If you had a back ache, would you go to the gym?

[BurtWorm]

Poll question: If you had a back ache, would you go to the gym?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. Not enough info

Is it only your back or your leg too?

If it's just back, I would do bike or stairclimber but no weights and do so,e great stretches...then jacuzzi.

[BurtWorm]

3. It's the lower back. Just the lower back.

Furthermore, for one reason or another, I haven't been to the gym in about a month. I was planning to go tomorrow night, but my back is acting up.

PS: I forgot to include that option of doing a partial workout not involving the back.

[sasquatch]

4. Do some Yoga

That always helps out my lower back when it hurts. Your mussles are probably just stiff there and you don't know it yet.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

8. Go walking with good shoes on

best thing in the world for back pain...then do a stretch that starts on your knees and hands and lower your self to the ground by leaning back on your knees with your face nearly touching the ground (it kind of looks like a muslim praying)hold the stretch and do it at least five times...it will help

[BurtWorm]

13. Should I face east?

You all have helped me decide to go to the gym and try a light workout--some stretching, in particular. Thank you so much. As usual you're a gem.

[Julien Sorel]

9. Everything involves the back.

And you still didn't give enough info. do you have a history of back problems? How severe is the pain? What type of pain is it? Where is the pain? I have serious back problems, but a lot of the time the pain manifests itself in my legs, not my back -- it was when that started happening that I knew I was in trouble.

I would go to the doctor and have it checked out. Mine started rather innocuously, after a lifetime of active living, and suddenly I was unable to walk for more than 5 minutes, or sit down at all -- that lasted about 6 weeks.

In sum, back pain isn't anything to fool around with. Get it looked at so you know what you're dealing with.

[BurtWorm]

14. I've had back trouble chronically for the last 10 years.

Twice I've had it checked out, and twice it checked out as muscle spasms. This feels sort of like that.

[proud patriot]

2. I voted for the hot tub

I would probably streach a bit too..

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

5. I'd do some stretching

And maybe some exercises that don't put too much high impact on your lower back.

[BurtWorm]

12. Thank you, LPFF.

Your being an athlete lends credibility to your advice.

[Ilsa]

6. Depends.

If the backache is due to PMS cramps, a good workout will take care of it and help me sleep better.

[BurtWorm]

11. It's not due to PMS

as far as I know.

[U2Fanatic]

7. I wouldn't go to the gym

whether my back hurt or not :P

[bucknaked]

10. Yeah!

Just rub some dirt on it! ;)

[bookman]

15. Stretching

I've suffered with lower back pain for many years. Medical doctors just shrugged. I resisted going to a chiropractor for years, but finally went and found some relief. My new chiropractor (I moved) got me to do some stretching and it helps a great deal. I only have problems when I forget the stretching for a few days.