what can i do about lower back pain? it hurts so bad even when im not in my shoes. i can hardly work anymore. i have been dancing for years and now suddenly i starting to have these problems. im young....can this job cause serious injury to my back?
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what can i do about lower back pain? it hurts so bad even when im not in my shoes. i can hardly work anymore. i have been dancing for years and now suddenly i starting to have these problems. im young....can this job cause serious injury to my back?
Back pain is the number one disability for people ander 45. Preventive measures taken range from using your legs to lift, correct posture, stretching, holding an object close to your center of gravity, and strenghtening your back muscles. Can you injure yourself at this job --certainly. What kind of moves do you do? Do you do any backbends?
Back bending is considered hyperextending your back putting excessive force on your discs that can lead to possible herniated discs, slipped disc and a host of other ailments.
It would be best to consult a chiropractor about your condition for more advice. If the pain gets unbearable it's time to modify your routine.
Is your back injured or is it just sore?
When I first started dancing I hurt my back so bad I couldn't even stand up straight. I saw a chiropractor and he fixed me right up! He said I had a disc out of alignment.
If your back is just sore you need to strengthen your core muscles (abs, back). Pilates is excellent for that. I've also heard that weak hamstrings can cause a sore lower back.
I think it is just sore. But I have danced for years and never had any problems. Can simply being in heels all night cause problems? im thinking its the pressure that is on my back from the position my back is in when im in the shoes. i dont do back bends or anything....Kobi, how did you hurt your back?
yes the heels absolutely cause the problems!
Do you notice that you tilt your pelvis forward to make up for your center of balance being off. It's figure-flattering, but your lower back has an abnormal amount of pressure placed on it.
I just see a massage therapist about it when it starts to act up on me and it feels like new again.
Back Pain can also be caused from wearing improper foot wear. I'd suggest buying new insoles, and getting Dr. Scholl's heel cushions.
Also buying new Gym Shoes (I'd suggest basketball type because they have better cushioning in the heel than cross trainers).
You'd be amazed how quickly the pain disappears once you do this.
I'd also suggest seeing your Doctor and telling him. You should also get referal to a Podiatrist, and a Sports Medicine Doctor if you can.
I hope this helps.
I really don't know what actually did it. It was my second week of dancing so I'm sure that had to do with it. I saw the chiropractor after 2 days of extreme pain and 2 days later it was gone and hasn't happened again.Quote:
....Kobi, how did you hurt your back?
I used to do this too. A lot of dancers stand and walk like this. It is so bad for your lower back. Once I corrected my posture I noticed a significant difference in the amount of lower back pain I was having. Now I stand up straight with no arch in my back and suck in my tummy constantly. I think it is more flattering on the tummy, not as flattering on the butt, but it works your abs! You might want to look for shoes with a smaller difference between the heel and platform size.Quote:
Do you notice that you tilt your pelvis forward to make up for your center of balance being off. It's figure-flattering, but your lower back has an abnormal amount of pressure placed on it.
As someone who's back carries a heavier "load" than most girls, trust me that back strengthening exercises make all the difference in the world in avoiding back pain and back problems.
This job can definitely hurt your back, somtimes without you even noticing. A few weeks ago I was going down the stairs to get offstage when I sort of slipped. While I didn't fall and hurt my pride, by the end of the shift I could hardly stand up straight. I had pulled a muscle in my lower back, and hardly even noticed it. Maybe that is what happened to you.
I agree with the comments about high heels causing most problems. Just get up on your tip toes without shoes on. You can feel your lower back muscles tightening up to compensate. I couldn't do this job without regular trips to the massuese. I just consider my massages a cost of working, just like tip outs.
is it ok to keep working?
I have a slipped disk in my lower back as a result of dancing for 3 years. Seeing a chiropractor twice a week can help and i usually work every other day instead of two straight nights to give my back a rest. Dancing does cause it to get worse ( because of the heels) and its an injury that stays with you unless you get surgery. Just be careful and dont push yourself to work on days that it really hurts.
About 6 months after i started dancing i began experiencing really bad migraines. back pain had become a factor of every day life so i ignored it but when it developed into daily migraines i went to see a chiropractor. now im having adjustments and massages regularly and they have suggested many things i can do to avoid more damage to my back, spine and neck. these are some things you might consider;
- changing the height of your heels. lower heels are always better because they put less stress on your back. heels are absolutely unnatural and our backs will be quite bad when we're older so we need to find the most suitable ones for our own back. chiropractors do muscle tests at specific heights to find the best height for you.
- finding a shoe that has a slightly larger heel than a tiny stilletto. think about how when your standing, especially on one leg or bending over etc, how your whole body weight is supported by almost only a cm square! that causes your whole body to be strained to help you maintain your balance. i got a slightly squarer heel that is still incredibly sexy and it has helped me heaps.
- stretching before your start work. immediately after my make up is finished, BEFORE i put my shoes on, i do a stretching routine. hamstrings, calves, lower back, glutes (bum muscles), neck and shoulders. this is essential in any physical job or sport and we are no exception. not enough girls do this.
- exercise. ive just started boxing once a week and walk every day. walking is not enough though. we need something that actually gets us real fit and strengthens our whole body.
- changing your diet slightly. the chiropractor suggested i avoid wheat (there are wheat free breads), caffiene, chocolate and orange juice. these things aggravate the digestive system which effects the spine through nerve connections.
- changing your routine slightly so that your wieght is more evenly balanced and you are not doing too many contorted things with your body.
- the last thing is quite unorthodox but is helping me heaps. when i take a guy for a private dance now (we dance between 2 couches and use one to sit on for leg work etc) i slip my shoes off without him noticing. then essentially im dancing with bare feet which is great exercise in itself. this gives my back regular breaks from the heels which means im not working for 9 hours straight in back destroying shoes. gives my back a rest for 5-10 minutes but keeps it moving and warmed up. when i want to sit down and do leg work, i just point my toes elegantly and look like a ballet dancer. they love it.
hope this helps. i considered quitting dancing because i just couldnt handle the discomfort, but since ive been strict and stuck to these things my back has improved immensely. good luck and let us know how you go!