Lower Back Muscles?

[ashern]

Hey all, I've recently come to a realization and I'm not quite sure what to do. My lower back has been sore and aching on and off for almost a month now, bad enough that it interferes with my stretching and desire to workout outside of class (karate). I thought it was just something with me, until I mentioned it last week when we were stretching out, and every other student in class has had the same aches and pains. This got me wondering, since we've been gearing up in our training the past several months, and its only going to get harder now that summer is here.

We do a lot of stretching, but not much of anything targeting the lower or upper back, and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for preventing problems. I'm getting regular massages lately, which has helped a lot on the recovery, but I'm looking for a way to strengthen those muscles, and something I can teach my friends so they're not in pain either.

Thanks for your suggestions!
Ashern

[Fish Of Doom]

someone correct me if i'm wrong, but.... if your back, and that of all of the other students' are aching after physical classes, doesn't that mean that what you're asking for is what you're actually doing in class?

and more exercises will actually increase the pain. that "after-pain" is the sign that your muscles got worked well, and it's a good sign generally

[ashern]

Heh, yes, it's definitely because we're having good classes, not going to argue there, but when its lasting three or four days before it stops hurting, its a little frustrating...