Worried about my back

[ShotokanKid]

I don't want to develop back problems so I wanted to ask you:

What are the things you want to avoid to keep from messing up your back?

For example, we did some shoulder stretching today and we had to touch hands behind our backs. A lot of us felt pain when we straightened our backs. Is arcing backwards bad? What about reaching for your toes is you don't bend at the waist?

Please give me some examples of stuff you don't want to do.

[Samuel]

Im unfortunate enough to already have back problems, but not of the spinal sort, just muscle pain. I deal with it and try to help it with lots of back streching and staying active.

If youve got spinal back problems you should stop what your doing and get it sorted, but the only way to help muscular back problems is to keep going with painkillers.

I avoid doing anything that involves lifting and using my back, Its forced me to use my legs a whole lot more, if you google around for back stretches and exercises there should be plenty, keeping your back strong and not overdoing it is the best thing (prevention)

Another set of muscles that help stabalize and assist your back is your Abs and Obliques, so its good to do abit of work on them too.

[TigerDude]

I can't think of how arcing your back backwards would be bad - it's used for low back pain to stretch you out. I'm not sure I understand what you were doing, however.

Back problems are complex, and are prevented by some combination of...

Abdominal strength

Back strength (deadlifts, good mornings, rows)

minimizing stress

good posture in lifting heavy objects

good posture at all times

Good luck

[Orion]

Few things that I have tried to increase my back strength have helped a little.

Search google for hyperextensions(bench and floor), supermans, side bridges. If you want a few more search google for "back exercises bodybuilding". Hope this helps. But the main thing is always warm up properly and pay very close attention to your back.