Question
QUESTION: I am currently experiencing a lower back/butt dull ache. I run 4 days per week at a good pace on the treadmill and lift light weights. I realized the running aggravates whatever is wrong. It feels better with heat and stretching, but I really need to know how to get rid of this annoying ache so I can workout like I want to. The only cause I can think of is when I worked out my lower back about with weights 6 weeks ago to the point it felt extremely and abnormally tired afterward. It hasn't been the same since. Working out and sitting seem to be aggravating the problem. I do not have sharp pain, just a constant dull ache which worsens while working out. My question is do you think I have an injured muscle that just needs to heal or is this a disc problem? I am concerned because my mother and sister have bad backs (discs) and I never ever did. I was a Division I basketball player and never had back issues, just knee issues. I am 30 years old and want to nip this in the bud. I should note two more things that I thought could be at least contributing to this not feeling better with time (even though I haven't truly rested) is I bought a new home treadmill and I wear Nike Shox sneakers which I hear are not the best, but I always have. Also, in the last two and a half weeks, I only ran about 6 times total (as opposed to a normal 10-12 times), so to me, this is resting, but maybe I should do nothing? Please help! Thank you.

Jessica

ANSWER: Sorry I didn't respond quickly...computer issues :).  Running, supposedly, is the worst thing we can do to our bodies.  I run also.  You may want to have a chiropractor examine you, and xray to be sure of no underlying pathology.  To me, with no examination, and your description, this sounds to be a soft tissue issue.  If you need any other guidance, please feel free to ask.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your response. I actually have an appointment with an orthopedic tomorrow. Since I wrote you the first question, I have not done anything except stretch and its starting to feel better. However, in the past, it felt completely better than hurt again with running. So, time will tell. I agree that I need a diagnosis of some kind to tell me if this is a disc or soft tissue problem. If its soft tissue, then I know from my basketball injuries, that with rest and time it will be fine. Can you speculate what type of soft tissue injury from my explanation? Muscle? Tendon?

Answer
It is very hard to tell without an examination.  I have run into these types of injuries previously, and they can be any one; muscle, tendon, ligament, or disc.  Good luck, and please let me know how you make out.  In our area, the orthopedists have 2 answers for everything:  It's the worst I have ever seen, or It's bone on bone!!!!  Hopefully you will be neither!