Heh...this is my problem in my lower back....a rotten disk.If you have a slipped disk pushing on a nerve root, exercise may be a bad idea. In other situations, it may be helpful.
I've had back pain for just over 10 years, I had a spasm and pain down my leg, doc diagnosed it as a herniated disk and gave me prenosone, muscle relaxants and pain pills. Two weeks later I returned and reported I'm just now not crawling from bed to couch. He was surprised and said he thought the prednosone would have my up in 3 or 4 days.My own experience with an inversion table was not beneficial and in fact hurt myself. Purchased one due to back issues including sciatica. I was in my mid forties. Perhaps it was just me, but I think it strained already hurt tissues. My chiro felt it could help, but past a certain age he would be concerned.
So I drag it from home to home and let it gather dust in the garage.
So I drag it from home to home and let it gather dust in the garage.
My squats are flat foot, I start each by sticking my butt back and my arms out front. I only go until my thighs are level with the ground.* I try to keep my knees in the same plane as my toes in reality just a little forward of my toes.Regarding squats and back pain, I think a full flat footed squat stretches your lower back more than a squat on your toes, maybe because your upper body has to lean forward more for balance when your feet are flat on the ground. I'd been warming up before squatting anyway, for my knees, and I became even more careful when I figured out that back issue. My deep knee bends consist of about 10 reps, each being lower than the last, and I like to warm up my legs a little even before that. When I do them after my recumbent exercise bike (yes, I still use it despite the problems, more carefully than ever) I'm even more careful. I didn't even do the final full squat once. Yesterday I think I did and I'm OK. I'm constantly experimenting.
Yes, my 10 pain free weeks had some overlap with the 3 or 4 months when I was doing a strict Keto diet, I weighed everything I ate to keep track of carbs. It's been in the back of my mind to go keto again to see if it helps my back.I'll add that aches and pains for me were also a dietary issue. About two years ago, I noticed I was having a lot of pain and inflammation all over. I finally decided about six weeks ago to go gluten free, and I've noticed that the aches and pains also showed improvement due to that.
My squats are flat foot, I start each by sticking my butt back and my arms out front. I only go until my thighs are level with the ground.* I try to keep my knees in the same plane as my toes in reality just a little forward of my toes.
* could go deeper, but I've been told that is bad for your knees, However I wonder if that is more when you are using weights.