lower back pain

[superD3]

DD (13yo) gets lower back pain after pitching, does anyone know some good stretching and strengthening excersises that can be done to help ?

[Tucson]

Yes. Do you know those large exercise balls? Buy her one of those. She can bend over backwards on that to stretch out. There are numerous exercises available on YouTube. From the same position, she can do sit ups. She needs to strengthen her core and her stomach muscles, to help the back.

If it is serious pain, she needs to see her MD.

Also, are you certain that her pain isn't coming from something in her pitching form? We could look at a video clip of her, if you have one.

Barnes and Noble has numerous books on palates and yoga, which would show you specific exercises.

[GIMNEPIWO]

I am not saying this is the case ... but sometimes lower back pain can be caused by weak ABs ... so, in the long range Ab exercises may help ... as far as stretching the lower back ... my Yogi-mate has me doing planks and supermans and they really help my old back ...

[bringit]

DD (13yo) gets lower back pain after pitching, does anyone know some good stretching and strengthening excersises that can be done to help ?

Get the finch windmill.

[Izzy's Dad]

I agree with "bringit". Get the Finch Windmill. Follow the video instructions to the letter. It is designed to prevent injury and build core muscles. If pitching correctly, she will use the core muscles more than her arm.

[etx bd]

DD went through the the same thing at 13. Did several stupid things to address it including going to a chiropractor, finally took her to an MD. He had her lay on her back and he just started lifting her ankle he only got it about 8-10 inches off the table before she started hollering. He said theres nothing wrong with your spine you're just tight as a rubber band. He sent her to a PT who gave her a series of exercises and had her take ibuprofen in large doses to reduce the swelling. She was fine in less than 2 weeks. The Doc told me that her bones were growing faster than her muscles at this age and that is normal but athletes put way more stress on those muscles and they tear if they are not stretching properly.
I'll try to describe the excercises:

1. Lay on your back on the floor and pull your knees up to your chest. Hold it for a 10 count. Release and stretch out for a 10 count. Do 10 reps. (I do this one from time to time it really aligns your back, feels great)

2. Lay on back put left heel on top of right toes spread your arms out. Now with one foot on top of the other rotate your feet to the right and your head to the left. hold it for a 10 count then rotate feet to the left and head to the right and hold it. 10 reps. Switch feet and repeat.

3.Lay on back bend your knees and keep your feet on the floor. rotate your knees right head left and hold. Then knees left head right and hold for a 10 count. 10 reps.

There are others but they are aimed at other parts of the body.

She does these either before bed or in the morning (almost -she's a teenager) every day. It takes about 15-20 minutes. She does not do them just before a game or practice she does a dynamic routine then, and then these after. She is also doing a conditioning routine 3 times a week to strengthen those muscles. The Finch windmill is part of the routine but it won't fix this by itself. In addition to practice. It has been 2 years and she has not had anymore back problems.

[Dino]

There is a small piece written on this page that might help. http://www.fastpitching.com/news.html

[Sftbll4ever]

Personally, I would not listen to any of these and go to the doctor. I think etx bd had stated all the correct things to do, but that was information given to him AFTER his dd went to the doctor.

Be safe, her back is not anything to mess with.

[hotwheels]

Personally, I would not listen to any of these and go to the doctor. I think etx bd had stated all the correct things to do, but that was information given to him AFTER his dd went to the doctor.

Be safe, her back is not anything to mess with.

I agree totally....Backs are like VOODOO!! The wrong kind of treatment can last a lifetime if you know what I mean...

[sftballjnkie]

Been through the same thing with my DD (12U) and have agree that if there is ANY concern, take her to the Dr.
We took her to a Sports Medicine Orthapedic Specialist and were told it was a pulled muscle due to not stretching out properly. She's already tall and was going thru a growth spurt. Bones growing faster than the muscles can catch up to. Her muscles were already tight from the growth spurt, so if she did not stretch out properly before pitching, she would tweek that muscle.
She has to take extra time stretching her back before she pitches. We shut her down for a month in the fall from this and she is fine, but we are VERY adamant about stretching now as she is still growing.