Tight Back

[jpm]

I would like help with improving my back condition...
I have a tight back, mostly the muscles running up the side of the spine.
My left lower side is tighter then my right lower side.
I am at a lost for what to do!
I am looking to loosen it so I can become active again, I would like to start strength training again but my back worries me.
While reducating my back, would it be OK to strength train?

Cheers,

JP

[JasonE]

Get Warrior Wellness and make it a daily or twice-daily practice.

When my back hurts, it's almost exactly what you describe, and Warrior Wellness done daily or near-daily clears it up and keeps it from coming back unless I push it too hard or do weird stuff.

I came back from a long layoff in December. You can read my various training logs to see how I started with Pavel's Super Joints and some PNF stretching, and dumped all of it once I got into Warrior Wellness practice.

Now I can do tons of physical stuff and only rarely have discomfort. 8)

[rbibbs]

Thanks Jason, for a lot of consistently-helpful posts.

JP... this isn't the 'last word' on training (stay tuned for more)... but if you've got mismanaged tension, it may be a little soon to start strength training, it could very well add more. Just my nickel's worth. I'd work on flexibility and balancing existing tension first, then strength.

[Scott Sonnon]

JP,

How is your performance of thoracic circles and infinities from Warrior Wellness; and how is your performance of left leg (leading overhead) hurdler Spinal Rocks from Be Breathed (or Body-Flow)?

How long has this condition existed, and what injuries/trauma did you receive which preceded it (even if 'apparently' unrelated)?

What current training do you undergo, and what vocational exertion / conditions may exacerbate your current discomfort/tension?

JP: You have yet to include your FULL NAME in your signature profile. Please do so immediately to prevent your account from deactivation.

[jpm]

Thanks for all the advice guys,

Scott I will look into the questions you asked... Need to find a VCR now!


This condition has been with me for about 2 years.

My injuries in chronological order:

an injured left elbow, While kickboxing I lost my balance and fell on my left elbow on to concrete and I am not able to extended my arm to the max.

Bum left knee. I am assuming I got it from ten years of drumming and stomping my heel on the ground while drumming.

Left Bicep, injured it while trying to curl to much weight.

Right shoulder, don't know how I injured it but when I need to use it it feels like it's been exhausted from overtraining (accute burning sensation).

Then My back injury. I woke up one morning and couldn't move. Later I thought I was fixed, was training some people for wrestling... rotated the wrong way and aggrivated it again, more so on the left side. One morning after work I was courageous enough to try hand stand push ups. I fell over and injured my back for the third time.

These are all the injuries I can think of; there maybe a few others...

[Scott Sonnon]

an injured left elbow, While kickboxing I lost my balance and fell on my left elbow on to concrete and I am not able to extended my arm to the max.
Left Bicep, injured it while trying to curl to much weight. Jean-Pierre, it doesn't surprise me that when you first traumatized your elbow, unresolved, and then overtrained the intensity with curls, that your left side of your back braced defensively to protect itself.

Firstly, appreciate that the body protecting itself ("defensively bracing") is not negative or "bad."

Secondly, allow yourself that it's okay to heal the source of the trauma (your elbow injury - Get a Doc's opinion!). You must tell yourself, and truly believe, that it's okay to let down your guard and begin the healing process.

Thirdly, after you have clearance from your physical therapist or sports physician, then hypermobilize your elbow with Warrior Wellness. After lubing the area, practice Screw-ups (http://rmax.tv/images/screwpushup.ASF) from Maximology. Work for full extension on the elbows. Practice these every morning for 5 - 10 minutes, and you may resolve the issue in a few days to couple weeks tops.

Lastly, stop compounding issues by training over injuries! :oops: Heal - then proceed... otherwise you will continue to have these exercise-reinforced injuries.