MY BACK IS HEALING.

I'm a 54 year-old woman, in good shape.  I don't want to do something and make matters worse.  I've done some walking-yet don't find that all so satisfying.  

WILL SOMEONE PLEASE ANSWER ME BACK!  I really feel a need to move my body.

thanks!

btw - my usual workouts are some form of cardio-elliptical/treadmill or running outside AND weight training.   

Go see a chiropractor!  He may make you feel better immediately.  My hubby does this all the time.  In the meantime - I wouldn't really do much exercise.

.............or you could try a little gentle yoga.

From the sudden movement you could sprain some ligament. All I know if it is that you need to rest to heal and after the acute pain goes away start stretching the area gently to not re-injure it. You might want to see your practitioner if it is severe. You might want to ice it to reduce swelling if there is any and it helps the pain too. I would not push it over the pain though if you not knowing what is injured. Good luck!

Yeah, I screwed up my lower back 2 weeks ago with the first kettlebells workout I was going to do. I didn't do much for the rest of that day. It's hurt a couple time since then but like you, I didn't want to lay around.....in my opinion, it makes it feel worse.

So, I got on the elliptical intending to keep a slow and steady pace for only 20 minutes instead of my usual 40-60. I was able to go for 40 minutes with the incline all the way up and I felt so much better afterwards. Maybe it helped stretch out my back...I don't know. My back felt good and I didn't feel any guilt for not working out. So, take it easy. Don't push it because you'll only delay the healing. Oh yeah, if it hurts for a week or more, I would consider going to the doctor if heat or ibuprofen doesn't help.

I have the same problem, restless, but unable to workout (mine's a respiratory infection ).  Swiming may be a good exercise to do, it shouldn't irritate your back, plus it's a great core workout, stronger core may lessen freak accidents in the future.  Other than that, take it easy, heal totally and get back to it!  Get well soon!

Speaking from personal experience I recommend you stop and take the time to go see a doctor/ Osteo/ Chiro. Do not continue with high impact exercise until you have sought professional help. This can worsen the situation in just a couple of sessions.

I recently had a very nasty injury to  my back and I continued on with my normal exercise (climbing/ swimming/ hiking/ running) in the hope it would sort itself out.

It did not, and I needed professional advice to get 'fit' again. If your doc/ chiro/ osteo says it's only muscular then you've lost nothing by taking a couple of days off to seek help. As soon as you know it's nothing to do with the disc or nerves, you can exercise with peace of mind (this is worth the money it costs to see an osteo/ chiro in my opinion).

(By the way, although swimming is low impact, it can irritate certain back injuries greatly, as it did with mine)

Well, it is October 10th, just over a week and the most I've done, occasionaly is some slow stretching and some lifting of very light weights, like 5 lbs., every couple days.  My back and side still hurt so I'm think I'd better just leave it.  I feel terrible though for not working out.  Not only emotionally and guilt and all that, it's physically and my head space.    I guess in the long run it's better to do it this way than to try and do more and really put myself out for longer periods of time.

I do try and walk more, though.

Ahh well.

I have chronic lower back problems due to a bad car accident years ago but I force myself to walk at least 3 miles a day.(Alot of stretching first though.)   Some days when the pain is severe I walk pretty slow but I find that continuing the walking helps me keep the muscles loose and makes for less pain overall....and a good chiropractor is a MUST!

Chiropractor's may be fine for some, but they are not a "must".  I have lower back problems, (2 herniated disks) and I learned exercies to do that strengthen my back muscles and I have not had any real difficulties in quite a while. 

I have seen doctor's, had MRI's done and physical therapy.  I have never seen a chiropractor and don't ever plan to.  My father was a radiologist so maybe I'm prejudiced by my background, but I don't think chiropractor's do anything except temporarily relieve pain and keep you coming back. 

From what I've heard about them they do not give any long term help for your back like a physical therapist Physical therapists instruct you how to do stretches and exercises that you can do yourself when your PT is over. 

It seems that you're all quite familiar with the topic and know what youre talking about, so I would like to ask if someone could answer my problem.I had an injury with my lower back ant the start of october and its been going on til today.Iv done x rays and been to doctors many times, they say its all fine etc.. Iv been to the massuce (dont know if thats spelled right) and he said i have very weak back muscles, so as the pain went away and had been away for 2 3 or maybe 4 days max I started doing some simple lower back excersises seen on youtube and there were 8 of them with the plank excersise for core and I did 15 reps each (1x15 each).The problem is that my back hurt again the next day and now i went to another massuce and she took away the pain but i now have a strange feeling in my spine in the middle. The lower back feels stiff and the middle of my back is like, hmm... very discomforting.I started runnin today and hope to start doing light excersises soon BUT I am hopeing that any of you could help me as in tell me what kind of excersises and how much and what should I do if any. And please send your answer to my E-mail, since I dont visit this site very often. My E-mail is syphor131@hotmail.com .

Looking forwars to your answers.

Lauri

PS!I'm male and 18 years old so back pain is something i want to keep for the future :)