Avoiding Back Pain While Running

Running is a good way to get your heart rate up and work out a number of important muscle groups. Unfortunately, the stress that is repeatedly placed on your spine can often result in pain or injury to your lower back. So, if you are one of the many people who enjoy a good run as part of your workout routine, consider the following tips to mitigate your risk:

  • Warm up before starting your run.
  • Stretch out your hamstrings twice a day. This will reduce the stress on your lower back.
  • Wear comfortable shoes that provide you with sufficient arch support.
  • Exercise your core muscles to give them the tone they need to resist injury.
  • Seek out soft, forgiving surfaces to run on as much as you can, like turf or rubber tracks. Avoid cement whenever possible.
  • Consider switching to a bicycle. Biking is less jarring on your back.
  • Take note of any pain you may have that is aggravated by your run.
  • You might also benefit from regular massages or chiropractic adjustments from our Edmonds chiropractor.