Back Pain From Running? It Could Happen!

By Donna Stark

Thinking of incorporating some running into your fitness routine? Well, I'm sure you are expecting a couple of things to happen. Things like soreness in your legs, burning in your chest, and moments during the run where you will need to slow down and walk. Many people experience these, but the one thing that I am sure you are not expecting is pain in your back. Surprisingly, back pain among new, or less experienced, runners is a common thing. But don't let the thought of that thwart your plans. Just take the proper steps to reduce the risk and see your local chiropractor regularly!

Why Your Back Hurts

There are many reasons why running may cause your back to hurt, and I'm not only talking about lower back pain. Your entire back could be at risk! So, let's take a quick look at the why before we start talking about the how.

• Low back pain - When it comes to pain in your lower back, it's usually a result of weak core muscles. Think about it. Your core muscles are responsible for supporting your spine and lower back as well as keeping your body stable and upright. That's a lot of work! So if they are weak, or become fatigued too quickly, that work gets transferred to your back, and that can lead to pain, soreness, or injuries.
• Upper back pain - Upper back pain, on the other hand, is often caused by improper technique or form. It usually occurs when your head is leaning forward too far. That's right. You may even have heard about this before. It's called forward head posture and it can lead to added tension and stress on your neck and upper back. In addition, another likely cause for upper back pain is how you hold your shoulders. If they are tense and held high, it can cause additional strain.

How to Reduce the Risk

To prevent back pain while running, you may want to consider working more on your core strength, flexibility, technique, and form. But the best thing you can do is to come on in for chiropractic care at The Joint Chiropractic. Here's why.

• Increases range of motion, flexibility, and stability
• Improves the strength and function of muscles
• Encourages proper posture
• Corrects alignment issues in the neck and spine
• Releases muscle tension in your neck and back
• Reduces stress and strain in the back and neck
• Removes joint restrictions and restores natural function of the shoulder joint

Keep Running

Run on in to The Joint Chiropractic today to decrease your risk of pain! With more than 500 locations nationwide, no appointment required, and convenient hours, it couldn't be any easier to keep those legs moving!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Portland, Ore.